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The SKT Zerg - soO at the Code S Finals

Forum Index > SC2 General
76 CommentsPost a Reply
1 2 3 4 Next All

The SKT Zerg - soO at the Code S Finals

Text byTL.net ESPORTS
October 18th, 2013 03:59 GMT
2013 GSL Season 2

(Z)SKT_soO fights for more than just himself at the Code S Finals.

by Waxangel

Not all legacies are glorious.

Some are like that of the New York Yankees, and others more like the Chicago Cubs'. It's the legacy of Russian chess players compared to that of Russian Dota players.

Imagine inheriting such a reputation for disappointment and failure. Through no fault of your own, except perhaps being unable to overachieve, you become completely overshadowed by it. Alone, you might have become known for something else, or at least mercifully ignored. As a part of the group, you are just continuing a long history of mediocrity.

That's what it was to be an SKT Zerg.

As one of the oldest and most storied teams in Korean esports history, SK Telecom T1 has enjoyed great success in both individual and team tournaments. Boxer, the icon of Korean StarCraft himself, was the founding member of the team. Players like iloveoov, Midas, and Fantasy ensured that SKT would remain a Terran powerhouse. As for Protoss, SKT's acquisition of Bisu from MBCgame allowed them to enjoy the later half of the revolutionists' magnificent prime, while Best and Rain provided them with homegrown strength.

In the case of the Zergs... Where do we even begin?

First there were (Z)Zerglee and (Z)MuMyung who played during the "2v2 is still a thing" era of Proleague, where they selflessly gave up the glory of 1v1's to play the 2v2 portions of matches (some would say they were being hidden). Their lack of results in individual tournaments should come as no surprise, with a significant portion of their time practicing for team games.

Then came (Z)GoRush, a championship winning player from team GO (Greatest Ones) whose stint with SKT could be described as "disappointingly just-alright." Not long after that came the signing of another proven champion Zerg in (Z)July who proved to be yet another flop for SKT. July even managed to give SKT a stinging parting gift when he left for STX Soul a couple of years later, making an unexpected run to the EVER OSL finals and defeating SKT's Best.

But wait! There's more!

[image loading]
HyuK and soO at MLG Dallas
-Photo: silverfire

With the removal of 2v2 from Proleague in 2008, the infamous (Z)Hyuk - (Z)s2 - (Z)soO - (Z)Thezerg era began. They proved to be adequate, but no more than that. It did not help them that in two consecutive Proleague finals against bitter rivals KT Rolster, the Zergs collectively failed to win even a single map as SKT took home double silvers.

As a result of a collision between this quartet's stark mediocrity and SKT's tragic Zerg history, the idea of the "T1 Zerg" was finally codified as one of the community's most popular jokes, eSports media's favorite storylines, and go-to scapegoat of the frustrated SKT fan.*

To be honest, it was all a bit unfair. Fans love a good story, and if there's some exaggeration in the telling, then so be it. Fantasy played nothing like Boxer when he began to distinguish himself, but as a product of SKT he received immense amounts of hype as the Emperor's heir. soO and his class of T1 Zergs also had their reputations embellished – just not in a positive direction.

*This is a very condensed version of the story.

*****

(Z)SKT_soO had it the worst. In Brood War, he was the SKT Zerg who came the closest to dispelling that legacy of disrepute after spending years as an understudy to HyuK and S2. He seemed to finally put all the pieces together in mid 2011, becoming that reliable – and some may dare to even say dominant – Zerg that SKT had always wanted in Proleague. He even attained some individual competition glory by reaching the semi-finals of the Jin Air OSL.

Just as soO was hitting his stride, KeSPA announced their official switch to StarCraft 2. With that one, fell swoop, Blizzard and KeSPA hit the rewind button on soO's career, sending him right back to being a middle-of-the-pack, Ro16 ceiling-ed, Proleague rotation player. Oh, and then he had to relearn the game again one year later when HotS came out.

But soO kept at it – what's another year of perseverance when you've already put in four? Even with his KeSPA compatriots beginning to retire around him and rumors circulating about soO's unhappiness with the game, he continued to put in the effort, improved his play, and patiently took on each new opportunity; Code B, Code A, Code S Ro16, top 12 MLG, Code S Ro16 again. Now, after almost a year and a half of StarCraft 2, soO has finally reached a place he has never been in his career: The grand finals.

With the switch to StarCraft 2, HyuK becoming a coach, S2 and TheZerg retiring, and soO looking to have become quite a good player (again), the SKT Zerg storyline has somewhat pattered out. Much of the buzz surrounding the Code S finals has been about unexpectedness of the card, Dear and soO's playful trash talk, and iloveoov appointment as acting SK Telecom head coach. But with the prospect of SK Telecom T1 having their first Zerg champion, the old narrative couldn't help but come out again. When Korean website Inven.co.kr asked him about the situation, soO replied:

"We were all a little bit lacking in skill. It's not that we were overshadowed by the Terrans and Protosses... ...I know [I could be the first Zerg champion for SKT]. I can't believe it myself. All the Zergs who went through T1 up to now have had it rough, I'll wash away their pain."

soO's story is still primarily a personal one. It's about never having a chance to shine for years but finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel. It's about an individual's struggle to attain a lifelong dream. But that's what everyone else is fighting for, too. Those stakes are the same for (P)Dear as well.

