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[11.06.23] Translation as requested by SlayerS_Jessica Initial mistranslation edited. Section underlined. Thanks to namedplayer
The story of how the First Lady to the Emperor made the 'SlayerS Clan' an elite gaming unit.
The winner of the Supporting Actress award at the Daejong Film Festival, the love interest of 'Emperor' Lim Yo-Hwan is now dreaming of turning SlayerS into the strongest Starcraft 2 team.
This is only a part of both the past and present of Kim Ka-Yeon. Her straight-talking style and honest attitude makes her a hard-nosed interviewee, making me think that the interview would not be easy, even before our meeting. However, the more our conversation continued, I felt that these were all just prejudices.
As the interview progressed, she made each of these prejudices disappear. Her youthful looks would never betray that she is eight years older than her fiancée, and the charisma that she eminates manages to dismantle whatever defences are left. That's not all. The more we spoke, the more Kim Ka-Yeon seemed like a driven, agreeable person with a fiery passion; she is a dependable and strong woman.
■ Golden Age of the SlayerS Clan
Recently, SlayerS has become one of the most successful teams in the StarCaft 2, recording two consecutive wins in the GSTL. On top of this, MMA, the Ace player of the SlayerS team won the MLG 2011 in Columbus, becoming a champion in the individual league for the first time. SlayerS then went on to field five players in the Ro16 and three in the Ro8, gradually becoming one of the elite gaming teams.
SlayerS Clan is beginning to become an elite Starcraft 2 team. What have you been up to these days? I think that I've been more active recently than I've ever been in my entire life. I'm actually the type that doesn't like to move that much. I usually rest by being on the computer and eating, but these days I'm busy looking after Yohwan (BoxeR) and the SlayerS team members, as well as doing a variety of things in preparation for the future. Also, the game company that I'm working for recently started the closed beta test so it's been very busy. Just yesterday, we introduced the new uniforms so I was busy ironing and storing away the old uniforms, and preparing the new ones.
So you won't be returning to your main occupation of acting any time soon?
I made an agreement with my manager. If I start doing dramas again, I would have to concentrate on only that and so I wouldn't be able to keep my promise with the players. That's why I gave up doing dramas and am keeping up with the entertainment industry by occasionally guesting on variety shows.
But you must be missing your main occupation of acting. How long do you plan to break for? Now that we have started work with SlayerS, I want to concentreate on this for around one year. Maybe it will have to be the latter half of next year before you see actress Kim Ka-Yeon again? (Laughs)
Moon Sungwon (MMA) has become the champion at MLG Columbus. This the first individual champion for SlayerS, right?
MMA fell into a serious slump after being knocked out at the Code promotion matches. He used to be a joker and the life of the party in the team, but at some point he suddenly stopped speaking altogether. But around that time came the invitation to participate in MLG Colombus. BoxeR thought hard about who he should send but he then said, "I'm not in a good condition, so let's send MMA. If MMA wins this tournament, it will be good motivation for the other players". So I called in MMA and told him "Go and win. If you don't win, don't come back" and he came back with the trophy and a lot of experience from America.
After coming back from MLG, he said that he felt that "a player can do nothing more than to concentrate on the game". In the future, we want to send a more players to more international events as much as possible.
You have recorded the first ever consecutive wins of the GSTL and individual performances are also good. I think it would be fair to call this the Golden Age of the SlayerS Clan.
It's an expected result but we still have a long way to go. We still have a lot of players we haven't been able to show you yet. Of course, MMA is the representative player for SlayerS but he is also the only player that has reached prominence and performing at his peak. Slayers Clan has far more players who have the pro mindset and explosive potential.
■ From celebrity to the Lady of the Slayers Clan
SlayerS Clan began as "BoxeR's Team" or "BoxeR's Best Men". He, who increased the popularity of eSports through Starcraft began a new personal challenge by turning his attention to Starcraft 2. But there is a limit to how he can prepare for an event by himself.
There were many teams that offered BoxeR a place but he wanted one of his own and his girlfriend, Kim Ka-Yeon began preparations for the formation of his own team. This was the beginning of SlayerS Clan. However, people on the outside called them BoxeR's "Best Men"* or a rabble that had been rounded up to be his practice opponents. "You only need to diligently play the game. I will take care of everything else." However, Kim Ka-Yeon didn't form the team with that in mind from the start. She pushed aside her own celebrity activities to gather players, take care of the team's living circumstances, set and maintained the code of discipline and has made the SlayerS Clan grow into an established game team.
Could you talk about how you came to start the SlayerS Clan?
Last year, BoxeR participated in his first ever Starcraft 2 tournament [referring to GSL Open Season 2 of 2010] and did quite well against Terran and Protos. But he wasn't able to any practice against Zerg on the ladder. He needed to practise for the semi-finals against Lim Jaeduk (NesTea) but had a lot of difficulty finding a practise partner.
We did manage to find one on the day before the match, but the cause of the downfall was incorrectly preparing for NesTea during practice. Communication to the practice opponent regarding Zerg counter-strategies against strategies that seem to work came too late. So he did not get enough experience opposing Zerg. This led to him concluding that it would be impossible to go alone. We wanted to ask Wonki (FruitDealer) to help us, but his early exit from the competition meant that we couldn't, and so BoxeR was left knowing almost nothing about how to play against Zerg.
BoxeR was so lonely while preparing for competition and he had offers to join two teams which he was considering. But he was wanted to have a team of his own and was passionate about making his own team. That's why we prepared this team. For a while there were rumors that the team was only being formed to gather practise opponents for BoxeR, and while the original intention could have been similar to this, but the result was different. Some of the team inductees may have begun as practice opponents for BoxeR, but we wanted to create a strong teamby improving them through him, to become top players of their own right.
How was the first recruitment process for SlayerS Clan and what were the members like?
We began with the top 128 candidates. Originally, there were over 300 applicants but we managed to bring this down to 128 with the first stage of the process. The first player that we accepted into the team was MMA. We took him in because BoxeR had his eye on him from SK Telecom days and he had potential as a player. Amongs online candidates Jang Kangwook (Frozen) came first, and we chose nine players including Hwang Dohyung (Min), Jeon Cheonhu (Tiffany), Cho Myunghwan (Golden), Yoon Sunghoon (Lots), Kang Sangwon (Special), Kim Kyoungsu (Regalmind). Among them, Frozen, Min and Golden remain.
I heard that there were some other recruitment of additional players after this.
Kim Dongwon (Ryung) came in during a Clan induction competition. Yang Joonsik (Alicia) was originally among the 128 who were eliminated but still joined the team. Our team is divided into four levels. Our system is to have levels of 'Clan One', 'Second Army' (2 Goon), 'Apprentice' (1.5 Goon), 'First Army' (1 Goon). The Apprentice system tests whether the player can adapt well to the dormitory lifestyle. They live in with Second Army players and also with First Army for a month while being watched closely to determine whether they can join or not. One noteworthy member that made it to the First Army this way is Alicia.
BoxeR was playing on the ladder and he kept coming across someone with the username "Alicia". He had a real drive for winning no matter what and he made BoxeR think hard the most when playing. And so, every time Alicia logged on, he would always keep watch and pay close attention, and he watched even closer when he was one of the top 128 initial candidates. Thinking only about his game style, one would think he would be wily-looking, but he actually looks so innocent.He might look very naive and honest, but his game style is devilish. So we watched him and thought that he was good, so while he was eliminated from the induction process, we called him in separately. We told him that we wanted to see how he would do as an apprentice in the dormitories. Having been eliminated initially, Alicia looked very happy when he heard this. After he joined and lived with us in the dormitory, we found that he wasn't wily at all but leads a model lifestyle, has great initiative and is a diligent person. Since he works so hard as a hyung [older brother], so the younger guys can't help but learn from him.
You were the first in GSTL history to win twice consecutively. Do you remember the first time you entered?
The first time we entered GSTL was within two weeks of the formation of SlayerS Clan. MMA recorded three kills, but fell in the Ro8. It was an obvious result but we weren't disappointed. We told the players that we would try harder next month.
Next were GSTL Season 2 and Season 3 and you won both. What is your secret?
At the time, many said "SlayerS Clan is nothing without BoxeR". The players used that a stimulus to work harder. The first map of GSTL Season 2 was "Tal'Darim Altar" and at the time, it was widely thought of as a Zerg-favoring map.
