[Interview] PDPOP MSL Final Winner's Interview

Hydra: "I enjoyed the games thanks to the spectators' cheers."



- Thoughts on winning the first championship in your progaming career?
▲ It seems like only yesterday when I have qualified for an individual league for the first time in my career, and it was only 2 days ago I got so tense that I had to run to the chemist to get some medicine. Now that I have won, it was a completely new feeling. I hope this championship will be a beginning, to let me have more chance to show up in a bigger stage. I will work hard to maintain this momentum, and try to win a few more titles.

- You lost in the first game to great's hive play.
▲ I only had about one day's practice against great's opening build order. When I was practicing I thought his opening is not hard to play against, but after practicing against ZerO from Woongjing I found out that I could use his opening build as well. In the first game I did not use my zerglings well, and I miscalculated the number of sunkens, and I lost. In the second game my opponent used the same opening, but since I lost in the first game, I would not make the same mistake twice.

- Were you shaken after the first game was ended.
▲ After the first game I had a chat with the coaching team. They all said that great has likely prepared to play strategically in every game. I asked how I should play the next game, and they answered "don't cheese". Once I get back to the booth I'm calmed and mentally prepared.

- From what we know, you have practiced for a very long time in the B team .
▲ The team house for B team is separated from the main team and its facility is alot poorer so it was difficult to practice in. When I was in the B team I thought to myself that I must survive here, and practice more than anyone else. I feel like, not just our team, but other teams should also keep the B team system.

- You must have been well prepared for your opponent's hive play.
▲ Of course it was on my mind, I have thought about whether I should also try hive play. After today's match, I find that great is very good at it.


- For awhile you have been poor at ZvZ, how did you overcome this weakness?
▲ Even when I wasn't playing well in ZvZ I wasn't feeling not confident in it. Rather it was because of my overconfidence that cause my losses. Now I played more calmly, as soon as the overlord started to move I pay attention to every little detail, that's why I played ZvZ better now.


- After the time of 'TaekBangLeeSung', you are the first person besides them to win the MSL.
▲ It is because TBLS are such excellent players, that other players couldn't win. I played alot of ZvZ on the road to this final, so it was relatively easy, but I'm still fairly satisfied since I defeated Jaedong in the semi final. I hope all my other fellow players could work hard so we could overcome TBLS together.

- Former coach Cho Gyunam and EffOrt both came to cheer for you, did it help?
▲ Coach Cho already gave me plenty of help even when I was still in the B team (laugh). He really had alot of belief in me, so I thought today that I must repay his trust. EffOrt hyung also cheered for me towards the final. Before I came to the venue today I went to his place and practiced a little with him. Even though I won, I still think that "EffOrt hyung is not dead yet". When he was in the team house I learned alot from him, and I will continue to learn from him in the future.

- What are you gonna do with the prize money?
▲ I'm going to treat my team to a banquet, and then the rest I'll give to my parents.

- How will you perform in individual and team leagues in the future?
▲ I played in the big stage for the first time, and it felt very good. Hearing all the cheers from the spectators made me really happy as I played. I will work even harder for the proleague and try to get even better results.

- Some people say you are still far from the best ZvZ player.
▲ I also recognise that. All players shouldn't be cocky after winning their first title. Right now I still have alot of short comings, and I will improve upon them, so that I will no longer hear things like that in the future.

- It was said that your parents strongly opposed you when you started preparing for a progaming career.
▲ During 1st year high school I came to Seoul for the purpose of becoming a progamer, I did not listen to my parents and I got yelled at alot. Fortunately after that they still gave me their trust, and without that I wouldn't be standing here. Now whenever I win, the happiest people are always my parents. It is because of them that I would work extra hard when I practice.

- How did you managed to persist on your dream under your parents' opposition?
▲ Of course I could only go to PC Bangs, I use the time when my parents are sleeping during early morning to practice. Also I have skipped classes just to play Starcraft (laugh).

- Alot of your relatives came to the stands.
▲ After getting into the final, everyone said they'll come to cheer for me. Today about 30 of my relatives came to cheer for me in the stands. Although they have been coming to see me play from time to time, but I've never had a chance like this. I'm very happy to have a chance like this today.

- Many think your fundamental skills in ZvZ are outstanding, how did you train for it?
▲ You must play alot to increase your basic skills, and I personally think overlord scouting is the most important. That's why I always focus on that during practice.

- Anything else you wish to say?
▲ It seemed that everyone were not very excited about a ZvZ final, that's why I trash talked great alot during the pre-match interview. I don't know whether I hurt his feelings or not, and I want to use this opportunity to apologize to him. Also I want to thank my teammates who helped me practice, as well as all my relatives who came from a long way away just to cheer for me.

Source: PlaySC
Original: fomos

CJ face, check (-_-)


Effort: I could own this samsung noob in my sleep >.>
Leta: Uh huh...*mind drifted off somewhere else*


Cry cute moment.


Sharing the joy with family.


I think Leta got owned by an elbow there on the right.


Obligation making out with trophy shot.


Effort 2.0, now complete with his own trophy.