The Korean E-sports Association (KeSPA) reported on Thursday that Team 8 player Jae Dong 'Jaedong' Lee will be leased to EG for one year. Details on his salary haven’t been revealed but it was said to be at the same level as to players in the world, Thisisgame reported.
The upcoming SK Planet ProLeague {SPL} will include prestigious foreign team EG to maintain an eight man format. As reported previously, EG will partner with another foreign team, Team Liquid, in order to have enough players for the entry. The partnered teams will be named team EG-TL.
KeSPA has reported that all Jaedong’s player right will belong to EG during the leasing agreement. Once the agreement period is over, he will be returned to Team 8, which is currently managed by KeSPA.
Thisisgame interviewed Jaedong upon the release of the news and asked him about his new start as EG player, the upcoming SPL and his future overall. Below is the fully translated interview.
You have joined EG, which will be the new team at the upcoming SPL.What are your initial impressions?
I feel like I'm facing a new challenge. Unlike other players in KeSPA, it seems like I am confronting a lot more changes than others. I also feel pressured that I will be playing at the first foreign team in SPL. Personally however, I feel excited about these changes and it seems like I will be having a lot of fun as well.
Why did you decide to join EG?
I heard many times that EG's executive director Alex Garfield wanted me. During the talks between KeSPA and EG about SPL matters, my name was brought and I started talking with EG. I think EG gave me a good deal and a good training environment. By joining EG, I think I can participate in more foreign tournaments than other KeSPA teams so I can connect with foreign fans more often. I thought these things would be advantageous for me, so I decided to join.
How did you like the new team house?
The atmosphere isn't perfectly set up right now but I think it can be done slowly. Speaking truthfully, now isn't much of a difference from what it was when I first joined Team 8 a year ago. I cleaned everything by myself back then as well. (laugh). Some things may be different as this is a foreign team but I don't think it won't be that huge. The EG house seems to be at a better location than Team 8's in terms of transit. It's also good that I get to live with new people. Having foreign players joining the house seems also good as well. I think I will be able to practice my English more often.
EG has a good deal of foreign players. Is there any particular player you wanted to practice when you first joined the team?
Foreign players in EG are all very skilled. Things will be same for practice. Idra plays well and Stephano also is a top tier player, so there will be many things to learn. They have many good Zerg players - I think I will have ample amounts to learn.
Your new team EG will also participate in SPL. This will be the first time for a foreign team to play in SPL.
During the off-season I heard many things about team contracts and trades. More time was spent on negotiation than I thought it would. The negotiation was very difficult but everything worked well and they managed to join [SPL]. For foreign fans, this will be the first time for a foreign team to partake in SPL, so they will have high expectations. Personally I under some pressure but I also feel very fortunate. I want to do well in both SPL and foreign tournaments so that foreign fans will see good results from me. New SPL will include four ladder maps as well as four new maps.
What do you think about this new approach?
I'm unsure about their new maps trial. I will be sure once everything is revealed. I guess trying is what counts. It's good to have unique maps to represent SPL and since current ladder maps are included as well, it won't be a really sensitive issue. It won’t be that bad for fans as well.
What is your opinion on new maps after trying them out?
I think all the maps, including the current maps, are similar in the game. In the end, it's all about making the most powerful composition and cruise to victory. I like the idea of trying new strategies for new maps. I honestly don't know how the game will change. It's hard to say right now before all the digging and research is done. Everything just feels the same for now.
On the other hand, it might not be too good for a player to have new maps.
Of course it's difficult for players but we need to have a successful SPL and players need to bring out their best as this is the first ever Starcraft 2 Proleague. Fans will return to watch us when we try our best. We need to practice as hard as we can to have more and garner more fan interest.
EG will join with Team Liquid to participate in SPL. This is very refreshing in the SPL scene.
It is to me as well. I don't know how things will turn out but they are certainly a force to be reckoned with for other teams.
It will certainly be helpful for team strength.
Of course. HerO is really skilled and famous. TaeJa is also one of the best Terrans. Having them being with us can boost our strength significantly and EG's foreign players will join us soon. Having foreign players at SPL will certainly help us. If these foreign players can show their individualistic styles, I think we can have a good result. Once I play well, it will be okay.
