[Interview] 2012 GSL Season 1 Code A ro24 Day 3

Your thoughts on returning to Code S?

I have always been in code S except for one season. I am proud of myself.

You had a 2:0 victory

I was really confident about my macro in Set 1. I was able to win as the game progressed to that macro stage. Set 2 was a bit of a mindgame. I tricked my opponent into thinking that only a small number of roaches were out and that I was taking a third like in Set 1. I think my build countered SC’s build quite well.

So far, this is the 8th time that you are advancing into Code S

When I fell to Code A last season, everyone told me that it would be difficult to return. Even I wasn’t confident about my skill. I scored 0-4 in Up and Down. But now I am more confident than ever.

But you’ve never gotten past round of 16 in Code S.

That frustrates me a lot. Being in Code S all the time, it seems like I have potential. Next season, I think I’ll have to change up my style a lot like I did today. I have been considering this for a while and working hard to achieve it. I am preparing a style where my opponent has to think about numerous factors when playing against me. If this change of style is successful, I think I will post some great results.

What is your goal for next season?

It’s always the finals. I will make sure that I advance far

Anything to add?

I want to thank the players who helped with practice: forgg, supernova, top, thestc. I leave for IEM Season 6 in four days. I will ride this momentum and post great results there.

You have returned to code S

I am glad I don’t have to go the Up and Down matches. I thought I would win as I have been strong against protoss lately

When did you find about the proxy gateway in Set 1

After the match, Killer told me his probe scout was ever so slightly late. I really only just spotted the probe out of the corner of my eye. As I saw that probe, I became certain that I would advance today.

You lost to DTs in Set 2

Seeing the two DTs hit my natural made me think that would be the end of it. But SangHo ‘hyung’ attacked both the natural and the main. This was the reason why I took so much damage.

In the last Set, your proxy rax was spotted

Winning Set 1 made me confident that I would advance but having the proxy rax spotted really scared me. The thought of going to the Up and Down matches in such a fashion crossed my mind. I was concerned I wouldn’t be able to continue my successful run so I tried extra hard to win.

You were able to win the MLG Winter Arena in New York city a few days ago

My condition wasn’t great during the tournament. I really wanted to win but wasn’t sure I could. But once I got into the games, I was playing really well and somehow won the whole thing. I couldn’t believe it myself afterwards.

You won against DongRaeGu in the finals after losing to him in the King of Kongs

I wasn’t sure if DRG would make it to the finals since he fell to the loser’s bracket so early. He’d beaten really good players, gotten to Code S finals, and on top, my personal record against him wasn’t great. So I thought it would be difficult to win but I wasn’t going to give up that trophy this time. This was the tournament for me to win and I was never going to give up.

GSTL all kill, MLG victory, Code S, you’re on fire!

I think I overworked myself for ro16 in Code S. So after failing to advance to ro16, I took it easy and took some pressure off of myself. This shaking off of pressure really helped.

GSTL finals is in Las Vegas. Seems like you’ll be going to the USA again

Frankly, after hearing that GSTL finals was going to be in Las Vegas made me cheer inside. The thought of having the team league, which provides a different kind of excitement compared to individual leagues, in front of a large audience and in an amazing place like Las Vegas makes my heart flutter and very excited. It’s not decided that PRIME is attending the finals but I will work hard to make it happen

What’s your next goal in Code S

Anything less than a victory(championship) is meaningless. Since it has been a while since I’ve done well in the GSL, I will always aim for victory(championship) from now on

Anything to add?

I am grateful to Choya who helped with practice, and also San who advised me on strategies. CorePrime has decided to give up progaming to focus on education. It’s really regretfull but I wish him the best of luck with his studies.
I want to thank our team’s sponsor Tt e Sports and OC. Practice has been easier with high spec computers.

You made it easily back into Code S

I have been losing way too much lately. My MLG results weren’t great and I was feeling down in general so this 2:0 victory makes me happy.

You opted for a ling-bling all in in Set 1

Could I call it a change of style? Lately, Terrans have a lot of guts when it comes to getting greedy. The map wasn’t favourable either so I challenged him early on. Luckily, the opponent’s build didn’t counter mine so it worked well.

Set 2 was a victory based on experience

Even before coming in today, I thought to myself that there was no chance of losing Set 2 if it got to the macro stage. I knew that I would win if I didn’t die to some cheese in the early game.

Going to MLG, you must be lacking in practice?

