EPT
SamsungKHAN_RorO![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/9PRbvjT.jpg)
Source: This Is Game
This is your first time in the GSL finals. How does it feel?
I feel like I've been freed. After TaeJa was decided as my opponent, I couldn't sleep properly for a whole week. All I thought about was the match, and I kept worrying. I did tell oDin that I might win 4-1, so I'm glad that that actually happened. But I don't feel as happy as I thought I would.
How did you feel after TaeJa was confirmed as your opponent?
My practice did go well, but I felt pressured, maybe because this was my first time in the Ro4. I kept thinking about how the match would go and how I wanted to go to the finals, so I couldn't relax.
This is also the first time that a KeSPA player has reached the GSL finals. You must be feeling something special.
I do feel good about accomplishing such a thing. When I watched other players' matches, I kept thinking that I could do even better. I'm proud of being able to step ahead of the other KeSPA players.
You began the match by losing Set 1 on Cloud Kingdom. What was the reason why you lost?
I was hit by a Hellion drop that I didn't see coming at all, so the game didn't flow as I'd expected. I couldn't micro as I'd wanted to because this was the first game, so I was working against myself. TaeJa prepared well, but I think it was more my fault.
You showed a lot of hasty aggression during Set 2.
I don't play so aggressively during practice. I felt that my hands had completely loosened up during Set 1, so I wanted to start fighting during Set 2. But because of how good TaeJa's defense was, it was harder to win than I'd thought it would be.
For Sets 3 and 4, you played all-in style games. Did you plan this in advance?
I did. My game plan during those games was to go all-in. In the third game, I did win, but I saw that he had likely pre-prepared his strategy as well; I think I was able to win because I caught him by surprise. TaeJa's play today wasn't any different from what I had seen during his past matches up until now. Everything that he did I had thought about during the past week.
You played econ-heavy during Set 5, and the game became very spread out.
The game I liked best was Set 5. It was textbook Wings of Liberty ZvT. I had prepared all of my strategies, the Zergling run-bys based on my opponent's movements and everything. I was even thinking about these in my sleep, and I want to write a textbook on ZvT with everything I've dreamed.
At the end of Set 5, you started performing an in-game ceremony but then stopped.
I thought the match would end right there and wanted to do something, anything, before the game was over. I think that the other players will think it's silly when they watch me cancel my manner buildings, but I had to because I had no money. I laughed when it happened, too.
You continued to show your strength in playing Bo3+ matches. Do you particularly prefer to play multiple-game series?
I quite like playing longer matches. I never had the opportunity to play one back in Brood War. I may have had confidence in myself, but having everything be decided by a single game didn't feel good; it made me nervous. For multiple-game game series, I become so much calmer once Set 1 ends and Set 2 begins, so I think they suit me better.
Your next opponent will be Symbol. How do you think the match will play out?
When I watched Symbol's matches, I saw that he prepares the most out of the Zergs. His build orders vary a lot. Even disregarding skill, I think his preparedness is very impressive. I don't think the finals will end easily. I think that the winner will be decided by which player is more ready for his opponent.
Could you make a quick score prediction?
I think that the match will be decided 4-1 or 4-2. I don't think it will be a full series.
We're curious to know whether you may have seen Symbol's interview.
I read his interview yesterday alongside my teammates. It's disappointing that they kept discussing only TaeJa. Even the people around me wanted to watch a ZvT, so I guess that's why.
Tell us anything more that you would like to say.
My team cared for me a lot. My manager and oDin-hyung found all of my practice partners for me, and I think that that's what allowed me to win. I think that there are many people who wanted to watch ZvT at the finals, so I tried to create the most stunning ZvT series in Wings of Liberty; it's a shame that things ended so disappointingly like this. My week was filled with pressure, and I feel free from it now that I've won. I practiced with Reality for several days, and I'm sorry that I forced him to keep playing with only me. I became more confident in myself thanks to Axiom's Ryung, KT's Flash, Team 8's TY and cure, and STX's INnoVation, and I'm also thankful to Reality, Kop, and TurN, my Terran teammates. People might be disappointed that the finals is a ZvZ, but I'll work hard to show the best series possible, so please look forward to good games. When I went home for the Chinese New Year before playing in the Ro16, I told my mother that I would invite her to the finals, so I'm very glad that I was able to keep my word. I hope that my family is proud of me, too.