I am not in charge of managing the players within the team but selected Min. He was active in SK Telecom as Second Army, but he had no tournament experience. But because we know the mindset, the reason why he got into professional gaming, we selected him as part of the team. We told him, "put everything you have on Tal'Darim Altar". So we kept that a secret from everyone else and prepared him from two weeks prior. And we kept checking in on him for those two weeks. Min worked hard and we finally decided on having him participate. The day before, he said that he was so nervous because this was his first broadcasted match. In fact, the day Min was participating in the opening match was the day his little brother was enlisting in the army. "Win this match, for your little brother and for your uncle who looked after you like a parent". In the end, Min's win was an incredible boost of morale for the team. It became a chance for the team to start integrating more, unifying with an incredible amount of effort. And having tasted victory, all the players completely changed. For GSTL Season 3, just as we did with Min, we prepared two players from two weeks prior to competition, but Yoon Yeongseo (TaeJa) joined in a week later. We gave TaeJa the opportunity too and his name jumped out for us on the roster. We asked him, "If we put you into the first match, can you do an all kill?" and he replied that he was confident. So we trusted him.
Like we mentioned before, it was being called "BoxeR's Team" or "BoxeR's Best Men".
We weren't frustrated or hurt by that. Those were regular phrases for eSports commentators, right? "Yohwan's Danmul"**? [She laughs] I told them to forget all of that. "Just as eSports players and others before you, you will make that phrase your own. People who say that there is nobody in SlayerS but BoxeR or that you are BoxeR's Best Men are just jealous of you." I told them that in the end, results would prove everything to everyone: "Learn everything you can from BoxeR. BoxeR would be carrying you for now, but there will be a time when you will carrying BoxeR".
[[* Best Man as within marriage. The same word means either best man or bridesmaid depending on the gender of the subject. This refers to them as side-shows to BoxeR.]] [[** 'Yohwan Danmul' is a parody of a recent scamming scandal involving a liquid sold similar to 'snake oil'. Thus, it translates to the team being a front, a scam made up with the players not being worth the name they are being sold under.]]
There were rumors during the early days of the establishment of SlayerS, that a continuous career couldn't be guaranteed in the team. I heard that too. With other teams, when they see anyone with potential, their first reaction is to bring them into their team. That's not how you should be treating players. You must give them an opportunity to see which team they would fit well into, and I hated that this doesn't seem to be doing that. That's why we introduced a "Rise-and-fall" system. The number of players that rise and fall may vary as the situation demands but the general idea is almost identical to the GSL.
I always tell the players "those who are following you are like charging infantry. Do not be content with what you have because you will become stagnant water. Never forget the fact that somewhere behind you, there is someone who wants what you have." I want to make them throw away thoughts like "I'm around average in SlayerS, so I could never get cut from the team". We do monthly calculations of individual performance and award 'scholarships'. It's a system of never-ending competition. The players must learn that if they cannot survive in Slayers Clan, they cannot survive in the outside world. Even if some teams do not think favorably of this system, it's been of great help and the results speak for themselves. Training in our team isn't as difficult as it might seem at first. I think that it's the most professional image one can have. When we work, we work; when we play, we play.
You don't come from a professional gamer background or have management experience and you are a celebrity by profession, so how did you come up with this team management model? I am working in a games-related company and in the online game I used to play, the clans and blood-alliances that I was part of were the best. My clan were always so good that people would speak badly of us. It's a war game and I am a general. When I command the troops in battle, there are those who fight, but there are also those who hide. I would go find the soldiers who were hiding and kill them myself. Just like in the real army, there can be no deserters. But to those that worked hard, I would never hesitate in distributing my own equipment, healthpacks and other things.
I thought that a game team would be similar. I think I came to that conclusion after ten years of playing games. The game world is just another world that recreates real life people and culture. And so I always say that "Those weaker than me may insult me behind my back, but they can't say anything to my face"
Your strong image has the adverse effect of making Coach Hong Seungpyo's (Cella) role look small.
I know that there are stories from the outside along those lines, but they are incorrect. I saw Cella's diligence and gave him the coaching duties. I told Coach Cella, "I will take everything outside of the game, so look after and develop everything inside the game together with the players, as a coach". SlayerS is a team that I made, so I feel responsible for everything. Coach Cella needs only to concentrate on helping the players to improve.
Then is BoxeR a playing coach in SlayerS Clan?
Not at all. BoxeR just does not have that kind of time to teach anyone. [Laghs] BoxeR's role in SlayerS is simply being its reason to exist. As i said before, Coach Cella is responsible for leading the players and everything in-game, everything else outside of the game is my reponsibility. BoxeR is just the big hyung who plays games with them and is a role model player for all other players. BoxeR is always busy analysing his own game.
Is there a management method exclusive to SlayerS Clan? We manage the team in a way much like the army. But these kids' parents have entrusted us with them, so we try to make sure they have the best living environment possible. For these players who are living away from home, I would hate to see them lose weight or become unhealthy. So I have set out chores and we all gather together to clean up. The timetable is also clearly set out. From waking up, to practising, to sleeping time, all things are done according to the schedule, and there have to be rules when living in a dormitory as a team. We are helping the team so that all players can be active altogether.
Many fans are curious. What exactly is Kim Ka-Yeon's position in Slayers Clan? Leader of the game team? Emotional support? Rumors said that I was an "underling", right? At first, I thought I was meant to be the errand runner or something. "You guys just concentrate on playing the game, and I will take care of everything else for you" was on my mind the whole time. I told BoxeR this, too. But since the players are professionals, not amateurs, the situation made it inevitable that my role would expand a little. I think I am like a mother to the players. Since the players have left home to board here, I scold them when they need to be scolded and look after them, so it feels almost like a family. After forming a bond with the players and some emotional exchanges, we all think of ourselves as one family. So they think of me as family, as noona [elder sister] or mom. So the players call me 'Great Queen of Nagging'. And I like to think that I am the team leader of SlayerS.
■ How to live as the first lady to 'Emperor' BoxeR When fans found that the 'Emperor' Lim Yohwan had a girlfriend, that girlfriend was Kim Ka-Yeon, they were not interested in her as a peron but the fact that she was eight years his senior and that she was a divorcee. In the end, a minority of fans did not look on her favorably, as someone who had stolen their Emperor from them and bad stories followed her.
But this woman made the momentous decision to throw away her own profession to support her boyfriend. Kim Ka-Yeon was taken aback by her boyfriend who one day became helpless, and did everything she could to help him do what he enjoyed doing.
Kim Ka-Yeon began work to support Lim Yohwan who had made the decision to take on Starcraft 2. Thanks to this, BoxeR became a competitive 30 year-old pro-gamer, and was able to fulfil his promise to the fans.
Was there a point when you decided you wanted solely to support your boyfriend?
From a personal, romantic point of view, BoxeR knows nothing but Starcraft. Even he admits it. When he was playing Starcraft [Brood War], he had a team and other people took care of everything for him so all he needed to was play the game. That's probably why he's so used to that. When BoxeR first mentioned wanting to play Starcraft 2, it was right after the 광안리 대첩 [translated as Kwanganli Invitational, referring to Shinhan Bank Pro-league]. BoxeR had already stopped playing Starcraft [Brood War] for a very long time before those finals. He had already been beaten to tournament places by hoobaes [juniors] and also other reasons meant that he fell into a personal dilemma.
But then his team, SK Telecom, gave good conditions as his contract was expiring. One of the things that we are still thankful for is SK Telecom's team leader, Oh Kyoungsik. He gave conditions for a coaching position that stood up to the conditions of the coaches of any other team. However, BoxeR hated imagining himself content at his own position. That's why he decided to take on Starcraft 2 when he heard that it was being released.
But even though he did decide on taking on this challenge, he was still scared. Maybe like a middle-aged bread winner facing redundancy? I saw BoxeR in that position. It was a shock for me to see him so helpless one day, when he wouldn't practice and just sat still in a cafe and said "I... don't have anything I can do". That's when I made the decision. I was going to be the person that helps Yohwan return to doing what he wants to do.
So I began looking for individual sponsors and began discussions with several large companies. They responded favorably and after the first meeting with Intel, I told BoxeR.
I wonder how he reacted to hearing that.
At first, he wouldn't believe me. While deciding on sponsoring BoxeR at Intel, the intention was not "let's show BoxeR winning" but "let's make an environment so that which fans who want to watch see BoxeR compete, can do so". Recently, there was a certain special reporter who nonsensically claimed that "BoxeR's poor performance has made Intel's sponsorship weaken", but that's completely misinformed.
