Prodigies don't often surface in your everyday life and a majority of the time they are carted away somewhere upstate to hone their craft at a high-class conservatory. However, in our small and juvenile world of esports, you have the chance to observe them grow and, if you're lucky, you might witness them realize their potential. Increasing the magnification of the lens even farther, in the small niche of Overwatch esports, we have had our own prodigies and maestros, but few match the success of Lee "WhoRU" Seung-jun.
WhoRU began experimenting with gaming like anyone else - just as a side hobby, as something to pass the time. He frequented most popular Steam games and knew about esports, but didn’t follow anyone particularly. “I had been following the FPS game scene before Overwatch came out and heard about Overwatch since beta,” WhoRU explained. “I had been playing fps games like Overwatch such as Team Fortress 2 before Overwatch came out. Then, in open beta, I started playing Overwatch.”
You often hear the tales of prodigies where their parents browbeat them into pursuing an instrument or a field of study, but there was an equal amount of them that just happened to have genius baked into their genetic souffle. When asked about his family life and his parents' thoughts on gaming, he opened up and shed light on the missing factor. “My dad wanted to be a professional gamer when he was growing up, “ WhoRU said. “He is very supportive of my choice of pursuing a career in Overwatch.”
At the age of 15, WhoRU quickly would rise through the ranks of the South Korean amateur scene, graduating from teams such as Team GH2 and HK Hexa. Soon after, he would be scouted by the famed South Korean FPS organization, Lunatic-Hai, and would join the veteran team and debut during OGN’s APEX Season 2. Embracing his potential in a fleeting waltz, he made his name as a Genji specialist but would grow into so much more. After watching his debut against Afreeca Freecs Red during APEX Season 2, we all knew, in our heart of hearts, he would be an incredible player.
And for a time WhoRU would stand atop the Overwatch world, with repeat victories from OGN’s Overwatch APEX Seasons 2 and 3 and a victory at the Seoul Cup SuperMatch. He and his team were touted as the team to beat and many considered them the best team in the world. “After winning APEX Season 2,” WhoRU began to describe, fondly reminiscing on memories of large stages and crowds erupting in fanatic screams. “I was very happy to be on Lunatic-Hai and so proud of the big victory that our team worked hard for.”
After their victory at the Seoul Cup SuperMatch in October of last year, the majority of the team would venture across the pond to Burbank, California to play as the Seoul Dynasty in the Overwatch League. For the young WhoRU, who did not meet the age restrictions, he was left behind. Lunatic-Hai reformed with many young stars, but never recapture their glory from their past. “Of course, I miss all my teammates from Lunatic-Hai,” he giggled. “If I have to pick someone from the team, I have to say RyuJeHong.” While we recalled the glory days of Lunatic-Hai, we had to face the facts. Lunatic-Hai were no more.
At the beginning of the new year, WhoRU once again found himself in a problematic situation. Lunatic-Hai had closed its doors and he was left searching for a team again, something he had not done in forever. An Overwatch League caliber player was trapped in the developmental scene for the next year and a half and he didn’t know where to turn next. Fortunately for him, the Philadelphia Fusion created an academy team, titled Fusion University, and that is where he has called home ever since. “I have been playing only at home [and] away from the rest of the team for the duration of [my time with] on Fusion University,” WhoRU said. “I don’t personally know the team very well but am happy to play for Fusion University.”
With the team’s short time together, they’ve achieved a great deal with convincing victories at the BEAT Invitational Season 3, Overwatch PIT Championship North America Season 2, and culminating in a LAN win at Overwatch Contenders North America over Toronto Esports. “It was nice seeing all the different sceneries and getting a fresh view of a country that I have never been to. [It] was very nice and a much-needed trip,” WhoRU briefly described what visiting Poland was like before leaving with a poignant comment on his skill. “Winning Overwatch Contenders North America is just a start to my career,” he said with a confident smirk, “and a sneak peek of my potential in Overwatch.”
With our time coming to an end, WhoRU pondered quietly about what he next wanted to do. He had conquered OGN’s APEX twice and he had moved down to the Contenders scene and emerged with another title. “I was happy and proud to be an APEX champion twice, but I also think that I still have a long way to go as a player in this community,” WhoRU said.
In his eyes, winning didn’t matter as much as the pursuit of improvement, a trait that not only many progamers share, but many prodigies have. Nearly compelled to perform or practice, they almost feel incomplete without their specific activity that they’ve nearly mastered. “I will work harder and harder to perform better and become the best. I haven’t really thought about my future goals besides I want to be better than [I am] now.”
Joseph “Volamel” Franco has followed esports since the MLGs of 2006. He started out primarily following Starcraft 2, Halo 3, and Super Smash Bros. Melee. He has transitioned from viewer to journalist and writes freelance primarily about Overwatch and League of Legends. If you would like to know more or follow his thoughts on esports you can follow him at @Volamel.
Images courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment.
Volamel
2018-06-16 05:33:30