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Dark interview @IEM: "ByuN is a wolf in sheep's clothing"…

Forum Index > SC2 General
29 CommentsPost a Reply
1 2 Next All
Waxangel
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
United States29672 Posts
Last Edited: 2016-12-16 04:16:16
December 16 2016 03:46 GMT
#1
In 2016, (Z)Dark was unrivaled as the best Zerg in the world, coming in second place at the Global Finals. I had a chance to sit down with Dark at IEM Gyeonggi, where he talked about his loss to ByuN at BlizzCon and the strange rivalry-friendship that has since formed between them.

*This interview has been edited and rearranged for clarity.
**This interview was conducted between the quarterfinals and semifinals of IEM Gyeonggi.


[image loading]
Photo: Patrick Strack/ESL


Waxangel: How have you been since BlizzCon?

Dark: I took care of some personal stuff, while practicing as much as I could.

Did you take a break?

I was able to take time off prior to BlizzCon, so after that I’ve just been playing the game.

Did you feel discouraged after you lost in the finals?

I joke a lot that I blew a chance to make $100,000, but actually, the thing that sticks with me the most is that ByuN took the trophy. It’s a trophy I really wanted, so I was that much more determined today [Dark had defeated ByuN in a close 3-2 match in the quarterfinals of IEM Gyeonggi].

You got some revenge, big or small, depending on how you look at it. How did you feel?

I hadn’t been able to beat ByuN after BlizzCon, so I’ll try to use this as an opportunity to regain my confidence. In the future, if I run into ByuN, I’ll defeat him easily like any other Terran.

Your game on Sejong Station was called the best game of the year, the best game in BlizzCon history by the fans. How do you feel about it personally?

It was a game that was REALLY hard to win. I went into it thinking if I lose this, I’m finished as a gamer, and I think that determination allowed me to pull off the comeback.

Have you rewatched the game?

Actually, I don’t watch games where I lost... *laughs* So I haven’t watched the series at all. I’ve watched the games where I won championships a number of times, but I can’t bring myself to watch games that I lost.

Of course you’ll win IEM, now that you’ve beat ByuN?

Of course, I considered the round-of-eight to be the finals. *laughs*

Were you worried before the Ro8, though?

I have a RO16 jinx which was on my mind, and I was worried it might continue. I think that jinx is gone now. When they were drawing the bracket for the Ro8, I was thinking “please, don’t pick ByuN.” But the person drawing the brackets just drew ByuN right away *laughs*

You’re always exuding confidence, but you seem to be afraid of only ByuN.

ByuN is someone who works really hard, so I think he’s a difficult opponent. He always pretends to be weak, saying “oh that guy is good, and that guy is really good too.” But inside, he always thinks he’s the best. He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I always know he’s going to be confident, so I was a bit afraid.

Are you close with ByuN?

After BlizzCon, we got to know each other.

Really? I thought you’d hate to talk to the guy who beat you in the finals.

Maybe, but I lost because I played worse, so there’s no reason to dislike him personally. After BlizzCon ended, we went to see Universal Studios, and as I talked to him while walking around, I got to know him better.

Do you practice with each other now?

I practiced with him for the first time at this tournament, he came to me and asked to practice. We practiced in the Ro16 but ended up meeting in the Ro8, so it was… *laughs*

Who did that practice end up benefiting more?

ByuN hid a lot of things in practice. He was so bad in practice, I didn’t lose a single game. But when we played our tournament match, he turned into a totally different person. So I realized, ah, he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

So are you going to keep practicing with him?

I will, but I’ll hide strats too *laughs*

Is this part of your plan to practice with each other and dominate StarCraft II together?

I’d like to, but I don’t think ByuN has any desire to do that.

Looking at the VSL, it seemed like he was taking it easy after winning $200,000.

He’s become complacent. He’s not the same person since he won everything. There’s no talk of buying me a meal either. It’s awkward to ask him for that as the loser, so I’m just waiting for him to approach me first.

Are there any foreign players you got to know at BlizzCon?

I guess you could say Elazer and I are like brothers? *laughs* He seemed to like me a lot. Solar told me he was a big fan of mine, and we had seats next together at the practice area. If we ran into each other on ladder while practicing, we joked around and talked, so I think we grew closer.

Do you think he imitates your style?

I don’t know if he’s imitating me specifically. My play is just the right way to play *laughs*

What did you think about the skill of foreigners in general after crushing them at BlizzCon?

I think outside me and ByuN, other progamers are all the same in skill, Korean or foreign. I defeat Korean players just as easily. Foreigners aren’t bad, I’m just that good *laughs*


WCS 2017 and team search

What are your overall thoughts on WCS 2017?

It’s about the same size as last year, and there are a lot of new additions as well. Still, I think it will be harder for players because it’s gone down from dual leagues to a single league. I think everyone will be more do-or-die in their games.

