[Winner's Interview] SSL Group Ro16 - Group A

[SSL] Jo Il Jang (by.hero), "I received strength from the audience".



The first person to move onto the Round of 8 in the Itembay Sonic Starleague is By.Hero. During his progamer days he reached up to a Round of 4, By.Hero's thoughts of playing in the Round of 16 he says, "Thinking about the fans watching me, it felt like I was in my progamer days again anby.herod I could play even better". He also mentions, "I hope more fans come watch and cheer for me in my remaining games, if they do I think all the players will show even better games."

Q. How does it feel being the first player to move on into the Round of 8?
By.Hero - In the Round of 16 the fans came to watch the offline matches and even the commentators went into a 3 person style so the scale became larger. Also the previous Stargirl Seo Yeon Ji came so I was really curious what the stage looked like. Coming here I hoped I could advance quickly, it turned out great for me.

Q. There were 2 amateurs included in your group and it was viewed as the easiest group.
By.Hero - When I saw the match listing I was surprised. After looking at other groups, they were very difficult groups and evenly matched and I comparatively I went into an easier group. This is part of my luck. Since I moved on I feel like I can say this comfortably. I feel that ff you prepare well enough you can advance.

Q. You met Seomoon Ji Hoon (ZeLoT) again after the Round of 32. It seemed like you expected strategic plays from him.
By.Hero - I was surprised. I thought, 'No way' but today was the same. After the first game and got the rematch decision, I felt like this player wanted his image to be a 'strategic' player. That's why I feel like I responded to him well.

Q. Are you friends with Kim Tae Young? (Ample) You prepared a perfect response to his play.
By.Hero - In the first set, I felt like he would bring out his upgrade Marine strategy on the cross spawns, so I responded to it accordingly. In the second set the barracks timing felt weird and the SCV was working on the left side so I acted like I didn't know about it. I felt like Ample knew that I knew about it, but since my build was superior I could win.

Q. In the first set against Ample, you showed a great Lurker all-in. Was this planned?
By.Hero - No I didn't. I originally planned for a management style game but when my Zerglings entered his base all the Marines followed, I saw the weakness and changed my strategy to a Lurker all-in.

Q. In the second set your Mutalisk control was excellent.
By.Hero - After the first set in the Winner's Matches I moved my spot, I was surprised because my mouse speed was a bit off. But since I was in such an advantageous position I could play it out comfortably.

Q. In the Round of 8 your chance of meeting a progamer has risen. Do you have a certain player you want to play or your goal for the tournament.
By.Hero - Playing int he SSL I've done a few best of five matches before, and I see there will be no easy opponents in the Round of 8. Now I have to focus on preparing my builds and keeping my condition in tip top shape.

Q. Any last words?
By.Hero - It felt good having fans coming to watch my games after a long time. I hope many more fans come to watch everyone's matches and cheer for us. I feel like everyone can show even better games with your cheers. Come on over and cheer for us.

[SSL] Seomoon Ji Hoon (ZeLoT), "The reason I advanced in a group of progamers..."



Within the Itembay Sonic Starleague Round of 16, there were only two amateurs in the Round of 16. Coincidentally both Oh Hyun Myung (ErOs_Lucifer) and Seomoon Ji Hoon (ZeLoT) were put in Group A. For ZeLoT instead of using standardized progamer builds, he used many early game oriented aggressive builds and is becoming a fan favorite. Approaching the Round of 16 with low expectations ZeLoT says, "To survive in this basket filled with progamers, I felt like I needed my own style of playing so I chose being aggressive."


Q. Your thoughts on advancing onto the Round of 8.
ZeLoT - I didn't have big expectations and came, but I'm really happy I moved on.

Q. From the amateur players you're the only one in the Round of 8.
ZeLoT - Just the fact I'm competing evenly with ex-progamers makes me happy.

Q. You showed an aggressive style like in the past.
ZeLoT - My style of playing is aggressive. I enjoy using this style and since I'm playing against ex-progamers I feel like I lack in endurance and late game management so I prepared many aggressive and strategic plays.

Q. After losing your 1st set against by.hero, did you think you could advance through the final match?
ZeLoT - I did not have high expectations from the start. I knew I would have a tough time in the loser's match also. In the first set of the loser's match I almost destroyed my opponent's natural but I became angry at myself since I lost from overextending. Playing in the second set I regained my calmness.

Q. You are like super aggressive. ZvP against ErOs_Lucifer, ZvT against Ample, were these all planned strategies?
ZeLoT - When I prepare for games, I'm the type that can't pull off planned strategies for specific maps. For builds I just plan slightly for the early game and then play based on my instincts and the situation of the game.

Q. In your first match against ErOs_Lucifer, did you think you would lose after your Hydralisk rush timing failed?
ZeLoT - Instead of focusing on the end game result, I approached the situation with the mindset of trying my best searching for the next move.

Q. You took ErOs_Lucifer down handily in the second/third set.
ZeLoT - In the second game I saw that his Forge sim city wasn't meant for blocking out Zergling run-bys. I knew that the Zerglings would be 100% successful. I predicted he would use a 1 gate build in game 3, so I did a 9 drone Speed Upgrade Zergling strategies and won easily.

Q. When you played Ample, both of your strategic mind games were very entertaining to watch.
ZeLoT - I prepared myself thinking I was playing a regular ladder game against Ample. Even if my 9 drone was blocked I was confident I could win.

Q. With such an aggressive style it looks like you're a very smart person. Is your IQ very high?
ZeLoT - I don't know for sure if it's high. I like Math though.

Q. Any last words.
ZeLoT - I heard my classmates and my seniors in my university cheered me on, and I am thankful to them. I owe my victory to them.