Intel are satisfied because, from the very start, the decisive reason behind co-operation [between us and Intel] was that they wanted to show BoxeR compete to the fans who wanted to watch him. The first meeting with Intel came after the 2010 광안리 결승전 and the expiry of the SK Telecom contract.
I still can't forget that BoxeR began practising Starcraft 2 on August 14th 2010. Making an account under his name would have raised a commotion, so he made the account 'manofoneway' under my name. After making the account, he started playing and he would not leave his chair. He actually wanted to compete in GSL 1, but the day before the qualifiers was two days short of the expiry of the contract, so of course he couldn't compete.
Do you remember the day of the first Starcraft 2 qualifiers?
Of course. BoxeR was just like a child the day before a picnic. He was so nervous that he couldn't sleep properly but he was in top physical condition. As I watched him sit in the arena and participate in the qualifiers, I thought to myself "Wow, I was so right to do this".
Back then, unlike now, I was looking after BoxeR and also my career at the same time. Seeing him like that made me think that I should leave my career and concentrate on looking after him. Since I was still doing both things, I used to bring my managers to the arenas. I felt so sorry for them and thought for the first time that there was nobody else in the world who could help him but me. I have never made meals more diligently than between that day until the formation of SlayerS Clan. [Laughs] It takes more effort to prepare side dishes for three meals per day.
When it first became public that you were dating BoxeR, didn't a minority of fans react coldly to you? I imagine that you felt discomfort or sadness from their gazes.
I didn't feel sad or uncomfortable. When you think about it, there must be quite a large number of children among his fans and it was more difficult realising that there isn't much I can do to deal with these children. If they were a little adults or a little more mature, I could at least talk to them in person or fight it out if we can't agree, but there are many who are children who have yet to mature.
A certain web community spread a story that I had a fight with one of those fan, but apparently me identifying myself can be expressed as me picking a fight with them. And so over a hundred people left hate messages and so I reported it to cyber investigators but I learned that there really are many types of people. I thought hard over whether I was meant to punish them or to embrace them because they are all BoxeR's fans in the end. It was an incredibly difficult time for BoxeR, too. Seeing that, I realised that I should choose the latter. Having had experience as a celebrity, as someone involved in the gaming industry I just decided to tolerate everything.
You may have decided to embrace and tolerate every fan, but there must be things that you feel are unjust or sadden you.
There was once an accusation that I stole the front row seats of a competition venue. A certain media outlet reported that and so there was a misunderstanding which caused me incredble hurt. Not only that, some people still think that it's true and that it's still being spoken of really saddens me. It's common sense: who would do that kind of thing in this day and age? I understand that the reporter heard it from one of the event staff and made it into an article. That staff member was an SK Telecom fan and escorted me to my seat. But he told [the reporter] that that was how I would steal seats from fans. Allow me to take this opportunity to address the misunderstanding. Allow me to repeat myself that I am not that kind of senseless person who does such inappropriate things.
All the fans who opposed BoxeR and I dating from the moment it was revealed must have had their reasons, right? I was frustrated that instead of me being an older woman, that I am a divorcee, they had an excuse-like reason like me being a rude woman. When I went to the online community that was spreading the unkind story, there were even people claiming to have seen the incident with their own eyes. Reading that made me even more frustrated. At the time, BoxeR was quite disturbed by it, too. He found it regretful that people weren't trying to find out the truth but only trying to make me look bad from the outset.
Actually, weren't there fans who are cheering you two on?
Fans who supported our relationship have been discreetly sending us messages of support. People privately sent PMs or carefully sent us messages so that they wouldn't get caught up in the issue. I once wrote on an online community site that cheering on BoxeR no matter what as he plays his game is the true duty of a fan, but a minority of fans used this to make up a term "fake fan" to attack me.
I've been a celebrity myself so I know that whether it is a celebrity or a sports star, their true fans want to see their stars for a long time. Even BoxeR once said that people who are like that to the death are his true fans. BoxeR showed two sides to his character to the fans, and he advised his fans not to see only the outer shell.
[b]BoxeR may be practising harder than anyone, but he is now in his 30s. There must be times when there must be, what you might call, a small difference that is physically impossible to close. Firstly, BoxeR's shoulder is not in a good state. It's almost serious... having tenosynovitis, he can't raise his arm properly. I keep telling him, "Even machines need to take time to be greased. Take a break from practising and rest" but he doesn't. The only resting time that BoxeR allows himself is when sleeps at night, eats his meals and plays soccer with the other players. He takes no vacations, no time to rest and just plays the game. I think he believes that "if I take a small break from playing now, I may never be able to play in the future". That kind of attitude brought on the shoulder strain. Thankfully, he took two days off after the recent NASL pool league, but that is everything. If one assesses SlayerS Clan, BoxeR is ranked in among the top. I may not be a player of the game, but I do watch over them as an observer. Whether an opponent of BoxeR wins or loses is irrelevant and they will have something to talk about. If they win, they can talk about beating the great BoxeR and if they lose, they can talk about losing to the great BoxeR. That's why he feels a great amount of a different kind of pressure when he competes. As someone who was that famous in Starcraft [Brood War] as a strategist, the way he thinks about new things is also different. That's why when he started Starcraft 2, he focused too much on the strategy instead of the basics. There are those that say "NesTea is also in his 30s, but he still manages to win", but BoxeR spent such a long time gaining experience and fulfilling achievements in Starcraft [Brood War] that he finds Starcraft 2 a difficult task. He could never perform how he wanted because it was difficult to abandon all the things he had gained in Starcraft [Brood War]. Meanwhile, NesTea had much less style to live up to and could freely compete in his own way. I think those starting Starcraft 2 can achieve more because they have less stubborn habits carrying on Starcraft [Brood War].
I think it will be important for BoxeR to abandon his Brood War style of play. Even he feels its limitations, and we did transition a lot in terms of management and change styles, but the ratio between strategy and management is about 50/50. But I don't think he can throw it all away. I still tell him to play like other Starcraft 2 do, but he perseveres with his style until he hits a limit from his own play.
When do you think BoxeR will be able to meet the expectations of his fans with great results? It's difficult to put a firm date on it. He might be in a dilemma but he hasn't fallen into a slump. Some people have claim "BoxeR has been relegated to Code A", but those words are incredibly insulting. What about the players who are giving their all to qualify for Code A, what does that make them? What is important is that BoxeR is still able to be active with other players, not that he has been relegated to Code A. Whether it is Code S or Code A, what is important is that he is active as a player.
Fans hope to see BoxeR compete, BoxeR hopes to win the league, I hope to see him play games until the day he wants to stop. I don't think it's important for BoxeR to remain on top, but to remain active in the middle for a long time. No matter what the field of work, rising to the top after falling really is a difficult task.
■ SlayerS Clan, taking the Korean flag on their breast!
SlayerS Clan have a Korean flag on their uniform. This was game team leader Kim Ka-Yeon's idea. She developed the system for SlayerS and plans for international activities.
To achieve this, she wants SlayerS to become an even bigger, and even more secure gaming team. Her goal is not only to have her players work hard to achieve results in the team leagues but also in the individual leagues, to lead them without leaving any player behind and take them abroad to let the world know about Korean gaming teams.
GSTL are you confident of three consecutive GSTL wins when season 4 begins?
We always intend to win three consecutively. We tell the players, "How SlayerS is rated as a team, what kind of position it will be in one years' time will depend on our performance now. So no matter what happens, we do our very best in our current situation". We will be working our hardest not just in GSTL but also in individual leagues, whether it be Code S or Code A.
Of the major Starcraft 2 teams, SlayerS Clan is the only team that is not part of the Starcraft 2 team. Many fans are hoping to see SlayerS join the Association, or even BoxeR become its chairman.
People who live with the responsibility of office in a specialist collective will know that if BoxeR gets the position, then he will be forced to think about this and take responsibility. But BoxeR really isn't in that kind of situation right now. It wouldn't be a problem if he was the type whose ability does not change when he practises less than other people. But he says that "if other players are practising 10 hours a day, I have to practise 20 hours a day".
If he had been given that opportunity when the Starcraft 2 Association first began, he said that he was uncomfortable with the position for those reasons. He hated that the situation would force him to lose concentration in his game and that he wasn't confident about carrying out the role. If there is a need for the figureheads of Starcraft 2 to gather work together, he wouldn't hesitate to participate but he thinks it's most important tight now to concentrate on his game as opposed to doing those kinds of duties from that kind of position.
