'Gamer Life, Gamer Death' 18-year-old peers of the same age … "Breaking Pokémon's home country Japan"

18-year-old duo, both still appearing youthful, donned the 태극마크 (Dragon Mark) in preparation for the 2026 Asia Games esports event, ‘포켓몬 유나이트’. 이들, 박성순 and 조민혁, emerged victorious in the team selection trials held last May, securing a spot as the national team representatives. Both expressed their surprise at representing the country at such a young age, with 박성숨 stating, “I never imagined I could be a national representative representing Korea.” 조민혁 echoed the sentiment, expressing his excitement at achieving such a prestigious honor at a young age.

The weight of the Dragon Mark on these young representatives was a topic of discussion, with 조민혁 saying, “My family was initially more concerned about the immense pressure it may bring, but they encouraged me to give my best as a national representative and not to feel embarrassed about the title.” The newly introduced Asia Games official sport, 포켓몬 유나이트, is a 5v5 team battle game that involves capturing wild Pokémon, earning EoSt points, and scoring goals by hitting targets at various locations in the game world.

The decisive moments often come in the final two minutes, where possession of neutral objects can greatly impact the outcome of the match. To excel in this fast-paced and strategic game, 박성숨 and 조민혁 dedicate up to 10 hours of intense training daily, reviewing match replays to identify and correct mistakes. Among their fiercest competitors will be their fellow countrymen from Japan, a team known for their meticulous gameplay and strong physical prowess.

With a goal to win the gold medal, the young athletes are fully committed to giving their all for their nation, hoping to bring pride and joy to their supporters.