Waxangel Profile Blog Joined September 2002 United States 29090 Posts Last Edited: 2017-02-15 08:07:37 #1 Joongang Ilbo

Is there life after esports?



We’ve all heard the success stories, ranging from Xellos joining team sponsor CJ



Yet, for all the concerns fans have for retiring progamers—the lack of formal education or vocational training—we rarely hear about their struggles after leaving the industry.



Korea’s Joongang Ilbo newspaper recently



In 1999—an era before OnGameNet, KeSPA, or esports stadiums—Ssamjang seized one of the only championships that mattered—Blizzard’s official



Unfortunately, Ssamjang began to decline almost immediately after, and faded into obscurity after retiring in 2004. Ssamjang told the Joongang Ilbo “the fall happened in an instant,” stating his frequent appearances on TV and at promotional events cut into his training time. His yearly salary at its peak, 50,000,000 won (approximately $44,000 USD), dropped to 3,000,000 (approx. $2,600).



Eventually, Ssamjang would end up travelling to Japan to study programming at a technical college. An acquaintance had told him such a degree could earn him a lot of money in Korea, but Ssamjang’s prospects were not so promising upon his return home in 2013 (since Ssamjang retired in 2004, there’s a large amount of time that remains unaccounted for in the article). He sought employment at Hospitals and start-ups, but he was turned away due to his old age (he was born in 1980). Twice, Ssamjang took a shot at Korea’s highly competitive civil service exams, but failed to pass the cut both times.



According to the Joongang Ilbo, Ssamjang was teary eyed as he reminisced on those times, saying “the reality that I couldn’t make a living playing the game I was good at and liked was beating me up me inside.” He said of his colleagues “Among former progamers, there are those that rebound as employees of big companies or coaches of progaming teams. But there are also those who do manual labor at construction sites or work in the nightlife industry.”



After a stint of working as a driver, Ssamjang found employment last July at a major tutoring company—the Japanese he had learned abroad had finally come in handy.



In some ways, Ssamjang has distanced himself from his past, saying “I’ve been hiding my past because of some school parents who believe the stereotype of ‘gamers are poor at studies.'” Yet, in his parting comments to the Joongang Ilbo, Ssamjang revealed that StarCraft is still a part of him.



“The ‘mech’ strategy that gamers still talk about to this day was made by studying the strategies of other gamers. It’s still the same today. By carefully watching the star lecturers on the exam school circuit, I’m developing my own teaching style. I don’t think my experience as a progamer was a failure. I learned that whatever you do, it’s important to have the attitude to study diligently.” Original article/main source:Is there life after esports?We’ve all heard the success stories, ranging from Xellos joining team sponsor CJ as a regular employee to Yellow’s emergence as a regular guest on Korean variety shows.Yet, for all the concerns fans have for retiring progamers—the lack of formal education or vocational training—we rarely hear about their struggles after leaving the industry.Korea’s Joongang Ilbo newspaper recently caught up with Lee “Ssamjang” Gi-seok. —one of the first progamers to gain nationwide recognition—and uncovered what might be a more typical post-esports tale.In 1999—an era before OnGameNet, KeSPA, or esports stadiums—Ssamjang seized one of the only championships that mattered—Blizzard’s official Ladder Tournament . StarCraft was at the apex of its popularity in Korea, and the victory made Ssamjang an instant celebrity. It even earned him a starring role in a national television advertisement for internet provider Kornet, giving him a level of mainstream recognition that may not have been matched even to this date.Unfortunately, Ssamjang began to decline almost immediately after, and faded into obscurity after retiring in 2004. Ssamjang told the Joongang Ilbo “the fall happened in an instant,” stating his frequent appearances on TV and at promotional events cut into his training time. His yearly salary at its peak, 50,000,000 won (approximately $44,000 USD), dropped to 3,000,000 (approx. $2,600).Eventually, Ssamjang would end up travelling to Japan to study programming at a technical college. An acquaintance had told him such a degree could earn him a lot of money in Korea, but Ssamjang’s prospects were not so promising upon his return home in 2013 (since Ssamjang retired in 2004, there’s a large amount of time that remains unaccounted for in the article). He sought employment at Hospitals and start-ups, but he was turned away due to his old age (he was born in 1980). Twice, Ssamjang took a shot at Korea’s highly competitive civil service exams, but failed to pass the cut both times.According to the Joongang Ilbo, Ssamjang was teary eyed as he reminisced on those times, saying “the reality that I couldn’t make a living playing the game I was good at and liked was beating me up me inside.” He said of his colleagues “Among former progamers, there are those that rebound as employees of big companies or coaches of progaming teams. But there are also those who do manual labor at construction sites or work in the nightlife industry.”After a stint of working as a driver, Ssamjang found employment last July at a major tutoring company—the Japanese he had learned abroad had finally come in handy.In some ways, Ssamjang has distanced himself from his past, saying “I’ve been hiding my past because of some school parents who believe the stereotype of ‘gamers are poor at studies.'” Yet, in his parting comments to the Joongang Ilbo, Ssamjang revealed that StarCraft is still a part of him.“The ‘mech’ strategy that gamers still talk about to this day was made by studying the strategies of other gamers. It’s still the same today. By carefully watching the star lecturers on the exam school circuit, I’m developing my own teaching style. I don’t think my experience as a progamer was a failure. I learned that whatever you do, it’s important to have the attitude to study diligently.” Administrator Hey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?

