Suyong Hong

Suyong is serious, sensitive and initially discouraged. His declining results in Korea have convinced him that he may not possess the talent he once believed he had.

He becomes emotional when his ability is challenged because Go matters enormously to him. His frustration is directed as much toward himself as toward his opponents.

Suyong nevertheless retains the determination to improve. A meaningful game can restore his confidence because he is still searching for evidence that his earlier strength has not disappeared.

Suyong begins as a strong Korean research student who had previously occupied a high position before consecutive losses caused his ranking to fall.

His Go is strong enough to give Hikaru a serious game during the period immediately before Hikaru's professional examination. The match forces both players to read deeply and reveals Suyong's underlying potential despite his recent slump.

He subsequently develops into a Korean professional, validating the ability visible during his encounter with Hikaru.

Hikaru, Waya and Isumi visit various Go salons to sharpen themselves before the professional examination. At one salon they encounter Suyong, who is visiting Japan and struggling with confidence after his results in Korea deteriorated.

Suyong plays Hikaru in a serious game. Hikaru wins, but the quality of the match restores Suyong's determination rather than crushing it. Suyong returns to Korea motivated to continue pursuing professional Go.

Suyong later becomes a professional and remains connected to the elite young Korean scene, including Yeong-ha Ko. By the Hokuto Cup period, his progress provides another measure of how much both he and Hikaru have developed since their first meeting.

Hikaru Shindou plays Suyong during a difficult period in the Korean player's development. Although Suyong loses to Hikaru Shindou, the game restores his motivation to continue pursuing professional Go.

Yeong-ha Ko is an older Korean professional whom Suyong admires for his ability and dedication. Suyong also understands Yeong-ha Ko's provocative personality well enough to recognize when he is deliberately trying to get a reaction.

Yoshitaka Waya and Shinichirou Isumi are with Hikaru when he encounters Suyong at the Go salon.