[Interview] 2013 WCS Korea S1 Qualifiers Day 2

LG-IM Ruin



Source: This Is Game

First off, tell us how you feel about getting through the qualifiers.

I feel so good that I can't express it in words. I was feeling very good as soon as I woke up this morning as the sun's arrays hit me. I expected a good result to ensue because I experienced such a brisk morning.

So then how were the qualifiers? Did your good morning experience follow you to the studio?

The confrontation went well so I didn't have to really strain myself. The finals was the most difficult though.

You faced NAKSEO in the finals. Was there any pressure?

I've faced him several times on ladder before and I always lost against him. I did get intimidated but I made it to the finals while riding a good momentum so I was able to respond properly to my given situation. I was put in a disadvantageous situation but NAKSEO over extended so I was able to pull off a comeback.

This victory must have been very meaningful for you since you got through a qualifiers for the first time ever.

When I attempted qualifiers for BW, I would always get eliminated. I feel good because I was able to establish a good record for the first ever HotS qualifiers.

It seemed like you got nervous a lot during the GSTL.

I practiced even more after I lost to Lucky. I think I'll be able to show a good form without getting nervous from here on out.

HotS is still in an early phase but the balance discussion is fiery. Anything to say as a Protoss user?

During early game, Terran is the strongest. I admit this as well but vs Zerg was really easy during the early phase of HotS. But these days, Zerg players have been experimenting a lot and they've been able to find proper responses so I think it's around 5.5 now. I can't really say that any specific race has the advantage. I think it's the better player that wins.

This season's goals?

My goal is to get to the group nominations. I've only ever seen the group nominations via TV, so this time I want to experience it personally for myself.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank my teammate hyungs and the supervisor for endlessly giving me advice. I want to thank my parents and my uncle for always cheering me on. Lastly, I am going to work really hard so that I can frequently a show good form from here on out.

AZUBU San



Source: This Is Game

Tell us how you feel about making it to the Challengers League.

After seeing the players that made it yesterday, I figured that I was going to be able to make it as well. I haven't gotten through like this in a while so I would like to make it to the Premier League.

How was today's match?

I won the whole thing undefeated. But the very first game did take almost an hour because I hadn't loosened up my nerves yet. But my nerves did loosen up after that game and I think that's why I did well.

Any match that you specifically remember today?

The final game. I wanted to advance quickly so I laid it all on the line, and then the victory was too smooth. There wasn't even a bunker.

GSL now has a new name. What do you think about that?

With the tournaments now having merged, the OSL Dual Tournament seeds no longer exist. This affected me directly. I truly hope that the next time something like this happens, no one will get affected like I've been.

What do you think your chances of advancing to the Premier League are?

If I can just win past the first round of the Challenger League, I think I'll be able to breeze into the Preimier League.

Why do you think this?

I think it's because my game has been going so well these days.

So can we lie in anticipation for the GSTL as well?

That is correct. If I get lucky, I think I could grab an all kill as well (laughs).

Hearing you talk like this must mean the team's atmosphere must be good.

During last season's qualifiers, we all got decimated. So the supervisor struggled because of that. But we practiced really hard afterwards so I think we're going to able to establish good results. Only SuperNova made it through yesterday but a lot of us are going to get through today so I want everyone to keep track of us. Things are going to get a lot better from here on out.

Anything else you would like to say?

I haven't made it like this in a while so I hope my fans lie waiting in eager anticipation for me. (In order to understand this next part, you need to know that San's Korean name is Kang Cho Won. Now, Kwahn in Korean has multiple definitions according to Google translate. I think "coffin" fits the best here though. And everyone knows what god is so....) I will show a God Cho Won form and not a Kwahn Cho Won form. I want to thank my family, the supervisor, and coach Iris for always cheering me on. I want to thank Kim Kwan Sik hyung for being my mental coach. I also want to thank our sponsor, Razer. Lastly, I hope my teammates who will play in the afternoon will make it through.

AZUBU VINES



Source: This Is Game

Congratulations on getting through the qualifiers. How do you feel?

I feel really glad. I didn't think I was going to make it but the exact opposite happened (laughs).

How come you didn't expect yourself to make it?

There is no way to defeat good Zerg players. PvT is doable but PvZ is so difficult.

A lot of people say that Terrans and Protosses are difficult but no one has really said that Zergs were difficult.

