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Well i promised a bunch of people i would talk a little about my trip and post up some pictures. It's a work in progress, I'll probably add more things to OP in the coming days, but figured i would share some pictures and a little background. I had an amazing time, and i recommend everyone try it if given the chance. I definitely improved tremendously, as well as made some amazing friends who I will definitely stay in contact with now that im back home.
Oh and shoutout to LiquidHuk for helping me get a korean account
Feel free to ask questions about korea/players/whatever else you want to know and ill try to answer questions.
People living in the house(at some point in time):
Spades - American Terran from VTGaming
Laneir - SC2 Manager from VTGaming
mOOnGLaDe - Australian Zerg from FXO
BoSs - Manager of FXO
Torch - American Terran from VTGaming and Startale
Gisado - Gom Caster, pretty much everyones hero
Later on some others moved in:
cArn - French Terran, Knife Fighter
Teddy aka ProfessorOak - American Zerg
KellyMilkies - Code A Caster from Singapore
Doa - Code A Caster from USA
John or some of the other gom casters would stop by time to time or stay the night when games ran late.
Unfortunately the GOM house never got PC's so we spent most of our time in PC Bangs, and Moonglade and I were able to visit pro team house. We both did very well, finishing with winning ratios(no cleaning dishes for us). Each day we did better, the coaches and players really helped a lot.
The koreans arent really that far ahead of top foreigners, but they are definitely a lot more structured and dedicated so I'm not sure how long things will remain somewhat even. The korean ladder is much more difficult than NA/EU servers.
We all pretty much became best friends, and went out everywhere together. We frequently made trips to Hongdae to go clubbing. If you ever get out to seoul, check out Cocoon and Papa Gorilla, pretty amazing club/bars. Ho Bar you get 50$ bottles to pregame then go nuts. Nightlife in Korea is amazing. It's extremely cheap, and it never stops. If you go home before 6am you are wasting the night. Karaoke in korea is pretty awesome too, you get you're own private room, unlimited ice cream and it costs like 3$ per person.
Artosis and Tasteless are both awesome guys, and helped us out so much when we first arrived. Tasteless knows how to party. If you want to have a good time in korea, just find out what hes doing and tag along.
Bunch of pictures and random stuff:
Flight!
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/sVXpbl.jpg)
Our plane, waiting to board
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/GSlEdl.jpg)
Plane was pretty much empty, so we got whole rows to ourselves to sleep in
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/qiA5Sl.jpg)
First sighting of Korea!
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/nZlGSl.jpg)
Seoul
Gom House and Roommates
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/upe9dl.jpg)
Laneir, Doa and Teddy
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/T0X2Al.jpg)
Our Kitchen
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/vrtRGl.jpg)
Our "gaming stations", No computers still to this day
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/cxV2xl.jpg)
Bunkbeds, a child's dream
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/1YvQOl.jpg)
Spades and Carn looking awesome
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/BvjHsl.jpg)
Teddy being Teddy
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/HA9zwl.jpg)
Laneir posting up
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/17YzVl.jpg)
Teddy, Doa, cArn
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/mlFApl.jpg)
Mon Frere cArn, male model
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/BuUq6l.jpg)
Teddy
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/IoHcZl.jpg)
Doa doing his thing
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/y6MEBl.jpg)
A rare Torch sighting
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/TdrRvl.jpg)
Gisado in his private casting studio
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/tvzqOl.jpg)
mOOnGLaDe and IMMVP
GSL Studio/Finals
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Ddc4Yl.jpg)
Outside the stadium
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/C0qcUl.jpg)
Finals stage
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/VVlf7l.jpg)
Crowd
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/vvaVal.jpg)
More stage/crowd
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/SUkgTl.jpg)
Casting Studio
Random/Out around Seoul
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/wELqYl.jpg)
Carn at E-Nature PC
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/fM4SNl.jpg)
Teddy laddering
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/pag7Bl.jpg)
IMMVP rides the subway too
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/sqcXZl.jpg)
Teddy on the train
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/PSRPcl.jpg)
Carn on the train
Will add more soon!
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MVP so handsome with that jacket!
Thanks for the pictures! Hope you had a good trip.
