EPT
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/Ufm4H.jpg)
When
Hydra was decided as the MSL champion, Hite Entus’s Coach KIMDONGWOO did not come forward. While Hydra’s family and friends embraced Hydra for his victory and enjoyed the joyous moment, when Coach KIMDONGWOO came up to congratulate Hydra, he only gave him a pat on the shoulder. The person who should have been the most happiest about Hydra’s MSL win besides his parents who had also watched over him for a long time was Coach KIMDONGWOO, but he only gave Hydra a silent congratulation without much excitement.Coach KIMDONGWOO expressed his thoughts by saying, “Players who are serious about something always pay off their hard efforts, and Hydra is living proof of that.” During his time as a coach, he saw Hydra’s games online and saw potential for growth in them and decided to accept Hydra into the B-team through an offline test. Since the coach himself used to be a Zerg progamer, Hydra received more dedication from him than the other players, and Coach KIMDONGWOO closely watched over Hydra’s growth progress in the B-team. In his time in the B-team, Hydra showed the potential to be a rising player, and Coach KIMDONGWOO believed that if Hydra could be less hasty in his games, then he would have even greater potential. “I had wondered when such a hardworking player’s efforts would finally pay off,” he said, and decided to offer Hydra a position to play in the 09-10 Proleague season.
But Hydra’s winning percentage always remained at around a 50% record, so Coach KIMDONGWOO told him to keep on practicing hard, and when
EffOrt had suddenly retired, even though the burden of being the ace player was passed down to Hydra, Hydra was able to make talk that he wouldn’t be able to handle the pressure as an ace player disappear.After seeing that Hydra’s winning percentage was still around 50% for ZvZs though, Coach KIMDONGWOO devised a plan for the B-team players to help Hydra out in order to improve his ZvZ ability, and the results of their efforts was that out of 14 ZvZ games in the MSL, Hydra won 11 of them and progressed rapidly, leading to him winning the championship in the end.
Coach KIMDONGWOO praised Hydra by saying, “During his time in the B-team, he was a player that never complained about practicing even once,” and “If not even this kind of player couldn’t win the championship, then nobody else could have won it.”
Hydra’s mother Kim Eum Sook: “I’m thankful that he lived up to my hopes in him” [T/N: In Asia, women do not usually take their husband’s last name and keep their maiden name, which is why Hydra’s mom’s last name is Kim instead of Shin.]![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/HzpvQ.jpg)
There have been a lot of obstacles for Hydra’s road to become a progamer. Especially due to his parents who did not know a lot about games vehemently opposing the idea of Hydra becoming a progamer, Hydra faced many dangers of having his dreams and self-confidence that he could be a progamer be destroyed. However, Hydra was determined not to yield to their oppositions, and in the end without his parents knowing, he secretly underwent the procedures to transfer going to school in Seoul.
From Hydra’s parents’ perspective, they knew that their greatest worries were going to come true one day. To have their son to suddenly announce that he wasn’t going to do his studies anymore and become a progamer; what would have it been like for Hydra’s parents, who weren’t going to let him off so easily? Hydra did not give into his parent’s persisting oppositions, however, and constantly persuaded them that all would be fine. Perhaps he said that it was time for him to finally grow up and move away from his parents? In the end, Hydra’s mother had no choice but to finally accept the fact that Hydra, who was determined to be a progamer, had already entered a gaming practice house and was living the life as a gamer.
“At first I didn’t know a lot about games that well, and didn’t know the idea of being a progamer that well either, so I could only oppose the idea of Hydra becoming one. I had expected that Hydra, just like all the other kids out there, would diligently study to go to a good college. However, Hydra started to tell us and let us know how badly he wanted to become a progamer. I had thoughts that I was not trying to stop my son from doing what he wanted, but worried over how to make him try harder at things. But after seeing that it was an occupation with plenty of potential, I finally allowed him to become a progamer.”
