[Interview] 2013 WCS Korea S1 Qualifiers Day 1

Samsung KHAN JangBi



Source: This Is Game

You got through the qualifiers. How do you feel?

I feel serene. I was really happy about it when I was a newcomer but since, I've already set foot on the stage before, I don't think I'll feel happy until I can set foot on the stage again.

After resting a season, you got through the qualifiers again.

I received a lot of bad nicknames while I was in Code A (laughs). Back then, I had just started off with SC2 so I made a lot of mistakes. I made a lot of errors with my force fields but I was so sure that my storms were landing in the right places. Now, I plan on never showing that kind of scene ever again.

Feels like your journey through the qualifiers was rather smooth.

I hadn't really prepared anything specific. I just played the way I wanted to play. I ladder so often that my build orders just come naturally to me now.

You used a dark templar build for game two of the final match. Was this improvised?

Yes it was. The qualifiers are always rather irregular so it's just best to do what your hands tell you to do.

GSL and WCS have merged.

I feel very strongly that this is disadvantageous to players. It probably won't matter much to the players who are already at the top but I feel like the players who are at the bottom are at a disadvantage. This season's all about starting off by grabbing points so advantages and disadvantages alike are going to matter heavily. I'm sure that a lot of people will probably choose to play overseas but I think I'll probably just stick with what the eSF players are doing.

You also have a chance to return to OSL.

After winning my final BW championship, I've been on a decline ever since my transition to HotS. However, I'm sure that's just one of many roads that I'll be able to take. It's time for me to start rising. I like to be an aggressive player so I did really badly at the start since Protoss preferences for SC2 was not really like that.

This season's goals?

I plan on deciding what my goals will be one step at a time. For now, all I've accomplished so far is getting through the qualifiers.

StarTale Pet



Source: This Is Game

Your first time ever getting through a qualifiers. How do you feel?

I am so glad about the fact alone that I've gotten through a qualifiers.

You took down Bisu in the semifinals.

I got really flustered because he played much better than I had expected. I was about break down mentally after I lost game one. But my lings were able to break through in the final game so I was able to grab the victory because I had benefited from that.

You took down 8th Team's HS for the finals.

I think I got lucky. Although the match was not as difficult as I thought it would be.

This season's goals?

I don't really have a specific goal. I just want to keep progressing onward.

Anything else you would like to say?

I am going to prepare extensively. I want to thank my coach and my parents for always taking care of me starting back from my ZeNEX days. In the past, former oGs' IceCream hyung helped me out a lot. I think I exist today because of his help from back then. I want to thank Sparta, Balloon, and MVP's Bang for helping me with practice. I really hope Balloon will be able to get through the qualifiers this season. Lastly, I want to thank my school friends and my teacher, Lee Eun Deok, for always cheering me on.

8th Team ALBM



Source: This Is Game

Your first time getting through a qualifiers. How do you feel?

I feel so good. Until now, the furthest I ever got was making the finals of a qualifiers three times, and that was because I always get so nervous whenever I get to the finals. I was feeling a lot of pressure but I was able to get through like this so I am glad.

Did you prepare anything special for the qualifiers?

I didn't really have anything specific prepared. I just played with the build orders that I was regularly confident in.

You've been showing a poor form for Proleague.

I got way too nervous. The pressure just got enormous because I could never really bring out what I had practiced and just ended up losing pathetically.

Any specific match that was difficult today?

There was none. Things went the way I wanted them to go.

You stated previously that the pressure was huge. Why do you think you did so well today?

After every match ended, the coach would give me advice. Thanks to that, I was able to make a good result because my mind was at peace.

This season's goals?

There are less tournaments now so the scales have risen. So for now, I want to make it to at least the third round.

Anything else you would like to say?

Even up until yesterday, my losses were frequent so I figured I wasn't going to be able to make it. But I actually was able to get through like this so I am so glad. Lastly, I want to thank the coaching staff for being concerned about me.

