The fierce battle to decide the one last team continues today. The offline game of PUBG WEEKLY SERIES: EAST ASIA (PWS), which determines the best East Asian PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS team, was held at the “Jamsil Vita500 Afreeca Colosseum” for the first time in two and a half years. The KRAFTON Blog team visited the glad scene in person and met the players, fans, and staff to capture the heat.
※ This interview was held before the start of the 2022 PWS: Phase 2, Week 4.
How much do you know about the PWS? The PWS is the most prestigious professional tournament in East Asia, integrating Korea, Japan, and the Chinese Taipei/Hong Kong/Macao region. Furthermore, it is a bridgehead for the “PUBG Continental Series (PCS)” and “PUBG Global Championship (PGC).” It is a competition where both the traditional strong team and the emerging new team that are showing off are all gathered in one place to decide the winner.
The PWS consists of the regional Weekly Survival, Weekly Finals, and Grand Finals. The top teams with the highest points accumulated in each stage advance to the next stage. Among them, Weekly Survival was held for two days each week on Wednesdays and Thursdays by region.
The PWS has been held online for the past two years due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). However, as the government’s social distancing measures were recently lifted, Korea’s Weekly Survival match was held offline at the Jamsil Vita500 Afreeca Colosseum. Thanks to this, the PUBG Esports fans were able to directly meet the cheers and enthusiasm of the fans on set, which was even hotter than expected.
The first player the KRAFTON Blog team talked to at the scene was Giyeol Cho (as known as “seoul”), the captain of Danawa e-sports. It was impressive to see him waiting at the stadium even during the break and calming down for the upcoming match. It was a moment that showed his serious attitude towards the game.
In fact, the day before we met seoul was his birthday (August 10). He opened his first speech as a thank-you to the fans who came to support him in person.
“It was the first time I’ve ever received such a birthday celebration, so I’m very grateful because it seems to have made unforgettable memories (laughs).”
When asked if the enthusiasm or support of the fans who come directly helps your performance, he replied, ” l like offline games, because it makes me more desperate and focused and also, I can meet my fans.”
Lastly, he chose to win the PGC as the goal he wants to achieve the most this year. However, since it is not an easy task to go to PGC, so he showed a humble appearance that he is just thinking about going to PGC first.
Next, the KRAFTON Blog team met with Jungyeong Park (as known as “Loki”) of DWG KIA. The most impressive and conspicuous part during a quick interview with him was his passionate eyes.
Loki expressed regret that the offline game, which was held for the first time in a long time, ended today.
“It’s very unfortunate. We never know when we will be able to play offline game again.”
When asked to say a word about his determination to play today’s game, he replied that he would do as he did, and that he would do as he practiced, but he would be greedy.
Lastly, the KRAFTON Blog team asked him, what is the secret to the top prize money ranking among PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS pro gamers around the world. He pondered for a moment and replied.
“Effort. I think it’s tirelessly effort. I think it’s the result of my constant efforts.”
Next, the KRAFTON Blog team met with the captain of GHIBLI ESPORTS, Taesung Kim (as known as “Heaven”). He was an impressive player with a quiet but confident voice.
When asked about his determination for today’s game, he expressed regret.
“It’s unfortunate that I couldn’t make it to the Weekly Finals in the first and second weeks, and it’s a bit disappointing that the offline matches have already been end game. We got a lot of points this week, so we will work hard and try to win.”
When asked to say a word to the fans for you who come to cheer despite the difficult situation, he said, “Thank you for coming to cheer for us, and I will continue to work harder, so please continue to cheer for us.”
Lastly, when asked if there are any players or team who are paying attention other than himself and his team, he replied.
“(Long pondering) No. I don’t think there is.”
Next, the KRAFTON Blog team had a conversation with captain of BGP, Seunghun Cha (as known as “Pio”). BGP is a team composed of retired pro gamers centered on Pio. The members gathered are characterized by the players who played ace roles in each Korean team. In particular, Pio was the player who had the most cheer signs and fans along with Inonix at the scene. His confidence and high energy stood out.
When asked if there are any advantages as a member of an amateur game team, not a professional game team, he replied firmly that there is nothing.
“(Long pondering) I don’t think there is. In fact, having a high degree of freedom is an advantage, but compared to other teams, they can’t practice much, and a pro team is much better if you want to take it seriously. If amateurs find freedom in their daily life, there are advantages, but in my opinion, professional game teams are much better in many ways.”