I wonder what you dream for SlayerS Clan to become as a gaming team.
Baseball and soccer teams receive or establish sponsorships from major corporations and are never short of promotion, as well as audience fees and embarking on a variety of other ventures in a big scale. Starcraft [Brood War] tried to follow this, but it's like a 'frog in a well' [a frog in a well only knows its well and the sky, believing that it is everything about the world].
Starcraft 2 is far more popular [than Brood War] internationally. It's difficult for Korean players to be active internationally, but it's actually incredibly easy to get individual sponsorship from foreign companies if the players are well known. That's why I want to help all the SlayerS players to stay in the team and take them abroad.
Foreign players have never experienced a Korean gaming team's system. Our system of promoting Apprentices up to the First Army, I want to take that system internationally. Even now, there are many foreign players who want to be in SlayerS Clan, but we just don't have the capability to take them in yet.
That you included the Korean flag on the Slayers Clan uniform leaves a deep impression. Is there a reason for this?
There are many reasons why we added the Korean flag to the uniform. The first reason was to let foreign fans know about Korea and the Korean flag, and the second is to instill pride and a sense of responsibility in the players.
At first, only BoxeR's uniform was meant to have the Korean flag but when we were changing the uniforms we included it on all of them. We were thinking of putting a Korean flag on MMA when he went to compete in MLG Columbus, and I'm slightly regretting not doing it [laughs].
Intel, Razer and others are sponsoring you. Do you plan to expand on these sponsorships?
Of course we have to expand. For that to happen, Starcraft 2 needs to become even more popular in the mainstream in Korea. The main sponsors for SlayerS Clan are currently Intel and Razer, and the reason for their participation is more about the individual popularity of a star player "SlayerS BoxeR" as opposed to the general popularity of Starcraft 2. As an example, we were only able to get EXR as a sponsor for the uniform after contacting Ryu Siwon [Korean actor]. Starcraft 2 sponsorship began as a personal venture, not because of its current market valuation, and it only expanded after MMA's victory.
I understand that Razer sponsors a variety of things but that Slayer Clan currently receives the biggest amount. They will be much happier and expand their contributions as sponsors when the players begin to go international. In Razer's case in particular, I'm grateful to the CEO Min-Liang Tan who has offered to increase the scale of the sponsorship very soon. [Laughs] Aside from our main sponsors, Donga Otsuka provides drinks to our players and Hosan ENG provides the SlayerS players with Korean beef dinners and is responsible for in-team scholarships.
When is the happiest you have been recently?
I feel extremely happy watching BoxeR and the other players sitting down to talk about the game, discussing game strategies or in-game elements. That's the moment when Lim Yohwan really looks like BoxeR. In everyday life, he's just an average guy. But in the game, he is the Emperor.
Some media outlets are reporting that your wedding shall be in the Autumn. When is the marriage planned to be?
We're so busy that we don't have time to get married [laughs]. Even my friends in entertainment keep asking me when the wedding will be but we really are busy. We haven't got time to get married. You probably know that we have the next year entirely scheduled up with GomTV so there's nothing we can do. There's so much time needed for preparing the wedding, the wedding itself and the honeymoon needs to be at least 1-2 weeks... GomTV is the reason I can't get married [laughs]
Today's subject was about SlayerS. I would like to speak more about how you met BoxeR, your love life and about the marriage on the next time we meet. You'll let me have the first interview, right?
I understand. I'll let you know [laughs]
Original article: thisisgame Translation: oniontaker @ kpopbros Contact: oniontaker@soshified.com
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Great interview, glad she's getting exposure as well.
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Wow, is the quote about what boxer said to MMA actually true? :O
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On June 24 2011 10:36 gillon wrote: Wow, is the quote about what boxer said to MMA actually true? :O
I assume that the comment is made in jest. It's not rare for superiors in Korea speak in that tone to people they are fond of. Think of it as a tough guy front as a hyung and sunbae.
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Cool interview and I like how she is active around the team and helping as much as possible.
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Wow this interview makes me like each Slayers player even more, especially Alicia
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On June 24 2011 10:38 oniontx wrote:Show nested quote +On June 24 2011 10:36 gillon wrote: Wow, is the quote about what boxer said to MMA actually true? :O I assume that the comment is made in jest. It's not rare for superiors in Korea speak in that tone to people they are fond of. Think of it as a tough guy front as a hyung and sunbae.
Yeah, I figured it had to be something like that, because while the koreans might be hardcore with their practice, setting requirements that high is seriously hardcore, lol. O_O
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Great interview, thanks for the translation.
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wonder which 2 teams wanted to recruit boxer
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how is she so old, but so hot still
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She's so cute and looks so young
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He then brought in MMA and told him "Go and win. If you don't win, don't come back" and he came back with the trophy and a lot of experience from America.
Wow, no pressure .
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Thank you for translating this interview, can't wait for part 2 :D
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id work hard for that woman
<3 slayers
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Awesome interview. Her and Boxer obviously know how to motivate players.
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He then brought in MMA and told him "Go and win. If you don't win, don't come back" and he came back with the trophy and a lot of experience from America.
I think Ga-Yeon said that?
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On June 24 2011 10:48 namedplayer wrote: He then brought in MMA and told him "Go and win. If you don't win, don't come back" and he came back with the trophy and a lot of experience from America.
I think Ga-Yeon said that?
I was thinking the same thing. That sound really harsh though. But without it, he might not have been motivated to win it. She is a great contribution to the SlayerS house though. More so than the players in some aspects. Thank you for the interview OP.
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On June 24 2011 10:48 namedplayer wrote: He then brought in MMA and told him "Go and win. If you don't win, don't come back" and he came back with the trophy and a lot of experience from America.
I think Ga-Yeon said that? The original text is:그런데 요환씨가 ‘내가 몸도 좋지 않으니 성원이를 보내자. 이번에 성원이가 우승하면 다른 선수들에게 좋은 동기부여가 될 것이다’라고 말하더라고요. 그래서 문성원 선수를 불러서 ‘우승하고 와라. 만약 우승하지 못하면 오지 말라’고 했어요.
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On June 24 2011 10:52 oniontx wrote:Show nested quote +On June 24 2011 10:48 namedplayer wrote: He then brought in MMA and told him "Go and win. If you don't win, don't come back" and he came back with the trophy and a lot of experience from America.
I think Ga-Yeon said that? It was BoxeR. The original text is: Show nested quote +그런데 요환씨가 ‘내가 몸도 좋지 않으니 성원이를 보내자. 이번에 성원이가 우승하면 다른 선수들에게 좋은 동기부여가 될 것이다’라고 말하더라고요. 그래서 문성원 선수를 불러서 ‘우승하고 와라. 만약 우승하지 못하면 오지 말라’고 했어요.
ya I read that too. I'm pretty sure Ga-yeon said that.
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That bit about MMA's slump and Boxer deciding to send mma and not himself was touching. Really cool team and group of guys
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Omg.. Boxer decided not to go to MLG Columbus because he thought he wasn't good enough yet...
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BoxeR thought hard about who he should send but he then said, "I'm not in a good condition, so let's send MMA. If MMA wins this tournament, it will be good motivation for the other players". He then brought in MMA and told him "Go and win. If you don't win, don't come back" and he came back with the trophy and a lot of experience from America. Ahahahahaha. Sounds like my parents.
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On June 24 2011 10:58 doihy wrote:Omg.. Boxer decided not to go to MLG Columbus because he thought he wasn't good enough yet... Condition refers to his health.
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Great read, interesting to see the "backbone" behind the team :')
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Thanks for the translation ! Amasing interview
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Spotlight? and how lucky is boxer... man
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"Go and win. If you don't win, don't come back"
Epic ;D
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I hope that Foreigners teams start adopting this style of multiple tiers of players and train them up to be better.
Right now it seems foreigners teams just sign people who have already made a name for themselves and then just hope for the best.
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are the images broken or is it just me
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wow amazing insight and detail into just how Korean teams are managed, in this case, how the Slayers team is managed.
This seems to paint a picture that foreign teams and korean teams, actually do have some significant differences, and its not just simply training a lot.
I too hope that other foreigner teams read this. This article really helps everybody out, not just entertain fans.
Respect to oniontx for making this article.
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Such a great read!
Eagerly awaiting part 2 and I hope this gets a spotlight!
