The PUBG Nations Cup (PNC) will be held in Seoul from the 23rd to the 28th. While the 23rd and 24th are reserved for the Survival Stage, the South Korean national team has already secured a spot in the Grand Finals, which will take place at Jangchung Arena from the 26th to the 28th.
This year’s South Korean team was selected based on the domestic PWS league, incorporating votes from players, coaches, and officials (30%) and evaluations by the PNC Committee (70%). With a limit of two players per team, the roster includes DNW’s ‘Heaven’ Kim Tae-sung and ‘Gyumin’ Sim Gyu-min, T1’s ‘Heather’ Cha Ji-hun, and GNL ESPORTS’ ‘Seongjang’ Seong Jang-hwan.
Having won in 2023 and 2024, South Korea is naturally considered a favorite, though after losing the title to Vietnam last year, they are now in the position of challengers. In a pre-tournament media interview, the team expressed their firm resolve to make up for last year’s disappointment, fueled by the overwhelming support of their home fans.
First, could you please introduce yourselves and share your resolve for the PNC.
“Head Coach Kim Sung-min = I am Kim Sung-min, the current head coach of DNW and the first to serve as the South Korean national team coach for three consecutive years. Having participated in many PNCs, I will do my best based on my extensive experience.
‘Heather’ Cha Ji-hun = This is my first time participating in the PNC. I am nervous, but I will prepare well with my teammates. I believe my strength is my physical play.
‘Gyumin’ Sim Gyu-min: I am taking on the role of IGL (in-game leader) again this year. I want to show a clear improvement, and I believe my strengths in both macro and micro combat are top-tier.
‘Seongjang’ Seong Jang-hwan: This is my first PNC. As the eldest member and in my 30s, I will use my experience to put on a good performance.
‘Heaven’ Kim Tae-sung = I came here to win. My greatest strength is my composure.
(To ‘Seongjang’ Seong Jang-hwan) You were selected for the national team despite being in your 30s. Why do you think that is?
“‘Seongjang’ Seong Jang-hwan: I think it’s because I won MVP in a recent tournament. I believe my strengths are my grenade usage and team synergy, and I think those were viewed favorably. When I heard I was selected, I felt a lot of emotions—pride and a sense of accomplishment. However, I think it will only feel real once I’m actually on stage playing.
(To ‘Gyumin’ Sim Gyu-min) You are the IGL again this year. Do you have any specific know-how?
“‘Gyumin’ Sim Gyu-min: The other players align with my direction. I’ve played on the same team as ‘Heather’ in 2024, so he knows my style, and ‘Seongjang’ is so experienced that it wasn’t hard to build synergy. The others are already adapting well to me, so we are practicing effectively according to my vision.
(To Head Coach Kim Sung-min) South Korea has performed well in the PNC, but lost the title to Vietnam last year. Your resolve must be different this year. Which team are you most wary of?
“Head Coach Kim Sung-min = Looking at club teams, China and Vietnam are both strong, so I am wary of them in the PNC as well.
(To ‘Gyumin’ Sim Gyu-min) You must have felt a lot of regret after the last tournament. How do you feel about it now?
“‘Gyumin’: Looking back, there was definitely a lot of pressure last year. I don’t think I enjoyed the stage. This year, I want to enjoy it as much as possible. I think it’s good for the team to know how to enjoy the game while maintaining a healthy level of tension. It is a huge honor, so I will do my best to enjoy the stage with my teammates and achieve good results.
(To ‘Heaven’ Kim Tae-sung) You have experienced winning the PNC. What is the difference between that time and this team? And how confident are you about winning?
“‘Heaven’: When I won, I felt pressure because I was playing with such high-level players. This time, I have more experience, and I’m on a team with players I’m comfortable with, so I think I can perform even better than before.
(To Head Coach Kim Sung-min) Who do you think will be the key players?
“Head Coach Kim Sung-min = It depends on whether you mean in-game or out-of-game. In terms of gameplay, I think ‘Heather’ and ‘Heaven’ will show great performance.
(To Head Coach Kim Sung-min) Could you share a strength for each player.
“Head Coach Kim Sung-min = ‘Heather’ has quick movement and is strong in combat. Even though it’s his first big stage, I think he will show his strengths. ‘Gyumin’ has a lot of experience as an IGL and has performed well in international tournaments, so the players trust him. ‘Seongjang’ is one of the most experienced players. He has a wealth of know-how, so he can adapt to new styles, and his use of smoke grenades and frag grenades is excellent.
The power of ‘Heaven’ to remain composed allows him to overcome difficult situations, making him currently in the best form in the country. Playing at home has a significant impact on the actual matches, as the support from fans provides strength and boosts confidence for the players. Each player values the support from fans and acknowledges the advantage of playing on home ground.
‘Heather’ Cha Ji-hun, being a newcomer to the PNC, seeks advice from teammates to learn composure and experience. ‘Seongjang’ Seong Jang-hwan reflects on how his mindset has evolved over time with experience, allowing him to enjoy tournaments without pressure. Head Coach Kim Sung-min emphasizes the importance of synergy within the team and the clear identity led by ‘Gyumin.’
Looking ahead to the tournament, the team aims for a third title, with Head Coach Kim Sung-min expressing confidence in the team’s preparation and focus. The coach also highlights potential challenges from China and Vietnam as formidable opponents. In terms of pledges if they win, the team is focused on giving back to the fans and enjoying the tournament.
Describing the PNC in one word, the team members express their thoughts on the significance and opportunities presented by the tournament. Each player shares their goals for the tournament and words of gratitude and motivation for the fans. The overarching goal is to perform at their best and bring joy to the fans, showcasing South Korea’s strength in the PNC. All translations assisted by AI undergo a thorough review and refinement process by our newsroom.
[Read Original]