Hello. This is Coach Lee Jae Kyun who has come back gritting his teeth.
On the 3rd of August we have the finals against STX.
Since I started in 1999, it's been about 14 years. It's the first time we've been on the finals stage since the grand finals in early 2005.
A lot has happened in that time.
Hanbit's disbandment and re-emergence as Woongjin, and a crisis situation for the corporation... 5 years with Woongjin... And then a finals.
To be honest, I didn't think we'd ever step on the finals stage again. Our situation kept worsening, and I kept ageing. Seeing the people around me moving on also made me gradually lose confidence...
I think I went into this with the mindset that this year would really be the last. Coach Son Seung Wan who had worked with me until then resigned due to personal issues and we begun to form a new team of 3 with coach Ryu Won and manager Park Suk Joon. Because we were short on personnel, we couldn't coach players one on one so I had to leave it to the players to pull their weight, and the players did just that.
One more game before sleep... Image training about the games today while sleeping... When games didn't go well, I told players to remember the last season to calm their minds.
Now the players are more passionate than I am. Probably because they don't want to miss an opportunity that may not come again.
We have prepared fully, and the other team has also come fully prepared. I expect it will be a great finals, and now I am excited.
Looking back on Hanbit's past individual league and proleague finals, I expect there will be many fun and emotional matches to come.
GARIMTO's 2001 SKY Starleague finals, the first reverse sweep in an OSL finals by GGPlay, 2004 SKY Proleague's comeback win, the first reverse sweep in a GSL by Soulkey in 2013, e.t.c... There aren't many matches that were won easily. I hope you will enjoy the touching moments live at the venue.
Currently, the circumstances of the two teams in the finals aren't great.
As you all know, something both teams have in common is that they have both gone into receivership. Other points of interest could also be that they have the longest serving coaches, and that it's been 10 years since they've been to a finals.
We are at an important crossroads with these finals.
Rather than just being about the two teams in the finals, it could also decide how much weight is given to Starcraft 2 in progaming teams, and representatives are sure to watch how much of an audience the game can pull.
During the last year, I felt that the crowds have shrunk significantly. Of course, I also felt envious of the much larger crowds for LOL.
With these finals as a starting point, I expect that a large wind of change will come for Starcraft 2, and that we will also have to prepare a lot.
Now I will end this post with an introduction of Woongjin's key players.
free, who used to be mocked as the tail of the Six Dragons, has come to life. I'm sure there are many who miss the old gamers. free is still alive and kicking. Soulkey, who showed potential in BW, has become the ace. You'll have to come to see whether he'll be able to become the final ace in SC2 too.
ZerO, who cried after suffering a comeback loss to Jangbi in the final BW semi finals, Light, who is Woongjin's brain and veteran of comebacks.
Flying, who felt lost after his team disbanded has also pulled himself together. Our second ace, sOs, who captured my interest with just one match and has proven that my judgement was not wrong.
Bravo, who has the highest win rate this season, and Organ who has shown potential after returning from the air force...
I hope that August 3rd will be the day we recapture the glory of our past victories... and politely request that the many PGR members come to the venue.
p.s: Since I had no pictures, I just uploaded the picture I use on my desktop. Since I use it so repeatedly there's nothing else. I'm very thankful to the person who made this picture. It's a picture I've looked at for 10 years whenever things get tough.
Many former Hanbit and Woongjin players are planning to come to cheer us on. You'll be able to see many familiar faces.
My heart is fluttering like a bachelor getting married in two days. Whether we win or lose, we'll prepare hard to make it the best finals ever. (Even though our goal is to win..^^)
I hope everyone has a great night!! Oh yeah!! The venue is Jamsil Student's Gymnasium!!! http://place.map.daum.net/17574911 <--- Click here if you don't know where that is! It's at 5PM.
That's so nice. If I could, I would definitely go there and support them. Hopefully, many fans will come and show there is still great interest in SC2 in Korea. Looking forward!