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papa gorilla... sounds like jinro 
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Pretty slick stuff bro. Seems like a lot of fun! Thanks for posting!
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On March 15 2011 19:05 Bill Murray wrote:papa gorilla... sounds like jinro
probably named after jinro too. and only alcohol they server is... JINRO!
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Love how Moonglade is just rocking his team shirt. While IMMVP is wearing a hoody and a jacket and a scarf.
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Awesome post and pics!
Did anyone harass MVP (by harass I mean swoon over) on the train?
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Thanks for the photos NEVER thought the GSL had a massive seating arrangement like that
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Awesome photos, loved IMMVP riding the subway and miss Gisado since his stream isnt as easy to catch as it was before.
Thank you for the info and hope to see more photos later on
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Why the hell are u so freaking handsome spades JEEZ !!!!
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so how much did u learn that you will take to training when back in America?
Must have such a better understanding of practice too now!!!
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sucks to hear that you haven't recieved any computers yet, cool to see you all get along well though
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I didn't know that casters get to say in the gom house!!! :O
I want to go there!
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Some nice picks. Cool to see you all getting along.
GJ, more plz ^^
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thanks spades! epic photos/write up. Especially loved the bit about the nightlife because i want to travel to korea and that sounds epic!
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On March 15 2011 19:11 Rawrsi wrote:
Love how Moonglade is just rocking his team shirt. While IMMVP is wearing a hoody and a jacket and a scarf.
haha I know. you don't think he's happy to be on a progaming team in Korea do you?
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Thank you for sharing this to the community.
I'm so jealous right now, I would love to fly to korea spending some time in the GOM house.
someone give me money and free time plz !
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hahahahaha that picture of torch still cracks me up :DDDDDDD
it's not the same here anymore without the daily croissant tho ...
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"A rare Torch sighting." A wild charmander has appeared. Hohoho.
\o\ I loved your story about how you met MVP on the train the most. Just snapping photos of him hehehe.
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You should make a video now, just like Artosis!
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Had a lot of fun hanging out with you guys while you were here! I'll miss Lanier hitting on every single Korean female we passed on the street. Mokdong yo!
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Awesome pics. I'd love to hear some updates on how the lesser-known house members (cArn and Oak specifically) are progressing in skill.
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United States2095 Posts
Spades Fighting!! Wish you could have stayed, but happy your back here!! <3
Love the pictures! : )
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Nice-su
Looks like you had a blast man
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On March 15 2011 18:53 Spades wrote:
Later on some others moved in:
cArn - French Terran, Knife Fighter
Uhhhh what??
Looks awesome though! Thanks for the update! Good luck!
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Invite us next time you go! looks awesome
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Awesome pictures, thanks for sharing them.
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Wow that`s awesome man. How many people would you recommend to join me if I did take a trip to korea?
Also, what exactly did the coaches teach you when you played? I have a tough time understanding specifically what lines they would use to make someone a better player.
Awesome, again, that's all I can say :D
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Very cool. Thanks for this!
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Gisado is handsome + younger than what i expected :D... great pic + good luck
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Spades is back in the US now, for those asking.
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lucky bastard spades 
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great pics thanks for the viewing
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On March 15 2011 19:57 Clicker wrote:
Awesome post and pics!
Did anyone harass MVP (by harass I mean swoon over) on the train?
cArn is still living in the Gom House, I'm back in the US currently
On March 15 2011 20:31 Tommylew wrote:
so how much did u learn that you will take to training when back in America?
Must have such a better understanding of practice too now!!!
Not only did i learn a lot in general from the korean pros, but i also learned more efficient ways to practice and analyze my game, I improved a lot.
On March 15 2011 21:03 Rylaji wrote:
Are you going back?
Only time will tell, a lot of big things happening in the US this year, so we'll see
On March 16 2011 01:08 eXwOn wrote:
Wow that`s awesome man. How many people would you recommend to join me if I did take a trip to korea?
Also, what exactly did the coaches teach you when you played? I have a tough time understanding specifically what lines they would use to make someone a better player.
Awesome, again, that's all I can say :D
The more the better i suppose~ If you or anyone else is serious about going to korea for a trip and wants any info on fun places to stay or places to go for fun etc, feel free to pm me.
