[Interview] 2012 GSL S3 Code A R1 D1

Tell us how you feel advancing to Code A Round 2 after taking down Jookto

I was very concerned about the fact that I could drop to Code B after just one loss so I’m glad to have gotten over this hurdle and I’m now confident that I can return to Code S. My one regret is that I had to take down a dear friend and seeing how Jookto is now called “the second Nestea”, I hope he gets through the qualifiers soon.

It must have been a big shock for you to be eliminated in ro32 this season.

I had something I wanted to say in an interview. At the time, I don’t know the reason but it felt like I suddenly became the weakest player in the GSL. I suddenly became nervous and my hands weren’t moving like I wanted them to which was frustrating. However, it’s my own fault that I lost and all I want to do now is get back into Code S.

You tried a photon cannon rush in Set 2

It’s a Protoss’ natural instinct to want to end the game early if the opponent starts out greedily. I sent the probe around the back on purpose to hide it but got scouted by the drone. I think I got lucky after that.

How did you practise after being eliminated from Code S ro32?

I had a hard time mentally being eliminated in ro32 after getting as far as ro4 the season before. Still, I got back on track after preparing for various tournaments. I’m working hard to regain my confidence.

Who do you wish to face in round 2?

I don’t mind. I think MMA is the likely winner.

Some players of oGs, which you were part of, are having trouble finding teams.

Some have but the rest indeed are. I sincerely hope that they can settle down quickly but it’s a shame that they can’t. They are all exceptional players so I wish them the best in finding a great team.

Any advice for them as a player on a foreign team?

I don’t know much about foreign teams myself. I don’t have much experience moving teams so I’m not sure how I should advise them.

Anything to add?

I want to thank my sponsors theLittleAppFactory, Twtich TV and Razor as well as Nazgul, Bumbleebee and my teammates. I hope all ex-players of oGs find great teams. My father has been watching my games lately and giving me advice which has been a great help. I want to say thank you to my parents and my fans.

Your thoughts after a close match against theBest?

I really didn’t want to fall down to Code B. I wanted to win no matter what and to be advancing to round 2 instead of falling to Code B, I feel great.

You fell to Code A from the Up and Downs.

Practising at home, I think I wasn’t in the best possible condition going into the matches. Also, there were a few things bothering me so I knew that I probably wouldn’t advance to Code S.

The shock of being eliminated from Up and Downs must have been rather big.

After the matches, I realised that I needed to find a way to practise normally despite being teamless. I was very disappointed in how I played.

That can’t be easy for you seeing how you are staying at home

It’s definitely harder than staying at a training house. However, I stay in touch with my old teammates and know some others that I practise with.

How is the search for a new team going?

I am talking to a few teams. A decision hasn’t been made but I’m positive about how it’s going.

You lost the first Set today.

I left my house early since it’s a 1pm match. Since my house is so far from the studio, I was determined to win but died to an all-in in Set 1 (T/N: I don’t get what the distance between his house and the studio has to do with winning…) I was backed into a corner but I calmed myself down before the next set started.

What is the most difficult aspect about practising at home?

There are times when I’m in the mood for practice but I don’t have a partner. At times like that, I do image training in my head of the game and figure out different strategies.

Do you think you can get back to Code S?

I’m not sure. There’s a chance I may have to face theStC in round 2 so I’m worried. If that becomes the case, I’ll have one less practice partner.

Anything to add?

There are many ex-oGs players who have yet to find a team so I wish them the best in doing so. Apocalypse and Hoon helped a lot with practice so I want to say that I’m really grateful.

How do you feel advancing to round 2?

I’m so relieved to avoid Code B. I haven’t been playing well lately in practice so it’s fortunate that I am advancing to round 2.

This is your first win after joining your team.

I was really sorry to my team because I’ve lost all official matches since joining. I will win every single game from now on so watch out for me.

What do you think is the reason for your recent loss streak?

I haven’t practiced much since the disbanding of oGs because of some personal matters. I think my skill level has dropped considerably because of that. I have felt like I am regaining my skill so with a little bit more effort, I should be back in full force soon.

How are you spending time lately?

My ‘dong saeng’ (T/N: younger sibling) is attending school in Seoul so I’m staying with him. It’s quite confortable but it’s a bit hard getting used to practising alone. However, I’ve known for a while that I would have to practise alone so I’m working hard to adjust.

Didn’t you practise with the foreign players on your team?

I wanted to but they have tournaments to attend overseas so didn’t have much time. Apocalypse offered to practise with me and it was a great help.

How was today’s match?

I don’t think I made any major mistakes. I expected my opponent to make mistakes if I played aggressively and my prediction turned out to be correct.

Do you have confidence in returning to Code S?

My next opponent is forGG and I think as long as I beat him, I should go straight to Code S. I beat forGG last season on my way to Up and Downs so once I beat him, I should make it.

Many ex-oGs players are having trouble finding a new team.

It’s a shame. However, they are all hard working so I’m sure they will find teams soon.

Anything to add?

A childhood friend of mine lives overseas. And he told me the other day that he got into dentistry at Boston University. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate him.

Tell us how you feel advancing after beating the newcomer Ready.

I am relieved. I was really concerned because I’ve been in a slump lately.

What do you think is the reason for you slump?

My team tends have ups and downs and at the moment, we’re going through a tough time. However, once we’re out of that, we’ll do great so I hope everyone works hard.

Being eliminated in ro32 or Code S must have been tough.

I’ve been thinking about learning to enjoy the game and I wasn’t able to in ro32 which was a shame. I’ve been too nervous lately and stuffing up my games as a result. I believe it’s a matter of mentality and I’m working hard on overcoming this.

Preparing for an opponent who’s new can’t have been easy

I didn’t take it lightly. However I was confident since I recently beat Ready at MLG recently.

Weren’t you worried after dropping the first set?

I was too rushed. I was ahead in Set 1 as well as Set 2 but trying to end it too early led to me being backed into a corner. I think impatience is a problem for me. I should calmly play out long games but I drop games by trying to end them too early.

Are you confident about returning to Code S?

I think that I can always return to Code S once I get to Up and Downs. So I’m going to take GSTL more seriously. My team is being picked as the weaker team at the moment so I hope all my teammates work hard and win. I think doing well in the team league will lead to better performance in the individual league also.

Anything to add?

It was my father’s birthday a while ago. I want to congratulate my grandmother and great aunt as well as my father since their birthdays are coming up soon. I hope all my teammates work hard and win their games. I want to thank FXO and Razor for their sponsorship. Lastly, I want to say thank you to Daniel (T/N: Unstable?) who stayed at the teamhouse for 2 weeks and I know we only showed losses while he was there but I will make sure only to show wins from now on.