This blog post introduces how to naturally connect your childhood experiences of pouring passion into games to a genuine motivation for applying to Blizzard’s marketing role.
Growth Process
As a child, I was a kid who had a particularly strong interest in games. I even harbored dreams of becoming a pro gamer at one point, possessing a certain level of skill and instinct that allowed me to stand out among my peers. Of course, that level of skill only made me noticeable locally for a short while. When I ventured into national-level competitions, I was confronted with the reality that there were countless ‘monsters’ far more skilled than me. Faced with that reality, I ultimately had to let go of my dream.
My parents, who wanted me to focus on my studies, struggled daily to keep me from spending all my time at PC cafes or friends’ houses. Back then, I believed I had “quite a talent for learning and enjoying games, even if I wasn’t pro-level,” so I immersed myself in most newly released games, neglecting my grades. Looking back now, that period was reckless, yet it was also the most passionate time of my life.
Even as a child, I vaguely harbored the dream of “wanting to do something related to games,” but when it came to actually turning that path into reality, there were many walls to overcome. I realized my skills weren’t good enough to become a pro gamer, and I lacked the analytical thinking needed to tackle technical fields like development or programming. Despite my deep passion, I couldn’t find a clear direction. I repeatedly asked myself, with a touch of self-deprecation, “Maybe this isn’t my path?” enduring much internal conflict and doubt.
Yet, simply diving headfirst into the gaming industry just because I liked it came with too many burdens to bear. Realizing passion alone wasn’t enough, I ultimately chose the pragmatic compromise of “keeping it as a hobby.” After that, I lived a life one step removed, continuing small related activities like participating in gaming clubs or writing amateur game columns. As I adapted to this ordinary routine, I gradually felt a sense of stability in my life. Yet, simultaneously, an inexplicable feeling of dissatisfaction began to well up in a corner of my heart.
Outwardly, I seemed to be living without incident. But deep inside, a vague anxiety took root: “If I keep living like this, I might get by uneventfully for the rest of my life, but won’t it just be a life indistinguishable from anyone else’s?” That feeling wasn’t mere vanity or impatience; it became a catalyst for me to sincerely reflect on what I truly loved and wanted to excel at. And that contemplation is still guiding my direction within me today.
School Days: Memories of Passion and Growth Through Gaming
During my school days, I was completely immersed in gaming with my friends. We frequented PC bangs almost daily, enjoying games across various genres. Those times transcended mere entertainment for me; they became a whole world. Of course, my parents weren’t pleased with this side of me. Seeing me more absorbed in games than in studying, their worry was only natural. But ironically, the more my parents tried to curb it, the more passionately I immersed myself in gaming – I was a kind of ‘fiery type’. Those days of secretly enjoying games behind my parents’ backs were my own private pleasure and escape.
Playing games with people I met in online communities back then, sharing interests and communicating, was incredibly special. Even though they were just figures on the other side of the screen, we could easily connect through gaming. The sense of camaraderie formed within that shared understanding was surprisingly deep, even when I look back now. I prided myself on being quite skilled, but unexpectedly experiencing a crushing defeat made me realize I was a frog in a well. Thus, mingling with anonymous people in this new online space and forming relationships that were both unfamiliar and intimate was a great joy for me and an encounter with a new world.
Around middle school, I even vaguely dreamed of working in the game industry or becoming a pro gamer. However, upon entering high school and seriously contemplating my career path while preparing for college entrance exams, I collided with the wall of reality. Success in that field clearly demanded distinct talent and relentless effort, but a sober assessment of my own abilities revealed I fell somewhat short of knocking on that door. Above all, being a practical person, I quickly realized I possessed no qualities compelling enough to persuade my parents, and that realization sometimes left me adrift.
Ultimately, the path I chose was in the humanities, completely unrelated to games. Yet my interest and affection hadn’t vanished entirely. Rather, I refused to abandon that passion. Even though I chose to keep it as a hobby rather than a career, I remained captivated by the world of games and sustained my interest. Though my studies and career path changed, the pure curiosity and joy of immersion I’d felt since childhood still lived and breathed within me.
