Arrow talks about returning to the LCS, his time on Immortals and his favorite career memory

Immortals AD Carry Arrow sat with Gamelevate to discuss his return to the LCS stage, his time on Immortals and reflects on his long career.

Immortals AD Carry Noh “Arrow” Dong-hyeon has had a storied career. From winning the LCK to being an MVP on Phoenix1, Arrow continues to strive for the best. Now, returning to the LCS with Immortals, he’s looking to continue his growth as a player and help Immortals be successful.

The following interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Arrow, thank you so much for talking to us today! Can you tell me what it’s been like returning to the LCS?

First of all, it’s really good. I’m really happy. That’s basically it but, it’s not like, I completely satisfied with it, you know. I have to work on it; I want to be the best in the LCS too. I’m happy, but I’m not satisfied. I have to work harder than this one.

So many fans know you from your very storied career throughout, not only in the LCS but also for your time on KT Rolster. And I want to ask you, what was it like returning back to professional play? I know you’ve had some time in the amateur scene in North America and Academy, so what has it been like returning to the LCS?

So I went back to Korea around 2020, and over the years, I kept practicing, playing solo queue. I was waiting for the opportunity and in the middle of processing my green card. And now, with the green card, I played Amateur with Wildcard Amateur Team. Before in Korea, I was just chilling and playing solo queue. It was not that great. It was good that I spent the time with my friends and family, but it just wasn’t good not to play in a competition. Just solo queue. There wasn’t a certain goal.

But once I’m in the team, even though it was an amateur team with Wildcard, it’s sort of a competition game, so I felt better. And I liked it. I then had a goal the next year, and I wanted to start in the academy and ultimately the LCS. That was my process.

So you did get your big break returning to the LCS on Immortals. I know that you are splitting time with WildTurtle, and I want to know what has it been like playing so far for both the academy and main LCS rosters of Immortals?

I don’t know how to explain the difference. I mean, I spent so much time with the Academy team it’s like my roommate Joey is the academy support. Maybe I think that LCS games make me feel more nervous, you know? I have to play better. I have to play well. So it’s kind of nervous for me when I playback in the LCS. But yeah, I don’t know how to explain it. I guess that’s as simple as in the LCS; I have more pressure for me. I have to get used to doing it now.

You mentioned you are roommates with Joey, and now you’ve been working with Destiny on the main roster. What has it been like working with these two supports?

They’re really good to get feedback from. If there is a certain [situation] that we have to find a solution for, we just talk to each other and find it. I feel they are both are very good supports right now, and I like the confidence on their calls whenever they say they should engage.

I want to ask about the previous weekend. Immortals went 0-2 but had some close games against Team Liquid and Evil Geniuses. What are your thoughts on the past weekend?

Honestly, losing sucks, and it feels bad. We made some small mistakes, and it snowballed as the game progressed. I think it was a small mistake about communication, and then I felt that everyone made a small mistake that was bigger. I don’t think we played great as a team, so I guess that’s why we lost as a team. [EG and TL] played better as a team.

But I don’t think we played it that much worse than the enemy. It was a close game, and I think it was very close in the game. Honestly, it’s fine. They were good teams, and it was a close game. I think it can be better, and we can be better.

I talked to another AD Carry in Johnsun last week, and he was talking about how the AD Carry meta is a little boring because it’s just Jinx and Aphelios, and I wanted to get your thoughts on the AD Carry meta?

The meta champions are quite boring. I’m not going to lie. One of the reasons is because of how the turret plates work and because of the herald. Basically, they’re strong, like at two core items or even three core items. Some champions are just OP with the long-range as well. So they must find a balance, and it’s kind of boring.

I know you don’t want to give any team secrets away, but is there any champion you have enjoyed playing lately?

I’ve enjoyed playing Zeri, Ezreal, Ashe because I don’t want to play boring champions only. I want to play some other champions too.

So as I said at the beginning of the interview, you’ve had a very storied career. And as you have been playing throughout the season, what’s something that you’ve been learning about yourself as a player throughout playing in both Academy and LCS?

There are many things that I notice, but sometimes on the stage, it’s harder to speak up. It’s harder to speak than not to speak, but rather, you have to trust your decision. And then we have to do that as a team. So what I noticed, I think it’s decent sometimes, but I have to speak and trust myself. So I have to speak up so I can express my opinion to my team and decide.

Do you have any goals of your own that you want to accomplish this split?

Well, it’s going to be a long way to be the best player. I want to enjoy it. I don’t want to get pressured to play better, that I have to play well. Of course, I have to perform, but you shouldn’t feel pressured, and you shouldn’t get nervous that much. I want to play naturally. That will be my goal.

Is there anyone in the LCS you’re looking forward to facing off against?

Not really.

You’re playing Cloud9 and Dignitas QNTMPAY this weekend. Any thoughts heading into those games?

I think C9 and Dignitas look so strong. I didn’t expect it that much. Especially C9 and Fudge Mid Lane. He is playing really well. More than I thought. I hope it’s a good, fun game.

For Dignitas, their AD Carry is Neo. When I was on Optic Gaming, he was the Academy AD Carry. So I want to have fun in that matchup as well.

Two more questions before we end the interview. You had a long career. And it’s still growing. Is there any moment throughout your entire LCS or LCK that you really look back on? 

Definitely, when I won LCK Summer, it was one of my favorite moments. Also, on Phoenix1, when I was the MVP. Those are good memories, but I think I’m pretty much enjoying IMT this moment.

Lastly, is there anything you’d like to say to fans of Immortals who are reading Gamelevate’s articles?

Thanks for watching us. Our fans and my fans here. Even though we went 0-2, I want to say, first off, keep cheering for us. Especially the fans who encourage us and leave helpful messages. It’s very beneficial for us. And we want to trust ourselves, our teammates, each other. I want to trust myself. We want to improve. We don’t want to lose. So just keep cheering for us. Thank you so much.