What is your personal expectation on this SPL?
It will be up to how well Puma does (laughs). It will be up to players like me and Puma who had experienced the life of KeSPA. I'm not sure exactly. It will be the first Starcraft 2 Proleague so it's not like we know every other team's strength. One thing for sure is that our team won't be that easy to play against. There are players who have been active for a long time, so this team will be the one that packs a big punch.
Conversely, you must have things to worry about as well.
In my perspective, I worry about the upcoming schedule and maintaining my condition. Team staff has said that I will be very active in participating in foreign tournaments. I'm worried about going to foreign tournaments more often than other KeSPA players but it’s just a small worry. I think it will be okay as long as I handle it well.
Going to the foreign tournament could be a plus to players but it could also be negative.
It most certainly can become negative. SPL itself runs on a very tight schedule. That's why I am a bit worried about going to foreign tournaments. Even I personally worry about how going to foreign tournaments will impact my SPL performance. But this is something about which I must talk with my team manager extensively.
Then how are you going to manage the ratio between SPL and foreign tournaments?
There are some things I have high expectations for in SPL and since this will be the first time for a foreign team to join SPL, which will bring a lot of spotlight, I won't neglect it. I want to do well in foreign tournaments as well as SPL. I remember that I’ve always done well in SPLs. I don't want to hear people saying that I’ve became mediocre after switching to Starcraft 2, so I want to try even harder.
Is there any particular player you want to face against in this SPL?
I want to play 'Lee Ssang Rok' with Flash in Starcraft 2. It would feel very different this time. We will play against KT in an opening game, so I wish we can have another 'Lee Ssang Rok' there. It might feel little bit early, but it will happen someday anyway, so the opening game will be fine.
In the previous interview, you expressed that you wanted to go to as many foreign tournaments as possible. Do you prefer European tournaments?
Yes. WCG Cologne was the only European tournament I went to and I performed poorly back then. Other than that all other tournaments were from the United States. If I have a chance to attend Starcraft 2 tournaments in Europe, I want to definitely go there. Please express your resolution for SPL with new team. After all, each player has been playing the game in one's own environment, so it's important to adjust to each other. I have plenty of experiences living in a team house, so I guess I can give good advice or help others. I am used to familiarizing with a new environment, so fans shouldn't be worried about me at all. I am also one of the older guys in the team, so I think doing it well together is crucial. I want to give a hand in melding our teammates together. I want to show myself playing well in SPL as well.
Please add anything else you wish to speak about.
The off-season has been long because of contract issues. When other Team 8 players completed their contracts with the team, only mine was delayed. This has shaken me mentally and that's probably why the time felt so long. I want to apologize to my parents for making them worry about me because of this. They must be worrying about me a lot and I want try my best to perform well for them this season. This news about joining EG must be shocking for fans. They must feel that I’m switching teams a little too often. I think this is a positive opportunity for me. I want the fans to cheer for me a lot as well. I went to EG because I think EG's executive director Alex Garfield really wanted me and showed his sincerity towards me. Please don’t misunderstand. I will do my best in this season to show my relentlessness. I will show up in the match under the name of EG. Please cheer for me and for our teammates.
Utterly impressive, honest to god, I LOVE THIS GUY. So talented!!! Im extremely happy that Jaedong has joined a foreign team. THIS IS GREAT NEWS!!!!! Lee Jaedong Hwaiting!!!!
On December 06 2012 14:07 Ichabod wrote: Still such an amazing situation, and EG didn't even hype it
OT: ty for the interview, I'm still just in shock.
Some things are so big that they dont even need hype. This is one of those things.
So true. Trying to hype this I feel would've only cheapened it. EG doesn't need to drill into anyone how freakin' huge this is; they know it and they're going to let the action speak for itself.
On December 06 2012 14:07 Ichabod wrote: Still such an amazing situation, and EG didn't even hype it
OT: ty for the interview, I'm still just in shock.
Some things are so big that they dont even need hype. This is one of those things.
So true. Trying to hype this I feel would've only cheapened it. EG doesn't need to drill into anyone how freakin' huge this is; they know it and they're going to let the action speak for itself.
Actions speak louder than announcements of announcements.
