It’s been yet another while, but today I’m happy to announce a small interview with South Korean darts player ‘Jaein Oh’, who participates in most of the PDC Asian Tours, the WDF World Masters and Open and soon the PDC World Youth Championship. At those tournaments, he played the likes of Paul Lim, Jelle Klaasen, Xiaochen Zong and Mathew Lee. I’ve known Jaein for a while now, so time to ask him some questions about his career in darts and what drives him to play all of these international tournaments (which obviously cost a lot). Please enjoy!
Jaein Oh at the WDF Winmau World Masters in 2022 in Assen, The Netherlands
Can you write an introduction about yourself?
Hi I’m Jaein Oh from South Korea. I’m 24 years old. I live in Seongnam city. My name pronunciation is same to Jane, but I am a boy : )
How and when did you start playing darts?
When I was 19. I worked at beer pub. There was a soft tip darts machine, so I first experienced it.
Can you tell something more about the darts scene in South Korea?
There are two soft tip darts leagues in Korea:
1. Dartslive Korea Stage
2. Phoenixdarts Perfect Korea
Unfortunately, Steel tip darts competitions are very few. Korea can do Soft tip darts, but Steel tip darts is hard to experience. When I practice Soft tip darts, I go to the Bar or Beer pub, The place where I go to practice is Magnum bar or Wero pub. These are located in Moran, Seongnam. When I practice steel tip darts, I usually practice at home using Nakka. Sometime I go to Wero pub because the owner hangs a steel tip darts board on the wall in the store for me.
Steel tip darts is obviously less popular than soft tip darts in South Korea. Why do you think is that?
Soft tip darts game can make money. When play the 501 games, we have to pay 1,000 won (0,61 pounds/0,71 euros) per leg. That’s it. And a lot of owners are concerned about the safety of Steel tip darts. So that’s why many people can’t experience about steel tip darts.
You play a lot of international tournaments (PDC Asian Tour, WDF Winmau Masters and Open, PDC World Youth Championship). What motivates you to travel all the way to play those tournaments?
My dream is to participate at the PDC World Championship. So I think I need more experience. It takes a lot of money to participate in international competitions, but I think I am investing for my dream
And can you tell something about your best experience at an international darts tournament? What moment or match has been memorable to you?
I remember a lot of matches. I have to choose the 2022 Winmau World Masters. Because I felt the wall from the world class players. That is make me more practice. (Jeain participated in the World Masters and Open where he played Jelle Klaasen).
You’re still young, how do you balance darts with work or studies?
My job in Korea is a traditionally rice cake baker. I have to get up very early. On Monday to Thursday, I work from 2am to 8pm. So I don’t have much sleeping time. I try to practice every day. I can sleep for 5 hours, but I use one hour to practice. I practice most of the time even on my day off.
Which darts player (or players) is or are your inspiration, and why?
Hyunchul Park. Because I think he is an all time legend in Korea. I’m a really big fan of him. He went to Japan for play darts, won the Japan Soft tip darts tournaments, and has a very good career in The World Softip darts tournaments and PDC Asian Tour.
What are your goals and aspirations for your darting career in the coming years?
Maybe not next month. Maybe not next year. But I promise. I will be World Champion
You also play the DARTSLIVE soft tip tournaments in South Korea. Can you tell something about those tournaments and your experience?
I only participated in one stage and I need to play more games, but I know there are many good players in Korea playing these tournaments.
Do you have a final message for the readers?
Hi I’m Jaein Oh. Thank you for reading the interview and if you want to know more about me follow my Instagram (jaeinohkr). Thank you!
AsianDarts 