KT Rolster’s League of Legends team has finally made Worlds a reality. It’s taken 3 years – the team was founded in 2012 – for the feat to occur. This 2015 Spring Season, KT Rolster had shown a weaker image by placing 5th. Thankfully, during the Summer Season, they showed their Summer prowess and were able to make the Finals with a strong 2nd Place finish. Alas, their meteoric Summer performances came to an end when they crumbled before SK Telecom T1.

But for KT Rolster, one last spark existed in the form of the Regional Qualifiers – and this time, they did not lose out on the chance. In the final set of matches in the LCK Regional Qualifiers against the Jin Air Green Wings, KT was able to break Jin Air’s run and claim the 3rd Seed to Worlds. And for Kim “Ssumday” Chan-ho, a player who had played for KT since its inception 3 years ago, it meant he’d finally get a chance to step onto the international stage at the World Championship.

We’ve previously met Ssumday about a year ago through another “Summoner Story.” At that time, Ssumday was playing as a member of the KT Rolster Arrows, preparing for the 2014 LoL Champs Summer Finals. After the interview the KT Rolster Arrows defeated Samsung Blue, becoming the champions of 2014 LoL Champs Summer.



Fast forward to the present time, 1 year later. Things are slightly different now. In 2015 SBENU LCK Summer, they’ve unfortunately had to settle for being the runner-ups, but are now preparing for the upcoming 2015 World Championship. Hoping that the energy from last year’s interview would continue, we met with Ssumday who had just returned from a sweet vacation period.

You’re finally going to Worlds for the first time in your lifetime – how are you feeling?

Ssumday: The last day of the Regional Qualifiers, I was thinking that I wanted to pour everything into the match against Jin Air and then be able to go rest. I was very happy about our victory and anticipated a lot about what we would possibly get to go through at Worlds. Our Head Coach and coach looked after us all this time, so I think it’s like we’ve repaid their grace by qualifying for Worlds. (laughs)

Do you feel that your self-esteem or class has gone up after that Worlds qualification?

Ssumday: Worlds is a tournament that every person who likes League of Legends knows about, and one that every LoL pro player dreams of attending. I’m insanely happy that I’m able to participate. I do have that desire to do well at Worlds, but I don’t feel that my self-esteem or class has really changed. Just, the feeling that all my effort for the past 3 years wasn’t for nothing, I’m finally tasting the fruits of my labor, that sort of thing.

The booth was a crazy sight after the qualification to Worlds was confirmed. How did you spend what remained of that night?

Ssumday: We had a Worlds qualification celebration party, but since we were all tired of playing the matches we couldn’t really play for that long and had to go home early. Normally, on days that we have matches, even if we have a company dinner we can’t eat that much because we’re too tired. But we were able to gain some energy by eating beef! I really think beef is the best. (laughs)

It seems like you would have gotten a lot of congratulatory messages?

Ssumday: My family always watches my games. My dad especially has a lot of interest in everything – he not only watches my matches, but also keeps up with all the interviews I’m a part of. It’s to the point where they’ll immediately call me after a match, and where they’ll also catch the re-broadcast after a live broadcast. I also got a lot of messages from fans. I’m thankful to the fans that have congratulated me and continue to cheer for me.

It’s hard not to talk about the Summer Season Finals. It must’ve been a big shock when you lost to SK Telecom T1 0-3.



Ssumday: It was difficult because the opponent played in ways that we hadn’t expected, and because the games also progressed weirdly. I felt that, “Wow, this team really is good.” But at the same time, I also got the feeling that this unscalable wall of a team wasn’t impossible to jump over. On a personal note, in 2013 when the KT Bullets lost via reverse sweep to SKT T1 K, I went up to the stage alone to receive the sub/sixth-man award. Even though I didn’t play those games, I went back to the dorm and cried a lot. Mafa really comforted me a lot then. But this year, 2015, I went up to the stage alone – again. This time there were a lot of fans directly in front of me, so I tried to control my facial expressions and smile. I wasn’t really successful. But in that moment Caster Jeon engaged me in conversation, and I was thankful because I was at least able to smile, even for that short amount of time. I really wanted to be able to control my expressions a little more, but it just didn’t work. I’m sorry to the fans who became sad looking at me.

There must have been a lot of debate of what the causes of defeat were?

Ssumday: I think we got swept up in the fact that we weren’t able to properly hit back whenever a team would play differently in terms of overall gameplay and ban/picks, since we had practiced a certain way for some time. We did keep getting the feeling that we were falling behind even while playing the games. It’s disappointing that we weren’t able to win, but we did qualify for Worlds and I am thinking of it as good experience, thinking very positively.

What’s this about the company dinner atmosphere being pretty peaceful the night of the Finals…?

Ssumday: Honestly, there were a lot of people that anticipated that SKT T1 would win. Our Head Coach even told us to play without burden because we had nothing to lose even if we lost. We had another “life” left with the Regional Qualifiers, so the atmosphere didn’t drop too much.

