EPT
For those of you who want to read the edited/touched up version go here
I tried hard to make this interview as fun as possible for him and me. Instead of the boring old KeSPA interviews that I translate, I wanted to have fun with Flash and enjoy each other's company. You know, make each other laugh and just have a great lighthearted conversation with a BW legend! When I translated Flash's interview from KR to EN, I tried my best to make sure the playful tone was still there. Flash and I really had a nice back and forth going on during this interview. It wasn't just a Q&A session
Just a heads up:
You guys will be seeing a lot of ㅋㅋ, ㅋㅋㅋ, and ㅋㅋㅋㅋ which stand for laughter. Same goes for ㅎㅎ, a different way of signifying laughter.
Alright, here we go, FLASH INTERVIEW THE UNEDITED VERSION~!
Flash Interview
Hello Flash. We are sincerely grateful that you have agreed to an interview with teamliquid.net. We hope to maintain this relationship and hope that you will continue to work with teamliquid from here on out so that we can reach out to the overseas community.
Yeah, I will also try to make this happen.
Well then, if you’re all set, we will go ahead and proceed to the first question. The first part of this interview will be in regards to your current condition and situation. After a difficult season 1 and an average Proleague season so far by your standards, you're now back in Code S. How do you feel about your current condition?
My performance for televised matches is not at a 100% yet but I’m in a much better condition than I was in for Round 1.
Ahhh, I see, alright then. Is it alright to say that we will be expecting great performances from you then? ㅎㅎ.
Yes. ㅋㅋ, it’s fine to have expectations.
ㅎㅎ, alright then, we’ll have lots of expectations. So, the next question, many fans feel like your TvP is your weakest matchup. Do you agree? What do you feel is your best matchup right now?
My best match up is TvT. I feel like these days, I’m rather weak when it comes to TvZ.
Seeker drops the ball in 3... 2... 1...
I’m really sorry to do this but do you think you could hold on for a second? I have an emergency I need to take care of.
What?
I’m afraid I’m going to have to step out for a bit to take care of an emergency. It will not take any longer than 10 minutes.
Okay.
I’m very sorry. I will be right back!
lichter: xD (lichter was there with us during the interview)
15 minutes later
I am very sorry for making you wait. It was an emergency situation so there was nothing I could do T_T.
It’s fine.
(I STILL CANNOT BELIEVE THAT I MADE KT ROLSTER'S FLASH WAIT 15 MINUTES DURING AN INTERVIEW!!! UGH!!!) So I was wondering if you could elaborate on your previous statement. How is your TvP?
During televised matches, TvZ is a little more difficult than the others and I think TvP is the most okay out of all three.
Ahhh, alright then. So then, when you practice with your teammates you focus on TvZ?
No, it’s not like that. But it is true that I pay more attention to it.
Hmm, I see. What about TY? Does he feel that TvZ is the most difficult match up just like you do?
I’m not sure… I don’t really know about that ㅋㅋㅋ.
ㅋㅋㅋ, alright, gotcha. KT won the title in last year's Proleague. With the addition of Life, do you think you're the favorites for another championship?
Yes, I say that we’re perfectly capable of winning the championship.
I see. Well, for this season’s Proleague Round 2, KT disappointingly lost to Jin Air in the playoffs. Why do you think this happened? Why didn’t you get a chance to play?
Maru’s condition was really excellent in my opinion. As for me, I had the flu so I couldn’t even go to the arena for that match because of body aches.
Ahhh, I see, T-T, that’s very disappointing. If you meet up with Jin Air again next time, do you think you’ll be able to establish a different result? Are you confident that you’ll win?
Yes, I’m always confident that I’ll win.
ㅎㅎ, that’s great news. When you reached the Grand Finals last year, many considered KT Rolster to be the underdogs against your rivals SKT T1. What do you think made the difference that led you to victory?
I think that it was the result of us preparing really hard~.
ㅎㅎ, well did you prepare that ceremony because of PartinG, or did it have a special meaning for you?
That ceremony was directed at PartinG. I was just giving him a taste of his own medicine since I had taken so many hits from him before.
