[Interview] GSL 2012 Season 5 Code A Round 2 Day 1

Tell us how you feel advancing to Code A Round 3

I wanted to do my best instead of just focusing on winning. I had Code A secured for next season even if I were to lose today's game so I wasn't under much pressure but I am certainly happy that I won.

On Abyssal City in Set 1, you defended against the never ending attacks by Happy to take the set

Set 1 was crazy. I never could tell whether I was ahead or behind. I played without thinking that I was ahead even once until the GG came out.

You were ahead early on in Set 2 but took great damage from medivac drop

When the drop came in, it became crazy as it was in Set 1. I had no clue how to deal with it but as Happy lost units due to mistakes, I stabilised.

Your opponent in Round 3 is DongRaeGu. The Raven was patched not long ago so do you think this will have an effect on the match?

I rarely use the Raven but seeing other players makes me think that Terrans have a chance in TvZ now. I think I can achieve a 50/50 chance if I practise hard.

Don't you feel pressured by having to team kill?

I don't personally find it difficult but being on the same team means that practise becomes affected. If we get new maps that aren't on the ladder, it might be a problem.

If you advance to Code S, you will be back after one whole year

I didn't realise until today but I am extremely nervous in games. Maybe if I reinforce that aspect, it will be possible.

Anything to add?

I am now matched up against our team's most famous player DongRaeGu. I think it will be a fun match. I hope all of my team mates in Code A do well. I want to thank the sponsors Lotte ChilSung, Razer, GomTV and our partners MYM and Wayi Spiders

You had a hard time advancing to Code A Round 3. Tell us how you feel

I think I only won because the maps favoured me. If they favoured Terran, I could have lost.

You used both Broodlords and Ultralisks in Set 3. Is it because you lost a lot of units to Seeker Missile in Set 2?

That was a factor. I think using a combination of Broodlords and Ultralisks makes it difficult for the Terran. That's why I combined the two.

Like In Set 3 where it went all the way to Broodlords, not a single set ended before Hive tech.

My opponent's defenses were superb so it was hard to attack him. My attempts at attacks all failed so I had to fall back onto the late game

Fungal growth and Infested Terrans were nerfed not long ago. How big an impact have they had on the game

I thought it wouldn't matter but it was quite the opposite. I think I need more practice with them. ZvT is a bit hard for me at the moment but I can't decide until I have had sufficient practice.

You have to go through another ZvT in Round 3. You said before you probably would have lost if the maps didn't favour you

It's not that bad. Then again Infested Terrans aren't invincible any more so I definitely need to practise hard in the time I have.

Anything to add?

I want to thank all my sponsors.

You have advanced to Code A Round 3. How do you feel?

I didn't get to practise properly because of GSTL so the win makes me even happier. I think I'm super lucky.

You took Set 1 easily using Hellions and Banshees

After finding out that it was triple Orbital, I had a feeling it would break him. I think it more or less went according to plan.

You ended the game quite unexpectedly with proxy rax in Set 2. Were you banking on luck like you said at the beginning?

I didn't have much prepared for today. I just saw my opponent not scouting in Set 1 and expected the same in Set 2.

You face a Protoss in the next round. It could even be + Show Spoiler +

I'm confident about my TvP so I'm not worried. In fact, I hope it's + Show Spoiler +

You seem very confident. Do you think you can go all the way to Code S?

It's more than possible. HerO currently has a very busy schedule so I think I have the upper hand there. Even if First advances, I think I'll be fine since we're on a level playing field.

Anything to add?

First of all, I want to thank my parents. I want to tell my younger sibling (T/N: can't tell gender with the word GuMiho used) to take it easy since all his exams are over. I want to thank the sponsors FXO, Razer and Twitch. Last but not least, I want to say Happy Birthday! to our manager Daniel (T/N:FXOUnstable).

You have advanced to Code A Round 3 after taking down Byun. How do you feel?

I think of Byun as one of the very best Terrans. I never expected to win so this win is like a happy miracle.

In the first engagement in Set 1, you unexpectedly took a huge win. What do you think made that possible?

I think I got the upper hand when I saw the 2 rax with a scout. I thought I would win no matter what once I got past a certain point in the game. I'm sure it looked about even but I knew all along that I take that fight easily.