Really happy for Jaedong but I hope they don't force him to fly to every damn tournament and burn himself out. As long as he comes to Sweden I'm happy though :D
Yeah, dropping bombs on the community is better than revving up the hype train for one week straight to the point that nobody cares anymore when the news is finally released..
In the interview, interesting that JD acknowledged he will have to train harder than ever so that people don't think he has become mediocre now that he has switched to SC2... We will see how that pans out... Not all BW pros have found success in the new realm of SC2...
On December 06 2012 15:05 NKexquisite wrote: Yeah, dropping bombs on the community is better than revving up the hype train for one week straight to the point that nobody cares anymore when the news is finally released..
In the interview, interesting that JD acknowledged he will have to train harder than ever so that people don't think he has become mediocre now that he has switched to SC2... We will see how that pans out... Not all BW pros have found success in the new realm of SC2...
hes already made it through code A qualifiers more times than puma.
Yes. WCG Cologne was the only European tournament I went to and I performed poorly back then. Other than that all other tournaments were from the United States. If I have a chance to attend Starcraft 2 tournaments in Europe, I want to definitely go there."
Good interview. Interesting comments about "In the end, it's all about making the most powerful composition and cruise to victory.", possibly a reference to relative simplicity of late-game management vs BW? Also he was sensitive to the dip in popularity for Pro Starcraft in Korea, but he seems to have the drive to perform well, especially in PL, and that is the most exciting part for me.
On December 06 2012 14:07 Ichabod wrote: Still such an amazing situation, and EG didn't even hype it
OT: ty for the interview, I'm still just in shock.
Some things are so big that they dont even need hype. This is one of those things.
So true. Trying to hype this I feel would've only cheapened it. EG doesn't need to drill into anyone how freakin' huge this is; they know it and they're going to let the action speak for itself.
Actions speak louder than announcements of announcements.
Really happy for Jaedong but I hope they don't force him to fly to every damn tournament and burn himself out. As long as he comes to Sweden I'm happy though :D
I am certainly not the most well-read person with regards to the doings of EG, but I have never heard of them forcing anyone to do anything.
Hopefully EG-TL will get their house in Korea running with all their marquee players at once - I'd love to see what results from that!
On December 06 2012 15:05 NKexquisite wrote: Yeah, dropping bombs on the community is better than revving up the hype train for one week straight to the point that nobody cares anymore when the news is finally released..
In the interview, interesting that JD acknowledged he will have to train harder than ever so that people don't think he has become mediocre now that he has switched to SC2... We will see how that pans out... Not all BW pros have found success in the new realm of SC2...
hes already made it through code A qualifiers more times than puma.
he actually beat Puma in this most recent one in the final round of the qualifier.
T.T This kills me inside... I love Jaedong but I despise EG... Though it's not the worst, I don;t hate the EG players that much, more like hating the Yankee's in baseball. I understand it from a business standpoint kind of. Just doesn't seem right having one team buy out players like this. Awhh well, Grats to EG and Jaedong I wish one of you the best
TLDR WTB Salary cap for sc2 teams and GL Jaedong xD
Of course. HerO is really skilled and famous. TaeJa is also one of the best Terrans. Having them being with us can boost our strength significantly and EG's foreign players will join us soon. Having foreign players at SPL will certainly help us. If these foreign players can show their individualistic styles, I think we can have a good result. Once I play well, it will be okay.
So true, wants he finds his true form the world will be ok.
Pretty cool interview. It does sound like he is worried he is gonna get shipped off to too many tournies, which is a legitimate concern when you fly from Korea. It will be interesting to see how many tournies he actually competes in. I know that EG will have him on a fucking crazy packed schedule.
I think having Jaedong in the house will be such an inspiration to the other EG-TL players, so I'm expecting them all to grow massively over the course of this Proleague GLHF!
I think all the maps, including the current maps, are similar in the game. In the end, it's all about making the most powerful composition and cruise to victory. I like the idea of trying new strategies for new maps. I honestly don't know how the game will change. It's hard to say right now before all the digging and research is done. Everything just feels the same for now.
I think this is an excellent opportunity for Jaedong, but also not so good for Team 8. Jaedong gets lots of top-tier practice partners to train and learn from, travel around the world, one year pay (if not more) and so on. Stills feels strange to see Jaedong in foreign team though.
