Team Liquid introduces a new interview series focusing on the people outside the game that make Starcraft 2 happen. Much of our attention is drawn to the players that compete in the world's biggest tournaments, and we constantly hear what they have to say in interviews or on live streams. But none of this would be possible without the supporting characters that create the backbone of Starcraft 2, and "Talking to NPCs" aims to find out more about the non player characters that bring our game to life.
For the very first installment of "Talking to NPCs" with lichter, we bothered had a chat with a familiar voice that any fan of Proleague should be familiar with by now. This is her second season as Proleague translator, but she's only received more air time this year. Her ability to translate MVP interviews on the fly while including relevant information has been applauded by SPL's viewers, and her quirky way with players in her own interview series has added even more personality to a constantly improving broadcast. She's become an integral part of the Proleague experience, and English viewers look forward to each new hairstyle, interview, or selfie on twitter.
However, we know very little about her even though we've been hearing her voice every week for a while now. She's been sharing other people's words and rarely her own, so it was about time we found out more about our new favorite translator.
Hi Sojung! First of all, why don't you introduce yourself to your fans on Team Liquid.
Was this too boring haha
Sojung means translator in SC2
After the Invitationals were finished, I took a break for a few months to study SC2 (for interpreting) and eventually got connected with Proleague and got the job.
I used to use Korean at home with my parents and used only English at school so I learned to live with it.
But I do feel that transparent wall between me and the native speakers.
My dad's younger brother was a big fan of YellOw [Hong Jin Ho] back in the day(he still asks me if I've ever seen him before - and no I haven't).
I learned the SC1 units from him and had fun only producing the units and listening to what they say. My favorite line is "SCV good to go sir"
My parents let me play on the computer, Nintendo Gameboy, PSP, DS etc. My life was basically filled with games.
My favorites are Super Mario series, Pokemon series and of course SC1 + 2
I've never thought of myself as a good translator. I'd like to think I have enough knowledge with good English conversation skills.
I try to watch SC2 VODs in English whenever I have time just to get used to the terms that are 'in trend'.
I didn't take any classes; I talked to a lot of progamers (JYP — formerly known as EGJYP— and KT Rolster TY) during off season to learn the game itself and pick up the history of SC2.
At the moment I try to deliver accurate information with speed since the way we do it in Proleague doesn't give me much time to prepare for anything.
I did enjoy that one time when Wolf and I did the group selection for SSL. When the players were entering I added little comments which were really funny back then but feels awkward to mention now, haha. (You can feel free to use this mildly - I said SKT T1's Classic kind of looks like a Stalker as he is known as the chintoss)
Speed of translation is actually one of the aspects that impresses me the most with your translating. How do you manage to listen to interviews while translating them simultaneously? That seems like an impossible thing to do.
After the interview goes live with Canata, I get the Korean feed inside my headset and I literally interpret it in real time with the mic they have inside the booth.
I watch every single game and take notes so I know a bit a head of time what Canata is going to ask the MVP player. Because of this, while watching the recap, I can interpret smoothly.
But enough with the serious questions!
Do you play SC2? What race/rank/playstyle? And, if you had to be a SC2 unit, what would you be?
I used to play Protoss but switched over to Terran to spice things up and went to Platinum this season. My highest record was ranking no. 1 in 2v2 Masters (finished near 60~70th that season).
If I had to be a SC2 unit, I'd like to be someone's SCV build things, get minerals!
As a noob Terran, I try to copy TY's aggressive play style with the mine + marine drops.
I can't really pick a team since I know how much everyone practices for that one game in SPL so let's say I love all teams
Okay, now it's time for the spicy questions just like I promised. We've taken a few questions from your interview series, 10 Questions 10 Answers, and added a few of our own. So make sure to give good answers!
First question, what part of your body do you like the most?
Okay. I love my eyes! I think they're the most normal looking body part lololol
In this picture, normal looking body parts
Okay, following up on that, why do you think you are so cute?
Lololol
please bonk me on the head
Sojung's cruel hammer
Very, very violent.
Next! Do you have a boyfriend? (If not, If we send one of our staff there, will you go on a date with that person?)
Other than SC2, what games do you play?
Official Round 1 Winner of the Wolf Schröder Award for Best Hair
Who has better hair, mOOngLade, Wolf, or Brendan?
Team Salmon minus mOOngLaDe
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Note: If you have any suggestions on who to interview next or what questions to ask, feel free to comment here or tweet at me!