With FnaticRaidCall's expansion into Korea and adding a new Korean General Manager, Sung Hwan 'Hwanni' Kim, we thought it important to do an interview with him so our community can get to know him. We discuss his past in eSports, his view on a few current topics such as MLG, and of course his expectations for FnaticRaidCall's new Korean division.

Hi, how are you doing, did you have a good new year's celebration?

Hello, I feel greater than ever. I had a really good time thanks for asking.
2012 is going to be a very exciting year in eSports.  Is there anything you are looking forward to most, personally?

Personally. I really like the new formats for GSL and MLG.  I would love to see how it goes for both tournaments.
What do you enjoy about the formats specifically?

With GSL : I really enjoy watching when losers pick the maps.  MLG season tournament online qualify and Arena will eventually bring more skilled players to the tournament.
But with the Arena's you lose all of the fan participation.  That was something that made MLG very special compared to many events - the amount of fans that came out.  What do you think about this?

In some ways yes, you are right. But still it would make more people save up money to come to the championships instead. They can still watch VoDs and games at home and cheer for their players. Then if their favorite player makes to championship they can still come and meet them. It would enlarge the tournament. I think.

I mean for ESWC and WCG, they only have 1 Grand Final but still people always pay attentions so..
True, but each region has its own "finals" of sorts, where people can attend (usually).  That was one of the key components that makes eSports so unique to mainstream sports - fans and players had an easy time interacting with each other at events.

True also. But we know that there are many tournaments in this year. Such as EM, Dreamhack, IPL, Assembly and etc.  Players cannot fly all the time.  Quantity isn't always better than Quality. I would say it will bring more quality for games.
What was your most memorable moment of 2011?

I would say MLG Providence and WCG Grand Final - both of them. In MLG it was my first time there. I was fascinated by all the fans. Very touching event.

Also in WCG it was the first SC2 tournament for them. I was happy to run the SC2 as a head referee. and also was happy to see many players from outside of Korea.
eSports has grown an incredible amount over the last two years.  What do you think the biggest difference is today from when you were managing eSTRO?

When I was with eSTRO. The only competition that I could find was mostly in Korea...for SC:BW of course.  But I really love to see all these different great tournaments putting effort in for eSports and I am also really happy to see more foreigners in action.  It's really good to see how this is growing up throughout the world.
people know you today as a former BroodWar pro-team manager and a translator in Starcraft 2.  But your real passion before all of this began was Counter-Strike.  Can you tell us how you first started in eSports?

I started with doing lots of things for CS running tournaments with organizers.  Also doing some translations for small tournaments. Also helped CPL for translations for CPL qualifications in Korea as well. That was a start I guess.

Speaking of Counter-Strike, have you had an opportunity to play CS:GO yet?  What are your thoughts on the game? Nope I am sorry I didn't have time to play.  Things were too busy for me lately.  Sorry :D
Counter-Strike never really developed to the level of having coaches like Starcraft did.  Teams were often lead by a captain or in-game leader/strat caller and it was left at that.  How big of an impact can a coach make, and do you think other games such as Counter-Strike and League of Legends should adopt the idea of having coaches?

Hmm.. I would say it differs for teams and players. For instance, for the eSTRO CS team. I wasn't a Coach but I gave them something that I think would be good for them. And that was mental trainings and helping build team work.

We had really comfortable schedules and also we hung out a lot and always spent time together talking.  Mostly about games and tactics.  I wanted combined the team into one piece.  So that was my job.
How did you become the eSTRO manager in the first place?

There is a company called International E-sports Group in Korea. I was going to work in foreign marketing fields for them, but the team manager had an accident and because of that he couldn't go to the tournament, so the company sent me instead and we got 2nd place in Extreme Masters 2. After that the company was satisfied with the CS team work, so they put me in charge.
The eSports industry seems rather focused on Starcraft 2 these days, a lot of new people don't seem to know or value other eSports.  Do you see this as a problem?

I would say it's matter of time. We can actually see how LoL is growing. Soon there is going to be another cool game that will make people want to watch and play soon. Hope it's an FPS game :D
Do you think there is a specific solution to this situation though?

Not really. It seems to be a problem but I am pretty sure it's going to be solved.
You work very closely with the Incredible Miracle Starcraft 2 team.  Comparing them, and other professional Starcraft 2 teams, how do they compare to professional teams in the past such as eSTRO, etc?

