* There is already a thread created by Pro7ecT that has a picture of Perfectman in a KT uniform and a link to a Fomos article that's in Korean; this is a translation of DES's interview for English users. I wanted to translate this article in particular because it sheds light on the sad reality that is the life of a progamer, and what his future beholds.
PerfectMan upon joining KT: "I ran my ass up in the middle of doing manual labor"
"When KT gave me the call I ran my ass up without giving it a second thought. I was desperate. I feel like I just won the lottery."
Perfectman was lost when Hwaseung Oz disbanded abruptly. He wasn't drafted during the posting process, so 22-year-old perfectman had to give up his dream as a progamer, and enlist himself in the labor forces for manual labor jobs. Perhaps that explains why perfectman looked much thinner than when we had met him five months ago.
"It wasn't because our house is poor (laughs). After ending my career as a progamer I had nothing to do. I didn't want to sit at home and do nothing. I didn't want to waste my time as a twenty two-year-old. The best option for me was manual labor." [T/N: My cousin did manual labor on weekends to buy a present for his girlfriend. Think illegal alien labor markets if you are American: you enlist yourself and gather at 6:30am where employers will pick their workers for the day and you do whatever they tell you. You get decent pay but it is physically demanding, and you can't stop because the next worker in line is always waiting to replace you tomorrow.]
Perfectman felt a sense of appreciation for the game, one that he hadn't felt while he still had his career. He regretted not giving it his best shot while he still had the chance. He had a hard time resisting the urge to go back to playing BW for a career.
"I finally realized what it feels to be unable to play [as a career] even if you want. All these memories of PL made me melancholy. I felt like that was where I belonged but in reality I was here and I questioned why. Watching my ex-teammates win games made me crave playing BW even more strongly. But I couldn't play."
Perfectman was forced to give it all up. He had to report to the labor forces facilities by 5am [Ok I guess it's even earlier than I remember] and perform manual labor daily, putting away his dreams as a progamer, until one day out of the blue, he received a call from KT. They asked if he would like to play again.
"I didn't even listen to their suggested salary, benefits, terms or conditions. I literally bowed on the phone and said thank you. Even though they couldn't see it I bowed. I packed my stuff immediately and went up to Seoul that day. Somebody up there must have heard my prayers and decided to give me a second chance."
Even when news broke of Wemade Fox and MBC Game disbanding, Perfectman felt it was a non-concern. But after Hwaseung Oz announced their disbandment after the 10-11 season in August, Perfectman's days were spent in misery. Even the posting process did little to lift up his mood.
"I didn't believe it. Hwaseung isn't some small, local company; it's a big company, so disbanding didn't even cross my mind. I didn't feel anything when I heard the news of posting. I felt like I had lost everything overnight."
When Perfectman's hopes of continuing his career through the posting process were smothered, he was at a loss. He realized his days of progaming were over, but he couldn't just sit at home and do nothing. He felt ashamed to mooch off of his parents at the age of twenty-two, so he entered the workforce.
"Doing manual labor taught me that money doesn't come easy. Of course I'm not saying that progaming is an easy job, but at least I enjoyed it, and I was building a career towards my dream. Other jobs, you just work for pay, day in and day out. It was stifling."
This period has taught Perfectman many lessons. He realized the value behind every one of his games. After joining KT a week ago, he has played every game with a thankful mindset. He has been practicing harder than anybody and doing his best to return to form.
"There is no desperation as great as mine. I hit rock bottom so I can only go up from here. I will not waste my second chance that almost never came. I am not the Perfectman of the past. I will absolutely play to the best of my abilities."
Even though he took a break for five months, he says his skill has not deteriorated that much. He has been learning a thing or two from KT's Stats and developing as a player. Perfectman is determined to pay back his savior, KT, with good results.
"I will do my best. I never want to have the regrets that I had when I was doing manual labor. If I give every moment my best, regardless of what happens, at least I won't have any regrets. I hope KT doesn't have any plans of disbanding anytime soon (laughs)? My life is on the line so please give me support and be on the lookout for me."
I found the story very touching. How can one root against him from now on? I will keep my fingers crossed for him. Even though I wasn't his fan I'm really thankful that KT signed him... The kid sounds so happy about it
touching. i hope he returns to form to fit in that hole where violet's soul still belongs. Then we'll have a lineup of FlaSh, Stats, Perfectman, Violet, and REACH. (Sorry Hoejja, but SS2 isn't as cool as being the most manly man on earth)
On January 17 2012 04:10 Condor Hero wrote: Wait so his family isn't poor and he did manual labor just to keep busy? I guess that's cool, at least it's great exercise.
He wanted to work but he had no college degree nor any desirable skills - leaves you with manual labor or working part time at starbucks as your only options.
