• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 01:22
CEST 07:22
KST 14:22
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
RSL Season 1 - Final Week6[ASL19] Finals Recap: Standing Tall12HomeStory Cup 27 - Info & Preview18Classic wins Code S Season 2 (2025)16Code S RO4 & Finals Preview: herO, Rogue, Classic, GuMiho0
Community News
Esports World Cup 2025 - Brackets Revealed13Weekly Cups (July 7-13): Classic continues to roll4Team TLMC #5 - Submission extension3Firefly given lifetime ban by ESIC following match-fixing investigation17$25,000 Streamerzone StarCraft Pro Series announced7
StarCraft 2
General
Who will win EWC 2025? The GOAT ranking of GOAT rankings Esports World Cup 2025 - Brackets Revealed RSL Revival patreon money discussion thread Weekly Cups (July 7-13): Classic continues to roll
Tourneys
FEL Cracov 2025 (July 27) - $8000 live event Sea Duckling Open (Global, Bronze-Diamond) RSL: Revival, a new crowdfunded tournament series $5,100+ SEL Season 2 Championship (SC: Evo) WardiTV Mondays
Strategy
How did i lose this ZvP, whats the proper response Simple Questions Simple Answers
Custom Maps
External Content
Mutation # 482 Wheel of Misfortune Mutation # 481 Fear and Lava Mutation # 480 Moths to the Flame Mutation # 479 Worn Out Welcome
Brood War
General
Flash Announces (and Retracts) Hiatus From ASL ASL20 Preliminary Maps BW General Discussion BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ Starcraft in widescreen
Tourneys
Cosmonarchy Pro Showmatches [Megathread] Daily Proleagues CSL Xiamen International Invitational [BSL20] Non-Korean Championship 4x BSL + 4x China
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers I am doing this better than progamers do.
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Path of Exile Nintendo Switch Thread CCLP - Command & Conquer League Project The PlayStation 5
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Stop Killing Games - European Citizens Initiative Summer Games Done Quick 2025!
Fan Clubs
SKT1 Classic Fan Club! Maru Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Movie Discussion! Anime Discussion Thread [\m/] Heavy Metal Thread
Sports
Formula 1 Discussion TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 2024 - 2025 Football Thread NBA General Discussion NHL Playoffs 2024
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Men Take Risks, Women Win Ga…
TrAiDoS
momentary artworks from des…
tankgirl
from making sc maps to makin…
Husyelt
StarCraft improvement
iopq
Trip to the Zoo
micronesia
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 763 users

Jaedong - Farewell to the Tyrant

Forum Index > BW General
84 CommentsPost a Reply
1 2 3 4 5 Next All

Jaedong - Farewell to the Tyrant

Text byBigFan
Graphics byv1
June 24th, 2020 01:03 GMT

VNSL Finals Recap Logo
It's that time again to bid farewell to another BW player who is leaving us to fulfill his military service. Only this time around, it's one of the most loved players in both the Korean and foreign scene. Whether you followed his career in the KeSPA era or only started following him afterwards, this was a player that drew the attention of many and was truly inspirational in his quest to be the best.
  • He was a player who was a mechanical monster among his peers.
  • He was a player who was known for his crazy dedication to the craft.
  • He was a player who showed us kindness and humility regardless of the outcome.
  • He was a player that strived and struggled endlessly to meet the fans' expectations.
  • He was a player that made us dream and curse endlessly at his misfortunes.
A player who helped us experience the highs and lows that came with following competitive Starcraft and who through thick and thin always pushed himself as hard as he could in order to live up to his legacy. This is about the player, Lee Jae Dong.

[image loading]
[image loading]

In 2016, Jaedong returned to our beloved game. His return was a huge boon for the scene, adding to its legitimacy as it grew exponentially due to the hard work of many organizers who hosted tournaments such as SSL as well as players who started to practice more diligently in order to show us the best games possible. While many realized that Jaedong was no longer in his prime, thus he was unlikely to have the same aura of invincibility or winrate that he previously had, his fans hoped to see him compete with the other ex-pros, and maybe snag another trophy and stand at the top yet again, even if briefly.

His results from the early days in the post-KeSPA era were chronicled on TL, and the conclusion reached was that Jaedong will keep at it until he wins something. His desire, his passion, his motivation, everything was still there and as authentic as ever. Alas, his health was not as pristine as it was before. The passage of time and the intense practice regimens of the past had certainly taken their toll. For a phenomenal player who had reached the top before, the differences between now and then were obvious to astute observers. Prime Jaedong was something truly special. His macro, micro and aggressiveness were matched by few. He had the ability to pull wins out of thin air, and turn situations around when it mattered. This was due to the fruits of his labor, the results of hours upon hours of practice that even Jaedong himself described as hard and difficult at times. This came at a time when Jaedong was young, healthy and hungry for success.

