Volamel
2017-05-07 12:29:31
Envision a forest for a moment. To simply reduce it down to a clan of trees tightly packed together with other floral entities peppered about, is to ignore its symbolic nature of life and birth. A forest is not only an ecosystem that houses a multitude of different species of wildlife but a home for something greater. From birds to little bunny rabbits to odd specimens of insects, this forest, in particular, is home to an Overwatch duo that has lit the community ablaze with excitement and speculation. Some know them as potentially two of the most mechanically gifted players we’ve seen in Overwatch. And to others, they are simply known as Kim "pine" Do Hyeon and Hwang "Fl0w3R" Yeon Oh.
Our two protagonists made their humble beginnings in Team Fortress 2. Both pine and Fl0w3R were immediately noticed for their mechanical prowess and overall amazing skill at the game.
Watching that and knowing that this was “posted” in 2013. If we hypothetically put pine and Fl0w3R both around and American age of 20, this would mean at the time of this video being recorded and made they would have been around 15 or 16 years old. This was not the only highlight reel made for these two fledgling prodigies. Specifically, pine was showcased for his impeccable aim and ability to make some of the most jaw-dropping headshots.
The earliest known record of the pair playing together is when both pine and Fl0w3R played for a team called “Electro Boyz” in the UGC League for 6v6 Team Fortress 2. They were also accompanied by recurring teammate Song “janus” Jun Hwa. As time went on, Fl0w3R (also known as Alice, Flower, and nanohana) reunited with pine. Both played for Emi Dizziness in some of the later Asia Fortress Cups in 2014-2015. They always seemed to gravitate towards one another, many one-off teams had them both on the roster -- as well as janus.
Pine was a fantastic Sniper and Fl0w3R was superb at Scout. After watching both of the montages above and looking at today’s climate in Overwatch it is no wonder why pine and Fl0w3R are so terrifying on their respectively trademarked heroes of Widowmaker and Genji.
This leads us to 2016.
Overwatch hits store shelves late in May. Early that September team LuxuryWatch Red (LW Red) acquires both pine and Fl0w3r. This was supposed to be the team on the block. Early on they reunited with Team Fortress veterans and former teammates janus and Gwak "starky" Byung Joo.
LW Red prepares for their Overwatch Power League match.
(Photo credit: Inven)
LW Red was the Korean threat at the time and to be fair to them, they did deserve the excitement and hype that did surround them. Early on in the Overwatch Power League they defeated another super-star team, Lunatic-Hai, in a convincing fashion, 4-2. With rumors that LW Red’s scrimmage results were up to par with their performance against Lunatic-Hai, how could you not be excited for what lies ahead of them?
Leading into APEX Season 1, LW Red floundered out and did not make the cut. Whereas their sister team, LuxuryWatch Blue, did make it into the inaugural season of OGN’s APEX League. LW Red was relegated to the Challenger scene where they crushed every opponent they came across, amassing an 11-0 record which qualified them for the Super Week Promotion tournament for APEX Season 2. Playing through the Season 2 challenger scene, they again put up a dominant record of 10-1 only dropping a series to Meta Athena.
This would lead them on their path straight into the Season 2 Promotion tournament where they again would bomb out in Group A. After losing 0-3 against a resurging RunAway and then being upset by Afreeca Freecs Red, it seemed like the hyped was over for LW Red and our protagonists.
Enter IEM Gyeonggi.
NoName and Fl0w3R are swapped from the starting LW Red rooster into a mixing pot of LW Red talent stirred in with their sister team's starting line-up. They go on a complete tear, only dropping 2 maps the entire tournament and upsetting Lunatic-Hai in the Grand Finals, 3-1. The LuxuryWatch brand took this roster and finalised it under the LW Blue banner for Season 2. While Fl0w3R soaked in the glory of the APEX stage, pine was again relegated to hauling LW Red through the challenger scene.
Fl0w3R overjoyed by his win at IEM Gyeonggi, consoled by his team.
(Photo credit: IEM/Helena Kristiansson)
Even with the strength and accuracy of pine, LW Red still could not make it into the Super Week Promotion tournament for Season 3. With a record of 8-3 (26-14 match score) LW Red again floundered out, barely missing the cut off to MVP Space.
After LW Blue’s 3rd place finish at the end of Season 2 of the APEX League, the team underwent massive changes. Not only was Choi “Sylph” Seong Sik added, but more importantly, pine would finally see the majesty of the APEX stage. While Fl0w3R tended to his nagging wrist injury, pine and LW Blue took to the stage against CONBOX Spirit on the opening day of APEX Season 3. With pine’s freshman debut, the on-stage jitters were definitely present. He did, however, put on a spectacle of mechanical prowess and raw talent-focused around the sniper rifle.
Yet, pine could not take all the credit; he thanked his team an interview with Inven Global [1]: “Widowmaker turned out pretty well, but we were able to win because my teammates covered for me. It wasn’t only me who played well but everyone else on the team as well. It makes it that much more meaningful.”
This finally leads us to the end of the rope. Currently, Pine, Fl0w3r, and the rest of the LuxuryWatch cast are competing in Season 3 of APEX. LuxuryWatch Blue stands menacingly over its group, which includes CONBOX Spirit, Flash Lux, and MVP Space. Not many arguments can be made for another team to defeat LuxuryWatch Blue and take first seed in Group C. Fate has predetermined their path, and as long as they stay on course, Luxurywatch Blue is slated to make an effortless playoff berth. The gauntlet that lays before them in the playoff bracket, is a large task of facing all-star caliber teams, but I want to leave you with this delicate morsel from my own imagination.
Imagine for a moment, the utter hysteria this scenario would cause:
The stage would be Korea University’s Tiger Dome.
Overhead the glaring spotlights dim slowly in a very theatric fashion. This is the beginning of a hypothetical APEX Season 3 Grand Final. To set the potential stage, we have returning champions looking to retain their title and prove once and for all they are not cursed. Lunatic-Hai faces off against a star-studded powerhouse of a roster in the form of LuxuryWatch Blue.
The middlemost LED screen of the arena is all that lights the stadium. It shows a verdant green forest, lush with plant life and the sounds of rustling leaves. Slowly both teams — one by one — walk out of the forest. Each stare down the camera, equipped with intimidating glances and antagonistic gestures.
The final player on the side of LuxuryWatch Blue emerges from the backdrop, the camera focused on his pristine, white Adidas sneakers. Slowly, the viewfinder pans up to reveal Fl0w3r has returned to the starting roster. Bearing an injured wrist, he presses forward to compete with his team to bring an APEX trophy home to the LuxuryWatch brand.
Cue the APEX opening music that we all know and love.
This would mark the start of the APEX Season 3 Grand Final and the reunion of two old friends.
Regardless of what actually happens, believe the hype: Season 3 will live up to expectations.
Joseph “Volamel” Franco has followed esports since the MLGs 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 OGN, Inven, Team LuxuryWatch, IEM/Helena Kristiansson (header image) and Blizzard Entertainment.
