With DRX pushing deep into VCT Pacific Stage 2, Song “Hyunmin” Hyun-min has been at the heart of the team’s performance. Since joining the roster, he’s adapted to sudden roster shifts, faced off against top-tier Pacific opponents, and built on the foundation of his early days as a fan of the old Vision Strikers. Now, with Champs on the horizon, Hyunmin reflects on how he’s grown, the lessons learned from recent matches, and which teams he’s most eager to challenge on the world stage.
Hotspawn: Since joining DRX, how have you evolved as a player?
Hyunmin: “Compared to when I first joined DRX, I have gained a lot of experience and I also grew as a player. In-game, skill-wise, everything just got better over time—decision-making or my aim in general, or just things like that. I’m definitely happy, and I’m excited for the future.”
How exactly have you grown individually?
“I would say in-game-wise, like skill-wise, everything just got better over time. My decision-making or my aim in general, just things like that. It’s actually really, really fun to see that growth, and I can feel it in how I play now compared to when I first started.”
How does it feel being a part of a storied team like DRX?
Hyunmin: “I used to watch the old Vision Strikers and I was also a fan of DRX, so I was very proud to play for them when I first joined. When I put on the jersey for the first time, I felt like I was really part of something special.”
Except for your game against Gen.G, you had an insane group stage performance. What would you attribute that to?
Hyunmin: “Our first match in Stage 2 was against Gen.G, but we changed our roster two days prior so we didn’t have much time to practice. But as time went on, I think we had a lot of time to practice and we just grew as a team together. That’s why I think we were able to win the four games out of the five.”
Do you think the map veto might have favored Talon in your game today?
Hyunmin: “DRX and Talon both have a similar map pool, so it could be a good map for Talon, but it’s also a good map for us. I think it was just who was better on the day.”
What happened in today’s game—what do you think went wrong?
Hyunmin: “The enemies played very well too, but I guess we played a bit different than we did in scrims during practice. I think that was the biggest problem that we had today. We weren’t quite ourselves, and that made the difference.”
How has your journey been so far in VCT Pacific?
Hyunmin: “It’s definitely very fun and very interesting because I used to watch the Pacific Franchise League when it first started, which was around 2023 I believe. I’ve been watching, and being able to play in Pacific was very interesting and very fun for me.”
What does your schedule look like every day?
Hyunmin: “On the days we have practice, we usually wake up around the same time, eat breakfast, and just start practice. The time we end differs every day, but the structure is the same. After practice, if we have time, we just go for a walk and get some fresh air. But if not, we just go to bed. It’s very focused on making sure we’re ready for matches.”
Who would you rather play again on Saturday in the lower bracket—Gen.G or RRQ?
Hyunmin: “I think I really want to play both teams because I want to face Gen.G again after we practiced a lot with our new roster. If Gen.G wins tomorrow, it would be a very fun match. But if RRQ wins, that would be another good rematch. Both games will be pretty fun to play.”
What was your first game ever?
Hyunmin: “It was a Korean FPS game called Special Force. I was very young—around three or five years old. That was my first experience with games, and I think that’s where I started developing my love for FPS.”
Who are your favorite players to watch?
Hyunmin: “At first, I had a lot of different players that I enjoyed watching, and I think most of them are from DRX. I just loved watching stax play and f0rsakeN play. Their styles and how they control the game—it’s very inspiring.”
Who is your Valorant GOAT?
Hyunmin: “Hard to choose, but I would say personally the best flex player is f0rsakeN. The impact he brings to his team is huge.”
What’s your favorite meal?
Hyunmin: “Just fast food—burgers. It’s a simple meal, quick meal. It’s not fancy, but it gets the job done.”
Which teams do you think are the strongest in Pacific?
Hyunmin: “Our first place in Pacific, which is PRX, and I guess Gen.G are the two teams that we have to overcome to make Champs. They’re both very strong and consistent.”
Which team would you most like to face at Champs if you qualify?
Hyunmin: “I wouldn’t say obstacle, but I really want to face Fnatic. I think that’ll be a very fun game and I’m very excited. They have a very different style from the Pacific teams, so I think it would be a great challenge.”
What’s the secret to your aim?
Hyunmin: “I don’t have any routine or any secrets. I just play a lot, and I guess it just comes by playing a lot. The more you play, the more comfortable you get in every situation.”
How many hours do you play per day?
Hyunmin: “Like 10 hours a day, yeah. It’s a lot, but that’s what it takes to compete at this level.”
Hotspawn: Thank you so much for your time and I hope you had a little bit of fun in the interview. Congratulations again on your win today.
From starting with Special Force as a toddler to playing in one of Valorant’s most competitive leagues, Hyunmin’s path has been about relentless practice and seizing opportunities. Joining DRX was more than just a career move—it was joining a team he once cheered for. Whether it’s ten hours a day grinding aim or preparing for a rematch with familiar rivals, Hyunmin’s approach stays the same—play a lot, improve every day, and enjoy the game.
