PUBG MOBILE Esports Players Interview Series
070205, 060104. Can you guess what these numbers represent? The birth dates of BINI from DUKSAN ESPORTS and QuadraK from NS RedForce. The two players are the youngest on their teams. When we asked them what it means to be a pro, they gave impressive answers: “someone who always stays vigilant and tries earnestly” and “someone who makes it to the top in their field.” We went out to meet these young but ambitious players, BINI and QuadraK.
Nice to meet you. Please introduce yourselves to the KRAFTON Blog readers.
BINI: Hello, I’m BINI, or Kwon Soon Bin, From DUKSAN ESPORTS.
QuadraK: Hi, I’m QuadraK, or Yang Jae Hyuk, from NS RedForce.
The first question goes to BINI. First of all, congratulations on winning first place in Week 1, Season 1 of the PUBG Mobile Pro Series 2023 (PMPS). PMPS was your debut match. How did you feel about playing in the competitive league? How’s the team atmosphere?
BINI: I was really nervous at first. So I didn’t think I’d perform to my fullest, but my team members played so well that I felt relieved and relaxed. That really helped me showcase my skills. And the team atmosphere is so great. I think it’s partly because we’re doing well in the competition, but mostly because all the members have a strong mentality and love to engage in combats (laughs).
I believe you are in charge of calling orders. In your opinion, what makes for a good order call?
BINI: Good order calls are objective and calm regardless of the situation. I always try to keep it calm to manage the team’s mentality, even when the members are in bad shape or unfavorable situations.
As for QuadraK, I know that you have many experienced players on your team. Do you get help from them?
QuadraK: As you said, I’m learning a lot from the experienced members of my team. I’m very happy to get in-game help from them.
What are the pros and cons of being the youngest on the team?
QuadraK: Everyone’s taking good care of me, so I don’t think there are any cons (laughs). But as a candidate member of the team, I face the pressure of having to show and prove myself.
Is there anyone who’s taking extra care of you on the team?
QuadraK: Everyone’s really nice to me, but Qx really looks out for me the most.
If you have a chance to play soon, what do you want to show and prove?
QuadraK: I want to show my skills in many-to-one situations.
I’m curious about the meaning behind your IDs.
BINI: The last syllable of my name is “Bin,” so it’s just BINI for short.
QuadraK: A former member of NS RedForce IGL told me that I have skills in many-to-one combats and suggested that I use quadra kill as my ID, which I ended up doing.
What motivated you to become a pro gamer?
BINI: People around me encouraged me a lot. They told me it’d be a waste of talent not to be a pro. I also had some thoughts about becoming a pro. Luckily, the representative of DUKSAN ESPORTS offered me a good opportunity, and I grabbed the chance to become a pro gamer. Now, I’m aiming to win the world championships.
QuadraK: I used to watch a lot of PUBG Mobile tournaments. It was really impressive to see the champions holding up their trophies. That’s when I decided. I’ll be there to lift up my own trophies.
And that’s why I became a pro gamer at such a young age. What do people around you say about being a pro gamer?
BINI: To be honest, people around me didn’t say many positive things at first. But they started to compliment me as I progressed and got good results. And since I am young, some people do see that I have the potential for growth.
QuadraK: My friends worry about living far away from the team dorm, and others envy me for getting paid to play games (laughs).
What do your parents and family members think about being a pro gamer?
BINI: For the most part, they encourage me. They also worry a lot about it, but it will be okay as long as I show them my passion and progress.
QuadraK: My parents are always supportive of what I want to do. They got my back on being a pro gamer.
What are the pros and cons of being a pro gamer at a young age?
BINI: The pro is that I’m still young. I can try my hardest to be the best, and even if I don’t make it to the top, it will be a good memory. Of course, being the best is my goal. The cons are having to balance both school and gaming and dealing with fatigue to stay in my best condition since I live far away from the team dorm.
What’s your opinion on being a “pro”?
BINI: I think being a pro is “someone who always stays vigilant and tries earnestly.” More specifically, a pro gamer should be able to keep opponents in check based on their wide range of experiences.
QuadraK: I think a pro is “someone who has reached the top of their field.”
Do you have any pro gamers that you consider role models?
BINI: I don’t have any specific role model. I have respect for all pro gamers. I don’t think there is a specific role model for pro gamers since being a pro gamer itself is a great job where you can do what you love, earn a lot of money, and become famous.
QuadraK: My role model is TIZ1 from my team, NS RedForce. He won a lot of MVPs, and he plays amazingly when I see him play. I want to be like him.
Can you give any advice to people from the younger generation who want to be pro gamers?
BINI: I’d tell them to push themselves even if people around them oppose it, as long as they truly believe they have the talent, are willing to give their best shot, and compete every day.
QuadraK: You don’t get infinite opportunities, so I’d say work on your basics and train hard, so you can seize the opportunity when it comes.
Are there any difficulties in juggling school and gaming?
BINI: I’d be lying if I said there aren’t any (laughs). I’m trying to balance practice and school as much as possible through field trip days and leaving school early.
What do you usually do in your free time? Do you have any hobbies other than games?
BINI: As we have to practice for a long time, there’s not much time to have other hobbies. I usually take a nap in my free time to stay in the best condition. Or watch something on OTT platforms. I recently enjoyed watching “Attack on Titan.”
QuadraK: I also don’t have much time for other hobbies. But when I have some free time, I watch montage videos of Korean and international pro gamers.
How many fingers do you use when playing the game? I’m curious about your views on four fingers and five fingers.
BINI: Ever since I started playing the game, I’ve been using four fingers. Using five fingers feels like a bit overkill… That’s what I think, anyway (laughs).
QuadraK: Well, I disagree. I use five fingers. Four fingers have limits on maneuvering and are slower to touch than five fingers. So five fingers are better in every way if you can get used to it. I want to show him the power of five fingers when we meet in the competition (laughs).
What are your strongest points as a pro gamer?
BINI: My strongest point is my mentality. I never panic in any situation.
QuadraK: “Being fearless” is my strongest point. I never avoid combats.
Is there anything special you do for better teamwork?
BINI: I think it’s important for me, as the order caller, to know the characteristics of my teammates because they become evident in the game. So I try to get along with them personally as well, and always ask them about what they like and don’t like.
QuadraK: As a candidate member, I watch a lot of scrim videos of team members. During the team dorm training periods, I try to talk with other members as much as I can and accompany them on walks.
I believe both of you are from the same academy. Do you have something you want to say to each other?
BINI: Let’s go together to the Asian Games this year as the national representatives!
QuadraK: Let’s try our best and meet at the top.
Do you have any personal goals for this year?
BINI: I want to become the champion at competitions at least two to three times.
QuadraK: I want to take the title of the youngest national representative.
Do you have any last comments for this interview?
BINI: I’ll strive for the best this year at DUKSAN ESPORTS and aim to win the world championship.
QuadraK: I’ll do my best to become a good pro gamer.
