Korea’s most talented, female StarCraft player is retiring

Being a female pro-gamer is not easy in South Korea, but, in that male dominated world, Seo Ji-Soo (aka ToSsGirl) was a pioneer. She was also the country’s last tournament active, female pro-gamer. “Was” being the key word because, as of this month, ToSsGirL will be retiring.

Known as “The Female Lim Yo-Hwan”, Seo decided to become a pro-gamer after seeing Lim play on TV. By the time she was 17, she qualified for the female StarCraft league - a league that she would later rule. Once the female league was disbanded, Seo switched to the male league, where she played well, but did not dominate like she had previously.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t meet expectations with stellar play,” Seo said late last month (via Naver). “I’ll never forget the love I got because I was a pro-gamer.”

Seo played Terran for the STX SouL team and she is determined to move on to the next chapter in her life. There will be a retirement ceremony for Seo during a league game on July 17. I’m sure we all wish her luck with whatever her next strategy is - whether she rushes in or takes it easy.