The coaches gave my game a lot more structure. I have set places for buildings, clearly defined build orders and timings. They really will focus on every tiny aspect of your game to make it as solid as possible. They will have you play the same build over and over, making it more efficient each game. I was always the kind of player that just had a loose build order and tried to react to my opponent, they want you to not have to think about what to do, but already have structured reactions to whatever your opponent is doing, so you dont have to think as much and can just react naturally and focus on other things. They showed me so much more, but this was the biggest improvement for me
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I cant see the pictures says upgrade photobucket
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Can't see the images 
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On March 16 2011 09:01 DashedHopes wrote:
I cant see the pictures says upgrade photobucket
Same here. Sounds like an awesome trip though!
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Aaah, get the photobucket pro account!! I must see these pics :D
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Braavos36401 Posts
you need to upload to imgur or a public hosting :p
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On March 16 2011 09:03 StutteR wrote:Can't see the images
Yeah i just get the photobucket Bandwith exceeded, plz upgrade.
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On March 16 2011 09:27 Spades wrote:
In process of fixing it
Thank God!! I must see!!
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Hey man, why don't you upgrade to pro today so we can see the pics ?
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Pics aren't working :'( need to upgrade to pro.
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Soooo saddd neeeed picsss
Everything else sounds so exciting though, gratz so far!
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cant see the photos
i think photobucket doesnt work for me :/
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aww, can`t se half the photos (says bandwitdth exceeded)
the ones I can see are aewsome though, it looks like a lot of fun and everyone looks very nice and friendly
also, guess even MVPs ride the subway in korea
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On March 16 2011 09:55 s2pid_loser wrote:
cant see the photos
i think photobucket doesnt work for me :/
He says he's fixing it
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cool post, looking forward to updated pics.
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Glad you had a great time. Seems like Korea is a blast, I'll have to visit someday. Good to know that Korea improved your game a lot. From what you said, sounds like Korean training is really effective.
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These pictures all look strangely familiar...
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I can't see any of the photos what a bummer :<
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says maximum bandwidth has been reached on the images.
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Photobucket is stuck in the early 00's.
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still cant see the pics 9:30 P.m Canada East
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Is anybody else seeing the "Upgrade to pro today"
edit. yes apparently so haha
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Thanks for your story. Hope you fix the pictures soon because I'm definitely interested. If I may suggest, imgur is the best free imagehosting site out there. Looking forward to seeing the results of your training back here in the USA.
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Try uploading them on Imgur
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Thank you for the post, it was a very good read.
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Thanks for posting these, Its always nice to see places like this in this setiting.
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Well done spades. Was good fun meeting you there, good to see you aren't as much of a dick offline as you are on J/K
Truely awesome experience, and glad you are sharing it with the rest of the world, perhaps more players might try to get to korea now.
Look forward to seeing you at one of the GSL's, when I can get to the states!
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Thanks for the thread Spades! Any plans to start streaming again?
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On March 16 2011 15:06 FXOpen wrote:Well done spades. Was good fun meeting you there, good to see you aren't as much of a dick offline as you are on J/K Truely awesome experience, and glad you are sharing it with the rest of the world, perhaps more players might try to get to korea now. Look forward to seeing you at one of the GSL's, when I can get to the states!
Yeah it was definitely a good life experience. I think we got along because we were both dicks to eachother, so we had a level of respect lol. Yeah come to an MLG, we will pop bottles
On March 16 2011 16:17 Keeler wrote:
Thanks for the thread Spades! Any plans to start streaming again?
I'll be streaming again soon, I'm havent quite set up since ive been back, but soon!
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Wow that must be fucking awesome to see the best player on the entire planet on the subway, I wish I could speak Korean and tell him how great he is . Did you get sick like most players who at first go to Korea because of all the pollution?
Edit: How has your TvZ improved, did you get high enough on the ladder to hit NesTea and other top zergs?
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On March 16 2011 17:27 frozt_ wrote:Wow that must be fucking awesome to see the best player on the entire planet on the subway, I wish I could speak Korean and tell him how great he is . Did you get sick like most players who at first go to Korea because of all the pollution? Edit: How has your TvZ improved, did you get high enough on the ladder to hit NesTea and other top zergs?
