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Road to BlizzCon #10 - CJ.herO - WCS 2014

Forum Index > SC2 General
59 CommentsPost a Reply
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Internet trick of the day: F5 to refresh previously blank cards.

Road to BlizzCon #10 - CJ.herO - WCS 2014

Text byZealously
Graphics byMeru, shiroiusagi
October 27th, 2014 01:47 GMT

Photo Credit: ESLProtoss
Korean FlagCJ Entus

herO

김준호
Card Icon

The Sun

by Zealously

The Korean player is the Big Bad of the Starcraft scene. He is the threat that lurks across the world, playing on a ladder everyone knows fosters talent against opponents openly admitted to be the strongest. Stereotypically, the Korean player is an embodiment of discipline, practising harder and better than his non-Korean counterparts. In Starcraft, ”Korean” has become synonymous with ”skill”, his legacy of victory and success searing an almost instinctual respect into the minds of the fans. Almost by definition, a Korean tournament is a top-level tournament, and a Korean player is a player worthy of respect. Korean players are many and often seemingly unbeatable, epitomizing mastery of Starcraft. Often, distinguishing one player from another in such a cutthroat environment can be difficult.

Card


Winrate

68% vs. Terran57% vs. Protoss72% vs. Zerg

Earnings

$54,962 USD in 2014

3475 WCS Points

Rank #11KeSPA Cup - 800 PointsIEM World Championships - 800 PointsIEM Sao Paulo - 750 Points
Liquidpedia Link


"Also, personally, I think I have excellent strategizing skills for boX match formats. So my opponent better watch out (smiles)."It is no secret that the foreign community has, at times, had a hard time accepting the Korean dominance. There are barriers of culture that make understanding the Korean scene difficult, differences in language that makes communicating with their players nearly impossible. Korean players making the effort to speak English in public settings are lauded, celebrated for their willingness to speak a foreign language sometimes more so than for their achievements within the competition. Players that cannot – or for some reason do not – communicate directly with the foreign fans are commonly misunderstood as uninterested, or worse, faceless. Few Korean players achieve lasting recognition overseas without clowny antics, a cabinet full of gold or half a million dollars in prize money.

It is telling, then, that herO has come to be defined by his smile. Not his play, or his race, or his history in Starcraft. Naturally, these are all important parts of his identity, but they are not what has come to finally distinguish him. Kim Joon Ho's personality and demeanor has earned him the nickname ”Smiling Assassin”, encapsulating the essence of his character more than any one build or result ever will. Few Protoss players have been as successful as herO has in 2014, and even fewer repeat finalists have had to suffer the dishonor of losing three times in a row. Yet unlike his counterparts – players like soO, Jaedong and Marineking in their respective times – herO hasn't come to be defined or discredited for his losses. Perhaps it is because he had won once his losses came, but there is definitely something about herO that at least in part defies results. His embarrassing Global Finals performance in 2012 lies long forgotten, his KeSPA Cup silver a showing of strength rather than a demonstration of weakness like it would have been for many others. It is neither fair nor wholly logical, but herO has come to rarely be associated with defeat, despite suffering his fair share.

Playing any game at the highest level is bound to cause a certain amount of stress. This is a fact of life for any progamer or athlete, the stress and the pressure of having to put in absurd dedication and time to remain competitive always present. Some players handle this stress better than others, shrugging it off as part of the game, a step on the road to becoming the best and a necessary evil paid back a hundredfold once results begin to show. Others suffer more, fighting inconsistency, exhaustion and fading confidence, and having their performance take a beating as a consequence. Few can manage sequential defeats without suffering mentality problems as a result, and those who have to go through the trial of silvers often fail to ever walk the path of gold.

