[Interview] Code A Ro48 Day 1 2012 GSL Season 5

LG-IM_Happy



Source: This Is Game

Tell us how you feel about advancing to the second round?

I think my games went well today since the games progressed just like the way I prepared.

You used an 11/11 for both games one and two.

I just wanted to grab at least one game. I had a planned out build for game three so in order to make sure my opponent played passively, I decided to just throw away one of the games.

We heard that you did not get to use the strategy you wanted to use for game three though.

I just kind of improvised I guess (laughs).

You were placed in to the Ro48 after not being there for a while. How did you feel about that?

I decided to just try to have as much fun as I possibly could without feeling any pressure. I don't really feel down about it.

Your next opponent will be either JYP or Noblesse. Who would you like to face?

Personally, I want to face a Protoss. I have a lot of build orders I can use for TvPs so I prefer it over mirror matches.

As of late, LG-IM's results have been faltering.

I just don't think luck was on our side. I don't really know what to say other than that (laughs). The team's atmosphere hasn't changed or anything. It's just that we can't seem to put up the results we want to put up.

Your chances at making it to Code S?

I guess around 50%. Personally, I like the Up/Downs so I can make it through the Up/Downs if need be.

If you can get to the Ro24, you will face DRG.

I think that's when I'll hit a wall.

Heart of the Swarm release date was announced. How has it been so far for you?

Both races have new units that they can use but it seems like nothing's really changed for Terran so I don't really know. It could be good and it could be bad so I think it's half and half. I don't really know (laughs).

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank YongHwa, the coach, and the coach's wife for coming to the studio with me today. LosirA and First are going to play today also so I hope they win. Lastly, I want to thank our sponsors LG Electronics, Coca-Cola, Steelseries, Nvidia, and Googims Company.

LG-IM_LosirA



Source: This Is Game

You've made it to the second round. How do you feel?

I am happy that I was able to advance.

It's been a while since you've stepped foot on the Code A stage.

I rested an entire season before stepping on here again.

All three games, Maru went for an 11/11.

I had no idea he was going to play that aggressively. I knew he would use an 11/11 build but I did not expect him to use it three times in a row. Even though I kind of felt like something was going on it wasn't easy easy to block it. I've even had instances on ladder where I knew the Terran was going to 11/11 me and yet I couldn't block them. It's hard to block a Terran's early game aggression.

Your results were very poor for a long time. Why do you think this happened so?

I think it's my fault because I didn't try hard enough. I have a lot of regret because I wasn't able to play with my teammates during the important times because of my lack of skills. But I do think that any situation can always be turned around at anytime.

As of late, Zergs have been rising like crazy. Who do you think is the most dominant player?

The players I used to play with in the past are all rising right now. Personally, it hurts me to know this and I'm envious.

Around when can we expect to see the old LosirA again?

Whenever I practice, I do really well. I can't seem to perform as well for my televised matches but I will do my best from here on out so that I can show that form once and for all.

Your next opponent will be a Zerg. If you had to predict how the match will go?

I think it's going to be fun. They're both really good but personally I want to play against Jaedong hyung because I like him.

Your chances of making it to Code S?

Personally I want to make it there no matter what. I am going to work hard so that I can get there.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank the coach and his wife. Today is the coach's wife's birthday so I want to wish her a happy birthday. I want to thank everyone who practiced with me and our sponsors LG Electronics, Steelseries, Nvidia, Googims Company, and Coca-Cola.

MJ Team_BBoongBBoong



Source: This Is Game

You advanced to the second round of Code A. Tell us how you feel.

I practiced a lot but that victory took so much effort. But I was able to win after fighting really hard so I am glad. jjakji was so good at macroing. It was surprising.

In game one, you lost a huge battle and ended up losing the game.

I was playing using a build order where I'm supposed to focus on teching rather than grab upgrades so it was important that I buy more time but I didn't think about it much and ended up moving out.

We even saw battlecruisers for game two.

I wasn't really worried because I knew that as long as I stuck to getting ultralisks, the Terran can't block it. I was in an advantageous situation because I had a lot of options.