Ever since he was a child, Hydra had many ambitions and things he wanted to do, so he was a stubborn as a child. But for Hydra’s mother Kim Eum Sook, this time, she could only put her trust and belief in her son. Hydra had said with strong will, “Right now, continuing to go to school while gaming is not a possibility these days. If one tries to do that, then they will fall behind the other players out there. I don’t want to waste my time anymore. Please believe in me. I will not disappoint you.” After hearing those words and seeing the determination in her son’s eyes, Hydra’s mother began to have strong faith in Hydra.
“Hydra had been a stubborn son in the past, but now he has changed a lot. He has a clear distinct goal in his mind now. To hear my son’s voice saying with confidence that he would surely show good results quickly made me form a strong belief in him. And to have him live up to my trust in him like this leaves me with nothing to say other than saying that I am grateful to him.”
To know that her son was living the difficult life as a progamer living in a practice house with an intense practice schedule and going through hard times pained Hydra’s mother Kim Eum Sook’s heart. However, after watching her son win the championship with her own eyes, she could only blush with pride. To watch her son grow up to become a strong young man and see him smiling so proudly made Kim Eum Sook have the belief that she could trust in whatever her son would do in the future.
“Right now, I only have the words to say that I’m thankful to him. I had doubted whether he would truly live up to what he had said, but since he has shown good results, now I can only believe in whatever my son says (laughs). I want to thank the CJ executive office for always looking after and taking care of Hydra, along with the coaching staff. I am thankful and grateful to all those out there who helped out Hydra.”
Source: Coach KIMDONGWOO's interview: http://esports.dailygame.co.kr/news/read.php?id=40200
Hydra's mother's interview: http://esports.dailygame.co.kr/news/read.php?id=40197
If there's any grammar mistakes/typos/errors, then do please point them out!
Congratulations to Hydra again for winning his 1st Starleague ever, and here's to hoping that we'll see more feats accomplished by him in the future! 
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/XrcDP.jpg)
Didn't watch the MSL final VODs yet? Too lazy to? Don't worry, you can get a whole picture summary of how the finals went below!
Warning: Verrrrry image-heavy.
+ Show Spoiler +![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/KcJBA.jpg)
The site of the finals - Yonsei University.
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/FqYCs.jpg)
Hey everyone, since it was a ZvZ finals with some Zerg vs. some Zerg, guess how many people actually came? That's right, nobody!
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/kEdex.jpg)
Just kidding- we got a full house that night. Shocking, I know.
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/cHlBF.jpg)
Here's a glimpse of great's mom as well - They look exactly alike, just like Hydra and his mom. O___O
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/hjEVR.jpg)
Samsung came to support their teammate, of course! And poor Stork, it seems that he caught a cold recently. NinjaBirdToss!
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/Zia7n.jpg)
And of course Hite came along as well! That waiting room is waaay too small to fit all of them though...
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/mf0QO.jpg)
And of course, you can't forget EffOrt and Coach Cho also supporting their fellow teammate.
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/EepkH.jpg)
Dalsherbet. I have no comment their "live" performance.
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/wZUCm.jpg)
You can oogle at the wonders of plastic surgery, though!
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/brgoB.jpg)
The "epic" elevator entrance of the two players. It was actually pretty amusing to watch live.
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/BByys.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/HlYKr.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/J3DcA.jpg)
Formalities and such before the match starts. Both Hydra and great said that they slept well before the finals.
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/f4iIc.jpg)
Okay, if there's one game that you MUST watch out of the whole series, go to the Small Vod Thread and watch game 1. It is mandatory. Don't you want to see a crazy Devourer-Mutalisk-Queen build used by great?
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/pp9OY.jpg)
Hydra's reaction after winning the last game
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/od5zy.jpg)
Hydra coming out of his booth with his happy coach!
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/bZjXa.jpg)
Hydra hugging his happy mom
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/xUtf0.jpg)
Receiving flowers from his relatives
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/JOpLq.jpg)
Oh, the contrast in this image is just...
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/v1sla.jpg)
Tearing up before making his speech!
