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Korean ProGamers & the Military? - Page 2

Forum Index > General Forum
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JerKy
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
Korea (South)3013 Posts
April 29 2011 08:18 GMT
#21
On April 29 2011 17:11 Maliris wrote:
Personally I think its pretty bullshit that people involved in sports/esports have to do miltiary service... maybe that sounds really ignorant, but having progamers be forced to go to military is horrible. It nearly ruins their entire career, anyone who did their miltiary service in BW who was a progamer were never able to get their skill level back up to a similar point that it was before they left


Well, I think you're missing a point there.
Yes it sucks for a progamer to have to go into military service, but it sucks for ANYONE to have to go into service. I mean, who wants to leave their home, family, loved ones, job to go into mandatory army service? Unless you are geared towards a military career, having to go to the army just sucks

It's not only progamers that have to suffer this unfortunate fact. And moreover, also keep in mind some people, including progamers, may feel obligated to serve in the army to protect their country in the case that the Korean war continues.
You can type "StarCraft" with just your left hand.
kOre
Profile Blog Joined April 2009
Canada3642 Posts
April 29 2011 08:29 GMT
#22
Korean citizens must go into the military for 2 years. This starts at age 21 and you can postpone till you're 30. As far as I know there are only 2 exceptions to this.

95% or higher average in university (not 100% sure about this one but I heard it from my cousin in Korea).

Physically or mentally unable to go to the military (weigh like 300 pounds and stuff like that).
http://www.starcraftmecca.net - Founder
Talin
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Montenegro10532 Posts
April 29 2011 08:43 GMT
#23
Surely there must be a better and more cost efficient way to prepare for a possible future armed conflict than having every (or almost every) male undergo military life for 2 years?

I'm no military expert, but I can't see the benefits of such a rigid system compared to the way most western countries do it. It's not like raw manpower decides the outcome of armed conflicts nowadays.
rabidch
Profile Joined January 2010
United States20289 Posts
April 29 2011 08:46 GMT
#24
On April 29 2011 14:09 Intensity wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 29 2011 13:28 salazar001 wrote:
ALL Koreans must go serve in the military for at least 2 years. No exceptions unless you have some severe problems and absolutely cannot attend. People can postpone their service for a short period of time, but it is mandatory to serve in the military. Also, for BW in the military they have a progaming team. For your last question, it entirely depends on the programer, they will choose themselves whether they wish to continue their career in progaming.


What about a military proteam for SC2? Is there a list anywhere of which of the major Korean progamers have served? Also, is it similar to the US where, after basic training (6 weeks I think) you live in a dorm, have you own computer and whatever, do your job with the military during the day then do whatever you want @ night? What I'm essentially asking is - are these guys still allowed to compete / ladder while serving in the military?

There is no proteam for SC2, I don't think SC2 proscene in Korea is big enough to warrant one. Airforce ACE does get practice time and free time, but apparently they don't get enough practice time with people outside their team, only within their team.

If a list was constructed it wouldn't be very large, for SC2 there is only BoxeR and a few other guys (Fruitdealer?) iirc. SC1 most of them retired as progamers after ACE, but people like Anytime, Reach, Yellow are still on rosters. (TLPD is incorrect, xellos is still on Hite Entus)
LiquidDota StaffOnly a true king can play the King.
thoradycus
Profile Joined August 2010
Malaysia3262 Posts
April 29 2011 09:03 GMT
#25
On April 29 2011 17:43 Talin wrote:
Surely there must be a better and more cost efficient way to prepare for a possible future armed conflict than having every (or almost every) male undergo military life for 2 years?

I'm no military expert, but I can't see the benefits of such a rigid system compared to the way most western countries do it. It's not like raw manpower decides the outcome of armed conflicts nowadays.

u cant really take any chances when your neighbour/enemy has like 1 mil soldiers and 8 mil reserves.
xarthaz
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
1704 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-04-29 09:10:46
April 29 2011 09:09 GMT
#26
In a lot of countries with conscription, young men employ simulation tactics to convince doctors they have some medical condition preventing going to army
On April 29 2011 18:03 thoradycus wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 29 2011 17:43 Talin wrote:
Surely there must be a better and more cost efficient way to prepare for a possible future armed conflict than having every (or almost every) male undergo military life for 2 years?