Game three was a long back and forth.

It was a really difficult victory. I was suffering cause I started off badly but I stuck in there and was able to win because I play Zerg (laughs).

How is the new team's atmosphere?

I get to eat delicious food everyday so it's great (laughs). I was worried about my career but I'm glad that I was able to regain myself and start again like this. As far as I know, the team will be progressing on with its current roster so I don't think there are any plans to recruit new players for the time being.

How did you prepare for today's match?

I practiced with Maru and a lot of people helped me out on ladder. Mostly, I prepared through ladder.

Your next opponent will either be Rain or Dream.

For televised matches, I prefer to face Protosses rather than Terrans. And Rain is a good player so I want to face him because of that too.

Are you confident for the Up/Downs this season?

If I play like I did today then it will be difficult (laughs).

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank our sponsors (서울특별시 청년 창업센터와 치어스 가산점, 사바사바치킨 가산점), the people who help our association, and the coach. I also want to thank Maru for helping me with practice. Lastly, I want to say that I'm going to IPL5 so I will work hard to show a great performance.

LG-IM_First



Source: This Is Game

You advanced to your first ever Code A Round of 32.

I don't know if it was because it was a televised match or what but I was really nervous. Which is why my victory was so difficult.

You lost your colossi in game one and started off with a disadvantage,

I couldn't focus well because of his early aggression. I was so nervous that I tried to buy as much time as possible so that I could warp up as much as possible.

So you were all warmed up for game two?

I was also not ready for game two but since we were set at cross positions, my hands got more and more warmed up as time elapsed.

You used DTs in the last game and dealt severe damage.

It was not a planned out build but it is a build that I use quite often on ladder. I figured the game would turn in to a long macro game so I decided to use a build I was confident with.

For the longest time, you kept on failing to get past the Ro48.

I think it's because I got really nervous. I think I can do well as long as I don't get nervous.

How did you feel after you found out that your first opponent was going to be SuperNova?

He plays a different style than other Terrans so it was hard to prepare for him. I think I was able to win because Mvp hyung helped me out a lot.

You will face HerO in the next round.

If I can just keep it simple and end it quickly without getting nervous, I should be able to win.

Your chances of getting to Code S?

I think it's about half and half. The less Zergs I face, the easier I think I'll be able to advance.

Every single LG-IM player advanced to the second round today.

I didn't know for sure if we would all make it but I am so glad that we did. I was a little worried about Happy hyung though cause he kept QQing a lot about how difficult it was going to be him (laughs). I think that's why he kept using 11/11 build orders.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank YongHwa, the coach, and his wife for coming to the studio today. Since today's the coach's wife's birthday, I hope that all of us advancing to the second round will make her happy. I want to thank Mvp hyung and dreamertt hyung for helping me with practice. Lastly, I want to thank LG Electronics, Steelseries, Googims Company, Nvidia, and Coca-Cola.

Source: This Is Game

You took down hyvaa and advanced to the second round of Code A.

I was having a headache because PvZ is so difficult but I was able to advance like this so I think there was a reward for me in the end.

Rather than play long macro games, you showed us some extreme strategies.

I don't have a good win ratio for long macro games. I think it's much better to just attack first rather than play out a long game only to end up losing.

If you hadn't sustained any damage from his lings in game two, you probably could have taken this set by a score of 2-0

I guess that was a factor too but the most important thing was that I didn't engage properly.

You used to be so confident in your PvZs but today, it seemed like you were rather hesitant.

I've played since the closed beta days so I know what I'm talking about when I say this: if someone shows how dominant a race can truly be, then Blizzard nerfs that race. But for some reason, even though I've been showing that we can't win in long macro games, Zerg has yet to be nerfed. I really hope Blizzard nerfs Zerg after WCS is over (laughs).

In the second round of Code A, there is a chance you'll have to face a Zerg again.

When I was with SlayerS and Dark was my teammate, whenever he would beat me he would do a very perverted dance to celebrate. So I really hope I can face Dark, so that I can retaliate with a ceremony of my own.

Aside from your finals appearance for the 2012 GSL Season 1, you've been rather quiet.

