[Interview] 2012 GSL Season 2 Code S ro32 Group C

Your thoughts on getting into the round of 16?

I feel bad about beating Zerg players that I like: JulyZerg and Zenio. Still, being able to continue my MLG momentum like this makes me feel great.

I understand you got back from the US yesterday. Were you okay physically?

I couldn't overcome the jet lag yesterday so I only fell asleep this morning. I was very tired but I was confident about my TvZ so I believed that I would advance to ro16 if I concentrated.

You've taken MLG Winter Championship after winning Arena

I think I am well suited for short term tournaments like MLG. At MLG I can bring out my best and feel great. Doing the play that I wanted was why I could take the two wins in a row.

In both tournaments, you took down DRG to take the championship. You must be strong against him.

In practice against DRG, I had a win rate of around 5:5. On the GSL stage, I've lost a lot though. I was afraid we were developing a predator-prey relationship but through MLG, I've overcome my DRG phobia and recovered my confidence against Zerg.

Did winning at MLG have an influence on how good your games were today?

After taking second place in one season, it felt like I lost steam in the next. As a result, I showed some not so great games. But actually winning made it feel like the players at GSL were a bit scared of me and I got some renewed confidence in myself. .

People are saying that MarineKing has finally escaped the Kong line.

I thought a lot about this after taking the win at MLG. Is MLG an event tournament or have I truly escaped the Kong line? My conclusion is this. I mean to make the GSL an event tournament. In other words, I'm still a Kong (chuckle)

Today, you treated the fans to soy milk and beans (T/N: Kong in Korean is beans/peas)

After returning to Korea, my coach and GomTV's Oh, Joo Yang suggested this idea to me. I accepted eagerly. The coach helped me buy the items but it was with my own money.

Yellow's LoL team is playing in Yong San right now

Yellow and I share the same fate. Since I won, I'm sure Yellow's Zenix Storm will win. I will cheer for them.

Following IMMVP, you've reached 100 official wins.

I am honoured to reach 100 wins after last year's best player IMMVP. I look back and think now that I've played so many games in GSL and won a lot too. Coming second with this achievement, the power of the Kong must still be within me. But the 200 win achievement is something I want to reach first.

You must be optimistic about winning the GSL this season.

There are certainly a lot of tournaments and not much practice time as a result. Being able to keep up my play despite this is thanks to all my fans cheering me on. The momentum you get on when you win a tournament is scary. Since I won MLG, I want to win the GSL and I think I will.

Prime is aiming for Las Vegas in the GSTL. Your role must be crucial

I am close to FXO team members. They scared me by saying that they would cut all ties with me if I participated (chuckle). But game is game. I am particularly strong against FXO players so if I go out, it should end with me.

Maru is on fire right now, anything to say?

The first time I saw Maru was only a few months ago. After joining the team house, he has learned a lot from Byun and myself. He has an ability to absorb the strong points of a player. As time passes, I believe he has the capacity to become the next IMMVP and Flash (T/N: holy crap, that's one bold statement).

Anything to add?

I haven't been able to see my parents since I haven't been in the GSL finals lately. I also want to see my older sister. When I get to the finals this season, I want to have an outing with my family. I want to thank AnnYeoung who helped with practice. I want to thank my sponsors tT-eSports and OCZ.

It's been a long time since ro 16 in Code S. How do you feel about advancing?

I know it's been a long time but saying that it's been four seasons makes it sound like forever. I feel great (chuckle).

Your very aggressive play was impressive

Because MKP is fresh from his victory, the games were more interesting and left a stronger impression. I don't usually do this sort of play. It's a little bit regrettable because with MKP the games could've been even more interesting.

You said that the air you breathe in Code S is different to the air you breathe in Code A

I am new to this ro32 structure. It is harder than the Up and Down. I played nine games today which is harder than even Up and Down. Still, since it places a heavier focus on skill rather than luck, I am satisfied. Honestly, I was a bit nervous but winning in this way doubles my happiness.

The same structure applies to ro16. Should you prepare accordingly?

I think I need to prepare because it's physically demanding. A player who has to play the last match, and especially someone who goes 2:1 like me has a very difficult time. But of course this is for the players to do well so I'm not too unhappy.

Every one of your matches was 2:1. Weren't you psychologically affected?

The fact I have to show so many of my games is annoying. I wanted to keep my strategies hidden so that's regrettable.

You came back in set 1 of the final match from a disadvantage

Honestly, I could've done even a better job at holding. The game would've been much easier if I did. I won but there were still problems with the game. It feels like I forced a win.

It was last September that you got to ro4 in Code S

I am hoping to do well. I now have a lot of time so am focusing very hard on practice. First, I want to focus on GSTL to go to the US then do well in the GSL. This is a crucial time for both the team and myself.

You are the first Zerg to advance this season. Is Zerg in a bad place right now?

After DRG's win, players scrutinised Zerg play a lot more. It's true that it's become harder. Personally, I am having trouble with my ZvP. My ZvT winrate is okay. In that sense, I was glad to see that there were no Protosses in Group C. But even if my ZvP is relatively weaker, against players that my style is strong against, I should do well.

The ro16 nominations, any preferences?

I don't care who. Isn't everyone in ro16 good anyway? Plus, this is a time of equal racial distribution in terms of advancement. Still, I'd like it if there were more Terrans in my group.

Anything to add?

I want to thank players who helped with practice: IMHappy and StartaleHack. I practised a lot with Hack last night