EPT
The global machinery of Starcraft features many parts, both small and great. They all have different abilities and duties. Arguably one of the more important yet overlooked ones is bridge building: Connecting the different scenes from all over the planet with each other. This very website is one such a bridge builder, providing coverage, news and a place for discussion in an accessible manner for many people from all over the globe.
There still are scenes however, that aren’t very well connected to the others. The Chinese and Korean communities, for example, still lie behind a language barrier that few have crossed. More and more though, some figures are making an effort to overcome this. They want to connect the different scenes and give them the ability to communicate and learn with each other.
We interviewed one bridge builder, who plays a very important part in breaking news from the Korean scene to the West. He is often the first one to inform us about player transfers, announcements or scandals. Additionally he speaks a language everyone in the world understands: The language of pictures.
But why did Yong Woo Kim, better known to most foreign fans as Kenzi, decide to connect with us? What is life like as a fulltime eSport journalist in South Korea? We asked him these very questions and he answered.
Hello Kenzi, thanks a lot for talking to us. Firstly please introduce yourself to our community for those who don’t know you: Who are you and what do you do in eSports?
Hello, My name is Yong Woo Kim more known as Kenzi. I'm working as an editor and photographer in a Korean eSports media company called Fomos. I've been in eSports for about 15 years and 9 years in media.
How did you get into the eSports scene? What was the first time you saw Starcraft?
The reason why I started to work in eSports, is because I went to a Starcraft League Final when 
GARIMTO took the title. I started helping out as a fan and became a script writer for Ongamenet (OGN). After I was done with school, I worked as a photographer in OSL and other professional eSports leagues to continue my work in eSports.
GARIMTO took the title. I started helping out as a fan and became a script writer for Ongamenet (OGN). After I was done with school, I worked as a photographer in OSL and other professional eSports leagues to continue my work in eSports.
How did you become an editor/photographer in eSports? Did you always want to become a journalist? If yes, did you have a role model?
I started editing since May 2008. I've been working as a photographing staff since 2002 so it came natural for me. I did find a role model, but he is an editor in another field so I don't think you would know.
How does your typical workday look? Please tell us a bit about your daily life as an eSport journalist!
I do not know about other presses, but Fomos always holds schedule meetings on every Monday with my eSports team. Other days, I work according to the work schedule and I check foreign news late at night.
You have to keep up with many games and events. How many events do you visit in an average week and how do you keep up with so many different scenes?
I am in charge of Starcraft 2, Heroes of the Storm, and DOTA 2. I meet game related people a lot so it's not hard for me to receive the newest info and update. Also, I have interest in League of Legends so I try my best to send news about it.
Why did you decide to make contact with the foreign community over Twitter, tweeting news from the Korean scene in English?
I've heard that many foreign fans use google translate to read Korean news. I thought I'd let the fans know about the news through my Twitter (@kenzi131). At first, it started out to spread the company's name, but now I am pushing myself even harder for the foreign fans.
What was the most memorable and your most favourite interview in your career? Is there a player that is especially hard to interview or photograph?
The most memorable interview was with Carmac of ESL. Carmac was the person that I wanted to meet at my first IEM. At that time, Carmac said that he would seriously think about holding an IEM event in Korea and the interview became quite a hot topic over here in Korea. There wasn't a specific player who was hard to interview. I just wish my English is a bit better so that I can interview many more foreign players.
How healthy do you think is Starcraft 2 in Korea at the moment? What needs to be done to help Starcraft 2?
I've heard that the recent SPL stream had over 16.000 viewers in korea. It's not too close to League of Legends, but there are lots of fans coming out on site so it is still popular here. There should be some issue making events to make more fans for Starcraft 2 itself.
What games do you play? What game do you enjoy the most? What race do you play in Starcraft?
Recently, Starcraft 2, DOTA 2, and Heroes of the Storm. I'm a Terran user.
What do you like most about your job?
Drinking!? Haha. Moreover, meeting awesome people.
Which was your favourite event you visited so far? What country or city would like to visit the most in the future?
Of course IEM S9 World Championship. ToD held up the trophy and walked up on the stage which blew my mind away. ToD told me to take photographs of him when going up the stage which was such a beauty. I want to go to Dreamhack next. Especially, Sweden!
What’s your favourite Korean and foreign food? What’s the weirdest food you ever saw outside of Korea?
I like anything meat and I tried Chicken feet in China which was super weird.
Who is your favourite Korean and foreign player?
I like Classic as the best Korean player who ate Bingsoo (Shaved ice) with me during IEM S9 Taipei. I like 
Snute as the best foreign player.
Classic as the best Korean player who ate Bingsoo (Shaved ice) with me during IEM S9 Taipei. I like Snute as the best foreign player.Who is your favourite foreign commentator?
I have so many awesome commentators who I know, but if i had to pick one, I would pick Apollo.
Tell us three persons you’d like to interview, but haven’t gotten the chance yet.
ToD, RotterdaM, Nathanias?
Your girlfriend has been kidnapped by pirates. Choose three progamers for a rescue mission.
Let's just send anyone from SK telecom T1 or Jin Air.
Special thanks goes to Daniel Na (@Gclef89) for translating Kenzi’s answers.
All photos were taken by Kenzi and used with his approval.
All photos were taken by Kenzi and used with his approval.
You can follow Kenzi on Twitter @Kenzi131.