It is telling, then, that from his victories early this year and through his struggles with second places and agonizing defeats just inches from the finish line, herO has at no point seemed truly disheartened to the point of weakness. For some time he, like soO does now, seemed to suffer from psychological injury - stemming from the agony of his $100.000 loss at the hands of sOs and his 2gates - but even in his moment of weakness he remained an anchor for his team in CJ's rise from the bottom to the top of Proleague. He is the poster boy of CJ Entus, the most familial team in Korea, radiating a love for the game and the fans that most others fail to convey, a player with a rare kind of charisma that lets us forget even his most disappointing moments. When herO walks on stage, there is a joy about him that says more about how he feels for Starcraft than any words could. His celebrations feel honest, unlike the often forced ones of his peers. Rather than play to the crowd, he seeks to simply share his own joy, be it through a jovial tumbling on stage or a slightly embarrassed laugh cuter than anything you have ever seen.
"The group selections are going to go great no matter how they're done, so I want to make them as enjoyable as possible."
The fact that herO has become associated with the positive energy he seems to radiate rather than his achievements is deceptive. One might think that a player whose reputation is largely built on who he appears to be (in a scene that is, traditionally, very focused on results) rather than what he has done is a player who cannot stand on his own legs in a competitive setting. There are many examples of players making names for themselves through entertaining antics or streaming rather than through tournament placements, and while it true that herO might be similar to Dragon in his uncanny ability to charm the viewers, the nickname of ”Smiling Assassin” did not come about for nothing. This year alone, he has made it to the semifinals of four tournaments filled to the brim with talent, making it there through dependable strength in each match-up. herO embodies everything we have come to expect from Korean players - nearly flawless execution, a single-minded devotion to winning that is only matched by his peers, ingenuity in situations of disadvantage - and thus becomes a menacing player to be pitted against, but he is also very different from the stereotypical Korean bounty hunter.

In the booth, herO does not channel the fury of soO's second places or the Jaedong's relentless craving for victory, but what strikes me as a desire to win for the sake of victory and the sheer joy that victory gives him. The smile that rarely leaves him might indicate a satisfaction, a being happy with simply having come this far, but that would be an unfair representation. There is more to him than that, a singular dedication to his goals no weaker than that of Zest or Rain. He smiles as he plays Starcraft on a level very few can match, and keeps smiling as he piles one achievement upon another, but it is not the kind of smile that would be cocky on the lips of others. When faced with adversity, herO will clench his teeth but eventually, inevitably, emerge on the other side, unscathed. Perhaps adversity is what has taught herO never to surrender in the face of defeat, and to celebrate all the more when he wins. Perhaps victory is what has taught him to revel in those moments, to cherish the moments when he is the star of the show, the player no one else could beat. herO's distinctive smile is the symbol of his career, the constant in the story of a well-travelled and successful Protoss player who rose to power in the most chaotic era of Protoss, but also the sign that lets him share his passion for the competition with everyone who is watching.


herO The Executioner goes to Blizzcon


Follow herOTwitter



ClassicClassic
PoltPolt
lifeLife
ZestZest
MCMC
JaedongJaedong
BomberBomber
SanSan
TaejaTaeja
HyunHyun
StardustStardust
MMAMMA
herOherO
jjakjijjakji
INnoVationInnovation
soOsoO


Writer: ZealouslyGraphics: shiroiusagi, MeruPhoto Credit: inven eSports, Fomos, Silverfire, itsjustatank, Dreamhack, Blizzard, GHOSTCLAW, Helena Kristiansson, ESLEditor: Zealously
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AdministratorBreak the chains
banjoetheredskin
Profile Blog Joined November 2012
United States744 Posts
October 27 2014 01:51 GMT
#2
Zealously I love you but I love CJ herO more. Awesome article :D
Writer#1 CJ fan | http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/starcraft-2/508947-wcs-dreamhack-austin-interviews
lichter
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
1001 YEARS KESPAJAIL22272 Posts
October 27 2014 01:54 GMT
#3
according to aligulac, herO is the first "hero"

HeRoMaRinE is second

HerO is third
AdministratorYOU MUST HEED MY INSTRUCTIONS TAKE OFF YOUR THIIIINGS
ZigguratOfUr
Profile Blog Joined April 2012
Iraq16955 Posts
October 27 2014 01:57 GMT
#4
On October 27 2014 10:54 lichter wrote:
according to aligulac, herO is the first "hero"

