My lucky night in Korea...

[JrockJustin]

I have been living in Dae-jeon, South Korea for the last few years. Just the other night I walked into the most famous pool hall in the city. There on the tables were Park Shin-Young, Ryu Seung-woo, Kim Won-Suk, Kim Woong-dae and Jung Hong-jo. The best 9-ball players in Korea were present. As soon as I walked in they all stopped what they were doing I heard "Justin!" I was in shock, well, I was in shock to see Park Shin-young. The others are there every day. I don't take them for granted because they are all phenomenal players with great attitudes and always willing to help. But I was prepared for what was next. "Justin, please be the 6th person in our tournament". "Really?" was my immediate reply with a huge smile on my face. Now I do realize I was just donating my money but still, to be in a tourney with these players! I of course got my butt whipped(learning experience), but never the less I was completely satisfied. After losing 2 I prepared myself for the finals. You know, I think I must be the best "watcher" in the world when it comes to 9-ball. I absolutely love watching the game and anyone who plays it. Well, plays it seriously...lol

In the finals, the youngest one of them all took home 1st place. 20 year old sensation Ryu Seung-woo was on top of his game defeating Kim Won-suk. I am telling you people, if you want to just simply practice pool, Dae-jeon South Korea is the place to be...

 

[sjm]

I have been living in Dae-jeon, South Korea for the last few years. Just the other night I walked into the most famous pool hall in the city. There on the tables were Park Shin-Young, Ryu Seung-woo, Kim Won-Suk, Kim Woong-dae and Jung Hong-jo. The best 9-ball players in Korea were present. As soon as I walked in they all stopped what they were doing I heard "Justin!" I was in shock, well, I was in shock to see Park Shin-young. The others are there every day. I don't take them for granted because they are all phenomenal players with great attitudes and always willing to help. But I was prepared for what was next. "Justin, please be the 6th person in our tournament". "Really?" was my immediate reply with a huge smile on my face. Now I do realize I was just donating my money but still, to be in a tourney with these players! I of course got my butt whipped(learning experience), but never the less I was completely satisfied. After losing 2 I prepared myself for the finals. You know, I think I must be the best "watcher" in the world when it comes to 9-ball. I absolutely love watching the game and anyone who plays it. Well, plays it seriously...lol

In the finals, the youngest one of them all took home 1st place. 20 year old sensation Ryu Seung-woo was on top of his game defeating Kim Won-suk. I am telling you people, if you want to just simply practice pool, Dae-jeon South Korea is the place to be...

Jrock, I remember, right after your very first post on this forum, encouraging you to continue posting to give us a feel for and a sense of the pool scene in Korea. Seems you've taken that responsibility seriously, and it's appreciated.

Sounds like you had quite a night as the field-filler in that field of very strong players. It also sounds like Ryu Seung-Woo is one to be reckoned with down the road.

By the way, Jrock, I'm sure I'm not the only one on this forum that would like a brief explanation of why Korean names seem to be presented backwards sometimes and forward other times. For example, I've often heard Ga Young Kim referred to as Kim Ga Young. Which is it and how does this work exactly?

 

[Colin Colenso]

Jrock, I remember, right after your very first post on this forum, encouraging you to continue posting to give us a feel for and a sense of the pool scene in Korea. Seems you've taken that responsibility seriously, and it's appreciated.

Sounds like you had quite a night as the field-filler in that field of very strong players. It also sounds like Ryu Seung-Woo is one to be reckoned with down the road.

By the way, Jrock, I'm sure I'm not the only one on this forum that would like a brief explanation of why Korean names seem to be presented backwards sometimes and forward other times. For example, I've often heard Ga Young Kim referred to as Kim Ga Young. Which is it and how does this work exactly?

Korean and Chinese names are listed as Family name followed by given name. They actually present their names this way.

But because of the English convention of Given name followed by Family Name, people often swap the names around, so we end up with a confusing convention.

It would be better if we just stuck with their native format, and got to know that we can address them by second two parts of the name which is the given name.

btw: Kim Ga Young is a great girl and super talent: Here I am with her in Shanghai last year.

Also, read the interview.

To Jrock: I met a US guy at a pool comp in Shanghai last week who lives in Korea and helps to run the pool league there. Solid guy with moustache and goatie and plays pretty well. His name escapes me right now...so I won't proffer a guess.

 

[JrockJustin]

Great explanation!

Colin, great explanation on the names...

I always smile when I go back to the states and I hear Korean names. For example, Chan-ho Park who plays baseball for the Rangers. He is from the area I am living in Korea now but everyone here calls him Park Chan-ho. I guess whatever is easier for the English speaking only people of America...lol

I walked into a pool hall up in Incheon, South Korea a few months back. It was really dim lit so it reminded me of home. I was shooting around by myself until I was approached by an intriguing looking Korean man. He introduced himself and said that his daughter was pretty good at pool. I asked him her name and sure enough, it was Kim Ga-youngs father! I looked at him with a double take and said "pretty good?". Her sister then walked over and kicked my butt in a race to 7...

I am going to hold a pro-am in Dae-jeon soon... Hope to get some names here and I think I just might... I will keep you guys posted....

 

[Colin Colenso]

Colin, great explanation on the names...

I always smile when I go back to the states and I hear Korean names. For example, Chan-ho Park who plays baseball for the Rangers. He is from the area I am living in Korea now but everyone here calls him Park Chan-ho. I guess whatever is easier for the English speaking only people of America...lol

I walked into a pool hall up in Incheon, South Korea a few months back. It was really dim lit so it reminded me of home. I was shooting around by myself until I was approached by an intriguing looking Korean man. He introduced himself and said that his daughter was pretty good at pool. I asked him her name and sure enough, it was Kim Ga-youngs father! I looked at him with a double take and said "pretty good?". Her sister then walked over and kicked my butt in a race to 7...

I am going to hold a pro-am in Dae-jeon soon... Hope to get some names here and I think I just might... I will keep you guys posted....

Justin,
Let me know about the comps you're running. If it's for women, I sometimes practice with the top 2 Chinese stars Pan Xiao Ting and Zhou Meng Meng and would like to give them the chance to see if they can arrange visas.

Pan Xiao Ting was the Japan Open winner and Asian Champion in India last year and Zhou Meng Meng, just 16yo, won the Asian Pool Queen event in Taiwan last year where she beat Liu Xin Mei (world champion) in the final.

Anyway, even if that can't be done, send me results and photos if you can and I'll post it on www.top147.com so the Chinese can see what's going on there.

BR,
Colin

 

[piglit]

Man, that's just rude- those guys waited for you to come in so they could split up your $...What a way to make a living!!

-pige

..."Justin, please be the 6th person in our tournament"...