You built sensor towers religiously in Sets 1 and 2

Not a lot of players practised with me (laugh). Even Polt was overseas so I couldn't practise properly at all. Then, people I knew told me that sensor towers were basically maphacks and I followed their advice (laugh).

Set 3 was a smooth win for you again

I think Byun got careless after taking down my third. His defence against my doom drop wasn't great and the engagement at the expansion also favoured me so I could win.

Your opponent in Round 3 is the BWC, WCG champion Parting. Are you confident?

I have a good feeling about that match. If I take hte first set, it should be 2:0 and if I drop it, it might be a difficult match.

You are doing very well in your first try at the individual league. Advancing to Code S might even be possible

I wanted to take on Byun or Parting since Round 1. I know Parting is a great player but as long as I analyse his VODs well, I think I should win.

Anything to add?

I want to thank Major and QXC who helped with practice on the Korean server. I am so grateful. I think it's because I'm a newcomer but a lot of players are reluctant to practise with me. I hope that changes as I prepare for my match against Parting (laugh). Our coach's mother is a bit ill so I hope she gets better soon

You have advanced to Code A Round 3. Tell us how you feel

I thought I had a hard time ahead of me since Losira is a fantastic Zerg. However, it went more smoothly than expected and I'm happy to be facing a Terran in Round 3. Also, this is my first win since my move to EG so I am proud.

This was your first GSL game after moving to EG so how did you feel about that?

I just wanted to post results as soon as possible. I'm glad I was able to do so in GSL. I want to continue to post great results.

You had a recent loss in your opening match for Proleague

I regretted my loss in Proleague but I have many games ahead of me so I thought the loss could help motivate me. Our team is still quite young so I think we have a lot to improve on.

You did a lot of damage with burrowed Infestors in Set 2

I think I'm not proficient enough at reacting to every situation so the longer a game goes, the worse I do. That's why I got burrow to end the game early on.

Both sets ended very quickly. Did you have those strategies prepared?

Not prepared but since I have an aggressive style, I think I was just the first to attack.

You take on StartaleHack in Round 3 for a spot in Code S

I don't know much about my opponent but I like ZvT. So I am confident.

You seem to be improving constantly. Are you happy with how you're doing?

I am but this is not even close to enough. I think I need to push myself a little bit.

In your first interview, you said you would return to Code S from the bottom of the ladder this season

I really want to do my best this time round. I didn't have the best showing last season so I want to cross the hurdle into Code S and show my fans what I am really capable of.

Anything to add?

I want to thank everyone who helped me practise. I'm sure my fans were disappointed since my first game in Proleague was a loss but this is only the start. I'll post great results in both leagues so please cheer me on. I want to thank the sponsors Raidcall, Intel, SteelSeries, Kingston and Monster.

You advance to Code A Roudn 3 after a full set match. Tell us how you feel

All I can say is that I'm happy since today's match was so difficult. I'm ecstatic to have beaten the great Nestea.

Your opponent was indeed the great Nestea. The pressure must have been considerable

It certainly was. Even in the games, I could feel his force. Hell, even before the match when we exchanged words, I could feel his greatness. I was a bit intimidated but in the end, I'm happy to be the winner.

You won with a proxy rax strategy in Set 1. Did you plan this?

The coach and I studied the angle of the proxy raxes and their timings specifically for Set 1.

Although you won in the end, you failed the bunker rush in Set 3

I had economy to fall back on as I did that rush, so it wasn't so bad. Rather, I did a lot of damage in exchange for marines which become less useful in the late game so I was in an unloseable position.

Do you believe you can advance straight to Code S

I believe so. Polt is a great player but with enough preparation, I can take him down.

Anything to add?

Despite the fact he was supposed to have a break after Proleague yesterday, rare helped me a lot wit practice. I want to say thanks.

You have advanced to Code A Round 3 after taking down Flying

I am extra happy because I haven't won in a long time. However, if I lose in Round 3, this win means nothing. So I'm going to definitely win Round 3 and really enjoy my wins then.

Out of the 4 LG-IM players who played in Code A today, you are the only one to advance

There are days when things go your way and others when they don't. There's still up and downs so I believe they will do well there.

