Unfortunately, we were unable to conduct interviews with FnaticMSIFenix due to a scheduling issue with our translator. dignitas.Naniwa was unreachable for comment.

Kim "SaSe" Hammar

First question: Could you introduce yourself briefly. Optionally, spice it up since this is a boring question.

Check qxc's latest tweet and you got a nice introduction. [qxc0000: Tying my shoes near Sase in Shanyang airport. He tells me "It's your time to shine qxc." /confused. "Blow me now. Right here. Right now."]

So how's Korea? Is it to your liking?

Actually I have only been in Korea for two hours. I was in China for a week before that and played some on the Korean ladder. It has been a good experience but now it will be even better since I've arrived at the GOM house and can put a lot of more time into the game without moving around and such. I have been in Korea three times before and I loved it. Nice food, nice people and best practice. That's all I need ^.^

So I heard you had some hardware trouble at CPL, and that it affected your game versus MKP.

Some guy spilled water in my keyboard like ten minutes before my game so it stopped working. I had to borrow Jinro's keyboard. I am not sad or angry about losing to MKP, I don't believe I could have beaten him. But I'm very sad that I couldn't play my best. I am really happy though that I had time to find a new, identical keyboard before I left China. There's just one day left until my GSL game and it would be hard to find it in Korea by myself. I changed my mindset pretty much and started to accept that things go wrong sometimes and you cant do anything about it, except staying positive all the time instead of whining. It makes me focus alot better

You mentioned you got some Korean ladder experience. Do you think you've learned much yet, or do you still need some more time?

I am not sure I learnt anything special but it opened my mind to a lot of strategies. Also the micro is crazy. In Europe you don't need micro to be good but here it's kinda impossible to win without it. I feel like I dont know how to dance the microdance with the Koreans yet because I never danced it before, but after three months I can hopefully catch up a little at least.^^ I am far from having reached the limit of the game. I was so happy getting crushed here since it felt like I got a lot of new stuff to learn. It felt like a new game!

Speaking of Korean ladder, the Terran 1/1/1 all-in: Bulls***, or TOTAL bulls***?

I accepted what's hard to play against as well. I stopped looking for 'imbalance' and started trying to find solutions instead. I don't find Terrans that hard in Europe but on the Korean ladder it's really tough because their micro is crazy. It will be nice to practice against it since in Europe most games are over when I take my third.

You said that you hope to catch up in three months. What kind of goals and time frame do you have for your stay in Korea?

I plan to stay in Korea until I quit SC2. I believe in one year players outside of Korea and China won't stand a chance against people living here. The gap is already really big and it's just getting bigger. It's time to catch up!

Interesting to see you included China together with Korea there. You beat a few Chinese opponents at CPL, what did you think of their skill level? And why do you believe they will do well in the future?

All the best Chinese players practice on the Korean server so there is not much of a difference. The game has been out longer in Korea than in China so it's obvious the skill level is higher in Korea. Actually, my favourite Protoss is LoveCD. He's got really good builds versus Zerg and Terran. The Chinese players I practiced with before CPL crushed me as hard as the Koreans on the ladder^^

How does your team situation affect your plan? Are you looking for a Korean team to join, or do you have some other options in mind?

I would like to find a team but I want to take an offer I feel good about, and not just the best one I can find today. My dream is to play SC2 without having to worry about anything except the game because then I can play my best. No team offered me that yet. I felt really good playing CPL without a team since there was no pressure from anyone except myself. I already put so much pressure on myself, I don't want to have to hear it from anybody else; it will just make me play worse^^

A lot of the promising foreigners who went to Korea couldn't adjust to the Korean lifestyle, or they got homesick and had to return. What makes you able to endure such a long stay in a foreign country?

I agree it's very hard to adapt to a totally different country. I have pretty much been away from home since I was 19 years old. I remember the first weeks in China very clearly. I missed my home and my mother so much. But after being away for more than three years I don't worry about getting homesick at all. I already got a new kick from playing the Korean ladder even if it was just for two days. My motivation is on top, just gotta learn how to play now

Do you always wear a hat?

Haha, I started to wear a hat when I lived in China some years ago, because my hair was too long to style. I wear it now sometimes when I dont feel very comforable. When I wear a hat it feels like less people are watching and so on. I could wear sunglasses as well but it's harder to see then

So you're going to wear it in GomTV booths? A similar concept has worked well for qxc, who's now known as 'bandanna man.'

Nah, it will be impossible to wear it with the banshee headset, would be a funny look though

So, about your upcoming Code-A match. How do you feel about your opponent, and what do you think your chances are?

I don't want to predict anything. If I had a crystal ball, I would be a billionaire already^^

You're making it tough if I can't ask about your match. In that case, what foreigners would you like to see come to Korea?

Naniwa, MorroW, Sjow, Cloud, ToD, White-ra, Dimaga and Kas. Hope I didn't forget someone ^^

Ok, I won't keep you any longer. Any shout outs or final comments?

