(for korean speakers, the original interview can be found at ygclan.com)
translated by: catbert1
Description:
Dreamer nal_ra. As his name implies, unexpected play, special strategy is his claim to fame. His play is able to capture easily things that were only thought possible in dreams into real situations, programer fans love his game because they are tired of simple, powerful games. Also due to his position as old gamer, he shows a good example for other progamers as he maintains his steady position. This is YGCLAN interview with progamer Kang Min.
Profile
DOB : 1982.03.15
Race : Protoss
YGClan: Hello. This is YGClan. Short introduction please.
Nal_ra: Hello. I am KTF magicns progamer Kang Min.
YGCLAN: How long(catbert note: sarcastic). Other games usually say 10 lines! Kang Min You are as king of protoss a lot of people have been waiting for an interview with you and expecting good answers.
Nal_ra: I will try hard.
YGCLAN: Because you are kang min we must ask this question. When savior and you confront, no one can competes with your big games. Is there a different feeling when you face him?
Nal_ra: Yes it seems that way. Because he's so strong I am more nervous and take the game very seriously.
YGCLan: do you think he's your rival?
Nal_ra. Well.. Not rival just strong opponent. Nowadays even novice players can play really well so the idea of a rival is really decreased.
YGCLAN: What do you think about Bisu, who even though he is a novice is one of the strongest protoss.
Nal_ra: I think he's very exceptional and splendid. He's very stable and his games and strength are great.
translated by: Joohyunee
YGCLAN : If you look at it at a certain angle, you can say that Bisu's style of playing is the opposit of your style; but truthfully, when I saw some of your unbroadcasted matches, you are very good at game management based off of standard play. Is there a reason why you use strategical management more often than straight up play?
Nal_ra : Not really sure. I think I tend to have more confidence in certain strategies or builds so I tend to use those kind of strategies more often than straight up play. I can just do a standard play to take the win but I think my personality just makes me use a good strategy or build.
YGCLAN : Is that the reason why the MSL Best matches #1 rated Parallel Lines recall build came out?
Nal_ra : mm... that might be why but those kind of matches tend to come out but I think it happens more because the maps make winning difficult make me think of those kinds of builds. Of course, winning made many people love me but I think I would have come up with an even more unique strategies if I pondered deeply once again.
YGCLAN : Yes, your great creativity rightfully gives you the title "Dreamer". Most people tend to do all-in builds when they think of new builds but you are soooooooo different because you utilize the new builds to the fullest potential by making the build very stable (unlike an all-in rush which pretty much screws you over if you fail
Nal_ra : That's too great of a praise for me.
YGCLAN : Now then, we'll change the questions slightly. You are known to have have very many "jjalbang" (those photoshopped images of Nal_rA and stuff). Probably the most well-known one is the one "the feeling jjalbang" (the one where Nal_rA has his eyes closed and his mouths open... someone look up a pic and post it for me I'm kinda too busy to find it ; what is your opinion on this...
Nal_ra : Kuk... ah... that... mm... I don't even do those things on purpose but when I see those facial expressions I still get surprised. I'm surprised that I made those kinds of facial expressions but I'm even more surprised that people have taken pictures of me in the split second when I am making funny facial expressions. Those guys are amazing, and I just think of those photoshopped images as expressions of interest in me so I don't feel annoyed or anything. On the contrary, I just laugh ^^;
YGCLAN : mm... you have a big heart, as expected. So did you have fun watching those "Holy War" videos or the jjalbangs of it when you fought against SaviOr too?
Nal_ra : Of course. It wasn't just me; I remember having fun as I watched those things with my team members... >.< The people that made those things, you guys are awesome!
YGCLAN : ...Honestly, those guys' ability to create things like that keep surprising me. You are known to be good friends with Xellos, so much that many female fans say things like "there's something "special" in his relationship with Xellos T-T". What do you think of this?
Nal_ra : Huk... mm... first off, I think I'm just good friends with Xellos because we used to be in the same team and spent a lot of time together. Of course, I don't know if Xellos thinks of me in a special (gay) way... hahah. I honestly haven't given that much thought... I just accepted the fact that we were good friends and many people knew about it...
