[Interview] WCS South Korea Preliminaries

Your thoughts on qualifying WCS Korea?

For some reason, I don't feel my best in the morning. So I drank some Red Bull and it gave me wings (T/N: ....... this is a literal translation). Thanks to Red Bull, I was able to concentrate on my games. Red bull really does make me feel less tired.

This was the first time you faced KeSPA players. How was the semi-finals against Light?

Before the match against Light, Ace gave me a lot of advice. I kept in mind his advice on strategy and style but even so, Light played much better than I expected. His mech was outstanding and his hellion drop harass was exceptional.

You played Zero in the finals as well

Prior to this, I had already beaten two Zergs and I was well warmed up so I had an easy time. I was a bit taken aback by Zero's aggressive tendencies early in the game and his boldness in taking expansions. Once again, I felt like my opponent was better than expected and I was having a hard time.

Your medivac harass stood out in the finals

I like to call my TvZ Guerilla TvZ. I love hitting the Zerg on multiple fronts. I am confident in my multitasking abilities so I enjoy using this style.

You're doing well in Code A this season but this is the first time you're in a major tournament. What is your goal?

I have a busy schedule lately. There's Code A and after today, I have prepare for WCG qualifiers. However, everyone else is just as busy. I'll work hard so that I get the chance to represent Korea.

Anyone you wish to face in the playoffs?

I don't know the brackets that well. I have confidence against anyone.

Are you confident about qualifying for WCG next week?

I have Code A Round 3 early next week. If I manage to get straight into Code S, I think I can use the momentum from that and from today to qualify for WCG.

Anything to add?

Bomber brought his Red Bull headsets for me to use today. I want to thank him for doing this for me. I also want to thank Ace, Coach Kim and Coach Yoon for helping me stay focused. Also, Sickness said he would be facing me in today's qualifier but he got eliminated early on. I hope he does much better nest time. I want to thank Lim, Ho Jin 'hyung' who always cheers me on and also Red Bull for giving me wings, ZowieGear and BenQ.

How do you feel qualifying for WCS?

Good. I wasn't expecting to qualify. I saw that MMA was in the same group. However, thankfully he was eliminated and I was able to qualify.

Was MMA your only worry in Group C

Yes. I find TvT difficult so MMA was my only hurdle.

How have you been spending your break?

I helped other players with their GSL matches. I helped Seed a lot in particular. I helped out whenever he asked. Sometimes, I even asked him "do you want to practise?" before he came to me.

Did you play any KeSPA players?

I went against SKTjeongyeongjae for my first match. I lost Set 1. He seems reasonably good. I lost the first game because I was overly cautious and later on, I again fell behind but came back with solid macro.

Do you think you could be the player to represent Korea?

It won't be easy so I'll have to do my best. There are so many great players. Also, they are the ones who work the hardest as well.

It has been about one and a half years since you joined LG-IM

It's so much better than being an amateur. I haven't had many matches to play so I haven't had the chance to practise as effectively as some of the busier players.

Anything to add?

I want to thank the coach and his wife as well as my older sister. I want to thank LG Electronics, Googims, StreelSeries, Nvidia and Coca cola. Lastly, I want to thank Seed who always reminds me to be confident.

How do you feel qualifying for WCS?

I was tired because it was held in the morning. However, my group was favourable so I knew I would qualify without any trouble. I was lucky.

You had Flash in your group

Our team's Skit lost to Flash earlier today. I thought KeSPA players would struggle having to play both games but Flash is looking strong. He seemed like one of the GSL players. I was hoping for Flash to advance to the finals because he seemed easier to beat but Sniper still pulled through.

Your finals against Sniper ended blazingly quick

He's someone I practise regularly with so I know his style through and through. That's why I tried counter build and they worked beautifully. Both games were far from macro, I admit.

Do you want to do well in WCS?

After being eliminated in NASL and losing in Code A, the only thing I have left is WCS. I hope to work hard and do well this time.

