Starcraft 2, like its predecessors, is a game of heroes. While laddering is certainly fun, and competition online is addictive enough, TL is the center of the progaming universe, and here, we're all about the titans of the tilesets.

Jinro is a hometown hero. Curating the SC2 forum for years, he has given much to our community, and at 30k posts is a TL pillar. While his run through this GSL was was well documented here on TL, it is today that we've been waiting for. In just a few hours, Jinro steps out and in doing so carries the aspirations of an entire community on his shoulders.

Not everyone can play on TV in Korea. And yet, when a Liquidian does, a bit of us goes into that booth with him. Today, Jinro plays for Liquid, plays for Sweden and ultimately, plays for us.

Let's see what our home grown destroyer has to say.


You've had an amazing run these past few weeks. Did something change for you just before MLG or is this recent spell of solid play just the snowball effect of all the practice you got during your time in Korea?

Nothing changed, it's just practice finally bearing fruit. You could say preparation finally meets opportunity.


You failed to qualify for the first two GSL opens and were no doubt were aware of naysayers on TL and elsewhere hinting that you just weren't cut out for the progamer's life. Did this kind of negativity bother you at any point? What was your reaction after each loss and what advice would you give a player who is frustrated due to being in a similar situation?

I mostly avoided reading TL after losing, I was angry enough at myself without external sources to add to that. I guess just persevere and focus on the next tournament. In that regard, I think MLG was very helpful as there really wasn't much to focus on for me in between GSL 1 and 2, but between 2 and 3 there was still an MLG.


Just six months ago, you were another foreigner chasing a dream. Now you're one of the top non-Korean players and rank easily among Korea's best as well. When you left Sweden, did you expect to do so well so fast?

Eh, it's gonna sound stupid but I d'ont think I've made it that far yet... I hope there's more to come.


You're the first foreigner to reach the Ro8 in the GSL. How confident are you that you'll fly the Swedish flag in the Semi-Finals as well?

I wish I had a half-Swedish half-Korean flag to fly, that would be pretty cool. Like all the Mexican-American boxers that have one side Mexico, one side US.


Speaking of Sweden, your country is known for its E-Sports scene and yet is far more famous for FPS and other genres of gaming. Do you think you and HayprO in Korea will help the RTS community along? Where would you like to see Swedish SC2 in a year?

Sweden has always had strong RTS players in the early stages of every RTS, the question is more whether we can keep it up this time. In WC3 we didnt do too bad of a job with people like Thorzain, Sase, LilDC etc even in the twilight days of WC3.

Until we have proteam houses in Sweden Im not sure how interested I am in that scene tho (I feel like for me personally, this kind of enviorment is the best way to improve, Im not sure how good I would be able to get on my own).

Hopefully we will just have a lot more regular tournaments and big enough salaries for people to actually focus 100% on the game, so that the West can keep up with Korea (and soon China I am sure).


You've been in and around the SC progaming scene for the better part of a decade. Has the GSL lived up to Broodwar's OSL/MSL so far for you?

Hm, these pre-season GSLs are during too short a period to be equal to OSLs (1 month duration, barely). Once the main season starts in 2011 I think it will be very similar in feel to OSL/MSL.


If you could choose to say one thing in your sleep to each of your fellow Liquidians in Korea, what would it be?

I'm sorry for waking you up? That would be pretty good I think.


Over the past few weeks you've been called Chinro and Gorilla Terran, among other nicknames. Which one is your favourite, and why?

Gorilla Terran, because it reminds me of iloveoov, and maybe someday I'll be that good. =)


+ Show Spoiler [2v2v2v2 Showmatch] +


Would it be fair to say that Mrs. Walsh's beanie enhances one's SC2 skills? How has your family taken the news of your recent dominance both in Korea and abroad?

Exponentially so. They have all been very supportive, my dad actually watches all the games and reads TL, as does my brother.


You've made Code-S and along with Idra make up the two foreigners who will take part in the main GSL tournament next year. What do you think 2011 has in store for you?

More of the same I hope, a title would be nice. =)


In closing, give our young progaming hopefuls a word of advice. What should they do / not do if they'd like to play in the GSL one day?

Uhm, same cliché advice as always because it's true: don't give up, practice hard. Be open to advice, try to find a team to play with because playing in a team improves you faster than anything else.

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So, is the Gorilla Terran going all the way? A frontpage poll on Team Liquid says to yes.


Of course, what better content to leave you with than a sleep quote by the man himself. Many thanks to Ret, for sharing this with us.


GORILLA TERRAN FIGHTING!

What happens when all your favourite Liquidians pair up and play an epic FFA? Pure awesomeness ensues. Thanks to Husky for the great cast!

TL is awesome for many, many reasons, but one of the primary ones is having members like Asha` who can turn this


into this


Now, thanks to your fellow TLer's generosity, your desktop can be adorned with the Gorilla Terran! Download away, and be sure to send Asha` your thanks once you click Set As Wallpaper.