YGCLAN : Mm.. Of course, I don't think of it as a big deal either, but once in a while some of the female fans want you guys to have a "special" relationship. These things are VERY dangerous statements.
Nal_ra : Yes they are. Those are crazy statements. I believe that happened beause of an interview where I had no choice but to to make a decision. The question went something like: "which male progamer do you want to live with?" or something like that, and the interviewer gave me a choice between Reach, Xellos, and someone else but I can't remember the last one. I said "I'm supposed to pick a female progamer... How am I supposed to pick a male progamer to live with?", but the interviewer pleaded with me to pick one for fun and I ended up choosing Xellos. I think comments like that came up after that incident.
YGCLAN : Why did you have to pick Xellos? Is it because he makes good ramen?
Nal_ra : Hahahaha maybe. I can't really remember Xellos's ramen cooking skills... Xellos tends to look small and tends to be quiet while Reach is strong and has a dominantly thunderous voice... So i think I ended up making a choice like that T_T
YGCLAN : That's a sad story.
Nal_ra : I'm very sad.. *sniffle*..
YGCLAN : How do you spend your time outside of practice?
Nal_ra : Mm... These days I practice a lot because the new season is about to start. With the leftover time I just meet the people I didn't get to meet for a long time or watch movies or read or drink... I think I pass my time like that.
YGCLAN : Mm... That's very normal of you. Don't you have a unique hobby or something?
Nal_ra : A unique hobby?
YGCLAN : Yes.
Nal_ra : I don't think I have any..
YGCLAN : To take an example: "I am a skateboard mania" or something
Nal_ra : I'm sorry. T.T
YGCLAN : That's fine... That's normal honestly.
Nal_ra : hahaha
YGCLAN : I may be wrong but you are KTF's captain, aren't you?
Nal_rA : I am not anymore. I will give you a brief history of the KTF Captains. I won't start from before me though. After me, Yellow took the Captain spot, and Reach did it too. But right now, GARIMTO (translator's addition: *GASP*) has taken that spot. ^^
YGCLAN : Ah, GARIMTO! ... I'll ask questions about him later; how did you control the team's spirit when you were the captain? (I have NO IDEA how to translate the next part... it's like an inside joke that came out on the korean version of SNL I presume... I've been away from korea too long to know what the joke is T_T)
Nal_rA : Hahaha, I think that's what our coach is for (I got 2 words about this statement: "Baseball Bat") Haha I don't think I did anything special, but I hear that other kids said I was really authoritive and strict. It's just cuz I talked to the members for long periods really seriously and wasn't really playful. Of course, I don't play around that much in the first place, but I didn't have to do a special task as the captain because most people just followed my leadership really well.
YGCLAN : I see. I actually expected something crazy like bunny hopping up and down stairs if you lose a game, but I hope that doesn't happen in real life.
Nal_rA : Mm... I'll suggest it to the team.
YGCLAN : If anyone amongst the KTF players said "THIS SUCKS CUZ OF TRAINING LIKE THAT" on their cafe, then it'll probably be hard for that guy to survive (the bat). <= translator's addition
Nal_rA : Hahaha I think we just show a lot of things in the matches.
YGCLAN : As expected.. the position of captain is certainly different than being one of the followers. Then I want to ask a quick question about GARIMTO: Protoss's giant from the past, GARIMTO has come back and is currently practicig in KTF, and a lot of people actually have a bad opinion of him. They say things like "It's gonna be hard because he rested from gaming for many years", or "I saw some leaked replays and he was't as good as I expected". Since you get to watch him play, what do you think GARIMTO's potential is? Does he have enough skill to become a competant OSL contender?
Nal_rA : I don't think we can do anything about the pessimistic opinions people have. I think this happened because none of the players that came back have shown a noticiable performance, which keeps making statements like that come out. Of course, he is still lacking a lot of things in his play; he rested for so long~
YGCLAN : Mm.. that's true. He's been away for so long
Nal_rA : But I'm still really still suprised. He's only been in the team for a few months, and he has been getting better above our expections, and he will continue to become better. I can't give a detailed analysis of GARIMTO's skill at this point, but I think an unextinguishable passion and determination is even more important than skill itself. He has many of the characteristics that make people better, so there seems to be a lot of hope for him in the future.
