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Liquid`TaeJa Retires

Forum Index > SC2 General
277 CommentsPost a Reply
1 2 3 4 5 12 13 14 Next All

Liquid`TaeJa Retires

Text byLiquid`Nazgul
Graphics byshiroiusagi
June 2nd, 2016 13:36 GMT
When TaeJa told me that he had finally decided—once and for all and with absolute certainty—to retire, he was still in GSL and waiting to play his final qualifier. He had not qualified for any tournaments in a while, and the forums were all pessimistic of his chances of reaching Code S.

As if turning back the clock, TaeJa qualified for Code S and then the Ro16 while giving Zest a run for his money. Their game on Lerilak Crest may well and truly be the last great TaeJa game, and for a moment I felt like the sun would shine on TaeJa for a little while longer. He passed through the Ro16, and, as luck would have it, he would then meet Zest again in the Ro8. A series against one of the greatest Protoss of all time and one of the players with whom he has played several great games seemed like the perfect stage for TaeJa to create another miracle.

Instead, he lost 0-3, and I think it was in that moment when I realized that there would never be another Summer of TaeJa.

This would have been our fifth summer together, but instead of another tour we must now announce his retirement. We know that many of Liquid’s older fans grew up watching TaeJa from the very start, and I hope that you are still with us to wish him a fond farewell.

For me personally, this is a goodbye to the most successful player Liquid has ever had. We picked him up before he had ever even advanced a single round in Code S, and he ended up winning the most number of premier tournaments (11) in SC2 history. He did it with a style of play that was unique and beautiful to watch, and when you counted him out he always came back.

I think that’s one of the hardest things about making this announcement. In my opinion, TaeJa had an unrivaled amount of gaming talent, and it’s such a shame that the career of this stoic killer ends at 21. Even at such a young age he has already amassed so many gold medals and he did it his way—he was one of the first players to become a world beater on a foreign team. He didn’t play from a team house, and he had an injury to deal with that greatly impacted his ability to practice. Yet his play was polished and most of all, mesmerizing. Even his failed manner mules will be remembered forever.

One thing I will always admire about TaeJa is that he always did things his way. He didn’t care what people expected in-game or in person, he was himself through and through. It manifested in the way he celebrated tournaments, always with an air of cool indifference. His titles meant a lot to him, but he acted like it was expected, and that all he had in mind was the next tournament to win. He had the killer attitude of a winner, but he also knew how to take things slowly. When he and HerO visited TLHQ in The Netherlands, I took them to an Asian supermarket that required a 10 minute bikeride to get there. On the way there it took us about 20 minutes, but on the way back we just got absolutely nowhere and had to pause along the way. It was the slowest bikeride I’ve ever experienced. The great RPGMaker in the sky can only give skill points to so many talents and he decided to give them all to TaeJa's ability to figure out games and none to his ability to bike, clap, or pop champagne bottles.

Even though the past year has not been what it used to be, he left us with a wealth of memories even until his very last day as a progamer. I wish him a full life in whatever he decides to do in the future. He possesses a solid financial base and a sports legacy that most could only dream of, and I am sure he will make the right decisions.

All of us at Liquid say goodbye to a friend and a man that meant the world to us in building our team and organization. I’m proud to have had you on our team, proud of all the things you have done for us, and eternally grateful for the legacy you have built for both of us. I’m going to miss you.

-Victor "Nazgul" Goossens






Hi TeamLiquid fans, it's TaeJa.

The progaming career I unintentionally stumbled into in 2010 is coming to an end, five years later in 2016.

I lost to FruitDealer in the Ro32 of 2010's GSL Open Season 1, and I was disappointed that I couldn't get results at tournaments for over a year afterward.

Then, after I joined TeamLiquid, good things kept happening for me, like reaching my first GSL quarterfinals and winning championships at foreign tournaments.

Since March of 2012, I was able to spend four happy years on TeamLiquid, thanks to fans who always cheered for me and showed me love, regardless of whether I was doing well or doing poorly.

I was also able to be happy on Team Liquid because Victor, Robin, and everyone on the team gave me their constant support.

For me, my time as a progamer was a succession of unforgettable moments, because I played on the best team with the best teammates.

