« Fighting Bang: Fighting Games Centers In South Korea Part 2 - Interview With CONG's BC McMild »

Along with Cafeid, there is another center in Seoul, South Korea dedicated to many fighting games and its players in the nation.

Culture Of New Generation, sometimes referred as CONG Tuh or simply CONG, is another Korean gaming center dedicated to fighting games. Opened on June 2013, CONG is the newer of the two major gaming centers in Korea next to Cafeid.

With contributions from Hoodman, you can read the full interview with CONG creator Byungchul "BC McMild" Kim after the jump! For more information, you can find CONG on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Twitch!

• Can you detail the history behind creating CONG?

I was originally a manager at Cafeid for 1 year and 7 months. I was responsible for graphic design and management. During my time at Cafeid, I really enjoyed teaching new players about fighting games and discussing all of it's elements with them. Over time I developed a vision for a new fighting game station. My goal was to focus on creating a comfortable environment for gamers and also to support less popular games.

• CONG is short for Cultre of the New Generation. What was the inspiration behind the name?

We believe the gaming sub culture doesn't get the same level of respect as other sub cultures in the mainstream. For example, if you tell someone you are a pro Chess player, you will get a higher praise than if you tell them you are a pro Street Fighter player. So with CONG we want to show that gaming culture deserves the same respect.

• What are the major goals and visions for CONG?

Panorama photo of CONG.Rather than being another gaming center, CONG is more modeled like a French salon. A meeting place where people can come together from all over the world to enjoy gaming culture. This includes discussing gaming strategy, sharing information, teaching clinics, and also high level training.

• How is the usual customer activity for CONG? What do they usually play?

Most of our activity happens after 6pm on the weekdays and all day on weekends. We attract various gamers in Seoul and also foreigners who are visiting and who also live here. All fighting games are currently offered at CONG. However, all except Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Injustice: Gods Among us have a steady player base.

• Are there any notable players in Seoul that come by and play?

Yes we have many notable high level players that visit. Some include Infiltration, Hydebuffy, BigDanMul, Laugh, Poongko, Lacid, Dongssss, Hyunmu, etc.

• Aside from housing stations where players can play fighting games, what other services do you guys provide?

Since we opened very recently, we still are getting our plans together. But our future plans are to host events and tournaments at CONG, as well as start our own podcast for the Korean scene.

• In a nation where the worldwide fighting game community recognizes the nation for Tekken, and to a lesser extent The King of Fighters, CONG have been streaming other fighting games including Street Fighter IV, Soulcalibur and Virtua Fighter. Are there any reasons for differentiating from the crowd?

Obviously Tekken is already well established in Korea. But what people don't know is that there are also dedicated players in other fighting games here as well. Our goal at CONG is not to differentiate from the crowd, but to provide a place for those other scenes to thrive.

• While there is Cafeid, what makes CONG stand out from that center as well as places like PC bangs and arcades in Seoul?

Our goal at CONG is to emphasize the many aspects of gaming culture. We want to create a comfortable environment for socializing and exchanging ideas. We want to show a side of gaming culture that is not only about being pro or increasing point rankings.

• For someone traveling to Korea and wanting to go places like CONG, how will they be able to get there and what else can they do around the area?

Map of CONG's location at as well as other areas of interest.CONG is currently registered on Google maps under "CONG Tuh." Aside from that we have attached a map showing how to get there from the Nambu subway station. CONG is located around the very popular Gangnam area of Seoul. There are many restaurants, Cafe's and shopping areas nearby.

• Are there any things people all around the world should look out for from CONG?

We are currently still developing our plans for CONG. But we look forward to a positive future for the gaming culture.