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TaeJa post-retirement interview "Since I couldn't practice…

Forum Index > SC2 General
82 CommentsPost a Reply
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Waxangel
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
United States33343 Posts
August 30 2016 12:13 GMT
#1
Earlier in August, we saw one of the all-time Terran greats finally bring his career to an end. TaeJa had teased his retirement for years, but always found a reason to stick around and win more championships. Knowing TaeJa to also be one of the worst interviewees of all time, this writer dared to ask the Liquid legend why this GSL run was truly the final chapter.

[image loading]

Wax: You've finally played your last official match and are properly retired. How do you feel?

TaeJa: I feel some bitterness. As my enlistment day comes closer, the more I feel I've really retired.

When do you enter the military? What do you plan to do until then?

I enter the military on November 10th. I was enjoying competitive play on Overwatch until now, but now that the season is over I'm spending my days being bored. I don't have anything to do so I occasionally play StarCraft, trying to hit Grandmaster with Protoss.

I heard you're pretty good at Overwatch. How high did you climb on ladder? Also, what are your main characters?

I got up to 79 skill rating with Zarya, but I had to take 1~2 weeks off preparing for GSL so I finished the season at 77.

A lot of fans say you're skilled enough to continue as a pro, and you looked good in GSL as well. Why did you choose to retire at this point?

When Legacy of the Void came out, I wanted to try hard as well. But whenever I put in a lot of effort, my arm started hurting, so I couldn't. Also, since I had to take care of my mandatory military service at some point, so I decided to enlist.

You're called one of the most talented player ever, especially in Korea. Do you feel like you managed to get the most out of your talent? Do you have any regrets?

I wasn't able to practice properly because of injuries, but I think I grew in other aspects because of that. Since I couldn't practice a lot, I didn't practice meaninglessly. I put thought into every single game I played.

Still, I think sometimes that I could have taken care of my health properly.

You announced your retirement in June, and went on to have a good season in GSL. Your comeback vs. Zest was especially notable. Did you expect to perform so well?

Preparing for the Ro16, I didn't have any idea what you had to do to beat Protoss. After losing the first game, I thought "am I just going to lose like this?" So I went for the Concussive Shell-Marauder build Journey used in Season 1, looking to counter a Dark Templar-Prism strategy. It ended up working out perfectly. I got confidence from winning that game, and I think I was able to pull off the comeback because of that.

Have you thought about your future some more? I think you previously said you wanted to be a social studies teacher, but have your thoughts on post-military life changed? Any thoughts on returning to gaming?

I plan to think about my future during the two years I'm in the military. Nothing is determined yet.

You said you felt some bitterness after retiring. Why was that?

I watched some VODs of my old games, and there were some games I had regrets about. A lot of past memories are coming to mind.

Any games you remember in particular? Any that were especially meaningful?

Game four against Life at BlizzCon 2014.

The WCS 2016 changes are a big talking point in the foreign scene right now. As a Korean player, how was this year?

I think last year was better.

...Okay let's wrap things up. Anything you want to say to end?

I felt good that I was able go out by giving the fans a good showing until the very end. I'll never forget my time as a StarCraft 2 progamer, and I want to say thank you to my fans.
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AdministratorHey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?
XiaoJoyce-
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
China2908 Posts
August 30 2016 12:16 GMT
#2
So many people playing overwatch . .
Pew! Pew! Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!
Ej_
Profile Blog Joined January 2013
47656 Posts
August 30 2016 12:18 GMT
#3
but Taeja won game 4 of the series vs Life
"Technically the dictionary has zero authority on the meaning or words" - Rodya
RHoudini
Profile Joined October 2009
Belgium3627 Posts
August 30 2016 12:22 GMT
#4
<3 TaeJa.
Lee Jae Dong fighting!
Thomasmarkle
Profile Joined June 2011
United States85 Posts
August 30 2016 12:27 GMT
#5
A very Taeja like interview. Thanks for this Wax
FeyFey
Profile Joined September 2010
Germany10114 Posts
August 30 2016 12:35 GMT
#6
fps the go to genre for people with wrist problems ! Though I guess if I would play other games the same way you play fps games, I wouldn't have issues there as well.

