What’s in a name?

Shakespeare was one of the earliest people to question the titles we call “names” and what names really mean, but early in November of 2016, the Overwatch community would learn of one name; Krusher99. It’s ironic, how fitting that name is for a specific player almost a year and half later. Who could have known fiction would blend with reality? Who could have known Bang "JJoNak" Sung-hyeon would be the dominant force he has shown to be?

Who could have known JJoNak’s story would run parallel with the fictional story of Krusher99?

It was a little over a year ago that we first learned about the concept of the Overwatch League and were introduced to Krusher99. You see, Krusher99 wasn’t actually a player, nor was this a real person, place or thing. During the reveal of the Overwatch League announcement trailer, we caught a glimpse through the eyes of a figurative rising upstart named “Krusher99.” This figurative protagonist battled and set their nose to the grindstone to reach the top of the ranked ladder and made a name for themselves. They became synonymous with victory as they ascended upwards as a mainstream pop culture icon, having Krusher99, gaming peripherals, jackets, billboards, and even Krusher99 cereal boxes!

While a bit grandiose, this video acted as an allegory to prove what was possible through the Blizzard Entertainment’s newest esports league - the Overwatch League. Fame and fortune was up for grabs, as Blizzard tried to activate their enormous player base of about 30 million people. The game had a pre-established competitive ecosystem, but it was still in its infancy and was still growing. This set the stage for someone who would climb the rungs of the competitive ladder and land on an successful Overwatch League team, just like Krusher99 did. Fate has given us a beautiful analogy for the story of a real life Krusher99 style story. A young man from Seoul, South Korea has arose from humble beginnings and has been on the lips of even the most casual Overwatch fan.

JJoNak and NYXL march confidently into the Overwatch League arena.

Number 44 for the New York Excelsior, JJoNak has traveled from obscurity and propelled himself forward on the back of his incredible rookie performance during Stage 1 of Overwatch League. Coming out of virtually nowhere, he has undoubtedly proven himself as a top player in his role of support, but even reaching towards one of the best in the entire game at the moment. JJoNak first hit the Overwatch esports scene early in March of 2017 where he played for a team called BenchGirls. The only other notable name who also played alongside him during his time with BenchGirls was Seoul Dynasty flex player Gido. During mid July of that same year, JJoNak popped up again this time alongside former Lunatic-Hai players Leetaejun, Guardian and Alarm in a Korean team called ?????? ( whose name roughly translates to “poor/inadequate children”). He was then set to play with LuxuryWatch Blue during APEX Season 4, but due to their disqualification, we never got to see JJoNak play until his debut in the preseason for the inaugural season of the Overwatch League.

We know him now for his amazing support play, but when JJoNak joined the New York Excelsior, he was an unknown quantity. We had players sing his praises, but nothing concrete enough to support the speculation. Little did we know he was a diamond in the rough, just waiting to be uncovered.

Within Stage 1, JJoNak has decimated his enemies with Zenyatta — who, might I add, is supposed to be a support character. If we look at some of his stats during Stage 1, he racks up 14.5% of his teams kills (+28% the average), 5.73 kills per ten minutes (+44% the average), 8.3% of his teams “first kills” (+43% the average), and manages to charge his ultiments in 90 second (-7% the average). With the amount of pressure the rest of his team causes, it allows him to be able to position aggressively and unchecked. His Achilles Heel is how and when his ultiments are used.

JJoNak leads all Zenyatta players in the league in hero damage done with Zenyatta at 6,881 hero damage done per ten minutes! In comparison, San Francisco Shock’s star DPS player, Babybay, was the Overwatch League Stage 1 leader in damage done per ten minutes and scored 9,668 damage per ten minutes. JJoNak managed to hold a candle to some of the best DPS players in the world, in terms of sheer damage done, as a support player.

With his rise to fame, he and his team surged straight into the playoffs for Overwatch League Stage 1. The only issue with JJoNak’s overall play is his cohesion with his team, more specifically his ultimates. However, It’s hard place any blame directly on JJoNak. Is someone calling for him to use it or is it his choice alone? The only thing from holding JJoNak and the New York Excelsior is the cohesion. It’s clear that New York thrives in that chaotic environment, but once they’re set behind, they struggle to brute force their way back into the match’s rhythm. Nevertheless, JJoNak is a world class talent.

With his time on off pics like Ana and Roadhog, this has dashed any hopes that he is a shallow “one-trick-pony” style player. While in the grand final of Stage 1, JJoNak pivoted off of his signature hero pick in Zenyatta and gave us a glimpse of some surprising Roadhog play on Junkertown. While during Numbani on Defense JJoNak showed excellent use of Biotic Grenade and Sleep Dart. JJoNak at his best and his worst is the heart and soul of New York.

In less than a year into his journey in the Overwatch League and the public eye, JJoNak stands a unintentional spokesperson for anyone who has thought about pursuing esports as a career. With enough time, dedication, and effort, you can take a name from the top of the ladder and put it on the biggest stage in the world. His name has graced everyone's lips at least once, either gasping at a shocking play or commending him on how accurate he is with Zenyatta. Either way, JJoNak has taken what was a name most pundits and analysts were writing off as “unknown” and taken that name and transformed it into something feared. Something impressive. Something noteworthy.

So again I ask you, what’s in a name? Well, that's JJoNak’s path to forge.

Joseph “Volamel” Franco has followed esports since the MLG’s of 2006. He started out primarily following Starcraft 2, Halo 3, and Super Smash Bros. Melee. He has transitioned from viewer to journalist and writes freelance primarily about Overwatch and League of Legends. If you would like to know more or follow his thoughts on esports you can follow him at @Volamel.

Images courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment.

Stats provided by Winston’s Lab