[Interview] Code A Ro32 Day 2 2012 GSL Season 3

Tell us your feelings about advancing into the Ro24.

Recently it seems I've been showing nothing but losses in the GSL but winning like this today made me so happy. Not to mention I was able to beat Killer hyung again like just like the last time I tried to advance for Code S, so I really feel like I'm going to do well this season.

How was today's matches?

When I got into the booths, I got this feeling that I was playing two ladder games. Thankfully everything went as I wanted them to. Killer hyung seemed to play straight into my hands and that is why today went so smoothly.

What is the reason you did not practice for this?

In my opinion, PvPs are 80% luck and 20% skill. That's why instead of needlessly practicing for this, I left it all up to chance. If you get your build orders mix matched with your opponent's, you cannot win. People need to think of PvPs to the equivalent of that of ZvZs back in BW.

Your next opponent is aLive

This is someone I've really wanted to play for some time. So far in every tournament we have ever met, aLive hyung has always won. Since he made it undefeated to the Ro24 so peacefully, I will also peacfully send him straight to the Up & Downs

You have OSL Dual Tournament ahead of you.

The format and progress of tournaments are so much better with GOMTV. As expected, the games I played were just as fierce as they would have been in the GSL. Last qualifiers I wasn't able to talk a lot of smack but if I can no longer say many things through interviews, then I'll just prove it with my skills. If there is anyone out there who has a problem with what I say in interviews, then come after me.

If you had to rate the skills of the KeSPA players?

KeSPA players are not that far from us skillwise but they're not Code A level yet. In any race match up, as long as my build orders don't fail, I think I have the confidence to never lose. Especially against Terrans or Zergs I guarantee my victories. There are a select few within the KeSPA players who are definitely Code A level but everyone else is clearly underneath the level of Code A.

Any last words?

Thank you to AcE hyung and San hyung for practicing with me. July hyung would always scoff at me, AcE hyung, and Squirtle hyung because he was always in Code S and we were always trying to get through the preliminaries. Now that the situation has reversed I hope July hyung gives us more respect (laughs).
Recently aLive hyung keeps bragging that he wins all our encounters. Since I have the advantage in our upcoming match, I want to tell him to prepare his mind for that when he shows up. I will drop him faster than the speed of a falling meteor. Thank you to our sponsors BenQ, Joy Gear, and Red Bull. I also want to thank my teacher at Seoul DigiTech High School, Choi Moon Hwee.

Tell us your feelings about advancing into the Ro24.

Right now it's exam season so I was really worried since I wasn't able to practice a lot. But I'm so happy that I was able to win.

Both games you chose to be aggressive.

I didn't get to practice a lot on Daybreak but I played with a certain thing in mind. My opponent is an aggressive player so I decided to focus on mainly that part.

In his most recent interview, Life portrayed a lot of confidence.

Because of exams, I had already anticipated falling into the Up & Downs. But I think Life was acting a little too cocky so I made the decisions to punish him a little. So I prepared extensively for him.

Compared to other Zergs, it seems like you haven't been doing well.

After falling out of Code S that one time, I haven't been able to play many games. I think that is why people feel this way. I don't think I've been playing poorly at all. In order to change the way fans view me, I've been focusing heavily for the GSTL.

Your next opponent is Ryung.

Ryung hyung seems to be doing really well recently. So I think I'm going to have to prepare thoroughly for him. Even if I do lose to Ryung, I think I'll easily make it back into Code S through the Up & Downs.

How are your preparations going for the semi finals of the GSTL?

GSTL is always on my mind. Because our team has been preparing so well, I think we'll be able to produce great results. Recently DongRaeGu hyung has gotten really cocky so I'm worried about that but if we can take him down, I think we'll make it to the finals.

You have several upcoming tournaments where you have to face KeSPA players.

Within the KeSPA players, there are ones who exceed expectations and ones that play abysmally. I don't have a lot of information regarding my opponents so I'll just prepare as if I was playing ladder games.

Any last words?

I want to thank Whale hyung, Sirius hyung, Lucky hyung and JKS hyung for practicing with me. I also want to thank all my friends and fans for always supporting me. I want to thank our sponsor FXO and Razer. If we can make into the finals of this season's GSTL, FXOBoSs said he would make an appearance so I'm hoping to see our manager again.

Tell us your feelings about advancing into the Ro24.

Since coming to TSL, this is the first time I've won two matches back to back, so I'm really thrilled about that.

You started with a loss in game 1.

I prepared extensively but I ended up making a mistake. I should have prevented the hellions from leaving his base but I wasn't able to and that is why I lost. I didn't think his marauders would spawn that quickly.

You were able to win in both games 2 and 3.

In the end, game 2 went my way. I took some damage from his hellions but I also did damage with my own hellions. But unlike game 2 game 3 was really nerve wracking. I expected my opponent to do an all in but he went for an economic build.

Last season, you got seeded straight into Code S but fell to Code A.

I've been sharpening my sword. I practice a lot differently than I have in then past. I even forsake participating in foreign tournaments right now because I want to focus on the GSL. That's why I think I'll be able to show a great performance next season.