I'd hate to pick a winner between the two because I like both teams. I have supported STX and Woongjin players for a really long time when its come to Fantasy teams and all that jazz. Good luck. Really great final for me and to top it off spoilers regarding SRT15 in brood war follow + Show Spoiler +
SEA AND PUSAN ARE IN THE ROUND OF 4.
We're coming for you; we're coming for you. Hide all your children because we're coming for you!
On August 01 2013 23:04 Plexa wrote: Equally, this is STX's first final since 2004. Will be an historic night regardless of which team wins.
Let's hope it's an epic fight. The line-ups look great on paper; let's just hope it can live up to the match-ups. You guys remember when we got so excited for really big matches in bw when it was like Flash versus Fantasy or some shit and then it would be anti-climatic? Here's hoping to that doesn't happen.
Interesting message, I didn't realized that it's already 10 years that Stars and Soul didn't reach the final. I didn't know PianO came back to WJ, it's a good new .
I have so much respect for Lee Jae-kyun and Kim Min-ki (STX Head Coach). Along with January of Samsung KHAN, these three are the only head coaches that have remained with their original teams since the inception of Proleague.
Lovely to see Lee Jae-kyun post on PGR21 as well, one of the most revered Korean Starcraft sites with such a rich history.
On August 01 2013 23:04 Plexa wrote: Equally, this is STX's first final since 2004. Will be an historic night regardless of which team wins.
You guys remember when we got so excited for really big matches in bw when it was like Flash versus Fantasy or some shit and then it would be anti-climatic?
Hoping these finals draw enough attention and or there is more hype than what I have been seeing on Reddit and TL. Really hype to see how these matches turn out
On August 01 2013 23:04 Plexa wrote: Equally, this is STX's first final since 2004. Will be an historic night regardless of which team wins.
You guys remember when we got so excited for really big matches in bw when it was like Flash versus Fantasy or some shit and then it would be anti-climatic?
That was only one of their good matches man. You remember all the anti-climatic times players met and we just went wth afterwards? My thoughts exactly. To the point, I'm talking about PL in general. It goes beyond Finals and the good matches they have had together. There have been a lot of moments where we went OMG it's so-and-so versus so-and-so. Followed by a stomp.
love both these teams, glad to see them make it so far. Woongjin Stars Hwaiting! Confirmed though, that Coach Ryu Won, is fucking tier 1 coach. Look at what he did for SlayerS, and now Woongjin. Bad ass.
Woong Jin has the sexiest Zerg and the sexiest Protoss (there's room in my protoss heart for Rain and Parting too of course). I don't know the Terran players as well, regrettably. Brb going to watch some recent Light and Bravo matches. Thanks Coach Kyun, GL Woong Jin!
On August 01 2013 22:44 Clefairy wrote: We are at an important crossroads with these finals.
Rather than just being about the two teams in the finals, it could also decide how much weight is given to Starcraft 2 in progaming teams, and representatives are sure to watch how much of an audience the game can pull.
During the last year, I felt that the crowds have shrunk significantly. Of course, I also felt envious of the much larger crowds for LOL.
With these finals as a starting point, I expect that a large wind of change will come for Starcraft 2, and that we will also have to prepare a lot.
I hope we get a full stadium to show SC2's on its way up, and not down. I know the BW-SC2 transition was messy and WoL got stale, but I feel that ever since HotS came out and OGN started broadcasting SPL and WCS KR that things picked back up.
On August 01 2013 22:44 Clefairy wrote: We are at an important crossroads with these finals.
Rather than just being about the two teams in the finals, it could also decide how much weight is given to Starcraft 2 in progaming teams, and representatives are sure to watch how much of an audience the game can pull.
During the last year, I felt that the crowds have shrunk significantly. Of course, I also felt envious of the much larger crowds for LOL.
With these finals as a starting point, I expect that a large wind of change will come for Starcraft 2, and that we will also have to prepare a lot.
I hope we get a full stadium to show SC2's on its way up, and not down. I know the BW-SC2 transition was messy and WoL got stale, but I feel that ever since HotS came out and OGN started broadcasting SPL and WCS KR that things picked back up.