Looking back now, games were not merely leisure activities but precious experiences deeply embedded in my identity and growth. The passion, frustrations, realizations, and interest that transcended mere hobby during that time became the foundation that shaped who I am today, and I believe they will continue to influence my life in various ways going forward.
Personality Introduction
When I set out to achieve a goal, I strive to find a way to see it through to the end, even when faced with realistic difficulties. From a young age, I felt a deep fascination with games and nurtured a dream of working in a related field. However, I once went through a transitional period where I felt compelled to give up, facing the wall of reality because I felt lacking in both development skills and professional-level play ability. Even so, I didn’t easily let go of that dream. I didn’t recklessly ignore reality and charge ahead, wasting my life. Nor did I completely erase my dream and choose the path of a safe, uneventful existence. Instead, I protected myself within the harsh reality and constantly pondered a direction where I could cut through the wind and move forward. This tendency of mine—finding a compromise between reality and ideals while never relinquishing my will toward my dream—grew stronger over time. Eventually, even my parents were left speechless by my passion and persuasion, respecting my career choice.
Thus, I never consumed games as a mere hobby; I always strived to find my own potential and connections within them. Even if it wasn’t the traditional path of development or gameplay skill, I found interest in reviewing or analyzing games and in ways to share their value with more people. After long contemplation, I finally found my own answer to how I could contribute to the games I love, and through that process, I proved my passion was not in vain.
Values
“Even if we take a detour, let’s never give up.”
Sometimes, when we can’t move straight toward our immediate goal, we become frustrated or lose direction, veering off onto a completely different path. It’s like when the road we’re walking suddenly feels meaningless, and we get trapped in the thought, “Maybe I just don’t have the talent,” shutting ourselves off from all possibilities. But if we view life as a long journey, it’s extremely rare for anyone to start out with a perfectly solid foundation and innate talent, then sprint full speed toward their passion. What matters is not stopping, no matter what.
Many people who now excel in their fields didn’t walk a smooth path from the beginning. Rather, most endured their own hardships and twists and turns, reaching their current positions by persevering even when their goals seemed distant. Ultimately, what carried them there wasn’t mere talent, but patience to see the long view and wait, coupled with an unwavering mindset.
Life is far longer than we think, and its end far exceeds the scope of our imagination. No matter how deep or heavy the setbacks or failures you face now may feel, they might be just a single scene, a single paragraph in the story of your life. Therefore, there’s no need to stake everything on temporary despair. Instead, we must not lose faith that within the flow of life, we can ultimately move toward our respective goals. It’s okay to take detours sometimes. What matters is never abandoning that direction.
Reasons for Applying and Future Aspirations
Since childhood, I’ve maintained a steady interest in games, naturally nurturing a dream to work in the gaming industry. However, I experienced setbacks in my initial career path, feeling a disconnect between my natural aptitudes and the work I initially hoped for. Despite this, like a salmon returning to its birthplace, I never let go of my earnest desire to return to the gaming industry. Then, while taking marketing classes and working on projects in college, I realized I possessed a genuine interest and aptitude in this field. From that moment, a clear vision for my career path began to take shape. I became convinced that combining my enduring passion for games with my talent in marketing would allow me to perform my duties with more passion and results-oriented focus than anyone else. This conviction ultimately led me to apply to your company—the very organization that first planted the seed of my gaming dream.
If given the opportunity to contribute as a member of your team, I aim to leverage the deep understanding and affection cultivated through playing your games since childhood. I will effectively communicate your brand value and appeal to not only the current generation of gamers but also a broader demographic. I will strive to contribute to your company’s sustainable growth and brand expansion by employing marketing strategies that proactively anticipate and respond to the trends of the times, rather than merely maintaining the status quo or repeating existing methods. In a rapidly changing market, I firmly believe that to survive and gain competitiveness, it is crucial to adopt a proactive stance—cutting through the surface to seize opportunities—rather than passively being eroded by the waves. With this mindset and attitude, I will strive to be a talent who contributes, even in a small way, to your company’s future.
