[Interview] 2012 GSL S3 Code A Qualifiers

You are back in the GSL after a long absence. How do you feel?

Nothing much. I don’t think I’m that happy about it.

How have you been?

I’ve been well. I’ve played some major games as well as Starcraft 2. Since I am currently part of a team, I am practising (laugh).

Didn’t you miss the GSL?

Not really. I didn’t get hung up on it. I came to the qualifiers because of a deal between myself and my team’s representative and thought this would be the last time. If I didn’t get through, I was planning on never coming back.

You were forced into it then?

Not this time. However, I did feel a bit forced two qualifiers ago. This season, I had a motive for trying to qualify.

Were any of the games difficult?

They all were. It’s because I’ve gotten worse (laugh). It was even harder because I tried to play macro for all of them. I never use all in strategies these days.

Fans are expecting a lot from you.

I hope they don’t. Please, I beg you (laugh). I won’t be able to show games like the ones in the past. Everyone else has gotten better so it will be too difficult for me to make the games interesting.

What’s your goal this season?

I just want to enjoy myself. Maybe I should go talk to the team representative for more motivation (laugh).

Anything to add?

I am always thankful to my parents. I want to thank the team captain Lee, Jun Ho. I hope Clide and Maka play well tomorrow.

You’ve qualified for a third season in a row. How do you feel?

I am playing quite well lately probably thanks to the recent buffs to Zerg. I’m glad I was able to use that momentum to get through the qualifier.

You fell in Code A Round 1 two seasons in a row.

ZvP was what got me. I tried some non-standard styles but that backfired on me. To be honest though, it’s not like I practised all that much (laugh).

Did the Zerg buffs help a lot?

I’ll have to see about ZvP but the queen and overlord buffs have definitely made ZvT easier. The overlord buff helps in ZvP also.

NSHS is doing well in the qualifier. Freaky qualified before you.

We practised a lot and since it’s two Zergs that have qualified, I guess Zerg is doing better.

You were fearsome in GSTL but what was the reason for you lukewarm performance in GSL?

Like I said before, I think it was because I tried to change up my ZvP. Also, I practised less for GSL compared to GSTL.

Any games from today that were difficult or memorable?

Not really. None too difficult. I was happy to be playing several ZvTs.

GSTL begins tomorrow and you must be excited.

Our team has been practising a lot so we should be able to take the first match. My ZvP has also gotten stronger so I’ll be even stronger compared to last season.

Do you want an all-kill this season?

Of course. Then again, all my teammates are really good so that might be difficult. I may not get the chance.

Your goal for Code A this season

Survival. I’ll first win in Code A Round 1. I’ll take it slow.

Anything to add?

I want to thank the players who helped with practice.

You have made it through the qualifier after a whole year of absence. How do you feel?

I’m not sure yet. I think I’ll start feeling good by the time I’m in bed at the training house.

What have you been up to?

Just stayed at the training house practising. I used to be a little bored and tired but the game has become fun again.

Why is that?

I don’t know. There was a period where I found the game really tedious. Nowadays though, I’m having lots of fun. I’m practising a lot now.

In the early days, you were known as the all-in Terran. Has that changed?

Half half. Sometimes I macro, sometimes I all-in.

Any memorable games from today?

They were all so difficult. I went 2:1 in all the matches. I beat puma in the finals and I really forced my way through that match. I won in Set 1, lost in Set 2 hopelessly with the build I prepared then won in Set 3 using the same build from Set 1.

What did you think when watching the GSL all this time?

I felt that I wanted to be back in there playing against the high calibre players, and that I wanted to focus on practice so that I am able to prepare for those matches.

Didn’t Choya put pressure on you?

He told me to hold my chin up the first couple of times I failed to qualify. He never stopped encouraging me. Even today, he advised me to have faith in my builds and stick to them.

Are you going to go back to your all-in ways in Code A Round 1?

I’ll have to see which race I am facing. These days, all-ins don’t work since everyone’s so good.

Your goal for this season?

I want to win in Round 1 so that my spot in the Up and Downs is guaranteed. I really don’t want to experience another qualifier.

I feel like you will advance to Code S if you make it to Up and Downs

I don’t know. There are too many players who are really good. I don’t even know if my style is suited for Up and Downs.

Anything to add?

I want to say thanks to FXOBoss. Also, Choya. I hope my teammates who are playing tomorrow do well in the qualifier. There’s a player called TopClass (T/N: LOL) and I want to tell him to stop screwing around and practise seriously.

You are back in Code A after four seasons

I lost so much that became used to being eliminated. However, this time, my efforts have borne fruit.

How were today’s games?

I won most of the matches convincingly. I think I had an easy time thanks to all that practice. Unlike the last qualifier, I was confident enough to take on anyone this time.

People expected a lot from you only to see you fall. What was the reason?

Honestly, I was too arrogant at the time. I didn’t practise enough and was under-prepared also. When I look back now, all I had was confidence.

What did you think to yourself while taking a break from the GSL?

I wanted one more chance. If I made it to Code A somehow, I was ready to play with my life on the line.

Well, now you have that chance. Tell us your determination.

There’s something I’ve realised as my teammates helped me practise. The number of games you play isn’t the only thing that matters. Since it’s hard to play at your best in broadcasted matches, you have to solidify your fundamentals and research strategies. It’s the same as how cramming for an exam doesn’t really work.

Your goal for this season?

First of all, it’s not falling back down to Code B. Then, if possible, I want to make a large splash in the scene.

Anything to add?

I hope my teammates in the qualifier tomorrow do well. I want to thank the coach and his wife. At home, my parents worry about me. I hope they stop worrying and believe in me because I will do better from now on.

