It’s the third year of the Overwatch World Cup. Team South Korea has claimed the 1st place for two consecutive years, guarding the country’s reputation as an Overwatch powerhouse. Even when the team members changed, the results didn’t. Before the playoffs even started, Team South Korea was brimming with confidence, as if their victory was already assured.

However, the players seemed to feel different in this year’s interview. The perfect results from the previous 2 years - a matter of immense pride for many Overwatch fans in Korea - has become an immense weight for the newly-selected South Korean players. While Korean players have stayed on top through playing in numerous APEX games, the players abroad have been also improving by playing in the Overwatch League. Many of those players have been getting good results in the regular seasons, but are still hungry for victory in the Finals.

Among all the pressure and strong competition though, Team South Korea is still aiming for the top in this year’s OWWC. Though they had just met on the day we interviewed them, this group of skilled players already seemed to approve of each other. With the Qualifier taking place in South Korea, all 7 players have vowed to claim victory for their home country.

First, could you please introduce yourselves, your roles, and say hello to your fans?

Fate (Pan-Seung Koo): Hello, I am Fate and I’ve been selected as the main tank for Team South Korea.

ArK (Yeon-Joon Hong): Hello, I am Ark, the main healer for South Korea.

MekO (Tae-Hong Kim): Hello, I am MekO and will be playing as the sub tank for South Korea in the 2018 Overwatch World Cup.

JJoNak (Seong-Hyun Bang): I am JJoNak, the sub healer for South Korea.

Saebyeolbe (Jong-Ryeol Park): Hello, I am Saebyeolbe, DPS for South Korea in OWWC 2018.

Libero (Hae-Seong Kim): I am Libero, DPS for South Korea in the OWWC 2018.

Carpe (Jae-Hyeok Lee): I am Carpe, DPS for South Korea and Philadelphia Fusion.

For which photoshoot have you gathered together like this today?

MekO: We came to get our pictures taken for our team profile and trailer.

Saebyeolbe: Since our sponsor is Logitech, we are trying out their products as well as having our photos taken.

Could you please describe how you felt when you were selected as the 7 players for Team South Korea in the OWWC 2018?

Fate: I checked the announcement for team selection late at night in the U.S. I felt indifferent and good at the same time since I knew I would get selected. However, I didn’t know we would get a 7-player roster; I think it was because everyone displayed great stage performance around when the selections were being made.

ArK: In the case of New York Excelsior, I was waiting for the result with my teammates until two in the morning. We expected 12 players to be selected and didn’t know we would make it into the 7-player roster. But still, our team had such good results and the main healer was a common position back then so I think I got to be together with others.

MekO: I didn’t know there would be 7 players back when I was selected. I was surprised a bit during the announcement. I think I made it because I performed well before the playoffs.

JJoNak: I did have my hopes set high. It felt great to hear that I made it onto Team South Korea.

Libero: I saw all games for the OWWC. But now that I get to play in the game myself, I am looking forward to it so much. I have this feeling that this year’s Team South Korea needs to get good results since the previous teams got great results.

Saebyeolbe: Personally, I am so happy that I get to play in Team South Korea twice in a row. At the first time, I heard the announcement for team selection, I was proud that I was standing side by side with the world’s best players. Moreover, I was truly happy when I heard who made it on the 7-player roster. I am the elder player so I also feel that I need to lead my younger teammates from NYXL well.

Carpe: My goal for this year was to become part of Team South Korea, so I am so happy that I made it. Team South Korea did so well before so I will try hard to get good results this year as well.

It’s been quite a while since some of you came back to South Korea. How does it feel to be back home?

ArK: It is really hot in South Korea… At least in LA, you could go outside wearing long sleeves during the day and night.

Libero: That’s right, it’s so hot here. But it’s great that I can eat Korean dishes in South Korea again. I missed Korean food back when I was staying in the U.S. They do have Korean food there but it’s different from eating here.

Saebyeolbe: There weren’t any good places I could stay while in Korea, but I am so happy that I got to stay with my wife at her parents’ house.

Carpe: I was astonished by how hot it is in South Korea. It’s great being able to eat food that goes well with my tastes though.

The Qualifier will take place in Incheon, South Korea; how does it feel to play on stage in South Korea as it’s been a while since you last did?

MekO: It’s been such a long time since I played in front of Korean fans, not since APEX. I’m looking forward to it a lot.

JJoNak: Actually, I’m not sure since I’ve only entered PC Bang contests in South Korea.

Libero: I’m looking forward to playing in front of many Korean fans. I will probably remember how I played in APEX before as well. I guess I should do extremely well.