SK Telecom T1 Dark



This Is Game

After two seasons, you successfully pulled off your return.

I wasn't feeling very good so I thought that I wasn't going to get through. I am glad because I made it.

As of right now, people still believe that Zerg is a difficult race in HotS. Was it difficult to prepare for the qualifiers?

The qualifiers weren't difficult. Rather, preparing for the qualifiers was more difficult.

What was the most difficult thing for you today?

Zerg is a terrible race. Preparing for the qualifiers alone, was so difficult.

You transferred over to SK Telecom. Have you adapted completely?

I think I've adapted completely (laughs).

This season's goals?

I want to qualify straightaway into OSL. As of right now, I don't think I have any opponents.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank coach Park for giving me a lot of advice and I just want to thank the coaching staff in general. Lastly, I want to thank PartinG hyung for helping me with practice.

MVP Super



Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about getting through the qualifiers?

I had a feeling that I was going to get through this season's qualifiers no matter what. My hands didn't move so well because of the pressure but I will work hard so that I can show a great form for tournaments.

It seemed like you got through rather easily.

I had an easy group. I really wanted to avoid playing PvPs but I had a lot of PvPs today so I was struggling mentally.

You faced Carno in the finals.

It was really difficult. I won game one because I blocked his all in attack and I also would have been able to win game two but I let my guard down and allowed him to tie up the score. I tried a proxy stargate build for game three but I got caught. But my opponent did a robotics facility build so thing fell right into place.

Recently, a lot of MVP players underwent a name switch. Was there any specific reason?

I don't know about everybody else but I was thinking about superman. I worked hard at maintaining my body and I wanted to give myself a special meaning for me so I name changed.

There is a notion that the current WCS system is disadvantageous to low tier players.

I agree with that sentiment. It's disadvantageous for lower tier players because the number of tournaments have decreased. I too, am a player in the lower ranks so I want to hurry up and get to the top.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank my parents, my family, and my friends for always cheering me on. Also, Swagger hyung is always helping me and he even gave me strength this morning. I want to let Swagger hyung know that I am deeply grateful. Lastly, I want to thank our sponsors Lotte Chilsung, Razer, and partner Wayi Spiders.

StarTale Hack



Source: This Is Game

Tell us how you feel about getting through.

I am so glad that I was able to make it. I was really worried that I was going to have a hard time because I had no confidence in my TvP and I had heard that Dear was a really good player. But I think I got lucky. Games one and three went the way I had pictured it. I am so glad. As expected, the qualifiers are not a place for me to stay in (laughs).

For a while now, you've been severely going up and down.

I don't really know why myself (laughs). Sometimes I do really well but other times nothing really works out for me. I am practicing a lot right now because I want to get rid of all this moving up and down. I am expecting my up and down movement to start disappearing during this season.

There were a lot of rumors that you were a really strong player during the beginning of HotS.

When I went down the road of SAB, I took on a losing streak cause I kept meeting Zergs. But now I can't help but feel like I'll advance straightaway if I meet Zergs this season.

Currently, balance discussions are never ending.

Back at the team house, everyone keeps saying, "Zergs can't beat Terrans," and "Terrans can't beat Protoss". But StarTale Protoss players say that Protoss is the worst race. Avenge just keeps on complaining.

This season's goals?

Of course my goal for HotS is to win the championship.

Why is the championship your goal?

I think utilizing medivac after burners fits my play style well. I can harass with them and escape with them. And I love that widowmines can serve several purposes at once.

The team's Protoss lineup weakened because PartinG and Squirtle both left.

Nothing is really that different. Our Protoss lineup is kind of weak right now but I have a feeling that it's only a matter of time before Squirtle hyung and PartinG hyung's empty seats get filled up.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank everyone who cheered me on. Puzzle hyung was standing behind me and putting a curse on me, so I'm really hoping that he gets eliminated during his qualifiers this afternoon. Lastly, I want to thank our sponsors Red Bull, for always giving me wings during the qualifiers, Joy Gear, and ZOWIE Gear.

