WCS
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UpMagic has a unique style of play, no one can deny that. But because of style he has been labeled 'Post-Lim Yo Hwan' similar to 'neo-emperor' Casy. In the sense of star blog the author eventually works up to the comparison of UpMagic and Boxer. Indeed, Up will never shed the image of his association and likeness to Boxer. This blog will change that. The style, game play and unique niche that Up holds will be severed for the first time. In this post Boxer will not be mentioned, aside from this paragraph, the game Up played against boxer, and the closing paragraph.
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eSTRO and eNature are synonymous with failure. Every season they have posted consistently bad results. Their only saving grace in 2007 was the introduction of Ace to prevent them from coming last place. As one would expect, they had no player entering either league for a very long time. V-Gundam was the last eSTRO player to particpate in a Starleague prior to Up. A team is defined by its strongest player, so without a strong player eSTRO was doomed to failure. UpMAgic was recruited to eSTRO early 2006 and rapidly rose through the ranks. He debuted mid-way through 2006 against none other than the Maestro himself. Needless to say he was decimated without a second thought.
The next 5 games he lost, including an embarrassing game against Reach on Arkanoid when he missed scouting Reach (and was laughed at by the commentators). He was also double manner pylon'd by Rainbow and toyed with extensively to the point of inducing trauma. Finally, in the 6th game he played, he defeated Light. With the aid of a single dropship, Up ferried units into Light's main and forced a GG from the Super Terran. He followed up his victory with another the following week against SaSin)BoY and also played in the Ace match (where he lost to free).
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20060507003357009.JPG)
Things weren't going well
UpMagic never had a breezy introduction into progaming like others do.
Up gets a break
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Up got blessed with two breaks. Firstly he earnt a spot in Survivor by winning his group in the MSL Prelims, Secondly in the 2006-11-15 PSL he qualified for ODT 2006-2. He faced a tough ODT Group where his first opponent was none other than oov (TT doesn't count, he's not a real protoss). With some clever dropship play after a containment, people started to notice Up - defeated his ODT group 2-0 and earned himself a spot in Shinhan 3 OSL - the first eSTRO player to enter a starleague in two and a half years. See his game with oov here. Up found success in Survivor as well staging a huge comeback against Kingdom and defeating Sync to enter stage 2.
![[image loading]](http://www.khgames.co.kr/images/imglib1/289_17_01_1.jpg)
UpMagic has always been a staunch eSTRO supporter - more so than other players are to their teams. As the only player from eSTRO to break into a major league for a long time he carried his teams hopes and dreams. But Up is very humble when he comes to describing himself and his team. Very often he credits his team to his success and is quick to acknowledge those better than him. He also has many friends in other teams, one in particular - Lee Jae Dong. Jaedong and Up have a history together and often practice with each other for important matches, although Jaedong wins more often than Up.
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20061221022032005.JPG)
Up's OSL run was very impressive for someone on their debut run. Up went undefeated in his group against players like Yellow[arnc], Anytime and FireBatHero. Each of those three games showed the world Up's strategical side. From proxy fac -> 2 port against Yellow[arnc] to rine/scv allin against Anytime. Up quickly gained a reputation as a strategical player - and for that reason many fans tuned in just to see what he would do next. As a 3-0 victor, he was entitled to pick his opponent for the Ro-16. He decided to choose a player that he admired, and that player was none other than Nada.
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20070119205644001.JPG)
Commemorating Nada's 300th victory
Nada pledged to show his strategical side against Up, and he brought it. In three exotically flavoured games (game 1, game 2, game 3) he went down 1-2. Nevertheless, he had earned many, many fans. In subsequent interviews, Up said that after losing to Nada he thought 'Indeed, I am akin to an admirable player' and has remarked that it was a learning experience, especially the third set (he says that if he had been more calm he could have won the set).