Isn’t it more convenient to prepare for just one tournament? Last year, you had to juggle both individual leagues and Proleague all at once. Especially in your case, going far in all the tournaments.

It’s a bit tough physically and mentally. But if you have a lot of tournaments, you feel secure. If there’s just one, you feel a bit nervous?

Did you have to prepare very specifically for all your tournament games? Or did you focus on all-around practice?

I think about each and every single match; what I need to do on this map, this set, etc.

But you were still able to prepare properly for all of your games?

Yes.

What improvements would you like to see made to the WCS system?

Honestly, I don’t think it’s that bad. But there will be players who can’t seize those opportunities, I think the situation could be improved for them.

So for you, someone who’s always a championship contender, it’s all good?

Personally I’m not worried about much. I think it’s the same. But the other players, the ones who can’t get into tournaments, it could be very bleak for them.

How do you feel about the addition of shorter tournaments to WCS Korea? What do you prefer between long and short tournaments?

I think it’s great that tournaments are being added. That in itself is good, regardless of the length. I do feel that longer tournaments like GSL and Starleague with bigger prize pools are a better.

Other players complained a lot about having a year schedule with just two seasons last year. How did you feel about it?

If you look at it, it’s two GSLs and two SSLs, so four tournaments in total. I just thought about it that way, so I didn’t have any complaints.

Do you think that the retirement of other players gives you a better chance of winning? Is this an opportunity for you?

Actually, I think instead of leaving, players are working even harder at StarCraft II. I thought after BlizzCon, a lot of gamers would retire, but everyone is practicing harder than I expected. Maybe it’s survival instinct? But they’re working harder, and it makes me feel I need to work harder as well.

What do you think about the foreign community talking point, that the skill level in StarCraft II has gone down?

Well, it’s not applicable to me, so I don’t care. It would be best for players to show good games so they don’t hear that kind of thing.

LotV is considered to be the hardest expansion. Is that why you’re at your peak now?

I think so. The more things that you have to do, the better I am at the game. I think it fits me well.

You put up a tweet saying you’re looking for a foreign team. How’s the search going?

I’m getting contacted a lot, but the process hasn’t been as smooth as I had hoped. I’m still looking.

What kind of treatment, conditions do you want from your team?

I don’t need them to do anything for me in particular; just salary and incentives would be fine. I’m not sure *laughs*

No one can question your skill, but do you have any plans to appeal to the foreign scene through streaming or other methods?

The reason I started streaming wasn’t to appeal to teams. On a personal level, I just wanted to show fans this is what my first-person view looks like, and have a place to communicate with foreign fans. I’m streaming here and then, and I’ll try to keep streaming when I find free time. I think rather than appeal to the fans with my stream, it would be better to appeal to them through my results.

And obviously you’re the best Zerg?

Obviously.

How many championships do you think you’ll win next year? What’s your chance of winning a title?

I think I have a high chance of winning a title. I’m looking at the IEM World Championship and BlizzCon as being particularly important. We’ll have to see how things play out next year, but I’ll work hard to win those tournaments.

How’s the patch so far? Do you think the meta is still in flux, or has it settled down a bit?

The game was changing a lot in LotV, and with this patch, the game has become very chaotic. I think if some time passes, things will become more ordered and structured, so we still have to wait and see. The current situation is still chaotic, there’s no right answer to what’s good and what’s bad.

Give me your sales pitch to a foreign team.

Until the day StarCraft II disappears, I'll always be a player who is a title contender.

Starting with this tournament, I’ll make StarCraft II my world in WCS 2017, so if you’re interested make sure to contact me.

And to my fans, I’m not good at English, so I can’t really get closer to fans even though I want to. I’m not great at communication, but I really want to get closer, so keep watching my stream.


You can follow Dark on Twitter at @SKT1_Dark and check out his stream at https://www.twitch.tv/qkrfuddn0
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AdministratorHey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?
TL+ Member
YamiRi
Profile Joined September 2015
151 Posts
Last Edited: 2016-12-16 04:11:22
December 16 2016 04:08 GMT
#2
I like this kid

Edit : and RIP Nerchio.. Elazer is practicing with Dark to dominate Polish scene
verecunda
Profile Joined July 2015
Korea (South)121 Posts
December 16 2016 04:12 GMT
#3
Really interesting interview, gotta love Dark's swagger :D
ZAiNs
Profile Joined July 2010
United Kingdom6507 Posts
Last Edited: 2016-12-16 04:15:08
December 16 2016 04:14 GMT
#4
On December 16 2016 12:46 Waxangel wrote:
And obviously you’re the best Zerg?

Obviously.


Give me your sales pitch to a foreign team.

Until the day StarCraft II disappears, I always be a player who is a title contender.

