CJ Shirt Essay Winners - Page 6

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Model of Perfection

When you think of a “gamer,” what images come to mind? The average person might envision someone who is lazy and irresponsible, someone immature for his age, someone emotionally unstable, or maybe just a social outcast. Whatever it is, the person they imagine is usually not the model of perfection. Yet when I think of a “gamer,” I envision someone mature, hard working, responsible, selfless, and loyal. Assuming I'm sane, how can it be possible that while the average person thinks of an overall low-life, I think of someone you could model your life after? Because when I think of a “gamer,” I think of Seo Ji Hoon, the Perfect Gamer.

More commonly known as XellOs, Seo Ji Hoon boasts qualities seemingly opposite the average gamer. While it might not be rare for a licensed progamer to act well mannered, Seo Ji Hoon's emotional maturity goes far beyond typing “GG” or bowing after defeat. His stoic demeanor is the first thing most fans notice. He believes that any serious gamer must control his emotions at all times, and he exemplifies this control better than most crisis counselors. Of course without hard work, maturity doesn't get you far.

Dedication is required of any progamer, but XellOs' goes beyond that of even other pros. Forbidden from playing by his mom, he had to train silently at night to achieve the skills to go pro. He maintained that dedication as a pro by voluntarily dropping to the B team when he was slumping, devoting more time to practicing and returning to his previous form.

While most people game to avoid responsibility, Seo Ji Hoon became pro to support his family. Losing his dad at 12, he was expected to help provide for his mother. Licensed at 17, Seo Ji Hoon was able to do just that, eventually winning an OSL and devoting it to his mom. Yet Seo Ji Hoon's loyalty isn't just to his family.

As a member of unsponsored G.O., much of XellOs' winnings went to help support the team. While others left G.O. for higher pay at sponsored teams, he remained, despite needing to support his mom financially. Because of his selfless loyalty as their star player, G.O. secured sponsorship and became CJ Entus.

When I think of a “gamer,” I think of Seo Ji Hoon, because he is what other gamers should strive to be. CJ Entus embodies his qualities, being known for emotional control and hard work. While others may envy their favorite pro because of his wins or his looks, I envy XellOs because of his heart. He is the reason I stay up all night to watch every match of every CJ player. He is the reason my favorite player of every race all play for CJ Entus. He is the reason I still play StarCraft and am not ashamed to tell others. Seo Ji Hoon isn't just a model for other gamers; he is a model for anyone.

Images credited to: dcinside, On Media, FighterForum.com, game chosun, OSEN, x_woof_x, iStockphoto, and Canay's Creations. All images stolen and/or used without permission (although I informed x_woof_x I was using his photos).

Closed Eyes

I want this shirt. I want this shirt so bad that I can taste it. I want it so bad that I draw it on my body and imagine that I already have it. As I go about my daily business I attract many raised eyebrows and snide remarks. It doesn't matter though, as long as I'm wrapped in the embrace of CJ entus. I close my eyes and imagine myself on a small Korean stage, standing before crowds of cheering fans. I stumble out of that little booth with my eyes locked onto the bench. In front of me are my teammates, slumped over their seats staring back at me. I must remember my surroundings. Forcing away my smile and feelings of excitement, I lethargically high five my teammates. The sea breeze brushes through my hair and my sweat glistens in the spotlights. I've never been to Busan before, but now I hope I never leave. The Ace match took a lot out of me. I pull off my CJ shirt won in a little competition. It has made all the difference for me and hoping that it can for someone else, I throw it deep into the crowds. At that moment the fans flood towards the stage. They pick me up and toss me high into the night sky, towards the stars. I feel as if I can reach out and grab them, pull them out of the sky and put them into my pockets. I close my eyes once again hoping this moment never ends.

... Man I want this shirt.

First Love

When I was chosen as the first alternate in the lottery for the large white CJ shirt I’m now writing to win, I was ecstatic. Weeks of eager anticipation had finally culminated into my one shot. I fell short by a hair, but I was left with hope. If there was anyone else to be given a chance to purchase a large white shirt, it would be me first. Later recounting my good fortune to a friend, he asked, “What are you so happy about? You lost.” Stunned, I pondered the question. Why was I so happy?

I had started playing on low money 1v1’s coming from the mineral rich BGH games, and repeatedly, I was trounced in magnificent fashion. My spirit as broken as my StarCraft pride, I turned to professional gamers for answers. Looking for anything, a certain zerg player caught my eye. I began to see a parallel between myself and all of his opponents; we were all dominated and playing way out of our league. I immediately became a fan, and my interest in progaming grew rapidly. My desire for the game became uncontrollable, and VODs were no longer sufficient. I wanted to feel the rush of watching a game live. Searching for my fix, Team Liquid seemed the most useful site in a language familiar to me. I immediately searched for threads relating to watching games live, and I was pleasantly surprised by the massive fan base outside of Korea. More importantly, I learned the name of my hero, Ma Jae Yoon. Throwing myself passionately into progaming, I felt my love for the sport exceed my love for any other, and finally I understood what drove those crazy fans in stadiums to wave foam fingers or paint their faces. Young and ambitious, I dreamed of the day I would make an expedition to Korea to watch my favorite player and my favorite team. I longed for the day I could sit next to Korean fan girls and scream with them in unison, “MA JAE YOON FIGHTING” or “CJ FIGHTING”. Desperate for an outlet of my fandom, I hunted relentlessly for merchandise relating to either player or team. I would eventually give up after several frustrating hours poking through sites where the language barrier proved too solid to be breached. Finally in 2008, I found it. I found what I had been looking for a year ago; it was exactly what I wanted. The CJ shirt – my opportunity to display my passion to anyone who cared and impose itself upon anyone who doesn’t. Frantically, I looked toward contacts in Korea only to find that they were unable to help without a Korean SSN. With hope all but lost, a post reignited the flame within me. Team Liquid would be receiving CJ shirts. There was one more chance.

Reflecting upon all of this, I realized the answer to his question was simple and unexpected. It’s love; to have even the slimmest chance makes me elated.