Saebyeolbe: Right. I think I will remember how I used to play in South Korea before. Korean fans have different kinds of cheers compared to American fans. You know the Qualifier we played in took place in Europe last year. This year, I hope to get more positive energy and do great by doing the Qualifier in South Korea.

Also, since Japan is playing in the Incheon Qualifier, South Korea, it will be meaningful to play the Korea-Japan match in front of Korean fans. I will show them what we’ve got.

Carpe: I went to watch the Contenders games when I came to South Korea, and saw how passionately Korean fans cheered. I’m looking forward to seeing that this time.

Saebyeolbe, you got to play in the OWWC twice in a row; how did you feel when you heard that you’d get to play once more?

Saebyeolbe: I mean, it’s the world’s best players that got selected. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I should be here… I had doubts about myself. But still, since I got selected, I decided I should have a positive mindset and that I would try my best. I think that I should try hard and aim to win with the world’s best players.

Team South Korea won 2 consecutive OWWCs. Don’t you find it burdening to be selected to represent your country?

ArK: I think that the other national teams and players participating in the OWWC became even better than before so there is more pressure than there was before.

Fate: I am personally worried about big changes to heroes like Sombra and Symmetra in the World Cup. I do have anxiety over not being able to adapt to the new meta changes. But still, I think it will be fine as long as I try my best.

JJoNak: It is a burden since the previous South Korea teams did well. However, I think winning is possible, based on the players selected for Team South Korea this time.

Libero: There is pressure, but we will be able to get good results, obviously, since the previous OWWC result was good.

Do you usually stay close with the players who got selected this time for the OWWC?

JJoNak: I would meet up with Fury and Carpe almost every weekend in LA. We even play Competitive together almost every day so I think we will have great teamwork.

Carpe: I was close to JJoNak even before I started out as a pro gamer. I was close with MekO and Fury while I was in LA, but this is the first time I’ve met and talked with NYXL players, including Saebyeolbe-hyung (hyung is a Korean word for ‘older brother’).

There are some players who are playing together for the first time on your team, so you will need to establish some good teamwork.

Carpe: I mean, I’ve been playing with foreign players for some time now in Overwatch League. I think it will be more fun to play on an only-Korean team. In the Philadelphia Fusion, we had players from 9 different nations, and I really wanted to use Korean. I mean, it is hard to have perfect communication only in English.

And it’s more exciting since there are more players in Team South Korea that I wanted to play with before. I wanted to play with Saebyeolbe-hyung, JJoNak, and Fate as well.

Saebyelobe: Lies! How can we play together when we play the same role!?

Carpe: We might, depending on the team comp, right? (Laughs) It will be so fun!

There certainly will be competition for the starters if your team makes it to the playoffs since you have a high number of players in this year’s OWWC team. If you were to say anything to players with the same role as you, what would you say?

Fate: Wouldn’t we able to make it to the playoffs if I can get carried well in the Qualifier? (Laughs) Unless I suck, it will be the same in the playoffs.

ArK: I think it will be fine as long as I try my hardest. I should try my hardest.

MekO: Fury… Please go easy on me.

JJoNak: KariV is great on Widowmaker as well, and I think it should be fine if I could cover those parts well.

Fate, you played for a team with many foreign players. How do you feel about being able to play as a part of Team South Korea?

Fate: 1 year ago, I would work on team synergy with Korean players until I went to LA Valiant to play mostly with other foreign players. But still, most of my teammates this time are players from NYXL whom I’ve been working on team synergy with before so I think it should be fine as long as I manage to integrate well. I might accidentally speak English out of habit, which I will need to try to work on.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the new hero, Wrecking Ball, and the remade Symmetra. I heard that they could be used in the Qualifiers. There could be a new meta -- what do you think?

MekO: I think it will be fun since it will create totally different situations. I can’t say anything for sure about Wrecking Ball since he hasn’t been added to Competitive yet (this interview happened before Wrecking Ball was added to Competitive Play). I might have to hurry a bit on practicing.

Saebyeolbe: Symmetra isn’t actually picked that much in Competitive, although it could be different in team games. Same for Wrecking Ball. We have had somewhat fixed metas since the OWL but I think there will be many new changes in this year’s Qualifiers. That means we should to try practicing harder. It is pressing how I need to adapt to new things in such a short time, but I think it will also be fun.

Carpe: There will be more variety with strategies now.

Saebyeolbe: Is there anything you came up with?

Carpe: We will need to work on that together. (Laughs) 6 players will need to understand the new changes well for them to work the new meta out.

You know how each team has their own style, right? If you were to describe your team’s own style in the Qualifier, what would it be?

