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Hameko's Interview with Infiltration at TGS
http://www.4gamer.net/games/131/G013166/20131005005/

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Special help from @fightinggameenglish
Michael Yu

If you see any errors in translations, please let @zhieeep know. Hit the jump to read the interview.

In Evolution 2012, this man defeated MCZ Daigo Umehara and left a deep impression on Japanese fighting game fans. His name is Lee Seon-Woo aka Infiltration, famous for his prowess in Street Fighter 4 and SFxT. From EVO 2012, Capcom 25th Anniversary, and EVO 2013, Korea's veteran champion has battled Japanese pro players such as MCZ Tokido and MCZ Daigo in legendary, back and forth matches. Tokido summed up his worthy adversary nicely: "The path of victory goes through Infiltration. If you want to win any major, you must defeat him." It's safe to say that for Japanese fighting game fans, the Korean pro creates many highlights at any tournament he joins.

4Gamer (@Hameko) got a chance to interview Infiltration at the Tokyo Game Show Mad Catz booth after his match. We got to find out his first encounter with fighting games and his thoughts on the scene. Fans of fighting games will surely find it worth a read.

4Gamer (4G):
You must be exhausted from Mad Catz Unveiled and the Tokyo Game Show. How was your time at these Japanese events?

Infiltration (I): Thank you. I was happy to confirm the love Japanese have for the Street Fighter series. It was amazing to see not only players, but ordinary people give us their attention. If there are any events in the future, it would be my pleasure to attend.

4G: When I think of Korea, I imagine a country abundant with pro gaming. Do you get the same type of attention back home?

I: Its true that League of Legend and Starcraft players garner a lot of attention. When they leave the safety of their homes, they are often approached for their signatures. However, fighting game players such as myself rarely attract such attention, but personally, I find this to be more relaxing (laughs).

4G: I see, this is very surprising to hear.

I: In the 2000's, Korea only knew about Tougeki SBO when it came to foreign tournaments. Due to the performances of me and Poongko, more Koreans have been following Evolution Championship Series.

4G: I definitely want to inquire more about the Korean scene, but before that, let's delve into the basics. Once you won EVO2012 for Street Fighter AE, many people became well acquainted with your name. However, not much is known about your career before that. When did you first start playing fighting games?

I: I was born in 1985 and was raised during the Street Fighter 2 boom era. However, I never seriously played fighting games until the home version of Vanilla SF4.

4G: I see. Did you love playing all types of games growing up?
I: Of course I did, but the game that got me really addicted was Metal Gear Series. I chose my player name "Infiltration" because I loved the series so much.
4G: Oh is that so! Why did you decide to play Street Fighter when the Tekken series is more popular in Korea?

I: Street Fighter 4 is actually the first in the Street Fighter series that had a Korean localized version. On top of that, the online play was really smooth. At that time I was working at a game shop. After work, I would play online matches throughout the night. After sleeping for a couple of hours, I would return back to work. This was the real life vortex. (laughs)

4G: You were really hooked I see (laughs). Did you ever play offline at the arcade?

I: I met some friends online and they invited me to play in the arcade, but I primarily played on the home version. Especially because Super Street Fighter 4 had no arcade version, I could play the home version whenever the timing was right.

4G: I see. The stick that you play with uses the Korean Crown bat top stick. I've heard that this is the arcade standard in Korea, do you find it easy to use?

I: In my case, the very first stick I bought for Street Fighter 4 for 2000yen just happened to be a bat top by coincidence. It is not the case that I had any special predilection for Crown. I have continued to use this stick because I have grown accustomed to it after all this time.

4G: Ah so that's the sequence of events that lead you to use the stick until today. What was the reason for selecting Gouki? You've used him ever since Vanilla SF4, right?

I: Yes I've always used Gouki. The reason I used this character is because everyone around me said he was a weak character when the game first came out.

4G: Is that so? In Japan that was never really the case. If anything, because he was a time release character and debuted later than most of the cast, so Gouki technology was not as developed.

I: Yes, I believed he was extremely powerful so in order to prove it I researched continuously. However, recently I have begun playing other characters. I was devoted to Gouki the whole time, so many people must think "Infiltration only uses strong characters."

4G: At EVO2013, you used Hakan against PR Balrog, and the crowd went ape.

I: I picked Hakan because in part because I wanted to challenge the impression that people had of me as only picking top tier. I also wanted to show on the world's biggest stage that even a character like Hakan can be marvelous.

4G: Your experiment really went well didn't it?

I: Yeah. Because its EVO, the majority of the fans were rooting for PR Balrog. However, the moment I switched to Hakan, the atmosphere changed. I thought to myself, "this is great!"

4G: It's amazing that even on that grand of a stage you could still consider these things. So Infiltration, would you say that more than a "tier-whore" that plays a strong character to win, you are someone that picks character based on love?

