EPT
![[image loading]](/staff/munch/Gumi3.jpg)
First things first, why don't you introduce yourself?
Hello, I'm
GuMiho, a Terran player for PSISTORM Gaming.After seven years you've reached your first GSL finals. How does that feel?
At first I was very happy and emotional. But now I'm aware that I have one last step left, and my opponent has been confirmed, so I'm feeling a little tense.
You've been doing exceptionally well this season and have far exceeded expectations. Are you doing something differently lately?
For one thing, I have a very good practice environment at my home; my parents have always been very supportive of me. In-game, I think the fact I changed my mouse speed was very helpful. I think my control is a lot better than it used to be.
You're not the only old-school Terran who has experienced a resurgence in 2017.
aLive and Ryung are two other Wings of Liberty Terrans who have done well lately. What do you attribute this to?I don't attribute this to chance, I think they've all been working hard. And another thing is the professional environment has become a level field. The environment has been standardized since the teams all disbanded. I think this might be a big factor.
Foreign fans have actually dubbed you the Towel Terran. Is that a nickname in Korea too? Do you like the nickname?
Yes, I'm aware of the "Towel Terran." I think it's an amusing nickname, actually a lot of the Korean fans comment on the handkerchief too. But it's not really a thing for me anymore, I get a lot less sweat on my hands nowadays. So maybe the nickname will fall out of use after a while.
You've been doing really well in TvT this season but you haven't played as much against Protoss or Zerg. How confident are you in that matchup?
If I were to rank my matchups in order of confidence, it would be TvP > TvZ > TvT. This season I've gone through a lot of TvTs, so I’ve gained some confidence in TvT, but I’d still say that I’m more confident in the other two matchups. TvZ might be my second best matchup but I don’t think I’m bad at it at all, and there’s a long-running streak that’s working in my favor - my opponent, soO, has always gotten second place in the finals, so I think that the finals curse will let me win this time.
And what do you think of soO? He is the more decorated player, but you've been perceived as the underdog for two rounds in a row now and won. Does any opponent scare you or do you think you can beat anyone?
I think the situation still stands that objectively speaking, I'm the underdog in the finals too. But I've gained a lot of confidence advancing through the quarterfinals and the semifinals, so I'm confident that I have it in myself to win.
2016 was a strange year for you. You put up good results in online cups but they didn't translate to offline results. Did you think your career would ever get to this level a year ago?
I can’t say I expected I would achieve something like this. But I was totally determined to make a career for myself this year no matter what. I really wanted to make something happen.
You seem to be playing the best Starcraft of your career. If there is one match you could go back and play at the level you are now, what would it be?
Well, that would definitely have to be the 2012 semis where I was a victim of a reverse-sweep by DRG. I still constantly want to go back to that moment. Every moment I would regret that moment, and wished I could go back to that game so I can try again.
You've been a pro for a long time now. Is there a temptation to look at the past as missed opportunities rather than years spent playing the game you love?
There are moments where I felt like that but in the end, this was a path I picked for myself because I wanted to do it. I'd say I was harder on myself because I wasn't getting the results I wanted, but I don't think I've regretted becoming a progamer.
How far would winning GSL go to erasing those feelings?
If I win the GSL this time...I can't picture it right now, actually, but I think I will feel elated. And also the next season is beginning right away, so I'll be able to start the new season on a high note, like a new beginning in my career.
It wouldn't be a TeamLiquid interview if I didn't offer tribute to our fallen editor Waxangel by asking our world famous pirates question. If your loved ones were kidnapped by pirates and you could only rescue them by recruiting a team of three other SC2 players, who would you pick and why?
Hm, do I have to pick by race? Give me a moment. I'll choose
ByuN, 
Dark, and 
Stats, these three. They’re the players I think are the strongest players in each race. [We point out that it's not a Starcraft match]Well, I assumed that it was going to be an SC2 fight, but if it’s a physical battle I want to pick
Zest, JYP (though he’s not technically a player), and soO. I think they look really strong.I'll add a twist of my own, though. Which player would be the captain of the evil pirates?
Pirate captain would be
TY, because he’s a personal nemesis of mine.Well, thanks for talking with me, GuMiho. Do you have anything to say to your fans who will be cheering for you in the finals?
Thank you for cheering for me all the time, I will repay you for your constant support by becoming a champion!
Interview: mizenhauer
Translation: Verecunda
Photo: Afreeca
Editor: munch