"In the past, I was part of a team and the preparation process was all pre-set. Now I have to do everything on my own, including finding suitable practice partners, which proved to be very difficult. I also have less to actually practice because there’s so many other things I have to keep track of."

In an era where teams don't exist anymore and streaming is the main form of revenue, players are expected to take care of themselves and handle all that life throws at them. However, a physical injury takes a lot of time and rest to heal. From the perspective of a streamer, taking a break can be akin to financial suicide. For Jaedong, he kept up the fight trying to practice as much as he could taking his health into account. Even though his results betrayed his hard work, he was determined more than ever to win something. This is what makes Jaedong such an exceptional player and one of my favourites of all time.

To keep fighting, to keep hanging onto a sliver of hope against all odds.
But it's also what makes this goodbye that much harder.

Because for a short time, Jaedong almost went all the way. He almost won another trophy, almost made what seemed impossible possible roughly 1.5 years after his return. I'm talking about the first season of the Korea StarCraft League, KSL in the summer of 2018. Having lost in the Ro16 in most ASLs since his return, KSL was like a fresh breath of air for Jaedong. It had a format that seemed to play to his strength, and a new tournament was instrumental in renewing his motivation to take first place. This couldn't have been more evident than watching his games during that run. After beating Shuttle and Light in the Ro16, Jaedong beat Snow in a close 3-2 series in the quarterfinals before he laid waste to Rain in a one-sided 4-0 victory in the semifinals.

[image loading]

"It looks like the Jaedong of old is back!"

As we all watched Jaedong step onto the finals stage, we were hit by a range of bottled-up emotions that finally saw the light of day. Has the time come? Will Jaedong finally reclaim his throne and take first place? Certainly, this was the closest he's been in years. And yet, reality can be cruel at times because that day, Jaedong did not take the trophy home. Up against a rejuvenated Last who was taking KSL seriously, he slowly broke down after a thrilling first game losing the finals in 0-4 fashion. It was painful to watch for his fans, but more so for Jaedong himself who no doubt took it hard, opting out of KSL2.

A look at his results over the years showed that Jaedong was one of the more consistent Zergs around, qualifying for all offline tournaments that he tried his hand at. This included, but was not limited to ASL2, ASL3, ASL4, ASL5, ASL6, ASL8, KSL1 and KSL3 while he forfeited or opted out of KSL2, ASL7 and ASL9 due to personal reasons. He may not have cracked the Ro16 of either tournament except in two instances, but one can certainly appreciate these results when you consider the deck of cards that he's been dealt. According to TLPD, his average winrate sits at 47% with his highest winrate being PvZ at 58%. This is far from his average winrate of 67% during the KeSPA days, however, despite these numbers, one thing is certain: Jaedong is still feared by all!

With Jaedong heading to the military, he will finally get the rest he needs. Perhaps he'll come back in better shape with even more motivation than before and claim the Zerg throne, but only time will tell. For now, let's enjoy some carefully chosen games as we celebrate the career of one of the most loved players on the planet:


  • ASL2
  • ASL6
  • ASL5
  • ASL3
  • ACL
  • ASL2
  • KSL1

[image loading] Jaedong vs [image loading] Mong on Eye of the Storm


[image loading] Sea vs [image loading] Jaedong on Autobahn


[image loading] Jaedong vs [image loading] Rain on Roadkill


[image loading] Jaedong vs [image loading] Flash on Benzene


[image loading] Jaedong vs [image loading] Flash on Destination


[image loading] Jaedong vs [image loading] Movie on Sparkle


[image loading] Jaedong vs [image loading] hero on Camelot




Jaedong, you leave us for now, but you'll always have a special place in the heart of BW fans. Best of luck moving forward and we await your return!
 

 
Writer: BigFan
Graphics: v1
Thanks to: 2Pacalypse- for css
Photo Credits: Afreeca, Blizzard
Facebook Twitter Reddit
Former BW EiC"Watch Bakemonogatari or I will kill you." -Toad, April 18th, 2017
BerserkSword
Profile Joined December 2018
United States2123 Posts
June 24 2020 01:12 GMT
#2
damn. what a career
TL+ Member
AttackZerg
Profile Blog Joined January 2003
United States7454 Posts
June 24 2020 01:13 GMT
#3
Thank you for making a tribute.

Jaedong, I am not talented like you but when my life got to its worst points, I thought about how hard you worked, the passion, the results. You inspired me at my worst and entertained me at my best. Thank you.

