1. Overview
Park Jungsang (박정상Korean; born August 23, 1984) is a South Korean professional Go player. Born in Seoul, he became a professional in 2000 and rose to prominence as a dedicated and competitive player. His career highlights include winning the 19th Fujitsu Cup in 2006, a major international Go tournament, which led to his special promotion to 9 dan and exemption from military service. Park Jungsang has also achieved success in numerous domestic tournaments, including the SK Gas Cup and the Osram Cup. Beyond his playing career, he is known for his roles as a Go commentator for major South Korean broadcasters like KBS and Baduk TV, and as a national team coach.
2. Childhood and Education
Park Jungsang was born on August 23, 1984, in Seoul, South Korea. His father, a middle school mathematics teacher, introduced him to Go at a young age, hoping it would foster good manners and concentration. Park began learning Go in kindergarten and quickly showed exceptional talent. At the age of seven, he secured third place in a national children's Go competition, an achievement that inspired him to pursue a professional Go career. In his early years, he also achieved notable results in amateur tournaments, including a third-place finish in the kindergarten division of the KBS Baduk Festival and runner-up finishes in the 1994 Orion Cup and the 1995 Kim Seong-jun Cup.
For his education, Park Jungsang attended Seoul Ongok Elementary School, Chungam Middle School, and Chungam High School. He later pursued higher education at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, where he majored in Chinese Language.
3. Professional Go Player Career
Park Jungsang's professional Go career spans from his debut in 2000 to his significant achievements in both domestic and international tournaments, as well as his consistent participation in the Korean Baduk League. He is known for his strong competitive drive and diligent effort, which have been hallmarks of his journey through the ranks of professional Go.
3.1. Professional Debut and Early Career
Park Jungsang officially became a professional Go player in 2000, having been the top-ranked research student at the time. He gained his professional status through the 86th General Entrance Examination, where he emerged successful from a four-way tie-breaker against Kim Hwan-su, Heo Yeong-ho, and Park Seung-hyeon, winning three games. Soon after his debut, he established himself as a rising star in the Go world. In 2001, as a 2 dan player, he made his debut in the Samsung Fire & Marine Cup World Open, where he advanced to the quarterfinals, defeating strong players like Wang Ming-wan and Gu Li.
His early professional success continued in 2004 when he secured his first professional title by winning the SK Gas Cup Rookie Pro 10-Player Tournament. That same year, he was recognized with the Rookie of the Year award at the Korea Baduk Awards. Park Jungsang was promoted to 4 dan in 2003. His competitive spirit was notably demonstrated early in his career; it is said that upon hearing of Park Yeong-hun's professional debut in 1999, he expressed strong skepticism about such a "weak player" entering the professional ranks, even shaving his head in frustration, though the two later became close friends.
3.2. Major Titles and Achievements
Park Jungsang's career is marked by several significant victories and strong performances in both international and domestic competitions, solidifying his reputation as a top-tier player. From 2007 to 2011, he was considered a key player in the "waist" of Korean Go, consistently achieving strong results in major tournaments.
Park Jungsang's annual win-loss records during a notable period of his career are as follows:
- 2006: 62 wins, 32 losses
- 2007: 59 wins, 32 losses
- 2008: 52 wins, 28 losses
- 2009: 30 wins, 21 losses
- 2010: 41 wins, 19 losses
3.2.1. International Tournament Results
Park Jungsang's most significant international achievement came in 2006 when he won the 19th Fujitsu Cup, one of the most prestigious international Go tournaments. On his path to victory, he achieved upset wins against top players from China, South Korea, and Japan, ultimately defeating Zhou Heyang in the final. This victory was particularly noteworthy as it continued South Korea's impressive streak of nine consecutive international tournament wins. As a result of this triumph, he received a special promotion from 6 dan to 9 dan and was granted military service exemption. Following his Fujitsu Cup win, he famously stated, "I will become stronger until I die."
Other notable international performances include:
- 2001: Reached the quarterfinals of the Samsung Fire & Marine Cup World Open.
- 2006: Advanced to the quarterfinals of the LG Cup World Go Championship.
- 2007: Was the runner-up in the Zhonghuan Cup World Championship.
- 2008: Earned a silver medal in the men's individual event at the 1st World Mind Sports Games.
- 2012: Reached the round of 16 in the Baekryeong Aitou Cup World Go Open.
- 2014: Participated in the Baekryeong Cup.
3.2.2. Domestic Tournament Results
Within South Korea, Park Jungsang has also secured multiple titles and strong finishes:
- 2004: Won the SK Gas Cup Rookie Pro 10-Player Tournament.