Your team is known for having nothing but Zergs.

I'm glad our team is performing well, but the fact that we are winning purely through our Zergs is disheartening. If I get sent out during the semi finals of the GSTL, I'm going to play my absolute best.

When do you think you'll return to Code S?

I don't think it's that far off. I think I've grabbed a lot of momentum from winning 2 matches in a row. (Ro48, Ro32) Next season I'm going to easily get back into Code S.

You have several upcoming tournaments where you have to face KeSPA players.

From all perspectives, I think this is going to be great. If KeSPA players become really good then we get a whole new batch of opponents so that's all good. For me, the more tournaments I participate in, the more chances I have to show my skills so it's great.

In the Ro24, there is a possibility you may have to go through a team kill.

It always feels good when a teammate advances, but to have face that same teammate later is a bummer. Would it be okay for me to advance through the Ro24 and for Shine to advance through the Up & Downs?

Are you confident that you'll make it to the finals of the GSTL?

The atmosphere is really good for us so we have a lot of confidence.

Any last words?

Recently, I switched to a new keyboard so I think my results are better because of that. I want to thank our sponsors Sky Digital, and I also want to thank Punisher for helping me with practice.

You've returned to Code A after 4 seasons and today, you made it to the Ro24.

I feel great. I just feel really happy.

You advanced with a score of 2:0. How were your games?

Game 1 went as I wanted it to but game 2 was unclean. Even after winning I wasn't satisfied. It should have been a clean victory but inside, I was feeling really disturbed, Even though I grabbed the advantage in game 2, my hands weren't moving the way I wanted them to and I was not satisfied with the game at all.

In game 1, we saw a manner mule ceremony.

Originally I wasn't planning on doing a ceremony but I did it without thinking about it (laughs). I don't even do that during practices but for some reason I did it today while sitting in my booth.

What is the secret to your survival?

All I can say is that I did my best. I gave all my games a lot of thought and prepared for them.

In the Ro24, you will face SuperNoVa. What do you think will happen?

I lost (laughs). He's a really good player and I don't think I'm good enough to beat him. But that doesn't mean I won't prepare extensively and play my absolute best. As long as I'm satisfied with my performance, I won't care about losing.

Even if you lose in the Ro24, you can still make it through the Up & Downs. Are you confident that you'll make it to Code S?

Nope. Initially my goal was Code A and Code A only. Since I achieved this goal, I'm playing the rest of my games with a calm and peaceful mindset. Today I was lucky enough to win. Right now my homework is to make sure I have adapted to all kinds of situation through my games. If I don't adapt to tournaments or to my individual performances it is obvious I'll fail even if I do make it to Code S. Even if I lose, the most important thing is to completely prepare myself.

Any last words?

The build I used in game 1 was a build I beat everyone with. YongHwa and Ready and everyone lost to it, but just before I came to the GSL studio, I practiced with it one last time and revised it. That was the key. I want to thank those two players for that. During my last interview, I forgot to thank horror so I want to thank him this time.
I want to thank the IM coach and my sister in law. I also want to thank our sponsors LG, Steel Series, Coca Cola, Nvidia, and Googims.

First of all, tell us your feelings about making it to the Ro24 of Code A.

Since I didn't have a practice house I mainly did a lot of image training. JYP and Brown helped me at the last minute so I think I won because of that.

You're good friends with HerO, so did you feel bad about beating him?

I'm confident that he'll make it through Up & Downs so I think it's fine. We shared a conversation before the games. We said regardless of who wins, the loser would make it through the Up & Downs.

You won with a score of 2:0. The games were good to the viewers but what do you think?

I think luckily, everything just fell right into place. One mistake in game 1 and I would have lost, but I scanned my opponent's natural, saw what was going on, and adapted to the situation and won in the end.

Your next opponent is viOLet. What do you think will happen?

viOLet is also a friend of mine so I think the games will be really fun. viOLet has been doing really well as of late so I think I need to prepare extensively for him.

How do you feel about resting from Code S for a season?

I'm envious of the players who did make it to Code S and I'm also frustrated. This season, Seed made it to the Ro4. I remember the days when we were both amateurs and playing together. I feel like he's seen the light so I feel proud about that and I hope he makes it all the way to the finals.

How confident are you that you'll make it back into Code S for next season?

50/50? The reason being that TvZ is so hard nowadays. But for now I need to practice with a mentality of avoiding the Up & Downs.

Because of that recent article, a lot of fans are worried about you. What's going on?

Aside from my performances these days, there is really nothing else I can say about that.

Soon you will face KeSPA players in the preliminaries.

I'm really anticipating those matches. I think it'll be fun to play against T1 dongsaengs. (dongsaeng is a term Koreans use when we're talking about people who are close to us to but younger than us) For this season of OSL, FanTaSy made it to the finals. If he reads this, I want him to know that I'm rooting for him.

Are there any players you really want to face?