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Meanwhile Kim GaYeon's daugther is probably going like (-_-);;
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Wow that tier system that they have for their players is really interesting.
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thanks for translation
I hope SlayerSJessica knows how much the foreign community appreciates her work,
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did boxer seriously say not to come back if he didn't win mlg colombus? so if he didnt get 1st place, he would be kicked out of slayers O_O
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The MMA and Alicia story is really interesting, including Min.
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Awesome interview, really loved the part about Alicia since he is my favorite player. Also the part about don't come back if you lose was most likely just a joke but was still awesome, no wonder MMA played so amazing at MLG
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United Kingdom16710 Posts
I'm sure BoxeR told MMA that in half-jest. Anyways, seems to have worked out in the end. Maybe he should've said the same for the GSL finals? Thanks for the translation btw!
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On June 24 2011 12:18 koolaid1990 wrote: did boxer seriously say not to come back if he didn't win mlg colombus? so if he didnt get 1st place, he would be kicked out of slayers O_O
Hmm, I don't think you understood what. He meant, maybe it's a difference of culture, but I took that sentence more like a cheer from an elder/fatherlike figure, and he's saying that in a really proud way. It means that he thinks MMA has what it takes to win.
It's more like...."come back with your shield, or on it."
That's why I felt it's a very touching scene and shows us how slayers is more like a family than a team.
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lol. go win or don't come home. Good motivation.
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One thing cannot be denied. Lim got himself one heck of a woman. Now that is how you represent!
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Great interview. Thanks! She seems like an awesome, caring woman. It is really interesting to see some of the inner workings of the Slayers team.
Also - I love boxer - "He then brought in MMA and told him "Go and win. If you don't win, don't come back"" - So funny!
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hahahahah Boxer to MMA, "If you dont win, dont come back." wow. word from the emperor.
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Australia8532 Posts
Oh shining some light on the Empress! Pretty nice interview.
I love the organisation behind the SlayerS clan and the practice regiment that must follow. BoxeR telling MMA not to come back, taken out of context, could seem pretty harsh - but i think it was more implied as a motivational tool. And it worked!
SlayerS are truly a fan favourite!
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Truly a worthy Empress. God bless her.
Long Live the Emperor Lim Ho Hwan, and long live the Empress King Ga-Yeon! Slayers fighting!
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On June 24 2011 12:44 Captain Peabody wrote: Truly a worthy Empress. God bless her.
Long Live the Emperor Lim Ho Hwan, and long live the Empress King Ga-Yeon! Slayers fighting!
Seriously, she's a classic beauty.
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He then brought in MMA and told him "Go and win. If you don't win, don't come back"
The Emperor has spoken.
Ms Boxer is also pretty awesome too.
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Amazing team. Sometimes the people who are helping to run the show are just as important and the players in the team.
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MURICA15980 Posts
This was a very insightful interview. Thank you for translating it. Perhaps one reason this is so interesting is because there is actually a compelling story to tell. Boxer is amazing because he manages to keep creating stories like this over and over. He's truly the emperor.
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If you don't win, don't come back I laughed out loud. And I rarely do. Golden.
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Wat a babe!! Is she the perfect woman? I think so..... Trust BoxeR landing a lady like that! GG.
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Roffles
Pitcairn19291 Posts
Giraffe neck. Once seen, impossible to unsee.
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Kim Ka Yeon looks like Lee Da Hae, no joke.
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On June 24 2011 13:21 Roffles wrote: Giraffe neck. Once seen, impossible to unsee.
-___- I have seen, still cute.
Is there an ETA on the second part? I love reading SlayerS stuff, and this one was very insightful. I hope cella is mentioned in the next part!
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Great interview, thanks for translating!
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The OP has been edited. Wow so it wasn't Boxer who told MMA either win or don't come back, it was her!!!
I think I like her even more.
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From that interview I learnt that Jon has two brothers and his youngest one is in the army :o.
Can't wait for the rest to be translated!!!
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wrong thead/ sorry delete please T_T
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"I am working in a games-related company and in the online game I used to play, the clans and blood-alliances that I was part of were the best. My clan were always so good that people would speak badly of us. It's a war game and I am a general. When I command the troops in battle, there are those who fight, but there are also those who hide. I would go find the soldiers who were giding and kill them myself. Just like in the real army, there can be no deserters. But to those that worked hard, I would never hesitate in distributing my own equipment, healthpacks and other things."
What game is she talking about? Im interested in playing it now 0.0 Better not be WoW....
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Very nice interview. I especially like the parts about how they manage the team and practice. Some good quotes here:
Our team is divided into four levels. Our system is to have levels of 'Clan One', 'Second Army' (2 Goon), 'Apprentice' (1.5 Goon), 'First Army' (1 Goon). The Apprentice system tests whether the player can adapt well to the dormitory lifestyle. They live in with Second Army players and also with First Army for a month while being watched closely to determine whether they can join or not. One noteworthy member that made it to the First Army this way is Alicia.
It's a war game and I am a general. When I command the troops in battle, there are those who fight, but there are also those who hide. I would go find the soldiers who were giding and kill them myself. Just like in the real army, there can be no deserters.
We manage the team in a way much like the army.
A lot of Army references there
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Boxer and his lady are so cute together.
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she's an amazing figure for the Slayers team. thx for translating!
ONON HWAITING KPB REPRESENTAN~~~~
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On June 24 2011 15:54 HitStarcraft wrote: "I am working in a games-related company and in the online game I used to play, the clans and blood-alliances that I was part of were the best. My clan were always so good that people would speak badly of us. It's a war game and I am a general. When I command the troops in battle, there are those who fight, but there are also those who hide. I would go find the soldiers who were giding and kill them myself. Just like in the real army, there can be no deserters. But to those that worked hard, I would never hesitate in distributing my own equipment, healthpacks and other things."
What game is she talking about? Im interested in playing it now 0.0 Better not be WoW....
You can't kill people on your own side in wow, no matter how much you want to (except for tricking them into basically killing themselves).
Also the game sounds nothing like wow, probably some Korean MMO nobody in the West has ever even heard of.
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Wow, her descriptions of the functionement of the team and the comparisons with the army, it's kind of scary in a way.
But that's what makes Slayers such a good team I guess.
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On June 24 2011 10:44 SolC361 wrote:Show nested quote +He then brought in MMA and told him "Go and win. If you don't win, don't come back" and he came back with the trophy and a lot of experience from America.
Wow, no pressure . To quote 300, "come home with your shield, or on it". It's not literal, but it was a personal challenge, prove to yourself you can win, or there's no point in competing.
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it's a shame she has to give up acting. i doubt it'll be that easy to get back in after a hiatus
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On June 24 2011 16:34 kazie wrote: it's a shame she has to give up acting. i doubt it'll be that easy to get back in after a hiatus
I don't think she's that famous of an actor, and at her age (no disrespect) it will be pretty hard to find a major role, especially with the amount of actors in Korea.........
PS: Boxer is so lucky to have someone supporting him like this......marry this woman, please...
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The superwoman!! Nice read, SlayerS <3
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ok before i comment on how awesome her work is and how great this interview is , i got to comment on the elephant in the room , wtf ! she's 8 years older than boxer ? boxer you dawg XD nice job man ! damn i thought she was mind 20's or something .
Well like they say , behind every great man is a woman , but in this case , its a team :D , i had more to say but everyone already said it .
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Massive props for the translation. I haven't read yet, but I know Jessica is amazing.
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She looks so young!!! (she is like, what? 38??) Boxer made the right choice marrying this woman!
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On June 24 2011 16:42 Mioraka wrote:Show nested quote +On June 24 2011 16:34 kazie wrote: it's a shame she has to give up acting. i doubt it'll be that easy to get back in after a hiatus I don't think she's that famous of an actor, and at her age (no disrespect) it will be pretty hard to find a major role, especially with the amount of actors in Korea......... PS: Boxer is so lucky to have someone supporting him like this......marry this woman, please...
that's why it'll be hard to get back into :S
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Damn that was long! Thanks for the translation.
It was a very interesting perspective from someone you wouldn't normally think of when it comes to starcraft 2, but it is definitely valuable and unique.
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PICTURES OF MEDIC OUTFIT PLEASE <3<3<3
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On June 24 2011 16:51 kazie wrote:Show nested quote +On June 24 2011 16:42 Mioraka wrote:On June 24 2011 16:34 kazie wrote: it's a shame she has to give up acting. i doubt it'll be that easy to get back in after a hiatus I don't think she's that famous of an actor, and at her age (no disrespect) it will be pretty hard to find a major role, especially with the amount of actors in Korea......... PS: Boxer is so lucky to have someone supporting him like this......marry this woman, please... that's why it'll be hard to get back into :S
I doubt many will miss her as a actress, but everyone will miss her if she's no longer SlayerS_Jessica.