When i first got to korea, i was really sick and stuck in bed for about 10 days.
My TvZ improved the most. It's probably my strongest matchup now. I got over 3k in the short time i was there, and i played many big name korean pro's.
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probably more of a TL.net problem but the images are way too big for the div, resize?
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The pictures are huge and dont fit the thread???
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On March 16 2011 18:39 KMARTRULES wrote:
The pictures are huge and dont fit the thread???
they auto-resize if u wait a few seconds
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thank you for updating the pics!
goodluck!
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Thanks for the pictures. MVP is such a baller, taking the subway like nobody's business.
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Australia326 Posts
Love the GLaDe + MVP pic.
So hawt.
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Love the one Torch picture.
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Why is seeing torch such a rare sight?
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On March 17 2011 04:21 Spades wrote:Show nested quote +On March 16 2011 18:39 KMARTRULES wrote:
The pictures are huge and dont fit the thread??? they auto-resize if u wait a few seconds
No, they don't.
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Awesome stuff!
What's the address of the Gom house? Just asking out of curiosity coz I live in Korea as well^^
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what ever happened to Teddy? Artosis interviewed him, he failed to qualify for code A, and then I've never heard anything about him again.
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Please change the pictures to the following:
[b]Bunch of pictures and random stuff:[/b]
[u][b]Flight![/b][/u]
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/sVXpbl.jpg[/IMG]
Our plane, waiting to board
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/GSlEdl.jpg[/IMG]
Plane was pretty much empty, so we got whole rows to ourselves to sleep in
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/qiA5Sl.jpg[/IMG]
First sighting of Korea!
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/nZlGSl.jpg[/IMG]
Seoul
[u][b]Gom House and Roommates[/u]
[/b]
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/upe9dl.jpg[/IMG]
Laneir, Doa and Teddy
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/T0X2Al.jpg[/IMG]
Our Kitchen
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/vrtRGl.jpg[/IMG]
Our "gaming stations", No computers still to this day
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/cxV2xl.jpg[/IMG]
Bunkbeds, a child's dream
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/1YvQOl.jpg[/IMG]
Spades and Carn looking awesome
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/BvjHsl.jpg[/IMG]
Teddy being Teddy
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/HA9zwl.jpg[/IMG]
Laneir posting up
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/17YzVl.jpg[/IMG]
Teddy, Doa, cArn
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/mlFApl.jpg[/IMG]
Mon Frere cArn, male model
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/BuUq6l.jpg[/IMG]
Teddy
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/IoHcZl.jpg[/IMG]
Doa doing his thing
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/y6MEBl.jpg[/IMG]
A rare Torch sighting
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/TdrRvl.jpg[/IMG]
Gisado in his private casting studio
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/tvzqOl.jpg[/IMG]
mOOnGLaDe and IMMVP
[u][b]GSL Studio/Finals[/u][/b]
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/Ddc4Yl.jpg[/IMG]
Outside the stadium
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/C0qcUl.jpg[/IMG]
Finals stage
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/VVlf7l.jpg[/IMG]
Crowd
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/vvaVal.jpg[/IMG]
More stage/crowd
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/SUkgTl.jpg[/IMG]
Casting Studio
[b][u]Random/Out around Seoul[/u][/b]
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/wELqYl.jpg[/IMG]
Carn at E-Nature PC
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/fM4SNl.jpg[/IMG]
Teddy laddering
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/pag7Bl.jpg[/IMG]
IMMVP rides the subway too
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/sqcXZl.jpg[/IMG]
Teddy on the train
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/PSRPcl.jpg[/IMG]
Carn on the train
Will add more soon!
+ Show Spoiler +Bunch of pictures and random stuff:Flight!Our plane, waiting to board Plane was pretty much empty, so we got whole rows to ourselves to sleep in First sighting of Korea! Seoul Gom House and RoommatesLaneir, Doa and Teddy Our Kitchen Our "gaming stations", No computers still to this day Bunkbeds, a child's dream Spades and Carn looking awesome Teddy being Teddy Laneir posting up Teddy, Doa, cArn Mon Frere cArn, male model Teddy Doa doing his thing A rare Torch sighting Gisado in his private casting studio mOOnGLaDe and IMMVP GSL Studio/FinalsOutside the stadium Finals stage Crowd More stage/crowd Casting Studio Random/Out around SeoulCarn at E-Nature PC Teddy laddering IMMVP rides the subway too Teddy on the train Carn on the train Will add more soon!
