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Over the course of its still relatively short life, Starcraft II has seen a multitude of rivalries that have come to define different eras of the game. Some would say
MarineKing and 
FruitDealer had one such relation, most would agree that MarineKing and Mvp certainly do, and it’s hard to argue that MMA and DongRaeGu didn’t have one of the most defining rivalries of 2011.Certainly, there are others:
Marineking and DongRaeGu and their endless struggles to win infinity MLG trophies.
Polt and Stephano certainly qualifies, with their many match-ups across North America and Europe that . Same goes for 
PartinG and BaBy, whose rivalry was started by a ceremony that was provocative to say the least.It’s always easy to look back and say “Hey, those two had a pretty cool story going”. Looking ahead, though – predicting which rivalries will shape up and become truly defining is much more difficult.
Having followed the Korean scene as closely as possible for the last few months, I decided to write this piece, going in-depth into what I think will be one of the first and most defining player rivalries of 2013; that of Lee Dong Nyung and Lee Seung Hyun, better known as
Leenock and Life – two of Korea’s greatest Zerg players. One is a veteran of the scene, having been around, consistently improving since he first appeared in GSL Open Season Two. The other is still the relative necomer, going from someone you would count on in online competitions with mediocre competition to GSL’s first and only Royal Roader over the course of the last few months. These are the guys I’m talking about:
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/HPuAq.jpg)
And these guys may look cute holding their trophies with huge grins on their faces in post-game interviews, but make no mistake – they are stone-cold killers. Leenock boasts a 137-80 (63%) record in the international circuit, and 168-120 (58.33%) in the Korean for a grand total of 305-200 (65.57%). Historically, ZvT has been his strongest match-up, considered among the best in the match-up for a long time.
Though Life did not appear on the scene until much later, his record is no less formidable. 99-53 (65.13%) in the international circuit and 198-122 (61.88%) for a total of 297-175(58.92%).
Life originally impressed as an absolute monster in ZvZ, though he himself has stated that he no longer feels as confident against Zerg as he does against Terran and Zerg.
Both players have among the most impressive kill lists in the world, with wins over pretty much every player worth his salt, and many more. That you are a GSL champion impresses neither of them, and the fact that both remain calm under pressure is but one of the thing that makes every one match-up between the two a true treat to watch.
There is no denying that Life and Leenock are similar in many ways. Both have mechanics that few can rival. They both have the unit control to make Zerg look completely and utterly imbalanced (and I’m not talking about the hotly debated Infestor/Brood Lord; I’m talking about general Zergling/Baneling and Mutalisk control) and push the race far beyond what it could normally do.
While Leenock pushes out innovative and sometimes completely insane strategies using every unit in the Zerg arsenal, Life is hardly a stranger to the unorthodox and the hyper-aggressive all-in. Nydus play is a common occurance, whether it is Leenock playing, or Life.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/s8YVY.png)
All it takes is one mistake for one to annihilate the other.
But what makes the relation between these two great players different from the relationship between any other two title contenders? Why is Leenock – Life any different from any other two top players? My answer is their history, and the prospects of many more important series that are to come.
Smashing the newcomer
Before Life broke out onto the scene, the two had only played once before – in the ninth incarnation of FXO’s King of the Hill Korea, in September 2011, where the relatively unknown Life defeated the GSL regular and certainly more accomplished player in Leenock.
Leenock didn’t let such an insignificant loss worry him, as he went back to practice and came back in form for MLG Providence and GSL November, winning the former and placing second in the latter.
Almost a year would pass before the two met again, in GSL Code A. Leenock was once again the favorite, and this time he performed to expectations, eliminating the then-ZeNEX player.
Life didn't look like he was ever close in the series, every attempt at anything being thwarted by the much more experienced Leenock, who destroyed him in a quick and rather painless 2-0, ultimately prevent Life from getting into Code S. Leenock didn't look even a little bit moved after the series, confidently showing that he was the superior player.
On equal footing
Several months passed, with Leenock bringing FXO to a GSTL trophy and Life slowly but surely coming into the public eye, placing second in TSL4 behind CreatorPrime.
When the two Zergs eventually met again, it was in the finals of one of the most stacked and hyped tournaments of the year: MLG Dallas.
Above is one of the most nail-bitingly intense ZvZs of last year, the epic clash of two ZvZ experts. Leenock had taken the early lead in the series, going up 3-1. But Life showed why he was the latest GSL champion, staying composed and clawing his way back into the series. After stellar play from both players, the Startale player ended up taking the narrow win over FXO’s ace, setting the stage for a grudge match the next time the two were to meet.
And they did meet again, roughly a month later – at IPL5. This time, Leenock returned the favor, delivering swift vengeance to Life, taking him out 2-0. Life would then proceed to drop out of the tournament after a surprise loss to Snute, whereas Leenock went on to win the tournament, stealing the potential triple crown everyone was expecting away from Life.
The two were now at full-out war, and though neither called the other one out in interviews or trash talked in any way, there was no denying that the winner of Leenock vs. Life, in any tournament, was hugely favored to win the entire thing.
Life's quest for revenge
The very same thing happened the next time the two would meet, this time at the final GSL event of the year – the GSL Blizzard Cup. The tournament featured no less than ten of the year's best players; all five GSL champions and the winners of Dreamhacks, OSLs, NASLs and everything in between.
Though the story everyone was Parting against the World (of Zergs), there was another story that fans of Leenock and Life followed, as well – the awaited re-match between the two.
Each had won two series against the other before, so this was the match that would decide who would be a series up on the other, and it was to be decided on the grandest stage.
There was no denying that Leenock was the favorite coming into the match, both the more popular player and the winner of the last major tournament in IPL5.
In the pre-game interview, however, Life made it very clear that he was not going to mess around, explaining that he'd learned many new things about ZvZ that week and would destroy Leenock 3-0.
The series was hard-fought, another top-level ZvZ just like everyone expected. This time, Life was able to win out in the end, defeating the FXO ace 3-1, sending Leenock out of the tournament and eliminating any chance at the (Zerg) Player of the Year award.
In what has become true Leenock vs. Life tradition, Life went on to win the tournament, defeating his teammate Parting 4-2 in the finals.
The two rivals met once again in the the Round of 16 in Iron Squid Chapter II. It was a match of little hype, Iron Squid still not being quite the mainstream tournament, and the general viewer growing more and more tired of ZvZ. To anyone who missed the series; I'm very sorry.
Leenock came into this series determined to prove that he was not only Life's superior, but intent on securing his first championship in 2013, having had the Blizzard Cup slip out of his grip as he neared the finals.
Equally determined, Life came into the match knowing very well that he held the 3-2 advantage in series between the two, with the goal of widening the gap.
After another intense ZvZ that had many people reconsider their opinions on the match-up, Life once again emerged victorious after a very narrow 3-2 victory that saw Leenock up 2-1 at first.
The future
With both Life and Leenock constantly improving, I can not imagine a world where the two will not have at least as many high-stakes matches in 2013. As it will always be with two title contenders, if they don't meet before they will meet in the finals. These are the two Zergs that are at the forefront of the Zerg race; these are the two players that others look up to (Sorry Sniper, nobody likes you) and take inspiration from.
If their games and rates of improvement in 2012 are anything to go by, I can guarantee that you will see more of these two.
It will be bloody.
