[Interview] Code A Ro24 Day 2 2012 GSL Season 3

Source: This Is Game

You've returned to Code S after two seasons.

I have so so happy. I don't think I've ever been this happy before. Lately I've been having a really hard time and I haven't been able to practice very much. Even during practices, I was losing almost all my games so to tell you the truth, I pretty much came to play my Code A games with the feeling of wanting to give up. However, I don't think viOLet's condition was in the best state either. I was practicing against SlayerS_Miya who is a really good player so I just kept on losing. But Miya must be some sort of Zerg god or something because he wished me luck and planted the confidence that I needed.

In games one and three, you showed some ridiculous medivac usage.

I moved out of the team house so I wasn't able to play many games. So as a result of that, I had a lot of strategies for my medivacs in my head but I couldn't actually convey them through my hands. I was under a lot of stress, but after I kept practicing with them, I kept trying to use them and it ended up working for me. I really liked the way I used my medivacs today. It went better than when I used them in practices.

It was a shame that you weren't able to lift your supply depots in time and the zerglings came into your empty base and wreaked havoc.

It should have been an immediate reaction on my part but I think my reaction skills have gone down significantly. I have to work hard to bring that part up again. Lack of practice is definitely the reason.

How did you feel after spending a season in Code A?

I really missed the Code S scene and was envious of it. I was able to realize just how precious being in Code S was. While I was preparing for my Code A games today, I had the desire to make it to back into Code S no matter what. Even though I was being genuine about what I wanted, I kept losing during my practice games and I had a ton of stress on me, but I was still able to advance like this so I feel even happier than I would after winning a major tournament. I feel like I just found an opening to something that was blocking me.

You fell out of the WCS qualifiers pretty easily. How confident are you for the WCG qualifiers?

It would be nice if some luck followed me. Regarding today's Code A games, I was praying a lot on my way here. Normally I don't really pray. My parents are pastors so they don't like it if I don't pray. But I think I won today because of their prayers. I also am going to pray for my WCG games (laughs).

How do you plan on grabbing your Code S goals next season?

First of all, winning the Ro32 is my goal. Any other goal, I will think about after I have accomplished this first one.

Anything else you would like to say?

While I was staying at home my parents were really worried me, and Korean and foreigns fans alike are all also worried about me. I want to thank my fans once again and want them to know that I am thinking positively now because I learned how precious my fans truly are. From here on out, I will show you guys an MMA who is living better and working harder.

Source: This Is Game

This is your 5th season in a row making it to Code S.

Even though I haven't been able to produce the necessary results, I feel like Code S is a place where I belong because I have made it five season in a row. And of course, I am happy about it.

In game 1 you used a spine crawler rush.

The maps were not in my favor so I had a hard time macroing. However, StarTale_KingKong taught me a great strategy to use against a Protoss who's doing a double nexus play. Thanks to that strategy, I was able to take a 2:0 victory.

Was the long game in game 2 intentional?

Yes it was intentional. If I decide to just go for a regular macro game I am easily vulnerable to all ins and it is difficult to block a Protoss' attack. Even if I was putting myself at a disadvantage early on, as long as I could hold my own, I thought to myself that I could definitely turn it around during mid game. It was a build that I had optimized specifically for a map like Ohana. I used a strategy that other Zergs hadn't used before.

This is your 5th Code S participation in a row but you never seem to able to break through the Ro16.

For some reason, I always get really nervous for my Code S games so I end up showing performances that show that I am clearly lacking something. It's a real disappointment for me as well. I get more nervous than I usually do so I'm not able to get results. I keep messing up in situations where I am supposed to be fine so I end up giving really bad results.

What are you Code S goals for this season?

This is already my 5th Code S appearance so at most I really want to get past the Ro16.

You made it through the WCS qualifiers. Are you confident you'll also make it through the WCG qualifiers?

These days I haven't felt my best but after practicing so much I think I'm starting to feel really good again. I think I'll also be real confident for my WCG games. In my opinion I've become a lot better. When things are not going so well for me I feel like I've hit rock bottom and my performances for my games are also really bad. But right now I feel like I've returned to my old self.

The Ro32 format for the WCS will be double elimination. Are you confident you'll be picked as the representative for Korea?

I won't know until I've played the games but I definitely have the confidence. But I am worried because my confidence and my results are not proportional with each other (laughs). But that's better than not being confident.

