Liquid`TaeJa earned a spot at the WCS Season II finals with a top four finish in WCS America. He arrived in Europe ahead of most Korean players, going to Germany for the Acer TeamStory Cup finals and staying there until the start of the WCS tournament. TeamLiquid.net's Waxangel bothered TaeJa on Skype for an interview and tried vainly to coax amusing comments out of him.
Waxangel: Can we do a short interview before WCS?
TaeJa: Sure, lol.
At WCS AM you said your TvT was a problem because you haven't been able to practice. Is that still a problem going into WCS?
Yes, I played some TvT while I was streaming lately, and I can't even break 50% win-rate...
Is it hard to find people to practice with since you're in Europe now (TaeJa stayed after the ATC finals)? How are you prepping for WCS?
I haven't been able to rest for almost a month because I've been going to tournaments, so I'm just focusing on regulating my condition.
You're up against WCS Season 1 champ INnoVation first. You worried about him, given your current state in TvT?
We're both doing poorly at TvT lately, so I'm not that worried.
Someone photoshop this. Photo: itsjustatank
There's also two Protoss players in your group: NaNiwa and Duckdeok. What do you think about them?
I heard that NaNiwa was a good player and that he practiced a lot from the other players at the EG-TL house, so I think he will be a difficult opponent. Duckdeok is a champion, so he must be good as well. I also remember losing to Duckdeok back in GSL Season 5 (2012), so they'll both be difficult opponents.
International fans still remember 'Summer of TaeJa' 2012. How do you feel about your skill level compared to then?
I had a level of skill back then where I felt like I wouldn't lose to anyone I faced, but nowadays, maybe because of lack of practice, I don't think I'm that good.
Is it just because of lack of practice? Anything else that was helping you play that well in 2012?
I think it's just the difference in the amount of practice I put in. I tend to gain confidence through practice.
So it's possible that you could recover your old level of skill?
Yes.
At your current level then, do you think you have a shot at winning WCS Season II?
I'd have to have luck on my side given my current level.
Did you ever think, playing WCS America, that maybe it would have been good to stay in the Korean region?
Nope.
A lot of fans on the various community sites consider Korea to be the most prestigious region—do you ever feel like you just want to prove your skill or just go for pure prestige?
Things like prestige are important, but I think it's better to make a lot of money to prepare for my future life.
You first attended a foreign tournament at Assembly Winter early last year, and it seems like you've become a veteran of the scene by travelling to so many tournaments after. What's changed about you from that experience?
I don't think anything has changed, lol.
See, this is why you're a top 5 worst interviewee.
;; Who's #1?
Personally I think it's YoDa. Must be a Terran racial trait.
Keke;;
Hmm, any final comments?
I'll work hard to get a good result at the Season finals, so I hope a lot of people cheer for me.
Lol. i feel like i gained nothing new from that interview, given how short taeja's answers were. i wonder if he would give a better interview while drunk..
I was going to point out that Innovation gives absolutely terrible interviews and deserves to be #1. Then I realized that I don't even remember Yoda's interviews - they're so bad that they are either completely forgettable, or horrible to the point where I blot them out of my memory. Either way, Yoda probably deserves that #1 worst interviewee spot.
I just hope my neighbors didn't hear me laughing :D reminds me of the afterparty at DH , Taeja just standing there with his Coke, not wanting any alcohol because he said : "alcohol no good for me :D"
On August 22 2013 01:09 Paragleiber wrote: To be honest I think most of the answers are alright. The questions were kinda serious too, so what else did you expect?
A little more than a one word answer? A little enthusiasm? I don't understand why anyone would agree to do an interview then proceed to put so little effort in (unless they're trolling). Still better than Innovation though.
Waxangel wrote: Can we do a short interview before WCS?
Including the 'can we do a short interview' question for an additional short answer is kinda weak by the way ^_^ In TaeJa's defense, most of his short answers were in response to a closed and/or silly question.
A lot of fans on the various community sites consider Korea to be the most prestigious region—do you ever feel like you just want to prove your skill or just go for pure prestige?
Things like prestige are important, but I think it's better to make a lot of money to prepare for my future life.