Samsung KHAN JuNi



Source: This Is Game

After three years, you finally made it through a qualifiers. How do you feel?

I feel glad. But it's not this humongous glad feeling. I think I have to get past the Challenge League in order to really feel happy.

During all this time, you were unable to fully bring out your potential during qualifiers.

I go so angry. If I had become too lax and used to losing then I probably would have just straight up retired. But I still wanted to play so I just kept on going for it. Even if people around me were saying things like, "oh, he hasn't retired yet?" I didn't get embarrassed at myself and I knew that I was still going to keep on going for it.

How come you were performing so poorly?

It's because I suck (laughs). First off, it was difficult to adapt to WoL and I almost came to hate playing the game during the transition period. I just wanted to play BW. Honestly, during the beginning of the WoL era, the game was no fun and I kept contemplating as to whether or not I should retire. Everyone else adapted instantly but I just wandered around for too long. I did think about retiring, but I knew that retiring was something that I could do whenever I wanted to so I decide to lay it all on the line and just went for it. But even doing that just wasn't enough (laughs).

You haven't made your presence known in forever. How have you been during all this time?

In April of 2011 until September of 2011, I was too ill to play. I was feeling so horrible that I even though that I could be dying. My neck hurt and I couldn't breathe so I had to keep going back to the hospital for over a year but no matter how many times I got examined, I was always told that there was nothing wrong. That period was really difficult. Thanks to that, my hands got paralyzed and I lost a lot of weight. For three to four months, I was unable to use my right hand. I was so jealous whenever I would observe everyone else playing the game.

I lost so much weight that I weighed 46kg and at one point, people kept saying that I was nothing but bones. We still hadn't been able to find the source of my illness so I just kept getting more and more stressed. And then one day, the hospital told me that I would never be able to use my hand ever again and I was horrified. I'm not sure if I should say something like this but during that time I really just wanted to die. But then I got treatment from a really famous place and I was able to recover. I can laugh about it now but back then it was incredibly difficult.

You were unable to be sent out for the Proleague lineup and had to keep observing from the bench.

I attempted an SC2 tournament about twice but I lost pathetically in ZvZs. I worked really hard during preparation but I allowed a comeback during a good situation so my frustration was huge. I was removed from the roster and everything around me just got more and more difficult. But then I started exercising and my body became better. Aside from church days, I would always exercise no matter what and I would also mind control myself.

HotS was a fresh start for everyone.

When I heard that HotS was going to get released I was so glad. HotS was still relatively similar to WoL but everyone had to begin from the same starting line so I liked that part. I'm also not on the young side so I really wanted to grab this opportunity. I don't want to have any regrets so even right now, I'm still going for it.

How did you feel when you saw that final GG appear?

I felt so good. I felt so good that I was about to release all control of my hands. From a long time ago, oDin hyung would tell me that he would love it if I could get through a qualifiers but I was never able to meet his expectations. But since I was able to get through today, just thinking about how happy oDing hyung could get makes me feel so good.

This season's goals?

I want to qualify for the OSL and partake in the group nominations no matter what. I always lost in the finals so I was never able to go to the group nominations. I want to experience it no matter what (laughs).

Anything else you would like to say?

I want my family to remain strong and I want to let my father know that I love him.

ROOTYugiOh



Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about getting through the qualifiers?

When I first saw my group, I saw that I had an okay group. I won the first match rather easily but I lost the very first game of the next match and so it got so much more difficult after that for the rest of the series because my heart got all tensed up. I think I am more glad about getting through the qualifiers because I was able to get through a tough situation like that. In my match against sC, I lost the first game and I was in a disadvantageous situation for game two but I pulled off a comeback by adapting to the situation at hand, and then I think sC kind of fell apart mentally during game three so I was able to win easily.