Sr18 Profile Joined April 2006 Netherlands 951 Posts #2 Interesting read. Thanks for sharing this article. If it ain't Dutch, it ain't Park Yeong Min - CJ fighting!

maitiky Profile Joined November 2016 Czech Republic 52 Posts #3 Not so surprising. I guess many progamers could fall into the same spot if they don't make enough money (for the start of something new in the progamer afterlife) during their peak or if they don't already start some career in gaming (or gaming related) industry while their form start to decline (e.g. turning into caster, producer etc.). "Riggs... I'm too old for this shit!"

GTR Profile Blog Joined September 2004 48883 Posts #4



On October 20 2004 09:03 [BOyGiRl]ShaRp wrote:

Lee Gi Suk, Ssamjang, also left the team for business reasons. Although he tried to regain his skills as a progamer he didn't succeed and after discussing with the team he decided to leave to start his own business. He is planning to open a PC Bang in the Seoul Gang Nam area, which is probably Korea's most busiest and modern place.



For a big Hexatron fan it is sad to see these two legend leave. It was only yesterday when I was excited about the news of Liquibition and was waiting to see Gundam beat Strafe T-T. As new members join the team to strengthen it, it is sad to see legends go such as Giyom, Jinnam, Gundam, and Ssamjang. Anyways, I hope Hexatron beats SKT 1 and advances in the pro leagues and good luck to Ssamjang and Gundam wherever they go and whatever they do. Gundam and Ssamjang Fighting!! Lee Gi Suk, Ssamjang, also left the team for business reasons. Although he tried to regain his skills as a progamer he didn't succeed and after discussing with the team he decided to leave to start his own business. He is planning to open a PC Bang in the Seoul Gang Nam area, which is probably Korea's most busiest and modern place.For a big Hexatron fan it is sad to see these two legend leave.It was only yesterday when I was excited about the news of Liquibition and was waiting to see Gundam beat Strafe T-T. As new members join the team to strengthen it, it is sad to see legends go such as Giyom, Jinnam, Gundam, and Ssamjang. Anyways, I hope Hexatron beats SKT 1 and advances in the pro leagues and good luck to Ssamjang and Gundam wherever they go and whatever they do. Gundam and Ssamjang Fighting!!





i found this quote from nazgul when ssamjang left hexatron and subsequently retired quite funny On October 20 2004 09:08 Liquid`Nazgul wrote:

Gundam wants to play without a team, that's his reason. He will continue progaming, for a while. He's practicing alot again and wants to qualify for the next Challenge League.