How does it feel to be back in the GSL after such a long absence?

I feel fantastic. It’s great to have an opportunity to prove myself after being in a slump.

How did it feel to be in the qualifier?

Lately, I’ve attended MLG and participated in many online leagues so I wasn’t too nervous. However, I met MVPDream in the finals and he is a player who has put a kink in my plans in the past. I was a little nervous but focused on sticking to my own style and with a bit of luck on my side, took the match.

You seem to have lost some weight

Progamers these days are so good. Everyone astounds me with their skill. As a result, I had a hard time in practice.

What made you slump so suddenly?

Fooling around a little made me slump straight away. Well, even when I was good, I fooled around a little. However, as my schedule freed up a little, I fooled around even more (laugh).

Did taking second place give you a mental shock?

Definitely. That and I was arrogant.

Did you change your practice method during the break?

Before, I rarely went on the ladder and didn’t play with progamers either. Lately, however, I am working hard on ladder. I am using two IDs and at one point, both reached rank 1. This kind of practice has helped.

You must want to return to Code S quickly.

I want to return as soon as possible. Everyone is so good that I can’t be certain but I think with hard work, it should be possible.

Have you recovered fully mindset wise?

I’ve lost everything once so I can’t help but be nervous (laugh). Now I know fully how precious each and every win is. I’ve wanted to step onto the stage for a long time and this was only delayed by the change in GSL league structure.

When will get to we see your return to glory?

Since I’ve already been in one finals, I feel like I should do at least that. When I reach the Code S finals, you can be sure I am back.

Anything to add?

I want to thank all who helped with practice. I hope my teammates who didn’t qualify are okay. I hope San is doing well too. I want to thank coach Kang, his wife and the sponsors.

You are back after one season of absence

When I first qualified, I remember saying that I was lucky. At the time, my understanding of the game was limited and I had little knowledge of counter relationships between the units. I really lacked confidence at the time but tried out anyway and got in. If you get in while you are only high master, it’s really luck.

Today’s games shouldn’t have given you as much trouble.

I lost the second set in the first round. I made a blunder and got nervous as a result but afterwards, it was smooth sailing.

So you mean you were underprepared for your first Code A run?

That’s right. I had no faith in my skill. I had no idea what composition of units I should go for. All I made were zerglings and mutalisks. If I had made even just infestors, I would have won. I played the game with infestors and they are so good. I tried to play the game like Starcraft 1 and relied purely on mass production. Starcraft 2 has a heavier focus on army composition and I completely ignored that. It’s no wonder I lost.

How did you change your way of thinking and improve so much?

First of all, I worked really hard. I never went out to practice all the time, to the extent that I started gaining weight. My team has five Zergs. Half the team being Zerg means that there is good communication and everyone improves faster as a result. On top of Symbol in Code S, two more Zergs have gotten into Code A. I feel bad about two other players not making it in but there is so much to gain from communicating between ourselves. Symbol benefited from exactly that when he got into Code S. Our team as a whole has improved.

We expect a lot from the TSL Zergs in GSTL

You should. Because of the reason I just gave, we will keep improving.

If you had to make a prediction about your first match against Fnatic?

We are confident. I can’t give a score but I think I can take some pressure off of Polt’s shoulders. I used to be a hindrance to the team due to my lack of skill but this season, it’s different. I’m close to the players on Fnatic so I expect smooth games.

Your goal for Code A this seaon?

Straight into Code S, of course. I believe I will get right to the end. I am that full of confidence. The end goal is of course a Code S championship. First, I want to get into Code S.

Lately, Starcraft 1 players playing Starcraft 2 alongside Starcraft 1 has been a hot topic.

Personally, I am tentative about the issue. A hybrid league is definitely too much. If it were me playing in that, I would have trouble. The interfaces are different and there must be other problems as well. I’ve been talking to players from MBCGame and they sound like they have lots of concerns. I really admire players who work through all these issues to play both games at the same time. I try playing Starcraft 1 from time to time and it’s just not possible. I respect them.

Anything to add.

More than anything, I’m in a great mood. I hope my teammates who didn’t make it into Code A this season try harder. Since GSTL is set to begin, they have another chance to post great results. I ask the fans for support.

How does it feel to have gotten through the qualifiers for the first time?

Honestly, I don’t think I am as good as I used to be. I was preparing mostly for GSTL and entered the qualifier with some uncertainty. To be qualifying like this, I’m a bit bewildered.

Didn’t the practice for GSTL help?

Not at all. I didn’t use any of the builds that I saved up for GSTL. I entered trusting my fundamentals alone and got lucky.

You received a lot of attention last GSTL. How have you been so far?

I went to IPL with MMA’s help. I didn’t do so well (laugh). Other than IPL, I just practiced at the training house. I taught Puzzle a lot(laugh). You can bet that all of Puzzle’s builds come from me.

Any matches you found difficult today?

Frankly, they were all hard. The first match was a PvP so even the start was rough. I thought I would get eliminated straight away but got lucky. I think my getting through will motivate my teammates and other progamers.

Your goal for your Code A debut?

I am good at preparing build and practising for a set tournament. I am confident in my preparation. I want to do better than Puzzle at the very least.

How is your skill level compared to last GSTL?

Stationary. New builds and strategies all got stolen by Puzzle and I’m stuck. I keep trying to save up builds but when I watch Puzzle practise, I can’t help but give him advice (laugh).

Anything to add?

I want to give my sincere thanks to MMA, Cella, Boxer and Jessica. Ah, I’m good friends with theStC. He’s terrible but still made Code S. I am jealous. I want to get into Code S soon as well. I hope my teammates who see this interview tell themselves: “if theStC can do it, anyone can!”