This was your first qualifiers ever since transferring to a new team. Was there any pressure?

The environment in which I practice hasn't changed that much. I do have the advantage of participating in overseas tournaments but I'm in a difficult situation these days because of WCS.

How do you feel about the WCS tournament system?

Even though there is a chance that things would get easier by switching regions, I don't think there would be any meaning behind the victories. I know it'll be difficult but I think a sense of accomplishment will be that much bigger. I want to feel the joy of grabbing a victory from doing my best in a challenging tournament.

Do you know much about playing for WCS in other regions?

I don't really know. I only received info regarding the three regions. Even if info was available, my dad probably knows more than I do.

This season's goals?

Last season, I met way too powerful of an opponent in the first round. I worked really hard so that I wold be prepared but I was weak at ZvP and I was facing HerO hyung so I got really nervous. I had the advantage for game two but I allowed a comeback to happen so so I was broken down, mentally. I'm sure I'll be able to make a good result as long as I don't meet a powerful opponent.

The most difficult match today?

Game two against sC is on my mind. I was in a really disadvantageous position but I was able to grab my victory through a comeback so I remember it the most. The match that made me feel the best was the finals vs Harrier. These tiny advantageous situations kept coming along so I was feeling good. It did get a little troublesome for some time because of the engagements but I took a deep breath, read what I needed to do, and that's how I was able to win.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank my father for bringing me to the studio today, and I want thank fellow teammate Sage for observing my games today. I am going to work hard to show a great form since I was able to make it to the next round. I'm also able to deliver some good news to the person who is personally sponsoring me so I feel glad.

LG-IM First



Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about getting through the qualifiers?

I told myself that I absolutely had to make it through this time. So even right now I'm still being that way (laughs).

Were you feeling confident for this season's qualifiers?

Ever since I switched over to HotS, practice has been going well and I understood the game a lot better after I came back from the IEM championship. And, right now I am bursting with confidence.

You've been showing a really strong form since your transition to HotS. What is your secret?

I think HotS just fits me well. Utilizing the mothership core during the early game fits my style, and it's easy to defend. Overall, Protoss units are just really good for defending. When I was a BW player I was very aggressive but ever sine the WoL transition, I enjoy playing defensively now.

Any specific match that was difficult during the qualifiers?

The match against STX SouL's Size was a little difficult. The score was 2-0 but overall, I started off with a disadvantage. I think both games were around 30 - 40 minutes.

What do you think about the WCS league system?

I think I can feel the notion that it is unfair for Code B players. And it's not like it's so easy to just go to a different region. I'm just facing reality right now and preparing to do the best I can in Korea.

Do you think you'll be able to advance to the top league for next season?

With the confidence that I'm feeling right now I think I can pull it off. Not to mention that that's my goal.

How do you feel about the racial balances for HotS?

For PvZ, Protoss is good for beginning-mid game but for late game, Zerg can also handle it. In PvT, I feel like beginning-mid game is really difficult for Protoss. But overall, I did adapt to the game so I think it's all pretty much doable.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank the supervisor for coming to the studio. The supervisor's wife has not been feeling well these days so I hope she feels better. These days, my Zerg teammates have been under a lot of stress so I hope they remain strong. I hope the LG-IM players coming out tomorrow do well. Lastly, I want to thank our sponsors LG Electronics, Steelseries, Kingston HyperX, Super Flower, ASRock, Invidia, Coca-Cola, and Googims Company.

CJ Entus Bunny



Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about getting through the qualifiers?

I feel so good. I can't believe it. I've been practicing so hard these days that I feel proud of myself because I feel like I finally accomplished something.

Will you give us a light introduction about yourself?

I am a 19 year old Terran player. I am a player for CJ Entus and I became a pro gamer through the first half of the 2013 pro gamer draft.

Was this your first ever qualifiers?

