EPT![[image loading]](http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/3818/dear.jpg)
Dear Stork (병구에게),
I came all the way from America to cheer for you! You probably won't understand this, but that's okay. Zero is good, but he's still easy for you! I wish you the best and hope you know that we are all cheering for you from overseas!
Sincerely,
Your #1 Fan (from U.S.A.)
(in Korean it says I came from America)
![[image loading]](http://i50.tinypic.com/smc0pk.jpg)
UCSD 4 > 0 Waterloo EZ!!
GO UCSD!!! GO Diggity!!
teamliquid.net
GO UCSD!!! GO Diggity!!
teamliquid.net
I had a chance to visit the motherland this winter and of course, I had to go watch a PL match! It was unfortunate that my hometown Gyeongju is far far away from Seoul (about 4.5hours w/ car) and gas costs a fortune in Korea (round-trip gas cost about $170); still, I couldn't miss this chance. My cousin was nice enough to drive up with me to watch the Samsung vs Woongin match on the 23rd. Finally, I was going to see my boys in action.
We arrived about an hour early at the LOOX Center and I quickly snapped away few pictures.
![[image loading]](http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/3354/dsc00316wf.jpg)
Front view
![[image loading]](http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/6091/dsc00321j.jpg)
Back view. Nothing special.
![[image loading]](http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/1340/dsc00319k.jpg)
Left side. Notice the big-ass MSL banner.
![[image loading]](http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/9030/dsc00320l.jpg)
These LCDs show the FPVOD of the players. There are two sets of these.
![[image loading]](http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/1504/dsc00323b.jpg)
Commentators getting ready... Even though I was there physically, I still have no idea where they are. D:
I spent good amount of time making the signs above and eagerly waited for the match to start!
![[image loading]](http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/5536/dsc00331uh.jpg)
First up was KHAN YEAAA!!
![[image loading]](http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/4135/dsc00334x.jpg)
Next up, Woongin Stars
1st Set: Odin(Z) vs. MVP(T)
Prior to the game, I had no idea who was gonna win. Captain Odin is well... decent and Woongin Terrans are Woongin Terrans... I was just hoping that Odin would win because then I will see stork at 4th set no matter what.
![[image loading]](http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/1964/12615442971.jpg)
ODIN
![[image loading]](http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/9576/12615441921.jpg)
MVP with a santa hat. aww
The game carried on for a while, but MVP was in control most of the game.
SAM 0:1 WJN
2nd Set: TurN(T) vs. Kwanro(Z)
I knew kwanro was a small dude, but he was smaller than small. TurN hasn't been winning but has been showing a lot of promise; so, I had my hopes up. No 0-3 please! I have to see stork play T.T
![[image loading]](http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/5236/12615453851.jpg)
TurN, looking like an alien o.O
![[image loading]](http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/485/dsc00344u.jpg)
Gwangyu aka Kwanro
This set was definitely much more exciting than the first. The crowd was constantly cheering and aww-ing as the game was going back and forth. TurN lost basically all of SCVs from Kwanro's mutas, but he broke all of kwanro's sunkens and his troops were in Kwanro's base. It seemed like TurN might've won the game but Kwanro killed all of TurN's marines and mana-less medics. Sigh... things were not looking so good...
SAM 0:2 WJN
3rd Set: Jangbi(P) vs free(P)
Almighty Jangbi used to be more than amazing, but things have changed a little. He's been bouncing back but free was certainly not an easy opponent. GO JANGBI!
![[image loading]](http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/7569/dsc00345ku.jpg)
I know I suck at taking pictures, but apparently Jangbi and free are good friends (said the commentators).
![[image loading]](http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/6278/12615459211.jpg)
FML!!! When Jangbi's shuttle left to harass, free came in for the kill. I was seriously about to be very disappointed. I made it all the to here to NOT see stork play...
![[image loading]](http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/8063/dsc00350ff.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/4998/12615459581.jpg)
Even though Jangbi lost his nat, he eventually fended off free's army while killing most of free's probes! VICTORIOUS JANGBI!!!!
SAM 1:2 WJN
4th Set: Stork(P) vs ZerO(Z)
Finally I get to see my boy play! "Zero is good, but he's still too easy for [stork]!"
ZerO is ZVP monster, but stork is motherfawking stork. GO STORK!!!!
A little insight about my "10seconds of fame on Korean Cable TV" is that at first I didn't even know I was being filmed. Prior to this, I made numerous attempts to catch the cameraman's attention, but it was no dice. Hell, I didn't even think I was gonna be able to show my dear stork sign (I had another sign that just said I came from the States, which I tried to use).
I noticed that the camera was facing my direction, so I held my sign up and was staring at the front projector. Nothing was showing, but I heard the word "Mi-Gook (means USA in Korean)" from the commentators. Then, I realized I was being filmed and quickly switched to my other sign. It was a promise to my fellow UCSD players and diggity
![[image loading]](http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/5764/dsc00353o.jpg)
dun dun dun...
![[image loading]](http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/4964/dsc00358r.jpg)
Stork leaving his booth upon ZerO's gg. ZerO about to start his fail
![[image loading]](http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/2714/dsc00360ds.jpg)
Victorious Dino-toss
![[image loading]](http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/5701/dsc00362ka.jpg)
Fail ZERO
![[image loading]](http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/9291/dsc00364d.jpg)
Stork's vicotry FPVOD
![[image loading]](http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/7420/12615521171.jpg)
Stork's 100th win witnessed by ME (be jealous)
SAM 2:2 WJN
5th Set (ACE): Stork(P) vs. ZerO(Z)
When the little dramatic curtain was going up to reveal the ace players, I thought Samsung sent out great at first, because someone was sitting on the spot where stork was sitting (but that obviously wasn't stork). ZerO for ace was an easy guess because Woongin has always sent out ZerO for ace except once (free). I couldn't hope for anything better. Earlier, I thought I might not even see Stork play, but now he has turned the table and is playing again for the ace! Please put a exclaimation mark on my experience watching this match and keep Samsung's winning-streak going!
![[image loading]](http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/8251/12615520611.jpg)
Stork vs ZerO re for ace match
It was an intense game. There obviously is a better write-up about this game (GOTW article), so I won't go into detail about it. It was beautiful, Stork defintely did not disappoint at all! Making my way all the way up to Seoul was not a bad idea at all~~!
SAM 3:2 WJN
![[image loading]](http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/5121/12615481321.jpg)
I was just as happy as you were, Stork!!!
All in all, it was an awesome expereince. Was it worth all the trouble and money (Seoul is a one crowded ass place and it's exhausting to travel by car around there)? I think so. Not only KHAN came back from 0-2, it was done by my boy STORK! Also, got to witness stork's 100th win as well. I felt like I was the happiest person in the crowd.
![[image loading]](http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/8250/dsc00369v.jpg)
Thank you, Samsung Khan!
Please feel free to ask me any questions. I decided to write this to possibly show you guys what goes behind a SPL match. But do realize that I am still not back in the States ( =limited access to internet). So I might not be able to reply right away. I hope you enjoyed reading my blog.