If there's one thing that could make this mean more to soO, makes him want it more than his equally championship starved opponent, it's that he's just doing this for all the SKT Zergs. For all those who came before him, he can wash away a dark legacy. For all those who come after him, soO can make sure they have the start he didn't, one unhindered with the weight of the past.


Also read: Dear: The Soul Survivor

Code S Finals Begin in:



Writers: Waxangel.
Photos: Silverfire, ThisIsGame.com
Editors: Sirjolt, Waxangel.
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TL+ Member
Shellshock
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States97276 Posts
October 18 2013 03:59 GMT
#2
soOjwa is going to win it. I knew he was the best player on SKT this whole time. I've been cheering him on the whole way! Fusilero and I knew this day would come! 4-0!
Moderatorhttp://i.imgur.com/U4xwqmD.png
TL+ Member
Waxangel
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
United States33313 Posts
October 18 2013 04:00 GMT
#3
I keep imagining soO, HyuK, and S2 holding up the trophy together after soO wins it;

it makes me teary eyed and almost want to cheer for an SKT player
AdministratorHey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?
BLinD-RawR
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
ALLEYCAT BLUES50107 Posts
October 18 2013 04:07 GMT
#4
On October 18 2013 13:00 Waxangel wrote:
I keep imagining soO, HyuK, and S2 holding up the trophy together after soO wins it;

it makes me teary eyed and almost want to cheer for an SKT player

ewww
Brood War EICWoo Jung Ho, never forget.| Twitter: @BLinDRawR
TL+ Member
-niL
Profile Joined January 2012
Canada1131 Posts
October 18 2013 04:31 GMT
#5
soOjwa! soOjwa! soOjwa!
bo1b
Profile Blog Joined August 2012
Australia12814 Posts
October 18 2013 04:33 GMT
#6
I hope so very much that dear can win this. Will one of these be written for dear by any chance?
Seeker *
Profile Blog Joined April 2005
Where dat snitch at?37013 Posts
October 18 2013 04:34 GMT
#7
On October 18 2013 13:07 BLinD-RawR wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 18 2013 13:00 Waxangel wrote:
I keep imagining soO, HyuK, and S2 holding up the trophy together after soO wins it;

it makes me teary eyed and almost want to cheer for an SKT player

ewww

ewww Ultimate KT Rolster Fanboy
ModeratorPeople ask me, "Seeker, what are you seeking?" My answer? "Sleep, damn it! Always sleep!"
TL+ Member
Supert0fu
Profile Blog Joined July 2011
United States499 Posts
October 18 2013 04:41 GMT
#8
I think soO can take it! It would be a great story for the finals
BisuDagger
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
Bisutopia19224 Posts
October 18 2013 04:46 GMT
#9
I'm actually psyched for this finals. Where's the rest of you SC2 fans? Come out of the wood works and get hyped up!
ModeratorFormer Afreeca Starleague Caster: http://afreeca.tv/ASL2ENG2
NovemberstOrm
Profile Blog Joined September 2011
Canada16217 Posts
October 18 2013 04:46 GMT
#10
On October 18 2013 12:59 Shellshock wrote:
soOjwa is going to win it. I knew he was the best player on SKT this whole time. I've been cheering him on the whole way! Fusilero and I knew this day would come! 4-0!

please no anything but a 4-0
Moderatorlickypiddy
Shellshock
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States97276 Posts
October 18 2013 04:48 GMT
#11
On October 18 2013 13:46 NovemberstOrm wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 18 2013 12:59 Shellshock wrote:
soOjwa is going to win it. I knew he was the best player on SKT this whole time. I've been cheering him on the whole way! Fusilero and I knew this day would come! 4-0!

please no anything but a 4-0

It would have been a 4-3 if he was facing a fan favorite to complete his Sniper transformation but since it's a relatively less popular player in Dear it'll just be a stomp. Sorry
Moderatorhttp://i.imgur.com/U4xwqmD.png
TL+ Member
BisuDagger
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
Bisutopia19224 Posts
October 18 2013 04:52 GMT
#12
On October 18 2013 13:48 Shellshock wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 18 2013 13:46 NovemberstOrm wrote:
On October 18 2013 12:59 Shellshock wrote:
soOjwa is going to win it. I knew he was the best player on SKT this whole time. I've been cheering him on the whole way! Fusilero and I knew this day would come! 4-0!

please no anything but a 4-0

It would have been a 4-3 if he was facing a fan favorite to complete his Sniper transformation but since it's a relatively less popular player in Dear it'll just be a stomp. Sorry

