Sung-hyeon "JJoNak" Bang, last season's MVP and his team, New York Excelsior dominated the past two years of Overwatch League. Currently, in Stage 4, teams are starting to exploit NYXL, handing them a few losses. Even though NYXL walked away with a win in against the Hangzhou Spark in Week 3, JJoNak was unhappy in the interview room. He felt that NYXL can be the team they were last year and they're not showing it yet. JJoNak spoke with Inven Global about the team's struggles, what NYXL can improve on, and the background behind his tattoos.

First of all, what are your thoughts on the role lock meta so far? How do you think your team is adjusting to it?

I'm having more fun than GOATS in this current role lock meta. I still think there are still limitations on what the team can play. There are not many comps we can play. In that way, it's not fun either. Orisa is a must-have in your comp, so I think the game isn't as fun as it should be. The dive meta was the best meta I've played in my career.


So far in Stage 4, NYXL has a couple of losses. Do you think the team is struggling at the moment or is it an adjustment period?

I'm not satisfied with our level of play right now. I'm confident we will slowly climb up and get to the level us and our fans expect by playoffs.


Do you think the meta is stable right now or is everyone still trying to figure out a certain style?

All the teams should know what comp is good by now. It's more like what other comps we can play besides Orisa, Mei, and Reaper. If anyone can figure that out, then it will decide the good teams from the bad. 

Who do you think are your toughest opponents heading forward?

I think it is only the Shock because their team feels solid. Solid meaning that it is hard to break them no matter what anyone does. 


Over time, do you think NYXL will be a solid team like the Shock or even stronger?

I believe in our team to become stronger than the Shock. The Shock is the bar that we strive to head towards and go beyond that. At the moment, we're constantly practicing and finding ways to improve since we have losses in this stage.

Switching topics, there's one thing I've always been curious about but haven't got the chance until to ask. What made you decide to get tattoos on your arm?

I wasn't planning on getting any tattoos at first, but I have a friend who is a tattoo artist. At that point, I knew I wanted a tattoo, but not sure when I will get it and what it will be. I talked to my friend and he asked what means the most to me in my life. My answer was the octopus since it is the meaning of my name in Korean. 


How about the flowers on your forearm?

I only got the roses because I thought it was pretty. 


Have you told your parents about it? 

Of course, I did! They weren't too fond of it at first. As more time went on, they looked at it more, and they think it's artistic and pretty also. 


Do you have plans for more tattoos?

I will definitely get a sleeve on my left arm first. After that, who knows. I'm not sure what tattoos to get on my arm. If any of the fans have ideas, I'd like to hear it. 

Thanks for the time in this late-night for the interview. Do you have any words to the fans?

Thanks to our fans for always cheering for us through the good and bad times. I know we're not playing as well as would like. We'll try our best to show every team we face against why we're one of the best teams in the league today.