PUBG Esports Player Interview Series
Salute, seoul, Inonix, and Loki. What is this, the national squad for PUBG? Well, this is the 2023 roster for the Danawa e-sports team. Danawa e-sports reached 11th place at the PUBG Global Championship 2022, which was the highest among all Korean teams. As Inonix and Loki joined the team, Danawa e-sports has put together what is widely recognized as a top-tier roster. The two players have been on the same team before, they were both previously on the national squad, and both experienced competitors. The KRAFTON Blog team asked them about their plans and personal feelings for the 2023 season.
Nice to meet you both. I’d like you to briefly introduce yourselves to the KRAFTON blog readers.
Inonix: Hi there. My name is Na Hee-joo or Inonix, and I recently joined the Danawa e-sports team.
Loki: Hello. I’m Park Jung-Yeong, or Loki, and I’ve also joined the Danawa e-sports team.
What were your biggest reasons for transferring teams?
Inonix: The biggest reason was because I wanted to win. The Danawa e-sports team has always had a great roster. I joined them because it feels like they can really win this time.
Loki: Mine is similar to Inonix. I know that I don’t have long left as a competitor, since I’m passing my mid-20s. I changed teams so that I can aim to win again.
It’s been a while since you were both in Gen.G and now you’ve become reunited at Danawa e-sports. How do you feel about that?
Loki: I was glad, more than anything else. One of the reasons I transferred was because I heard that Inonix had moved, too. I prefer having an older brother figure, rather than younger brothers. So I feel glad and excited in many ways.
How would you compare the chemistry that you two have at Danawa e-sports to the chemistry you had before at Gen.G?
Loki: I think our chemistry is even better now. I often played quite passively when I was at Gen.G. I positioned myself in line with my teammates. Now I know how to actively lead my team. That will help me to work even better with my new teammates.
Inonix: When we were at Gen.G, we were both young and lacked knowledge. When we played together at PUBG Nations Cup 2022 (PNC 2022) last year, I think we saw how we had both grown. I think we’ve matured a lot.
Now that Danawa e-sports has brought together seoul, Salute, Loki, and Inonix, I think it’s obvious to anyone that this is a super team to be reckoned with. I imagine your teammates and the company already have high expectations. How does the atmosphere feel within the team?
Loki: Like you said, we’re under high expectations. High expectations often come with anxiety over the outcome, but there are so many unknowns until the competition actually gets going. So, we’re just trying to prepare ourselves in every aspect that we can this time. Thankfully, there’s not much stress.
Inonix: Given the high expectations, I’d like to use those expectations as fuel to prepare the best I can.
Are there areas that you’re especially focusing on with your teammates both inside and outside of the game to improve your teamwork?
Loki: Within the game, I think we’ll need to practice together more to figure out which areas we need to work on. We still haven’t trained together very much.
Inonix: I think some of the in-game issues are starting to surface, but they’re not completely clear just yet. I don’t think we’ll need to work too hard on aspects outside of the game. Everyone is so nice and fun to be with. I already know that I can trust Loki to do well, Salute is the youngest, but he’s still very friendly, and even seoul is chattier and more eccentric than I’d expected, so we’re all getting along really well.
The two of you have been athletes for a relatively long time. You’re what we might call “veteran” competitors. Is there anything different about your mindset for this year?
Inonix: No, I’ve kept the same mindset this entire time.
Loki: I’m the same. I don’t want to become lazy and I want to maintain a positive relationship with my teammates. I’d like to carry on living up to these principles this year.
‘In your opinion, what are some of the advantages of Danawa e-sports and what’s your goal for the 2023 season?
Inonix: I think our most significant advantage is our capacity to engage. Our goal is obviously to win the championship. I believe this is the perfect time to aim for the top, since we have such an incredible team roster.
You both have plenty of experience on the national squad. Do you think you’ll be selected again this year?
Inonix: I think it’s only right that the best players make it onto the national squad. I feel that it’s simply the secondary outcome to me playing well.
Are there any songs or musicians that you like these days?
Inonix: I’ve been really enjoying Tanaka’s “Wasurenai.” (Laughs)
Loki: Mine is “Hype Boy” by NewJeans. (Laughs)
How do you see your role within Danawa e-sports?
Loki: I think I have a central role in the team. In my experience, it’s not good for a team to be skewed toward any one direction. I feel that it’s my job to keep the team solid from the center. I’m basically the quiet middle sibling.
Inonix: As the oldest, my focus is on looking after our athletes mentally.
How would you describe each other in one word or sentence?
Inonix: Loki’s like Crayon Shin-chan. He’s so mischievous.
Loki: Inonix is a legend. I’ve learned a lot, now that I’m not particularly young anymore. It’s not easy to stay on top form and play so well for such a long time. That’s why I respect him so much and think he’s such a cool player. Having said that, I’m so hurt that he’d compare me to Crayon Shin-chan.
Inonix: My bad. I want to change my answer, please. (Laughs)
Inonix, what do you think is your most important role as the so-called eldest brother of the team?