When asked if there was anything uncomfortable about dealing with his former team, Gen.G, he laughed and replied that he was not uncomfortable at all, and he answered that he was looking forward to it because it is an enemy anyway.
When asked if he had any hopes of advancing to the PGC, he replied that he would not give up.
“I feel nervous. So, these days, instead of individual broadcasting, we practice work hard to advance into the PGC. I really want to go to PGC without giving up.”
Next, the KRAFTON Blog team met with the captain of Gen.G, Heejoo Na, (as known as “Inonix”), who is former member of national team. He was the player who had the loudest cheers and the most fans on the day. He spokes softly, but the charisma that comes out was impressive.
He said he prefers offline games to online games, and it’s more fun because of the fans’ support. Lastly, when the KRAFTON Blog team asked if there were any player, he paid attention to other than himself and his team, he replied that ROY of GNL Esports stood out.
Lastly, the KRAFTON Blog team talked to Jaeseong Lee (as known as “ZeniTh”), the captain of GOnGO Prince. He was a player with a confident attitude, voice, and having a trust in his team members.
He started by saying that GonGo Prince is the only team that has advance it to all the weekly finals in Phase 2, and that he is confident enough to advance to the Weekly Finals today.
In addition, he answered positively to the question of how it is with the former team members who have been together again.
“There is a new player, Minwoo Lee (MinuDa) who is our field commander in the game. Fortunately, he’s working well with us and it’s working like cogs.”
Lastly, the KRAFTON Blog team ask him to say a word to the fans who came to cheer him on despite the tough times.
“Thank you to all the fans who support our team. I hope many of you cheer for us and come to see us.”
As the KRAFTON Blog team talked to the players, the time to enter the game was approaching, and we were able to meet the fans waiting in line and the fans doing the cheer sign event in advance. Among them, we were able to talk to a fan who introduced himself as a 19-year-old from Gyeonggi-do while waiting in the front seat.
He said today is his second offline visit, and he is a fan of BGP, and he supports Pio among them.
“Pio, I hope you do well on PWS, so go to PCS, go to PGC, and get the prize money without the company (laughs).”
When asked why he became a fan of Pio, he replied that he became an authentic “fan” after seeing Pio’s super play in PCS1.
Finally, he said he was very disappointed because he didn’t know when to play offline games again for the time being, and we were able to hear the advantages of offline games.
“Although getting a ticket was difficult, now that I’m in the offline game, I understand why they want to come. The atmosphere on the scene is definitely different, and unlike at home, it’s much more immersive. It’s absolutely nice to see the players up close when I come to offline games. Oh! I also like that I can take pictures and get autographs afterwards (laughs).”
When the fans started filling up the seats and a lot of cameras were taking their place, you could meet someone familiar with PUBG Esports fans. It was Heejoo Kim, an announcer who reported on 2021 PWS Phases 1 and 2, PCS5, and 2022 PWS Phases 1 and 2 and interviewed players. With her kind smiles, she was shining and brightening the stage.
She expressed joy and regret about working with players offline.
“It was a great time. The liveliness of the players during the interview was also good. The cheer sign events were also fun. I seem to have felt a lot that the scene was like this. The only disappointing part is that I am gradually getting used to work on this offline environment, but today is the last day, which is unfortunate.”
There weren’t many offline matches, but when asked if there were any fun episodes that occurred during the event, she answered that yesterday’s surprise birthday party for seoul was the most fun.
“I said I was sorry to interrupt his preparation for the game, but it was fun (laughs). Personally, I remember doing such offline event the most. Also, the interviews with the players were all fun. Probably because the interview wall is closer than other stadiums, and the audience can see it in person. I was able to feel the popularity of the players while watching the fans, and all of these things were fun.”
Finally, when the KRAFTON Blog team asked a word for the viewers, she expressed her gratitude.
“First of all, thank you to everyone who watches PUBG Esports and supports me. One of the things that cheered me up was the fan’s saying that he watched all the PUBG Esports events because of me. I thought it was a blessing for me to move one or two people like this. As “Menteul” of DWG KIA said during the interview yesterday, cheering for us is something you spend your time doing. It’s not easy. So, I would like to thank those who invest their time to have been following me and support PUBG Esports, and I promise that as long as there are such people, I will work really hard. (laughs)”
It was a time that feel the heat of the scene and immerse in the charm of PUBG Esports more deeply. Why don’t you join us next time? If you enjoy together while feeling the heat and shouts of the scene, you will undoubtedly become a fan of PUBG Esports!