[Interview] 2012 GSL S2 CodeS RO32 Group G Winners

Your first time getting into round of 16. Tell us how you feel

I am amazed myself. Playing in Korea, I lost 0:2 every time, so today, I came with the simple goal of just taking one set. However, winning four sets in a row, I was just amazed.

You began today by losing the first set. How were you feeling?

I realised what my mistake was. I decided to not feel bad since I knew it was my mistake and do well in the rest of the games.

You advance to ro16 showing off great skill. What’s the reason behind the sudden jump in skill level?

After returning to Korea, I have been in the Startale house the entire time. I needed some time to adjust but once I did, I was able to concentrate on the game and that’s why I was able to improve. Also, I think my mindset has improved. So far, I have been nervous in my games but now I am over the nerves and the games are playing out well.

You have a strong image as a troublemaker in Korea. Any attempts to improve this situation?

I am well aware of my image in Korea. Even in Warcraft 3, I was impatient and short-tempered and this became at least five times worse in Starcraft 2. However, no matter how hard I try to stay on the right side, a tainted image is so difficult to overcome. So, I’m not going to pay attention to my image anymore and just focus on the game.

Are you planning to stay in Korea?

There’s so much to gain from staying in Korea. There are just more players to practise with and quality-wise, they’re better too. In the future, even if I attend foreign tournaments, I plan to stay in Korea.

You were once a Warcraft 3 gamer, what is your dream as a Starcraft 2 gamer?

When I first began Starcraft , my goal was to win one major tournament. Since I’ve achieved this, this goal no longer has any meaning.
Now as I keep practising, it is to obtain a skill level that is comparable to Korean players and to beat every Korean player in different tournaments.

There is group nominations in ro16. Do you think you will get picked early?

It’s hard to say. I think they will be reluctant to pick me since it’ll look like they’re trying to get a free win by picking a foreigner. However, looking at what the players think in general, I think I will get picked fairly soon.

As a foreigner seed, you are the first to make ro16. Your goal this season?

My goal was originally to take just one set but that’ over with after today. I won’t look too far ahead and just play out my games. Compared to the high calibre Koreans, I’m a weak player with so much to learn. I will try my hardest to prepare for and win every game.

Anything to add?

I want to thank GSL who gave me the Code S seed. Personally, I think anyone who receives a seed, including myself, is given an unfair chance but I did make good use of that opportunity and made it into the round of 16.

This is your 5th time in ro16 in a row

During practice, I had most difficulty against Protoss. There were two Protosses in a group so making it to ro16 makes me delighted.

In your first match, you lost to a Terran, not a Protoss

Despite our builds being similar, I got behind. Losing the build side of the game, I played impatiently. I think impatience was the cause of my downfall.

You had a one-sided victory against Puzzle in the loser’s match

I was confident about Entombed Valley in Set 1 since I had a lot of practice on that map. Frankly, I couldn’t say the same about Set 2 on Daybreak. If Daybreak were to be selected, I was going to just warm up playing standard then take Set 3. Also, the build I used on Daybreak was a never-before seen build. I got behind with my build but with the medivac fake working out well, I took the game easily.

You met Ryung again in the final match to pay him back in style

I lost the first match because of impatience. So in the final match, I paid great care to my builds to start the games with an advantage. However, my build didn’t work in Set 1 so it seemed difficult. Then, my battlecruisers netted me a win and I rode that momentum to take the series.

What do you think is the reason for you recent slump?

I’ve said often before that wrists and my health in general have not been the best. Even during practice this time, I suffered from enteritis. I couldn’t practise because of my bad condition. So I’ve stayed stagnant whilst others advanced onward.

How is your health lately?

I thought the reason I couldn’t exert any force on my wrist was because of the wrists themselves. However, I recently got in touch with GGPlay (T/N: the name MVP mentions has two results in TLPD, the other, Jjando, just looks very unlikely to be whom he is talking about). He told me that he had the exact same symptoms that I have. At the time, GGPlay retired and I continued. After GGPlay got out of the army, he had an examination which revealed that the problem wasn’t in the wrist but in the cervical disc. So, I am planning to get my cervical disks examined shortly.

Your goal this season?

First, it’s to get to ro8 so that I get to stay in Code S. Once I achieve this, I will set a new higher goal.

It’s ro16 group nominations on Sunday. When do you think you’ll get picked?

Lately, Terran’s a pushover, right? (laugh) So I think I’ll get picked rather soon. Lately, MKP is on a roll so being in the same group as him should be fun.

Anything to add?

I want to thank my mother, father and older sister who always cheer me on from home. Even today, I received texts from my family before the games. They were a great help.
The coach is having a tough time right now but I’m sure everything will work out soon so I hope he feels better. Also, Nestea plays his ro32 games tomorrow so I hope he does well and lastly, I’m grateful to my girlfriend (T/N: wait what? Since when?).