Here are two people who are in love with Heroes of the Storm and Korea: Wolf Schröder and Daniel “Gclef” Na (Korean name: Hyeonggi Na), who both cast for the Heroes Global Championship Korea (HGC KR) as foreigners living in Korea.



They didn’t always have dreams to become eSports casters, however. Wolf started his casting career due to his interest and knowledge in the Korean eSports scene, while Gclef decided to pursue an interpreter and now shoutcasting role. Gclef reached this decision after being mesmerized by the enthusiasm he felt at Yongsan eStadium during his visit to Korea after leaving his job back home. Both of them are currently casting English broadcasts of HGC KR.



Although the duo was happy to see Korean teams do well in the last BlizzCon and Gold Series, they said it made them miss Korean tournaments even more. How are Heroes and Korea viewed by these two people who are eager to cast HGC KR? Read on to find out.

▲ HGC Korea global casters Wolf and Gclef (from left to right)

Hi, thank you both for being here. It’s been a while since the last BlizzCon.

Gclef: Hello, I’m Daniel “Gclef” Na, a global caster for HGC KR Season 1.



Wolf: Hi, I’m Wolf Schröder, a global commentator. I also cast other overseas tournaments.



What made you decide to start English shoutcasting in Korea?

Wolf: I believe Korean players are the cream of the crop and personally find it convenient to live in Korea. I think Korea is the birthplace of eSports, so it has the infrastructure necessary for eSports. Seeing many games forming standardized leagues, and seeing audiences filling up venues here made me realize that Korea may have a cultural affinity toward eSports.



That being said, eSports is rapidly growing in other regions as well. However, I personally find it less interesting, perhaps because they don’t cover as many matches in an allotted time.



Gclef: I didn’t think I was going to work in eSports when I was in the US. After I quit my job and briefly visited Korea, being amidst the cheering crowd in Yongsan eStadium sparked something in me. Then I got a chance to be an interpreter for OGN, and now here I am as a caster.

Are there any challenges when it comes to living in Korea?

Wolf: It was difficult going places alone, because I didn’t speak Korean at first. After a year and a half to two years, I mostly got used to the language. Atlanta, where I used to live, had a simple subway system. Comparing that to the Seoul subway map initially made me nauseated.



Gclef: Since I’m Korean-American, there weren’t many issues. However, signing up for Korean websites is tricky because they sometimes ask for your Korean SSN, and I have to open a separate ticket.



It’s a minor inconvenience, but those instances remind me that I’m a foreigner. I sometimes miss my family who are living in the US. It helps that my girlfriend is with me, though.



What are some differences between Korean and English casters? What do you focus on when you cast tournaments?

Wolf: The obvious difference is that there are three people in Korean casting desks as opposed to two in English. I would say that each person in a Korean desk has a specific task, whereas those boundaries are blurred in an English one.



I guess one of the biggest difference is that English casters focus on the play-by-play aspect of teamfights, while Korean casters emphasize creating a rowdy experience with exclamations and interjections to reflect different perspectives.



Gclef: Maybe it stems from the nature of the broadcasting platforms, but Korean casters seem to follow a more strict and formal format. English casters are probably more liberal in using abbreviations and jargon.



Following up on that, how do Korean fans differ from the rest of the world?

Wolf: I’d say foreign fans are more loyal to players from their countries or favorite teams, so they prioritize allegiance over actual skills. Korean fandom is mostly based on players’ skill.



Gclef: In regards to Heroes, I don’t see any noticeable differences between foreign and Korean fans’ responses. I browse both Reddit and Inven for fan reactions, and I don’t see much difference between the two. If I had to pick a difference, then it’s probably that Korean communities are focused on teams improving, whereas English communities enjoy the matches for themselves. Foreign fans, who seek to improve their skills, are especially keen on watching Korean leagues.

Do you think you guys are a good match for each other? What are some differences in your casting styles? How about adding a third person on the desk like they do in Korea?

Gclef: If I had to rate the synergy between us, I’d probably give it an eight out of ten. I think we’re a good fit for the most part. I’m familiar with Wolf’s casting style because I’ve extensively watched him cast with Artosis. Although it’s a bit premature to say that our synergy is perfect, I’ll do my best to pursue perfection in this season.