- 2005: Won the Go Masters God of War tournament, defeating Won Seong-jin in the final.
- 2006: Won the Osram Korea Cup Rookie Consecutive Win Strongest Tournament.
- 2006: Was the runner-up in the Electronic Land Cup King of Kings tournament, losing 0-2 to Lee Chang-ho in the final.
- 2006: Reached the semifinals of the Korean Kiseong.
- 2007: Was the runner-up in the Maxim Cup Insin Yeonseung Choegangjeon.
- 2014-2015: Reached the semifinals of the Maxim Coffee Cup Insin Yeonseung Choegangjeon.
The following table summarizes his major domestic and international titles and runner-up finishes:
| Domestic | ||
|---|---|---|
| Title | Wins | Runners-up |
| Maxim Cup | 1 (2007) | |
| King of Kings | 1 (2006) | |
| SK Gas Cup | 1 (2004) | |
| Osram Cup | 1 (2006) | |
| Total | 2 | 2 |
| International | ||
| Fujitsu Cup | 1 (2006) | |
| Zhonghuan Cup | 1 (2007) | |
| World Mind Sports Games | 1 (2008) | |
| Total | 1 | 2 |
| Career total | ||
| Total | 3 | 4 |
3.3. Korean Baduk League
Park Jungsang has been a consistent participant in the Korean Baduk League for over a decade, demonstrating steady performance. He has contributed to his teams' successes, including championship titles.
| Season | Team | Place | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Beom-yang Construction | 5-2 | |
| 2005 | Shinseong Construction | Champions | 3-4 |
| 2006 | Kixx | Champions | 9-5 |
| 2007 | Kixx | 7th place | 7-5 |
| 2008 | Kixx | 8th place | 6-8 |
| 2009 | Shinan Taepyeong | 5th place | 7-5 |
| 2010 | Yeongnam Ilbo | 9th place | 9-7 |
| 2011 | Yeongnam Ilbo | 8-5 | |
| 2012 | Kixx | 9-8 | |
| 2013 | SK Energy | 6-8 | |
| 2015 | Hwaseong City | Participation |
3.4. Promotion Record
Park Jungsang's progression through the professional Go ranks is marked by consistent advancement, culminating in a special promotion to 9 dan.
| Rank | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 dan | 2000 | Became a professional Go player. |
| 4 dan | 2003 | |
| 6 dan | 2006 | Promoted prior to winning the Fujitsu Cup. |
| 9 dan | 2006 | Special promotion from 6 dan for winning the 19th Fujitsu Cup. |
4. Playing Style and Philosophy
Park Jungsang is characterized as a "power fighter" (力戦派Rikisen-haJapanese), indicating a preference for complex, aggressive, and often combative games where he seeks to gain advantages through fierce fighting rather than quiet positional play. His competitive spirit is a defining aspect of his approach to Go. He has expressed a deep commitment to continuous improvement, famously stating, "I will become stronger until I die," after his Fujitsu Cup victory. Among other Go players, he holds Go Seigen in high regard as a respected figure and influence on his game.
5. Broadcasting and Coaching Career
Beyond his active playing career, Park Jungsang has significantly contributed to the Go community through his roles in broadcasting and coaching. Since 2013, he has served as a Go commentator for KBS Baduk Wangjeon and Baduk TV. He is highly regarded by Go fans for his commentary, which is praised for its clarity, rapid reading of positions, and logical explanations. His ability to articulate complex Go concepts in an understandable manner has made him a popular figure in Go broadcasting. In addition to his commentary work, Park Jungsang has also taken on a coaching role, serving as a national team coach since 2016, where he helps train and develop the next generation of South Korean Go players.
6. Personal Life
Park Jungsang is married to Kim Yeo-won, who is also involved in the Go community as a Baduk TV host and a strong amateur player. They were married in 2011. Outside of Go, Park Jungsang's personal interests include playing soccer.
7. Legacy and Recognition
Park Jungsang is recognized for his significant contributions to the sport of Go, particularly in South Korea. His victory at the Fujitsu Cup cemented his place among the elite international Go players and brought further prestige to South Korean Go. Throughout his career, he has been noted for his unwavering effort and dedication to the game, consistently performing at a high level in the demanding Korean Baduk League for over a decade. His transition into roles as a respected commentator and national team coach further highlights his lasting impact on the Go community, demonstrating his commitment to promoting and developing the sport beyond his competitive playing days.