YGCLAN : I see. GARIMTO is an old gamer and on top of that has enough conscienciousness as a pro so I believe he will show the fruits of his labor soon.
Nal_rA : Yes.
YGCLAN : KTF is the starcraft sqaudron itself, isn't it? Many of the players have MANY fans. Who do you think has the most female fans?
Nal_rA : Hahaha... I was expecting a question like this >.< It's probably Reach or Yellow that seems to have many female fans
YGCLAN : Oohhh..
Nal_rA : Isn't that the truth?
YGCLAN : Yes, in reality, the two gamers are known to have many fans and are known to recieve many presents after their games. Do you become jealous of their popularity at all?
Nal_rA : Ahhh that's a very touchy and realistic question. I thought about that too. Maybe this is a little lukewarm of me to say this, but I came to the conclusion that things like that don't really matter, to me at least. Hahah
YGCLAN : ...Isn't that because you're popular as well... There's even the fans that wear those masks (of his face) [someone find a pic if people need explanations)
Nal_rA : omg... the masks... ugh... ehhh I think a fan who does something like that much really love me.
YGCLAN : Ah, you're very courtious ㅠㅠ
Nal_rA : I want to say thank you to the person who first created the masks. You are awesome. I want to salute you right now.. ^^
YGCLAN : Yeah, those guys made many people laugh so they'll definitely be blessed with good luck.
Nal_rA : Yes. ^^
translated by: uhjoo
YCLAN: Ok, since we mentioned Hong Jinho (Yellow) already, questions about him…
Nal_rA: Ok… I’m getting nervous.
YCLAN: Two questions—first, [Yellow] is recently in a slump that he is not getting out of. I’m guessing as a pro the reason is not that he is not practicing enough… is there some external reason? Or is it simply that he has had bad luck?
Nal_rA: Hmm… this is really a sensitive question. Because we are progamers, it would be inappropriate to blame luck, and [Yellow] is so known for his specific play style and his own practice regimen, that it’s hard to blame that as well. I haven’t been able to talk deeply with [Yellow] recently so I can’t say whether there is something external going on.
YCLAN: Hmm I see.
Nal_rA: I’m guessing there must be something going on but I also believe he himself will overcome the problem.
YCLAN: These questions are coming up because he is such a skilled player with a strong track record. Then, the second question: although I’m slightly sorry to Hong pro, it is impossible not to ask this question… recently (or rather from a while back), I’ve heard that [Yellow] is not happy about the “kkong dance” movie that swept the Starcraft scene like wildfire. To be honest it seems like you, his teammates would have laughed a bit but have you seen the kkong dance?
Nal_rA: Er… actually I just asked Jungsuk (Reach) if Jinho (Yellow) likes it and Jungsuk says he does not know. Jungsuk says probably Jinho would not like it, and I tend to agree. Of course I’d have to hear directly from Jinho. But I can definitely answer about the laughter part. I laughed so hard that my bellybutton fell off and my lips were hung on my ears… I laughed insanely. T.T. Not just me but everyone on our team… ugh…
YCLAN: Of course. To be honest, it’s too funny.
Nal_rA: There is a movie about me too that is funny, although this is the first time I’ve admitted it on my own. T.T. But if it’s funny, it’s funny. If you hold back laughter your luck will turn bad and it’s bad for your health.
YCLAN: Then among the multitude of kkong dance versions, which version did you most enjoy?
Nal_rA: Are there many versions?
YCLAN: Yes, there are tons.
Nal_rA: Whoa…
YCLAN: The “Pangwan Pochung Chundeung” is the representative version, have you seen it?
Nal_rA: I didn’t know there were so many versions. If I watch them together with Jungsuk he’s going to get beat a few times… T.T
YCLAN: Here is the link to the “Pangwan Pochung Chundeung” version. Take a look.
link
Nal_rA: Kek… now?
YCLAN: It’s only 1 minute long... (after 1 minute) Did you see it?
Nal_rA: It is impossible not to laugh. Why did you show me it T.T Jinho’s final picture is truly the highlight.
