Q: First time making it into the round of 4.
A: My dream is to claim a championship domestically, now I am one step closer. It was difficult to win when I practiced. I didn't have high hopes, so I am very happy to advance.
Q: How did you prepare for today's match?
A: Ragnarok, Byul, and Hyun who's living at our dorm helped me. I lost a lot during practice, which gave me a lot of pressure, but I was able to do well during the broadcast.
Q: You couldn't defend against rogue's lings and lost. Were you aware of the situation at the time?
A: I could have defended, but I wasn't very composed. I was very mad, and it affected the second game. My composure is usually pretty good, so it looks like I still need to improve.
Q: You didn't have enough Colossi in the 5th game, did you feel you were in trouble?
A: I didn't think I was in danger. I am confident on winning if I use forcefields well when going for colossus tech. [T/N: Chinese slang for Sentry is apparently flatbread, who knew]
Q: You will be facing Life in the RO 4.
A: I feel that my early game is rather unstable, but Life's early game is very strong, so I must improve on this. I've felt the same way during SSL, but because I'm so strong, I just need to be careful in the early game.
Q: IEM Final is soon.
A: I've wiped my memory of IEM8, so I will be entering with a clean slate. I am confident in winning.
Q: Anything else to say?
A: I am grateful to those who have practiced with me and I am grateful to the live-event audience. I actually have a good relationship with rogue; I am sorry that we had to meet in the RO8. Rogue used to always treat me meals, now I will have to treat him (laugh).
MMA:
Q: You've finally made it to GSL RO4 after 3 years and 5 months.
A: I didn't think it would be this long. I haven't stopped being active, but just instead went to Europe, so it took this long. Now that I've advanced, I will try harder from now on.
Q: Today's match wasn't easy.
A: I just used my usual style. My opponent doesn't seem to be in form today. I felt that in the first game. When the tank push came, if he was more patient, I would have lost. I was lucky, and my opponent messed up as well. I performed well after winning the first game. Even before the match, I see the first game as the most important.
Q: You used auto-turret to kill 10+ workers in the second game.
A: I didn't think it'd kill that many. I thought my raven was going to die, but found it still alive with energy, so I kept on using auto-turret. The momentum of winning the first game carried over to the second game. The confidence has brought me victory.
Q: Regardless of who the player is, do you hope to face a Zerg or a Protoss in the semis?
A: I myself don't even know if I am better at TvZ or TvP. Personally, I just need to prepare well to be strong, so it doesn't matter what the opposing race is.
Q: If you claim the championship, you would be a player who has dominated both Korea and Europe. You will also be a champion who is older. Which title do you think is more meaningful?
A: I don't think claiming championships in both Europe and Korea means being the best player. Only winning the WCS Finals at the end of the year matters.
Q: You mentioned AX_Heart in the televised interview.
A: There is a GSL offline tournament, so Axiom's assistance coach Crank went to the event. Heart came with him. Heart has been practicing with me, and it was very helpful. I am thankful.
Q: Last things to say?
A: It must have been hard for TY - let's meet at a higher round next time. Thank you to Bomber and Ryung for the practice sessions. Thank you to Hack and Alive for the warm up session during the match. And lastly, thank you to Heart. I will treat everyone to dinner if you contact me (laugh).
Life:
Q: Your thoughts on advancing to GSL RO4.
A: I came to this match while having a mental breakdown, but I've warmed up and was able to show the results of my practice.
Q: What did you think about after yesterday's loss [in the SSL]?
A: I thought I could have made a comeback, but I took it too lightly.
Q: You lost in game 3 and 4, and faced elimination.
A: Seemed like he was making a comeback; it was rather unnerving. Although hellions roasted well in the 5th game, my Muta counter-attack was effective. My opponent didn't have anti-air, so I was victorious.
Q: Back to the round of four after 3 seasons.
A: My goal was the claim championship in both major leagues. It is regrettable that I failed. Only winning the GSL will make me feel better.
