1. Early Life and Background
1.1. Birth and Upbringing
Kim Hyo-jong was born on November 2, 2000, in South Korea. Details about his early life and upbringing beyond his birthdate and nationality are not publicly available.
2. Professional Career
Kim Hyo-jong's professional journey in Overwatch esports was marked by his tenure with several prominent teams, achieving significant milestones and individual accolades before his retirement.
2.1. RunAway
Kim Hyo-jong started his professional Overwatch career as one of the founding members of the Korean team RunAway. He played his first official match on October 26, 2016, and quickly gained recognition for his skilled Genji play in Overwatch Apex Season 1.
2.1.1. Overwatch APEX
RunAway participated in all four seasons of the APEX tournament series, a premier Overwatch competition in South Korea. The team reached the finals twice, in Season 2 and Season 4, demonstrating their consistent high-level performance. Although RunAway did not secure a championship title in these APEX finals, Kim Hyo-jong's individual brilliance was recognized when he was named the MVP of APEX Season 4. Additionally, RunAway achieved runner-up finishes in the 2017 Overwatch Nexus Cup Summer and the Overwatch APAC Premier 2017.
2.1.2. Overwatch Contenders
Following the conclusion of the APEX series with the inception of the Overwatch League, RunAway transitioned to compete in the newly formed Overwatch Contenders (OWC) series. Kim Hyo-jong secured his first competitive Overwatch championship title in OWC Korea Season 2 of 2018. The team continued their success by winning another tournament championship at the Chinese NetEase Esports X Tournament in the month following their OWC victory.
2.2. Vancouver Titans
On December 1, 2018, the Aquilini Group announced the signing of Kim Hyo-jong, along with the entire RunAway roster, to their new Overwatch League expansion team, the Vancouver Titans, for the 2019 Overwatch League season.
2.2.1. League Debut and Major Achievements
During the initial three quarters of the 2019 Overwatch League season, the prevailing meta was the "GOATS" composition, which typically involved three tanks and three supports. Despite primarily being a damage player, Kim Hyo-jong adapted to this meta by playing the support hero Brigitte for the majority of this period. His performance on Brigitte was exceptional, as he ranked first among all Brigitte players in both damage dealt and healing done. The Vancouver Titans achieved remarkable success during this time, winning the Stage 1 finals and reaching the Stage 2 finals.
With the introduction of the "2-2-2 role lock" in Stage 4, which mandated teams to play two damage, two tank, and two support heroes, Kim Hyo-jong returned to his primary role as a damage player, showcasing his prowess on heroes like Genji and Mei. In Stage 4, he recorded the highest player impact rating in the league, a system used by the Overwatch League to evaluate player performance. The Titans concluded their impressive 2019 season by reaching the 2019 Overwatch League Grand Finals on September 29, 2019, where they ultimately fell to the San Francisco Shock with a score of 0-4.
2.2.2. Major Awards and Honors
Kim Hyo-jong received significant individual recognition during the 2019 Overwatch League season. He was selected for the 2019 Overwatch League All-Star Game, named an OWL Role Star, and notably earned the prestigious 2019 OWL Rookie of the Year award, highlighting his immediate impact on the league.
2.2.3. Roster Release
After a 2-2 start to the 2020 Overwatch League season, on May 6, 2020, the Vancouver Titans organization made the decision to release their entire roster, including Kim Hyo-jong. This mass release followed ongoing disputes between the team's management and its players.
2.3. New York Excelsior
Following his departure from the Vancouver Titans, Kim Hyo-jong quickly found a new team.
2.3.1. Team Joining and Activities
Kim Hyo-jong signed with the New York Excelsior on June 5, 2020. His debut match with the team took place on June 13, where the Excelsior secured a 3-0 victory over the Seoul Dynasty. By the end of the regular season, his continued strong performance led to his selection as a 2020 Overwatch League All-Star.
2.3.2. Playoff Elimination and Retirement
The New York Excelsior's journey in the 2020 season concluded with their elimination from playoff contention after a 0-3 loss to the Seoul Dynasty in the Asia-Pacific playoff bracket. Following this defeat, Kim Hyo-jong initially announced his intention to take an indefinite break from Overwatch, while still planning to play for the Excelsior in Season 4. However, on October 20, 2020, the New York Excelsior officially announced Kim Hyo-jong's retirement from professional Overwatch. The Korean source also states his official retirement date as October 22, 2020.
3. National Team Career
3.1. 2019 Overwatch World Cup
On July 26, 2019, Kim Hyo-jong was selected as a member of Team South Korea to represent his country in the 2019 Overwatch World Cup. With the national team, Kim Hyo-jong earned a bronze medal. The team advanced to the semifinals, where they were defeated by Team USA, but they secured third place by defeating Team France in the bronze medal match.
4. Post-retirement Activities
4.1. Streaming Career
After retiring from professional Overwatch, Kim Hyo-jong successfully transitioned into a career as an internet broadcaster. He actively engages with his audience on various streaming platforms, including AfreecaTV and YouTube. On December 15, 2020, he moved his primary streaming activities from Twitch to AfreecaTV. His dedication and popularity as a broadcaster were recognized on March 31, 2021, when he was selected as a "Best BJ" (Broadcasting Jockey) on AfreecaTV.
5. Personal Life
Beyond his professional esports and streaming careers, limited information is publicly available regarding Kim Hyo-jong's personal life.
6. Assessment and Impact
Kim Hyo-jong, known by his alias Haksal, is widely regarded as one of the most mechanically skilled and versatile players in Overwatch history. He was particularly celebrated for his aggressive and precise playstyle on Genji, often making highlight-reel plays with the hero's Dragonblade ultimate. His adaptability was further demonstrated by his top-tier performance on Brigitte during the dominant GOATS meta, where he excelled in both damage and healing contributions. His ability to perform at an elite level across different roles and hero pools showcased his exceptional game sense and individual talent.
His career is highlighted by significant achievements, including an APEX Season 4 MVP award, an Overwatch Contenders Korea Season 2 championship, and numerous accolades in the Overwatch League such as Rookie of the Year, Role Star, and All-Star selections. Haksal's impact extended beyond individual statistics; he was a key figure in the success of RunAway, a beloved team known for its underdog spirit, and played a crucial role in the Vancouver Titans' dominant 2019 season. His transition to a successful streaming career post-retirement further solidified his influence within the esports ecosystem, allowing him to continue engaging with fans and contributing to the gaming community.