HeRoMaRinE is second

HerO is third


That sounds about right.
tomastaz
Profile Joined January 2013
United States976 Posts
October 27 2014 02:02 GMT
#5
herO!
No church in the wild --- @tzhang0126
Darkdwarf
Profile Blog Joined December 2012
Sweden960 Posts
October 27 2014 02:05 GMT
#6
Awesome article, Zealously. Almost made me a fan of herO.
Teams: IM, Jin Air, Invictus || Players: Maru, GuMiho, INnoVation, Ryung, sOs, Squirtle, NaNiwa, Has, Zoun, Life, Rogue, Dark
vult
Profile Blog Joined February 2012
United States9400 Posts
October 27 2014 02:07 GMT
#7
I can see herO winning Blizzcon, but only if he doesn't choke.
I used to play random, but for you I play very specifically.
lichter
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
1001 YEARS KESPAJAIL22272 Posts
October 27 2014 02:08 GMT
#8
On October 27 2014 11:07 vult wrote:
I can see herO winning Blizzcon, but only if he doesn't face protoss in the finals.

AdministratorYOU MUST HEED MY INSTRUCTIONS TAKE OFF YOUR THIIIINGS
Ace Frehley
Profile Joined December 2012
2030 Posts
October 27 2014 02:11 GMT
#9
The brackets favours him heavily here
Could see him losing to soo or zest but I think these two are knocked out early this tournament
...
vult
Profile Blog Joined February 2012
United States9400 Posts
October 27 2014 02:14 GMT
#10
On October 27 2014 11:08 lichter wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 27 2014 11:07 vult wrote:
I can see herO winning Blizzcon, but only if he doesn't face protoss in the finals.



Fair point.
I used to play random, but for you I play very specifically.
pure.Wasted
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
Canada4701 Posts
October 27 2014 02:19 GMT
#11
On October 27 2014 11:11 Ace Frehley wrote:
The brackets favours him heavily here
Could see him losing to soo or zest but I think these two are knocked out early this tournament


I don't think that herO is heavily favored against Polt. I'm not even sure he's favored at all.
INna Maru-da-FanTa, Bbaby, TY Dream that I'm Flashing you
AWalker9
Profile Blog Joined August 2013
United Kingdom7229 Posts
Last Edited: 2014-10-27 02:28:25
October 27 2014 02:28 GMT
#12
On October 27 2014 11:19 pure.Wasted wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 27 2014 11:11 Ace Frehley wrote:
The brackets favours him heavily here
Could see him losing to soo or zest but I think these two are knocked out early this tournament


I don't think that herO is heavily favored against Polt. I'm not even sure he's favored at all.


herO has the best PvT in the world at the moment:

Ever since the start of September:
3-1 Sorry
3-1 Bomber
3-0 Flash
2-0 Natural
2-0 Salvation
2-0 DeMusliM
2-0 TY
3-0 Bbyong

All offline and against some very good terrans

If herO doesn't face a protoss in the final, I'm very confident he could take it all
soOjwa has returned to smite all that stand in his way
Xinzoe
Profile Joined January 2014
Korea (South)2373 Posts
October 27 2014 02:31 GMT
#13
If hero dodges zest then he wins blizzcon without dropping a single map ez
banjoetheredskin
Profile Blog Joined November 2012
United States744 Posts
October 27 2014 02:33 GMT
#14
On October 27 2014 11:28 AWalker9 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 27 2014 11:19 pure.Wasted wrote:
On October 27 2014 11:11 Ace Frehley wrote:
The brackets favours him heavily here
Could see him losing to soo or zest but I think these two are knocked out early this tournament


I don't think that herO is heavily favored against Polt. I'm not even sure he's favored at all.


herO has the best PvT in the world at the moment:

Ever since the start of September:
3-1 Sorry
3-1 Bomber
3-0 Flash
2-0 Natural
2-0 Salvation
2-0 DeMusliM
2-0 TY
3-0 Bbyong

