[Interview] 2012 GSL S3 U&D Group E Winners

This is your fifth time in Code S in a row. How do you feel?

I felt that I didn’t ever want to fall down to Up and Downs or Code A again. I want to get into ro8 no matter what in the upcoming and ensure my seed for the season afterwards.

How did you feel after losing Set 12? It was the game that decided the fate of BboongBboong.

I wasn’t nervous at all before that game. Having his fate on my shoulders made me so nervous. The games didn’t turn out well as a result.

What did BboongBboong say to you after Set 12?

He told me it was okay and that I did well. He told me shrug it off saying it was his own fault he didn’t make it into Code S.

Because of how well you did in MLG and in ro32, people picked you as a possible champion.

It’s true I expected more from myself because I was doing so well. I was full of confidence. However, I played in the GSL on the day after MLG and staying up all night to practise backfired on me. I couldn’t concentrate at times and felt really pressured about the final game.

Code S hasn’t been kind to you. Why do you think that is?

The format for ro32 and ro16 is really bad for me. Honestly, I find it quite difficult. Since the format change, I keep getting eliminated. I am really confident about the later stages. It’s disappointing since I got eliminated in ro16 for two seasons in a row. It’s been so long since I walked onto the stage of the finals. I will definitely make it to the finals this season.

Your rival, MVP, is now a four time GSL champion

To be honest, MVP was in a slump at the beginning of the year and I also heard that he wasn’t playing that well because of his illness. I honestly though that I could overcome him. However, it wasn't to be. MVP is of another class. I remembered the saying that “class is forever”. Also, the way he smashed through Protosses this season on his way to the championship spurred me on.

You didn’t attend the latest MLG

My health wasn’t great and attending foreign tournaments only exacerbated it. It was hard but I decided not to attend the last MLG. However, I feel that I gained as much in return. It was an opportunity for me to reinforce my weak points and recharge.

Next week, GSTL begins. You must be excited

All of Prime loves GSTL. We’ve had a long break since the finals so everyone’s keen to start soon. If you follow our team, we promise that we will prove that Prime is the number one team with our high level play.

You always have a big reaction when you lose. How come (laugh)?

Whenever I lose, I don’t play at the level I wanted and become angry at myself. It’s always disappointing and frustrating. I think this tends to make me look bad so in the future, I’ll try and figure out how to look good and be angry at the same time (laugh).

You are one of the players who attend foreign tournaments frequently. What are your plans for the near future?

First of all, GSL is at top of my list. I want to attend the biggest foreign tournaments like MLG every time. For other tournaments, I’ll have to see if I can fit them into my schedule. As for MLG, I’ve already won two championships there so I’m keen for another one.

Anyone you want to face in GSL this season?

TvZ is so hard regardless of whom I face. I want Protosses. Doesn’t matter who. Parting, MC, Ace. I am confident I won’t lose.

Anything to add?

I want to thank NSHSSting, FXOChoya and GhostKingPrime for their advice in preparing for the Up and Downs today. I also want to thank Tt-eSports and OCZ who continue to sponsor our team.

This is your first time in Code S. How do you feel?

I’ve always felt I belonged there but kept getting held back which made me think “maybe, I can’ do it anymore”. Before the season started, I even debated whether I should retire. However, Coach Won and Coach Kim told me that I had potential and pushed me forward.

Why haven’t you been able to post any results for so long?

Before, I never thought that it was due to lack of skill. I always believed that I could do well. That was the problem. To be frank, I didn’t think I would be advancing today. I am very happy.

You’ve been playing Starcraft 2 for two years and only now, you are in Code S. You must have gone through a lot during this time.

Even in Code A, I was always near the top in practice. I always just thought that I wasn’t able to do well on stage and had problems with nerves. Because of that, I was pretty lax but recently, I found out that I was actually pretty bad . Even in practice. That’s why I seriously considered retiring before the season began.

Your team’s Protosses are doing fantastic. Did that spur you on?

Definitely. Squirtle and I began together but he’s so far ahead now. He used to be similar to me in terms of style but now his play is so diverse. Parting is great as well. It felt like I was the only one falling behind and being left alone which really made me think. Actually, seeing Parting and Squirtle soar like that, it made me consider retirement even more seriously.

You showcased a mass recall strategy with the mothership

This is a build Squirtle came up with about a year ago. At the time, maps didn’t really allow its use and Tiger refined the build making it stronger. I actually started using the mothership one and a half year ago as well but people just don’t remember (laugh). Anyway, this build’s credit goes to Squirtle. Utilising mass recall is very effective against a non-mobile Zerg in the late game. Especially, the fact you can save units held down by fungal growth is a big plus.

Your use of the warp prism was outstanding also

If Squirtle started using the mothership one and a half year ago, I started using the warp prism at the same time. I used it way before the patch. It’s just that I didn’t get to show it off because I kept losing. I like late game harassment so I was happy to showcase this kind of play properly today.

Your last game against MKP in Set 12 was extremely intense

When I was preparing for Up and Downs this season, I told myself I wouldn’t forgive myself for losing to a Prime player. Since it was Entombed Valley against MKP, I became even more determined. I practised for MKP a lot right from the beginning anyway. Since the GSTL finals, both Parting and Squirtle have both beaten MKP once. I wanted a piece of him too. I wanted it as consolation for the time our chance at the championship was taken from us.

You had a lot of time to prepare since your loss in Code A Round 2

I practised a lot. Objectively speaking, I am at a low point at the moment. When I was working hard, I won in practice and did well on the ladder so never felt myself becoming bad but as I got lazy, I started to lose frequently. This made me re-evaluate myself and some people even said that I was a show off with ceremonies without actual skill which made me want to prove them wrong.

You must have set a higher goal for Code S now thanks to Squirtle

I’ve thought for a long time that I want to make it to the finals. First time Code S players become ecstatic when they get into ro4. It must feel good. I want to make ro4 first of all as well.

Anything to add?

I want to thank my teammates who helped with practice. Actually, on the day that my Round 2 match was held, it was Parents’ Day so I wanted to say thank you to my mother but couldn’t say anything because I lost. On Teacher’s Day, I wanted to say thanks to the coaches but I’m only able to do it now. I keep thinking of all my teammates who helped with practice.