Slingshot’s Andrew Kim talked to Dignitas Kim “Ssumday” Chan-ho (in Korean and translated to English) during Week 1 of the League of Legends Championship Series.
Andrew Kim: As a Korean player in NA, communication is always a topic of conversation. In a previous interview you said that you’ll be studying with teachers, and we can see you trying your best on Twitter as well. Now that you’re here, how do you study English?
Kim “Ssumday” Chan-ho: I take time out of my schedule to study with a teacher, or just even talking with the team in English also helps. I also stream and try to learn by talking with the viewers, and I find it even helps to read the chat logs in solo queue. I think I still have a lot to learn.
AK: A lot of Korean players have been added to the NA LCS. What do you think about all of the them joining along with you?
KCH: Since I’ll be seeing old faces, I think it’ll be nice to meet them in a private setting. But since they are also very talented players, they could be quite intimidating.
AK: How are you adjusting to America?
KCH: It’s only been (a few weeks), but it feels like I’ve been here for a whole year. Right now, I still think my English is lacking, and I think I’ve been unable to have many experiences and different things because of that. So learning English my top priority.
AK: What does it mean you feel like it’s been a year?
KCH: When you look at the dates it’s only been a few days, but my team feels like I’ve been with them for a long time, and they treat me so well that it feels comfortable, since it’s like they’ve been my friends for years.
AK: As you move to NA, you’re being sponsored by an NBA team, and you’ve spent some time with your new team. Were there some things that you were looking forward to before getting here?
KCH: I did imagine myself speaking English like a native speaker, and think it’ll be fun if I can do that.
AK: You mentioned that you’re very close with the players, but who are you the closest with?
KCH: I think they’re all equally close. The foreign players in particular ask how to say certain things in Korean, since they know we’re still learning English, and have been showing a lot of interest in me. So I’m very thankful for them.
AK: Some other teams had visa troubles with their imports. Did your team have any concerns?
KCH: The players have gotten their visas no problem, and I think the owner David took care of us well in that regard. Our translator isn’t here with us because of visa issues, so I hope they get here soon to help me with my English.
AK: There have been some high profile Korean players who returned to Korea. Why do you think this is the case in your opinion?
KCH: I think it depends on the person, but I think the biggest reason might be because they’re looking to do well at worlds.
Cover photo courtesy of Riot Games/illustration by Slingshot