Well it's different. First of all I am close with IM team because I knew them before.

And comparing SC2 teams with KeSPa teams. I would say that soon SC2 teams should grow up like KeSPa teams. Such as more salary for the players, and more sponsors for better environment for the players.
Do you think there needs to be a governing body, not only in Korea but the rest of the world as well, such as KeSPa?

Yes It is needed definitely.
What do you think the governing body should regulate/control?

Oh many things. There are so many things that will help to protect weak teams and also players.  I can't think of it all.

You mentioned the weaker teams and players specifically.  What sorts of things do you think they need protecting from?

Hmm for example we basically agreed upon growing esports right?  Then we need more teams in Action. In order to make esports bigger.  More teams brings more players in action. More players to try out to become a Pro. Let's say some huge corporation makes a team and buys out all the best players. It will be boring to watch. Such a one sided league.Dramatic results. Surprising results and new stars are what fans and all teams are looking for.
You have dedicated a large portion of your life to eSports, very few people have been around as long as you and stuck with it all these years, what has been that biggest factor in keeping you in eSports?

Simply Fans and all the people that's around me like Artosis and Tasteless.
Do you ever see yourself changing career paths in the future?

I might later but I still love my work and I would love to continue.
Speaking of your work, what is it that you do for a living exactly

Before I was helping with my father's work which isn't esports. But this year I will be working esports only. There's going to be an announcement about my work soon. :D
Can you give us any hints?

I am afraid I can't right now. But we will know in a week.
You were one of the biggest influences in bringing western players to Korea back in the BroodWar days, if not the biggest influence.  Now it seems westerners are welcomed a lot more openly.  Can you tell us why BroodWar teams were so reluctant to house western players in the past, when now they are much more welcoming in Starcraft 2?

It was never reluctant. All the Teams had a hard time with communicating. I was the lucky one because I spoke English.
So despite there being an incredibly large skill gap, do you think other teams like Woongjin or SKT1 would take on foreign players?  If there was no language barrier.

Yes of course. No doubt. As long as they can handle the Korean customs and culture.
What about teams today, it seems the only times we hear of players from the west going over to Korea is through team partnerships.  IM is the only team with any difference in having Fenix.

Well we know that all the SC2 Korean teams had and some teams still have trouble with financial things. That's why Partnerships work great.  Foreign teams that have many sponsors use their sponsors to grow their players.  And help Korean teams to bring Sponsors.
So is it possible for a non sponsored player to find his way on to a Korean team the moment, or is that too difficult?

If they try out of course. All Korean teams are equal. They are looking for players who are skilled or have potential. Anyone who is good enough can always try out.
What do you think the next step should be for the eSports industry and where do you think the industry is headed next?

Hmm. It's still growing. and all the fans and everyone in the scene need to keep up with it. Next step might be we need an esports specialized Stadium...for a start. Hope to see that one day.

Do you think that is feasible anywhere in the world right now?  Maybe China?

Hopefully.  China would be one place.
What are your goals for the next year personally?  What do you want to achieve this year?

I would love to do more things than ever. I want to fly around to see more tournaments, meet more people, See Fans, etc.
Any specific places you want to visit?

Europe I would say. I haven't been there for some time.  I want to see European crowds.
What is your role exactly as a part time manager in Korea for Fnatic?

Mainly to make sure the team runs well on schedule. Making sure that all the players are in shape.
Do you have a general list of daily duties?

Not yet as soon as we form something in Korea I will make sure you have that.
What are your expectations for Fnatic's operations in Korea?

A lot of things. Most of the teams made a partnership, rather than doing it by its own.  FXO is different case since they bought a whole team.  FnaticRaidCall was smart that they are trying to establish something here in Korea.
Why did you say yes to working with Fnatic, what made you want to work with this team?

First we all know that I was in CS field for some time. I have known Sam and cArn for years. When they came to offer, I liked it. The work and the people are basically what I choose for my work. And both things worked out really well for me. Many people know me as a translator. But the translation stuff isn't my main job.
Alright I guess that closes out the interview, do you have any closing comments for the community?

Thank you for all the attentions and I want to thank my followers who are always paying attention to all my work. Thank you.

Image credits to TeamLiquid.Net and Silverfire.