The atmosphere isn't perfectly set up right now but I think it can be done slowly. Speaking truthfully, now isn't much of a difference from what it was when I first joined Team 8 a year ago. I cleaned everything by myself back then as well. (laugh).
The atmosphere isn't perfectly set up right now but I think it can be done slowly. Speaking truthfully, now isn't much of a difference from what it was when I first joined Team 8 a year ago. I cleaned everything by myself back then as well. (laugh).
eh?
I think he is probably referring to things like practice schedule, daily regimen, etc. Because Kespa training is a lot more structured. So what he probably just moved in and trying to set a schedule, etc. Probably Team 8 was kind of like this at the beginning with players from different teams coming together and not really having a stable schedule.
The atmosphere isn't perfectly set up right now but I think it can be done slowly. Speaking truthfully, now isn't much of a difference from what it was when I first joined Team 8 a year ago. I cleaned everything by myself back then as well. (laugh).
eh?
I think he is probably referring to things like practice schedule, daily regimen, etc. Because Kespa training is a lot more structured. So what he probably just moved in and trying to set a schedule, etc. Probably Team 8 was kind of like this at the beginning with players from different teams coming together and not really having a stable schedule.
Actually it sounds kind of like he's not used to not having B-teamers around to do all the menial labour so he can focus on training.
We could start a Jaedong's body-thread in SC2 General...
OT: I'm really loving this. Jaedong is one of my favourite players and to see him get more opportunities to travel to foreign tournaments will be amazing. :-)
The atmosphere isn't perfectly set up right now but I think it can be done slowly. Speaking truthfully, now isn't much of a difference from what it was when I first joined Team 8 a year ago. I cleaned everything by myself back then as well. (laugh).
eh?
I think he is probably referring to things like practice schedule, daily regimen, etc. Because Kespa training is a lot more structured. So what he probably just moved in and trying to set a schedule, etc. Probably Team 8 was kind of like this at the beginning with players from different teams coming together and not really having a stable schedule.
Actually it sounds kind of like he's not used to not having B-teamers around to do all the menial labour so he can focus on training.
Also a lot of teams have had maids who clean/cook for them, maybe they haven't/aren't going to get one which means you have to do a lot more yourself. There wouldn't be many people in the house yet as well, I'm sure it will get better.
It would be cool to see some of the TL guys who do enjoy a team house maybe stay there, more practice partners etc (Hero/Sea maybe)
Awesome interview. Can't wait to watch SPL. EG-TL better do good, they players that have played the game for 2 years while other kespa players started this year. Talent or IMBA will show.
Well can't wait for Jaedong to play. Wanna see how much he improved.
I'm still in shock. It's like the words are floating above the page or something in this interview as I read them. I am more excited about Proleague this time around then for any GSTL.
When other Team 8 players completed their contracts with the team, only mine was delayed. This has shaken me mentally and that's probably why the time felt so long. I want to apologize to my parents for making them worry about me because of this.
I wonder if they felt Jaedong wasn't worth the money... I think this is sad. OZ was a real team EG is just a bunch of bought players.
hopefully this is a huge source of motivation both for Jaedong and also his teammates. If I was on the team with the Tyrant I would never leave my computer.
there's really no reason to hype something like this, jaedong is such a brand unto his own that whenever anything regarding him comes up it's instantly top news. i wonder if he attends dreamhack what the viewer count would be....
I don't often get fanboyish about a team but I never in a million years imagined that I'd be watching the Korean Proleague supporting a team whose roster features the modern Bisu (Hero), the strongest all round terran in the world, the best foreign terran and JAEDONG.
Like. What?
Seriously. This is completely surreal. Couple this with HoTS looking increasingly awesome by the day and SC2 might have some power in her yet.
I have mixed feelings. Sure EG money and foreign marketing is good for JD. But I fear because EG would want him at every tournament, JD will lose precious practice time. Happened to Huk, Puma, Stephano. This is basically the EG curse.
EPT![[image loading]](http://esfiworld.com/sites/default/files/20121206105755_4348(1).jpg)
can't wait
GLHF!