All offline and against some very good terrans

If herO doesn't face a protoss in the final, I'm very confident he could take it all


Even though his PvT is definitely phenomenal, probably best in the world, I wouldn't look at form as much as the last time he played Polt. In IEM Katowice, during the height of the blink allin/fake blink allin era, Polt had a strong style that countered what most protosses were doing. herO was guilty of doing what most protosses were doing, but he was able to make it work because he adapted to Polt's style well enough and had the multitasking and macro to outmatch Polt. I can see Polt sticking to his usual aggressive style, pulling out maybe some weird builds like he did at Redbull with the hellions and bio stim timing against Trap? I think it was Trap. But I think herO is just so complete in his PvT game that he can beat Polt, because what makes herO really good at PvT now is that since there isn't one specific thing protosses do now in the meta (like blink back then), he has shown that he has an incredible arsenal of builds and versatility in styles to be extremely difficult to prepare for.
Writer#1 CJ fan | http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/starcraft-2/508947-wcs-dreamhack-austin-interviews
Fanatic-Templar
Profile Joined February 2010
Canada5819 Posts
Last Edited: 2014-10-27 02:39:31
October 27 2014 02:38 GMT
#15
For an article that is largely devoted to Hero smiling, I think it's hilarious that the photograph used for the revolving cards at the bottom of the article does not show him smiling.

EDIT: And right below grinning Jaedong too.
I bear this sig to commemorate the loss of the team icon that commemorated Oversky's 2008-2009 Proleague Round 1 performance.
Jett.Jack.Alvir
Profile Blog Joined August 2011
Canada2250 Posts
Last Edited: 2014-10-27 03:01:21
October 27 2014 02:48 GMT
#16
The link to his strategy thread goes to jjakji instead. *fixed*

God damn it, why do you have to write such a compelling article when I have to cheer for MC instead of herO. Makes me doubt my devotion to the Bosstoss. Oh well, if by chance herO happens to beat MC, I will have another great Protoss to cheer for.

herO is such a cutie though. He may not have Polt or Zest's chiselled good looks, but herO definitely has a babyface look that will make the panties drop.

For now, booooo herO sux, MC will beat him.

On October 27 2014 11:05 Darkdwarf wrote:
Awesome article, Zealously. Almost made me a fan of herO.

If herO wasn't going against MC I would be a fan.
banjoetheredskin
Profile Blog Joined November 2012
United States744 Posts
October 27 2014 03:01 GMT
#17
On October 27 2014 11:38 Fanatic-Templar wrote:
For an article that is largely devoted to Hero smiling, I think it's hilarious that the photograph used for the revolving cards at the bottom of the article does not show him smiling.

EDIT: And right below grinning Jaedong too.


better?

Photo cred: ESL's Youtube. Hyun vs herO, IEM Katowice Ro16 Game 4 on Polar Night. Awesome game if you haven't seen it
Writer#1 CJ fan | http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/starcraft-2/508947-wcs-dreamhack-austin-interviews
thantritue
Profile Joined February 2010
Vietnam70 Posts
October 27 2014 03:03 GMT
#18
On October 27 2014 10:54 lichter wrote:
according to aligulac, herO is the first "hero"

HeRoMaRinE is second

HerO is third


Don't forget FirebatHERO!
lichter
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
1001 YEARS KESPAJAIL22272 Posts
October 27 2014 03:05 GMT
#19
On October 27 2014 12:03 thantritue wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 27 2014 10:54 lichter wrote:
according to aligulac, herO is the first "hero"

HeRoMaRinE is second

HerO is third


Don't forget FirebatHERO!


i think by.hero is fourth and fbh is fifth
AdministratorYOU MUST HEED MY INSTRUCTIONS TAKE OFF YOUR THIIIINGS
Zenbrez
Profile Joined June 2012
Canada5973 Posts
October 27 2014 03:08 GMT
#20
I think they're going to release soO's preview second last.
Refer to my post.
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