How is Dear not popular? Did everyone miss the STX road to the finals? Dear is a very talented protoss.
ModeratorFormer Afreeca Starleague Caster: http://afreeca.tv/ASL2ENG2
Shellshock
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States97276 Posts
October 18 2013 04:54 GMT
#13
On October 18 2013 13:52 BisuDagger wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 18 2013 13:48 Shellshock wrote:
On October 18 2013 13:46 NovemberstOrm wrote:
On October 18 2013 12:59 Shellshock wrote:
soOjwa is going to win it. I knew he was the best player on SKT this whole time. I've been cheering him on the whole way! Fusilero and I knew this day would come! 4-0!

please no anything but a 4-0

It would have been a 4-3 if he was facing a fan favorite to complete his Sniper transformation but since it's a relatively less popular player in Dear it'll just be a stomp. Sorry

How is Dear not popular? Did everyone miss the STX road to the finals? Dear is a very talented protoss.

Yeah it surprises me, too, because I think he's a very good player. I just remember how ridiculously underrated he was when he went to MLG, as well. Idk though. His popularity just didn't seem to take off like it should have.
Moderatorhttp://i.imgur.com/U4xwqmD.png
TL+ Member
BisuDagger
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
Bisutopia19224 Posts
October 18 2013 04:57 GMT
#14
On October 18 2013 13:54 Shellshock wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 18 2013 13:52 BisuDagger wrote:
On October 18 2013 13:48 Shellshock wrote:
On October 18 2013 13:46 NovemberstOrm wrote:
On October 18 2013 12:59 Shellshock wrote:
soOjwa is going to win it. I knew he was the best player on SKT this whole time. I've been cheering him on the whole way! Fusilero and I knew this day would come! 4-0!

please no anything but a 4-0

It would have been a 4-3 if he was facing a fan favorite to complete his Sniper transformation but since it's a relatively less popular player in Dear it'll just be a stomp. Sorry

How is Dear not popular? Did everyone miss the STX road to the finals? Dear is a very talented protoss.

Yeah it surprises me, too, because I think he's a very good player. I just remember how ridiculously underrated he was when he went to MLG, as well. Idk though. His popularity just didn't seem to take off like it should have.

He just needs to trash talk some of the popular players.
ModeratorFormer Afreeca Starleague Caster: http://afreeca.tv/ASL2ENG2
playnice
Profile Joined October 2011
Malaysia299 Posts
October 18 2013 05:04 GMT
#15
On October 18 2013 13:57 BisuDagger wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 18 2013 13:54 Shellshock wrote:
On October 18 2013 13:52 BisuDagger wrote:
On October 18 2013 13:48 Shellshock wrote:
On October 18 2013 13:46 NovemberstOrm wrote:
On October 18 2013 12:59 Shellshock wrote:
soOjwa is going to win it. I knew he was the best player on SKT this whole time. I've been cheering him on the whole way! Fusilero and I knew this day would come! 4-0!

please no anything but a 4-0

It would have been a 4-3 if he was facing a fan favorite to complete his Sniper transformation but since it's a relatively less popular player in Dear it'll just be a stomp. Sorry

How is Dear not popular? Did everyone miss the STX road to the finals? Dear is a very talented protoss.

Yeah it surprises me, too, because I think he's a very good player. I just remember how ridiculously underrated he was when he went to MLG, as well. Idk though. His popularity just didn't seem to take off like it should have.

He just needs to trash talk some of the popular players.

Needs more manner Nexus
Random_0
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
United States1163 Posts
October 18 2013 05:08 GMT
#16
Soo is the perfect Zerg for these times, when the metagame has condensed so tightly, and every game seems to play out the same way. He's mechanically excellent, very good in the mid-to-late game, and rarely takes build order risks.

I can very well see him beating Dear 4 straight macro games using the most standard composition of units possible.

With that said, go Soo! Go SKT1!
Zealously
Profile Blog Joined October 2011
East Gorteau22261 Posts
October 18 2013 05:13 GMT
#17
On October 18 2013 13:46 BisuDagger wrote:
I'm actually psyched for this finals. Where's the rest of you SC2 fans? Come out of the wood works and get hyped up!

There's an SKT Zerg in it, we already know the result
AdministratorBreak the chains
Gen.Rolly
Profile Joined September 2011
United States200 Posts
October 18 2013 05:21 GMT
#18
I like both these players, but I gotta cheer for the remnant of STX Soul. Go DEAR.
Vector locked in.
Superiorwolf
Profile Blog Joined March 2007
United States5509 Posts
October 18 2013 05:37 GMT
#19
Great writeup, got a bit of chills reading it haha
Check out my stream at www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=315053 and follow me on Twitter @EGSuppy! :)
oneofthem
Profile Blog Joined November 2005
Cayman Islands24199 Posts
October 18 2013 05:38 GMT
#20
let's go soojwa
We have fed the heart on fantasies, the heart's grown brutal from the fare, more substance in our enmities than in our love
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