• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 15:28
CEST 21:28
KST 04:28
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
[ASL19] Finals Recap: Standing Tall9HomeStory Cup 27 - Info & Preview18Classic wins Code S Season 2 (2025)16Code S RO4 & Finals Preview: herO, Rogue, Classic, GuMiho0TL Team Map Contest #5: Presented by Monster Energy6
Community News
Flash Announces Hiatus From ASL47Weekly Cups (June 23-29): Reynor in world title form?12FEL Cracov 2025 (July 27) - $8000 live event16Esports World Cup 2025 - Final Player Roster16Weekly Cups (June 16-22): Clem strikes back1
StarCraft 2
General
The SCII GOAT: A statistical Evaluation Statistics for vetoed/disliked maps Esports World Cup 2025 - Final Player Roster How does the number of casters affect your enjoyment of esports? Weekly Cups (June 23-29): Reynor in world title form?
Tourneys
RSL: Revival, a new crowdfunded tournament series [GSL 2025] Code S: Season 2 - Semi Finals & Finals $5,100+ SEL Season 2 Championship (SC: Evo) FEL Cracov 2025 (July 27) - $8000 live event HomeStory Cup 27 (June 27-29)
Strategy
How did i lose this ZvP, whats the proper response Simple Questions Simple Answers
Custom Maps
[UMS] Zillion Zerglings
External Content
Mutation # 480 Moths to the Flame Mutation # 479 Worn Out Welcome Mutation # 478 Instant Karma Mutation # 477 Slow and Steady
Brood War
General
Flash Announces Hiatus From ASL [ASL19] Finals Recap: Standing Tall BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ Player “Jedi” cheat on CSL Help: rep cant save
Tourneys
Small VOD Thread 2.0 [Megathread] Daily Proleagues [BSL20] GosuLeague RO16 - Tue & Wed 20:00+CET The Casual Games of the Week Thread
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers I am doing this better than progamers do.
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Nintendo Switch Thread Path of Exile What do you want from future RTS games? Beyond All Reason
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Trading/Investing Thread The Games Industry And ATVI
Fan Clubs
SKT1 Classic Fan Club! Maru Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread [Manga] One Piece [\m/] Heavy Metal Thread
Sports
2024 - 2025 Football Thread NBA General Discussion Formula 1 Discussion TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 NHL Playoffs 2024
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
Blogs
Culture Clash in Video Games…
TrAiDoS
from making sc maps to makin…
Husyelt
Blog #2
tankgirl
StarCraft improvement
iopq
Trip to the Zoo
micronesia
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 645 users

viOLet recognized as Athlete by the US government

Forum Index > SC2 General
217 CommentsPost a Reply
1 2 3 4 5 9 10 11 Next All
partydude89
Profile Blog Joined August 2012
1850 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-12-11 18:21:23
December 11 2013 17:19 GMT
#1
As far as the United States government is concerned, eSports and traditional sports are equal.

Five months after American immigration officials first cleared professional video game players to apply for the same visas as traditional athletes, the first StarCraft 2 pro has finally obtained a P-1A visa. Kim “Violet” Dong Hwan, a 23-year-old South Korean professional StarCraft player, followed trailblazing League of Legends star Danny Le to become an internationally recognized athlete on Dec. 9.

Kim said he teared up over the phone when he was finally assured that he’d be allowed to live, compete, and earn a salary in the United States for at least the next five years. He called it a “life-changing” event. Kim's ultimate goal is to become an American citizen.

“It was do or die for [Kim],” said Andrew Tomlinson, whose Cyber Solutions Agency (CSA) represents Kim. “He either got the visa or entered the Korean military.”

The CSA published a triumphant press release just minutes ago.

Kim's professional gaming career has been in limbo since he took a triumphant silver medal at the North American StarLeague in December 2012. He was denied student visas to study English three times in 2013, causing him to forfeit three times in the World Championship Series, a $1.6 million competition that he repeatedly committed to, despite being unsure that he could actually compete.

Following the competitions, rumors swirled that Kim had overstayed previous visas. Tomlinson shot down those allegations. “We never broke any rules,” he said. “He wouldn’t have been granted the visa if he broke those rules. Those are serious violations.”