Thanks, iG, for taking care of me in Beijing and letting me practise with you guys! Thanks to CPL for inviting me to your tournament, thanks to my mother and family, thanks to everyone who is supporting me, I will try to get a stream up with HQ now Take care, all of you and stay happy ^.^v

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Jonathan "Liquid`Jinro" Walsh

First, let's get some MLG aftermath. After saying your goals weren't terribly high going in, how do you rate your performance, and what are your new goals now?

My goals weren't high but I still wanted to reach pool play so I would rate it pretty low. My goals now are just practicing and resting as much as i can, and hopefully being in good condition for next MLG. I didnt realize Raleigh was so close to Anaheim, I wish it was a bit longer since I just got back home yesterday.

MC said that he was going to tone down his foreign tournament activity because the schedule was too tiring and interfering with his practice. What do you think is a realistic level of foreign tournament for a Korea based gamer?

I think a better way of doing it for me is just trying to prepare hard during the MLG off season. I intend to go to every MLG unless it conflicts with something bigger.

So you're going up against FXOLucky, in Code-A. How do you feel about your opponent, and how do you feel about TvZ?

Dunno much about him, and I'm not that good at TvZ. I'm pretty sick and super exhausted from traveling, so you won't get much bravado at the moment!

Did the travel affect your preparations a lot?

We had to wait fifteen hours at the airport, and I got sick on top of that. It cost me a lot of practice time. Not being able to play in Chinese PC Bangs unless you're a Chinese citizen cost me some more.

Besides those unfortunate events, how was the CPL trip? What's the Chinese SC scene like?

WCG china was at the exact same time pretty much, so some the best Chinese players weren't there (although the ones that played were pretty high class as well). Hard to tell how it is overall from just one event, but I remain positive .

Quite a few of your foreign compatriots are also going to try their hand at Code-A. You think they'll do well? And do you hope they're in this for the long haul like you?

Code A is tough but they all have the ability to do well, and I hope they will. It would be nice to see all of them staying, but I dont really know too much about Thorzain and Naniwa's long term plans. It's nice to have a language nobody else knows :D

If you got to play in the oGs-TL vs F.United GSTL match, who would you want to face?

Maybe moon, playing TvZ is fun. I don't wanna face foreigners though. When I play teamleague games I already put a lot of pressure on myself. I'd rather save pride games for individual leagues.

Many newer SC II fans might not know this, but you're a famous long time Brood War fanboy. What did you think of Boxer's performances at MLG, and the recent rumors that Yellow might be switching as well?

I think BoxeR always got way more shit than he deserved (Rain too) so I'm happy he can show that he's still pretty damn good.

YellOw, I will wait and see how serious this move is - I hope he's in it for the long term as well.

Alright, let's wrap up. Anything final comments?

I'm sort of tired and sick now, but I feel pretty good about the rest of the year. I'm going to start streaming soon, so I hope my fans will enjoy it. Of course, thanks to our sponsors TLAF (thelittleappfactory) and Razer, and I good luck to all the foreigners!

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Marcus "mouzThorzain" Eklöf

You've been in Korea before for other tournaments, but this will probably be your longest stay. What are your goals and planned length of stay for this trip?

My goals are mainly to improve as a player. I'm planning on staying here for one month. More if things go well. I can't define "well" yet nor do I know how much more it would mean. If I made it into Code-S, I'd like stay in Korea as long as I remained in Code-S, if my team allows it.

Your first opponent is YuGiOh, a Zerg player from slayers, what do you think of him, and would you like to use this interview as an opportunity to mind game him?

I dont know much about him. I watched some of his games but most of them were from a very long time ago. But he's a Korean Zerg from SlayerS, so I'm expecting him to be very good!

And I'm too tired/hungry to be funny, I haven't eaten for twenty hours already, and breakfast isn't for four more hours.

You had some wrist problems that forced you to take a short break from gaming. Is that all cleared up now? Is it okay for you to practice intensely at a Korean house?

After my break and getting some wrist support "gloves" that I play with and sleep with, it's much better, and I can play as much as I want. At least up until now. I hope it stays like this!

Is there any aspect of your play you hope to work on in particular while you're there?

I want to improve my TvZ. But it's hard. Even for months before I left Sweden, the majority of my games were TvZ, but I didn't seem to improve very much at it.

Which competition are you looking forward to the most: Code-A or GSTL?

I just hope that I win my game in Code A today so that I can prepare and play better for the next round. I don't feel that I will be able to play my best with this jet lag and no time to prepare. If I lose my focus will obviously be on GSTL.

A lot of people have been pointing you out since months ago as a foreigner who's just as good as the Koreans. Do you think of yourself as an underdog, or someone who can stand up to the Koreans on even terms?

I just want to improve as much as possible and compete with the koreans on a high level. I hope to not make the foreigners ashamed of me as "just another foreigner that loses to koreans."

Anyone you'd like to play against in particular while you're there? How about MC, who you have a history with?

I would like to play against MC again, yes. He's up 8-5 against me and I want to even the score!

Well, I'll leave you to your practice. Anything you'd like to say in conclusion?

Thanks to all my fans for supporting me! I'll try to make you proud in Korea. Thanks to mousesports and sponsors Medion, Razer, Geil and Intel for their support as well!