Instead, I will try to enlighten you (and myself, too!) with these fresh news articles from Fomos and DES. No, I do not have the time to translate them all right now (and I'm not allowed to translate Fomos ones anyway). So these are open for fellow translators to grab as you wish (I'll link the articles here), but most them are short and perhaps not worthy of a full translation. I do encourage someone to pick up the Twitter Q&A with Reach though. If there aren't any takers, I'll get on it this weekend.
- Thanks Kalent for translating the OGN Commentator Um Jae Gyung article. Updated link.
- Updated link to Ryo's thread regarding Light Girl's conditions.
Stats rewarded with a 100%+ salary increase from KT
Fomos DES
Brief overview: Stats, earlier in the season, set a personal goal to achieve 40 wins in the SPL season and to double his salary for next season. He indeed achieved his goal when KT rewarded him for his contributions and hard work. KT management said that they awarded Stats with a huge salary increase that brings his salary near the 100 million won mark (approximately $100k USD). Stats is extremely happy about this, and is recovering well from his recent chin surgery.
KT renews Violet's contract
Fomos DES
Brief overview: KT showed that they are indeed a loyal and caring team by signing a contract with Violet. Violet, who has been diagnosed with leukemia early in the season and hospitalized ever since, said that he's very grateful for the support from his team. He is optimistic about his treatment and recovery process, and wishes to return to the stage soon.
Player contracts in the finalization stage
Fomos
Brief overview: KT announced that all of their player contracts have been renewed for next season. SKT announced that all of their player contracts except for Bisu's have been finalized. Bisu, who was the main force behind SKT's incredible SPL regular season record, is still in the process of negotiating the terms with the team. Both SKT and Bisu are expected to come to terms soon. CJ, which also had a good run last season, have announced that there are not going to be major surprises in player contracts, and that they are in the final stage of getting the contracts done. Fans are curious about whether Hydra will get a raise, and how CJ will value the return of Effort. Other teams like Samsung Khan, Woongjin Stars, and STX are also expected to finalize their player contracts soon, with few to no raises due to their disappointing results last season.
Light shows his support for his fan
DES
Brief overview: Light Girl is sick (see this thread). Light, having heard the news, immediately visited a local hospital to make blood donation towards the girl's surgery. Light is also planning to visit the girl in the hospital once she is cleared to accept visitors. He expressed his concern and wishes the girl a successful surgery and swift recovery.
Bonus: in the comments: "Jaetler to forcibly extract and donate Woongjin Team blood to the girl's surgery"
Flash's surgery date finalized
DES
Brief overview: Flash will receive surgery in the coming 19th (September 19th). KT released their position on this, saying that "they had to delay the surgery a little bit due to the re-scheduling of SPL Finals and the ensuing vacation to Guam." Flash is expected to be ready and well for the start of next season.
Twitter Q&A: REACH
DES
Brief overview: Twitter Q&A with everyone's favourite MANTOSS. There are questions regarding his manly looks, manly muscles, why he's so good looking, what he thinks about his muscles... oh and also about his future plans, has he thought of SC2 like YellOw, what were some of his most memorable moments in his career, and blabla.
OGN commentator Um Jae Gyung opens up about the current state of the scene
DES
Full Translated Article by Kalent
Brief overview: OGN's oldest commentator Um Jae Gyung has been a part of this scene ever since the very roots of Korean e-sports scene, starting with Tooniverse (founded 1995, anime/cartoon channel). He recalls having the first broadcasted SC match ever on the Tooniverse channel - with 0 dollars of sponsorship, pocket change for prize money, an old dusty ping pong table, and a couple computers. Nobody imagined the e-sports scene as it is today. Match-fixing scandal and legal feud with Blizzard are two biggest factors he identifies as the cause of recent withdrawal of three corporate sponsors. He acknowledges the events of today as temporary setbacks, and that the livelihood of SCBW e-sports scene is in the hands of the fans - both die-hard regulars and casuals.
KT sends 100 blood donation certificates to Light Girl
Fomos DES
See Ryo's thread for Light Girl regarding the original articles and updates.
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My friends, it looks certain that there will be a next season. Do not fear. I'll try to deliver these kind of comprehensive quick-news whenever I can. Also, to Ryo, sorry I didn't have time to work on that Stork overview article you linked me last time, but don't you think I forgot about it!