If the Zerg just wants to go for it and take the game to the late game stage then there is no way to beat him. But then I also lose when I try to end it early.

Any specific match that was particularly difficult?

Honestly, there wasn't one. I was feeling really scared at the beginning but I didn't meet any good Zerg players so the games were easier than I expected them to be.

For a while now, we really haven't seen you in individual leagues. What are your goals for this season?

Of course my goal is to get to the Premier League.

You had the choice to choose a different region besides Korea. Was there a specific reason as to why you stuck with Korea?

If I got eliminated today I was planning on choosing NA (laughs). I had a feeling that I still would have the choice to go to NA even if I did fall out for this season.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank our sponsor, Razer.

Swim



Source: This Is Game

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

I was so nervous. I had no idea if I was going to advance through or not, but now that I have, it feels weird.

A long time ago, you were not picked during the rookie draft.

I was notified that a certain team is going to contact me. The coach of that team said he would contact me so I am waiting to for the tryouts right now.

Wasn't it disappointing?

They said that they would contact me very soon so I'm not that disappointed (laughs).

You met jjakji in the finals.

I was expecting a really difficult game to ensue at first but then he went for an scv all in after he expanded. Thanks to that, I was able to take an easier victory than expected (laughs).

What are your goals for this season?

Grabbing at least one victory will be my goal (laughs).

So do you believe that you are still not at a skill level where you can take on the pros?

I don't think I'm quite there yet.

Anything else you would like to say?

I really hope that that team that said they would give me a call end up picking me to join their roster. Lastly, I want to thank Hyung Min hyung from the Alive Clan for helping me with practice.

Samsung KHAN Kop



Source: This Is Game

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

It really feels like a dream. After I won the first game of the final match, I got so excited. But oDin hyung mind controlled me well so I was able to approach the rest of the series feeling very calm.

A lot of Samung KHAN players are stating that they receive help because of coach oDin's mind controls.

oDin hyung really understands the players well. He can be rather straightforward at times but he treats us really well and he always helps us regardless of what race we play.

Any specific match that was particularly difficult for you today?

Aside from the finals, everything else was fine. When I first saw my group, I figured it was easier than all the other groups. But I knew that you don't automatically advance just because you have an easy group so I did not drop my guard.

This was not your first qualifiers correct?

I attempted qualifiers during the WoL era also. I went to finals once but I wasn't able to make it in the end. Personally, I was feeling very torn up inside. But this season's qualifier was the first ever qualifiers for HotS so I told myself that I had to get through no matter what.

How did you feel after transitioning over to HotS? Does it fit you well?

In my personal opinion, Terran was really bad in WoL. I think Terran fits me so much better for HotS than it ever did for WoL.

Anything else you would like to say?

I really hope that a lot of the Samsung players who will be partaking in the afternoon qualifier will make it through. I have yet to make an appearance since the commencement of HotS Proleague. If I ever do get sent out, I will put on a fun performance. Lastly, I want to say that I am so grateful to my parents.

STX SouL hyvaa



Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about getting through the qualifiers?

I anticipated that I would get through the qualifiers. But I had a challenging group so the games were more difficult than I expected them to be. I feel more glad about my victory because I won a challenging group, and I now that I've made it through like this, I want to do really well.

Specifically, which match was the hardest?

I met Argo hyung from the very get go. But I did expect to struggle because the daylight group had a lot of great players. I really expected to meet him in the finals at least, but I met him from the very get go so I did not feel good about that (laughs). But I am relieved that the match went well.

You met hOpe in the finals.

I started off the series with a loss. I chose to do a very safe build because I had limited options for build orders but hOpe dropped his guard so I was able to win.

Were there any difficulties when you were transferring to HotS?

You've been through the qualifiers twice now.

Thanks to the new WCS format, I think it is very disadvantageous to lower tier players. In order to catch up to the top players, it is important to act now and try to get there as fast as possible. I want to go as far as I possibly can.

Thanks to WCS, opportunities to travel overseas have arisen.

It's good that there are options available now to travel overseas. Personally, I think things are more challenging now that the number of tournaments have decreased. I'm sure that the results will be even better now that there are less tournaments but I want to work really hard and also step on a stage overseas.

In a previous interview, someone stated that the balance is currently 5.5

If you look at it from one angle, it's really difficult, but if you look at it from another angle, it could also be simple. I think that 5:5 ratio is true when it comes to macro games but there are a lot of scenarios that come up where maps are bad or build orders are bad. In the end, even though it's true that the better player wins, I think it's a little more difficult for Zergs.

