[Interview] 2012 GSL S3 U&D Group D Winners

Tell us how you feel about being in Code S for the fourth season in a row.

If I beat Zenio, it would’ve been much smoother so that was disappointing. Zenio didn’t make it this time but I hope he becomes motivated for next season and makes it into Code S.

Were you confident about getting out of the group in first place?

The Up and Downs format isn’t great for Protoss. I think Protoss is best suited for a best of 3. Best of 1s aren’t good. I think that’s the reason for my performance today. Having said that, I was confident since I learned a lot at the recent MLG.

What did you learn at MLG?

I think I played without having an understanding of Terran players and lost a lot as a result but through my experience at MLG, I finally know how they think. So from now on, I shouldn’t lose often against Terran at all.

You haven’t been doing well since moving teams, why do you think that is?

Attending so many foreign tournaments, I think the lack of practice had an impact. In ro16, I had all my strategies hard countered and lost helplessly. Rather than moving teams, it was that my style had become too exposed and figured out.

There are concerns that not having any teammates is affecting your performance

It’s not like that at all. In fact, receiving a wage and practising in a stable environment outweighs that. There are many players on foreign teams who interact with Korean players for practice. It’s simply that I became too predictable.

IM and SK have teamed up.

I started receiving help starting yesterday. I couldn’t get help with PvP since Seed is on the team but for other matchups, they were a great help. I asked players on other teams for help until now but I’m happy to have players that I can regularly go to for help without worrying about bothering them.

Recently, your former team oGs disbanded

The team I was on in Broodwar, MBC Games, disbanded too so I’m extra sad to hear that oGs disbanded. I hope all its players find a great team and get to practise in a stable environment.

What’s your schedule like for the near future?

I am going to go back and forth between the US and Korea for various tournaments. I don’t mind most aspects of travelling except that I’m gaining a lot of weight due to jet lag. Everything is fine except the weight gain.

Are you confident about posting results in upcoming tournaments?

I think I can make at least ro8 in short term tournaments like MLG even if my condition isn’t great. After MLG Anaheim, I’m thinking of focusing on GSL for a while. MVP recently had his fourth championship so it’s time for me to step up. Especially since my face is gone from the GomTV hall of fame, I’ll work hard to win even if just to get my picture back up there.

Anything to add?

My mother and girlfriend were worried so I’m relieved to have made it into Code S. I hope they also enjoy my performance at the Red Bull tournament in the US that I’m attending tomorrow. I want to say thanks to IMHappy, IMSeed, IMNestea, MVPDream, and EGJYP.

Your thoughts on being in Code S for the second season in a row?

I wasn’t sure how to prepare so I just went on the ladder. I laddered with strategies that I use in practice and won every game so wasn’t too nervous. It made me want to get far in tournaments.

You had a disappointing loss last season so how will you prepare for this season?

I think I paid too much attention to the the skill level of my opponents last season and lost as a result. So this time, I’ll change it up a little. I’m trying to be more flexible in the way I play.

You lost your first set to MC, wasn’t it hard hitting?

I didn’t pay much attention to the first game. It’s a PvP so winning has about as much meaning as losing. I was confident about subsequent games so I wasn’t in a state of shock or anything.

You had a comeback against Hack

Hack came up with such a novel strategy which bewildered me. Luckily though, my destroying his starport seemed to be even worse for him. As a result, I determined that my opponent was doing a cheese rush and was able to make a comeback.

You must have been on the edge of your seat watching MC’s last game

I was guaranteed a tie breaker at least. However, I really wanted to avoid it if possible. I wanted to get in without further trouble. As I saw MC’s dark shrine go up, I decided that I should get warmed up and then he somehow won which I’m thankful to him for. I’m glad that I didn’t have to play again thanks to MC winning.

Your goal for next season?

Rather than setting a special goal, I’ll just practise consistently like I usually do. As I watched MVP’s games the past season, I felt that winners really do win. So, if I’m a winner myself, I should be able to post some great results regardless of how I play. Of course, I will work hard. It’s just that I want to pay less attention to my opponents and their strategies and focus on the fundamentals in preparation for macro games based on those fundamentals.

Anyone you want to face in ro32?

I really want to face Symbol. I’ve lost to him more than I’ve won and he’s one of the great ZvPers which makes me want to beat him. I’ll turn it into an intense and epic match.

Anything to add?

I want to thank all members on IM. I also want to thank the coach, his wife and the LoL team’s ‘Tattoo’ ‘Lee, Min Woo’ hyung. Tattoo told me that if I shook his hand before the games, I would win and what do you know, it came true. I guess his hands are something special. ‘Lee, Seung Hyun’ from Zenex (T/N: says Leesy on TLPD) and MVPSniper helped a lot with practice despite unfortunately losing in Code A. I want take this opportunity to thank them both.
I want to thank my team’s sponsors: LG Electronics, Googims, Coca Cola, Nvidia, and SteelSeries.