Saebyeolbe: Since we have many players and the coach from NYXL in the team, I think we’d keep to the old style we had. Add Fate and Carpe to that to integrate into the team, then I think we could have a different team comp from the previous NYXL. Also, Fate and Carpe have been using English to communicate so far, but they will be able to do better now that they can call shots in Korean.

Carpe: You know, the New York Excelsior did really amazing in the regular seasons. I’ve been wondering how they worked that out before, and I’m so happy now that I can be with them.

You got the team bracket for foreign OWWC teams. Which country do you think is the most powerful?

Libero: Canada is the first one that comes to my mind, although I think it’s Finland that is powerful in the Qualifiers. Canada has many star players. They’ve got Agilities, Surefour, and xQc.

Saebyeolbe: Finland has many OWL players, including Taimou and LiNkzr. They also got the duo healers from the LA Gladiators, so they definitely aren’t a team that can be overlooked.

Carpe: The 9 players from the Philadelphia Fusion got to play in the OWWC. ShaDowBurn and Fragi will be coming to South Korea.

Foreign players have improved for sure while playing in the OWL. Do you think the gap is closing between Korean players and foreign players compared to last year?

ArK: Foreign players that weren’t well-known before earned some renown through OWL. Many of them were selected to play in this year’s OWWC.

Fate: I could really feel the gap closing. All starters from LA Valiant made it to the OWWC. All of them are great, and it would be nice if we get to meet them in the Finals.

Saebyeolbe: Yes, it feels like foreign teams are getting much, much better as years pass. I mean, foreign players have been getting a lot of experience by playing in the OWL. So I feel that it would be harder to play in the OWWC starting from this year.

Libero: Same thoughts here. The level of foreign players have become much higher through the OWL. There are even some who have changed through the OWL.

Saebyeolbe, you said you’ve experienced going through the OWWC last year. What do you think you will need to do well in order to do well in the OWWC?

Saebyeolbe: You must think that all of you are on the same team. I think you will be able to win if you try hard only for the OWWC without hiding your team strategies. Since there are only the best players in these teams, I think there should be nothing that would hold you back as a team if you stay close and trust each other. Who could win against us if we are like that?

Is there anything you are looking forward to in the OWWC?

Libero: Of course, playing on the stage is the biggest thing I’m looking forward to. And I like it a lot that we are with Logitech.

Saebyeolbe: I am also happy that we got to be with Logitech for 2 consecutive years. I think I improved a lot by using Logitech products, even for the equipment I didn’t use before. It would be nice if we could be with Logitech next year, if possible.

Carpe: I’m also happy to be with Logitech (Laughs). Also, I've been watching the OWWC playoffs from the audience seat in the stadium. I remember how I made up my mind that I would like to stand on that stage next time as I walked out of the stadium. I’ve been wanting to stand on the OWWC stage for a long time.

I see. Equipment seems very important for pro gamers when they are playing Overwatch. Could you please tell us which product you are using?

Saebyeolbe: This is an important answer (Laughs). I’ve been using a G PRO keyboard, and it works well for me so I think I’ll keep using it as I stay a pro gamer.

Libero: I started using a G PRO keyboard when I joined NYXL. It’s so great that I plan to keep using it. I see they also have many great headsets from using them today.

Carpe: I’m using a G 903 mouse, and have kept using a G640 mouse pad since I started my pro gamer career.

Fate: I’m using the G900 for my mouse. Their keyboard and headset seem to work fine for me just as before.

ArK: I’ve been using the G900 until now but I plan to try the G703. I’ve been using a G PRO Tenkeyless for keyboard, although I am also considering using a G512. As for the headset, I usually like using the G433.

JJoNak: I’ve been using various keyboards, and I think the G PRO Tenkeyless worked the best for me. As for the mouse, I’ve been using a G403 since the early phase of Overwatch so I think it’s good.

Now, please feel free to say anything you’d like to your fans!

Fate: There seem to some fans who don’t know much about me so I will deliver a good performance at this year’s OWWC that will make you remember me.

JJoNak: I feel both surprised and pressured that I get to be in Team South Korea, which I didn’t even think was possible last year. But still, I will do my best to perform well.

Saebyeolbe: It’s exciting that we get to play in front of Korean fans. I think we can do even better with the home advantage. Root for us, and we will pay back your support with great performance. We will try our best so please enjoy our games.

Libero: Since we get to wear South Korea uniforms when we play, we will try our utmost to aim for 3 consecutive wins for South Korea.

Carpe: Please root for us in this year’s OWWC. We will try our best to win.