Anything else you would like to say?

I had to take down two of my good friends, Argo and hOpe, to get through the qualifiers. I will work hard so and play for their sake as well. I had promised a fan that I would get through the qualifiers, so I am glad that I was able to keep that promise. I hope everyone will keep on watching me from here on out.

LG-IM ByuL



Source: This Is Game

Tell us how you feel about getting through the qualifiers.

I didn't sleep properly last night so my condition was not at its best. But I still advanced with a complete victory so I feel good.

What happened last night?

I've had a bit of an insomnia issue since a long time ago. I only got about three hours of sleep last night.

What did you think after you saw your group?

I figured it was doable when I first saw it. I figured that BarrackS hyung was going to be a variable, and as expected, he did really well.

You won the finals by a score of 2-0. Was it a difficult match?

The score was 2-0 but the contents of the game was really difficult.

You were able to get into the Ro32 of Code S but you were eliminated afterwards.

I was satisfied with the fact alone that I got to Code S during my debut. I didn't think that I was going to come to this same place for another qualifiers so I was depressed for a couple of months. I struggled so much because of EffOrt hyung.

So what are your goals for this season?

I want to keep riding this momentum and head all the way to the finals of this season.

You made your name known when you grabbed those 4 kills during the GSTL. But nowadays you're rarely seen.

I have nothing to say (laughs). I really just don't have anything to say. I am practicing really hard at the team house but it was so difficult to play against Terrans during practice, and then it gets even crazier during tournaments.

Do you have any complaints as a Zerg player?

I think ZvP is about 5:5. ZvT is a physical battle, but Terrans have a bit more of an advantage so I think it's about 6:4.

Anything else you would like to say?

I am sorry to BarrackS hyung because I had to beat in the finals. In order to ensure that I never have to come back to ShinDoRim, I will prepare really hard for my upcoming games. Lastly, I want to thank the supervisor and his wife for always working so hard for us and thank our sponsors, LG Electronics, Steelseries, Kingston HyperX, Super Flower, ASRock, Googims Company, Coca-Cola, and Invidia.

StarTale Golden



Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about difficultly getting through the qualifiers?

The qualifiers should have ended much earlier but the quarterfinals were delayed because we having network issues so we had wait for over 2 hours. My menatlity was about to get shaken up but I felt fine while I was playing the final match.

You haven't been through a qualifiers in such a long time.

Last year, I was able to participate in only one qualifier. I really missed the GSL stage. I recently participated in two other qualifiers but I disappointingly lost both of them. I practiced really hard because I wanted to get through this qualifiers.

Has anything changed for you skill wise ever since you joined StarTale?

I normally play one one kind of style, but after I experienced multiple tournaments and overseas tournaments, I realized that I needed some diversity. When I was in an overseas team, I had to experiment all on my own but right now I have teammates who can help me out so my skills are increasing.

What do you think about the 2013 WCS league system?

From a player's perspective, it is always good when the number of tournaments increase. But the difficulty level in Korea is so high. So I was actually contemplating as to whether or not I should choose NA or not a couple of days ago. I could have gone to NA but I chose Korea because I realized that the player who increases in Korea is a player who becomes a very powerful player. I have a big desire to get recognized in Korea. But that doesn't mean that I'm never going to go overseas again.

Were there any difficult games today?

Not really. The down time was just tiring.

You are the starter for the GSTL match tomorrow.

When this week started off, I told myself that I was going make this week my best week ever. Now that I've made my qualifiers dream come true, I will make sure I work hard to achieve my all kill goal tomorrow. I am going to work really hard so that I can make this week the greatest week.

What kind of results are you expecting for this season's Challenger League?

Right now I am dreaming really big and I am increasing at a rapid pace. So I want to head straightaway into the Premier League.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank my parents for always cheering me on. I want to thank our sponsors Red Bull, ZOWIE Gear, and Joy Gear. I also want to thank my friends for cheering me on. I had a lot to say initially but I can't really remember them right now (laughs). Lastly, I want to thank everyone who said they appreciated me.

CJ Entus Hydra



Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about getting through the qualifiers?

I feel like it has been such a long time since I've gotten through a qualifiers like this. I feel good. Rather than feeling glad, I feel more of a relief. I still have a long road ahead of me so I'm going to climb those stairs one step at a time.