(SSamjang sucked horribly.) Commentator Twitter: @GTR1H

Stream: http://www.twitch.tv/GTR1H

GTR Profile Blog Joined September 2004 48883 Posts #5



On February 11 2016 17:51 GTR wrote:

- 7th Grade Civil Servant

- Researcher at Hyundai Motor Company

- 9th Grade Civil Servant

- Runs a Bakery franchise

- Works at a Chicken franchise

Peace - 7th Grade Civil Servant Clon - Researcher at Hyundai Motor Company Much - 9th Grade Civil Servant Anytime - Runs a Bakery franchise DarkElf - Works at a Chicken franchise also if anyone is curious about what some players are doing now i wrote this up a year ago Commentator Twitter: @GTR1H

Stream: http://www.twitch.tv/GTR1H

LittLeLives Profile Blog Joined April 2010 United States 691 Posts Last Edited: 2017-02-15 07:56:11 #6



Thanks for the article. I wonder what he did between 2004-2013. If it's a technical school I can only think it took him no more than 3 years to complete his coursework. Sucks he couldn't find work in the field though and had to try doing something else again (I'm curious if it would've been better for him as a prospective programmer to stay in Japan). There's a lot of talk about ageism in devshops in the West, but I feel there's around half as many employers who do appreciate people doing 180°s in their careers here. Glad he's doing better now in any case.



On February 11 2016 17:51 GTR wrote:

- Researcher at Hyundai Motor Company

Clon - Researcher at Hyundai Motor Company

Did he go back to school for that? Looks like he won the 2nd Season of 1999 (OP links to the first one). http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft/1999_Brood_War_Season_2_Ladder_Tournament Thanks for the article. I wonder what he did between 2004-2013. If it's a technical school I can only think it took him no more than 3 years to complete his coursework. Sucks he couldn't find work in the field though and had to try doing something else(I'm curious if it would've been better for him as a prospective programmer to stay in Japan). There's a lot of talk about ageism in devshops in the West, but I feel there's around half as many employers who do appreciate people doing 180°s in their careers here. Glad he's doing better now in any case.Did he go back to school for that?

Torte de Lini Profile Blog Joined September 2010 Germany 30668 Posts #7 On February 15 2017 16:12 GTR wrote:

also if anyone is curious about what some players are doing now i wrote this up a year ago



Show nested quote +

On February 11 2016 17:51 GTR wrote:

- 7th Grade Civil Servant

- Researcher at Hyundai Motor Company

- 9th Grade Civil Servant

- Runs a Bakery franchise

- Works at a Chicken franchise

Peace - 7th Grade Civil Servant Clon - Researcher at Hyundai Motor Company Much - 9th Grade Civil Servant Anytime - Runs a Bakery franchise DarkElf - Works at a Chicken franchise also if anyone is curious about what some players are doing now i wrote this up a year ago



thanks thanks https://twitter.com/#!/TorteDeLini (@TorteDeLini)

Edpayasugo Profile Joined April 2013 United Kingdom 1770 Posts #8 Interesting FlaSh MMA INnoVation FanTaSy MKP TY Ryung | soO Dark Rogue | HuK PartinG Stork State

itsdaniel Profile Blog Joined December 2010 Austria 281 Posts Last Edited: 2017-02-15 11:23:19 #9 are police officers right? Lomo and Calm are police officers right? OFFICIAL #1 STORK FAN // Stork:"This past week, there's a foreign fan named Daniel who got caught on the camera a few times. He came from Vienna in Austria to come and see me, and he wanted to be mentioned in one of my interviews."

c3rberUs Profile Blog Joined December 2010 Japan 11276 Posts Last Edited: 2017-02-15 13:19:56 #10 Felt a bit saddened by the hardship he had to face when the reality of not being able to compete in professional StarCraft ate at him. I hope the job he got is stable and pays well.



He should have stayed in Japan imo (9 years of study seems odd though.)



Thanks for the read, now I know that I can use some of my Japanese skills (or lack thereof) might come in handy someday.

イ・キソクさん、頑張ってね! 이기석 화이팅!!!



edit 2

@daniel: I think you're right. Writer Movie, 진영화 : "StarCraft will never die".

intotheheart Profile Blog Joined January 2011 Canada 16855 Posts #11 Awesome! It's really cool to see how pros adjust to life after they retire... doesn't look that happy but it's not super bleak either. :/ kiss kiss fall in love

ruypture Profile Joined May 2014 United States 314 Posts #12 On February 15 2017 16:12 GTR wrote:

also if anyone is curious about what some players are doing now i wrote this up a year ago



Show nested quote +

On February 11 2016 17:51 GTR wrote:

