EPT
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/qiQRB.jpg)
“We desperately wanted more Protoss, so there were many applicants.”
Air Force ACE’s coach Oh Dong Soo thus expressed his team’s need for Protoss reinforcements. After the end of Much’s military service, no new Protosses entered ACE, and the next season was in danger of being negatively affected. Still, though, the process of recruiting a new toss turned out to be tougher than expected.
At first, Coach Oh’s strict requirements turned away many players. But there was one player whose record in ace matches had been steadily and strangely dropping. His true skill just wouldn’t come out in televised games. And infuriatingly, he had no clue why. He wondered if it was time for a change.
So this player applied to Air Force ACE. ACE has never had a player near the top of the KeSPA ranking, so at the sight of his application Coach Oh broke out into an unbridled grin.
This player is none other than former Starleague finalist Kal. In the 10-11 season, Kal was mired in a deep slump, so he needed time and a way to return. As he packed away his inner troubles, he made up his mind to apply to ACE.
So what sort of mental changes has Kal actually undergone? Let’s find out as we talk with Kal.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/1tSCF.jpg)
◆”An inexplicable slump, it’s really disheartening”
Truly odd. It clearly wasn’t a lack of practice, his quality of life remained well, and girls had nothing to do with it either. No mental troubles either. Just a sudden inescapable string of losses in official matches.
"Actually, if it were girl troubles or starcraft burnout, the slump wouldn’t be nearly so tormenting. But it’s nothing like that. A sudden drop in performance like this is tough to bear. "
Kal continued to search for an explanation, but it’s only more painful. With this issue constantly on his mind, Kal found it tough to focus on practice, and he fell into a vicious cycle of decline. Kal even considered going to ask the gods for advice.
"Every progamer has his share of tough times – you could even say that’s true for every vocation. But for a progamer, this is especially fatal. If you can’t quickly get out of a slump, your career could be over just like that."
Kal was indeed worried that his own life as a progamer was about to end. So as the season ended, he pondered the possibility of joining the Air Force. He needed an environment where he could be more mentally unburdened, more able to focus on Starcraft.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/DRitf.jpg)
◆A need for change
STX is known for its good treatment of players. STX players tend to have good wages and a comfortable playing environment, so STX players tend to be proud of their team. Kal was no exception. But strangely, he felt that this type of environment was a detriment to him.
"I felt like I needed some sort of change. The team’s wages are good, and they organize general affairs well, so people were wondering whether my departure was because I was growing demotivated. But it’s times like these that I need a new environment."
Even though he could have gone to another team, Kal had one major reason for joining the Air Force. He wanted to return to his initial mindset. Back then, he played unencumbered by thoughts of wages or progamer status; he played for love of the game. He wanted to play for a long time and remain a passionate gamer.
"Way back when, even when I didn’t have wages, I played with visions of a successful future. I cradled this dream all while playing. That was my happiest time. I feel like I’ve lost that mentality. So what I really want is to rediscover that primal passion."
Kal decided that the Air Force offered him the best environment for personal change. Here, wages aren’t linked to results, and wins are “pure,” so to speak. Here, he could rekindle his passion.
"Right now I want to return to playing SC. With keyboard and mouse in hand, playing an intense game with my opponent – merely imagining it, I get riled up. If I could simply get back to that, nothing would be impossible."
◆"I only fear shaving my head"
For Kal, the upcoming time will be a lull. Final acceptances won’t be posted until the last days of September, so for the next couple weeks, he’ll be calming his spirit. Many think Kal is a lock for entering ACE, but by no means do they use fame as a factor for acceptance, as the tests are done individually.
"I hope I qualify. I cut short my progamer career to apply to ACE, so if I don’t make it I’ll be very depressed. I can’t wait for the day they announce results; even if I don’t make it I want to know quickly."
Although he’s very eager to enter ACE sooner, Kal is also slightly worried. Because he hasn’t ever shown a shaved head to fans. To be fair, unless you’re as handsome as [T/N 元彬张东健], if you shave your head your appearance will be much worse.
"I’m afraid of showing fans or other people what I look like with my head shaved (haha). All the other guys think like this too. I’ve never shaved my head before, so even the prospect makes me shudder (haha)."
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/moecc.jpg)
◆"I'm all ready to go!"
If Kal makes it into ACE, it will be a big step for not just himself but for all eSports. Air Force ACE will no longer be a team to be looked down upon.
"To be honest, I don’t think I can single-handedly make ACE that much stronger. ACE is already a strong team, and last season they made that clear to me. I only want to propel the already high-flying ACE even further. I’d be more valuable to the team that way, too."
Kal has made up his mind to work even harder than now if he makes it into ACE. He hopes this season, Air Force ACE can make its way into the finals.
"I want to make miracles with the rest of ACE. Truth be told, I’m not particularly close with anybody from ACE. But I still want to succeed with this team. I want to join ACE quickly, fire up the team, and be a driving force. What more could I possibly hope for?"
To Kal, who hopes to lend his strength to ACE while returning to his own roots, we hope that his plane flies highest.
source: http://playsc.com/forum/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=245020&extra=page=1&filter=typeid&typeid=6&typeid=6