ㅋㅋㅋㅋ, I see. I for one, laughed a lot when I saw that ceremony. It was awesome~ ㅎㅎ. Despite your vast experience in Korean leagues, your success in SC2 has so far been in weekend tournaments. Do you think there's any special reason for this?
Well when you have to play that many matches in a short period of time, then it’s a battle of the basics. I think I’m a little stronger in that area.
Oh, is that so? Well then, where do you see yourself in the hierarchy of SC2?
I’m at the bottom of the hierarchy. It’s because my results are not very good. However, for SC2, I am capable of going on a winning streak the minute I grab a victory so I’m approaching things with a calm mindset.
Ah, that’s good news, ㅎㅎ. Lots of players seem to have trouble handling the pressure from fans and tournaments, but you're very calm and composed. Do you think that comes with experience, or do you have a special approach to remaining calm?
I don’t really know about that. I just always work hard so that I can approach my games with a comfortable mindset.
Alright, I understand. You’re doing well so far. We’ll be moving on to the next set of question then. These ones are in regards to SC2 in Korea ^^. It looks like SC2 has been improving in popularity in Korea lately. What do you think is the cause of this?
I think it’s been coinciding with the fact that LoL has been starting to lose popularity in Korea.
Ah, I see. I had no idea that LoL was losing popularity in Korea. I guess we can view that as good news for SC2, ㅎㅎ. The Proleague Grand Finals of 2014 was held on a floating island. Do you think holding finals in big venues is important for the popularity of SC2?
Mmm, rather than focus on that, I think the focus should be on stages being flashy.
ㅎㅎ, I also feel like it should be that way as well. So then do you have any suggestions to tournament organizers on how they can make SC2 more popular?
I haven’t ever thought about something like that T-T
ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Gotcha. What do you feel are the main differences between Korean fans and foreign fans? Does it feel different to play in foreign tournaments?
It feels like foreign fans are more in concordance with us than Korean fans so you feel more alive.
For Korean fans however, it’s a whole different story when they’re cheering for a player they especially like. But for foreign fans, it strongly feels like they like everyone?
ㅎㅎ, I see. So then, do you think there any difference between SC2 fans and BW fans?
What’s BW?
ㅎㅎ, Brood War. (NOTE: Koreans use SC1 instead of BW. This is not Flash bashing on BW my any means. He just probably doesn't see BW used as much as SC1.)
Oh, ㅋㅋㅋㅋ.
Hmm, well, I’m not really sure if there is a difference.
I guess the only difference would be that the number of fans has decreased for SC2…
ㅎㅎㅎ, that’s so true. Brood War fans were known to be very demanding of their players. How do you think fans compare now?
I would say that when it comes to passion, they’re pretty similar.
Ah, I see, alright then. You are doing fantastic. The next portion of this interview will be focusing on your Life and Legacy, ㅎㅎ. It's been a few years since you’ve transitioned from BW to SC2. Maybe you've had the opportunity to think back about your career. What do you think is your legacy—your individual titles or Proleague wins?
My individual titles AND my Proleague wins are my legacy ㅎㅎ.
ㅋㅋㅋㅋ, so you combined them both. Gotcha, ㅎㅎ. If there was one moment that you think captures the essence of your career perfectly, what would it be?
I don’t think I’ve experienced anything like that yet ㅎㅎ.
ㅋㅋㅋ, I see. In BW, your playstyle was seen by many as defensive and macro-oriented. Do you think these words accurately described your playstyle? Have you tried to adapt that playstyle to SC2 or have you changed your approach?
I do put focus on defending but if I get the chance to then I’ll attack right away. I think things differ during the moments that arise.
Alright, I understand. How do you feel about SC2 progamers retiring and returning to BW on Afreeca? Is that something you would consider?
Hmmm, well, I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing. I don’t know about streaming on Afreecatv but I do intend on playing BW again later on. A lot of fans are wanting that from me.
Oh, I see. I’m also going to be excited about that then. I still remember just how awesome you looked when you won your MSL/OSL championships, ㅎㅎ. Bisu and other BW players have spoken about following SC2, particularly their former teammates. Do you stay in touch with any BW progamers? Any KT teammates?