You didn't get to participate in the GSTL match last night

I'm hoping I get to play eventually because it's been a long time since I have. It'd be great to play in the finals.

Coca now has a shot at the GSTL most-kill award

I don't really care but I can't say the same for Coca. I hope he stops it. I care much more about the team's victory than some award.

You qualified without playing any of the KeSPA players.

I actually wanted to. I could have faced one in the finals so it's a shame I didn't get to.

Anything to add?

I want to thank my teammates for helping with practice. It was Curious' mother's birthday a few days ago when he played but he couldn't congratulate her because he lost. I want to take this opportunity to do it in his stead.

How do you feel to qualify?

I don't feel much else other than happiness. I came into this qualifier with no expectations. The more I want to win, the worse I do so I tried to be as carefree as possible this time.

What did you think when you first saw the bracket?

I felt it was possible for me to qualify but it was by no means an easy group. It was no surprise when I had some difficult games today. There were some where I clawed my way back in what should have been loses. Other than the match against Finale, they were all very hard.

You qualified without playing any of the KeSPA players

I've faced plenty on the ladder so that's okay. I watched them play though and there was much to learn from them. I'm quite serious. The way they handled their units and the decisions they made were impressive. Even on the ladder, they're quite good. They are no pushover.

You have to play many games in the playoffs. Are you confident?

Not really. I'll just try to take it easy regardless of who my opponent is.

You haven't been very busy lately. How did you spend time?

I just focused on ladder. I held the GM rank 1 spot for a little while too. I practise the same regardless of whether there is a tournament to attend or not.

If you become the representative for Korea, you will have to go to Shanghai

I've never been to China. But I shouldn't get ahead of myself. There is a long way to go yet.

Anything to add?

I want to thank the sponsors.

Your thoughts on successfully qualifying for WCS?

I was feeling so ill that I coudln't even eat. I was really worried so it's a huge relief to have made it through. I'm been slumping lately and with today's win, I seem to be reversing that trend. I will work even harder in the future.

What do you know about this game?

Well, there's no point in knowing about a tournament unless you qualify and I'd by lying if I said I knew that much about the WCS when I signed up. I feel like if I win WCS South Korea and become our representative, I can play really well in China.

How were the games involving KeSPA players?

I don't know much about their players so I'm not sure. Flash looked excellent through. It might have something to do with the different practice regimens that teams employ but there is a wide range of skill amongst the KeSPA players. For example, against n.die.soo, I got the better end of the build order choices and in general it was an easy game.

Any difficult games from today?

Honestly, overall, I didn't think I would have a hard time against the majority of the KeSPA players in the bracket or the players on my side of the bracket. On the other hand, there was JYP to go through which concerned me but Tree took him down on his way. So it was pretty easy after all.

Do you admit that you have been slumping?

I scored 6-7 wins in last season of GSTL but this season, I've scored only one kill so far. I haven't done well in Code S either so this is definitely a slump.

It must have been hard for you

There were times when I was mentally shaken. I found some flaws in my play also but I'll keep those to myself if that's okay.

Startale acquired Zenex

Our team was deficient in our Zerg line up and Zenex Zergs are a powerful addition. I think we will be able to help each other improve. The acquisition was an excellent choice.

Anything to add?

I think I rambled in the broadcasted interview a short while ago. From now on, I'll work on my interviewing skills as as the game and show only the best of me. I know it's been a while since I was able to post results like today so I want to do even better in the future. I want to thank our sponsors Red Bull, BenQ, Zowie and Joygear.

Your thoughts on qualifying for WCS South Korea?

The dual tournament is tomorrow and I had to practise for GSTL which meant I couldn't help but neglect WCS. I came here intending to rely on my fundamentals alone so it's a great relief to make it through. Also, I had to play against a KeSPA player in the finals and I was super nervous.

You won every game in this qualifier. Can you pick out the hardest game?

The finals would be it. Leaving skill aside, he was a newcomer and part of KeSPA which made it difficult for me. I was under heavy pressure with the thought that I couldn't lose as someone who started Starcraft 2 earlier.

