North America’s superstar mid-laner, Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg, recently shared details on his journey to success. In a video presented by Riot Games and Honda, he talks about his experience with the LCS’s most successful team, TSM. Let’s dive in deep on what he has to say, from the start of his career to when he hit rock bottom.
Bjergsen’s drive
Bjergsen introduces himself humbly as someone who began as a “nobody” with little experience when he first started playing for TSM. Born in Denmark, he was new to North America and found it difficult to settle in. “Some people might say I was an up-and-coming talent,” he said, “and I believe that too, but I wasn’t successful by any means. I hadn’t accomplished anything.” He continues, “I wasn’t brought over because I was this guy who was like smashing EU…I was in relegation when they picked me up.”
Later on, filling in for TSM captain and owner Andy “Reginald” Dinh in 2014 was tough. As they didn’t find success in the season 2 World Championships, the team took on some major changes. “Especially filling Reginald’s shoes, I really need to prove myself and I really need to work my ass off,” he considered. After working hard that season, he helped TSM win first-place standing in the NA 2014 LCS Spring Split. In the first four years with TSM, he ended up winning five titles and 2 MVPs.
TSM highs and lows
After leading TSM through 8 straight LCS finals, he talked about what it is like being a veteran in the field. “I think it can definitely seem harder to be driven as more of a veteran compared to some of these younger players.” He continues, “The drive that a more veteran player like myself has is more about these incremental improvements.”
He spoke about the perspective that many players have for the Korean work ethic. This includes playing 10 to 14 hours a day, with no priority in sleep. In 2018, Bjergsen tried to follow this work ethic. “That kind of led me to putting excessive pressure on myself and just made me play worse.” In the Spring Playoff Quarterfinals, TSM lost to Clutch Gaming. This was the first time TSM had ever been defeated in the Quarterfinals. This led to some harsh criticism of Bjergsen and his teammates.
Throughout the last months of the year, Bjergsen shared that he did consider leaving TSM, and he had discussions with Dinh about his plans with TSM. Ultimately, they worked things out though.
Now, good things are to come for the next year. Bjergsen recently signed a 2-year extension to stay with the team, making him the longest-tenured player in its history. Dinh also offered him a spot to become part-owner of TSM. “2020 is really for this year to be the year where I truly feel like I’m filling into Regi’s shoes and I am truly leading the team in many aspects,” said Bjergsen.
Respect among peers
In some final words in the Honda video, Dinh shows his never-ending support for his fellow teammate. “Bjergsen’s pretty much like the guy I always wanted to stand behind. I’m really proud of him. I’m always going to support him whether he’s a pro player or pretty much anything he wants to basically take on in life.”