Yeah, ㅋㅋ, I meet them from time to time and we contact each other a lot.
Any specific people/players you meet up with?
BarrackS, supervisor Reach, 815, PerfectMan…
I can’t seem to remember now that I’m trying to think of them all of a sudden.
ㅋㅋㅋ, alright, I understand, thank you. These next questions will be focusing on Life and Future. It seems that the system for drafting rookies is different in SC2 compared to before. Players are now signed based on ladder and qualifier performance. Do you think there's a difference between the types of players that make it in each system? How has the practice environment and team house structure changed over the years?
Well, things are actually not all that different. Since SC2 is done through drafts, I think things are ambiguous.
I see. As one of the senior members in the scene, do other players come to you for advice regarding their careers?
From time to time, teams will contact me and people will come find me.
Suddenly, out of the blue
Hello, this is KT coach, Kim “Hery” Yoon Hwan. Flash has something scheduled after this so we would appreciate it if you could finish the interview before 2:00.
Ah, Hello. I understand, thank you for letting me know. We will finish this before 2:00… If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring progamers, what would it be?
Progaming is a career that I would recommend as approachable at least once in your life if you are willing to work really hard.
Alright, thank you. Do you spend time with other pros outside of the team house? Who do you consider your best friends?
I am close with Rain and herO.
(I wanted him to elaborate on being close with Rain and herO but I was running out of time :/) One of your biggest rivals, Stork, has now become the coach of his team. Do you think you'll follow the same path as Byung Gu?
Well, I’m not sure. I don’t think I’ve ever thought about something like that.
ㅎㅎ, I see, I understand. So then, we have finally arrived at the final portion of the interview, ㅎㅎ. Thank you for all your hard work! These are Other Questions. What do you think about the ideas and changes for Legacy of the Void? Do you have your own suggestions on how to improve the game?
I can’t help but think that they’ll be unable to reverse things unless they try to change things up completely from what HotS was about.
Ahh, I see. You're one of the most popular players with tons of fangirls. Have you ever thought of settling down and having a family?
I haven’t thought about anything like that yet. Right now, at this moment, I’m just focused on the game.
I understand, ㅎㅎ. You are known for using a ruler during your performances. How did this come to be? Do you use only a specific brand of ruler? Have other progamers adopted the ruler method?
I’ve been using a ruler ever since the early years of my progaming career. I don’t really have a specific brand of ruler that I use. I’m not really sure about what other players do.
I understand. So then, these last few questions will be entertaining questions conducted specifically for the fans, ㅎㅎ. If your family was kidnapped by Somalian Pirates, which 3 progamers would you bring to help rescue them and why?
herO, Rain, and Creator?
Hmm…
I guess I would choose them because I feel like they would make sure that they save my family ㅋㅋㅋ.
ㅋㅋㅋ, I see. Please create your very own dream team. What would be that team’s name? Why did you pick those players?
I would pick a team consisting of me, Jaedong, Bisu, and Stork.
Our team’s name would be TaekBangLeeSsang.
I picked this team because I think we would be the most popular ㅋㅋㅋ.
ㅋㅋㅋㅋ that is awesome. If you had the opportunity to switch BW units with SC2 units then which ones would you choose?
BW tanks and SC2 tanks.
I think SC2 tanks are so bad.
Thank you very much. Last question! Do you visit teamliquid? What about the other KT members?
I don’t really visit teamliquid. I don’t really know about the others.
Lastly, please say something for your fans~
Thank you so much for always cheering for me. I will repay everyone with good performances~
Alright, thank you. We will now conclude the interview here. Thank you so much for all your hard work! We sincerely appreciate you agreeing to an interview with teamliquid. We hope to work with you again in the near future so we can reach out to the community again, ㅎㅎ. Keep on fighting Flash. We will all be watching you closely for your performances. Please show us great activity for the 2015 year and hopefully show us some GSL/SSL championships as well, ㅎㅎ!
Yes~ Thank you for your hard work!
Thank YOU for YOUR hard work! We hope to see you at more overseas tournaments, ㅎㅎ~.