Taeja really gave it all for the interview as well it seems ! Really lengthy answers for him.
Dumbledore
Profile Joined April 2011
Sweden725 Posts
August 30 2016 12:39 GMT
#7
On August 30 2016 21:18 Ej_ wrote:
but Taeja won game 4 of the series vs Life


All questions seem to be separate / unrelated.
Have a nice day ;)
Waxangel
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
United States33343 Posts
August 30 2016 12:39 GMT
#8
I think 79 skill rating for Overwatch puts you in like top 300~400 for Korea? Pretty damn impressive -_-;
AdministratorHey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?
Thouhastmail
Profile Joined March 2015
Korea (North)876 Posts
August 30 2016 12:41 GMT
#9
Wish the best of luck. Thanks!
"Morality is simply the attitude we adopt towards people we personally dislike"
A_Scarecrow
Profile Joined March 2013
Australia721 Posts
Last Edited: 2016-08-30 12:42:22
August 30 2016 12:41 GMT
#10
Grandmaster with Protoss.
oh dear, dont worry he will be back after the military and win gsl.


will be missed. he had more of the most enjoyable finals imo.
ejozl
Profile Joined October 2010
Denmark3364 Posts
August 30 2016 12:50 GMT
#11
On August 30 2016 21:18 Ej_ wrote:
but Taeja won game 4 of the series vs Life

Isn't that why it's meaningful?
SC2 Archon needs "Terrible, terrible damage" as one of it's quotes.
fr4nk1sh
Profile Joined April 2011
Sweden59 Posts
August 30 2016 13:04 GMT
#12
I will for sure miss Taeja, One of my very favorite player..
Thanks for the interview now it truly feels like he is retired.. :'(
KOtical
Profile Joined January 2011
Germany451 Posts
August 30 2016 13:30 GMT
#13
we´ll miss you teaja
Seeker *
Profile Blog Joined April 2005
Where dat snitch at?37021 Posts
August 30 2016 13:37 GMT
#14
I still love you so much TaeJa. Please come back to SC2 one day...
ModeratorPeople ask me, "Seeker, what are you seeking?" My answer? "Sleep, damn it! Always sleep!"
TL+ Member
Ograkk
Profile Joined February 2014
Sweden22 Posts
August 30 2016 13:43 GMT
#15
I got my TL hoodie the same day as Taeja played his final game.
All the best and I hope to see him again some day.
Sogetsu
Profile Joined July 2011
514 Posts
August 30 2016 13:44 GMT
#16
Oh Taeja, I will always remember you, specially on summers <3
Raptor: "Es hora de salvar a los E-Sports..." http://i3.minus.com/ibtne3liprtByB.png
Dangermousecatdog
Profile Joined December 2010
United Kingdom7084 Posts
August 30 2016 13:53 GMT
#17
I'll miss the Taeja clap.
Bagration
Profile Blog Joined October 2011
United States18282 Posts
August 30 2016 13:53 GMT
#18
On August 30 2016 21:39 Waxangel wrote:
I think 79 skill rating for Overwatch puts you in like top 300~400 for Korea? Pretty damn impressive -_-;


As expected

It is good news to see that pro gamer skills are able to translate across games, even genres. If eSports was to become more established, having pros who can transition across games could be key to maintaining continuity and fanbases.
Team Slayers, Axiom-Acer and Vile forever
207aicila
Profile Joined January 2015
1237 Posts
August 30 2016 13:58 GMT
#19
On August 30 2016 22:53 Bagration wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 30 2016 21:39 Waxangel wrote:
I think 79 skill rating for Overwatch puts you in like top 300~400 for Korea? Pretty damn impressive -_-;


As expected

It is good news to see that pro gamer skills are able to translate across games, even genres. If eSports was to become more established, having pros who can transition across games could be key to maintaining continuity and fanbases.


If you can transfer your approach to practice and learning and improvement then yeah, of course.

Big reason why Fatal1ty won a ton of money in the early-mid 2000s was he competed in games that didn't have much of a true competitive scene and simply through his experience and ability to practice (being an actual pro gamer) he reached a lot of finals in those games, even though they weren't mechanically very similar to Quake.
mfw people who never followed BW speak about sAviOr as if they know anything... -___-''''
TL+ Member
DinoMight
Profile Blog Joined June 2012
United States3725 Posts
August 30 2016 14:09 GMT
#20
I miss Taeja. One of my favorite Terrans.
"Wtf I come back and find myself in camp DinoMight all of a sudden, feels weird man." -Wombat_NI
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