The_Red_Viper
Profile Blog Joined August 2013
18811 Posts
December 16 2016 04:17 GMT
#5
Dark is such an interesting character, very cocky. I love it.
He always has to perform with that attitude though, haha
BLΛƆKPIИK in your area | IU | SoHyang || There is no God and we are his prophets | For if ‘Thou mayest’—it is also true that ‘Thou mayest not.” | Ignorance is the parent of fear |
phodacbiet
Profile Joined August 2010
United States1676 Posts
December 16 2016 04:21 GMT
#6
Man, I really like this guy. I really like those shots fired at Byun too! Makes total sense. Practice is when you try things to see what work and what doesn't. Tourney matches is where you turn it on!
Phredxor
Profile Joined May 2013
New Zealand15054 Posts
December 16 2016 04:23 GMT
#7
Cool interview. Love Dark. Dude's a boss.
TheHumanLife
Profile Joined September 2016
Korea (South)134 Posts
Last Edited: 2016-12-16 04:30:30
December 16 2016 04:29 GMT
#8
seriously, Dark is currently the only one who can say 'I am obviously the best zerg'

well obviously every single sc2 fans know that. (at least in Korea)

and other top zergs Solar, soO, ByuL... still I feel Dark is above of them right now.
Cricketer12
Profile Blog Joined May 2012
United States13339 Posts
December 16 2016 04:39 GMT
#9
Dark and Stats interviews, TL get it :D
Solemn Strike FTW l SC2 Liquibet Season 17 Winner l I am beyond imagination, succumb to madness.
cakepie
Profile Blog Joined November 2012
985 Posts
Last Edited: 2016-12-16 15:28:58
December 16 2016 05:00 GMT
#10
Thanks Wax + TL staff for doing such a great job bridging the cultural/linguistic gap between the KR players and foreign fans
These IEM interviews are a sterling example of the excellent work you do.
Keep it coming.
Garemie
Profile Joined April 2011
United States248 Posts
December 16 2016 05:23 GMT
#11
"I don’t know if he’s imitating me specifically. My play is just the right way to play *laughs*"

rofl what a champ
Bomber | CJ herO | Snute
sharkie
Profile Blog Joined April 2012
Austria16717 Posts
December 16 2016 05:54 GMT
#12
Gotta love Dark's attitude. This is how champions should think
mierin
Profile Joined August 2010
United States4851 Posts
December 16 2016 06:07 GMT
#13
<3 Dark. This guy is so legit.
JD, Stork, Calm, Hyuk Fighting!
Heyoka
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Temple of EE-Sama22510 Posts
December 16 2016 06:44 GMT
#14
HAHA ByuN fucked with him by losing all practice games. What a pro.
@RealHeyoka | DreamHack StarCrafty Man
xtorn
Profile Blog Joined December 2013
4048 Posts
December 16 2016 07:01 GMT
#15
Thanks so much for the interview!! Every time I read Darks interviews I get this inexplicable urge to play SC2. Hes insanely motivating.

There’s no talk of buying me a meal either. It’s awkward to ask him for that as the loser, so I’m just waiting for him to approach me first.

ByuN better buy my Idol a meal soon, or I'll be an angry random fan and send him chicken wings.

I think outside me and ByuN, other progamers are all the same in skill, Korean or foreign. I defeat Korean players just as easily. Foreigners aren’t bad, I’m just that good *laughs*


I love this guy!

LotV is considered to be the hardest expansion. Is that why you’re at your peak now?

I think so. The more things that you have to do, the better I am at the game. I think it fits me well.

I love this guy even more now!

I think rather than appeal to the fans with my stream, it would be better to appeal to them through my results.


Holy fuck I now love this guy eight hundred times more. No, wait - eight hundred thousand times more.
Life - forever the Legend in my heart
KappaKingPrime
Profile Joined May 2014
United States454 Posts
December 16 2016 07:17 GMT
#16
Darks ego is out of the roof.
ejozl
Profile Joined October 2010
Denmark2927 Posts
Last Edited: 2016-12-16 08:42:25
December 16 2016 08:39 GMT
#17
I think it's too early to ask if the skill has lowered.. the fear is, will it?
SC2 Archon needs "Terrible, terrible damage" as one of it's quotes.
proortoss
Profile Joined October 2016
China14 Posts
December 16 2016 08:41 GMT
#18
bummer, just lost to innovation,it looks like byun is not the only one who can stop you, dark.
nut cracker
Musicus
Profile Joined August 2011
Germany23456 Posts
December 16 2016 09:57 GMT
#19
That was a great interview, thank you!
Maru and Serral are probably top 5.
Mekare
Profile Joined April 2011
Germany382 Posts
December 16 2016 10:07 GMT
#20
Hahaha, this is fantastic, I love Dark <3 Thanks for doing the interview!!
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