I arrived in Korea yesterday. I grabbed hold of IMHappy and the other kids(? not quite the same level of kids but he used a word in korean that refers to juniors) and prepared my builds. I always practise with my brain so the amount of practice was not a problem.

What about your condition?

I am still jetlagged. So I slept all day today. Waking up at around 2pm in the afternoon, I felt refreshed.

What do you predict about DongRaeGu vs Genius?

Frankly, I think DRG will win 4:2. I am cheering for Genius a lot too but DRG’s vsP looked very formidable.

You are the only player to have been in every Code S

I feel proud/content (the word in Korean is a mixture of both). From now on, I want to stay in code S for the next 20 seaons or so. But while consistency is great, there’s no point if you don’t win.

You and MVP seem to have formed a pact to both do badly after your three championships

I don’t want to make excuses but I feel very restless in games unlike before. So my play becomes impatient and my mind kind of becomes out of it. I’m frustrated since I don’t know the cause myself. I have to overcome this myself. Even today, it wasn’t too bad but I was still a bit foggy. I will just have to try harder from now on.
I almost never lose during practice but coming to a real match makes me restless.

Who do you think will get the 4th championship first?

(With a big sigh) I must get it first. IMMVP is still young so I have to be the first one to make a splash in the scene. If either one wins though, I think the other one will be motivated to catch up quickly.

You are ahead of IMMVP in terms of prize pool but behind in points

Points don’t concern me. I only thirst for championships

What’s your goal for Code S next season?

That’s obvious. It’s always the championship. It won’t be easy but if I don’t become restless and put out my full potential, there’s a decent chance.

Anything to add?

I want to thank the players who helped with practice: Happy, Yoda, dreamertt, ZenexLife. I also want to thank Sung-Hwan Kim who helped me at MLG. He took great care of me in the US even buying me food with his own money so that I could have an easy time there.
The director must have a lot on his mind lately, I hope he cheers up.
Lastly, IM FIGHTING!

You have returned to Code S

My condition wasn’t great because of a cold. I didn’t really get to show the level of play that my practice should have produced, so that’s regrettable. In Set 1, my hands kind of messed up but at least Set 2 really went according to plan

Your opponent was MaruPrime who is very young

I didn’t let my guard down just because of his age. He’s on such a run lately so I prepared thoroughly. I thought of the old days seeing Maru. I compared him to a younger version of myself and formed a bit of empathy. He lost today but I think he’s a player of enough calibre that will come back with a vengeance.

Against such a young player, you showed what it means to be a veteran

First of all, my preparation was excellent. My win rate during practice was really high and I prepared myself for all three sets figuring out everything about my opponent. It’s not about being a veteran or being a higher class of player but all about the thorough preparation.

Now you and Nestea are the only ones who have never been absent from Code S

I never ever want to fall to Code A. It is my goal to win the championship before going away for military service. Playing in the deep sea of players (referring to code B etc.) is a thought that scares me. Code A or the offline qualifiers are a place that I don’t want to visit. Also to make my awesome victory against protoss last time worthwhile, I had to win today. I practised really hard so that I wouldn’t waste such a great victory by going to the Up and Down Matches.

To win Code S, what aspect of your play will you work on?

TvZ and TvP have become so much harder. But with enough preparation, things will look different. If I prepare myself just a little bit more than I did for today, I think I will achieve results better than ever.

Is there anything you find difficult as you get older?

I find it difficult to deal with pressure during crucial moments. For example, going into a decisive match before signing for a great contract makes me think that I can’t afford to lose. When I was young, it was simply the love for the game that drove me but as I get older, I can’t help but worry about such things. So the pressure for victory has grown larger and after defeats, I try hard to think of other things. Getting rid of such pressure will be important in the future.

What will you do until the next season?

Before, I would have just fooled around. But now to clinch the championship, I think I’ll have to focus a lot more on streaming and practice. Of course I’ll make sure to get enough rest alongside practice.

Anything to add?

I want to thank the players who helped with practice: Heart, aLive, MVPDream. MVPDream helped me so much that my entire practice relied on him. Today’s victory is the result of a tremendous amount of practice. I am also grateful to Director Choi, Yoon Sang who always looks after me at matches.
I also want to thank the complexity members who watch me from afar. I have a friend in a hacking group called InHaGurus at In Ha univeristy. That friend’s junior helped me set up my computer. Thanks to that, my practice went smoothly. InHaGurus FIGHTING
Lastly, it’s thanks to my girlfriend that I can always go about my life with vigour. She sets me onto the road for victory, and she’s always watching and cheering me on. I love her.