To everyone else though, as a beginner how can I get people interested in LEARNING KoF with me? It seems like the only people who want to learn are at Juice's stream, but I want some offline action too. I got a friend of mine to get the game based on the art/characters, but he has NO interest in actually learning or improving.
The way to get people to be interested in learning KOF is to not try to get them interested in all.
The interest and desire has to come solely from them. If they want to learn and want to improve they need to have that within themselves. You can't really GET anyone to become interested, they have to be inspired.
The way to inspire people is that you have to do it yourself, and make it known that it is fun and enjoyable.
I didn't try at all to get people interested in KOF in my local scene. All I did was make it known that I play, that I enjoy the game and that I want to get better. Then the truly interested people came to me (or they found me).
Just keep playing, keep practicing and letting people know that you play KOF. Don't be annoying with it on some "my game is better than yours" type stuff. You gotta be care-free with it.