Anyone you would like to face in Code S?

I just really want to avoid any Protoss players. Whether it's during my practices or during my official games, I find ZvP to be the most difficult.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank Squirtle, Avenge, Brain, and TREME for helping me wit practice. Today's build order in game 1 was thanks to KingKong so I was able to get into Code S. When I get back to the team house I'm going to treat him to something delicious. Lastly I want to thank our sponsors BenQ, ZOWIE Gear, Joy Gear, and Red Bull.

Source: This Is Game

You've finally made it into Code S.

The games just now ended so I don't feel like it's hit me yet. After I get back to the team house I think It's going to hit me.

In game 1, you ended it with a hellion/marine timing attack. It doesn't seem like you were planning on ending it that way.

That's correct. I was embarrased that I was able to end it. I just poked to check what he was doing because his gaming pattern is similar almost every time.

In game 2 you blocked his proxy build order and drop plays.

I was expecting it on some level. I was studying SuperNoVa's games extensively and I noticed that on maps where it is normal for players to fast expand, SuperNoVa tends to go for build orders that expose the weaknesses of fast expanding. I was expecting something like that so I was in a better spot as I was preparing but I was able to scout his proxy builds and the thought that I had won occurred.

For a while you were doing poorly, but after getting into Code A you went straight into Code S. What's your secret?

There is no secret. This is a results of putting in a lot of effort. I think I was able to grasp this given opportunity. That's why today was a really important day, and with this victory I will make sure my wins don't stop and ride the momentum.

What is your goal for your first ever Code S debut?

First of all I want to be able to attend a group nomination. I don't really have a special reason other than the fact that I want to converse with really good players and experience that enjoyment.

You fell from the WCS qualifiers but are you confident for the WCG qualifiers?

For the WCS qualifiers it was what it was, and for WCG it will be whatever it becomes. I'm not going to specifically prepare for it I'm just going to play as I've always been.

Anything else you would like to add?

Mvp hyung gave me a lot of advice. And dreamertt hyung helped me so much as if it was his own match up he was preparing for. Happy hyung helped me out a lot with practice and even came to the GOMTV studio with me today. I want to thank all the hyungs. Especially dreamertt hyung. I want to thank the coach and my sister in law. Today our LoL team plays so I hope they win. I would be thrilled if I heard that my mom was watching my games today. Seed hyung has a GSL finals the day after tomorrow and I believe he is going to win it.

Source: This Is Game

You've returned to Code S after two season. How do you feel?

While I was in Code S I never realized this but trying to get into Code S through Code A is incredibly difficult. Now I have to make sure I don't fall down again. Next season, I am hoping to make into the Ro8.

You opponent was your teammate Shine. How was it?

It was really uncomfortable. I didn't even practice that much. Also it was a team kill so I got really nervous. That's why I made a ton of mistakes.

Game 1 wasn't bad or anything but you allowed a comeback.

Normally I would split my army into two and use one for offense and one for defense but this time I used my army all at once so I was thrown off.

But you still managed to grab 2 games in a row after that.

In game 2 I wasn't nervous because of my loss from game 1. But for game 3, I got nervous again. That's why I made a ton of mistakes. I think Shine lost because he was also nervous. He had a chance to win but he missed it so I think he was more nervous than I was.

You passed the WCS qualifiers and made it back into Code S. Your pace seems really good right now.

I think I've won all my most recent games. I think I've clearly found my pace, so now I just have to make sure I avoid any team kills and I'll be fine. I went back to old practice tactics but in order for it to be effective I need to put in a lot of games. But if a team kill is about to occur I can't practice a lot.

You have WCG qualifiers on the weekend. How confident are you that you'll make it?

Within my group there is one really powerful Zerg opponent. If I can just beat him I feel like I will make it. Since it's not a team kill I think I'll be able to practice a lot so my chances of advancing are high.

Why is Code S Ro8 your goal?

Well the obvious reason is because I will stay in Code S. The real reason is the championship. Of course that does not necessarily mean that my immediate goal is the championship. I want to be able to stay in Code S for the next season and take the championship then.

Anything else you would like to say?

I seem to go through a lot of team kills these days. Instead of apologizing to the players I won against I want to say some words of encouragement. I want Shine to make it through the Up and Downs so that we can meet at a grand stage like the finals. Today I wasn't able to eat anything so Shine prepared something for me. I think I won because of that so I want to thank him for that.