I practiced really hard before the Season 1 finals ended. So if I can just focus on practicing again like I did in the past, then I should be able to show my old self again. If I am able to find a new team, I plan on practicing really hard.

As of now, you are still teamless. Any plans to find a new team?

I've received offers from two places. I am really grateful for them. Because Jessica noona and our team leader, Lee Joon Ho both individually helped me to get these offers. But one of these offers, it seems like the team's practice regime is going to be really difficult so I don't think I can accept even though I am grateful for the opportunity. Right now, I'm talking with a different team.

Your chances of making it to Code S?

If I keep on winning, I have to keep facing Zergs. It's going to be difficult for me unless a patch arrives.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank BoxeR hyung, Jessica noona, and my teammates for taking care of me so well while I was with SlayerS. Lastly, I want to wish the best of luck to Miya hyung and Dark regarding their Code A performances.

SK Telecom T1_FanTaSy



Source: This Is Game

You've advanced to your first ever Code A Ro32. How do you feel?

This Code A has a big meaning for me since it's my debut. I am happy right now because I grabbed a victory in a meaningful match and I performed well.

In game two, you took some damage from his banshee play but you defended well and grabbed the victory.

I was about to fall in to a really troublesome situation but then Sparta messed up his banshee control and I was able to win. If I had not been able to grab that banshee with my only scan, I would have sustained critical damage.

This was your first televised match in a while. How did it feel?

I was really nervous and all, but that nervousness excited me and it felt great. If you're a pro gamer, this is what it should feel like.

Your next opponent will be finale. Do you know him well?

I searched for his VODs and I got the impression that he was really good. I think I'll have a tougher match against him than I had today. I'm going to have to prepare extensively.

You secured your spot for next season's Code A. What are your goals for this season?

The goal is to make it to Code S no matter what. I saw who I would have to face in my group and I think it's possible. Personally, I have confidence in my TvZs and I think RorO is going to come up from the bracket next to me so I think it will be possible for me to make it.

BoxeR being a coach for T1 must be very helpful. Has he been effective?

He is so helpful because he was able to teach us a lot of things we didn't know about the game. He was definitely an asset to today's match as well.

It's a resting season for you guys so you probably have a lot of free time. How do you spend it?

These days I'm just diligently practicing. I've been feeling like I'm falling behind the others because I haven't been practicing as much. So I even practice on days I have off. Right now, the game is just really fun for me. It's also really fun to prepare for upcoming matches.

Teammate Rain has been showing amazing results. Do you feel motivated by him?

It helps to have a really good player like Rain on the team. Of course I feel motivated.

Anything else you would like to say?

This was my first match at MokDong GOMtv studio so there was a lot I didn't know about it, but BoxeR coach helped me out so much by informing me all there was to know. I was able to play a great match because of him. I also think the many fans that came here was also a reason why I was able to win.

SK.Gaming_MinChul



Source: This Is Game

It had been a while since you played a Code A Ro48 match.

I was able to play comfortably because I basically told myself that it didn't matter if I lost or not and was able to take the pressure off myself.

How do you feel about securing your victory?

I was really thankful to GOMtv for not giving me a Zerg as my first opponent. But then I saw that I have to face RorO if I make it past the first round. So looks like I am going to lose after all. I helped HyuN hyung practice the other day and out of 20 games, I won 1 of them. There was a skill difference there of course but I really just don't think the balance is right right now.

You harassed well for game one but you weren't able to end it as easily.

I figured I would be at a disadvantage if I just kept on defending while waiting for a final attack. So I prepared my upgrades and teched up well. I've had games in the past where I lost because I tried to needlessly force an engagement,

In game two, you went for an immortal rush and finished him off.

I was planning on revealing that I was grabbing early gas but not reveal that I was going a robotics facility and try to surprise him with immortals, but then he scanned me. So I figured I'd just do a small bunker bust or something but he rushed in with his marines too and I was able to take the victory.

You stated that you don't think you can win if you face RorO. How do you think your match will go?