Despite winning nearly $100,000 in prizes and signing a contract with Azubu worth $50,000 in 2012, Kim faced slim pickings in tournaments in 2013.


Read the entire artcle here! http://www.dailydot.com/esports/kim-violet-dong-hwan-recognized-athlete-us-government

CSA official press release http://www.cybersolutionsagency.com/articles/news/eSports/12/Korean-Pro-Gamer-viOLet-Secures-5-Year-Pro-Athlete-Visa/
Facebook Twitter Reddit
#1 Official Hack Fan|#2 Bomber behind Wintex.|Curious|Life|Flash|TY|Cure|Maru|sOs|Jin Air Green Wings fighting!|SBENU Fighting!|
partydude89
Profile Blog Joined August 2012
1850 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-12-11 17:52:51
December 11 2013 17:20 GMT
#2
can a mod change the title to "violet recognized as Athlete Under US Government" it wouldn't let me make the title that long

EDIT: Thanks!
#1 Official Hack Fan|#2 Bomber behind Wintex.|Curious|Life|Flash|TY|Cure|Maru|sOs|Jin Air Green Wings fighting!|SBENU Fighting!|
KadaverBB
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
Germany25657 Posts
December 11 2013 17:22 GMT
#3
done.
AdministratorLaws change depending on who's making them, but justice is justice
asongdotnet
Profile Blog Joined March 2012
United States1060 Posts
December 11 2013 17:24 GMT
#4
good for violet!
mYiKane
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
Canada1772 Posts
December 11 2013 17:24 GMT
#5
WOOOOOOOOOOOO~!!!!!!!!!! VIOLETS COMING BACK BOYS!
Aeromi
Profile Blog Joined August 2012
France14456 Posts
December 11 2013 17:24 GMT
#6
What a good news !
https://twitter.com/DrAeromi | Updates on live tournaments: @StarCrafteSport
Keeemy
Profile Joined November 2012
Finland7855 Posts
December 11 2013 17:25 GMT
#7
viOLet you sexy mofo <3

Great news for SC2 and esports as well
Hello
NovaMB
Profile Joined February 2013
Germany9534 Posts
December 11 2013 17:25 GMT
#8
Hmm I keep getting malware warnings on that site.

Congrats to Violet!
And I hope this puts an end to all the visa issues that've been going on this year.
lystier
Profile Blog Joined August 2013
China877 Posts
December 11 2013 17:26 GMT
#9
so, it's possible to get a athlete visa, get to the us, become a citizen and eventually avoid the korean military?
i guess a group of players would love this...
Startale forever.
Ctone23
Profile Blog Joined December 2012
United States1839 Posts
December 11 2013 17:27 GMT
#10
Yes!!! Does this mean we get to see him stream again???? Please please please
TL+ Member
Gorlin
Profile Joined November 2010
United States2753 Posts
December 11 2013 17:27 GMT
#11
Incredible news, viOLet is such a great guy. Awesome to have him back
Infinite976
Profile Joined October 2010
United States92 Posts
December 11 2013 17:28 GMT
#12
super cool, that's big news!
Lazzi
Profile Joined June 2011
Switzerland1923 Posts
December 11 2013 17:30 GMT
#13
So nice!
It's good to be back
ptbl
Profile Joined January 2011
United States6074 Posts
December 11 2013 17:32 GMT
#14
Grats to Violet! In the article, it seems MLG and gamespot/ongamers refused to help Violet with the visa application process, while others like NASL CEO, DJWheat and others helped.
Don't mind me
ssxsilver
Profile Joined June 2007
United States4409 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-12-11 17:39:37
December 11 2013 17:35 GMT
#15
FUCK YEAH!! Now all we need is CMStorm to add them to their Team America roster =D.
-RusH
Profile Joined June 2012
United States240 Posts
December 11 2013 17:36 GMT
#16
Great news, I was beginning to wonder what had happened to violet.
Life..
Boucot
Profile Blog Joined October 2011
France15997 Posts
December 11 2013 17:37 GMT
#17
Very happy for him ! Hope he finds a team now !
Former SC2 writer for Millenium - twitter.com/Boucot
NovemberstOrm
Profile Blog Joined September 2011
Canada16217 Posts
December 11 2013 17:38 GMT
#18
Very awesome! :D
Moderatorlickypiddy
hootsushi
Profile Joined August 2010
Germany3468 Posts
December 11 2013 17:39 GMT
#19
That's great news, I always wondered what happened to Violet and why he wasn't participating in WCS. That's a sad story, really happy it turned out well for him.
nam nam
Profile Joined June 2010
Sweden4672 Posts
December 11 2013 17:40 GMT
#20
On December 12 2013 02:26 lystier wrote:
so, it's possible to get a athlete visa, get to the us, become a citizen and eventually avoid the korean military?
i guess a group of players would love this...

