River talks about adjusting to North America, Jarvan IV and goals for the Spring Split

Dignitas QNTMPAY’s jungler River sat with Gamelevate to discuss his reactions after Day 1 of Week One in the LCS Spring Split, adjusting to life in North America and his goals in North America.

With new players joining the LCS this year, no role has been more impacted than the jungle. New talent from across the world came to North America — including former PSG Talon jungler Kim “River” Dong-woo. River is no stranger to the world of League of Legends, having helped PSG to an incredible run at the 2021 Mid Season Invitational and helping Dignitas upset 100 Thieves in the Lock In Tournament.

The following interview has been edited for clarity and length. We would like to thank Dignitas QNTMPAY’s manager Toby Kwan who provided translations

River, thank you so much for speaking with me. The last time we spoke was at MSI, and a lot has happened. And now you have come over to America. So I want to ask you, what has it been like your first few weeks in North America?

Life is good, but obviously, it’s my first time in NA, and then I’ve been living in a different country for the entirety of my life. So I’m trying to adapt to a new environment, city, and country.

When you first arrived, you literally jumped right into scrims, and you really helped Dignitas make it to the semi-finals of Lock In. What has it been like so far working with Dignitas QNTMPAY?

So obviously, my English level is not that great. There’s a lot of communication, not the issue but the communication that I’ll set up no problem myself and the whole team. But I’m trying to get used to it. So at this moment, we wouldn’t say that our synergy is perfect, but we try to have a lot of things to work on as communication-wide and on the team side. So we’re working on a lot of stuff.

One of the most critical questions that were asked of Dignitas on social media is, why do they get Gragas and Jarvan IV so many times? So I want to ask you: you’ve been playing a lot of Jarvan IV recently. What makes you enjoy playing this champion?

So always, Jarvan IV as himself and as a champion is really great for the ganking, and obviously, Jarvan IV has a lot of pressure. And any team can have a lot of pressure because of the Jarvan IV. But personally, I don’t really like to play Jarvan IV. But then our bottom lane would really prefer to have me playing in Jarvan IV, so that’s why I pick it a lot.

So, I’ve been talking to many junglers recently, and I’ve been asking them about the map changes with the Hextech Drake and formerly Chemtech Drake. What are your thoughts on the new jungle changes?

I believe that after this patch, it will be no more. I want to say that I don’t want the map to change anything after we get the dragon because I think if you’re the winning chain, it really helps a lot, especially with changing the things like that. So personally, I want to get rid of the changing dragons and stuff.

When we last spoke at MSI last year, you were on PSG Talon, who made it to the semi-finals of MSI, and previous Worlds, you made it to the group stage but did not make the knockout. But you still have evolved so much as a player. What are your goals for this upcoming year?

So personally, my goal is obviously I want to show what I can do and that I can be a good jungler mechanic-wise and strategy-wise, and I’m going to show them that I’m a good jungler. At the same time, I want to go to the World Championship with Dignitas QNTMPAY.

Tomorrow, you guys play TSM, and you’re going to face Spica. Do you have any thoughts as to that matchup?

Obviously, Spica is a good player. I just have to stay humble, you know, don’t get too cocky, and I will play my style, and it should be good to go.

Is there any other jungler you’re looking to face off against?

Blaber from Cloud9.

We talked about early in the interview how you just moved to North America. Is there any food you really liked in North America?

For me, I really haven’t had a lot of stuff, but I think the steakhouse we went to after we won versus 100 Thieves, that steak was really good.

Finally, is there anything you’d like to say to fans of Dignitas QNTMPAY?

We just started our season, and we’re delighted that we won today, and obviously, we want to continue getting wins. And then we like to show all the fans all that we can do, and then how far we can go and stuff. So thank you so much for your support.