Korean superstar Keun-Chul 'solo' Kang from WeMade FOX sits down with Fnatic.com for an exclusive interview.
With Korea being on the other side of the globe, European fans of WeMade FOX have a hard time getting informations about their favourite professional gamers. Never has it been more difficult to complete an interview, but Fnatic.com delivers once again and sits down with Keun-Chul 'solo' Kang from WeMade FOX for an in-depth interview.
Keun-Chul is probably the most popular Asian Counter-Strike player in the Western world. How does he feel about being considered Asia's strongest Counter-Strike player? How many hours do Keun-Chul and his team practise every day? How does he feel about living in the WeMade tower? Does Keun-Chul know the other WeMade FOX superstars Moon and NaDa? Check out this three parts interview if you want to find out the answers to these and more questions.
As a result of the language barriers, Korean players are probably the hardest to interview. This interview would not been possible to conduct without the help of Becky Kim, a staff member of the eStars organization. Her kindness and patience made possible what could be the only English interview with the Korean superstar Keun-Chul 'solo' Kang in the nearer future. Further credits go to WeMade FOX manager Paul, Can Yang from eStars and last but not least Tomek 'TomL' Lewandowski for the graphics.
Images courtesy of WeMadeFOX
European fans consider you as one of the strongest Asian Counter-Strike players ever. How do you feel about this?
Thank you for considering me to be one of the strongest Asian CS player. I really appreciate it.
Why did you actually choose Counter-Strike over Starcraft, growing up and living in South Korea?
I’ve been in love with Counter-Strike since I was young. I’ve never thought about any other games but Counter-Strike. Not all gamers like Starcraft just because they are growing up and living in South Korea.
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Could you please describe a usual trainingday of the WeMade FOX Counter-Strike team?
I start training at around 3p.m. and play for 5hours. After that, I have a meal and rest for a while and then I restart my training for another 5 hours.
You do also have a coach. How does he help you with your training?
He helps me a lot to make up my mind. He works out the training schedule and instructs me to do some freehand exercise and meditation before the training.
The amount and the intensity of your training are a one-off. Did you ever view it from a different angle? That you might practise too much?
I’ve never considered my practice is too much. I just think that this is part of the process of becoming the world’s best team.
What do your family and friends think about this? Do/Did they support you?
They disagreed with me being a professional gamer at first but now they support me a lot.

How important are other factors for you and your team, such as getting enough sleep, eating healthy and doing sports?
I just try to have my meals on time. The Aunties’ cooking is delicious and I really want to say thanks to them.
Do you have other tasks in the WeMade tower besides practising?
As I mentioned previously, Aunties help the players to do housework. So I mostly have a rest and talk with other players from the Starcraft and Warcraft III teams. I’m in touch with other players as well. We usually have a chat and especially we talk about our Warcraft III players Moon, Lyn, Soccer and their plays a lot.
Do you follow some of their matches if your training schedule allows it?
Yes, I’m trying to watch their plays. And I always cheer for Moon and NaDa.
When the training is over, how do you like to spend your freetime?
Sometimes I spend my free time with my friends and I watch TV or go to see a movie.
Did you already think about the time after gaming?
I want to study for myself. I’d like to spend my time as other college students and want to study in the field that I’m interested in.

Do you consider yourself to be Asia's strongest Counter-Strike team?
We may have struggled from time to time and failed to convince at some events. But over the past three years or so, we have achieved a lot and a think this stability makes WeMade FOX Asia's strongest Counter-Strike team.
The lack of proper training partners in Asia is one of the main reasons why you are not as successful as some European teams. How do you try to compensate the lack of equally strong opponents within Korea/Asia?
I’m trying to spend a lot of time on individual practice and training to compensate this.
Did you ever think of a bootcamp in Europe, so you can practise against European teams before attending an important event?
I’ve never considered that to be honest.

What is the main difference between the highly successful European playstyle and the Asian one?
I think the main difference is strategy. Europeans have more aggressive tactics.
Would you describe your team's playstyle more like a European or a Asian one?
We’re changing into European play style. We’re trying to attempt a more aggressive strategy.
Is there a team you enjoy to watch and maybe adapt some tactics from?
I don’t have a special team that I enjoy to watch but I do watch European demo a lot.
If you were without a team and there were no language barriers, which European players would you like to play with?
I’ve never thought about this.
What things do you as a player personally need to improve in your opinion? Do you see any weaknesses in your game?
Sometimes I can’t concentrate on the game. So, I’m trying to overcome it.

Which expectations did you have going into Arbalet Cup Europe?
As this was our first tournament with new members, we didn't expect too much. But we set us the goal semi-finals.
Do you think it was the right time to undergo roster changes only a few weeks ahead of the event?
I think it was a big adventure. From a more positive point of view, I think it also can be a good chance for us in future events because opponents can’t figure out our team’s strategy.
What kind of player were you looking for when you added Jeong 'peri' Bum-Gi to your lineup?
I was looking for a player with good shooting skills and a propensity to aggressive play.

Will peri be copying Seung-Wook 'GARSIA' Lee's exact positions and tasks? Or is his addition linked with a change of your playstyle?
The position is the same but the play style is totally different. He has a aggressive playstyle and good aiming.
What are your goals for 2010 with the new lineup?
First of all, it’s my goal to win at least once in one of the major competitions (WCG, ESL, ESWC) and achieve good results in others tournaments as well.
Thank you very much for your time. The last words are yours.
I really want to say thank you to all the fans who support the WeMade Fox Counter-Strike team. As we have new members for this year, we’ll do our best. We’ll try to come back with good news again. Thank you.
11 comments
10484 Views
Really short answer for each question. It's either the questions don't interest him or he just doesn't feel like being interviewed. Anyway, good interview.
It's because he's Korean. Read back other interviews with Asians, you'll see the answers usually are quite short.
I don't think being a Korean means you always have to give short answers.
I've read Moon's interview as well. Short answers.
But I mean, since there is a translator here, I thought he would be more leeway giving out his answers and what he thinks. I guess that's not the case.
gewd player
we (westerns) talk allot, and say nothing :D
+1 :-)
I'm not a sens or setting-nerd or something but i really believe players shall share their in-game settings on interviews. It's not like i'm going to copy it but im really curious about WeMade FOX and NaVi players' settings.
10 hours a day, get a life man :\
It's his work , you do it for troll or are you a fcking retards ?
you're hard
nice iview!