So would people saying NA ladder is dead then?
1 2 3 4 5 9 10 11 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 4h 32m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
mouzHeroMarine 788
BRAT_OK 148
JuggernautJason76
MindelVK 32
StarCraft: Brood War
Britney 17227
Dewaltoss 143
Aegong 45
sas.Sziky 39
soO 37
zelot 16
GoRush 10
IntoTheRainbow 6
yabsab 4
Stormgate
TKL 114
NightEnD7
Dota 2
Gorgc6784
qojqva3111
League of Legends
Dendi1365
JimRising 278
Counter-Strike
fl0m1728
flusha324
sgares209
Foxcn139
Super Smash Bros
Mew2King131
Heroes of the Storm
Liquid`Hasu480
Other Games
summit1g4539
FrodaN2395
ceh9743
elazer215
RotterdaM180
Pyrionflax87
Sick65
Trikslyr62
kaitlyn55
trigger2
Organizations
Other Games
BasetradeTV36
StarCraft 2
angryscii 27
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 18 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• LUISG 4
• intothetv
• IndyKCrew
• sooper7s
• Migwel
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Kozan
StarCraft: Brood War
• blackmanpl 23
• 80smullet 20
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
• BSLYoutube
League of Legends
• Jankos2187
• Doublelift1535
• masondota2424
Other Games
• imaqtpie890
• Shiphtur279
Upcoming Events
Replay Cast
4h 32m
RSL Revival
14h 32m
herO vs SHIN
Reynor vs Cure
OSC
17h 32m
WardiTV European League
20h 32m
Scarlett vs Percival
Jumy vs ArT
YoungYakov vs Shameless
uThermal vs Fjant
Nicoract vs goblin
Harstem vs Gerald
FEL
20h 32m
Korean StarCraft League
1d 7h
CranKy Ducklings
1d 14h
RSL Revival
1d 14h
FEL
1d 20h
Sparkling Tuna Cup
2 days
[ Show More ]
RSL Revival
2 days
FEL
2 days
BSL: ProLeague
2 days
Dewalt vs Bonyth
Replay Cast
4 days
Replay Cast
4 days
The PondCast
5 days
Replay Cast
6 days
RSL Revival
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2025-06-28
HSC XXVII
Heroes 10 EU

Ongoing

JPL Season 2
BSL 2v2 Season 3
BSL Season 20
Acropolis #3
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 2
CSL 17: 2025 SUMMER
Copa Latinoamericana 4
Championship of Russia 2025
RSL Revival: Season 1
Murky Cup #2
BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 7
IEM Dallas 2025
PGL Astana 2025
Asian Champions League '25
BLAST Rivals Spring 2025
MESA Nomadic Masters
CCT Season 2 Global Finals
IEM Melbourne 2025
YaLLa Compass Qatar 2025

Upcoming

CSLPRO Last Chance 2025
CSLPRO Chat StarLAN 3
K-Championship
uThermal 2v2 Main Event
SEL Season 2 Championship
FEL Cracov 2025
Esports World Cup 2025
StarSeries Fall 2025
FISSURE Playground #2
BLAST Open Fall 2025
BLAST Open Fall Qual
Esports World Cup 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall Qual
IEM Cologne 2025
FISSURE Playground #1
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.