[Interview] 2012 GSL S1 CodeS RO32 Group F Winners

It was your Code S debut match. Your thoughts on moving on to the ro16?

I am so happy. I think my experience at IPL just before GSL helped a lot. Without IPL, I don’t think this result would have been possible.

Let’s talk about IPL for a bit. Are you satisfied with second place?

I am both satisfied and unsatisfied. Since I made the finals, I think I should have won. I regret taking second place. However, taking second place after getting through the open bracket is something I am satisfied about.

You played an amazing number of games. Wasn’t it difficult?

I didn’t count the number of games exactly. I woke up then played and woke up then played. I didn’t feel it in pool play. Starting with the loser’s bracket match against Nestea, I started to feel the fatigue coming on. Still, I think I did pretty well under the conditions.

You won the first match in the finals but lost the second. You had to play two best of 5s.

I was way too tired physically so I was thinking ‘I guess I can play’ but wasn’t too confident. Every match, I drank two cans of Red Bull in an attempt to ward off sleep.

Startale took second place in GSTL. You must have regrets about the situation

Of course, every person on my team must’ve felt so disappointed to even express their feelings. No one would be able to find their calm in a situation like that. However, it’s something that’s in the past so we can only move on. If we meet Prime again, we will win.

Your group today seemed difficult

I thought so too. MMA and Leenock also attended IPL so I played with the thought that we were under the same conditions. Attending IPL gave me a confidence boost. I think that’s the reason for my success today.

You didn’t get to play against Nada. You were once on the same team?

I thought about having to play him but even just practising with me in Starcraft 1 made me happy. I would’ve been very happy to play against him.

In today’s matches, you took down both a GSL champion and a runner-up.

There are still more players to beat. I am confident about my skill but currently it’s not enough. It’s my first priority to try hardest to improve skill-wise.

Which match was the most difficult?

The match against MMA was the most difficult. Losing in Set 1 hit me hard. To be honest, Sets 2 and 3 played out very well for me. Against Leenock, the back and forth on Dual Sight was the only challenging part of the match.

Yesterday, Parting who’s on the same team as you made ro16 first. Was that a stimulus for you?

I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t. I was cheering for him but at the same time, it did spur me on.

If you were to evaluate Parting’s PvT?

Even I admit that Parting’s PvT is better than mine. However, I have my own style so don’t count me out. I think I am better in the other match ups.

Your goal?

I want to make round of 4. I give myself about 50%.

Any player or race you want to play against in ro16?

Frankly, I prefer Protosses. However, I don’t want my own race to fall off so I want players that are not Protoss.

Anything to add?

I want to thank Hack who helped most with the practice. I want to say thanks to my coach and all the teammates who worked hard at IPL. I want to thank my sponsors: BenQ, Zowie Gear and Red Bull.

You are back in ro16 Code S after two seasons. How do you feel?

I was disappointed last season because I dropped out so soon. There aren’t many Zergs this season so I feel like I have to try even harder.

What was the reason for your quick elimination last season?

I worried about the finalist curse and after being runner-up, there was a feeling of complacency so I got a bit lazy. After last season, I realised I was in a dangerous spot so shaped myself up.

There were major contenders in your group. What did you think?

ZvP is easy in practice but hard in tournaments for some reason. So I worried about Squirtle a little but I was confident against Terrans. As expected, I made way too many mistakes in the ZvP.

You had a game against Nada. This is your first time against him since 2010. At the time, you lost with a 6 pool but left a strong impression.

Losing with a 6 pool in the past, I was teased a lot. I wanted to do it again if the first map had close positions. I really wanted to but it wasn’t as easy as I thought. I wasn’t brave enough (laugh)

What do you think is the reason for you weak ZvP?

I tried to practise a lot but tournaments took up too much time. With enough practice, my ZvP should be fine too.

Aren’t Protosses on your team helpful?

Honestly, Oz is great and Choya is good too. Other Protosses are good too. So I am getting a lot of help and am getting good results in practice but don’t show the same in tournaments.

Your games against MMA looked easy. Your ZvT looks to be on the rise

Lately, after MMA lost to Choya, he seems to be on a decline. I was already confident in TvZ and other factors came together for my victory. Choya told me to say this (laugh).

Your goal?

I am confident about the game so I think I can give a good showing. I think I can take the championship.

Anyone you want to battle in ro16?

Anyone not on my team is fine. But I do want to avoid Zergs. Zergs live and die together.

Anything to add?

I want to thank my fans who cheer me on. I want to thank my ‘hyungs’ on the team who helped me out with practice. I also send my thanks to FXO who support us on our travels overseas.