Yeah same here, let's show lol that we are very far away from being dead, I really wish I could just fly to korea and be there in person just to make sure it's full.
Before reading this I wasn't sure who to cheer for, maybe stx because I kinda like bogus, but now I will cheer for wongjin stars to take this down.
I hate that the coach feels that this finals can decide the future of sc2. to be honest though the late adoption of sc2 by Kespa didn't help the Korean scene one bit.
On August 02 2013 07:22 Jindo wrote: Pretty sad to see a coach expressing his disappointment of SC2 attendance level.
Considering all the Negative Nancies on these boards? I found it amusing that he of all people would comment on it. The OGN studio at the mall is fine location; the other location not so much.
On August 01 2013 23:04 Plexa wrote: Equally, this is STX's first final since 2004. Will be an historic night regardless of which team wins.
You guys remember when we got so excited for really big matches in bw when it was like Flash versus Fantasy or some shit and then it would be anti-climatic?
I'd rather have coaches/players comment on the disappointing crowds than just be quiet and accept that SC2 is slowly becoming the Special Forces 2 to LoL's Brood War.
Sad to hear that crowds are getting smaller in Korea, but these Kespa teams need to realize that a big part of SC2 fanbase it's international and they need to act accordingly.
I think it's good that the coach is commentating a serious issue with SC2 in Korea. There are SO many things SC2 has failed that BW had and even LoL has. I could type out an essay of all the things that Blizzard failed to do with SC2. There is one more expansion, that in my opinion is the last chance SC has in Korea.
Goes to show how much history there is behind all these teams. When they say "we haven't been in the finals for 10 years", it sounds like someone's talking about football or something.
I have to admit that I'm not super thrilled about the finals, but it was well deserved by both teams and probably a good thing for SPL.
On August 02 2013 07:41 Fionn wrote: I'd rather have coaches/players comment on the disappointing crowds than just be quiet and accept that SC2 is slowly becoming the Special Forces 2 to LoL's Brood War.
That's pretty much been the case since SC2 came out though, right?
On the cheery side, whenever I watched OSL this season the attendance looked pretty solid (PL, on the other hand, still seemed to be struggling during, and well after, HotS release) So I'm going to be the glass half-full type and assume things are approving ever so slightly, because the thought of a completely dead Korean SC2 scene would make me sad!
"ZerO, who cried after suffering a comeback loss to Jangbi in the final BW semi finals,"
I remember that game. It felt like I was watching the campaign mode or something with Jangbi winning with one last desperate push. Was so epic.... I miss bw =[
Definitely wish I could be there, but all I can do to show support is to watch the stream live. Could be an amazing finals, hopefully Soulkey gets revenge on Innovation!
On August 02 2013 09:36 Talin wrote: Goes to show how much history there is behind all these teams. When they say "we haven't been in the finals for 10 years", it sounds like someone's talking about football or something.
I have to admit that I'm not super thrilled about the finals, but it was well deserved by both teams and probably a good thing for SPL.
Doesn't help when they lose talent to bigger teams man. Your not thrilled because you are a SKT Fan lmao.
On August 02 2013 12:46 LuckyMacro wrote: If only Calm and Kal were still both active and winning :[...and Hwasin.
Screw the Red Sniper.
On August 02 2013 09:15 xsnac wrote: if only they would make sc2 f2p . everyone would play it in pc bangs . IF ONLY
hype this shit up, it's very rare to have a proleague finals without SKT or KT (no, I do not acknowledge the frankenstein season) and there are great players on both teams. Every proleague final has the chance to host some epic games. Tears will be shed. This is THE tournament for Kespa teams. glhf!
I'd be very interested to find out which players from other teams are practising with players from Woongjin Stars and STX Soul. Does anyone have any inside information?
On August 02 2013 18:14 Fuchsteufelswild wrote: I'd be very interested to find out which players from other teams are practising with players from Woongjin Stars and STX Soul. Does anyone have any inside information?
I'd say It's very unlikely they practice outside of their own teams for the PL finals, you take no risks in exposing your strategies. you never know who your friend in another team is telling stuff to.
