[Interview] 2012 GSL S1 CodeS RO32 Group D Winners

FXOz


Q: How does it feel to qualify again for the round of 16?
A: Maybe it's due to getting into the top 4 last season, but I seem to have no special feelings qualifying for the round of 16 this time. The friends around me were joking with me, asking how is it possible for me to get into the round of 16, or how could I possibly defeat Curious. But I was confident. The good results that I obtained last season helped me to gain a lot of confidence in myself.

Q: You did make it into the top 4 last season, but that was some time ago.
A: To be honest, I might not be able to maintain such good results, so I am quite satisfied with the result of getting into top 4. The days where I wasn't playing in any competition were rather boring. That was a period of time when I was improving, and all of a sudden, there were no more competitions for me to play in. For about a month or so I was just running around cheering for other people.

Q: What were your thoughts after seeing the groupings?
A: Looking at how groups are picked, I personally don't think it's very good. Initially, I was supposed to be a seeded player, but now, I do not have picking rights even if I advance to the round of 16. Perhaps, it's not really good to give the picking rights merely based on GSL points? Actually, I'm fine either way. But the champion and the runner up for last season both do not have picking rights, which is quite a sad thing. As compared to me, there was more injustice to Jjakji.

Q: In yesterday's interview, Nestea said he wanted to choose you (laughs)
A: After seeing the interview yesterday, I called him. To think he actually said such ridiculous stuff (laughs). But if he were to choose me, I'd definitely choose an IM player. However, I know and believe that Nestea hyung won't choose me.

Q: Did you prepare very long for the first series you played?
A: After losing to Curious 0-4 in the Code A finals, people were calling me Zerg fodder. To prove I wasn't Zerg fodder, I prepared a lot.

Leenock and some other players helped me a lot, but I still have quite a long way to go. I will keep working hard until I have the ability to defeat Nestea hyung.

Q: The third game against Inca in the winner's game was really exciting.
A: I thought that I would be able to win the series 2-0. Unfortunately, I lost to the 4-gate in the second game. When playing a series, I think the tempo of the games is really important. I didn't scout in the first or second game, but I scouted in the third game. Indeed, the opponent used a strategy with proxy gates. Even though he microed really well which made me feel like I was in some danger, I knew that if I could attack when the shields of his units were not recharged, I would win.

Q: If you were given picking rights for the round of 16, who do you want to choose?
A: I want to choose a Terran from Slayers. Either way, I definitely want to choose a Terran. I just personally feel it's better playing against a Slayers Terran. Even though they're all really famous, I don't think that it's too hard playing against them.

Q: What are your goals for 2012?
A: I think that 2012 is the most important year in my pro-gaming career. I started being a pro-gamer when I was 20 years old, and it's already been 4 years now. I'm in this period of time now where I'm improving, and I think this is a very good chance for me. Players like Nestea hyung, MC, DongRaeGu, etc. seem to set their goals as wanting to win several billions. But as for me, I think that being able to get to the finals at least once is more important than the money. I hope to be able to appear on the finals stage frequently.

Q: Any last things you want to add?
A: Nestea hyung is my favourite brother (hyung). He often teaches me things such as the mentality of a pro-gamer. I respect him a lot. Hopefully he'll make a right decision. I'll be visiting soon (laughs).

Even though I also want to play against him, but I think the round of 16 is not the right time for us to play against each other. Please, Nestea hyung, I love you...

Also, Leenock and Lucky both prepared really long for this tournament, but sadly, they were both eliminated. They're both really sad now, but I hope they'd be able to find their form back as soon as possible. That'd be good as well for helping me practise (laughs). Finally, I want to thank our team FXO and our sponsor Razer.

Startale_Curious


Q: How do you feel now?
A: I should be happy, but because I just eliminated a teammate of mine, my emotions are really quite a mess now. At least I still managed to qualify for the next round, and I'm glad about that.

Q: You lost in the first series to Oz, and couldn't get off to a good start.
A: I never thought I would lose in such a straightforward manner, and it was a huge blow to me. However, my win ratio during my practice games were not that good anyway, so there was the possibility of losing in my mind. I thought that thinking this way would be helpful in the competition.

Q: In the previous season, you started off with two losses and was eliminated. This season, you once again started off with two losses. Were you very unsettled by that?
A: Yes I was unsettled, but because I went into today's competition with the thought that there was the possibility of losing, it wasn't such a big deal. The previous season was a much bigger blow to me (laughs).

Q: You had to play your teammate Bomber in the loser's game.
A: We never thought we would meet in the loser's game. After our games, Bomber hyung told me that since I defeated him, I have to qualify for the next round.

Q: What are your thoughts on the final series? Do you think you are slowly starting to play at the level you are capable of?
A: Recently, my practice has mainly been on ZvP, but I've basically never won, so I thought that this tournament would be very hard.

However, the last series went a lot better than I thought. I also managed to place myself in an advantage at the early stages of the game. However, I still feel that my play leaves a lot to be desired. My ZvP really needs a whole lot of improvement.

Q: Are you saying being in GSL Code S won't results in you giving yourself too much pressure?
A: I was indeed worried today, but I was worried not because of GSL Code S, but rather about my own ZvP.

Q: What are your plans and goals for 2012?
A: Even though I didn't get any good results in 2011, I managed to at least get quite a bit of stage experience. 2011 was a very meaningful year for me, and in 2012 I will work hard with the goal of winning a championship.

Q: What are your overall goals for this season?
A: It is to advance to the furthest stage that I am capable of. Of course, the highest goal is still to be the champion, but first of all, I still have to advance from the upcoming round of 16 games. One step at a time.

Q: Do you want to play against Oz again?
A: Based on current skill levels, I think it would be difficult. My ZvP is really weak now, and I hope that I'll be able to play a proper game with him after I improve my skills.

Q: There might not be too many Zergs in this season too.
A: This is not good news. I hope that more Zergs will advance so we can unite our forces. Even though it's hard to play against Terran, I think that my ZvT is still acceptable.

Q: Any last things you want to add?
A: I should have won in the first series and progressed on to the winner's game, and I want to apologise to Bomber hyung. Bomber hyung, whatever you want to eat this weekend, just let me know (laughs). I want to thank all the players who helped me practise. I also want to take this chance to wish everyone a belated new year.