You showed great play in both sets

To be honest, I think I got lucky despite playing badly. I was really anxious because I didn't get enough practice. I think luck was really on my side.

You have up GSL World Championships to get treatment. How are you right now?

I'm currently receiving physiotherapy and exercising regularly. My posture hasn't been fixed entirely so my head still hurts. I was worried about all of my treatment going to waste because of practising for Code A. I will continue treatment. I got first place in GSL World Championships last year so I regret being unable to participate this year but long flights are really taxing so I had to give it up.

If you advance to Code S this season, you will receive the Nestea award

I have always wanted the Nestea award. I haven't been playing well so I'm not too hung up on it. Whether I get it by directly advancing to Code S or through up and downs, getting the award will mean a lot to me. It's a very meaningful award.

You have Code A Round 3 this week and Grand Finals next week. This must be hard on you

It's going to be hard to receive treatment while there are two tournaments so close together. Whenever I practise or play a match, I can't exert any force with my hands and my head starts to ache quite badly. That's why I expect those matches to be very difficult.

Group A in the Grand Finals is comprised of excellent players. You are the only Terran so how do you think?

All 10 players are amazing but the ones that have been doing the best are in my group so I will have a hard time. I think a lot of people have forgotten but I was the only Terran last time too (laugh). So it doesn't matter to me.

Anything to add?

Hong Duck has joined the team and he helped a lot with practice. I would like to say thanks. Byul has also joined the team so I hope we can motivate each other to do well. I hope other LG-IM members playing in Code A tomorrow do well.

힘겹게 코드A 3라운드에 진출했다. 소감을 말해달라.

저번 인터뷰를 통해 자신 있다고 말했지만 평소 (이)영호형이 잘한다는 것을 알고 있었기 때문에 어렵지 않을까 생각했는데 이렇게 승리하게 되어 기쁘다.

은폐 밴시에 다수의 건설 로봇을 잃었지만 극적인 역전으로 1세트를 승리했다.

우주 공항 테크트리를 배제하고 지상군 힘 싸움을 계획했었다. 밴시에 큰 피해를 입으면서 힘들다고 생각했지만 영호형이 병력 실수를 하셔서 역전할 수 있었던 것 같다.

2세트 역시 승리하는 듯 보였지만, 이영호의 소수 해병, 불곰 조합에 경기를 내주고 말았다.

딱히 실수라고 생각되는 것은 없고 생각지도 못한 타이밍에 전투 순양함으로 넘어가면서 당한 것 같다.

3세트에서 화염차로 20기의 건설 로봇을 잡아주면서 큰 이득을 얻었지만 어렵게 경기를 승리했다.

연습 때도 이렇게 큰 피해를 주면 압도적으로 경기를 끝냈었는데, 영호형의 불가사의한 물량 때문에 그런 것 같다. 영호형은 역시 다르구나 생각했다.

오늘 경기력을 본인이 평가하자면?

오늘은 긴장을 하지 않아서 인구수가 막히거나 하는 잔 실수가 없었다. 전체적으로 깔끔했다고 생각하고 10점 만점에 8점정도 되는 것 같다.

3라운드에서 ‘네팔림 저그’ 강동현과 맞붙게 됐다. 자신 있나?

아직 강동현 선수와 겨뤄보지 못했지만 잘하는 선수라고 들었다. 굉장히 힘든 승부가 될 것 같아 열심히 준비해야 될 것 같다.

이제동이 EG로 이적하면서 팀의 정신적 지주가 되었다.

제동이형이 떠난 것은 굉장히 아쉽다. 하지만 큰 선수로 성장하기 위해서는 프로리그나 에이스 결정전에서 좋은 모습을 보여드려야 하기 때문에 또 다른 기회라고 생각한다. 예전에는 제동이형이 에이스 결정전을 나갔지만 이제는 내가 출전하게 된 만큼 어엿한 에이스로 발돋움할 수 있게 노력하겠다.

마지막으로 각오와 하고 싶은 말은?

그 동안 GSL에서 좋지 못한 경기력을 보여드려서 아쉬웠는데 이렇게 기회가 찾아온 만큼 코드S에 올라가서 좋은 모습 보여드릴 수 있도록 열심히 준비하겠다.