EPT
FXO_Leenock![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/9nsOq.jpg)
Source: This Is Game
How does it feel to make it into the Round of 16 for two consecutive seasons?
I'm in a good mood now that I've advanced to the Round of 16 for a second time. Last season, I fell out of the quarterfinals, so I want to make sure that I reach higher this time.
You easily took your first series against INnoVation.
I used some builds that NesTea-hyung used while I was at WEM. The builds looked amazingly good, so I got permission from him to use them. Both of the builds that I used today were NesTea-hyung's, and the strength of those builds were what allowed me to win.
You started off the winners' match with the loss of the first set.
I had banked too many resources. I was very tired during the start of the match. I went for a macro game but grew nervous when my resources started piling up, and I tripped up because I wanted to finish my match too quickly.
What would you say let you come back during the winners' match?
KeeN was watching my games against INnoVation, so I decided to go for unorthodox play. I think that seeing such unusual games put KeeN slightly on edge.
You returned to Korea after traveling to China and the US in succession. Weren't you fatigued?
I feel like I'm about to die (laughs). I did sleep a bit, but I was concerned because I wasn't able to practice. The builds that I had on hand thanks to NesTea were good, though, so I was able to calm my nerves.
You became champion of WEM 2012, but you unfortunately lost in the MLG finals.
I did feel some shock after my opponent came back, but I was more angry because of how close the games were (laughs). Life is an amazingly good player.
Most of players in the Round of 16 are Zergs. What type of group would you like to be placed in?
I don't particularly like ZvZ, but even if I have to play a lot of Zergs, it's fine with me. If it were last season, I would have wanted to avoid playing ZvZ, but this time, I don't mind. Which races I have to face in my group doesn't matter to me.
Is there anyone whom you would like to play against in particular?
I've already played matches against nearly every player who has advanced so far, so I don't have any particular preference.
Do you believe that a Zerg will become champion during this season, too?
Back during last season, I didn't think that Zerg was all that powerful, but I do think that Zerg is strong now. If the [GSL] jinx kicks in, the race that looks strong at the moment won't be able to win, but I feel that a Zerg will be able to take the championship through momentum.
This season looks like your first opportunity to break into Code S in a while. What do you think about this?
The other Code S players may not necessarily be big names, but all of them are at a high level of skill. I'll have to practice hard, just as same as them.
Do you have any last words to tell us?
I'm grateful to the fans who have always cheered for me, and I also want to send my thanks to my team's sponsors, FXO, Razer, GOM TV, and Twitch.tv.
STXSouL_INnoVation![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Is4Iq.jpg)
Source: This Is Game
You've reached the Round of 16 of Code S on your first try.
My group was incredibly difficult. I came in with a casual mindset because I thought that I probably wouldn't make it out of the group, but I'm very happy that I was able to advance in the end.
During the first match, you were completely crushed by Leenock.
I was feeling down because I knew that my opponent was an amazing player. I was in a mentally shaky state, and from there, I lost to Leenock's strategic play. I was worried about being knocked out if I lost my first match, and moreover, my body wasn't in very good condition.
You had appeared to have recovered with a victory over Squirtle.
The first set was on Daybreak. I've often used the 11-11 Barracks rush against Protosses on that map on ladder, so I felt confident that I would be able to succeed as long as it wasn't scouted. Even during the second set, I played as I would on ladder, and I think that my opponent was unable to block my attack because he was weakened.
During the final match, you took down KeeN. Your TvT certainly appears to be strong.
Personally, I'm uncomfortable playing against other Terrans, but my actual record is still good. When I watched KeeN's VODs, I saw that his TvT was very good, so I counted on winning either through a build order advantage or luck, and it worked out well.
You've been called the strongest player on ladder, so why do you think you perform so badly in comparison during broadcasted matches?
Even though I've played a lot of broadcasted matches, I still get anxious, and my hands occasionally shake. I don't think that I can concentrate well in the booth. Nowadays, I feel like my skill level has fallen slightly even during practice. I took breaks too often as I practiced, so I'll have to concentrate during practice in the future and improve.
You'll be entering the group nominations for the Round of 16. Around when do you think you'll be picked during the nominations?
I think that I'll be picked by a Terran or Zerg player very quickly. Not only am I one of the weaker players, but given the relative ease of playing against Terran due to racial balance, I feel that there are many players who would prefer to choose Terrans.
You are the second KeSPA player to advance, after Soulkey. How have KeSPA players adapted so far?
The eSF players play very well. The top players are especially good, so KeSPA players haven't been able to adjust adequately yet. I think that we'll manage to do it within the near future.
Do you have anyone whom you would like to face in the Round of 16?
When I played against Leenock, I felt that I'm not able to win macro games at my current level of skill. I want to avoid Zergs if possible and face mostly either Protosses or Terrans.
You recently changed your ID. Is there a reason for this?
I just happened to see the word "innovation" while I was watching TV. I thought it was a cool word, and I changed my ID because I felt that BoguS was a childish and weak-sounding name. I don't even use "BoguS" on Battle.net, so I think that it was a good decision.