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really nice to get an insight into a pro team. good work ty
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Am I the only one that got sad at the comment of Boxer being depressed about him only knowing Starcraft?
Its been years and I still find Boxer to be the best
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Thanks for sharing/translating.
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Wonderful read. Didn't actually know what was going on in the SlayerS team house, I'm glad boxer's team is doing this good! ALL HAIL THE EMPEROR AND HIS LADY! EDIT: how is this not featured yet? =O
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On June 24 2011 17:08 windsupernova wrote: Am I the only one that got sad at the comment of Boxer being depressed about him only knowing Starcraft?
Its been years and I still find Boxer to be the best Nop i was pretty shocked to realize that he is a human after all, But indeed a sad comment :/ Kinda made me more of a fan tho!
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On June 24 2011 17:08 windsupernova wrote: Am I the only one that got sad at the comment of Boxer being depressed about him only knowing Starcraft?
Its been years and I still find Boxer to be the best
He definitely could've gotten the job as a coach, seeing as how popular he was in Korea, but I love how he thought that he couldn't be satisfied just coaching...shows that he is a true competitor at heart.
Going into a game that might not pan out, knowing that he would receive criticism for joining SC2 after slumping in SC1 (like running away), and simply wanting to make his own team....that's a true leader, competitor, and role model.
Pretty amazing, and as for his gf....haha, she's like a bunny. Doesn't look like she's nearing 40....I'd say 31 or 32 if I saw her in a random picture.
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She's like the ultimate example of the saying, "behind every great man stands a great woman"
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Great interview.
Really sheds some light for some of the people who don't know about her. I'm sure many people, including myself, saw her as a side supporting figure that just sat next to Boxer and supported him because he was her boyfriend before this interview.
She displays a really strong, resolute personality in this interview, contrary to what you'd expect. We don't often associate women and hardcore gaming, but she's not only pretty knowledgeable about the players on the team, but she actively manages/helps recruits them?!? The way it's explained in the interview almost suggests that SHE's the main person and Boxer's just the figurehead who only needs to play his games. Amazing~
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I love all the insight into how the slayers team functions and how they got their players. Great interview ^^
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Thanks for the translation, onon
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God damn, SlayerS sounds hard core in their training methods. They really push those kids, Jessica included, it's no wonder that they rose to the top so fast.
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So I called in MMA and told him "Go and win. If you don't win, don't come back" and he came back with the trophy and a lot of experience from America.
haha so awesome.
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SlayerS are so lucky, I feel that's why I think they got the best teamspirit out of all Korean teams.
Good luck and don't give up in becoming the best team in korea/world. I believe in you all!
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"I'm not in a good condition, so let's send MMA. If MMA wins this tournament, it will be good motivation for the other players". So I called in MMA and told him "Go and win. If you don't win, don't come back" and he came back with the trophy and a lot of experience from America.
wow, that must have been a tremendous amount of pressure. No wonder MMA looked so uptight/nervous at MLG despite dominating everyone.
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Nice interview. Thanks for sharing!
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This chick is pretty ruthless.
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Nice interview. What a cutie.
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Thanks for the translation!!! Tis a great story, worthy of song even. The bards will sing of this for years.
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On June 24 2011 10:52 DeepBlu2 wrote:Show nested quote +On June 24 2011 10:48 namedplayer wrote: He then brought in MMA and told him "Go and win. If you don't win, don't come back" and he came back with the trophy and a lot of experience from America.
I think Ga-Yeon said that? I was thinking the same thing. That sound really harsh though. But without it, he might not have been motivated to win it. She is a great contribution to the SlayerS house though. More so than the players in some aspects. Thank you for the interview OP. its an asian thing imo. Its like how asian dads/mums tell you when you are young "If you get your exam marks and you didnt do well, ill kill you" kind of thing.
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omfg how is it possible to be so SEXY????? loveu boxer
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She's literally the best kind of wife a progamer can have, and a former PvP MMO player too!
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Screw Megan Fox. Kim Ka Yeon exemplifies what a perfect wife/gf is. That is just such an amazing story. If you watch a 2 part documentary called "Boxer's Wings", it goes into their relationship and how she helped Boxer when he made his run to GSL2 semi-finals.
Just wow. -teary eye-
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On June 24 2011 18:57 bubblegumbo wrote: She's literally the best kind of wife a progamer can have, and a former PvP MMO player too! I really wonder which mmo she played :D
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She's really badass.
"So I called in MMA and told him 'Go and win. If you don't win, don't come back'"
"I would go find the soldiers who were hiding and kill them myself."
If my boss was like that, I'm sure I'd work as hard as I could too.
SlayerS fiting
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SlayerS seems like an awesome team. They really feel like a family.
And what support BoxeR has
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ga-yeon such a good GF for boxer... and amazing woman for an amazing man. grats to all their success
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great interview, great insite into the lvies of Boxer and his partner.
Great to see why the are a close knit group as they have sucha strong person helping them!!
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oniontaker! thanks for translating! uve been a great translator for soshified as well~ thxxx!
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Whoa she sounds insanely intense about what she does, I always knew she was a huge part of the team backbone but never knew she held such a gigantic part of the team management responsibility.
She is doing a fantastic job for having so much on her shoulders.
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my mom told me "if you fail med school, you will be disowned." (serious)
it's an asian thing.
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So I called in MMA and told him "Go and win. If you don't win, don't come back" and he came back with the trophy and a lot of experience from America.
wow what a dick move, that seriously shocks me.
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Thanks for the translation Really nice interview & insights in the workings of SlayerS.
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When I command the troops in battle, there are those who fight, but there are also those who hide. I would go find the soldiers who were hiding and kill them myself. Just like in the real army, there can be no deserters.
I think that says it all.
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On June 24 2011 21:37 BlueSpace wrote:Show nested quote +When I command the troops in battle, there are those who fight, but there are also those who hide. I would go find the soldiers who were hiding and kill them myself. Just like in the real army, there can be no deserters. I think that says it all.
haha that women is so badass! BoxeR and his Team are so lucky to have her
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Coach January may have finally been upstaged as the most important woman in esports.
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Wait she is 38 years old? Oo
Also, this article makes me like her even more than before. A woman who lays her own ambitions aside just to support her mans work because thats what makes him happy. That is huge, I dont think she is gonna read this but I'd like to thank her for helping in building the most interesting and awesome Sc2 team to date. SlayerS hwaiting!
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Final part of translation online.
According to her twitter, SlayerS_Jessica has already read through the comments.
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she's such a typical virgo woman that its funny these horoscopes are so true! everything mentioned about the personality of a virgo woman is seen in her actions, right down to the part where she admits to nagging the players!
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Awesome job translating.
oniontx, just some minor things in your write up:
a) You had: Yoon Sunghoon (Golden); should this be (Lots/Rache)? b) This line is missing the closing bold tag: [b]When it first became public that you were dating BoxeR
Anyway, what a great read. She is beautiful and stunning for her age. BoxeR must be the luckiest guy on the Earth. I do hope SlayerS can expand internationally; but I really would like them both to eventually set the date to be married(!) Some things in life are just as important as playing SC2 competitively. Best wishes SlayerS_Jessica and team!
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Great interview, should be spotlighted! Boxer is such a determined boss, Emperor forever He is also a lucky man, and SlayerS a lucky team for Jessica
She looks sooooo young, its amazing
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That was an amazing read and bought great insight into Slayers. Boxer really has been a godsend for SC2 and I can really appreciate with Ga Yeon has done as well
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wow.. one of the best interviews i've read.. boxer giving credit to MMA shows that he really is the EMPEROR and to boxer's fiancee Thank you.
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On June 24 2011 22:33 MotherGoose wrote: Awesome job translating.
oniontx, just some minor things in your write up: Thanks for that ^^
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Great interview. Jessica is awesome for supporting what Boxer is doing. I think she plays a big part in Slayers success recently. And thanks for the translation OP.
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Wow.. just.. Wow. She makes it sound like shes running a trading floor, not a SC2 pro-gaming team. Absolutely insane, really shows why they are so succesful.
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This was one amazing interview thank you so much for posting. I found some amazing insight from it.
