Seo Yong Song/Story

Background
His specialty is the Nerichagi. He is vain and prefers to fight with flashy techniques, but in fact he is quite nervous and his fights are often inconsistent. At only 16 years old, he became the middleweight Taekwondo champ, but he lost the title within a year after failing to win the world championship last year. His abilities are ranked among the best in the world, but he lacks mental fortitude, and his favorable and unfavorable conditions are too intense, according to the evaluations of those around him, including his mentor. Wanting to gain mental fortitude for himself, he entered the regional qualifying rounds. Although his matches were as uneven as ever, frustrating those around him, he made it to the final qualifying round. This year, he moved up one weight class to heavyweight. He is currently a university student majoring in Quantum Physics. He's actually quite smart.

Interview
The secondary qualifying round in the East-Asian region was a fierce competition with four leagues and as many as 200 competitors participating. He isn’t a fighter of consistent ability, as he had some very close matches before passing the qualifying round. However, many spectators were fascinated by his exciting and flashy matches, and he probably received the most cheers at the regional finals. I had a chance to talk with Seo at his dojo in Korea.

Interviewer: The last match of the qualifying round was quite close at times.

Seo: Yeah, that was staged. It's more exciting when things get a little dicey. I'm a pretty good actor, so I think a lot of people bought it.

Interviewer: Eh? Is that so?

Seo: Nah, I made that up.

Interviewer: I heard that Yong Song is a university student. What is your specialty?

Seo: Quantum physics. But I've only just enrolled.

Interviewer: Isn't it hard to balance being a promising university student and a top-class Taekwondo practicioner?

Seo: You got that right! Not a fan of the "top class" part, though. The "class" part, specifically. It's like 20 people are gonna come out in droves. It's not worth the hassle. I should be "top" anyway. "The world's greatest Taekwondo practitioner!" Or something like that. Yeah, I'd be happy with "strongest". Uh...? What was I talking about?

Interviewer: Well, I was asking if it is not difficult you find it to balancing being a student and a fighter?

Seo: Oh, right, sorry about that. No, I never really thought of it as hard work. I like being a student. And I can't stop Taekwondo now, either. I think it would be better if I can be the best in both.

Interviewer: If you win this tournament, you'd literally be the best fighter, in sense.

Seo: Yep.

Interviewer: Finally, how confident are you?

Seo: As long as I'm on top of my game, well, I think I can pull it off.

Interviewer: I see. Please do your best on the day of the competition. I'm looking forward to your match.

Seo: Thanks, dude. Cheers for the support!

Fan Q&A
Question 1

Q. Such long legs! You're so cool! I bet you're popular with the ladies, aren't you?

A. Is that how I look? Yeah, I think I’m pretty popular. But it takes a lot of work to be this popular.

Question 2

Q. Is Kim-san’s wife beautiful? Speaking of which, does Yong Song want to get married in the future?

A. Yeah, well, I'd like to if I could. If she was cool and beautiful, I wouldn't have anything to say.

Question 3

Q. I've heard rumours that Mr. Kim Kaphwan is a hypocrite...what do you think about that?

A. I don't know much about that guy. But I think he’s a cool guy who has his own beliefs. But I've never thought of him as a hypocrite or anything like that.

Question 4

Q. In Japan, it is customary for women to give chocolate to the man of their choice on Valentine's Day, February 14. Would you like to come to Japan? (Laughs)

A. Oh, really? That's a nice custom. But in Korea, chocolate is accepted all year round.

Question 5

Q. Please show me the back of your head. I'm not quite sure how it’s tied up...

A. It was drawn by Mr. Hiroaki. Please refer to the illustration at the top.

(Development Staff)

Question 6

Q. When you surf the net, what kind of sites do you visit most?

A. At the moment, I like to visit the websites of NASA and other U.S. research institutes. An auction site for watches. A site that takes super pointless statistics super seriously. Fortune telling. News. I also like looking at sites with parodies and hoaxes and stuff like that. Oh, and martial arts related sites. And various... other things.

Question 7

Q. I have been learning Hangeul for you for the last month (true story). If you go to Korea for summer vacation, please let me stay at your house (for a month or so).

A. Ah, sorry. Summer vacation in Japan is in August, right? I won’t be at home because I’ve got an international tournament on then.

Question 8

Q. What do you think is the most spectacular thing about yourself? I’d say everything, myself, but if you had to pick just one thing, what would it be?

A. The very existence of the top is spectacular. Wouldn’t you say?

Question 9

Q. Have you ever been told that you look like a famous person? Personally, I think I look a little like Taizo Harada of Neptune (a famous Japanese comedian).

A. Yeah, I know, I know... I mean, what? I wonder if we're alike. Isn't mine a little more refreshing?

Question 10

Q. As far as your date of birth is concerned, I just can't believe that if you were Japanese, you would be in the same grade as Taka-chan. Are you cheating on your age?