I’m not sold on the idea of a third caster because the two-person desk has its unique flavor and pull. This is what international viewers are most used to, so I doubt there’s a need for change.



Wolf: I feel the same way. Having said that, I’m open to three-person casting for bigger tournaments like Clashes, but, for now, it’ll be difficult to find a new person and integrate that person’s style into the cast.



Gclef: We're the only ones casting HGC KR. So even if something happens to us, and we’re only functional from the waist up, we have to be there to cast. [laughs]



How would you rate your own casting?

Gclef: I’d probably rate myself as a zero out of ten. This is my first time as a main caster of a major tournament, and I have some ways to go. My goal is to grow into an eight out of ten caster by the end of the season.



Wolf: I would have rated myself six or seven in the last season, but I think I’ve improved a lot from casting major tournaments like BlizzCon and DreamHack. I guess I’m about 8 to 8.5 now.



I’d like to become a caster like Christopher “MonteCristo” Mykles or Duncan “Thorin” Shields in LoL, who can go into details about player styles and backgrounds. I’d also like to speak better Korean, so I can interview Korean players without an interpreter.



How do you feel about the full-league format of HGC?

Gclef: I can already see the good it will do, because all teams play against each other at least once, unlike in the tournament format. It’s interesting to see the leaders of the pack compete for the top spot and also see the low-performing teams scramble near the end of the season.



I personally favor the tournament format, but it’s a welcoming change from a casting perspective, because there are more matches in the season. The Korean leagues starting off much later than the rest of the world was a bummer, though.



Wolf: As someone who comes from a Starcraft 2 background, I welcome the league format because points distinguish the teams. I especially like the new HGC system, since it’s tournament format in the playoffs.



Still, I wish there was a tournament to decide regional champions. We have Clashes in place for that, but they carry different connotations compared to the Super League. Something like playoffs in the Korean major baseball series would be nice.



Which team would you say is favored to win this season and which teams are the dark horse teams to watch out for?

Wolf: I think L5 will win. The two sister MVP teams will need some time to adjust to the new roster. eSports experts and fans highly rate the rebuilt MVP teams, but team synergy doesn’t easily occur with the addition of new talents.



I have my eyes on Supreme Mixtape as a dark horse. They’re relatively unknown so far, but Wiz is famous in NA, and I havev high expectations for DduDdu’s Valla.



Gclef: I agree that L5 is favored. People often choose L5, Tempest, and the two sister MVP teams as favorites, but every team except for L5 has undergone a roster change. There’s always a risk involved in such a change, and I’m curious as to whether the teams will work synergy-wise or if they will require some time to build teamwork.



I also have high hopes for Supreme Mixtape, as Wolf does. They’re still inexperienced compared to the competition, but, from what they showed us in the Open Division, I think they have what it takes to upset the balance of the four major teams.

▲ Both Gclef and Wolf chose Supreme Mixtape as the dark horse.

Do you have any players or teams you personally root for?

Wolf: From a caster’s perspective, I have to be impartial. Yet, I hope sponsored teams will do well because sponsors won’t be happy if unsponsored teams continue to win. That’s probably best for the future of Heroes.



Gclef: I agree. I’d personally like to see Miracle take the trophy this time. They were the runner-up in the Gold Series last year, and I think it’s about time. I also want to give a warm welcome to players who came back for HGC Korea. I hope they continue to challenge themselves and grow as players just as the Heroes leagues do.



Wolf: Speaking of Miracle, Cmoving is a player I’d like to introduce to English-speaking audience because of his various expressions on stage. I’m pretty sure international fans will adore him just as domestic fans do.



What are your thoughts on other regional leagues that started prior to Korea? Are there any notable teams that can pose a threat to Korean teams?

Gclef: NA and EU definitely have some new teams. Teams like Chu8’s Team 8 and EU’s Team Expert are off to a good start. We see different heroes, comps, and macro plays depending on each region, but I still think they’re not quite where they need to be in order to upset the balance of Korean teams.