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Wow. It really shows how they are a big family. I really like the system they employ. With First Army etc.
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Intriguing. It is definitely worth the read. Thanks for the translation. She really is the godmother- so much drive.
(Dang it GOM, go on a one month break and let these lovebirds marry- you can broadcast it if you're worried about lost income in that time frame. )
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Gom is the reason they can't get married... shit get that on stream, get tastosis casting it and John reading the vows! I'd watch that lol.
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It shows how they have earned all of their titles - the competitive atmosphere with the promotion system they employ must pressure the players immensely as can be seen through their rapid improval. I love these types of interviews - It was very well done (the responses) from the perspective of the First Lady. Her responses have made everyone like the team and each individual player more.
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Great interview, she's truly inspirational.
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It's amazing that she is so supportive!
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Great read. I for one, am one of those people who just wish to see Boxer compete whether or not he is the best player out there. His skill is still obviously there and his games are usually very entertaining. I had a good time watching Boxer play at the GSTL yesterday.
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"When I command the troops in battle, there are those who fight, but there are also those who hide. I would go find the soldiers who were hiding and kill them myself."
O_O
Godmother indeed!
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"Starcraft 2 is far more popular [than Brood War] internationally. It's difficult for Korean players to be active internationally, but it's actually incredibly easy to get individual sponsorship from foreign companies if the players are well known. That's why I want to help all the SlayerS players to stay in the team and take them abroad."
- I hope foreigners are reading this and getting scared. It's not jus their prize money that Koreans are prepared and able to take, but also their company sponsorships. If it wasn't already abundantly clear, they must get better if they are able to continue to exist as progamers.
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Great interview. Thank you for translation.
Kudos to Slayers_Jessica for making Slayers an awesome team/clan. I really like the hierarchy of the clan, with promotion and demotion system. This should make the team more active with their practicing.
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Just finished part 2, SlayerS_Jessica is such an inspiration for her clan, and it really shows with how well all the players do!
This really deserves a spotlight.
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Not finished reading yet, but this is an amazing interview. I wish people would go this in depth with other prominent figures in the community. It really seems like a deep interview, not just one for the sake of PR.
EDIT: One thing to note, perhaps more teams could use a strong female manager? Sounds like she's become a surrogate mother to a lot of players, since they have to live far from home. It's something that no male coach can really provide.
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Wow, what an amazing interview, I had tears there for a moment. This would really make an awesome movie I tell you. ♥ Slayers_Jessica they are such an amazing and dedicated team. They have such an amazing eye for talent, looking at how they have Cella as head coach and the great players they continually field is just awesome.
On June 24 2011 10:58 Golgotha wrote: We Hail the Empress
This lady is amazing, I can't believe her dedication. Don't forget you can follow her on twitter @SlayerS_Jessica
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Awesome interview.. she seems like a pretty amazing person. Boxer is lucky to have someone like that at his side.
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Best. Interview. Ever. Thanks for translating.
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I guess this explains why I think Slayers is so awesome!
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But in the game, he is the Emperor.
Yeaaahhhhh. SlayerS fan right here. I almost wish they weren't the hottest team in the league, 'cuz I was a fan from the start!
Love 'em!
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wow very nice interview thx ^^ If you have a link for the korean original version I would appreciate that also =)
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Great interview. Really love the insight into how they run the team, especially with how much they expect from all the players. It's amazing how not only do they have big goals, but they're actually reaching for them and achieving them as well.
Worthy Empress indeed!!
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what a joy to read, so insightful... thanks so much for this!
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I just became a SlayerS fan. Such dedication is nothing but admirable.
Hail the Emperor and his Empress.
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After watching BoxeR's wings I gained a ton of respect for her, even more now that I read this!
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kim ka yeon, beautiful inside and out. the level of support she gives boxer is astonishing and inspiring.
SlayerS fighting! they deserve to win and excel, because they consist of excellent people.
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So I called in MMA and told him "Go and win. If you don't win, don't come back"
I would go find the soldiers who were hiding and kill them myself. Just like in the real army, there can be no deserters.
Wow, she's one tough cookie yo O_o But she does also really seem to care for BoxeR, the team and the people on it, which just keeps being awesome no matter how often I hear about it.
Hail to the Empress indeed. When GOM let's her become one anyways :o)
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Fantastic article, I will say that, she sounds like a very strict manager and cuts absolutely no slack for the players.
That's a double-edged sword IMO...when she said to MMA "win the tourney or don't come back" wow...that's a very harsh thing to say. MMA went to win MLG yes, but at the same time...this is just my opinion, but if I was in MMA's shoes, there is the reality to temper the victory rush. In her eyes, I'm not good enough if I didn't win.
As for myself I'm not sure if I would work at my best under that type endless, give-it-your-all-or-die type of environment. Her good looks possibly slightly soften the blow of her harsh words, but I don't know.
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On June 25 2011 03:28 schimmetje wrote:Show nested quote +So I called in MMA and told him "Go and win. If you don't win, don't come back" Show nested quote +I would go find the soldiers who were hiding and kill them myself. Just like in the real army, there can be no deserters. Wow, she's one tough cookie yo O_o But she does also really seem to care for BoxeR, the team and the people on it, which just keeps being awesome no matter how often I hear about it. Hail to the Empress indeed. When GOM let's her become one anyways :o)
I see why things need to be hard-edged and hard-core, at the same time, it makes me feel that, when you're with such a woman, showing any signs of weakness will cause her to kill you.
There's something to be said about being required to be constantly on your toes - it wards off complacency - but at the same time - it exhausts you. Being a more laid-back type of person myself...yeah...she's beautiful inside and out - but I wouldn't be able to handle her.
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Nice interview,she seems so focused and supportive. She is really the Empress.
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I like the behind the scenes angle it provides. If possible I now have even more respect for her and Boxer, and wish them all the best in their lives. Simply the best article I have read this week and it cheered me up ♥
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I don't think any foreigner team will ever work like that. The players would never accept such military way of training, even if it is the best way to do it.
Props to her tho, nice job with the team and great dedication.
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I always tell the players "those who are following you are like charging infantry. Do not be content with what you have because you will become stagnant water. Never forget the fact that somewhere behind you, there is someone who wants what you have." I want to make them throw away thoughts like "I'm around average in SlayerS, so I could never get cut from the team". We do monthly calculations of individual performance and award 'scholarships'. It's a system of never-ending competition. The players must learn that if they cannot survive in Slayers Clan, they cannot survive in the outside world. Even if some teams do not think favorably of this system, it's been of great help and the results speak for themselves. Training in our team isn't as difficult as it might seem at first. I think that it's the most professional image one can have. When we work, we work; when we play, we play.
The Empress making sure her team learns lessons that can be applied in every day life. +1
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I think her and boxer are adorable xD
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Slayers system is not good for foreigners. They just can't follow. too spartan
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Oh wow, nice interview. Slayers FTW.
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What an amazing interview, thank you so much for the translation. She seems like a very brilliant woman. And Boxer is so friggin' handsome.
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very revealing article. the moment she decided to take charge and help Boxer's future was incredibly touching.
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First lady so pretty~ Boxer looks even prettier~ :D
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This couple. This team. These players. GSTL Slayers Victories. All are so good for esports. They do it the right way. Good working conditions and good practice regiments mean success for SC2 and Slayers.
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what a strong woman!! <3 <3 <3 <3 thank you for the interview and translation. To hear others so dedicated to making this game into something bigger makes me terribly happy.
i like SlayerS even more!!
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Wow this interviewer is really good at what he does same with Ka Yeon as an interviewee.
This interview really is awesome it flushes out the seperate stories of the players so well, as well as displaying Boxer in a different light.
thanks for the translation and huge props to both the interviewer and Ka Yeon
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Great interview, thank you very much for translating !
Actually, I didn't know she was that important in the team. I thought she was just supporting players at the team house.
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just imagine when they finally get married. She will become the Empress and CSN, WP, and TL will be covering it for the entire SC Nation to see. Beautiful, cannot wait for this day.
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On June 24 2011 23:40 Pyo wrote: "Starcraft 2 is far more popular [than Brood War] internationally. It's difficult for Korean players to be active internationally, but it's actually incredibly easy to get individual sponsorship from foreign companies if the players are well known. That's why I want to help all the SlayerS players to stay in the team and take them abroad."
