Interview
2012. 4. 12
ongamenet Director Hyeongjun Hwang
LOL League to challenge ‘globalization’ "We’re planning to flesh out interesting idea a bit more on that, for people already regard LOL League as e-sports. The most important thing is to expand its base. Do you know that e-sports fans overseas want to visit Korea to make a pilgrimage? We On-game net will make some places for them."
There has been the same formula in a hero cartoon: A Hero always cracks a case anytime, anywhere and then the world becomes peaceful soon. Although we know it’s predictable, a story with happy-ending makes us keep expecting it. E-sports industry is also expecting a hero to stir up a boom again. Then, how about a glorious comeback of the Star League founder? Director Hyeongjun Hwang, the first planner of opening Star League, found his way back into the e-sports industry. Now Star League becomes a representative example in booming e-sports. We’re expecting Hyeongjun is making a “something big”, looking back on his achievement having lots of symbolic significance like making a dream stage for progamers, history of e-sports in Korea, notable examples of game league and so on. Hyeongjun said that ‘Global’ will be the key strategy to become a big hit at the opening ceremony of ‘LOL The Champions 2012’ held by On-game net on March 14th. Two days before the opening day, we asked Hyeongju whether e-sports will be revitalized, he undoubtedly said ‘Yes’. He has been busy working and taking responsibility for all works of On-game net and online Insite TV, moving from On-game net in Bundang,Korea and CJ E&M in Sangamdong,Korea. Our reporter watched him gathering all PDS and frowning at viewing figures of program. [E-sports, going up more than ever] He said to our reporter “I’ve been so hectic working both at the same time; it will be hard to talk with me after I start to hold LOL League. You are timely to come and talk with me, haha.” He has a mild voice, is a little picky (but he doesn’t hold grudge) and creative. I believe these characteristics are regarded as his strengths. He was suggesting adopting relay-broadcasting with the game league and making gamers as a star. At that time it might make co-workers annoyed but his persuasive and mild voice could have strong power to get them on his side. Additionally, Star League cannot help succeeding under control of his picky personality. Every idea of his is not successful in business. He developed online ‘Batu’ based on Baduk game(a game of go) and promoted ‘Batu’ to be the title of e-sports, but it ended with failure. Then he had been out of e-sports industry. He said, “I was scattered. Especially Star League is symbolic not only for On-game net but for whole e-sports industry. To tell the truth, the reason why I left e-sports industry without any regret is that I thought there’s nothing for me to do.” He tends to enjoy lots of challenges rather than like challenges, so he is ready to enjoy challenges at this time. But lots of people have more unfavorable opinion that e-sports industry has been on the wane and not easy to revitalize. Some think that Star League having a temporary shut down for a while will be closed soon.
He said “I don’t understand them. It can’t be possible that every culture and sports keep being on the upturn. As a certain time passed, the fate of Star League will be sealed. Everyone is worrying about it, but I don’t think so. E-sports have only to jump higher from the bottom. I have no doubt that e-sports industry is of great value. I’ll spread e-sports into people knowing what e-sports exactly is.” [LOL League to challenge ‘globalization’] He said confidently Star Craft is not the only answer. It’s time to meet new needs of our fans even ‘Star Craft’ has been perfectly suited for e-sports as time goes by. Kart Rider and Tekken would be key factor to revitalize e-sports and Ongame net. His answer was ‘no’ with a question that LOL League will replace Star League by reason of great reputation from the public. He said ‘both games are totally different and LOL is not an easy game to reach general viewers. LOL League is a kind of our effort to diversify titles to meet our fans’ needs. LOL League is just one good example of them. I believe our fans need to study the game as you watch a football game. Then we wonder what he really wants to do next. He answers ‘global’ without hesitation. With this, we could go further all over the world. He has revealed his plan to offer VOD service and live broadcast across the world. Operating expenses are almost the same amount as Pro League: five billion won. We’re planning to flesh out interesting idea a bit more on that, for people already regard LOL League as e-sports. The most important thing is to expand its base. Do you know that e-sports fans overseas want to visit Korea to make a pilgrimage? We On-game net will make some places for them.