If my opponent is a bad Zerg then I would stand a chance but it's so hard to beat Zergs right now. I will work hard and all but it's going to be difficult. I hope I get good map. I would have a 5:5 chance if I get a map like Enombed Valley or Cloud Kingdom.

How are you spending your time these days?

I've had a lot of time as of late to reflect on my past results. Back when I was winning all my tournaments, I would even think of build orders as I was about to fall asleep and just keep on practicing but these days I don't feel that kind of heat anymore. But If I practice against really good players, something starts to stir inside me. I don't want to get overthrown by those players so I practice really hard these days.

Who are these players that stir you up inside?

For Zergs, it's HyuN hyung and Jaedong hyung. They both progressed so rapidly. HyuN hyung has very minimal experience with televised matches but whenever I practice against him it's like "how in the world can I beat this player?". I don't know about Jaedong hyung's other match ups but for ZvP he is really good.

What tournaments are in line for your future?

IEM Singapore is about to open. And I'm preparing for IPL. Also, there will be another HSC in Germany in December. But I think this is good cause I would rather be busy than be free. If I'm free, I get lazy and start gaining weight (laughs). I got to health centers but I can't control the amount that I eat so even though my body fat's been decreasing, I gain more muscle so I keep getting heavier (laughs).

Your chances of making it Code S?

I don't think the brackets on the other side is that challenging so as long as I don't face Zergs, I should be fine.

Anything else you would like to say?

hOn_sin must be hurting right now. I hope he considers that meeting me was just bad luck on his part and gets back from this loss and makes it to Code A again. I am always grateful to my mother and my girlfriend. I met David Kim some time ago and he really think a lot about me so I want to thank him for that. If he comes to Korea, I will try to treat him to something real nice as a show of gratitude. I want to thank the SK Gaming manager, CEO, and our sponsors. I will work hard so that for my next match, even if I do end up losing, I can show a great performance.

Team 8_Jaedong



Source: This Is Game

You took down Sirius and advanced to the second round. How do you feel?

I am glad that the end result was good since I prepared diligently for this match but I was not satisfied with my performance. I still have holes I need to cover up. I received a seed from GSL and yet wasn't able to grab any victories from it so I want to to prove myself this time around. For this season, starting from the first round, I plan on winning every match that comes my way.

As you stated yourself, your performance was not the best.

While I was gaming, I developed habits that I wasn't aware of and I wasn't able to focus well. Traffic also forced me to arrive to the studio two hours late. All these factors just piled on top of each other and it ended up reflecting on my performance.

With today's victory, you successfully recorded your first victory in the GSL. You must have been feeling down up till now because of your lack of results.

I felt like I was being evaluated for my skills. I admitted that I was only up to about a certain level and that I really need to focus on gathering tons of experience. Even right now, I can see that I'm not quite there yet. I want to rise up another level by gathering precious gaming experiences.

The communities are calling you SABJaedong. How do you feel about that?

I think it's a really fun name. I can laugh about it and accept it (laughs). I guess you could also view it from a negative perspective but since I will be able to establish a new name for myself from here on out, I see it as a good thing.

Your next opponent will be LosirA. LosirA stated in his interview that he wanted to face you.

I had no idea I would end up facing LosirA this early. He's someone I worked with back when we were on Hwaseung so meeting each other like this under new teams will be really fun. I am really looking forward to this match.

Your chances of making it to Code S?

Code S is something I absolutely want to grab no matter what. It's a place I just really really want to go to. I want to show how I've changed since the last season. Instead of showing a form that represents a gradual performance increase, I want to show people the old Jaedong that used to be on fire and show the people that I've rekindled that fire. All the players are motivating each other right now. I want to be able to show my progress this season.

How are you spending the resting season?

Our break is exceptionally long this time so I have been kind of wandering here and there without much enthusiasm. But since some time ago, I've relocated my passion and have been practicing diligently. I want to ask that the fans lie in anticipation. I am working really hard right now.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank my teammates Ryul2, Alone, and check for all their help with practice. I also want to thank the coaching staff for always being there for us and the fans for cheering me on. Lastly, I want to apologize to the GOMtv audience members for being so late to my match today.