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

[SSL] Lim Hong Gyu (Larva), "I could move on to the Round of 8 because of a certain person."



For Lim Hong Gyu (Larva) his face is captured many times during Sonic Starleague broadcasts. When the Round of 16 started he helped set up the PCs as a staff member, in the 2nd week he dressed up as a Stargirl and gained a lot of attention. For Larva who is connected deeply with the SSL, he became the main character in this 3rd week of matches. After handily defeating Gong Min Chan (kkong) and Jin Young Hwa (Movie), Larva showed his skills worthy of achieving 2nd place in the 7th SSL. He mentioned, "Amongst the SSL competitors there's someone with the initials of SY, I want to dedicate my win to that person."


Q. You moved on through the Winner's Match, how do you feel?
Larva - Awesome. Moving on by beating Movie who achieved 2nd place in a Starleague and the best streamer on Afreeca makes me feel even better.

Q. Did you expect to move on through the Winner's Match?
Larva - I prepared a little bit for Terrans and mostly focused on Protoss.

Q. Did you expect the proxy barracks from Kkong?
Larva - Since I beat Kkong smoothly in the Round of 32, I expected he would attempt a risky strategy.

Q. You had easy wins over Movie. Your mind game in the 1st set was brilliant. Could you explain a bit?
Larva - You normally put your 3rd hatchery in another area's base, but I tweaked the build into something I never used before. When the Zealots approached my natural base, I had many drones but I hid them and gave him the impression that I was All-in. Afterwards the Protoss built many Photon Cannons I just produced more drones and prepared for a management game.

Q. It feels like you were a bit reckless in the 2nd set. You didn't expect the Corsairs?
Larva - Even if he tried gathering Corsairs I tried to get rid of them with my Mutalisks and Scourge. However Movie included Archons in his army and had high Corsair count. He also built Dragoons faster than usual. It caught me by surprise.

Q. In the 3rd set your Zergling usage was superb. Was this planned?
Larva - Movie seemed like he was more nervous than usual, so I used many Zerglings.

Q. It feels like you're deeply attached with the Sonic Starleague. The past two weeks you've been on camera often.
Larva - Amongst one of the organizers of SSL, there's someone I like. Because of that person I'm doing my best to help.

Q. You got 2nd place in the 7th SSL, your goal for this one?
Larva - Since I got 2nd place last time I'll take 1st this time around.

Q. Kim Tae Hyung (Kim Carrier) mentioned if a ZvZ finals happens he will come to the finals dressed as a girl. Are you confident to help make this happen?
Larva - I'm confident I can reach the finals. If Kim Carrier dresses up as a girl it will be entertaining but it will give me goosebumps.

Q. Any last words?
Larva - I could win today because of SY-ssi cheered me on. Thank you.

[SSL] Jin Young Hwa (Movie), "Did you enjoy my overaction?"



For Movie, he attempted something special for his fans. In the Final Matches against Lee Young Woong (Sexy), in the early stage of his game he suddenly asked for a pause. For Movie who was eating bread during the gear setup break, he mentioned he was thirsty and requested a drink. Taking a drink composed and calm, he took out his opponent in a 2-0 fashion and reached the Round of 8 and mentioned in the live interview that it was fanservice. For the fans that might've been bored from the Terran vs Terran series, he wanted to create even a small bit of entertainment for the fans and asked for a game pause for a drink. Movie mentions, "In every competition I participated in I always aimed for 1st and that determination remains the same."


Q. You had a bumpy ride making it to the Round of 8. Did you expect to move on through the Winner's Match?
Movie - I don't know. I did have some thoughts that I would move on through the Winner's Match, but I also thought I could drop out here. I was confident but there was some nervousness as well. I also failed to keep myself in top condition.

Q. In your Winner's Match against Larva, you fell for his mind games. Did you lack practice against Zergs?
Movie - I couldn't practice much overall. I've been busy with stuff lately outside of the game, so I trusted in my mechanics. Getting here takes over an hour and that could've affected my condition even more, but the person with the nickname 'General' gave me a ride.

Q. Your 3rd set in the Winner's Match, your Zealot positioning was lacking. Why did you choose 2 Gateway strategy?
Movie - I didn't expect it. I never expected the speed upgrade to finish for his Zerglings. I was surprised and I couldn't react properly.

Q. You showed your impressive gameplay in the Final Match. Your match-up against Terran seems solid.
Movie - Against Terran I aimed to end the games in the mid-game and it worked out.

Q. In the 1st set of the Final Match you asked for a pause and said you were thirsty. Was the bread you ate at fault?
Movie - The bread I ate before the game was really stuffy in my throat. Also the people watching had a Terran vs Terran in the Loser's Match so to help liven up the matches up a bit I overacted.

Q. In this SSL there's a lot of Zergs that entered the Round of 8. Your chance of meeting a Zerg in the Round of 8 and 4 is high.
Movie - If I practice at home I'm confident in an online setting but a LAN setting is much different. If I adapt to the offline setting and maintain my condition I won't have a problem.

Q. Since you reached the Round of 8, you must've changed your goals.
Movie - In every competition I'm in, my goal has always been to win. A lot of people tell me that I exude confidence. For this SSL as well, my goal is to win.

Q. Any last words?
Movie - In my match against Larva, I chatted with him "My house is far away so let's end this quick please." But near the end of the set he typed "Hurry up and go home". I couldn't give up the Final Match so I couldn't go home like he mentioned. Next time I hope he comprehends what I'm saying. (laugh)