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20070310055903001.JPG)
The 2nd KeSPA Cup would be the next place for Up to shine. He cemented his position as team ace by winning decisive sets against Boxer and Clon before being stopped in the next round by Yellow[arnc]. His game against Boxer is particularly awesome as you can see here (Part 1, Part 2). More and more fans became interested in Up's unique take on Terran, so when ODT rolled around fans were eager to see what Up would do on the new map Hitch Hiker
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/tlpd/images/maps/122_Hitchhiker.jpg)
Up's play vs Pusan changed the way terrans thought about Hitch Hiker. Many terrans opted to bionic builds, unlike the standard metal build seen on most maps. The rationale behind the Bionic build is that it punishes protoss who expand too fast, give the terran player a surprise advantage and yet it still allows a transition into a normal midgame. The decisive 2-0 victory over Pusan in ODT took many by surprise. But with his keen strategy sense he took the win in style. (vs Pusan bo3)
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20070310055903008.JPG)
One has to wonder how UpMagic comes up with all these builds, when posed this question in his FiFo interview he said
I get the ideas from HyunJin hyung (coach of estro), and then the Terran users talk at night time actually creating them.
So its a team effort when it comes to Up's victories, perhaps thats why the team means so much to him. They are able to focus as a group to have one of their own succeed. Thats why when Shinhan Proleague begun, Up was instantly the eSTRO Ace. This is so apparent in the Ace match of KTF vs eSTRO on Nemesis. Up was sent out even though he had already lost a set against Hery. The expectation was that KTF would send Chojja, but much to their dismay Nal_ra was sent.After Kang Min came out, you and your teammates conversed a lot.
▶ It took a lot of time to discuss my build order. GiSoo hyung (Tester[gm]) and Kim HyunJin coach (kOs) advised me to block my entrance.
-UpMagic
After a grueling match, Up emerged victorious in one of the better Ace matches this year. (see the game here)▶ It took a lot of time to discuss my build order. GiSoo hyung (Tester[gm]) and Kim HyunJin coach (kOs) advised me to block my entrance.
-UpMagic
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After suffering a 1-2 loss in the group stages of Daum OSL, he passed a tough ODT group beating oov and luxury to qualify for EVER 2007 OSL. Up showed inspired play against Bisu and Shudder to pass the group stage 2-1. In the quarter finals Up showed a very standard third set against Hwasin - which showed that even though he used strategy to win; his regular play was top notch. It seemed as if Up's units were constantly in the right place and there was nothing Hwasin could do to avoid losing the game. (Game 1, Game 2, Game 3)
In reaching the semis, Up would have to meet a friend from the past in the form of....
![[image loading]](http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/8083/upmagicjaedongfinal2hx7.jpg)
Lee Jae Dong - his long time friend and practice partner would be his biggest hurdle yet. Given Jaedong's vast experience in playing Up and his strong record vs Terran it came as no surprise that Up lost out 0-3 to Jaedong. Then in a bitter 3rd/4th playoff he lost to bisu 2-3. With that loss he dropped into OSC, then ODT, then Offline Qualifiers. Up's OSL glory was over.
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20080124210805007.JPG)
Just as Up faded from the OSL he made a move into the MSL. After passing a rather easy Survivor group, Up entered GomTV MSL S4 eager to prove his worth. Up defeated his group with ease (2-0) and faced TuShin aka JulyZerg in the round of 16. While the league is not over yet, Up has started well in the round of 16, defeating July on Zodiac. Up has a lot of potential for this MSL and we will be sure to see it in upcoming matches.
Closing Remarks
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UpMagic is the embodiment of estro. He carries their hopes and dreams with him every time he enters the booth. Given Up's unique style map imbalances are irrelevant when he is playing. The strategy he pulls out defies all laws of balance and either succeed or fail miserably. Look at his game vs Bisu on the imbalanced Katrina - his use of dropships in that game defied all logic and allowed him to take the win. For that reason Up is a large variable. You never know what he is going to do next (and often rapes our liquibets). He is an exciting player and a favourite amongst nearly everyone. Although he is out of the OSL - we will see plenty of Up in the MSL. Despite his likeness to Boxer's play he has own identity which is often ignored. Up fights for estro and to keep the team sponsored. Despite eSTRO being synonymous with failure - UpMagic is trying to change things. Perhaps the friendships between Jaedong and Up extends to a strong relationship between eSTRO and Lecaf which means they are getting some quality practice. With Goodfriend moving to eSTRO and UpMagic still preforming well things are set to change for them.
For the time being let us bask in the brilliance of Up and his strategic play.
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20070512174424007.JPEG)
I always want to win. I hate losing. I always want to win. Because called an ace means that you are considered to be a necessary player, so I like it.
- UpMagic
Disclaimer: I have no actual knowledge of what goes on in Up's mind, nor with eSTRO.
will edit it in
