If you think of a professional League of Legends player who is known for his piano skills, it’s definitely Kang “TheShy” Seung-lok. Not only does he openly share his love for the instrument, but he also showcased his talent in the 2021 LPL Spring anime-themed opening. Apart from his YouTube channel where he shares unconventional top lane champion videos, he also treats his fans to glimpses of his life beyond the game, including his piano playing.
In an exclusive interview with ONE Esports, TheShy, the Worlds 2018 champion, reveals how his interest in music developed, his favorite pieces to play, and his venture into learning a second instrument.
TheShy shares his journey into piano playing and why he continues this hobby alongside his esports career.
Learning to play the piano at a young age is quite common in South Korea, and TheShy tried it out for one to two years. Although he took a break during middle school, he picked it up again for another two to three years. Since then, he has been playing casually.
When asked why he continues to pursue this hobby, TheShy explains that playing the piano gives him a unique satisfaction. He also appreciates the beautiful sound the instrument produces.
As for the type of music he enjoys playing, TheShy and his friend search for cool songs on YouTube. He is particularly interested in original soundtracks, such as those from Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away, classical pieces, and video game music.
While TheShy doesn’t have any formal certification in piano, he expresses his desire to pursue it further after retiring from esports. He even considers obtaining a certification in the future.
After spending five years with Invictus Gaming, where he played alongside Song “Rookie” Eui-jin, TheShy joined Weibo Gaming in 2022. Unfortunately, they finished 5th-6th place in Spring and 7th-8th place in Summer, failing to qualify for Worlds.
During the offseason, TheShy has been able to spend time with his best friend in Korea, going to the gym and cooking daily. Living in China, he couldn’t bring his piano with him, so he decided to learn the guitar instead. While he is self-taught in China, he took lessons from a teacher at a guitar academy during his vacation in Korea.
For more exclusive insights, check out ONE Esports’ interviews where TheShy discusses why he and Rookie didn’t end up on the same team this year, his thoughts on solo queue and livestreaming, and how he manages esports injuries.
Stay tuned to ONE Esports on Twitter for more League of Legends interviews, news, and updates.
Source: ONEESPORTS