- 7th Grade Civil Servant

- Researcher at Hyundai Motor Company

- 9th Grade Civil Servant

- Runs a Bakery franchise

- Works at a Chicken franchise

Peace - 7th Grade Civil Servant Clon - Researcher at Hyundai Motor Company Much - 9th Grade Civil Servant Anytime - Runs a Bakery franchise DarkElf - Works at a Chicken franchise also if anyone is curious about what some players are doing now i wrote this up a year ago



What exactly is a civil servant? What exactly is a civil servant? 어윤수|이신형|이재동|이승형

Chris_Havoc Profile Joined August 2016 United States 450 Posts #13 On February 16 2017 02:17 ruypture wrote:

Show nested quote +

On February 15 2017 16:12 GTR wrote:

also if anyone is curious about what some players are doing now i wrote this up a year ago



On February 11 2016 17:51 GTR wrote:

- 7th Grade Civil Servant

- Researcher at Hyundai Motor Company

- 9th Grade Civil Servant

- Runs a Bakery franchise

- Works at a Chicken franchise

Peace - 7th Grade Civil Servant Clon - Researcher at Hyundai Motor Company Much - 9th Grade Civil Servant Anytime - Runs a Bakery franchise DarkElf - Works at a Chicken franchise also if anyone is curious about what some players are doing now i wrote this up a year ago



What exactly is a civil servant? What exactly is a civil servant?



Government service employee, of which there are several status levels also known as grades. The types of jobs in the Korean civil service are really quite broad. If you're curious just google "Korean Civil Service"

Government service employee, of which there are several status levels also known as grades. The types of jobs in the Korean civil service are really quite broad. If you're curious just google "Korean Civil Service" Owner of the SC2 Esports Anthology channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvYWM0oAfOYC5LkNVJmYcHA - Indemnify Target!

purakushi Profile Joined August 2012 United States 3259 Posts #14 Always interesting and nice to hear updates about retired players. It must be super hard to adjust to normal life, but it seems like many are doing just fine. June 2010 - August 2017: waiting for the return of Starcraft

NickHotS Profile Joined May 2014 United States 105 Posts Last Edited: 2017-02-15 19:03:04 #15 On February 11 2016 17:51 GTR wrote:

- Works at a Chicken franchise

DarkElf - Works at a Chicken franchise



Serves him right for being part of the matchfixing scandal. Serves him right for being part of the matchfixing scandal.

Lucumo Profile Joined January 2010 6220 Posts #16 On February 15 2017 15:11 Waxangel wrote:

According to the Joongang Ilbo, Ssamjang was teary eyed as he reminisced on those times, saying “the reality that I couldn’t make a living playing the game I was good at and liked was beating me up me inside.”

He made 44k when he was good, so it did work. He made 44k when he was good, so it did work.

Makro Profile Joined March 2011 France 16496 Posts #17 good read, didn't know korea kept china's style of civil exam to become a state servant Matthew 5:10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of shitposting, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven".

HaFnium Profile Blog Joined December 2006 United Kingdom 1034 Posts Last Edited: 2017-02-16 01:34:58 #18



but this is a good read...



http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/brood-war/19226-gundam-and-ssamjang-leave-hexatron



Also am watching some of his VODs.....

BW looks so young and innocent at that time... this is way before my time....but this is a good read...Also am watching some of his VODs.....BW looks so young and innocent at that time... BW forever!

Devolved Profile Joined April 2008 United States 2752 Posts #19 Wow, who would of thought? Playing video games for a living as a young adult does not set you up for a high paying career later on in life. Never would have guessed. $♥$

Devolved Profile Joined April 2008 United States 2752 Posts Last Edited: 2017-02-16 04:29:43 #20 On February 16 2017 04:52 Lucumo wrote:

Show nested quote +

On February 15 2017 15:11 Waxangel wrote:

According to the Joongang Ilbo, Ssamjang was teary eyed as he reminisced on those times, saying “the reality that I couldn’t make a living playing the game I was good at and liked was beating me up me inside.”

He made 44k when he was good, so it did work. He made 44k when he was good, so it did work.

What worked? Making 44k a year (lower-middle class) at your peak and dropping to 2.6k a year (street bum) soon after is not exactly "working" in my book. What worked? Making 44k a year (lower-middle class) at your peak and dropping to 2.6k a year (street bum) soon after is not exactly "working" in my book. $♥$

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