Alarm (gamer)

Kim Kyeong-bo (Korean: 김경보, July 21, 2001 – November 2021), better known by his online alias Alarm, was a South Korean professional Overwatch support player in the Overwatch League (OWL). He began his career in 2016, signing with BK Stars, and later played for Lunatic-Hai and Fusion University of Overwatch Contenders (OWC). In his time with Fusion University, Kim won four OWC regional championships and won the OWC interregional Atlantic Showdown tournament.

In this Korean name, the family name is Kim.
Alarm
Personal information
Name김경보
(Kim Kyeong-bo)
BornJuly 21, 2001
DiedNovember 2021 (aged 20)
NationalitySouth Korean
Career information
GameOverwatch
Playing career2016–2021
RoleSupport
Number17
Team history
2016–2017BK Stars
2017–2018Lunatic-Hai
2018–2019Fusion University
2020–2021Philadelphia Fusion
Career highlights and awards

Kim signed with the Philadelphia Fusion of the OWL ahead of the 2020 season. He was named the OWL's Rookie of the Year, nominated for the league's Most Valuable Player award, named a 2020 All-Star, and awarded with a Role Star commendation that year. Kim died in November 2021.

Professional career

Early career

Kim began his playing career with team BK Stars in 2016, playing in the South Korean tournament series Overwatch Apex.[1] He began as a tank player, before changing to a support player in 2017.[2] After three seasons with limited success in Apex, BK Stars disbanded.[3] In 2017, Kim signed with South Korean team Lunatic-Hai,[4] although the team disbanded shortly thereafter.[3]

Kim signed with Fusion University, the academy team of the Philadelphia Fusion, in 2018, competing in Overwatch Contenders North America.[4] In his first season, he won OWC North America, after Fusion University defeated Toronto Esports, 4–1 in the finals.[5] He and the team found continued success, winning the following three seasons of OWC North America.[6] Following his fourth North America title, Kim won the interregional OWC Atlantic Showdown tournament.[7]

Philadelphia Fusion

After turning 18, Kim was promoted from the Fusion University, joining the Philadelphia Fusion of the Overwatch League for the 2020 season.[8] During his rookie season, Kim played on a variety of different support heroes, helping the Fusion place as runners-up in three of the league's midseason tournaments.[9][10] The Fusion had their best season in franchise history, finishing second in the regular season standings; however, the team lost in the first round of the Grand Finals bracket.[9] In the 2020 season, Kim was nominated for the league's most valuable player award, was awarded a Role Star commendation, selected to participate in the 2020 All-Star Game, and won the Rookie of the Year award.[11][12][13]

Legacy

On May 5, 2022, the Overwatch League renamed their Rookie of the Year award to the Alarm Rookie of the Year Award, in remembrance of Kim.[14] Kim's number 17 jersey was retired by the Fusion on February 27, 2023.[15]

Personal life

Kim was born on July 21, 2001.[3][16] He died in November 2021; the cause of death was not reported.[17]

References
  1. Czarnowski, Michael (October 3, 2020). "Alarm wins Overwatch League Rookie of the Year". Upcomer. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  2. Qu, Bonnie (November 17, 2021). "Remembering Alarm, his impact on the Overwatch League and beyond". Upcomer. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  3. Qu, Bonnie (January 4, 2020). "Raising the Alarm". Overwatch League. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  4. Alford, Aaron (October 5, 2020). "Overwatch League names Rookie and Coach of the Year Awards". Hotspawn. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  5. Meyer, Guilherme (May 14, 2018). "In Case you Missed Anything: Esports Weekend + Monday News Recap". Inven Global. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  6. Feng, Evie (May 6, 2019). "Fusion University extends reign as 4-time Contenders Champions". NBC Sports Philadelphia. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  7. Jing Hao-liang (June 5, 2019). "Takeaways from the 2019 Overwatch Atlantic Showdown". NBC Sports Philadelphia. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  8. Peres, Pedro (October 30, 2019). "Philadelphia Fusion reveal 2020 Overwatch League roster". Dot Esports. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  9. Alford, Aaron (December 30, 2020). "Best Overwatch League players in 2020". Dot Esports. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  10. Shelp, Malik (December 30, 2020). "ESTNN Overwatch Player of the Year". ESTNN. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  11. Ashcraft, Brian (November 8, 2021). "Pro Overwatch Player Kim "Alarm" Kyeong-Bo Dies At 20". Kotaku. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  12. Campbell, Kyle (November 8, 2021). "The esports world mourns the tragic loss of Kim 'Alarm' Kyeong-Bo". For The Win. USA Today. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  13. "Overwatch League announces All-Star teams". Reuters. September 17, 2020. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  14. Czar, Michael (May 5, 2022). "Overwatch League rename Rookie of the Year award to honor Alarm". Upcomer. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  15. Seoul Infernal [@Infernal] (February 27, 2023). "Today we honor three legends by retiring jerseys # 17, # 18, # 21" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  16. Seoul Infernal [@Infernal] (July 21, 2023). "Happy birthday to our two precious people, @poko & @alarm" (Tweet). Retrieved July 21, 2023 – via Twitter.
  17. Moore, Jared (November 8, 2021). "Overwatch League Pro Kim "Alarm" Kyeong-Bo Dies, Aged 20". IGN. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
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