Table 4 Topics related to the rise of Korean female Go professionals players in the interview.
From: Breaking the board: the rise of female Go players in Korea
Topic | Description | Quotes |
|---|---|---|
Representation Disparity | Differences in the proportion of players between male and female in the Go Community | “More women are starting Go, especially in their 20 s and 30 s. But as skill level rises, women drop out.” |
Performance Disparity | Differences in the playing ability and achievements between male and female players | “There is this lingering belief that men are naturally better at Go, which can be discouraging for female players.” |
Stereotypes and Bias | Prevailing societal expectations and beliefs about gender in the Go community | “Always felt girls were weaker at Go. Boys losing to girls feels like a big deal, even if skill is equal. I tried hard not to be intimidated, but it wasn’t easy.” |
Playing Style | Strategic approaches and tactics of individual players in the game of Go | “Female players show aggression, often unnecessarily. The difference lies in calculation of battle situations.” |
Engagement | Involvement and commitment of individual players to engage in the game of Go | “I dedicate just as much time and effort to training as male counterparts, if not more, even with exercising and meditating” |
Infrastructure | Systems and services for players including the access to resources, facilities, coaching, and competitions. | “Access to quality coaching and training facilities has improved, but there is still room for more competitions.” |
Financial Resources | Financial support and income for male and female players | “Women’s tournaments are booming, but prize money is too low. More resources will keep players engaged and attract newcomers.” |
Fan and Sponsor | Fandom and sponsorships for male and female players | “Sponsorships are crucial, and it’s encouraging to see more companies supporting female Go players.” |
Family Expectation | Pressures and expectations from families based on traditional gender roles. | “Having kids totally messes with your game. It’s tough to find time to study and practice when you are on kid duty” |
Physical Capability | Capacity for male and female players to maintain physical and mental stamina during games | “There’s a misconception that women can’t handle the long hours of intense concentration that Go requires.” |
Training Opportunity | Availability and quality of training resources for male and female players | “Thanks to the women’s national team system, top female players have unprecedented access to high-quality training.” |
Role models | Presence and influence of successful male and female players serving as inspirations and examples | “After Rui Naiwei won the Guksu title beating top players, I have dreamed of winning a world championship” |
