[Interviews] 2014 GSL Season 1 Code A Qualifiers - Page 9

* ByuN was listed in the bracket but forfeited his first match. There must be something wrong with him, either he has unofficially retired or is otherwise unable or unwilling to play. A few other notable players that I noticed did the same were JYP and Noblesse.

* Jila (Kal) played all Zerg--he beat a player named adios but then lost to CoCa and rare.

* SSanaEE played in the qualifer (though he lost his first match against Journey) so I guess he has left WCS AM too.

* NAKSEO (f/k/a Monster) won his first match against HoeJJa but then lost to Pet and TurN.

* hyvaa beat a Terran player named Miso, then lost to Squirtle, then beat Bunny then lost to Symbol

* KangHo beat a Zerg named Blast,then lost to ParalyzE, then beat Shine(KHAN), then lost to sKyHigh

* TY beat a Protoss named Hexia, then lost to YongHwa, then beat Sorry, then lost to YongHwa again

* Choya was knocked out in his first match by Remember.

* RagnaroK lost to CJ herO, then beat Lucky, then lost to Solar. I'm sad for him, he looked very strong in GSTL and drew such a tough bracket.

* Lucky played only ZvZ, beating someone named Marine and then losing to Solar and RagnaroK.

* Axiom's Impact beat a Zerg named LeeWonJu, then lost to Creator and Zest.

* Creator beat Legend (THE Legend? He is listed as Terran) and Impact, but lost to Cure and Zest.

* hitmaN beat SalvatioN, lost to Trust, beat a Protoss named Junbo then lost to MVP Shine.

* Pigbaby was knocked out in his first match by DeParture

* The American player State beat a Protoss named Booster but then lost to DRG and Harrier (though he took a game off DRG)

* TerrOr lost in his first match against Harrier. Guy just isn't having any luck.

* Sniper lost in his first match against BrAvO.

* MadBull lost in his first match against Center (nooooooooo.....)

* Center beat MadBull and SonGDuri only to lose to Dark and Ruin.

* BboongBboong beat PenguiN, then lost to Myungsik and TRUE

probably was the legend. He played terran in the 6 episode webseries thing and posted something recently on twitter that suggested he was going to be a player. Harrier and Center are still around? wouldn't have thunk it, why do all the terrans I like retire while the ones I don't stay around for forever. Harrier was on zenex for a while I think but didnt really accomplish much if I remember, think this was like late 2011 early 2012 maybe. Kangho is weirdly inconsistent it seems, maybe being teamless is making a problem or maybe thats just his skill level now.

Curious

Source

How does it feel to play in the qualifiers for the first time in a while? You even made it through.

Not having played in the qualifiers for a while did throw me off. During that time, I rested a lot because of the lack of matches, but it's good that I don't have to anymore. If I'd fallen out this time, I'd have had to take another three-month break. To be honest, I really don't want to play around anymore.

What are your thoughts on StarTale's downsizing announcement today? You must not be feeling good about this.

Things are just as they were written in the article. It's a shame that the situation is like this, but this means that I'll just have to work harder.

You must be unsatisfied with your 2013 WCS performance.

Personally, I still feel a lot of regret about last year. I really felt confident during the last WoL season, but I made a semifinal finish and couldn't win the tournament. It didn't feel like a big blow at the time, but thinking about it now, I think it shook me greatly. HotS came out in the midst of all this, and I wasn't able to adapt well.

It seems that your lack of a match schedule would have hurt your game sense.

I was very aware of this, so this qualifier was very important to me. From my point of view, it feels like the number of tournaments has shrunk a lot. This situation doesn't look very good from the players' perspectives. However, I feel that I still have to work hard and rise up the tournaments that we have. If I fell out this time, too, wouldn't this seriously make me unemployed? (laugh) I was able to take a vacation, but as soon it ended, I practiced hard without resting a single day to prepare for today's qualifiers.

Proleague has been active recently. It seems that you could be having complicated feelings about this.

If there are a lot of matches, the motivation that it gives you is good for practicing. I do envy the players that are actively participating in Proleague because of that.

What are your goals for this season?

I did fall down to the qualifiers, but I came right back up. If I dropped out of Code A right away, I would have to rest for two months, if not three. My first goal is to stay alive at any cost to reach Code S. After that, I want to achieve my goals step by step. My second objective is to get a seed, and my third is to take the tournament victory that I was not able to achieve during WoL.

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Pet

Source

How does it feel to break up the qualifiers and make it into the tournament?

I fell out last season after being beaten by Leenock, so I'm happy that I was able to beat him during the finals.

You'd only been able to play in non-broadcasted matches during that time, but it's nothing but broadcasted matches from here on. Are you confident that you will do well?

I want to build up a lot of experience by playing in broadcasted matches. Outside of qualifiers, I can't perform at 100% during individual or team leagues.

What do you think is the reason for that?

I especially feel pressured during team leagues because I feel like I have to be a help to my team.

What are your goals for this season?

I want to make it straight into Code S.

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Panic

Source

This is your first time making it through a qualifier in your career. How does it feel?

I always ended up dropping out during the RO4 or finals. I'm very happy that I was able to advance like this. Now that I'm up here, I want to climb up even higher.

When did you start playing Starcraft 2?

I started playing about 1 1/2 years ago. I was originally a BW pro gamer for SK Telecom, so my process of transitioning to SC2 was somewhat late. I wanted to become an SC2 pro, too, so I faced the challenge.

It must have been difficult to not have performed well for 1 1/2 years.

To tell the truth, I had a lot of thoughts about giving up gaming, but I had a feeling that I shouldn't quit. Now that I've advanced through the qualifiers, I feel like not giving up was a good idea.

Could you introduce yourself to the fans?

My race is Protoss, and I am 20 years old. I haven't been able to accomplish much yet on StarTale, but I will work to raise my name from up high.

You could feel very tense when playing on the broadcasted Code A stage.

I'm not very worried. I think I'll manage by doing things the same way as I am right now. I feel like my accumulated GSTL experience will be of help to me.

Do you have anything more that you would like to say?

I'm thankful to my parents, who have always believed in me and have cheered for me a lot.

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Hack

Source

What are your feelings on coming back to WCS Korea after three seasons?

I'd been planning to play in North America just like last year, but I decided to participate in WCS Korea again. I'm incredibly happy that I was able to break through the qualifiers on my first try.

You're playing in your home country again. How confident do you feel?

I made it up to the quarterfinals in North America, and I feel that this year's dual tournament format gives me an extra chance, so I'm confident.

At the qualifier finals, you beat CJ's Sora, who has been rising up lately. Didn't you feel pressured?

I did feel pressured because of his good performance recently, but I've always played often against strong opponents, so I had confidence.

Do you have any goals for this season?

My #1 goal is to reach the Code S quarterfinals in order to stay there for next season.

sKyHigh

Source

How does it feel to qualify for the tournament?

I came to the qualifiers without feeling pressured, and I'm happy that I was able to make it through. Even during the tournament, I will work hard.

Your individual league performance has been sluggish.

I think the greatest reason is that I wasn't working hard, so I've recently been putting in a lot of effort.

You aren't being sent out during Proleague. Do you feel any anxiety over this?

I'm not in any hurry. Feeling hurried isn't going to change the situation. If I quietly work hard, I think that the opportunity will come.

What do you personally feel is your skill level right now?

I'm at 60% of the skill level that I want to be at right now.

What are your goals for this season?

Of course, my goal is to advance to Code S.