[Interview] 2012 GSL S5 U/D Group D

You have returned to Code S. How do you feel?

I had a cold for the past month. Because of this illness, I was tired both physically and mentally and, as a result, wasn't able to perform. I was taking a break at home without practising. I went into the games today relying on my fundamentals and I now think it the right choice to take a break.

You had a hopeless game against Flash in Set 1

I couldn't figure out Abyssal City due to the lack of practice. Later, MVP told me that Colossus builds on that map are not viable. There is no way for Protoss to take a good position so I got smashed one sidedly.

Parting said in his interview that he was planning to break the no-ceremony agreement

I am aware he is planning a ceremony for me and I'll just have to take it since he's got the makings of a 'World Champion'. I am powerless against him (laugh). However, in the mean time, I'll make fun of him as much as possible (laugh)

In your game against Supernova, you denied every nuke he tried on you

Terrans love to use nukes on Daybreak. Especially on the 5 o'clock expo. I went so far as to plan to take down the ghosts using speed upgraded observers while harassing. It's no miracle I wasn't hit by a nuke.

In your last set, you quickly got +3 attack and did a strong attack

It's a build similar to Creator's but with my own style infused into it. There are builds which use similar unit compositions but this particular use of stalkers isn't seen anywhere else.

The last set was to decide whether we would have re-games

That's precisely why I wasn't under much pressure. I had even messed up my worker control at the beginning because the mouse setting was incorrect. It just makes me happier I was able to win under such circumstances.

Your goal for this season?

There are people who say that I did badly in Season 4 but I think they're exaggerating because I'm a champion. There are 24 players who were eliminated in ro16 or before so I did not do badly by any means. However, I admit that I fell into a slump since then and that the much needed break has helped. My goal this season is to get to ro4 so that I get a free trip to Las Vegas. If that proves too difficult, I'll at least get a seed for 2013 GSL Season 1.

Anything to add?

I'm really happy to be in Code S for the fourth time in a row. I want to thank my family at home who cared for me and also the IM coach and his wife who took care of me in China while attending WCS. I want to thank Dreamertt for practising with me. I'm glad for the GOM Staff and the journalists that I was able to prevent a 5 way tie breaker. Lastly, I want to thank LG Electronics, Googims, SteelSeries, Nvidia and Cocacola for their continued sponsorship.

You had a hard time getting into Code S tonight

I was under the impression that I would have to play a rematch even if I beat Flash in my final set. I had given up all hopes of advancing so I took it easy. Rather than trying to advance, I was hoping to learn from this game against Flash. When I lost that huge battle in the middle of the map, I only stayed in to observe how Flash plays but he made several mistakes which let me back into the game.

You took a quick victory against Supernova

I placed my barracks for the shortest distance to his base meaning the reaper was planned. I actually expected a long drawn out game but the reaper did its job so well that I was able to win soon afterwards.

You fell to Sirius' roach play

I had a hard time against mass roach in practice with the build I used. I'm not sure if he prepared it specially but his choice of builds was excellent.

After losing to Seed, you were in a very unfavourable position in the group

I was planning to beat Seed no matter what so as I lost, I gave up hope of advancing. The games weren't going as I had planned and I wasn't too confident. My last set was against Flash in a mirror on Whirlwind so I thought it was 50/50 that I would win.

What do you think having played Flash?

I have played Starcraft 2 for two years but no one plays quite like him. I knew that Flash was a greedy macro player but this was insane. I think I learned a lot from him. Before when I used to watch MMA play, I would think to myself "Class is forever" and Flash's play today brought out the same feelings.

Your goal for Code S this season?

I keep repeating the same pattern. Last season was the same. I keep getting into Code S then fail to post any results. Since this is the last season of the year, I really hope I do well.

There are already many KeSPA players in Code S

They shouldn't be too special. They already have Proleague to earn their keep in so I'll protect my territory as best as I can.

With this week's last game, you move to Axiom

I felt really sorry when I left the team. Maybe, I'm too soft mentally but I feel that this incident was very hard on us players. I know that my leaving the team wasn't free of trouble but all this drama certainly wasn't justified. In fact, the drama makes me glad I left the team.