This is such a good point. You'd always expect to see KT, SKT, Samsung or Oz (think 2007) in the finals, it'd be quite abnormal if it wasn't some combination of the above. I used to always get annoyed if my favorite team (you know) didn't make it, and not really care when the lesser teams managed. But after reading this I realize, those 4 up there can take a break. The last time Woongjin or STX made it to the finals was ... 2004? What? Same sort of distance probably goes for eStro WeMade or ACE (I should really look these up).
Its always great to hear the coaches' perspectives. Players, in interviews, are focused on their practice achievement and support of the overall team, but coaches not only have the same passion and strength of heart as each player, they're also responsible for leading the whole thing. Not just as a player captain for a year or two, but for year after year.
So for now on, I won't reproach the Proleague round if the favorites don't make it to the finals, I'll commend it, because they deserve it, and they want it much more.
On August 02 2013 09:36 Talin wrote: Goes to show how much history there is behind all these teams. When they say "we haven't been in the finals for 10 years", it sounds like someone's talking about football or something.
I have to admit that I'm not super thrilled about the finals, but it was well deserved by both teams and probably a good thing for SPL.
Doesn't help when they lose talent to bigger teams man. Your not thrilled because you are a SKT Fan lmao.
Can't recall the last starter who left STX or Woongjin to sign for a bigger team. I suppose not counting mvp who switched to a different game before the rest of his team did. If anything they both got boosted by eSTRO players. Most of their problems seem to originate from within the actual companies anyway.
On the off chance you were referring to MBC case, it's been 6 years since those transfers, get over it.
I share the feeling that audiences are shrinking, it's pretty obvious here at Asus ROG (the amount of people is like 5k but SC2 isn't just drawing that much audience). At the same time you see LoL everywhere, I even had the chance to observe Taeja and other Korean pros play LoL 30 minutes before their group started.
On August 02 2013 18:14 Fuchsteufelswild wrote: I'd be very interested to find out which players from other teams are practising with players from Woongjin Stars and STX Soul. Does anyone have any inside information?
I'd say It's very unlikely they practice outside of their own teams for the PL finals, you take no risks in exposing your strategies. you never know who your friend in another team is telling stuff to.
i read some BW interviews about teams practicing with other teams though for PL finals? or do i remember incorrectly?
On August 02 2013 18:14 Fuchsteufelswild wrote: I'd be very interested to find out which players from other teams are practising with players from Woongjin Stars and STX Soul. Does anyone have any inside information?
I'd say It's very unlikely they practice outside of their own teams for the PL finals, you take no risks in exposing your strategies. you never know who your friend in another team is telling stuff to.
i read some BW interviews about teams practicing with other teams though for PL finals? or do i remember incorrectly?
SKT practiced with Team 8 the last BW proleague finals if I remember correctly
Ah yeah, now that you reminded me you're right. skt practiced with t8 for the 11-12 pl finals. It probably depends on if the coach of stx or wjs is really close with the coach of another team.
On August 02 2013 18:14 Fuchsteufelswild wrote: I'd be very interested to find out which players from other teams are practising with players from Woongjin Stars and STX Soul. Does anyone have any inside information?
I'd say It's very unlikely they practice outside of their own teams for the PL finals, you take no risks in exposing your strategies. you never know who your friend in another team is telling stuff to.
i read some BW interviews about teams practicing with other teams though for PL finals? or do i remember incorrectly?
SKT practiced with Team 8 the last BW proleague finals if I remember correctly
As someone who has been an STX fan AND a woongjin fan since the times of old when sparkyz, hwaseung, mbc, wemade etc still existed the only regrets I have for these finals are that this didn't happen before hybrid proleague and that one of these teams must lose. Finally a (S)KTless finals. I hope that regardless of what happens in these finals, both teams can stay afloat and support their players.
EPT![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/rz0I1yv.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://emoticonforum.altervista.org/_altervista_ht/faccine/setfaccine/set6/31.gif)
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Hype builder, ffffft.