I'm no military expert, but I can't see the benefits of such a rigid system compared to the way most western countries do it. It's not like raw manpower decides the outcome of armed conflicts nowadays.

u cant really take any chances when your neighbour/enemy has like 1 mil soldiers and 8 mil reserves.
guerilla warfare. the strategy that crushed the army of USA(several times in fact), USSR by very poorly financed opposition.
Aah thats the stuff..
Kipsate
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
Netherlands45349 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-04-29 09:25:59
April 29 2011 09:24 GMT
#27
On April 29 2011 17:11 Maliris wrote:
Personally I think its pretty bullshit that people involved in sports/esports have to do miltiary service... maybe that sounds really ignorant, but having progamers be forced to go to military is horrible. It nearly ruins their entire career, anyone who did their miltiary service in BW who was a progamer were never able to get their skill level back up to a similar point that it was before they left


South-Korea is still at war with North Korea, not to mention that if you are going to exempt those, then what is to stop every college/university student to be excempt aswell?

Ow yeah, SC2 does not have a Militairy progamer team because SC2 is not really big in Korea right now, or atleast not nearly big enough to have a militairty progamer team for now.


On April 29 2011 17:29 kOre wrote:
Korean citizens must go into the military for 2 years. This starts at age 21 and you can postpone till you're 30. As far as I know there are only 2 exceptions to this.

95% or higher average in university (not 100% sure about this one but I heard it from my cousin in Korea).

Physically or mentally unable to go to the military (weigh like 300 pounds and stuff like that).


July needs to get more cheeseburgers, I say we set up a foundation for him.
WriterXiao8~~
GTR
Profile Blog Joined September 2004
51608 Posts
April 29 2011 10:01 GMT
#28
dunno where people are getting the idea nestea hasn't gone. he went and did his service before going pro in bw (back in 04-05).
Commentator
WAAA
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
New Zealand291 Posts
April 29 2011 10:14 GMT
#29
On April 29 2011 17:43 Talin wrote:
Surely there must be a better and more cost efficient way to prepare for a possible future armed conflict than having every (or almost every) male undergo military life for 2 years?

I'm no military expert, but I can't see the benefits of such a rigid system compared to the way most western countries do it. It's not like raw manpower decides the outcome of armed conflicts nowadays.


Are you kidding me? Pretty sure any countryin SK's position would have a mandatory service. Also the mandatory service provides citizens with military training in the event fighting breaks out and there is a draft.
andrewlt
Profile Joined August 2009
United States7702 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-04-29 16:34:43
April 29 2011 16:34 GMT
#30
On April 29 2011 16:19 blade55555 wrote:
I am curious, thought I would ask in this thread.

Has jaedong done military service or no? has flash?



Flash is too young to go. It starts at 21, I believe. Jaedong and Bisu are barely old enough to do it. They just hit 21 in the past 6 months. Unless I'm mistaken and 21 is in Korean age.
youngminii
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Australia7514 Posts
April 29 2011 16:38 GMT
#31
I remember watching Nonstop (Korean sitcom) and EVERY TIME they wanted to get rid of a male character it would be "oh no i got called for military service, bye guys"

I still think it's stupid, but it's accepted in Korean culture as an integral part of male adulthood.
lalala
doothegee
Profile Joined December 2009
Korea (South)3011 Posts
April 29 2011 16:40 GMT
#32
On April 30 2011 01:34 andrewlt wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 29 2011 16:19 blade55555 wrote:
I am curious, thought I would ask in this thread.

Has jaedong done military service or no? has flash?



Flash is too young to go. It starts at 21, I believe. Jaedong and Bisu are barely old enough to do it. They just hit 21 in the past 6 months. Unless I'm mistaken and 21 is in Korean age.

