WE's Korean Duo 'Karis' and 'About' Flourish in the LPL'

'Karis' Kim Hong-jo and 'About' Moon Hyeong-seok, currently playing for LPL's Team WE, shared an update on their careers. 'Karis' is a mid-laner who previously competed in the LCK, while 'About' began his professional career in China, spent about a year with Gen.G, and returned to Team WE this year. On the 14th, WE defeated TES 2-0, bringing their record to 6-4 and moving them up to 4th place.

Below is the full interview with 'Karis' Kim Hong-jo and 'About' Moon Hyeong-seok.

리그 오브 레전드 League of Legend : Clash of Fates
©INVEN

Q. Nice to meet you. Could you start with a brief introduction.

'Karis' = I had many fans who supported me even when I was in Korea, and I am still very grateful for that. The team atmosphere is great right now, and I enjoy having an environment where I can focus solely on the game.

'About' = I draw a lot of strength from my Korean fans. I think that support helped us win today.

Q. What was the key to today's victory?

'Karis' = We beat TES 2-0 today. We’ve been a bit inconsistent, so I’m happy that we identified our issues, overcame them, and showed a good performance.

'About' = Our pick-ban went well, and our communication was excellent.

Q. How is life in China?

'Karis' = When I first arrived last year, I had some trouble with the cultural differences, but I’ve adapted well and things are great now. The only thing is that I need to study Chinese hard, but it’s difficult (laughs). Still, I don't have any issues with the language in-game.

'About' = Since I’ve competed in China before, I don't have any major problems.

Q. What are the strengths or the atmosphere like within Team WE?

'Karis' = There is definitely a strong bond between the teammates, so we don't have much trouble coordinating with each other.

'About' = The atmosphere is really good when we win. Even when we lose, we are able to communicate feedback openly and effectively.

Q. Have you experienced any personal growth or changes in your mindset as a pro while competing in China?

'Karis' = I heard this a lot last year, but I often received feedback in Korea that I lacked aggression in-game. Looking back, I think psychological factors played a big role. When I was in Korea, I moved between the first and second teams, so I felt a lot of anxiety about being sent down if I didn't perform well. I don't have that here at all; in fact, the coaching staff, the management, and even my agency, Shadow Corporation, always trust and support me, which has given me a lot of confidence.

'About' = Since I’ve spent most of my career in China, I’ve become much more receptive to feedback compared to when I was a rookie, which has led to significant growth in my gameplay.

Q. Do you watch LCK matches often? And are there any players in your role you look up to?

'Karis' = I watch almost all the matches involving the top teams or players I’m close with. I learn a lot by watching 'Chovy's' laning phase, and I also watch 'Faker' to learn from him. 'Faker's' style aligns more with mine, not just in terms of external factors but also in-game, so I try to emulate him.

'About' = I watch T1's matches closely to study bot lane dynamics. Personally, I think they are the best at bot lane laning, and it’s very helpful. As for playstyle, I want to be like 'Viper'. I think he is a player who is both solid and very effective at dealing damage.

Q. Lastly, a word for your Korean fans.

'Karis' = There are fans who even come to China to watch the LPL in person, and I am truly grateful. I’ve had many difficult moments in my pro career, but I overcome them by reading the letters and messages of support from fans. I will continue to work hard so that those who support 'Karis' can be proud of me.

'About' = I know it’s not easy to watch the LPL from Korea, so I’m very thankful. I’ll make sure to show you my best.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated with the help of NC AI. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom. [Read Original]

Sort by:

Comments :0

Insert Image

Add Quotation

Add Translate Suggestion

Language select

Report

CAPTCHA