The South Korean national team took second place in the PUBG Mobile event at the Esports Championships Asia 2026 (ECA 2026), held at the Jinju Indoor Gymnasium in Gyeongsangnam-do on the 26th. Among the ECA national teams, Vietnam placed first and South Korea second. In the overall standings, which included professional teams, KRX took first, Vietnam second, DK third, and South Korea third.

The following is an interview with the South Korean national team at ECA.

Q. You placed second among the ECA national teams. How do you feel about the tournament?

Head Coach Yoon Sang-hoon = We lacked sufficient time. There were issues from the start, even with setting our drop zones. I think the value of this experience lies in the brief opportunity we had to combine our strongest players from Nongshim and DK to prepare for the Asian Games.

Kim Dong-hyun: We didn't have enough practice time. That's disappointing, and I don't think I performed at my best individually.

Kim Jun-ha: It's a shame because our team synergy wasn't great, and my individual performance wasn't up to par either.

Park Sang-cheol: We didn't have much time to build chemistry with new teammates. It's disappointing, but I'm satisfied with the second-place result.

Song Su-an: As everyone said, our synergy wasn't there. The lack of coordination in various areas is what I find most disappointing.

Jeon Hyun-bin: It's disappointing because we didn't click well, and my individual form wasn't good.

Q. The Asian Games roster isn't finalized yet, but what are your thoughts on the opposing teams

Park Sang-cheol: We knew Vietnam well since they've competed in international tournaments before, but it didn't seem like the other countries brought their absolute best rosters. Vietnam was definitely strong.

Q. How do you think it will go if this year's Asian Games are played in a Battle Royale format

Head Coach Yoon Sang-hoon = Back in Hangzhou, it was a completely new rule set, so it felt like playing a different game. However, South Korean players have been consistently competing on the international stage in Battle Royale. Since the Asian Games exclude some of the strongest teams from regions like South America

I believe we have a very good chance at the gold medal.

Q. China was absent from this tournament, right

Head Coach Yoon Sang-hoon = It is a shame China wasn't here. It would have been good to gauge our strength against them. I've heard they are preparing thoroughly with their best possible team, so we are doing our absolute best as well.

Q. This team was a mix of DK and Nongshim players. What was the most difficult part

Park Sang-cheol: Nongshim and DK have different operational styles, which was a challenge. The upside was that everyone had great aim, which was a positive.

Head Coach Yoon Sang-hoon = Traditionally, DK focuses on operations while Nongshim focuses on combat, so our timing and thought processes differed. That's why this was a great opportunity to build that synergy, and I really valued that aspect.

Q. A final word on your resolve for the Nagoya Asian Games

Park Sang-cheol: It's not finalized yet, but if I am selected, I will work hard to win the gold medal we missed in Hangzhou.

Kim Dong-hyun: I will grit my teeth, practice hard, and bring home the gold.

Jeon Hyun-bin: Same here. I will do my best to win the gold medal.

Kim Jun-ha: The Asian Games is a massive stage and a rare opportunity, so I will strive to achieve the best possible result.

Song Su-an: If I am selected, I will bring back the gold.

Head Coach Yoon Sang-hoon = The roster is not yet confirmed. However, this experience taught us how difficult it is to build synergy in a short time. Once the final roster is set, we will do our best to coordinate even during the league season to ensure we are ready to win gold.