In the competitive realm of esports, Gen.G Esports boasts an impressive reputation that speaks volumes through its numerous championship victories. Recently, on January 23rd, they made a notable foray into PUBG MOBILE by assembling a new team. The roster includes Missile, SayDen, JUNI, Machao, and ZZP who also takes on the role of playing coach. For fans of PUBG MOBILE, this lineup offers a blend of seasoned expertise and promising newcomers. Particularly noteworthy is ZZP, Jung-wook Han, who brings valuable experience from his stint as a strategy analyst during the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou for PUBG MOBILE event. We had the pleasure of catching up with them to discuss their goals, determination, and strengths for the upcoming year. Their camaraderie as a team, coupled with the guidance of their coach, shines through, making the conversation all the more engaging and delightful.
Nice to meet you. Please introduce yourselves to KRAFTON blog readers.
Missile: Hello, I’m Missile, Joon-soo Kim. It’s truly an honor for me to join the prestigious team of Gen.G. I’ll work hard to live up to its reputation.
SayDen: Hi, I’m Sayden, Min-jae Jeon. I play the role of Attacker. I’m incredibly excited to be a founding member of Gen.G in PUBG MOBILE. I’ll make sure to demonstrate my passion with good results.
JUNI: Hi, I’m JUNI, Kyung-joon Kim. I play the Supporter role in the team. It’s an absolute thrill to be able to compete under the Gen.G banner, a truly world-class team. I’ll give my all for the team.
Machao: Hello, I’m Machao, Hyun-woo Kim. Transitioning from the amateur scene to the pros is a dream-come-true for me. While there’s definitely some pressure joining a team with such talented players, I’m eager to use it as motivation to show what I’m capable of.
ZZP: Hello, I’m ZZP, Jung-wook Han, the coach. Now that I’m part of this world-class team, I’m committed to achieving great results.
Congratulations on founding the team! How did it all come together?
Missile: Well, it was mostly me rounding everyone up – Sayden, JUNI, and even ZZP our coach (laughs). We thought we were short of one player. Then, Machao joined after some testing.
Exciting roster indeed. Could you tell us more about the gaming style or concept Gen.G is aiming for this year?
ZZP: We’re committed to building a team with rock-solid fundamentals. Having strong fundamentals is crucial for unleashing our potential. Instead of just going for chicken dinners, we’re going to play aggressive, securing kills to rack up points.
Who’s the standout star on the team?
Missile: I’d say you should keep your eyes on SayDen. He is not only consistent but makes mind-blowing moves. You will be surprised.
SayDen: Well, all of them are top-notch, but I think ZZP deserves some spotlight. As a coach who also plays, he’ll showcase incredible firepower, especially with the AUG(Armee Universal Gewehr).
JUNI: Personally, I think Missile is the one to watch. Communication issues seemed to hold him back a bit when he played for an international team. But, I can assure you he’s ready to deliver in Gen.G (laughs).
Machao: I’d have to say JUNI. He is like our anchor, keeping the team grounded and focused.
ZZP: I’d say Machao. His close combat skills and physical prowess are unparalleled. He might lack experience now, but he’s only going to get stronger with time.
Machao, do you have any challenges as the youngest member?
Machao: Not really, actually. I am lucky to have seasoned teammates. I learn a lot from them, which I believe will help me perform well in future domestic and international competitions. In particular, Sayden and I click pretty well (laughs).
Missile, as the team leader, do you feel any pressure or concerns?
Missile: No, I don’t feel pressured. While there might be some pressure to aim for the top, I’m confident when playing with the team I’ve assembled. I have no doubt about it.
JUNI, you’ve been switching up your control styles – from three fingers to four fingers until last year and to five fingers this year. Can you tell us the pros and cons of each style?
JUNI: With three fingers, I felt boxed in, especially when zooming in and out of the screen. Then I switched to the four-finger claw, realizing more fingers mean more precision. Now, I’m into the five-finger control – it’s just perfect (laughs). Of course, as long as you are good at it. So, I’d recommend PUBG MOBILE newcomers to start with the five-finger control if possible.
ZZP: Well, the five-finger control can sometimes strain the wrist due to the complete change in hand positioning. It also takes time to get used to controlling recoil. But apart from these stability concerns, I’d say it’s flawless.
ZZP, you previously worked as an analyst for the national team. Do you think that experience will help lead the team this time?
ZZP: Absolutely. My time spent analyzing matches and strategizing has definitely given me the confidence to take on this coaching role. It’s all about finding what works best for the team.
What do you believe is your biggest advantage as a pro player?
Missile: I’d say my ability to keep a cool head during the tournaments. No nerves, just pure focus on the game.
SayDen: It’s all about mindset for me. As a pro, I believe in setting clear standards for myself and living up to them. Your approach to the game is reflected in your interactions with others and ultimately the results.
JUNI: It’s my never-give-up mentality. I’ve learned this from situations where I climbed from the bottom to the top or turned seemingly hopeless matches around. That doggedness until the very end will lead me to where I wish to be.
Machao: It’s the raw physicality. I’m actually quite physically strong, too. I practiced Muay Thai for 8 years (laughs).
ZZP: I’d also say it’s mental strength. I’m good at staying calm and composed throughout the game.
How would you feel if facing your former teammates in a match?
Machao: Oh, I’d love to go head-to-head with my old team, Seongnam GE, and show them what I’ve got (laughs).
SayDen: Facing off against Qx (Kyung-seok Lee) from DUKSAN Esports would be a blast. We practiced a lot together, so it’d be like a reunion on the battlefield (laughs).
JUNI: It’d be great to meet up with BINI (Soon-bin Kwon) from Nongshim RedForce. We used to be teammates, He used to be like a little brother to me since I was the oldest in the team. I’d like to show him I am still his big brother (laughs).
ZZP: I’d like to say a word to SPORTA and OSAL. “Hey, check out my YouTube channel for some tips (laughs)”
Do you have any personal goals for this year?
SayDen: It’s a bit personal, but this year I want to keep my life simple and clean. Now that I’m 25, I want to live with more confidence and decisiveness as a man. Of course, I want the best performance, but I’d be happy with achievements that make me and my teammates happy.
JUNI: MVP. I was an MVP in a domestic tournament, so this time, I am gunning for it in international competitions.
Machao: MVP is on my radar too. Let the friendly competition begin (laughs).
ZZP: Reading 10 books (laughs).
Those are some great goals. What do you think it means to be a pro?
Missile: It all comes down to inspiring fans. That’s what a pro is supposed to do in my opinion.
SayDen: Esports is like any other sport, with lots of hard work behind the scenes. So, a pro player should feel a sense of responsibility.
ZZP: I think it’s about being fully immersed and committed. Your life style and attitude towards gaming matter.
Thank you so much for the interview today. Lastly, any words for your awesome fans?
Missile: I’ll give my all to clinch that top spot. Keep cheering us on till the end. Thank you.
SayDen: I’ll keep pushing myself hard. Please continue to watch over us.
JUNI: To all our amazing fans, thank you from the bottom of my heart. We’ll strive to repay your support with even better performances this year!
Machao: I’ll bring out my best on the field for you all to see.
ZZP: We owe everything to our fans. Your support means the world to us. Let’s make this year one for the books! Thank you.