There have been multiple news released from Samsung Galaxy Khan (SSGK) that made their and other Starcraft fan`s heart pumping. Stork, who seemed to be the uncontested Ace of the team, has transitioned into a playing coach role-leading SSGK as the acting head coach. FrOzen, aka CuteAngel, has called an end to his retirement from the scene since the decease of Starcraft: Broodwar, and returned to SSGK as the coach. And also, the SSGK`s longest reigned head coach Gaeul Kim has returned to the team as the secretary general.
The two players that had been abusing their keyboards and mice for countless hours and leading the charge for SSGK have teamed up, once again, but as the tamer and the card dealers this time. This transition and acquisition by SSGK truly evokes a different feeling for all of us, the Starcraft fans. Now, what holds of SSGK and of the two? I sat down with them to hear some honest thoughts.
◆From Players to Coaches… Do They Even Get Along?
Let us rewind a bit, back to when they were players for SSGK. FrOzen and Stork, both, represented SSGK as players. Stork was the ace for the team, while FrOzen had not quite fully secured his spot as the regular lineup. They are of same age, but the two`s roles in eSports were quite different then.
They said that they may be lying if they said they were the best buddies back in the day. They were both playing for the same team and were close, but due to different personalities, it was tough to grow that relationship deeper according to FrOzen. FrOzen, known for his honesty and being straight forward, says, “I think that was my fault, because when I am in gears, I go full throttle without looking around.”
"At that time, Stork was the best of the best, and I had a longer road ahead of me. I got tunnel visioned for the thirst of better results, and was not able to commit to anyone else but me. I was not really all that social with the teammates. This does not mean I was selfish or mean to the others. Please do not think ahead and make judgments, yet. (Chuckles).”
"FrOzen was not a selfish player at all. I, too, have something to say about along that. I, also, was very caught up on making sure that I was the ace of the team with high practice levels. I do not think I can say I was any better on that subject than FrOzen. We were good teammates, but we both had a lot on our plates. Now that I think about it, I think everyone in the team were very close to each other, but not on a mature human-to-human relationship. I think we were all just too young and busy having fun, I suppose.”
Could it be because that the two have finally matured enough? Things seem changed between the two. They were busy looking after each other all throughout the interview. They seem to have learned how to open up, compromise, and share thoughts to reach their so-desired ‘human-to-human’ relationship between the two.
"When I was young, if someone said something that crossed my beliefs, I either just kept my mouth shut, or, at extreme, just not talk to the person ever. Why? Because that seemed much simpler. However, as I have grown older, I have learned that it is crucial to listen to others. Because how a person is raised differs from one another, it is only natural that opinions are not aligned."
Nowadays, if there has been an issue, the two keep up or even increase communications to deal with it together or even fight over it. They have seen and experienced that it is really difficult to run a team when the coaches have not boarded on the same boat. As the interview went on, Stork and FrOzen have changed with their career changes.
"Since you have asked if we get along, I want to rebuttal you by saying ‘how many people in the world do you think that shares same ideals with you?’ People marry because they think they understand each other in the beginning, but we see divorce happening all the time (which is really sad). Stork and I would not necessarily agree on everything, but we have learned that, through discussions, collaboration assists to bring best of us. And truthfully, I think we are too old now to fight for stupid stuff because we do not both agree that it is not stupid. (LOL)”
◆The Hardships of Player-to-Coach Transition
The two may have different personalities, but share one thing in common, that is that they are both Starcraft players that remained/returned as the coach for their beloved home team. They both know very well what the players need, want, and what they struggle in. They have made their choices because they are confident their abilities to deliver and lead. Despite the confidence, however, both go through extremely difficult and complicated times as they want to bring more to the table. The want to improve player-environment by introducing aspects beyond results that the original coaching staff never thought of. It is a headache, they said.
There are a lot going through FrOzen`s head. After being done with professional gamer career of his own, after the mandatory military service, and after studying sports psychology, he may know too much that makes his new career more difficult than, what some may say, asked for. Even though his day to day may be a lot more complicated than “necessary”, he really wants his players to experience variety of life in general while being the best in the field that they are currently in.
"While serving for the country, I felt weird vibes from my comrades that knew I came from the professional gaming industry. Maybe that was why, but it motivated me to workout harder and try do everything at top notch and just be more diligent and better than everyone else in the squadron. Some worried I may not be able to fit into the rest of the world, and some thought poorly of me because my life before was strictly limited to sitting in front of computer and practicing (playing) games for hours and hours. I wanted to disprove that that pro-gamers are no less than any others that came from a 'normal' life.”
FrOzen added that he feels somewhat proud of himself that he was able to show his comrades that pro-gamers are hardworking passionate people, but on the other side, he feared that the others may not have the easiest way into the world. He finds the current result-driven scene may actually be hurting the players to not be able to experience normal maturity phase, but just, as all say, playing games all the time.
"I feel like things have gotten even worse than when I was a gamer. They just practice 24/7. The ethics are not and should not even be considered a noble thing from a pro-gamer. By all means, they should attend most of their resources into getting better at it. But, in my opinion, a good pro-gamer should know how to distribute their resources to give it all he or she has when practicing and to take breaks in between. Players must get out more. Meet more people. Learn to socialize. Watch how the world revolves. I only figured it out when I retired."
FrOzen and Stork have recently been executing variety of exercises and workshops so that the players can be better, not just in the game, but also in all aspects to be better prepared for everything else in life. The two believe that such task, while it is not asked from the front, is necessary and that it is part of the job descriptions as a coach. Like so, the two are slowly, but proposing a new paradigm for their players unlike their predecessors.
"If the players solely dedicate everything into practicing, even their off-hours, would they become a better player? We beg to differ, if your answer is yes. Many times, you find these workaholics just striking buttons on their keyboards and mice meaninglessly. Like a machine, almost. Those hours cannot be valuable in any way, and there is nothing to gain from it. The effectiveness is what we are trying to achieve. The best players are who pours all he or she has got when practicing, and uses other times to recharge for the next session. Practice makes you perfect, but not the brainless ones, and rather the effective ones.”
The two have aged, experienced, matured, and turned into respective`s version 2.0’s. Instead of giving 120% for the next match ahead, FrOzen and Stork seems to have grown to be the rightful leaders for their young team.
◆Coach, But More Like a Brother
The two have same objectives. The job title is coach, but want to be the ones that are more like big brother. They want to communicate more with the players. They want to teach what they have learned as pro-gamers and as someone from outside of pro-gaming scene. The two may think differently, but ultimate goal is the same. This is what makes their collaboration such a perfect one for one another.
"I think our results are better because we do not think alike completely. The talks fill pros and cons of an idea, and the result seems always improved and better than anticipated. What is most important here is that the basis of FrOzen`s and my approach originates from the same goal. Now imagine if that were not the case, we would fight about everything day and night. LOL."
"I promised with Stork. When our players retire and are thrown into the world, that they would thank us for the time and that they would have much pleasant way into adjusting and not be alienated. I believe it can be achieved. Stork and I can make it happen. I am confident that we can."
Results are, as some may say, most important factors for a coach`s capabilities. The two believes that when the team becomes one and with assists from effective practice methods, the results will follow naturally. The two coaches, who believe in their players, never stops the debate to make things better for the team.
"We are never going to stop ideating and structuralizing what we can do to improve. We are not going to be the coaches that only focus on the immediate results at hand. Just watch what SSGK turns into. I can count on you, fans, for your continuous support, right? Thank you."
[Written by Yi So-ra Dailyesports Reporter sora@dailyesports.com]
[Translated by James 'Mal' Song(@SC2Mal)]