You were the first zerg after 8 years of bw, that I thought was playing zerg to it's full potential.
You will be a champion at everything you do. You are just that guy.

Good Luck and Have Fun
Jaedong hwaiting~
BLinD-RawR
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
ALLEYCAT BLUES50118 Posts
June 24 2020 01:25 GMT
#4
We finally got it out.

I wonder what our scene is going to look like by the time Jaedong comes back.
Brood War EICWoo Jung Ho, never forget.| Twitter: @BLinDRawR
TL+ Member
reincremate
Profile Blog Joined May 2009
China2213 Posts
June 24 2020 01:30 GMT
#5
Jaedong isn't just the best Zerg player of all time, or just one of the best Starcraft players of all time; he's one the best progamers of all time. Hope his wrists can recover in the military.
Anc13nt
Profile Blog Joined October 2017
1557 Posts
June 24 2020 01:31 GMT
#6
hard to put into words my level of admiration for him.
kaspa84
Profile Joined July 2016
Brazil169 Posts
June 24 2020 02:00 GMT
#7
Jaedong is probably the only player who one could argue was the best of all KeSPA era, besides Flash. Simply a monster and will be missed.
Greg_J
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
China4409 Posts
June 24 2020 02:17 GMT
#8
So much entertainment over the years. May the future be good to you Jaedong. 이제동 화이팅!
Jealous
Profile Blog Joined December 2011
10140 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-06-24 02:26:55
June 24 2020 02:26 GMT
#9
There have been Flash anti-fans, Bisu anti-fans, Jangbi, Stork and Fantasy anti-fans, but I don't recall anyone ever having a problem with Jaedong. Out of all the top players, I feel like he was the most unanimously beloved by the foreign community. Best of luck to him in the military (isn't it 14 months now, or something like that?), and I hope that he comes back healthy and happy, whether that includes BW in his future or not (but hopefully does ). Three cheers.
"The right to vote is only the oar of the slaveship, I wanna be free." -- бум бум сучка!
Piratezerg
Profile Joined January 2017
54 Posts
June 24 2020 03:25 GMT
#10
After the game fixing scandal wiped out a lot of zerg players, Jaedong shouldered the whole race for years. I don't think any race has ever had so few champions at the top for so many years. Than you Jaedong!
Jealous
Profile Blog Joined December 2011
10140 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-06-24 03:34:28
June 24 2020 03:34 GMT
#11
On June 24 2020 12:25 Piratezerg wrote:
After the game fixing scandal wiped out a lot of zerg players, Jaedong shouldered the whole race for years. I don't think any race has ever had so few champions at the top for so many years. Than you Jaedong!

Between the three races, Protoss was by far the most under-represented on the podium. But, I get the direction of what you were saying - no Protosses in the MF scandal
"The right to vote is only the oar of the slaveship, I wanna be free." -- бум бум сучка!
HawaiianPig
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
Canada5155 Posts
June 24 2020 03:42 GMT
#12
Bonjwa
AdministratorNot actually Hawaiian.
]343[
Profile Blog Joined May 2008
United States10328 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-06-24 04:00:06
June 24 2020 03:59 GMT
#13
[image loading]

Good luck in the military Jaedong
Writer
razorsuKe
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
Canada2000 Posts
June 24 2020 04:41 GMT
#14
Throw back to when Jaedong and Lomo visited Banff, Canada:

https://tl.net/forum/brood-war/102677-interview-lomo-jaedong-best-friends-note-pt1

They did that interview in a Cafe on Banff Avenue :D

(The pictures still work but I think you have to manually put it in)

http://img.dailygame.co.kr/news/200909/attachments/20090927_4534248a368b9a7da0a4ba3c3348b815.jpg
http://img.dailygame.co.kr/news/200909/attachments/20090927_af9ed6df0cbbb4490224fbe48a182fa4.jpg
http://img.dailygame.co.kr/news/200909/attachments/20090927_dd91821c9b4027449837e83ceca68b02.jpg
http://img.dailygame.co.kr/news/200909/attachments/20090927_9faa8fbee54fb0d027a27e7c130c006e.jpg
http://img.dailygame.co.kr/news/200909/attachments/20090927_18de5826bf23c1a52506829876235ac4.jpg

My friend was working there at the time and saw them, he wasn't sure if it was actually Jaedong but he said once he saw Lomo, he knew for sure :D
EntusGalleries.com - CJ Uniform Sale
Darkness2k11
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
Chile313 Posts
June 24 2020 04:50 GMT
#15
He was really good in sc2 as well, I remember the crowd cheering for him while watching the stream of a global finals, I think he lost to sOs but he was still really impressive.