YCLAN: Yes, among all the ones I’ve seen this was so memorable.
Nal_rA: It’s the first that I’ve seen it, although to be honest I never would have searched on my own.
YCLAN: Haha after all since even KTF members are human you cannot hold back laughter when something is funny. And since you’re a member of KTF it’s impossible not to ask this question. It’s about Lee Byung Min (Goodfriend)… as one saying goes,“it takes 3 hours to find Lee Byung Min even at the team headquarters,” he has become a sacrificial lamb for the broadcasting companies… is it true that he is that quiet?
Nal_rA: Hmmm… now that I think about it it seems like it is true. But to be honest it is not just Byung Min but our headquarters is a bit large. For that reason not just Byung Min but it’s true that it’s hard to see teammates that sit at the extreme ends rather than teammates that I sit next to.
YCLAN: I see.
Nal_rA: Now that I think about it… Byung Min sits pretty far from me.
YCLAN: Then is Lee Byung Min really good at Kart Rider (korean racing game)? I’ve been curious from awhile back.
Nal_rA: Haha it’s not that he doesn’t play but he doesn’t specifically play Kart Rider, nor can he be considered a gosu. I haven’t played it myself so I don’t know how good he is, but I’m guessing he’d be mid-level or lower?
YCLAN: Yes, well he must be busy playing Starcraft and it would be strange if he was a gosu at another game. Next I will ask a few questions from our web members, and there may be a few unexpected questions.
Nal_rA: Huk.
YCLAN: First, a common one… “What do you think about the recent broadcasting rights controversy between KeSPA and the stations?”
Nal_rA: Mmm… this is a hard question… in my opinion it’s a phase of the e-sports market moving to a stable situation.
YCLAN: Mmm so you think it’s the growing pains required for esports to become a true pro sport?
Nal_rA: Yes.
YCLAN: I see. Then the next question: the dilemma facing every male Korean—what do you think about military service? There are rumors that because of your eyesight you can’t even go to the Air Force…
Nal_rA: Hmm…. Military duties…
YCLAN: To be honest a regular military service term not in the Air Force special team is like a death sentence to a progamer’s career, and it would seem that you’d be particularly sensitive to the issue.
Nal_rA: Frankly whenever anyone who hasn’t served his term states any reason for not wanting to go, it sounds like an excuse. Because those who finished their service probably had their own things to do as well but still served. But it’s true. I think anyone would be concerned about their career. The military… of course I am not excited about going. However, ultimately it’s unavoidable. It’s more comforting and I can focus on my work if I think of military service as my duty and an important portion of my life. If there is some solution to the military service issue, someone will find it, but until then I’m at peace with my responsibility.
YCLAN: That’s very thoughtful. I am reminded of what the model mindset of a progamer should be in this interview.
Nal_rA: You’re too kind ^^ I am thankful for such compliments. “Bow”
YCLAN: Then next question is… “What is the future of our country’s overall industrial economic future and the future of the agricultural industries with the U.S.-Korea FTA.” Most gamers have either passed on this question or on the other hand we provide time for an “internet search chance.”
Nal_rA: It could be dangerous but eventually it is important that we become internationally competitive as befitting a global era. I think the government needs to provide active support to ensure the competitiveness of the agricultural industry, not simply as a “necessary” industry to be guarded, but as one of many of our industries that must be made internationally competitive.
YCLAN: Whoa.
Nal_rA: To be honest I’m not sure T.T.
YCLAN: Ah but truly because you are the first gamer to give a real answer, I am close to tears. And the next question seems also rather serious. “I’ve heard that your path from amateur to progamer was quite difficult. Of course I’m not sure if I’m in a more difficult situation than others but… if you, Kang Min, who has succeeded, could talk to Kang Min before you had succeeded, what would you say?” It’s a rather interesting question.
Nal_rA: So what I, today, would say to myself back then?
YCLAN: Yes. For example, “what the hell is that double nexus build!”… Hmmm this wouldn’t quite be that good but…
Nal_rA: Hahaha I’m not sure. I’d probably say… if you believe in your goals and don’t give up this belief, that you’ll eventually get at least close to where you want to go.