I've experienced it about twice. I attempted them before when I was a CJ Entus trainee. Both times I got eliminated straightaway from the first round.

Since you got through your third ever qualifiers, does this mean you all of a sudden had a rapid increase in skill?

I don't know if it was a rapid increase or what. I just worked really hard lately and was able to grasp the concept of the game.

Any match your specifically remember today?

I met BeSt in the finals. He took a really fast expansion for the game two but I kept cheesing him so I won. That match is remaining in my memory.

So is your style an all in style?

Nope. Generally I play a late game macro style but I like doing medivac plays. Playing aggressively fits me well.

You will debut in a televised match soon. How do you think it will go?

I think I'm going to be really nervous. But I want to get my head straight and win. I have a greed to get into the top league.

You will now start off your legitimate pro gaming career. What are your goals?

I've never been overseas before. I was always jealous of my teammate hyungs who went overseas, so I've always wanted to go. I want to know what it feels like to play a game after getting off a plane. I also want to establish a good record.

Anything else you would like to say?

Supervisor Kim Dong Woo gave me a lot of advice and he gave me a lot of tips. The coach also controlled my mentality well. I am also grateful to my teammate hyungs for helping me a lot with practice. I especially want to thank Bbyong hyung and Snow hyung because they recommended build orders for me at the last minute. I want to say thank you.

8th Team Terminator



Soure: This Is Game

You've gotten to the third round of Code A before.

It's always a Terran that hinders me from getting further. Terran was already difficult to face during WoL, and now HotS has made them so much harder.

Were there any difficult matches today?

The finals were challenging. I wanted to do a 10 gate/3 warp gate all in but I got scouted from the very get go. I started off with a disadvantage but I was able to make a comeback later on.

How do you feel about the 2013 WCS tournament system?

I don't think it's that bad for KeSPA players. I think it's because our opportunities to go overseas are limited. There's no inspiration behind the tournament's format, and nothing has really changed.

Do you think you'll be able to head straightaway to the top league this time?

I think it will be possible as long as some luck follows me. I would like it if I could face a lot of Zergs.

However, in the end, you will have to overcome Terrans.

It's not so bad during practice. But it's so difficult during tournaments. But I really am practicing a lot against my Terran teammates right now.

Anything else you would like to say?

I hurt my hand yesterday while riding my bike but I was able to put on a good performance because I was able to avoid a crisis. Right now Puzzle in the finals so I hope he makes a good result.

FXOHurricane



Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about getting through the qualifiers?

I got through the qualifiers for the very first time last season but I got eliminated in the very first round of Code A because I lost to YoDa. The frustration was pretty bad during that time. But I regained my composure afterwards, and I think I was able to make a good result today because I prepared really hard.

It is pretty well known that you seem to have no luck when it comes to individual leagues.

I was lacking in skill and I got nervous a lot. But I think the lack of skills was the biggest reason. I used to think that I was a good player but after examining myself, I realized that I was lacking in a lot of areas. These days, I am working really hard to fix those areas.

How do you feel about balane within HotS?

I think the ratio for PvT is about 6:4 so it's okay. In the case of PvZ, I honestly think it's the better player that wins. Actually, PvT is also the same.

How do you feel about the 2013 WCS tournament overview?

When I first heard about it, I got kind of flustered. But now that I've thought about it, I don't think there's that much of a difference so it doesn't really affect me.

Can we expect a good result from you for this season's challenger league?

In order to do that, I can't get nervous and some luck has to follow me as well. I really hope my condition for that day and the how lucky I get in my group will work out me.

FXO has not been doing well in the GSTL lately.

I don't think we've adapted to the whole Bo7, 4 players only format. I also think that our team's Zergs are struggling with ZvP ever since HotS came out.

You are pretty much FXO's only Protoss player. Does it ever burden you or trouble you?