A. Who's Taka-chan? Oh, the aikido guy. No, I think he's a little smaller than me. I think I'm normal. Do I look that big? Or do you mean he looks like an adult?

Question 11

Q. What fascinates you about quantum physics?

A. There are still a lot of things we don't know about space.

Question 12

Q. The other day, I caught a glimpse of a Korean singer on TV who had the same hair style as yours. Is it popular in Korea?

A. Who knows? I haven't heard that it's popular or anything. Who was the singer? I wonder if they’re a fan of mine.

Question 13

Q. Among the contestants in this year's competition, is there anyone cooler than yourself who carries a greater spectacle than you do?

A. No, there isn't. It's just natural, you know.

Question 14

Q. You have a nice body. I fall in love, every time I see it. What cup-size is your bust?

A. I've never measured that, as you can imagine. Do you really want to know?

Question 15

Q. I saw you fighting in a tournament and loved it. What should I do?

A. I'm really popular. I don't know what to do about it, but I'm glad anyway. Thank you very much.

Question 16

Q. Popular, aren't you? Wanna go on a date with this lady next time?

A. Sounds great. Where do you live?

Question 17

Q. What would you do if you were scouted as a model?

A. Ah, that's the direction you were going in. Well, I'd probably give it a try anyway, yeah.

Question 18

Q. It seems like you practice your signature poses in front of the mirror every day, do you?

A. No, I don't do that at all, no matter how much I want to. I do think about which ones are cooler, though. But who wouldn't?

Question 19

Q. Was the “eyebrow template” in the July issue of Yong Song Monthly really modelled on your eyebrows?

A. Oh, that thing. Yeah, I chose that.

Question 20

Q. If you were given the chance to buy anything, what would you buy?

A. A Japanese digital camera.

Question 21

Q. What is your personal treasures?

A. I wonder. I dunno if I’ve really got anything that important to me.

Question 22

Q. You’re a quantum physics major, what do you want to be after graduation?

A. The world's strongest, coolest quantum physicist who can sing and dance.

Question 23

Q. What kind of chocolate do you like? Milk, bitter...

A. I like regular and bitter, but especially milk. Almond is good too.

Question 24

Q. What is your ideal type of woman?

A. Masculine type. I mean, a plain and cool woman.

Question 25

Q. If you have an email address, please let me know! (Laughs)

Q. I love surfing the net too! Do you have your own PC, Yong Song? If you like, let's exchange emails.

A. I'd love to tell you, but I'm in the process of changing providers. I'll let you know when I decide on a new one.

Question 26

Q. Are you acquainted with Kim Kaphwan?

A. I've only met him at a tournament. He's a nice guy, very strong, and his wife is beautiful. He's a little hard-headed, though.

Question 27

Q. How do you deal with tackles and joint holds in taekwondo?

A. I know it’s pretty obvious, but the key is not getting grabbed at all. It’s real important for me to keep my distance from the opponent. I just watch their movements carefully, and if they get too close, I knock em’ down.

Question 28

Q. When I think of Taekwondo, the first person I think of is that hypocrite, why didn't he compete?

A. Hypocrite, no way that's a person's name, right? That's a hell of a name to call someone. Who's is that? Is he famous?

Question 29

Q. Why is it Nerichagi? It should really be Neriyochagi.

A. On the move list, it's called Neriyochagi.

(Development Staff)

Question 30

Q. Taekwondo doesn't use fists?

A. Yes, I use it. In Korean, Jirugi is a thrust. There are other names like Tulgi (to pierce) and Taerigi (to strike), depending on the way you twist your hand or elbow. I don't use punches as much cause I find kicks easier and more effective. Plus, kicks look way cooler.

Question 31

Q. What's with the bangs? Personally, I think they’re hot.

A. Cool, aren’t they? Thanks. I thought they looked good on me, too. Well, I think my hair looks good no matter what kind of hair I have. It's better if it's a little different, just like me.

Question 32

Q. How does Yong Song's hair look in the back? Have you got it tied up?

A. This? I've combed it back. My hair was getting a little too long on the sides. It was getting in the way during matches.

Question 33

Q. What styles/makes of watches do you like?

A. I think all clocks should be analogue. You can feel the movement, can't you? I often wear a black GIEZ watch and an old RADO square watch. I also like TISSOT and Baume & Mercier watches. I don't have one, though.

Question 34

Q. What exactly do you mean by “wriggly things”?

A. Creepy crawlies, you know, like ants. Sea anemones, centipede legs, swarms of ‘em. Doesn't it send shivers down your spine when you see all those little things moving around?

Question 35

Q. You’re not a hypocrite, right?

A. I've been getting asked about hypocrites a lot recently.