[Interview] Code S Nov Ro4 Winners

Jjakji

Source - http://thisisgame.com/board/view.php?id=957199&category=13439

Q: You've advanced to your career first Code S finals. How do you feel?
A: When I advanced to the finals, I was so happy that it seemed like I would cry. But since today's games were generally strange, I'm not sure how I feel about that. Maybe in a while after I go back to the teamhouse, I will be able to express my feelings properly.

Q: It was also your first Round of 4. While practicing, what thing did you focus on the most?
A: Oz's early-mid game attacks are strong and he is aggressive. During the course of practice, my winrate wasn't good so I didn't feel very confident. But because my Round of 8 match was based on strategies, I thought that I could give Oz a headache [T/N confuse him with strategic moves]

Q: Was your experience playing a Protoss in the Round of 8 helpful this time?
A: It was helpful. But since I used all my good builds in the Round of 8, things became harder. Up to yesterday I kept worrying, but as expected Oz didn't play normally. So I was able to win more easily.

Q: Would you say it would have become difficult if Oz used standard play?
A: Yes. Playing against standard play was difficult. I used standard play in practice but since the maps were bad for the early game, I was worried about games 1 and 2. But Oz used phoenixes in the first game. Since it became a situation that I absolutely couldn't lose, the start was good.

Q: Oz caught up with your score each game. How did you feel when that happened?
A: In the second game, since Oz used more strategic play than I expected, I lost. But I didn't feel burdened. In the fourth game too, I thought a similar strategy would come, but I got flustered so I made mistakes. The two losses weren't both lethal defeats. Rather than feeling like I lost in vain, I felt like I hadn't played games.

Q: The fifth game of Bel'Shir Beach went into the mid-late game. Was it the most difficult game?
A: I was thinking about Oz's style and it went as I thought. I thought I would absolutely win if I attacked before psionic storm got researched. It was the longest game, but it wasn't difficult.

Q: After the Round of 8, it seems like things changed. Was anything different?
A: Isn't the Round of 4 the round where if you win it's the finals, and if you lose it's nothing? I was really burdened, but I thought that even if I lost it wouldn't hurt. So because of that, I wasn't anxious and I didn't feel burdened. The pressure I felt in broadcast games disappeared. In the past, if I lost I started to shake and I lost confidence in my play, but now I was able to completely believe in myself.

Q: Who do you hope advances to the finals?
A: I definitely hope Leenock advances. I've lost to MVP so I have to get revenge, but I will also get revenge against Leenock. And I think the fans don't especially like TvT finals (laughs). I hope that Leenock can advance so the finals will be an interesting show.

Q: What do you think are your chances of winning?
A: If I just practice well, maybe 50%? Because the games in the Round of 4 weren't fun, I want to win the finals while having interesting games.

Q: This will be your first time preparing for a finals. Are you worried?
A: This is my first Best of 7 and I have no experience in finals, so I'm worried. It's important to shake off burden. Because of that, I will have to practice a lot and mobilize the people I know around me.

Q: What things come to mind when you think of how to show games fans will enjoy?
A: I'm also thinking about it (laughs). But before games start I get really anxious, so that isn't good. In the future, if I gather a lot of experience, I want to do a lot of ceremonies.

Q: Your teammates will have to help you a lot. Is there anything you want to say to them?
A: If I win, I will buy steaks. Naturally I will buy them. But if you want to eat steaks, you will have to help me a lot with the finals. I hope you help me diligently (laughs).

Q: Anything else you want to say?
A: I thank Startale Parting, oGs_MC, and our team's Tassadar and Sage for their help in practice. My parents and relatives said that if I advanced to the finals, they would come up to Gwangju. I will get to see them after a long time so I'm happy, and I hope that my family will have a good time after I win. Recently the Director has been helping me with nerves so I thank him, and I really thank my teammates for cheering for me. I want to say that I love my family and girlfriend.

Leenock

Source - http://thisisgame.com/board/view.php?id=957493&category=13439

Q: Thoughts on defeating MVP and advancing to your career first Code S finals?
A: I knew MVP was good, but I didn't know he was this good. He is really skilled. I ended up winning so I'm really happy.

Q: What was your predicted score?
A: Honestly I wondered whether if I won, it wouldn't be 3:2. If I lost I thought I would experience complete defeat, but the result was me winning so I'm happy.

Q: In the first game, you lost to a comeback. Were you shocked after the loss?
A: When I got broodlords, I just thought that I would win. But then MVP had a bigger army than I expected. I had been frugal with broodlords so I needed to use them, but I made mistakes. After I lost the first game, I thought that MVP was really strong. But I wasn't intimidated. I just thought to enjoy the Round of 4 stage.

Q: In the second game too, your victory was really difficult.
A: If I lost the second game, I would have collapsed mentally. The first half of the game wasn't good, but in my own way I followed it well. But I thought that I needed to attack again to win and became disadvantaged. I won really difficultly. I thought a lot to just play calmly starting from the third game.

Q: In the fifth game, what did you think when you saw the supply depots get lowered?
A: At first I thought he made a mistake with sim city. I thought my luck was good (laughs). My zerglings ran right in.

Q: For a time, “Unluckiness” was a synonym for Leenock. Nowadays it doesn't seem so. What do you think?
A: I don't know whether my luck is good. But at least it isn't bad luck. I think that owing to having a lot of bad luck in the past, my skills were able to improve more.

Q: Your confidence about the finals must have increased since you beat MVP.
A: When I practice on ladder, I've never played against a Terran of that caliber, but I beat that kind of Terran so I've gained a lot of confidence. It doesn't seem like I will lose in the finals.

Q: What rank of Terran do you think Jjakji is?
A: I think he is a really good player. I think he a strong player matching the level of MVP. His momentum in advancing to the finals with that caliber play is good, and his sharpened skills are good.

Q: What's your goal for the score in the finals?
A: I hope to just win with a 4:2 score. It's the finals, but wouldn't it be boring if it ended easily? I wonder whether I won't lose two times. Since my opponent is Terran.

Q: These days Zerg fans are giving you a lot of support.
A: Since I'm the last Zerg remaining this season, naturally it can only be like that. I hope that next season Zerg players can all do well together (laughs).

Q: Before your games, Oz failed to advance to the finals.
A: Since Oz lost, I suddenly got nervous. Because if I lost, the birth of our team's players advancing to the finals would have to wait until next season. Also, the plan of playing against Oz in the finals fell through, so it was really regrettable.

Q: How do you think you will prepare for the finals? You have a lead in terms of experience.
A: I think I will practice while understanding my opponent's style. I think I will practice a lot. Because I went to MLG too, I don't think I will get worried during the finals. I just have to practice well.

Q: Anything else you want to say?
A: I am always thankful to fans for supporting me. I thank FXO and our sponsor Razor. I thank TeriousPrime for telling me the Nydus Worm build from the third game. I thank everyone on our team for their help in practice.