EPTMMA, who`s been one of the best Terran with Mvp, announced his retirement for his duty.
2011, he made a tremendous debut with his multi-medivac drops and led his team to win GSTL two times. In the autumn of the year, he made his highest peak by winning GSL and Blizzard cup.
A BW player who`d been out of the picture realised his dream with SC2; After that, he became 'The prince of Terran', winning IEM and Iron Squad, etc.
Though he was being hurt while involved in the Slayers scandal, he moved forward; he won WCS Europe and DH.
last December, he announced his retirement due to his duty that cannot hold off anymore. However, he put another mark at the end of his career; he won HomeStroy Cup. From WoL to LotV, he won every expansion.
He says his 7-year career seems to be a Roller-coaster. Before his enlistment, we met him and get his story.
Q. How do you like your retirement?
A. I cannot say. It’s been always up and down. Sometimes I was happy, and some other times I was sad. However, I`m satisfied; I finished my career with winning HS cup. Maybe I`m the one who get most gossips. (laugh)
Q It`s a little bit shame, because it seems you can do good in LotV as well.
A. Firstly, Protoss is too strong. (laugh) I had a hard time practicing for HS cup; I`m getting older and my fingers and elbows hurt. I thought that I cannot hold anymore. Then, I got my draft – I would play games if I could postpone it or my health was Okay.
Q It is known that you hurt your knee. I wonder if you can put up with training.
A. I know how the training works, because I’d been trained 53 days for special forces. However, I`m not the man I used to be; I`m not sure if I can endure it. After my release, I got tier 3 at my re-examination. Inspector said it is hard to give tier 4; 5 years later, I got tier 1. I have no problem running or walking, but it`s a bit anxious whether I can hold the trainings.
Q How did you wounded?
A. My troops climbed a mountain in full kit; my knee hurts in day 3. It became worse, because I was holding out for finishing my training.
Q That made you play SC2.
A. When I was playing BW, I decided to quit progaming if I could not get results in a year. Then, I joined army because actually it was. After my release, I started playing SC2 on the recommendation of Heart. At first, I was quite satisfied for being advanced the finals for qualification; then Zenio said it was easy – It pissed me off, so I started doing my best. (laugh)
Q What`s you plan after your duty?
A. I would play SC2 again if I still got it. I want to work in esports scene otherwise. I want to return here, because I got so much things from here.
Q You had a slump in HotS, in comparison with WoL.
A. Dunno. Every player has its low-time… I was faltering then. However, I won in HotS too; I do not think I had a slump.
Q You got many nicks like ‘Prince of Terran, MMA(Military Manpower Administration) Terran and ‘Chronic reverse syndrome’
A. I liked ‘Prince’ but… I should not use it now (laugh). I`m sorry for that. Anyway, now I am MMA Terran indeed, because I`m about to join the army.
Q I`m the one who coined ‘Chronic reverse syndrome’ for you.
A. Is it? That made me play more hard when I was walked over.
Q I cannot help saying ‘Emperor’ when it comes to ‘prince’. There were lot of things happened.
A. I don`t know what to say. I read every replies. I got the fury of many fans; one thing is, it was other one who said “What have you done?” to Boxer; and ‘Moonvidia incident is not true.
Q Tell me which moment you cherish most.
A. 2011, when I won GSL Oct. against MVP. And the time when I won Blizzard cup finals against DRG. Both were dramatic.
Q What was your wistful moment, then?
A. I played against aLive, when I was in SlayerS. That was very disappointing, which made me angry at myself. I could not play games after SlayerS incident. That is most regrettable
Q Any memorable fans?
A. There`s one Chinese guy whose name is ‘JING’. He once told me that he was encouraged from me while he was having a rough time. Sometimes he came to Korea to see my playing and attended for my Chinese tournaments. He said that he’ll come to Korea again to see me off. Once he gave me a star for my birthday present, because one of my name is ‘sung’, which stands for ‘star’. Though this is not a real star, but I keep it because it is so meaningful. I`m using it as a profile picture of my KaKaotalk.
Q What would you say to Blizzard as a SC2 gamer?
A. Players need more prize. Though it was raised, but I feel it was a bit too late; Players are doing this for a living. Now it`s a bit better, though. And, Blizzard should listen to the feedbacks from progamers such as balance issue. If you failed to advance in tournaments, you cannot do anything for months; B-teamers are having a very hard time, because they do neither get much money from their team nor tournaments. I wish there`s a minor league, but it isn`t esay. I wish Proleague be expanded.
Q What do you think about new WCS?
A. Now foreign players should step up; If they cannot upgrade their skills even with this system, it`s a problem.
Q Have you ever wanted to play other games?
A. FIFA Online 3. I like soccer and play games occasionally. I thought I was good at playing FIFA games, but I could not win against cash-cows. That Pissed me off, so I stopped playing it. (laugh) Of course, tournaments exclude the influence of cash-items. I played it for fun.
Q Say a word to your juniors.
A I learned how to play games from iloveoov; he said that I should be full of games. For instance, He once told me that you should even ignore the president when you`re playing games. SC is a hard game. You cannot guarantee your success even you`re doing like this. You should do your best, because we`re doing this at risk of our glorious youth. Be passionate, because we do not know everything except games; If you tried something 2-3 times harder than your endeavour for games, I bet you could achieve it whatever it is. I hope everyone do their best. And though it depends, I cherished every winning at proleague. I practiced hundreds of games and studied maps and strategies for that single winning. Keep in mind that winning is a fruit of your strive. Be a strong man; be strong against temptations like match-fixing.
Q Who do you propose the next Prince of Terran?
A. Maru. He`s young and plays extremely well. He does and will continue doing well.
Q Summarise your career in one line.
A Roller-coaster.
Q Say a word anything.
A There`re some guys who retired before me; CranK, Heart and Alicia. Thank you for your work and wish things go well afterwards. Also there`re guys who still playing; Ryung, True, Impact. I wish the best of luck. TaeJa is doing so well, so there`s not much thing to say. I`ve met good guys while playing SC2. I`d just visit every one of you before my duty. Thank you for my fans for supporting me. I`ll be discharged in 24/10/2017. There`re some fans who are worrying about my health; I`ll take care.
http://esports.dailygame.co.kr/view.php?ud=2016011817324168030#close_kova
(((((((( I'm so sad. Dammmmn I just had dealt with his retirement and now this beautiful interview pops up ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/MkjMGyq.jpg)