Nothing like that really happens. But I really would like it if there could be another Protoss player on the team that I could share stuff and train with.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank my parents for always cheering me on. I also want to thank our supervisor and our coach. Lastly, I want to thank our sponsors, Razer, FXOpen, Twitch.tv and imgur.

LG-IM RagnaroK



Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about getting through the qualifiers?

A lot of Code B/A players were concerned because of WCS. And of course, I too had a lot of concerns. For now, I am just relieved that I was able to get through like this.

What kind of concerns did you have?

I was thinking about how the number of tournaments had decreased and how I would have to wait for the next season's qualifiers if I failed to get through for this season's. I was also worried because I was thinking about how attending overseas tournaments also probably got more difficult.

You must have prepared so hard for today's qualifiers.

I did work hard. But I never have good results whenever I feel pressured. I practiced a lot for the qualifiers but I practiced with a more peaceful mindset. The practice regime remained the same, but my mind was at peace.

Any specific match that was difficult today?

I faced KT Rolster's Miso in the semifinals. It was a ZvT and I got nervous so I couldn't micro properly and I got impatient. I lost the advantage in a situation where I was in a good position. But overall, things did end up working out so I was able to win.

You showed a good form during the GSTL Pre-Season so a lot of people have eager expectations for you. You must also have expectations for yourself.

I think I have a better opportunity than the one I had for WoL. My awareness was also raised thanks to the GSTL. I think I'll be able to do better because I'm working hard.

Do you think you'll be able to advance to the premier league this season?

I think the pressure will be enormous for the first round of Code A. Round 1 is the wall I must overcome. If I can just overcome that, then it will be perfectly possible.

How do you feel about the current balance for HotS?

From a Zerg's perspective, I think all the races are at a 5:5 ratio. People say that widowmines are OP for ZvTs but I just think Zergs are just unfamiliar with them. We just need to test things out and adapt to them. Late game is good for Zerg. Same for ZvP and ZvZ.

Anything else you would like to say

I am so glad cause I was able to get through the qualifiers. Former TSL teammates Symbol hyung, HyuN hyung, and Center hyung all cheered on heavily for me. I am glad that their cheers weren't all for naught. I am also grateful to the Seoul Digi Tech High School because they received the mandates well. Lastly, I want to thank my teammate hyungs who helped me with practice.

StarTale Sound



Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about getting through the qualifiers?

It's been almost a year since I last got through a qualifiers. I feel so good and glad. I am really glad.

Are your riding the momentum from your GSTL all kill?

I think so. That occurrence really helped me out. My nervousness during games disappeared and overall, I gained a lot of confidence.

How confident were you in preparing for the qualifiers today?

I had so much confidence that I felt like I was going to get through the qualifiers no matter what. Honestly, for all my past qualifiers, I just didn't have a good feeling during those. But this time was different.

What do you think about the WCS league system?

When I first thought about it, I saw that it was obviously bad for lower tier players. But not anymore. I now see that all I have to do is overcome this challenge and just make my way to the top. It's fine.

Any specific match that was difficult for you today?

The games generally ended pretty easily. There were a lot of one sided matches.

So HotS has granted you wings?

Well there is that too, but the more important thing is that I found a source of motivation to work harder. During my WoL days, I just played the game without giving it much thought because I just wanted to have fun. Right now, I am really playing this game.

Do you think you'll be able to advance to the premier league this season?

I think I'll get there right away. I haven't played another televised game since the all kill but I don't think I'll get nervous for my televised matches. I wasn't even nervous at all for the qualifiers for today.

You must want to achieve more for the GSTL as well.

I just think about working really hard. I just want to win everything. It's more important that the team wins. I haven't really thought about the most wins achievement yet.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank my parents and my hyung for cheering me on from home. I want to thank my friends as well. I want to thank executive supervisor Won, supervisor Kim, coach Yoon, as well as thank our sponsors Red Bull and ZOWIE Gear.

AZUBU SuperNova

No interview available