One last time, I want to give my deepest gratitude to the fans who always gave me their love, and to Victor, Robin, HerO and all of my Liquid teammates.

-Young Seo "TaeJa" Yun

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Administrator
Herry
Profile Joined March 2011
England681 Posts
June 02 2016 13:54 GMT
#2
Sad times
Thomasmarkle
Profile Joined June 2011
United States85 Posts
June 02 2016 13:54 GMT
#3
End of an era. Thanks for everything Taeja, you will always be my favorite player. Good luck in all your future endeavors.
AKAvg
Profile Joined April 2014
Brazil298 Posts
June 02 2016 13:54 GMT
#4
So...
When is TaeJa coming back? :D
Ctone23
Profile Blog Joined December 2012
United States1839 Posts
June 02 2016 13:55 GMT
#5
Thank you Taeja, I will always cherish the memories you gave us all! Best of luck in your future endeavors!
TL+ Member
farvacola
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
United States18826 Posts
June 02 2016 13:55 GMT
#6
Sad but expected. Good luck Taeja
"when the Dead Kennedys found out they had skinhead fans, they literally wrote a song titled 'Nazi Punks Fuck Off'"
shiroiusagi
Profile Blog Joined September 2011
SoCal, USA3955 Posts
June 02 2016 13:56 GMT
#7
TT__________TT Taeja
Graphics@shiroiusagi_ | shiroiusagi.net
Undead1993
Profile Joined January 2012
Germany17651 Posts
June 02 2016 13:56 GMT
#8
a legend, good luck.
SEKO SEKO SEKO SEKO SEKO
nighcol
Profile Joined January 2012
298 Posts
June 02 2016 13:56 GMT
#9
makes me sad, TaeJa was always one of my favourites. The terran that refused to lose even when other races were at their strongest and many cries of imbalance were heard.
Sampo
Profile Joined February 2015
Latvia5 Posts
June 02 2016 13:57 GMT
#10
Is he dropping out of Code S?
Or that is going to be his last ride with us?
amazingxkcd
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
GRAND OLD AMERICA16375 Posts
June 02 2016 13:57 GMT
#11
good luck have fun taeja!
The world is burning and you rather be on this terrible website discussing video games and your shallow feelings
Topin
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
Peru10077 Posts
Last Edited: 2016-06-02 13:58:08
June 02 2016 13:57 GMT
#12
good bye summer god
i would define my style between a mix of ByuN, Maru and MKP
Bumblebee
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
3237 Posts
June 02 2016 13:58 GMT
#13
On June 02 2016 22:57 Sampo wrote:
Is he dropping out of Code S?
Or that is going to be his last ride with us?

The latest season was his last season in GSL.
There is no difference between a knight and any other man aside from what he wears. @robinnymann
zatic
Profile Blog Joined September 2007
Zurich15328 Posts
June 02 2016 13:58 GMT
#14
So sad, what a legend. For Liquid' and Starcraft in general.
ModeratorI know Teamliquid is known as a massive building
Sogetsu
Profile Joined July 2011
514 Posts
June 02 2016 13:59 GMT
#15
This summer will be sad
Raptor: "Es hora de salvar a los E-Sports..." http://i3.minus.com/ibtne3liprtByB.png
Ragnarork
Profile Blog Joined June 2011
France9034 Posts
June 02 2016 14:00 GMT
#16
IPL TAC 3 never forget. Good bye, Summer Lord.
LiquipediaWanderer
KadaverBB
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
Germany25657 Posts
June 02 2016 14:02 GMT
#17
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
AdministratorLaws change depending on who's making them, but justice is justice
voidPipo
Profile Joined January 2011
Austria11 Posts
June 02 2016 14:02 GMT
#18
so sad
Swedish Snus <3
Rgn
Profile Joined July 2012
United States11 Posts
June 02 2016 14:02 GMT
#19
glhf TaeJa, you were always my favorite. <3
TaeJa is love, TaeJa is life.
Diabolique
Profile Joined June 2015
Czech Republic5118 Posts
June 02 2016 14:04 GMT
#20
Wooow, Taeja was always the best Taeja! Good luck!
You will always remain in ... the best players' rankings!
sOs | Rogue | Maru | Trap | Scarlett | Snute | MC
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