In more ways than one, there are a lot of instances where SKT T1 has gotten the best of you. What does SKT mean to you, Ssumday?

Ssumday: A goal that I’d like to catch up to? It’s really a team that I recognize, and they are a really good team. I think I’m lacking to say that they are my rivals. They are an opponent that I would like to confidently stand against as a rival and a team that I’d love to surpass in the future.

KT has been your only team since you’ve debuted as a pro gamer. KT’s image, even from before, has been one of brightness, delight, and friendliness – what do you think?

Ssumday: I really think that the description is right. KT’s a very friendly, bright, energetic team. Overall, there are no walls between the members. Everyone thinks that it’s good for all of us to be friendly with each other, so everyone is pretty close. I think that’s why our team atmosphere is so bright. Both Nagne and Arrow hyungs (older brothers) are very fun. Inside KT, there’s a “Rule of preservation for Weirdos” so even if one leaves, someone similar always comes in. (laughs)

Head Coach Lee Ji-hoon has also been with KT a long while. What kind of style does he have?

Ssumday: He really tries his best to make us comfortable. He has a “mom” style. He makes sure he takes care of this need or that need, and tries to make sure we are able to practice without disruptions. It’s like a mother supporting their child taking exams in their final year of high school. He’s also the first to play pranks and joke around so no one has any difficulty interacting with him.

What was the hardest part of your 3-year KT career?

Ssumday: It was when I was a sub for the KT Bullets. It was the hardest time for me as a player when I couldn’t play any games. That spot really had a heavy burden to carry. Not being able to play meant that you became more anxious, and it was really hard to be motivated. It was a time where the burden would just keep growing.

You’ve been synergizing with the current KT lineup for about 10 months. How’s the current KT squad?

Ssumday: Three teams will represent Korea at Worlds, and since we are included in those three teams going I think that we’d place in the Top 3 teams of Korea at the moment. Personally, I feel that only 50% of the power we can show has actually been shown thus far. I’m expecting a lot from the team and from my teammates. I don’t think our synergy has been fully exhibited yet. I feel that we have potential for a lot of growth and improvement. I really want to show absolute force as soon as possible.

At the Worlds Group Draws, you were placed in the same group as LGD, TSM, and Origen. As soon as the group organization was finalized, there were reports of KT’s forecast being ‘Cloudy’. What do you think?

Ssumday: I think it’s a good thing that we’re not able to start easily. We’ll be able to focus on the tournament quite quickly, and we’ll be able to experience really valuable things in the stadium like a break in mental fortitude. I also don’t think that we’re a team that will fail to make it out of groups. I’m going to try very hard while facing these teams, thinking that they are practice teams that we have to face in order to face even stronger opponents.

What does Ssumday think of LGD?

Ssumday: They have really great teamwork and all members know exactly what they have to do. They don’t seem to have any big weaknesses, either. If one player makes a mistake, another player immediately makes up for it. I think they’re the best team currently.

How about TSM?

Ssumday: TSM does basic laning phase very well. But they do have somewhat of a small champion pool. I think that if they improve upon that and come to Worlds, they will be a scary team.

Lastly, what about Origen?

Ssumday: They have veteran players with a lot of experience in sOAZ and xPeke, and if they are able to lead the other members, they will be a formidable force. Origen is also a team that puts 120% in actual matches than during scrims. They’re not a team to easily count out, as they took Fnatic to 2-2 in the European LCS Finals.

What team would you like to win against the most?

Ssumday: Of course, LGD. Since they’re the best.

You have to play 6 single-round matches. From concentration, ban/picks, condition, control, and luck, which do you think is the most important?

Ssumday: They say that the match itinerary might spread to 3,4,5 days. If so, I think ban/picks and maintaining condition will be very important. After that, it will be on how high your personal skills can be pulled up through practice.



There is less than a month left until Worlds. What part are you really focusing on preparing?



Ssumday: There are a lot of things that have changed in the patches so adjusting to the patch is the most important, and the second is teamwork. Personally, I think this patch is okay. I think that many different champions can be played. I’m also anticipating this time because our coach is good at creating strategy.

If there’s one thing to really achieve at Worlds, what would it be?



Ssumday: I want to have matches that I won’t regret. Even if we lose, I want to be able to have done everything and show that we tried. I want to be confident in front of fans, and want to make sure it’s enjoyable for them. Of course, our final goal is to win. But if we get ahead of ourselves, it’s general opinion that the results will not be great. So, it’s the plan to raise the goal step by step as we go up.

Any last comments to fans?

Ssumday: Fans really left a lot of congratulatory messages and also have cheered a lot. During Worlds, if you think of us and cheer for us in your mind, I feel that we will be able to feel all of that energy and do well. Please have a lot of interest in us, and cheer for us as well!

Original Korean Fomos interview here: http://www.fomos.kr/esports/news_view?lurl=%2Fesports%2Fnews_list%3Fnews_cate_id%3D1%26page%3D2&entry_id=14098

Photos courtesy of Fomos.co.kr!