Q: You have to play INnoVation again in the IEM.
A: I think INnoVation is very strong. I cannot take it lightly. I must show great games.
Q: Last things to say?
A: I was feeling horrible, but advancing today made me happy. I will repay the trust that my coaches have placed in me. Even though I didn't practice today, I still want to thank Flash, TY, SpeeD and Hack for helping me to prepare for the SSL. I am also thankful to the agency. I personally think Flash-hyung is the strongest Terran (laugh).
Parting:
Q: Back to the Round of 4 after 3 years.
A: It's been longer than expected. It's already been three years, and I thought I would have claimed the title within three years back then. I've already been crowned in international events, now all that's left is the GSL. I've always been eliminated, and lost quite a bit of confidence. However, I do believe I can do it as long as I persistently practice. I will see the light after three years of trials.
Q: Today match wasn't easy.
A: It was very painful after losing the first game, because he was able to make a comeback during the game. I grouped my real High Templars with the hallucinations, so I wasn't able to storm. I didn't realize this mistake until much later in the game, and that put me into a bad mental state. But since I am an experienced player, I was able to win the second game after settling myself down. Not able to win the first two games is still regrettable though.
Q: You prepared to face a speedy 3rd expo today.
A: This is an effective strategy in PvZ; I chose it after confirming the fast third. After all, engagement is the most important. Zerg can be aggressive if they are able to gain an advantage with Muta, so I had to be very good on my reflexes with High Templars. My control was very good today.
Q: You chose to all-in in game 5.
A: The opponent seemed like he's going for fast Hydra, so I prepared a Colossus all-in accordingly. The late-night practice yesterday lowered my concentration. From my perspective, losing after such a good streak would be very disheartening, so I forced myself to focus, and eventually claimed victory. It would have been more punishing if I warped in another round during the mid-game, but I felt enough damage has been dealt. I already foresaw my victory, and after seeing his clump of hydras, I had 100% confidence to win.
Q: You've always been able to make comebacks.
A: It's not on purpose. Nobody wants to lose on purpose. It is a strange curse. Even the commentators tell me I should start in the loser's group. There is no loser's group today, so I had to really concentrate. But I still hope this curse disappear soon.
Q: Your semifinal opponent is MMA, he carries a tremendous momentum with him.
A: I respect all champions. Even though some of them have questionable competitiveness, I still think any player able to win a major tournament is amazing. I believe in the saying "A champion's temperament(class) is eternal". I am very happy that he did well in the round of 16. [T/N: There is a line here saying "He(MMA) is a malicious/poisonous player". Translations aren't helping me even from the original korean. 독기도 있는 선수다]
Q: One more hurdle until the GSL finals you've been dreaming about.
A: I really really want to be on that stage. Once I've been to a GSL final, I would have no regrets even if I retire. I would be telling my children of this regret if I am never able to make it. MVP-hyung has been telling me that if I keep on being full of myself, I would never make it past the round of 4. I realized the downfall of complacency then. After three year's time, I've come to realize the importance of every single game. I have learned a lot. I will overcome the hurdle of RO4 this time, and claim the Title.
Q: Last things to say?
A: Many players has helped me practice. Thank you Symbol-hyung, True-hyung, Sleep-hyung, Stats-hyung, Hyun-hyung, San-hyung, Sacri-hyung, mYi_Kane,Fnatic_Hasterm,Departure,Leenock. Also thank you AX_Crank assistance coach for sparring. Really thankful to him. Also Rain-hyung came to my booth during the match and gave me some advice during warm up. Lastly, Hydra and Cats helps me alot. Thank you to all the players.
Interview translation translation as usual. Please excuse grammar and typos. I did proofread only once.
Re-rendition of Sources:
herO, MMA, Life, PartinG
Original Korean Sources[T/N: Chinese site has the wrong link to Flash in every single article!!!]
PartinG
+ Show Spoiler +
Chinese flatbread: