[Interview] 2012 GSL S2 CodeS RO8 D1 Winners

This is now your fifth time in ro4 of Code S

I returned from China yesterday. I thought the match would be physically difficult so I’m glad I had an easy win. This is my first ro4 in a long time so I’m very excited.

You relied heavily on strategy not once but twice. Was it because of your wrist? Some other problem?

I am of the opinion that you should be punished for risky play. If you get greedy with me, you will get punished. Naniwa is a player who has a risky early game and gets a good economy. Those strategies were a response to that.

Today’s control made it difficult to believe you have a wrist injury. How was it today?

I couldn’t really exert my wrist even in today’s games. It was difficult to mineral boost with my workers at the start. Other than that, it was okay.

Your team and Naniwa have had some run-ins in the past. Did you think about those in your match today?

Not really. I’ve faced foreigners several times in the GSL and never lost once. Since we’re playing on my home soil, I believed that I had the advantage. I think that led to my victory.

Lately, Protosses are on the rise but you keep the Terran pride strong.

Protosses are definitely on the rise. Still, the Terrans that are left are extremely powerful players. There should be at least one more Terran in ro4. I hope the finals is a TvP rather than a PvP.

Your next match is a TvP no matter what. Who do you want to face?

Both players have strong PvT so both are difficult to deal with. Still I prefer Oz to Parting. I feel like I will be more sore about losing to Parting. Parting acts like he’s already won the championship and he’ll probably do a ceremony on me too.

You have secured a spot to win a fourth GSL championship before anyone else.

I’ve fallen in ro4 after my third championship before. Even if I don’t win the championship, I hope I get to walk onto the stage of the finals.

This is your first official win wearing the LG-IM uniform.

This is my first appearance in the uniform and my first win. I am so happy that I won. I think things are looking good for me. It’s a good sign.

Anything to add?

First I want to thank our newest sponsor LG electronics. I also want to thank Nvidia, SteelSeries, Coca cola, Googims. I will play even harder to promote these sponsors.
I was able to win because my teammates Anyppi and Ready practised a lot with me before I left for China. I want to thank them both.

This is your first time in ro 4 of Code S

Similar to what I said in the ro8 interview, it’s just like a dream. As I got ready for today’s match, I remembered losing to DRG in ro8 of last season. That defeat saddened me so much that DRG appeared in my dreams afterwards. I practised hard so I wouldn’t have a repeat of that and won with luck on my side.

Unexpectedly, you had a landslide victory of 3:0. If you were to evaluate today’s match?

If I were somewhat arrogant last season, I fixed that after my loss in ro8. I changed my mindset after the defeat in ro8 and subsequent losses in the GSTL. I dug deep and thought about all the practice I had to go through to get where I am. I think that is why I won.

The opponent took his expansion before you in Set 1. Did you anticipate that?

Not at all. However, I’ve used such a build myself and practised it too. So I just played based on those experiences and it worked out.

Set 2 wasn’t favourable but as your two immortals kept the stalkers busy, you were able to attack an empty base and win.

Each player has their own style of army control. I focused solely on the immortals. I set all the other units on attack move and controlled the immortals while watching the opponent’s stalkers. It seemed like my opponent was going to take out my immortals before defending. It was partly planned.

Your ro4 opponent is the three time champion IMMVP

To be honest, he’s just another Terran to me. Terrans are a free meal to me and that’s the case for whomever. So I don’t care. I feel like I must get to the finals so that I don’t shame the players I have beaten so far.

MVP mentioned your attitude in his interview and even predicted that you would pull off a ceremony on him.

I plan to save the ceremonies for more interesting players like MC. If I get really excited, I will do one. I don’t feel like I acted too over the top but other people seem to think so. I guess I was a little arrogant but it wasn’t to the level of acting like a champion (laugh). I do resent that statement. That’s also not to say that I will become even more arrogant if I win the championship.

If you had to predict your ro4 score?

My heart says 3:0 but my brain says 3:1. Since it is King MVP after all.

Depending on how the bracket works out, you may have to teamkill Squirtle. Is that possible?

Even if I don’t get to the finals, Squirtle definitely will. I’ve always said that Squirtle is the one best Protoss but his potential just didn’t become realised. Now that he’s showing his true self, he will get to the finals.
If I don’t make the finals, this is his GSL. However, if I do, I’m sorry to Squirtle but I will win 4:3.

Anything to add?

I want to thank Ace and Tiger for practice. I also want to thank Genius, Seed, Anyppi, Mentalist and Soulman as well as Finaleand Vampire for their advice.
I want to thank Red Bull, Zowie Gear and BenQ as well as DigiTech High School which supports progaming.
Also, last time, I seem to have offended MC but it’s all a misunderstanding. He took care of me like I was his son at MLG. I am really grateful and I love him. I will treat him something nice with my GSL winnings.