Wolf: Ever since the format change, HGC in the rest of the world changed from one or two teams dominating the league to each region as a whole becoming competitive. I don’t think many teams will seriously challenge Korean powerhouses this season, but we may see some upsets in the next one. For example, EU’s Misfits, which takes after mYinsanity, looks to be promising.

What are your thoughts on new heroes being from Warcraft or of assassin variety?

Gclef: Fans of Diablo and Starcraft universes may say otherwise, but I don’t believe it’s an issue. Like the developer clarified on the forums, each assassin plays differently and fills a unique role.



If we look at the current trend from another angle, I’m cautiously optimistic that we may see another major cross-promotional update like the Nexus Challenge. Of course, responses from both Reddit and Inven were mixed about the event.



Wolf: Fans look at Heroes as a sort of Blizzard All-Star or Smash, but I tend to think of it as an independent game and an eSport. I think a hero’s skillset and talent design are more important than which universe the hero is from. As someone with a Starcraft 2 casting background, I personally hope to see more Starcraft heroes.



What do you think Blizzard can improve on for this year’s Heroes?

Gclef: Since I mostly covered Korean leagues, Super League finals in October was the last tournament of 2016. I took four months off until this year’s HGC Korea. I think Blizzard can reduce the downtime. I like the new game director Alan Dabiri’s developmental direction, and expect 2017 to be an entertaining year for Heroes.



Wolf: I was a little worn out to see the same heroes come up again and again when the hero pool was small in the beginning. Now, there’s no comp or hero that can be universally good because of the increased hero pool and new strategies. Again, one of my gripes is that there’s no tournament to crown regional champions in Korea.



How do you feel about your nicknames like “Wolf Kim”, “Komerican-nom”, and “KR fanboy”?

Wolf: I started doing social media to show my fans, both domestic and abroad, how much I love Korea. I’m thankful for all the attention I got, but I’m a little bummed that more people know me as this weird foreigner rather than an eSports caster.



I’m also concerned that eSports fans may be disappointed by this silly aspect. Now that the regular seasons are starting, I’ll talk more about Heroes. So, stay tuned.



Conversely, do you wish you’d have more nicknames other than the “interpreter hyung”?

Gclef: I used to do a lot of interpreter work before shoutcasting, so it’s understandable that I’m primarily known as the “interpreter hyung.” Now that I’m a part of the official English casting desk, I wouldn’t be surprised if I get a new nickname or two by the next season.



Do you sometimes miss your hometown cuisines?

Wolf: I sometimes miss Mexican food back home. There are many Mexican restaurants in Korea, but I have yet to find one that I’m satisfied with. I sometimes go out with other casters to find good burritos, but we still come up with nothing.

▲ Wolf's love of spicy instant noodles is well-documented on the social media.

What strengths do you think you have as a Korean-American compared to someone who learned English as a first language?

Gclef: After finishing elementary school in Korea, I spent twelve years in the States. So, I think my strength is that I’m familiar with both Korean and American cultures. Specifically, I can provide more detail about Korean players than other casters.



What do you hope to accomplish? Any future plans?

Wolf: I’d like to continue to live in Korea, and work on my Korean to the point where I can interpret like Gclef.



Gclef: Since it’s rare to see an interpreter take the plunge to become a caster, I want to give it my best. One day, I hope to create my own brand, so people recognize Gclef as someone who can comfortably interpret and cast.



Anything you’d like to say to fans?

Gclef: I’m a little baffled by this interview since this was my first one. I hope you can count on me to do good casting now that I’m officially on the team. As someone who’s especially fond of the game, I have no doubt that Heroes will have even better days than the previous ones.



Also, if you need someone to cast or interpret anything Heroes related, contact me. My doors are always open. Please say hi if you see me in the game. Thank you!



Wolf: I often lurk on Heroes Inven community site, and I want to thank people for posting good things about me. I promise to carry the Korean flag and the hat to international tournaments and BlizzCon for Korean teams. So you can look forward to that.



I’m humbled by your reception and would like to interact with you like Gclef does. If you have any questions, ask away on my social media. Thank you!

Bonus Spy Photos: Gclef and Wolf head out to a nearby coin-operated Karaoke.