YCLAN: Ah, I just realized after asking this question that the person who asked this question probably wanted that answer. I just saw that the person who asked this question is a very skilled and known amateur protoss user.
Nal_rA: Ah…
YCLAN: Because progaming is popular internationally, we also asked for questions from teamliquid.net, and I will ask a few questions from there. “What do you think about using bugs during games? For example the worker bug used by go.go[GSP] last week?” To be honest I think there will be some discussion whether this is a bug or not. Mechanically this technique is similar to the worker trick to let them through minerals.
Nal_rA: Ah… yes… bug or not… I am familiar with the mechanics. Of course what go.go[GSP] used can be thought of a bug within allowed limits. I’m not sure if it could be called a bug, but if these techniques or bugs are allowed, I think it would reduce the entertainment value of games and I personally believe they should be disallowed.
YCLAN: Hmmm so you think this because the technique is not equally available to all races but realistically in games it can only be used by terrans in TvP?
Nal_rA: No. Normally, the fundamental strategy of a game is made in the main base in the beginning of a game. For this reason I think there’s allowing scouting or not is a huge factor. If these types of plays limit the type of strategies that could be used, would this not make games less interesting?
YCLAN: Yes, I agree. You are saying it’s not a problem of it not being available to all races but rather it’s a problem of allowing scouting in a situation where normally it wouldn’t be possible?
Nal_rA: Yes. The coaches will get together to discuss this issue so we’ll have to wait and see.
YCLAN: I see. To be honest apart from the mechanics of it, I also hope this technique is banned because of its effect on the game as a whole. Here is the next question from foreigners. “Who are the top 3 most skilled foreigners you’ve ever played?” The foreign community dreams of the moment when a foreigner can compete and beat a Korean progamer. Of course because of differences in skill, it rarely occurs but the issue of how close foreigners can come to the Korean progamers, and which foreign gamer is most likely to do so will be an eternal question.
Nal_rA: Foreign gamers have their own special play style. I’ve felt that they are very flexible and adaptive. But I don’t think there is any foreign gamer currently who can come to the level of Korean progamers. There is the example of Guillaume (Grrr), who did very well with Protoss… it was a long time ago but I still think Guillaume or Bertrand (Elky) are the representative foreign gamers.
YCLAN: I think the foreign community would like to know who, currently, might have the most potential. Do you know anyone now?
Nal_rA: Welll… to be honest there isn’t really anyone I know today, and I haven’t played or seen any. Even if I didn’t know any names, but could see just their game play I think I would be able to answer this question better…
YCLAN: With the exception of Nal_Draco, it seems there are hardly any foreigners who are known in Korea?
Nal_rA: I only know foreigners based on rumor… even Nal_Draco I haven’t been able to play very much… but I did play him a few times and I felt that he had a good game sense.
YCLAN: Mmm. I see. Here we will end with the foreigner questions and I will ask a few questions I am curious to know the answer to. What is your ideal woman type? Of course this question is always asked…
Nal_rA: Hahaha. I can’t quite express it, but I’d like it if I liked her voice.
YCLAN: Huh?
Nal_rA: And I would like someone who is very understanding.
YCLAN: Is there anything in appearance in particular? We are pretty shallow so we like pretty girls.
Nal_rA: Hahaha. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder… so… if she looks good to me, isn’t that enough?
YCLAN: So do you have a girlfriend now?
Nal_rA: Not yet.
YCLAN: I see. Notice to women who are understanding with pretty voices: Kang Min does not have a girlfriend. And Kang Min, you are after all a man. So as a result do you watch media known as “yadong,” or alternatively porno or adult video?
Nal_rA: Hahaha what a question
YCLAN: It’s a very common question.
Nal_rA: I don’t think I watch them.
YCLAN: That’s very vague
Nal_rA: I don’t have the time T.T and we can’t even use the internet.
YCLAN: Oh so are you admitting that you’d like to watch them…
Nal_rA: No. Please do not dig deep for specifics -_+
YCLAN: Ok… then among your teammates, who do you suspect most enjoys them?
Nal_rA: Obviously, Dong Su hyung (Garimto)?