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/hiNuN.jpg)
great looking unhappy with his 2nd place $20,000 prize, and a triumphant Hydra with his 1st place $50,000 prize
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/QK7IJ.jpg)
Hydra's coaches doing a sloppy champagne shower and drowning Hydra
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/9vY03.jpg)
Then, his team proceeds to throw him up in the air!
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/QeWbE.jpg)
A happy wet Hydra with his teammates
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/5Eb8I.jpg)
It ain't a Starleague final without some trophy smoochin'
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/qqwr6.jpg)
"I gotz moolah, people!"
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/VKcIV.jpg)
I gotta say that this shot is awesome- It shows some of Hydra's 30 relatives who came to the match, and it was pretty awesome seeing all of them cheer for him in the audience. He has a huuuge family!
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/XcKMM.jpg)
More triumphant trophy holding up
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/1cwBQ.jpg)
Look at this guy, he's such a happy camper!
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/DOsmu.jpg)
A true Hydra grin
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/0WIB0.jpg)
Keeping the trophy close to his heart
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/J12yl.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/5Y9ly.jpg)
Our happy MSL champion!
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/9PvBl.jpg)
Hydra: "I'd like to thank all my fans that have always kept on cheering for and supporting me, especially Spica. Spica kept on believing in me, even though there were tons of skeptic haters saying that I'd never make it. What a baller."
No, thank YOU Hydra, for proving everyone wrong! 8DDD And I have to rub it in one last time: I toldja folks, I toldja that he'd win it all. ;P
Didn't watch the MSL final VODs yet? Too lazy to? Don't worry, you can get a whole picture summary of how the finals went below!
Warning: Verrrrry image-heavy.+ Show Spoiler +
The site of the finals - Yonsei University.
Hey everyone, since it was a ZvZ finals with some Zerg vs. some Zerg, guess how many people actually came? That's right, nobody!
Just kidding- we got a full house that night. Shocking, I know.
Here's a glimpse of great's mom as well - They look exactly alike, just like Hydra and his mom. O___O
Samsung came to support their teammate, of course! And poor Stork, it seems that he caught a cold recently. NinjaBirdToss!
And of course Hite came along as well! That waiting room is waaay too small to fit all of them though...
And of course, you can't forget EffOrt and Coach Cho also supporting their fellow teammate.
Dalsherbet. I have no comment their "live" performance.
You can oogle at the wonders of plastic surgery, though!
The "epic" elevator entrance of the two players. It was actually pretty amusing to watch live.
Formalities and such before the match starts. Both Hydra and great said that they slept well before the finals.
Okay, if there's one game that you MUST watch out of the whole series, go to the Small Vod Thread and watch game 1. It is mandatory. Don't you want to see a crazy Devourer-Mutalisk-Queen build used by great?
Hydra's reaction after winning the last game
Hydra coming out of his booth with his happy coach!
Hydra hugging his happy mom
Receiving flowers from his relatives
Oh, the contrast in this image is just...
Tearing up before making his speech!
great looking unhappy with his 2nd place $20,000 prize, and a triumphant Hydra with his 1st place $50,000 prize
Hydra's coaches doing a sloppy champagne shower and drowning Hydra
Then, his team proceeds to throw him up in the air!
A happy wet Hydra with his teammates
It ain't a Starleague final without some trophy smoochin'
"I gotz moolah, people!"
I gotta say that this shot is awesome- It shows some of Hydra's 30 relatives who came to the match, and it was pretty awesome seeing all of them cheer for him in the audience. He has a huuuge family!
More triumphant trophy holding up
Look at this guy, he's such a happy camper!
A true Hydra grin
Keeping the trophy close to his heart
Our happy MSL champion!
Hydra: "I'd like to thank all my fans that have always kept on cheering for and supporting me, especially Spica. Spica kept on believing in me, even though there were tons of skeptic haters saying that I'd never make it. What a baller."
No, thank YOU Hydra, for proving everyone wrong! 8DDD And I have to rub it in one last time: I toldja folks, I toldja that he'd win it all. ;P
![[image loading]](http://img1.fomos.kr/board/photo/1298099856_1.JPG)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/sBjhk.jpg)