Weren't today's matches difficult?

The matches went the way I wanted them to. I don't really think there were any difficult matches.

WCS has launched with an all new format. What do you think about this?

It's good for the players but at the same time also bad because it feels like a lot of opportunities now no longer exist. But it is good for us as long as we play the game well, so right now all I'm thinking about is just working hard.

You have yet to establish a good result ever since your transition to SC2.

It's because I was lacking. I was practicing really hard and I was always feeling confident. I just figured all I had to do was get through the qualifiers. I wasn't feeling impatient or anything. I think I'm going to be able to show a great performance for the regular season from here on out.

So do you think things will go well now that you've gotten through the qualifiers?

I have really good memories of individual league performances from my BW days so if I can base my performances off that experience, then I should be able to make it really far.

Do you think you'll make it to the Premier League?

There are tons of great players right now. I think it will be difficult to just get what I want. I think I'll need to prepare even harder than I'm doing right now.

Anything else you would like to say?

I will make sure that I show great games for the regular season.

Samsung KHAN Solar



Source: This Is Game

Tell us how you feel about getting through the qualifiers.

I suffered a complete loss last season so it was disappointing but I am so glad that I was able to get through this new HotS qualifiers.

Why do you think you suffered a complete loss last season?

I was confident but my opponent was Flash so I think I got intimidated without even realizing it. So I wasn't able to properly show the plays that I wanted to show.

Was it disappointing that you got crushed last season?

I heard that GOMtv tries to put newcomers against regulars. I don't know if this is true or not but I really hope I find some fortune this time around.

Samsung KHAN has been doing well for this season's qualifiers, how come?

Everyone had this desire to do really well for the transition for HotS. Now that we've created the right kind of environment, we have found the strength to work really hard.

Are you confident for this season?

I was able to start off HotS from scratch just like every other player out there right now. I have a lot of expectations for myself because I have the confidence to excel above and beyond those other players.

This season's goals?

Our team currently has two Zergs in Code S right now, so I would like to follow in my hyungs' footsteps.

Anything else you would like to say?

As I was playing, oDin hyung kept staying by my side and gave me strength. I was able to make this kind of result because of him. I am so grateful to him.

SK Telecom T1 s2



Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about getting through the qualifiers?

I feel like I've become an old gamer now (laughs). I was disappointed for a long time now because I hadn't really gotten through that many qualifiers before, but I told myself that I should still try to do well even if I was getting through a qualifiers pretty late in my career.

It seemed like your group for today was not that easy.

I expected to meet Stork in the finals but I ended up meeting InCa. Nevertheless, the final match was more peaceful since my opponent wasn't Stork.

In the past, you were eliminated from the very first round of Code A.

During that time, I did not have a lot of confidence in my ZvP. I was hoping I wouldn't have to meet a Protoss but then my opponent turned out to be the rapidly rising sOs. I lost because I was lacking. But now that another opportunity has arrived, I want to make sure that I don't repeat that same mistake.

Has ZvP gotten better for you in HotS?

I think it has gotten a little better than before. But I don't feel like it's complete yet. I plan on mainly practicing only ZvPs even after today

Do you think you'll be able to make it to the top league?

That's what I want. But for some reason, I always strangely lose when I play in the regular league (laughs). Do I not have any passion? (laughs) I've been really frustrated for a while, but I'm going to focus on taking down each opponent that will be ahead of me instead of focusing on getting into the Premier League right away.

Anything else you would like to say?

The team is doing really well these days. But our team has so many good players that it's really difficult for me to get chosen to be in the lineup (laughs). But it's always good when the team wins. I am going to work harder. Right now, ParalyzE is playing in his group so I hope he advances through together with me.

STX SouL Trap



Source: This Is Game

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

When I heard that the Korean players who were on overseas teams would be participating in the overseas league, I told myself that I had to get through this season's qualifiers no matter what. I am so glad that I was able to advance like I wanted to.

How were today's matches?

The final match was difficult. I lost game one and I got way too pressured psychologically because it was a mirror match.

How much have you adapted to HotS?

I think my Protoss teammates have all somewhat finished adapting. As for me, I need to refine my PvZ a bit more and then I'll be good.

What's the difference between getting into a league via seed and getting in to a league via the qualifiers?

