At 10pm on 10 January, the T1 Club held an online retirement ceremony for Bang and Wolf, and through the media dinner, let everyone know more about their thoughts after their careers:
What do you think it's like to have this retirement ceremony?
Wolf: I've been retiring for almost three years, and at first I was still thinking, "Why is it now?" ", but now I'm glad they can still take such good care of me."
Bang: It's great to end my career that way and have a time like that.
Is it a pity to hold a retirement ceremony online and not be able to meet fans?
Wolf: It would be fun for us if we could meet and talk to the fans. But the situation does not allow it, so there is no way, but at least for now you can still chat.
Bang: It's a shame not to be able to communicate face-to-face, but health is more important. I'm used to being online, so it feels ok.
When was it decided to retire?
Wolf: Well, I've been retiring for a while. Looking back on 2019, I thought that playing in overseas divisions would help my mental health, but things didn't go the way I thought they would. When I was in Turkey, I started thinking about retiring, and I've been thinking about it for a while.
Bang: In the last two or three years, a lot of the players I've played with have retired, and I think I'm going to retire soon. When I knew I was going to do military service next year, I thought it was time.
You've been at your best for a long time, which game was the most memorable?
Wolf: Since I became the anchor, a lot of fans have talked about some of my previous matches, and the most mentioned is Jeira on MSI and Lowe on EDG, so these games are the most memorable.
Bang: I don't remember exactly, I can only think of some wonderful moments. Some of the games I've won have been meaningful, I've played too many games, too many meaningful games, so I can't pick a specific moment.
When do you think it's good to be a pro? Have you ever regretted it?
Wolf: When my salary is going up every year, I think it's really good (laughs). From the beginning of my debut, my goal was to live a life without regrets, so I did not regret becoming a professional player.
Bang: When I meet celebrities, I feel like the life of a pro is a little bit different from other jobs. Then consider my career, what work I can do in the future. I don't regret being a pro either, I've met a lot of great people in this industry, and that's where I feel the best.
Choose the person you appreciate most in your career, who would you choose?
Bang: I think we're going to talk about the same person.
Wolf: Who? Kkoma? yes. It was he who made us grow into where we are today. He helps us a lot on the field and in life and should definitely choose Kkoma.
Bang: It's the same for me, whether it's in-game or off-game, Kkoma has taught me a lot. I feel like I've been loved a lot, he's a great guy, a guy who has a lot to learn from.
As a professional player, what do you most want to do?
Wolf: In the two years of the New Year, I've done almost everything I wanted to do. When the pandemic wasn't coming, I wanted to open a café. If the pandemic is over, I might open an e-sports café where I can do a live broadcast and host some events.
Bang: When I was in school, I wanted to go to the military academy, I wanted to be an officer.
Wolf: Maybe you still have a chance?
Bang: No, I'm too old now. What I want to do now is to help others. If I hadn't become a pro, I might have become an officer.
Do you have any plans to become a coach in the future?
Wolf: I don't want to, but I've thought about it, but I'm happy with my current life. I wanted a more free life and not be bothered by the question of winning or losing, at least not yet.
Bang: Me too, when I was a pro, I knew what it meant to be a coach. I believe I can be a good coach, but I don't want to yet. I don't know if it will become after a while, my goal is to complete my military service by November next year? Is it possible? I do think it's going to be fun, but it can also be a lot of stress.
If you had to pick one of the hardest players or teams you've ever faced, who would you choose?
Wolf: For me, it's Mata. I remember being negative for a long time because of his performance in terms of vision. I learned a lot from him and it was very helpful for me. And Deft.
Bang: In the case of the team, it has to be said that it is ROX Tigers. It's also hard to beat them when we're in good shape. The players' words, I think, Are and Deft. It's hard to choose because it has to do with their status in different versions and periods, and I've won and lost to a lot of players.
Is there a special hero who has made you who you are today?
Wolf: There are many heroes, but I have to choose Alista. I have a lot of confidence in Arista and the hero I've played the most, and it's very comfortable to use.
Bang: I thought of a couple of heroes, some of whom were pretty good at it. But one of the reasons I became a pro was Graffus. When I played ADC, I played Graves, and other players recommended me to play professionally, and I think he made my career.
It's not common to hold retirement ceremonies hand in hand, is there anything you'd like to say?
Wolf: Thank you T1 and Bang for giving me this opportunity and the chef for making a big meal for us. I'm grateful and happy because I'm really full right now (laughs).
Bang: It's been three years since I left SKT T1, but I always thought this was the home I could come back to. It's really nice to be able to put an end to my career in a place I thought was home.
A lot of pros admire you, so are there any success tips you can share with them?
Wolf: It's hard to say, a lot of players are forgotten after they retire. When you have difficulties in your career, if you close your eyes and do your own thing, you will make progress. I used to think that hard work was the most important thing, but now that I think about it, luck is also (laughs). My advice is to try harder and not think about things that have the potential to affect you.
Bang: Everyone in the esports industry should work hard, and that's what survival is all about. I think it's important to play in a very comfortable environment.
When is the happiest thing about being a pro?
Wolf: There are many times, but the most exciting time is when you sit down and talk about salary. When I signed the contract, even if there was a complaint, I had to keep going and train hard. Getting paid in my next salary negotiation is the happiest time of my career, and I'll be happy for about a week.
Bang: My happiest time is at the end of the season when I can travel with friends. You can take a break and not have to feel the pressure of the game all the time. It's fun wherever we go and there's a refreshing feeling.
What has been the attitude of the family over the years?
Wolf: It's been a long time since I saw me, and I haven't spent much time with my family since I was 17, so I'm sorry. Even so, I would like to thank them for always cheering me on, encouraging me, and loving me. Even after I retired from the army, I didn't visit them very often, and I'm sorry for that. And thanks to those who took care of me like family.
Bang: I came to Seoul when I was 17 years old, and I rarely spent time with my family, but they always prepared a warm home for me to come back at any time. Because of them, I've come this far, thank you.
Is there anything you want to say in the end?
Wolf: The LCK Spring Games start on January 12th, when I'll be live streaming the commentary, so please follow me. Thank you to those fans who love Wolf, and please continue to support Wolf's live stream.
Bang: Thank you to the fans for their encouragement and support to me, the past experience is really precious. I don't know if I'll ever have a chance to meet the fans again, but I want to thank all of you. The last thing I want to say is that I have always been very happy.