YCLAN: Oh ho~
Nal_rA: You know that I’m joking? He sits right next to me so I have to make that joke. Haha.
YCLAN: … then when did you first interact with such media materials? Most of the time when we’re young, it’s common that we randomly may see them, whether on purpose or not.
Nal_rA: Are these really common questions???
YCLAN: Yes, truly so. And this was a web member’s question:
NELL [2007/01/06 18:39:39]
“Do you prefer East or West?”(220.83.234.46)
This was during the Ma Jae Yoon (savior) interview.
Nal_rA: Mmm… I see. I’ve never been asked such a question… it is really quite peculiar. Well let’s see… I don’t quite remember whether it was late junior high school or early senior high school. Around then… or so >.<
YCLAN: I see. Thank you! What equipment do you use?
Nal_rA: Equipment? Am I going to war?
YCLAN: Yes, keyboard and mouse.
Nal_rA: Ah… Samsung black keyboard. My mouse is a Logitech miniwheel ball mouse… but today it is out of production. The miniwheel ball mouse is not very popular.
YCLAN: Oh… I have an unreleased miniwheel ball mouse and if you’d like to buy it I would sell it…
Nal_rA: B…Buy it… suddenly turned into a sale >.<
YCLAN: The price will be the cheap cost of one “blind date” thanks
Nal_rA: Hahahaha.
translated by: ilovezil
Y: Now then, how do you set your settings? Do you use different mouseware?
N: Settings, um...for now, I use Logitech mouseware 9.73. I don't even use an accelerometer, just set my mouse on the right.
Y: It's going to be a hot trend after this interview.
N: Hahaha. That would be good^^.
Y: The interview is gradually coming to an end.
N: Yes...time went by fast.~
Y: This question is usually asked to all gamers, but for a great gamer like yourself, it seems like the answers will be more profound. We ask what you would say for the amateur gamers who practice to become progamers.
N: A while ago during the interview, I had something to say something about myself? I want to convey that very message. Also, if after a certain point, it feels hopeless, then stop. I would like not to see these thoughts. These thoughts and your destiny will become one, and you'll be doomed to fail. This is why I want to say that it's important to set big goals.
Y: That is one gem of a saying.
N: As for the rest, other factors involve gaining counsel while traveling down the road and just growing.
Y: A while ago, you said that you couldn't access the internet within the team, so there wouldn't be a public starcraft community?
N: Um...It's not that there's no time to play, there is time, but there isn't much of it.~ I have access to sites such as my homepage, cafes, pg, lover-seeking sites...
Y: Hmm, is that so-indeed, a lover-seeking place...
N: It's fun ^^
[red]
Y: Yes, it is a fun place, but to a loved gamer such as yourself it may not matter, but according to your behavior, I think such places would be frightful places for gamers to go.
N: Ah...so it seems. >.<;;
Y: In that case, for the next interview, who would you pick? This is a relay, so...
N: Ah...is that so. So did Lee Hyun Sung choose me for this interview?
Y: (This one was a jumble of jargon and jibberjabber, so in short) No, that bastard Seo Ji Hoon chose you.
N: Hmm...he is one ballsy fellow.~ So then, if I were to choose..um...this is becoming worrisome~
edit: by uhjoo
Y: Just pick one, leaving out those in the military...
N: Hahaha I already left them out.~ I want to pick So Myung (silver) and also there are many other players I'd like to pick, but they are all loong-time players ~ Ah... it's a dilemma.~ I pick Kim Dong Su (Garimto) !~!~! Never mind. I pick Shim So Myung... Hmmm... To be honest this is a dilemma. I will pick So Myung. I'm close with So Myung too and since Kim Dong Su is our secret weapon, I think I'll have to keep him hidden. He will show himself with his games. We'll pass him the baton relay after that~
Y: Understood. Next interview is Shim So Myung!
Y: Finally, please say a word to the web members who visit ygclan.com.
N: The love and passion of the web members supporting ygclan is so good to see and is admirable. On my part, I am so thankful, and if you continue your interest in me, you will be even more admirable. ^^
Y: Yes thank you! Thanks for your efforts during this very long interview.
N: Not at all. It was nothing compared to your efforts.