On January 17 2012 04:10 Condor Hero wrote: Wait so his family isn't poor and he did manual labor just to keep busy? I guess that's cool, at least it's great exercise.
He wanted to work but he had no college degree nor any desirable skills - leaves you with manual labor or working part time at starbucks as your only options.
Did he finish high school at least? I know he's been around for a long time.
Perfectman put the man in perfectman. Even if his family wasn't poor, he worked manual labor just to not be a drain on his family. I hope his renewed passion leads to better results.
Man, that's rough. It is sad though that this career path pretty much forces you to have no choices outside of it. You don't have time to go to school because then you're falling behind all the people who are only practicing, but if you don't go to school, you have few skills to succeed outside of gaming :/
What a sweet interview. I feel so bad for all the progamers who didn't get to leave the scene on their own terms so it's great that perfectman is getting a second chance.
On January 17 2012 08:31 saltywet wrote: Had to manual labor for 5 months? Okay, NOW savior pisses me off
i think something like this is where most progamers who didn't finish high school or have a family business to rely on will end up, has nothing to do with savior.
On January 17 2012 08:31 saltywet wrote: Had to manual labor for 5 months? Okay, NOW savior pisses me off
i think something like this is where most progamers who didn't finish high school or have a family business to rely on will end up, has nothing to do with savior.
Savior's wrongdoings helped weaken the pro scene, so you can't say he had NOTHING to do with it. I agree with your general sentiment that this is more of a general problem that is caused by the progaming environment rather than any one thing in particular that might have brought down the scene, though.
wow , that interview completely changed my mind. Such a passion , i think KT players might even get a motivation boost watching Perfectman practicing that hard. GOOO Perfectman looking forward to see you in a match
Perfect man is really something ... I believe perfectman is going to make a strong come back and to think that the pro gamers in the long term if their team disbanded , they have no where to go except doing some labour jobs . It's quite saddening , perfectman case was because he had no college degree or qualification to get at least a decent job .
My respect to the man , perfectman FIGHTING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
On January 17 2012 08:31 saltywet wrote: Had to manual labor for 5 months? Okay, NOW savior pisses me off
i think something like this is where most progamers who didn't finish high school or have a family business to rely on will end up, has nothing to do with savior.
Savior's wrongdoings helped weaken the pro scene, so you can't say he had NOTHING to do with it. I agree with your general sentiment that this is more of a general problem that is caused by the progaming environment rather than any one thing in particular that might have brought down the scene, though.
neither of you got the point which is that savior got to make money playing starcraft after his scandal, whilst progamers like perfectman have to go do manual labor
Really interesting interview! I'm pretty happy for him~ the other day I was wondering what had happened to him and well here he is! I'm looking forward to your games PerfectMan!
I always loved PM when he was in OZ, I will be rooting for him still. His passion and heart-felt joy is contagious, makes me so happy that he has gotten the second chance he was looking for. I hope KT Stats can train him up to be a SPL beast. Perfectman fighting!
On January 17 2012 08:31 saltywet wrote: Had to manual labor for 5 months? Okay, NOW savior pisses me off
i think something like this is where most progamers who didn't finish high school or have a family business to rely on will end up, has nothing to do with savior.
Savior's wrongdoings helped weaken the pro scene, so you can't say he had NOTHING to do with it. I agree with your general sentiment that this is more of a general problem that is caused by the progaming environment rather than any one thing in particular that might have brought down the scene, though.
neither of you got the point which is that savior got to make money playing starcraft after his scandal, whilst progamers like perfectman have to go do manual labor
Guys, regardless of what savior did, you're all being out of topic,
On January 17 2012 12:39 Dental Floss wrote: Hm.... you know what other manual laborer disappeared for a time and then returned to us triumphantly? Thats right. Jesus.
Jesus had a specialization.
Edit: Went over some PM games for nostalgia. He is seriously good at pwning terrans in 5 min games, fun, hope KT fields him.
On January 17 2012 19:10 S2Glow wrote: imo he could just train and play starcraft2 instead of doing manual labour though.. weird choice from perfectman but goodluck to him :D
You don't doubt the PERFECT man decision , his choice of becoming a manual labour is better than sitting at home and playing games for nothing . :D
On January 17 2012 12:39 Dental Floss wrote: Hm.... you know what other manual laborer disappeared for a time and then returned to us triumphantly? Thats right. Jesus.
are you talking about the jesus jesus or backho? o.o
I still get wet eyes every time at these interviews, you can just feel the passion, the perseverance and dedication of the players in such a volatile and difficult occupation with limited exit opportunities.
EPT
![[image loading]](http://img.dailygame.co.kr/news/201201/attachments/20120112_6c759081650bdf7e046a2de0b157ee45.jpg)
Stats and developing as a player. Perfectman is determined to pay back his savior, KT, with good results. 
