KCB Yukino: “I’ll develop faster in LFL than in NACL”

On the first day of LFL Holy Days in the Arènes of Évry-Courcouronnes, I had the opportunity to chat with KCB Johnny “Yukino” Dang following his first experience within the French League. Despite a back and forth game against Solary that ultimately resulted in a loss, the 19 years old new Karmine Corp Blue jungler told me about many topics surrounding his arrival from the United States. Such as his first experience playing on stage, his inspirations, the pressure, and working under Yike.

Ethan: You are the only non-European player apart from the few Koreans in the LFL this split.

Are you comfortable with the culture, the environment and the team so far?

Yukino: Yeah, I feel really comfortable on the team. I thought when I first arrived that we would have some cultural differences. But no, in reality I fit in well with the team.

Ethan: I want to ask you, about another player that has made the big jump from NA to Europe recently.

Have you been inspired in any way by Jojopyun’s story?

Yukino: Sort of.

I mean, the pros I looked up to in NA were Inspired and Bwipo and they were both EU players.

And I kind of felt like for my development that it would always be better for me to develop in Europe instead of NA, because NA is kind of a dying region right now. I just got the perfect opportunity to play here. And I was like, why not?

BONJOUR LA FRANCE 💙🥐 pic.twitter.com/B4yGDz7w4b

— yukino cat (@yukinocat5) March 9, 2025

Did you have any opportunity to join LTA at some point? Why did you decide to leave NACL?

Yukino: I didn’t have opportunities to play in LTA, but I don’t think I’m a good enough player to play in Tier one yet.

I still need time to develop and I think I’ll develop faster in LFL than in NACL.

Ethan: You just joined a team that have a huge history in ERL… Last split, they won LFL and came close to reach the EMEA Masters Final. If you want to do better, you have to win it all kind of. You also joined a huge fanbase.

Do you feel any kind of pressure at KCB?

Yukino: I don’t really feel the pressure. Honestly, even today I didn’t really feel that much pressure. Of course I was nervous, but it was my first game on stage and I thought I’d be more nervous than I was today. But I don’t really feel that much pressure.

I just know that when I’m on my A game, I can be like the best player.

But I think today I just wasn’t on form.

Ethan: I want to have your opinion on Yike, because obviously you’ll maybe get to work with him, ask him advices and everything.

Souhaitez la bienvenue à notre nouveau jungler de 19 ans qui rejoindra KCB à partir du Spring Split de @LFLOfficiel

Bienvenue dans ta nouvelle maison @yukinocat5 💙 pic.twitter.com/QA1pFU1dw0

— Karmine Corp (@KarmineCorp) March 10, 2025

Are you looking forward to working a little with Yike?

Yukino: He’s the Goat. He’s definitely the best jungler in Europe. So it’s an honour to be working under him and watching his scrims. He’s just insane, you know? I’m blessed to be working under him.

Ethan: I suppose you’ve heard of Los Ratones.

Are you hyped to potentially face LR this year if you both make it to EMEA Masters?

Yukino: Yeah, I’m hyped. I love Caedrel. I watch his streams all the time.

I’m also a really big fan of how Nemesis plays. I think he’s a really good player.

And honestly, I’m a fan of all their players, so I would want to play against them because I think they’re good.

Do you have any message for the fans before we close the interview?

Yukino: I played pretty bad today. I wasn’t really in form. But when I am in form, I’ll prove that I am the best. But today was not a good look for me.