As of right now, there are no KeSPA players that have really been figured out. So there aren't any players I specifically want to face. Ah, I think it'll be fun to play against Woongjin's ZerO. We were really good friends back in the BW amateur days, but he would tease me a lot. Right now I'm sure I'll be able to pay him back the favor. I know he's a Zerg but in his current condition I think I'll be okay (laughs).

Any last words?

Because of that recent article, a lot of fans seems to be concerned about me. A lot of my foreign fans also have sent me words of encouragement. I felt really happy because they said they would keep rooting for me no matter what happened. I really want to thank my fans. I promise to always play my absolute best.

You were behind by losing game 1 but you made it into the Ro24 of Code A.

I was really nervous because I had lost the first game. I made a lot of mistakes but I was able to win because my friend, Cyrano, and coach Kim came to cheer me on.

In game 1, you lost to a +3 timing attack.

I watched a lot of replays and anticipated an early attack from my opponent. But he attacked much later than I thought he would so he caught me off guard.

How were the rest of your games?

In game 2, I knew he would do a quick timing attack. Originally I thought a 4 gate was coming but he went for a timing attack that involved a lot more gateways. I blocked his attack well but I felt like I was behind. But needless to say I was lucky and was able to win. Game 3 went just the way I wanted it to.

Your first debut in Code A and yet you've played exceptionally well. How do you feel?

Of course I feel great. This is my first time in Code A but I really want to make it to Code S. Because I keep winning like this, I just don't want to stop.

Unfortunately your Ro24 opponent is your own teammate Polt. What do you think will happen?

If I want to make it into Code S he is definitely an opponent I need to overcome. Since he's a fellow teammate there's a burden on me. We also talk to each other on a daily basis so I am worried about this match. I think it will be hard to prepare for him but for now, GSTL comes first. After we make it to the finals of the GSTL, then I'll worry about Code A.

In his interview, Polt said that he would take the victory and asked that you advance through the Up & Downs.

It's the same for me. I want to win and make it straight into Code S. I don't know what the result is going to be. We will have to face each other to know that. Regardless of the winner, one of us will make it into Code S, and even though the loser has to go to Up & Downs, I have a lot of confidence that we'll make it.

TSL is becoming well known for their Zergs. Do you also feel proud about this?

I feel really great. In the past, we were ridiculed for being a weak team, but all our efforts seem to have finally paid off.

Any last words?

Today was Chobok day so our coach and his wife made Samgyetang for us. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samgyetang
Thanks to that, I was able to produce great results. My parents have told me they enjoy reading my interviews after I win a match. I will keep on winning to make sure I continuously bring that joy to my parents.
I want to thank Cyrano and coach Kim for coming today. I also want to thank my teammates for always giving me advice. I want to thank our sponsors Handsome Nerd and Sky Digital

How do you feel about making it to the Ro24 of Code A?

I fell from Code S and our team fell from the GSTL. Thanks to today's victory, I feel a little better but there is still a far road ahead for us.

In game 1 you prepared a zergling/baneling drop but ended up losing. What was lacking?

I should have hidden my overlords better but I revealed them right in front of the Protoss' natural. I thought I hid them well but I was later told that I was caught because the toss scouted it. Because of that I wasn't able to get any probes with my banelings and that is why I lost.

In game 2, did you anticipate your opponent's all in?

If my opponent did an all in I was planning on winning by blocking it. If my opponent decided to expand, I was going to attack and end the game. My opponent expanded so I was preparing an attack but he ended up moving out instead. I felt like he was going to attack regardless of whether he cancelled his nexus or allowed it to finish.

In the final game, it seems like the Protoss GG'ed too fast. What do you think?

In my situation, if a Protoss attacks that much I also find it hard to block it. But in my case, I kept most of my army alive and blocked it while the Protoss had no transitional units. In economy and in army the ratio was 9:1 so it was a sure victory.

In Ro24 you will face Creator. What do you think will happen?

Lately Creator has been on a terrible rise. I read his interview and he stated that his Ro24 opponent is going to be easier than his Ro32 opponent. Looks like I'm going to have to win (laughs). I will show him that I'm not an easy opponent he can just beat.

You have to play a cross match and also face KeSPA players soon.

In my case, I have confidence. The only experience I have against KeSPA players is through ladder. The good players have a high ranking on ladder but their skill level is still unknown until we we actually face them. But I've heard that there are a lot of really good players so I can't underestimate them. They are BW professionals so they are learning very fast.

What are your chances of making it into Code S?

I think I'll make it straight through the Ro24. Even if I don't I think I'll definitely make it through the Up & Downs.

After merging with ZeNEX how good do you think the synergy will be?

They haven't moved in to the team house yet so I don't really know. I think if they move in with us and practice with us a lot, the synergy will just naturally occur.

Any last words?

I want to thank all the Protoss players on StarTale and FXOTear for practicing with me. I want to thank our sponsors BenQ, Red Bull, Zowie Gear, and Joy Gear.
The build I used in game 1 was a build taught to me by StarTale_Hello (cannot find him on Liquipedia but he's on TLPD. Weird....) I want to apologize to him for screwing it up because of my incapability.