<3 Jaedong.
When Behind, Dark Shrine
Pvvned
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
United States405 Posts
June 24 2020 04:56 GMT
#16
Legend
http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/R1CH/Happy2.gif
Trozz
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
Canada3454 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-06-24 05:16:56
June 24 2020 05:15 GMT
#17
[image loading]
Jaedong is the best.
He really outdoes the rest.
Now for his big test.
[image loading]
A build is not a guess, an estimation or a hunch, a feeling, or a foolish intuition. A build is a dependable, unwavering, unarguably accurate, portrayer of your ambition.
DwD
Profile Joined January 2010
Sweden8621 Posts
June 24 2020 05:22 GMT
#18
Thank you for everything Jaedong! HWASEUNG OZ Fighting!!!
BW NEVER DIE!
Love you dude!
~ T-ARA ~ DREAMCATCHER ~ EVERGLOW ~ OH MY GIRL ~ DIA ~ BOL4 ~ CHUNGHA ~
jinjin5000
Profile Joined May 2010
United States1422 Posts
June 24 2020 05:29 GMT
#19
I will be translating farewell video and releasing it tomorrow. its long tho
Waxangel
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
United States33360 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-06-24 05:39:52
June 24 2020 05:39 GMT
#20
Waiting for military service to reduce to 18 months was a great ee-han timing ^_^
AdministratorHey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?
1 2 3 4 5 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 4h 38m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
Nina 289
StarCraft: Brood War
Snow 186
Leta 175
Noble 31
Icarus 13
ajuk12(nOOB) 13
Dota 2
monkeys_forever860
League of Legends
JimRising 763
Counter-Strike
Stewie2K1138
Super Smash Bros
Mew2King116
Other Games
summit1g13016
hungrybox978
shahzam970
WinterStarcraft481
C9.Mang0372
ViBE212
NeuroSwarm65
Trikslyr33
ROOTCatZ27
NotJumperer1
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick2347
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 17 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• practicex 49
• intothetv
• IndyKCrew
• sooper7s
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• Migwel
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Kozan
StarCraft: Brood War
• Azhi_Dahaki18
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
• BSLYoutube
League of Legends
• Doublelift4143
• Rush1550
• Lourlo1214
• Stunt396
Other Games
• Scarra2966
Upcoming Events
The PondCast
4h 38m
OSC
7h 38m
WardiTV European League
10h 38m
Fjant vs Babymarine
Mixu vs HiGhDrA
Gerald vs ArT
goblin vs MaNa
Jumy vs YoungYakov
Replay Cast
18h 38m
Epic.LAN
1d 6h
CranKy Ducklings
2 days
Epic.LAN
2 days
CSO Contender
2 days
BSL20 Non-Korean Champi…
2 days
Bonyth vs Sziky
Dewalt vs Hawk
Hawk vs QiaoGege
Sziky vs Dewalt
Mihu vs Bonyth
Zhanhun vs QiaoGege
QiaoGege vs Fengzi
Sparkling Tuna Cup
3 days
[ Show More ]
Online Event
3 days
BSL20 Non-Korean Champi…
3 days
Bonyth vs Zhanhun
Dewalt vs Mihu
Hawk vs Sziky
Sziky vs QiaoGege
Mihu vs Hawk
Zhanhun vs Dewalt
Fengzi vs Bonyth
Esports World Cup
5 days
ByuN vs Astrea
Lambo vs HeRoMaRinE
Clem vs TBD
Solar vs Zoun
SHIN vs Reynor
Maru vs TriGGeR
herO vs Lancer
Cure vs ShoWTimE
Esports World Cup
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

JPL Season 2
RSL Revival: Season 1
Murky Cup #2

Ongoing

BSL 2v2 Season 3
Copa Latinoamericana 4
Jiahua Invitational
BSL20 Non-Korean Championship
Championship of Russia 2025
FISSURE Playground #1
BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 7
IEM Dallas 2025
PGL Astana 2025
Asian Champions League '25
BLAST Rivals Spring 2025
MESA Nomadic Masters

Upcoming

CSL Xiamen Invitational
CSL Xiamen Invitational: ShowMatche
2025 ACS Season 2
CSLPRO Last Chance 2025
CSLPRO Chat StarLAN 3
BSL Season 21
K-Championship
RSL Revival: Season 2
SEL Season 2 Championship
uThermal 2v2 Main Event
FEL Cracov 2025
Esports World Cup 2025
Underdog Cup #2
ESL Pro League S22
StarSeries Fall 2025
FISSURE Playground #2
BLAST Open Fall 2025
BLAST Open Fall Qual
Esports World Cup 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall Qual
IEM Cologne 2025
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.