GGPlay (Z, Hanbit Stars)
- It will be your first ever finals.
▶ This is the happiest day ever since I started my progaming career. Our Coach let me focus by removing me from the Proleague entry, so I had a lot of time to practice. My teammates also helped me wholeheartedly whenever I asked, even though they had Proleague games themselves. I am very grateful to them.
- You answered the criticism of being a "Round of 16 Zerg"
▶ I feel that I still had a lot to learn. While I was playing Flash, I realized again that I still had a ways to go. I will address my weaknesses to play my best games in the finals.
- What parts of your game are lacking?
▶ I felt that I lost the mind games. My opponent knew me and my style very well. I don't think I can afford to play standard anymore. I will have to consider my opponent and prepare customized gameplans.
- What was the hardest game?
▶ The fifth set on Fantasy was the most difficult. One game decides if you go to the finals or not. When I sent my drone to scout I didn't think it would be a no-rax Double CC. But it was. I thought I would lose when I saw that.
- You took a win in Monty Hall, the 'Zerg graveyard.'
▶ Qoo)kuni came and encouraged me a lot after the third game. It helped me stay loose and not get nervous. The game opened in a way that I was familiar from in practice, so I thought that I would be ok as long as I let my game unfold. I was able to win by getting a big advantage through my zerglings.
- Who did you first think of after you won?
▶ I'm thankful to everybody. I thought of my teammates, my parents, and my friends. I thought of my girlfriend of 500 days. But the first people who came in my head were my teammates, who have been through so much with me.
- What did Coach Lee Jae-Gyun say after the match? Your appearance in the finals is also a big deal for Hanbit.
▶ He just told me I did well. I hadn't been able to think about anything else (the significance for Hanbit) because I was focusing on preparing for the matches.
- There was no special ceremony after your win. Will you show us something in the finals?
▶ I don't know. I'll think about it back at the team house. I'm introverted, so I don't think it'll come that easily.
- You have a lot of male fans, with deep voices. Do you ever wish for more female fans?
▶ When I heard them cheer for me I was surprised. I think they like the way I play. The more fans the better, whether they are male or female, but I can't force anybody. I think that as long as I work hard, my fans will increase.
- You will face Iris in the finals.
▶ Iris is really good at mind games. I'll have to use my head, do a lot of thinking. When I practice, it will be better for me to spend some time to think and prepare build orders, instead of just aimlessly trying to play a lot of games.
- You have no experience in any kind of finals. How will you deal with the anxiety?
▶ I've been a progamer for a long time, so I don't really pay attention to how big the crowd is or anything. Many fans came today but instead of getting nervous I only thought that I should play that much better. The size of the stage doesn't matter. I'd be nervous if I weren't prepared, but I won't have any problems as long as I play the game with confidence.
- What are your thoughts on Flash?
▶ I always thought he was good. Playing him, I realize that he's also good at the mental game and his play is strong. He seems like a very good player. It was my first best-of-five, and it was pretty fun. I want to keep playing best-of-fives in the future.
- Most of your teammates came to cheer you on.
▶ I told then not to come because it would be added pressure. But once I started playing, they gave me a lot of strength. I wouldn't be here without my teammates. I'm very grateful.
- Anything else you'd like to say?
▶ As I was preparing for the semis, I thought that many fans would be watching. I want to work hard and keep winning so that I don't dissapoint those fans.
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Been a long time since I did one of these. ^_^