- I hope foreigners are reading this and getting scared. It's not jus their prize money that Koreans are prepared and able to take, but also their company sponsorships. If it wasn't already abundantly clear, they must get better if they are able to continue to exist as progamers.
She expressed interest in making Slayers international (as in having foreign branches of the clan.) Granted, such a goal would be quite difficult, but considering all she's accomplished thus far it would not be impossible.
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"In everyday life, he's just an average guy. But in the game, he is the Emperor."
tears in my eyes
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Netherlands45349 Posts
On June 25 2011 09:50 Golgotha wrote: just imagine when they finally get married. She will become the Empress and CSN, WP, and TL will be covering it for the entire SC Nation to see. Beautiful, cannot wait for this day.
Live stream, with korean commentary
RINGUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
LIM YO HWAAAAAAAAAN.
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This woman is the best girlfriend ever. Why Boxer hasn't married her already is the only real question?!
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"If you don't win, don't come back" Words from the emperor to MMA before he left for MLG lol, We can all agree though that boxer knows how to win and build championship teams.
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"When I command the troops in battle, there are those who fight, but there are also those who hide. I would go find the soldiers who were hiding and kill them myself"--Scary >.<
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On June 25 2011 09:50 Golgotha wrote: just imagine when they finally get married. She will become the Empress and CSN, WP, and TL will be covering it for the entire SC Nation to see. Beautiful, cannot wait for this day. Hopefully it's @ a major esports event...when Slayers wins this gstl perhaps?
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Based on some of the specific examples of team training mentioned, it sounds like Kim Ka Yeon and Amy Chua may get along, haha. But discipline is very important, and SlayerS is a prime example of how hard work can go a long way. They are always pushing their boundaries and never settle (how can they, with someone so ambitious managing?)--truly a model for other teams. I'll always be cheering for them!
One of the more revealing, substantial interviews--hopefully the first of many. Thanks for translating!
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i love her
I'm so gonna translate this to PT-BR XD
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Thank's for the interview from behind the scene's! loved the interview^^
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At the time, many said "SlayerS Clan is nothing without BoxeR". The players used that a stimulus to work harder. The first map of GSTL Season 2 was "Tal'Darim Altar" and at the time, it was widely thought of as a Zerg-favoring map.
I think that it was considered a bad map for zerg? Isn't that why it was such a big deal when Min won on it?
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Anyone else think Unstable looks like E from Entourage? lol
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Fascinating interview OP. Thanks
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Phenomenal interview. Really interesting. And she definitely deserves recognition.
It would be easy for her to be tyrant wife and demand boxer take time away from his passion like so many other significant others. But she defies the stereotypes and creates an environment where boxer and his player's talents flourish.
Bravo Jessica.
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Very cool interview, pretty in depth.
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On June 29 2011 20:05 Eukarya wrote:Show nested quote +At the time, many said "SlayerS Clan is nothing without BoxeR". The players used that a stimulus to work harder. The first map of GSTL Season 2 was "Tal'Darim Altar" and at the time, it was widely thought of as a Zerg-favoring map. I think that it was considered a bad map for zerg? Isn't that why it was such a big deal when Min won on it?
At first people said that its terran favored because the natural was easily put under siege from the low ground.
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Man... Asian women are terrifying.
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shes really nice taking care of him :D
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On June 29 2011 23:34 TheKefka wrote:Show nested quote +On June 29 2011 20:05 Eukarya wrote:At the time, many said "SlayerS Clan is nothing without BoxeR". The players used that a stimulus to work harder. The first map of GSTL Season 2 was "Tal'Darim Altar" and at the time, it was widely thought of as a Zerg-favoring map. I think that it was considered a bad map for zerg? Isn't that why it was such a big deal when Min won on it? At first people said that its terran favored because the natural was easily put under siege from the low ground.
Hmm this was PvZ though. I believe there was a map considered P favored. I don't recall that being an issue when min played, the game was just insane since it was his first game and he took 8 damn bases vs. 2 and won.
Great interview btw, I usually don't read these things but I read this one all the way.
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That's awesome, she's quite the supporter for the emperor. It's really touching that she's willing to endure so much for him, despite his (apparent) inability to reciprocate that sacrifice. (Not trying to rip on boxer.. I just mean he must be busy.
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Amazing article by the good folks from thisisgame.com, and awesome job translating this oniontaker! Having done translations a couple of times myself I know it was not easy.
By the way, I don't know if I got it right, but did she personally request a translation of this article for you? How did you get permission from the site (if you got it at all that is)?
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Really good interview it's nice to get to know how the team formed and the ppl behind it
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When I command the troops in battle, there are those who fight, but there are also those who hide. I would go find the soldiers who were hiding and kill them myself.
brutal. I like it :D
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Wow that's so touching. BoxeR is really lucky, and honestly as fans we're lucky that BoxeR is so lucky. <3 The Emperor / The Empress / SlayerS
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I thought that they were married around the time of the match fixing scandal? Or was that just getting engaged?
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as far as i know they wanted to get married last year or so but just couldnt find time
i also heard that they will get married soon
boxer to be father omg (kim gayeon already has kids from her first marriage)
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Awesome interview thanks for translating. She seems like a very smart woman that knows what she's doing and wants SlayerS to be the team you think about when you think SC2.
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I love the family/team spirit feel the SlayerS have I get from this interview. Interesting read, wish all teams were like that <3
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Long live the Emperor and the Empress!!!
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There is a Quote:
Detras de cada gran hombre hay una gran mujer
eng: Behind every great man there's a great woman
nice interview!!
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5stars, geat read, i loved the interview and her personality, she really knows what she wants and how to achieve it, wonderful woman. Very pretty too <3.
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All hail the Empress,
I have to say though, without her I wouldn't get to see cella stream at all and that would make me very sad.
Extremely good interview though, looking forward to part 2.
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Seeker
Where dat snitch at?36645 Posts
I'm bumping this....
I cannot believe I never saw this thread until today....
What a freaking inspirational story, I read everything, from the first word all the way to the last.
The story of how SlayerS came to be....
Just in case there are people out there like me who never saw this thread..... read it guys... it's amazing.....
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On October 28 2011 05:41 Seeker wrote: I'm bumping this....
I cannot believe I never saw this thread until today....
What a freaking inspirational story, I read everything, from the first word all the way to the last.
The story of how SlayerS came to be....
Just in case there are people out there like me who never saw this thread..... read it guys... it's amazing.....
Thanks for bumping !
Wouldn't have found it otherwise. Great read , makes me an even bigger fan of BoxeR and SlayerS !
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Read the entire article. While I can understand the negative feelings of some of the fans, it is important to see that without her, Boxer would not be where he is now.
Glad to see Boxer stand by her. She really deserves better and I am happy for them both. Hopefully, they can create the next sc3 legend xD
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Slayers team is such an awesome family
Edit: Wow, this is a really old article. A lot has changed since. Slayers has become the most represented team in Code S, MMA has won 2 GSL titles (if Blizzcup is counted), and Ganzi won Code A.
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hory necro
jessicas an integral part of slayers and very devoted. i'm quite appreciative of her.
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Amazing interview, really insightful. Just a heads up, the images are not loading.
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Great article, glad it came back so i could read it. Re images if you want them you can see them via the original article link.
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Since someone already bumped the thread, I get a chance to ask this.. Is the in the new drama called Queen Insoo? Because that one woman in it really looks like her and their names are awfully similar but yet I'm not sure whether it's her or not.
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Thanks for the necro, I hadn't read this one before ^^
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On February 13 2012 16:29 NoctemSC wrote: Amazing interview, really insightful. Just a heads up, the images are not loading.
probably because this post is a bit old and the pictures are not hosted anymore
On February 13 2012 20:49 namste wrote: Since someone already bumped the thread, I get a chance to ask this.. Is the in the new drama called Queen Insoo? Because that one woman in it really looks like her and their names are awfully similar but yet I'm not sure whether it's her or not. apparently she is Kim Ka-Yeon - Prince Gyeyang's wife http://asianmediawiki.com/Queen_Insoo
I remember her tweeting about it too, but didn't remember the show, only remember pics with her in traditional clothing so I'm pretty sure on this
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Great interview, thanks for the bump. She seems like an awesome person.
On June 24 2011 10:33 oniontaker wrote: So they think of me as family, as noona [elder sister] or mom. So the players call me 'Great Queen of Nagging'. lol
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Wow nice!
took a while to read it thru!
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Glad it was bumped since I didn't see it the first time round. A real interesting read. Thanks for the translation.
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