(Spoiler) ASL21 Winner's Interview

Interviewer: The greatest player in ASL, historically the strongest player — from now on, that title will belong only to Soma. He has won the championship. Last season, in the end, he claimed the title too. Let’s hear how he feels.

Soma: First of all, I really, truly prepared harder than I ever have in my life — to the point where you could call it bone-grinding effort. I went into this final thinking that I had to carry on the play of the Zerg seniors who came before me. During the final set, the Korean Air StarLeague came to mind. I thought of Effort’s match, and that helped me a lot.

Interviewer: In order to overcome him, in order to overcome the pressure, you kept studying countless Zerg players, gathering everything together — and that is how the completed version of Soma came to be. There must have been so many difficult moments.

In the past, while watching Flash dominate and keep winning, you must have thought, “One day, I want to show great games on the ASL stage too. I want to become the best player in Korea, the best player in the world.” You prepared yourself for that path. I imagine all of that time is coming back to you now.

How were you able to go from being an amateur to truly becoming the strongest Zerg? What was the driving force behind it?

Soma: I really think StarCraft is a fair game. Depending on who puts in more effort, the results come out accordingly. So whether someone was a pro or an amateur doesn’t matter. In the end, it’s decided only inside the game. I believed that effort would eventually reward me, so I worked incredibly hard, and I think that’s what led to this result.

Interviewer: Watching you, I was honestly very moved as well. I’ve watched your journey from the very beginning up to this point for quite a long time. And that’s why I think this esport is so attractive. Here we have SOOP ASL, together with Google Play, creating this incredible stage — a chance for one’s effort to shine. Soma seized that opportunity.

Many people helped you grow along the way, and your teammates came here to cheer for you as well. Now, as the champion — as a two-time consecutive champion — please say a word to the people you’re thankful for.

Soma: While preparing for this final, first of all, I watched a lot of games from my senior Zerg hyungs. I approached it with the mindset of carrying on their play, and I think that’s why the result was good. So first, I want to say thank you to the Zerg hyungs, to my seniors.

And yesterday, when I came up to Seoul with my wife, she carried all my bags and helped me so much, so I really want to tell her thank you.

Also, thank you so much to our members who stood up and shouted for me.

I’m also grateful to Royal, who practiced with me like it was his own match, whether it was dawn or morning. And even though I called him urgently today, Speed(?) came right away, so I’m thankful to him too. I also want to thank Rush and Light for helping me practice.

Interviewer: So many teammates — and above all, because he had that kind of support from his wife, I believe he was able to become such a great player. Thank you so much. Soma did not grow alone. Through the help of many teammates, friends, and people around him, he stood on this stage, won the championship, and became a great player.

Now, a new world — the Soma dynasty — has been created. There will be countless challengers ahead, and people will be watching to see what Soma shows from here.

Using this moment, please give us a word about your mindset going forward.

Soma: As I said throughout this season, whatever people may say, the players are all sincere. Everyone practices really hard.

And I don’t think I won because I’m overwhelmingly better than the other players. This season, I was just a little more desperate. This season was so hard for me, so of course it would be great if I get good results next season too, but for now, I want to take things a bit more comfortably.

Interviewer: Once again, please give a huge round of applause to Soma, who gave everything he had and, after all that suffering, became the owner of the championship trophy. Thank you once again.