I: Of course winning is the most important thing; I follow this tenet. One of the reasons I used Gouki is because I believe this. Of course, the best case scenario my favorite character has a good chance of winning (laughs).

From Net Warrior to champion

4G: We've been talking thus far of how you polished your skills as an online warrior, but how was it that you made the transition to tournament player?

I: It all started in 2010, when I was invited to France's ESWC (Electronic Sports World Cup) tournament. I thought that since I'm going to France anyway, I should also swing by and participate in Evolution. As a result of this "tournament hopping," I got 4th at ESWC and 3rd in EVO.

4G: It's a remarkable to finish 3rd in your EVO debut.
I: My friend Laugh wanted to attend EVO for a long time. I was fortunate to receive a lot of information about my opponents from him.

4G: You weren't nervous at your first tournament?

I: No. I get nervous at small scale tournaments, but when it comes to major tournaments like EVO, I do not get that nervous.

4G: I can understand that feeling. The competition is so hard that you can forgive yourself even if you lose. By the way, what is your normal practice regimen?

I: I've accrued a lot of practice towards in-game technique and knowledge, so recently I've been placing more importance on the mental and physical aspects. Rather than practicing the game, my main focus is on physical training.

4G: In order to win, you have to have physical endurance.

I: Yes. Moreover, recently I have realized that winning is not the only thing, but to enthrall during mid-match is important. The decision to pick Hakan is an example of this change in philosophy.

4G: How did you arrive at this conclusion?

I: Firstly, this type of playstyle is more relaxing and allows you to enjoy the game. If you practice and solely focus on winning, your vision becomes very narrow and you eventually start losing. One reason I use multiple characters is to avoid this.

4G: I see. You and Umehara have fought at multiple events and tournaments, including the latest Mad Catz Unveiled party at Tokyo Game show. Did you know of him before you started playing in tournaments?

I: Of course. I knew of him and Justin Wong when I first began playing fighting games. The 3rd Strike parry video was widely circulated in Korea.

4G: How is it like to actually fight these two?

I: The first time I fought Daigo was in the finals of NorCal Regionals 9, when he was using Yun. I first fought Justin at the LG Global Championship. Of course Daigo and Justin's technique are good, but its also their ability to control the flow of the match that is really impressive. When you fight so long at the forefront, there are certain ideas, spacing, and concepts of opening up an opponent that weave together only after one has attained a certain level of experience. These two players are truly marvelous.

4G: At Mad Catz Unveiled Japan, you fought against Umehara in an exhibition match. The result was 2-10 in Umehara's favor. If you could give a reason for your defeat, what would it be?

I: Yes, well Daigo's ability to adapt was too fantastic this time. Of course his spacing was stupendous, but his pressure on my wakeup was incredible. I was not able to handle this strategy with any new options: this was the reason for my defeat.

4G: We're about up for time. Lastly I want to ask about your future professional plans. Not that your contract with Western Wolves has ended, you're now a free agent. How will you move forward?

I: From my experience at Western Wolves, I learned that beyond monetary support and a supportive environment, the importance of growing the fighting game scene is paramount. It would be great to join a team that shares this vision and can build up the scene not just locally in Korea, but worldwide.

4G: I'm a bit curious, are you troubled by your current status as a "heel character?" In my opinion, its because of your presence as a strong adversary that the community gets hype.

I: No. Because of the current situation in Korea, which has such few Street Fighter events, I'm forced to travel abroad to participate in tournaments. Due to this, I feel that I'm often portrayed as the heel character. Despite all that, I do not really mind. In the first place, the villain's role is all relative.

4G: It is as you say. As a player, what are your goals?

I: First of all, I want to adjust myself for Street Fighter and SFxT in the upcoming Capcom Cup in December. After that, I want to practice Ultra and be able to use all characters.

4G: All of the characters?!? That would be crazy if you could make that a reality. What are your thoughts about coming to Japan this time?

I: After attending Tougeki in 2010, this trip is my second time.
Both times were focused solely on games, I regret not being able to do much sightseeing. My next trip will be for sightseeing.

4G: Where do you want to go for sightseeing?

I: Shibuya and Shinjuku. I don't want to go to the arcade, I just want to go shopping.

4G: So you don't want to go to the traditional tourist spots, you just want to walk the streets.

I: Yeah, I want to play with my Japanese friends together. Also, the streets probably have more cute girls, right?

4G + I : (laughter together)

4G: Thank you very much. We expect big things in your career.

I: Um…I also want to deliver a message to all my friends that eventually see this.
"Thanks for reading this article. Through fighting video games, I have been able to meet people from various countries and make numerous friends. Whichever country I may go, I am happy when people approach me. Fighting games have lead me to this place in life, and I think it's a wonderful thing. Fighting games have the power to overcome any barriers to country, ethnicity, and language that exist. So gamers should stop beefing with one another and try to hype up the scene worldwide through cooperation.

4G: Thanks!