You say that but you took the finals 2:0

I was planning to overcome my opponent with a large number of zerglings on Ohana. However, I was taken aback when I saw no expansion until a colossus came out. He was way more defensive than I expected and unpredictable which complicated it even more. I'm still not sure exactly how I won.

The playoffs will be ro32 double elimination so are you confident about becoming the national representative?

I am. I am doing well lately and the results reflect that. This is giving me confidence. I feel like I can beat anyone.

Anyone you want to meet in the playoffs?

No one in particular. I don't really mind.

What is your goal in the playoffs?

It's always the championship. I want to start doing well in individual leagues as well now.

You are in the OSL dual tournament tomorrow. How do you think it will go?

It's best of 1 so I prepared thoroughly. MC is great at overall macro as well as in the early game so I have a lot to think about. I'm ready for everyone else though.

Were you motivated by Byun's success?

While Byun was making his flashy return, I wasn't able to do do anything. It was hard for me to watch but at the same time, it was a great source of motivation. It's fine now since I am doing much better.

Anything to add?

First and foremost, I want to thank Cella. I also want to thank Boxer and Jessica who promised to treat me to a meal after this. Puzzle mentioned that he doesn't care about the most-kill award in GSTL. Well, neither do I and I got it without trying. But as long as I have it, I won't have it taken away.

You have qualified for WCS. How do you feel?

I had no clue about this tournament until just a few days ago. I feel great having qualified like this.

What did you think about WCS once you learned more about the tournament?

It sounds like a huge tournament. I hope to work hard and get the chance to represent Korea

Were there any difficult matches today?

I played against Yoda and went loss-win-win. He was so much better than I expected. It was a hard won victory.

You didn't get to play against KeSPA players

Fortunately. The really good KeSPA players are hard to beat. I watched them play and they're really good. There's much to learn and they do a lot of unique plays.

You also had a team kill. How did that make you feel?

I felt sorry for the team kill. But that's not to say I wanted to give him the win at any point. He's actually a really great player so it's a shame he had to meet me and be eliminated.

You're doing well in Code A and just in general

I can thank my practice regime. When I wasn't doing well, it was because I wasn't practising enough.

Do you think you can represent Korea?

Probably not (laugh). I won't know until later but I'm not too confident. There are KeSPA players as well as high ranking GSL players in the playoffs so it' going to be too difficult.

Anything to add

Unfortunately, ByuN was eliminated. I hope he doesn't take the loss too hard especially after his loss in ro4. I'm sorry to Salmosa for teamkilling him today and I hope he makes it next time. I hope everyone in the team feels motivated and wish the players who are in tomorrow's qualifier the best.

How do you feel qualifying for WCS?

Lately, I've been losing in a lot of official matches so today's win makes me very glad. It's been quite a slump.

How was your play today?

Today, I used early rushes to end the games early. I had the mindset that losing the first game didn't matter since I was confident I could take the next two. All my opponents were rather greedy.

You faced Best in the finals

I rushed him early so I can't really determine his skill level.

How about the match against Lizzy?

I ended the first set with an early rush and the other two with 2 medivac drops. The games went according to plan and there were no difficulties.

This is a tournament to pick out Korea's representative. How much do you want it?

My understanding is that it is one of the biggest tournaments. I want it very much.

Since being defeated by MVP in Code S, you seem to be on the backfoot

I would have to say that I got complacent. That's why I am now more determined than ever. I will work hard.

You have WCG qualifiers next week

I'm confident I can qualify. Qualifiers are usually won by the better player so it doesn't matter what I do.

What do you think about the skill level of KeSPA players?

They're definitely good. Their mid-late game is excellent. However, their early game needs work.

Anything to add?

I want to thank the coach and his wife. I haven't been able to call my family for a while so it's nice to be able to say hi in an interview. I want to thank all the teammates who helped with practice. This week, our LoL team is also competing so I wish them the best. I want to thank the sponsors LG Electronics, Googims, SteelSeries, Nvidia and Coca Cola.