You can start going at 18. You can usually postpone it for a good 7~8 years if you have a valid reason, and you're exempt completely if you stay in another country for like 15 years (like me )
웅진 멘쓰즈
Lonyo
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
United Kingdom3884 Posts
April 29 2011 16:41 GMT
#33
On April 29 2011 19:14 WAAA wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 29 2011 17:43 Talin wrote:
Surely there must be a better and more cost efficient way to prepare for a possible future armed conflict than having every (or almost every) male undergo military life for 2 years?

I'm no military expert, but I can't see the benefits of such a rigid system compared to the way most western countries do it. It's not like raw manpower decides the outcome of armed conflicts nowadays.


Are you kidding me? Pretty sure any countryin SK's position would have a mandatory service. Also the mandatory service provides citizens with military training in the event fighting breaks out and there is a draft.

It's pretty much like Israel (which has mandatory military service for men AND women), since they also have tensions with neighbours (whatever you may think of their actions/etc).
HOLY CHECK!
legatus legionis
Profile Joined October 2010
Netherlands559 Posts
April 29 2011 16:54 GMT
#34
On April 29 2011 19:01 GTR wrote:
dunno where people are getting the idea nestea hasn't gone. he went and did his service before going pro in bw (back in 04-05).


Oh sweet! That would've been a tragedy if he had to go like super soon.
The military service probably sucks and people have brought up a variety of points I will agree with but just to make a case for the other side.
It's good for your body, I know you can do this on your own accord as well but if you have to go regardless and you make the best of it, just go all out "hardcore renegade style" and I feel it can be a really rewarding experiencing.
tangwhat
Profile Joined May 2010
New Zealand446 Posts
May 14 2011 04:53 GMT
#35
On April 29 2011 19:01 GTR wrote:
dunno where people are getting the idea nestea hasn't gone. he went and did his service before going pro in bw (back in 04-05).


Do you know anything about Oov/NaDa/July? Like I'm not sure when Oov or July did their military service(or if they even did).
RaiKageRyu
Profile Joined August 2009
Canada4773 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-05-14 04:58:02
May 14 2011 04:57 GMT
#36
^ Those three did not, to my recollection.
Someone call down the Thunder?
DOMINOSC
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
Canada345 Posts
May 14 2011 05:02 GMT
#37
On April 29 2011 17:11 Maliris wrote:
Personally I think its pretty bullshit that people involved in sports/esports have to do miltiary service... maybe that sounds really ignorant, but having progamers be forced to go to military is horrible. It nearly ruins their entire career, anyone who did their miltiary service in BW who was a progamer were never able to get their skill level back up to a similar point that it was before they left


you could say that about any career thats why they just make every1 go.
Sen Fighting!!! / JulyZerg Fighting!!! / Ret Fighting!!! / Reach Fighting!!! / well intentioned people of average intelligence
colingrad
Profile Joined March 2008
United States210 Posts
May 14 2011 05:06 GMT
#38
when going into the military in South Korea in most instances you aren't allowed free time due to the fact that the North Koreans often at random points in time decide to fire off a few rounds. The issue for military service is you have a regime in the North that has essentially mandatory life conscription for all males which equates to a standing army of 1 million men on the border alone vs several hundred thousand RoK soldiers and a small amount of US troops and a UN detachment. Most pro gramers put off serving until after they've peeked or before they go big time because there is just no way to practice, even the airforce team doesnt do as well because they still have to drill and train all the time.
For the Emperor!
Washow
Profile Joined March 2010
Korea (South)119 Posts
May 14 2011 05:19 GMT
#39
ALL able bodied male must go serve for 2.5 years. If you have some problems (physical stuff), you may not serve but have to do a public service thing just helping out govt facilities.

Yeah it's fucking dumb and it ruins everyone's lives. You have to just abandon everything and leave to military at your PRIME AGE of like 21 ~ 23. Then you come back to finish your uni and everything you do will be delayed for 2.5 years because of military.

Can't help it though, we are technically still at war with north korea.
Pwnographics
Profile Joined January 2011
New Zealand1097 Posts
May 14 2011 05:23 GMT
#40
What about your girlfriends and whatnot?

21-23 is pretty much the prime dating time.
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