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wait Carn is a knife fighter?
what a badass
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Sounds like a blast. I always thought it was a dream come true to play Starcraft 2 professionally in Korea, but that combined with the night life really sounds like a good time. And somehow I always knew that Tasteless knew how to party hmm...
Glad the trip helped you improve! I'm sure you learned a lot, and not just about Starcraft. Best of luck!
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Cool writeup and awesome pictures, thanks for sharing with us.
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On April 11 2011 09:48 Primadog wrote:Please change the pictures to the following:
[b]Bunch of pictures and random stuff:[/b]
[u][b]Flight![/b][/u]
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/sVXpbl.jpg[/IMG]
Our plane, waiting to board
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/GSlEdl.jpg[/IMG]
Plane was pretty much empty, so we got whole rows to ourselves to sleep in
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/qiA5Sl.jpg[/IMG]
First sighting of Korea!
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/nZlGSl.jpg[/IMG]
Seoul
[u][b]Gom House and Roommates[/u]
[/b]
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/upe9dl.jpg[/IMG]
Laneir, Doa and Teddy
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/T0X2Al.jpg[/IMG]
Our Kitchen
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/vrtRGl.jpg[/IMG]
Our "gaming stations", No computers still to this day
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/cxV2xl.jpg[/IMG]
Bunkbeds, a child's dream
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/1YvQOl.jpg[/IMG]
Spades and Carn looking awesome
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/BvjHsl.jpg[/IMG]
Teddy being Teddy
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/HA9zwl.jpg[/IMG]
Laneir posting up
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/17YzVl.jpg[/IMG]
Teddy, Doa, cArn
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/mlFApl.jpg[/IMG]
Mon Frere cArn, male model
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/BuUq6l.jpg[/IMG]
Teddy
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/IoHcZl.jpg[/IMG]
Doa doing his thing
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/y6MEBl.jpg[/IMG]
A rare Torch sighting
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/TdrRvl.jpg[/IMG]
Gisado in his private casting studio
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/tvzqOl.jpg[/IMG]
mOOnGLaDe and IMMVP
[u][b]GSL Studio/Finals[/u][/b]
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/Ddc4Yl.jpg[/IMG]
Outside the stadium
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/C0qcUl.jpg[/IMG]
Finals stage
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/VVlf7l.jpg[/IMG]
Crowd
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/vvaVal.jpg[/IMG]
More stage/crowd
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/SUkgTl.jpg[/IMG]
Casting Studio
[b][u]Random/Out around Seoul[/u][/b]
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/wELqYl.jpg[/IMG]
Carn at E-Nature PC
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/fM4SNl.jpg[/IMG]
Teddy laddering
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/pag7Bl.jpg[/IMG]
IMMVP rides the subway too
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/sqcXZl.jpg[/IMG]
Teddy on the train
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/PSRPcl.jpg[/IMG]
Carn on the train
Will add more soon!
+ Show Spoiler +Bunch of pictures and random stuff:Flight!Our plane, waiting to board Plane was pretty much empty, so we got whole rows to ourselves to sleep in First sighting of Korea! Seoul Gom House and RoommatesLaneir, Doa and Teddy Our Kitchen Our "gaming stations", No computers still to this day Bunkbeds, a child's dream Spades and Carn looking awesome Teddy being Teddy Laneir posting up Teddy, Doa, cArn Mon Frere cArn, male model Teddy Doa doing his thing A rare Torch sighting Gisado in his private casting studio mOOnGLaDe and IMMVP GSL Studio/FinalsOutside the stadium Finals stage Crowd More stage/crowd Casting Studio Random/Out around SeoulCarn at E-Nature PC Teddy laddering IMMVP rides the subway too Teddy on the train Carn on the train Will add more soon!
done. tyty
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EPT
