One year after retirement, we wonder how they are doing!
Recently Doh Jae-Wook (BeSt), Kim Jae-Hoon (Jaehoon), and Heo Young-Moo (JangBi) announced their retirements. Since their skill levels were still competitive at the time, many fans were frustrated and dejected. They must have also wanted to play in front of the fans again, but their situation was inadequate for pursuing their dreams, so the decisions were irreversible.
At these times, the original switch from StarCraft: Brood War (SC1) to StarCraft 2 (SC2), and the sudden changes that came with it, come to mind. The players were in a chaotic situation then as well, and some players who could not hold interest in the new game ended up retiring.
Among the players leaving the most regrets for fans are the trio from CJ Entus. Shin Sang-Moon (Leta), who was the cute jokester of the team but also it's leader and captain, Lee Gyeong-Min (Horang2), whose cheeks caught the fancy of countless fangirls but whose skills crushed his opponents, and Jang Yoon-Chul (Snow), the tall, handsome, softly charming player who was beloved by the fans, all retired in succession, causing panic amongst the CJ Entus fans.
After a year has passed, what could these players be doing now? Since they had spent their teens and early twenties as progamers, there are probably many who wonder whether they could properly integrate back into normal society after retiring. However, the players have unexpectedly adapted quickly to society.
Shin Sang-Moon "Call me the Shoe Professor"
Shin Sang-Moon was a popular player with the e-sports reporters. During interviews, he answered with utmost sincerity, and in photo shoots, he worked hard to show many things to the fans. Even when they demanded a cute expression on the spot, he would deliver without complaints, and was considered a true professional.
Also in practice, he was extremely earnest. In order to separate himself from those who rode on talent alone while lazying about in practice, he would stay completely focused. Other players would claim he would not even get up for a drink. He was a model player for the others to follow.
When Shin Sang-Moon retired from CJ Entus, he said that it was because he did not have interest or passion for StarCraft 2. Though he tried switching races from Terran to Protoss in order to revive his interest, he chose to retire when he felt that he no longer had the drive to give his all.
Back in his hometown of Busan, Shin Sang-Moon is hard at work studying shoes in order to take up his family's business. People once said, "Shin Sang-Moon plays games for a hobby," but looking back now, that clearly was not the case.
Some time ago Shin Sang-Moon visited the coffee shop Jang Yoon-Cheol was working at. Apparently the funny and optimistic Shin Sang-Moon is scheduled to enter the military soon. Wherever he may be and whatever he may do, we wish him the best.
'Smiling Angel' Lee Gyeong-Min "For Victory!"
Both fans and industry employees called Lee Gyeong-Min 'Smiling Angel'. With a trademark childlike innocence uncommon for someone in his twenties, he melted the hearts of many with his smile. Even the reporters would feel a return to childhood when talking with him.
However, even to that Lee Gyeong-Min, StarCraft 2 was an insurmountable wall. On the day that CJ Entus won the Proleague, with Lee Gyeong-Min pulling out a win himself, he received news that his father had passed away. For someone who had always been so bright and cheerful, we wonder if that pain must have been many times worse.
Currently, Lee Gyeong-Min is in the military. His appearance with a short haircut is hard to imagine. Another player, seeing his image online, commented, "He's still cute but he's so sunburned". That illuminating smile still had not changed.
Jang Yoon-Cheol, who recently spoke with Lee Gyeong-Min, said that his voice still sounds the same, and was surprised that the innocent and cheerful personality was the same as it had always been.
Lee Gyeong-Min, valiantly spending his days in the military. When you are discharged, we at Daily e-Sports would like to be the first to meet with you.
'Grand Disguise' Jang Yoon-Cheol challenges the entrance exam
Jang Yoon-Cheol had brilliant control and strong tenacity, but it looks like he did not match well with StarCraft 2. Though he switched races to Terran, he was not able to adapt to the changed systems of StarCraft 2. In particular, he was frustrated that he could not feel the same exhilaration from meticulous micromanagement in StarCraft 2.
Although he chose to retire, Jang Yoon-Cheol confessed that he found it difficult to emotionally move on from e-sports. Although he worried that he would not be able to go back to a normal life, he has found life after progaming to be more joyful than expected.
Jang Yoon-Cheol, with his transformation into a college student ahead of him, has quit his part-time job at a coffee shop and is studying full-time. Next year, he plans to take the college entrance exam.
After retiring, Jang Yoon-Cheol found his will to become a college student. He immediately began the part-time job at a coffee shop that he had always wanted to try. For whatever reason, he had wanted to try working as a barista.
His work must have been beyond expectations. The coffee shop owner and employees were sorry to see him go. After quitting his job as a barista, Jang Yoon-Cheol is currently studying hard.
He told us to interview him next year as a college student, smiling brightly. Retuning to society and currently living an ordinary life, we hope that he will be running about a campus come next year.
Original Article by Lee So-Ra sora@dailyesports.com