Inonix: I was the eldest last year, too. I’ve learned something from that, which is that I have to be more down to earth without letting my ego get the best of me. That makes it easier to get along with younger teammates. It’s because younger siblings often find it harder to approach older siblings, whereas it’s relatively easier for older siblings to approach younger siblings. So, I try to humor the others, even if they’re joking around. I think it’s most important for the oldest team member to help the others feel at ease.
What’s one thing that you’d like to learn from each other?
Inonix: I’d like to learn from Loki’s positive mindset. It’s something that I think I’m lacking, so I’ve always wanted to learn from him.
Loki: I want to learn Inonix’s aggressive play style. I tend to play safe in the game. Playing a more aggressive style in a competition requires a lot of courage and boldness, and Inonix plays like that without hesitation. It’s something that I often thought I’d like to learn from him.
Are there any areas in which you think you’ve improved compared to last year?
Inonix: It’s my mental resilience. I can say that confidently. Since I’m older and I’ve been through a lot already, I’ve definitely become much more solid mentally.
Loki: I want to say “mental resilience” as well. As my career as an athlete gets longer, I think my mindset has become stronger at the same time. There was one time in the past that I had a serious mental breakdown, even though I always try to maintain a positive attitude. But I found that, when I collapse, the entire team collapses along with me. That’s when I decided that I’ll never give up again, which helped me to steel my mental strength.
What’s your motto as a pro players?
Inonix: It’s “Don’t be lazy if you want to win.”
Loki: Mine is “Never give up.”
Do you have your own way of blowing off the stress that comes from being pro player?
Inonix: (Thinks hard) I don’t think so. I’ve looked for different ways of de-stressing, but I’m not sure they were very effective. I think rest is the best thing for it. No matter what else I try, I’ll keep thinking about the things that stress me out.
Loki: Whenever I’m having a hard time, I read through my old journal to re-visit my mindset. It often helps me to restore my confidence.
What are some attributes that are required for a truly great PUBG e-sports player?
Inonix: Skill. I think skill is really what’s important. There aren’t as many opportunities to become a pro gamer as you might think. You have to have outstanding skills to become a pro gamer. I think ‘Salute’ on our team is the best example of seizing such an opportunity.
When did you feel most proud of yourself as a PUBG pro gamer?
Inonix (Thinks hard) I think it was the time I was selected for the national squad for the PUBG Nations Cup 2019.
Loki: I was most proud of myself when I was chosen for the national squad in 2022. At the time, I didn’t think I was on such great form. I think it really helped my growth that they believed in me and selected me regardless. If I hadn’t been selected, I think I might’ve broken down a little.
What kind of people are you as Park Jung-Yeong and Na Hee-joo, as opposed to Loki and Inonix?
Loki: I try to be a good person. I’m always striving to be a genuinely good person on the inside, rather than being seen as a good person.
Inonix: I’m quiet, I don’t like to go outside much, and I’m a little lazy. In particular, when I fixate on one thing, that’s the only thing I do. I think that’s one of my strengths, actually. It’s what helped me to become a pro gamer.
Other than playing video games, what makes you the happiest?
Inonix: My family. I feel much better whenever I spend time with my family.
Loki: Recognition, for me. I feel the most proud of myself when someone recognizes me. Even if it’s not in the game, I feel happy whenever I gain recognition for myself.
What’s something that supports and motivates Inonix and Loki right now?
Inonix: I have a clear answer for that. It’s the goal of winning the championship. I feel that the goal of winning is what keeps me going.
Loki: I’m exactly the same. The desire to win the championship keeps me from burning out.
There are so many highlight videos of you two on YouTube. Do you ever watch them? Were there any comments that you liked?
Inonix: I do watch them. (Laughs) One comment I remember just said “As expected.” It made me feel so good to read a comment that said “As expected from Inonix.”
Loki: Mine was “All about the fundamentals.” (Laughs) I remember a comment that said “Loki is all about the fundamentals.”
If you have to retire one day, how would you like to be remembered by your fans?
Inonix: I’d like to be remembered as an athlete who made truly memorable plays.
Loki: I think I’m the same. But I don’t want people to see my downfall toward the end. I think I want to retire while I’m on top. I’ll probably retire when I feel that I’m no longer having a positive impact on my teammates and the game.
Lastly, do you have a message for your fans?
Inonix: We have great members and coaches. Given the high expectations, we’re working and preparing even harder. We’re still going through a trial-and-error stage, but I think we’ll be able to show some outstanding achievements and performances once we’re ready. I personally have high hopes, too. We’ll try our very best to repay your support. Thank you.
Loki: First of all, I’m so grateful to our fans for their tireless support. I feel that I’ve been negligent in communicating with my fans, so that’s something I’d like to work on going forward. There are many athletes who have skills that I lack within Danawa e-sports. As I learn a lot from them, I think I’ll be able to showcase a slightly different side of me. I’ll make sure to achieve outstanding outcomes as well as fun and impressive plays. I’d love to have all your support! Thank you very much.