You feel comfortable when you get into a league via a seed but I think it's better to get into a league through the qualifiers. You utilize what you felt during the matches and you also feel a sense of accomplishment.

This season's goals?

Of course getting to Code S will be my goal. My number one goal is to get to the Ro16 of Code S. I want to get to the Ro16 first before aiming for anything higher.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank my fans and my family for cheering me on. These days, the coach keeps telling me that my game skills are good, but that I keep losing because I lack mentality, so I really hope to overcome that soon so that I can show a good form.

MVP Dream



Source: This Is Game

Tell us how you feel about advancing to the regular season.

I told myself that it was obvious that I had to get through the qualifiers. So my joy is not really that big.

Why was it so obvious that you had to get through?

I had confidence in my skills and the new WCS format made me realize that I had to get through this season's qualifiers no matter what. In the past, all I had to do was go to an overseas tournament if there was no GSL, but now the GSL has become the most important tournament. So I absolutely had to make through the qualifiers no matter what.

How was today's qualifiers?

There weren't any really difficult matches. I took a complete victory without any moments of crisis.

You must have been disappointed about your results last season.

I grabbed second place in IEM last season so I was bursting with confidence but then I just took a complete loss so I was upset. So while I was preparing for this season, I increased the amount of practice I needed to do, and I am all prepared for what's to come.

What do you think about the WCS format?

I don't really know yet. I heard that things have gotten better for the top tier players, so I am focusing on getting to the top right now.

What are your goals for this season?

First off, getting through the first round of Code A is my goal. Afterwards, I would like it if I could get into Code S. Additionally, I also want to establish a good record in the GSTL.

Anything else you would like to say?

Shine hyung is playing in his qualifiers group right now so I hope he makes a good result. I really want to establish a good record for this season.

StarTale Sparta



Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about getting through the qualifiers twice now?

I am sorry to Shine for beating him in the finals because he's a friendly dongsaeng. But I'm still really happy about the fact that I made it to the regular season.

How was today's qualifiers?

The semifinals and the finals were difficult. Both matches took me to game three so I had to take the long haul. Stamina wise, it was a bit too much for me.

What do you think about the new WCS format?

I think this format is disadvantageous to the lower tier players. But I don't really care because all I have to do is do really well and get to the top.

Why do you think you fell down to the qualifiers again?

I got really nervous when I sat in the booth. I am sure that I'll be able to make it really far this season as long as I overcome my nerves.

This season's goals?

I still don't know exactly where my skill level is at. So it's difficult to target a specific goal but I would like if I could just get as far as I possibly can.

It looks like StarTale is doing really well for this season's qualifiers. Why is this so?

The atmosphere for our practices at the the team house has changed since the commencement of HotS. Everyone is working really hard so I think that's why we've been able to establish a good record like this

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank executive supervisor Won, supervisor Kim, coach Yoon, and my teammates.

SK Telecom T1 ParalyzE



Source: This is Game

You are the final player to get through the qualifiers. How do you feel?

I think I feel even more glad because I was the last one to get through. I think I feel happier than I did for all other qualifiers because of the fact that I was the last player to get through.

Were there any difficult opponents today?

The finals vs Genius was the most difficult. I disappointingly lost game two because he used a strategy that I had never played against before so I got flustered. And I almost lost game three because I started off with a disadvantage. But Hyuk hyung kept giving me strength from the side so I was able to make a comeback.

What do you think about the new WCS format?

I probably won't know for sure until more time passes but I like the fact that three tournaments have come together as one. I think this is an opportunity to gain more recognition. I feel good about the fact that I have a chance to get my name out to other countries.

You must have a lot of expectations for the regular season.

I really wanted to test out my true strengths today but it was disappointing that I only got to play PvPs. But our team's Protoss players are so skilled that I was confident in my PvP. Since I didn't get to play any other match up for the qualifiers, I want to play other match ups for the regular season.

Lately, SK Telecom has been on an incredible upswing. How come?

Our team got so much stronger with the acquisitions of PartinG, Brown hyung, and Dark. It feels just like the previous SK Telecom from the BW days. I think we could even win the championship with this momentum. I feel like we just can't lose

This season's goals?

The game is difficult so I still don't fully comprehend how this tournament is supposed to progress. Right now, my goal is to just win all the games that will be ahead of me so that I can get into Code S.

Anything else you would like to say?

FanTaSy hyung is playing his matches right now so I hope he wins no matter what.