[Interview] OSL Ro16 D1 Winners

Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about grabbing your first ever OSL victory?

I'm glad that I won against my opponent who won the last OSL. Recently I have been playing really poorly but because I won like this with a great feeling the victory makes me more happy than usual.

What is the reason for your poor performances lately?

Normally nerves don't effect my games but since I kept on losing I began to get nervous regarding my games. So I would often attack needlessly and create losing situations for myself and I would often mis-micro. I played today's game with the thought of not caring if I lost and I think that's why I was able to calmly play today and win.

JangBi used an aggressive phoenix play.

I watched JangBi's VODs and I noticed that he's a player who likes to use blink stalkers to harass his opponent so I practiced against that kind of strategy. But then I got all flustered after I saw him use phoenixes. I think what really helped me was when I saw him move his army out and I decided to attack from the back.

If you had to evaluate the KeSPA players' skills?

Against really good players, we're not even favored during practice. I think they would perform phenomenally in the GSL as well. I could tell that the KeSPA players' skills had climbed a very large amount through laddering against them.

In the OSL group nominations, there was some heated back and forth moments between you and JangBi.

I was in a situation where I would have been the one grabbing the most embarrassment if I lost. I was so scared that people were going to say things like "oh wow, a GSL champion just got eliminated." After losing to EffOrt in the WCS, I received so much criticisms that it affected me very harshly but I'm glad I was able to win this time. I think because JangBi had to keep practicing SC1 up till now, he hasn't been able to focus as much on SC2.

What are your goals for this season?

My ultimate goal will be the championship. But the maps are like this and the players are so good that it's not going to be easy. I at least want to get to the semi finals and show how much fun Zergs can have.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank finale for helping me with practice, my fans who cheered for me, and my coach. Lately my family has been really worried about me but since I won today I want them to stop worrying about me so much. I also want to thank my girlfriend for coming with me today. I will work hard from here on out to get back the old form I once had. Lastly, I want to thank our sponsors Lotte, RAZER, and partner MYM.

Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about grabbing your first ever SC2 tournament victory?

As soon as I was put in an advantageous situation, I became really shaky. Even right now I'm still shaking. I think I'm happier than I was when I won a BW game.

When did you know for certain that you had won?

I felt like NesTea was getting too flustered by my medivac harassment. I had a feeling that I was going to win from there. I feel really good because my intended attacks went really well.

What was the trigger that made you prepare for today's game with that strategy?

It was a strategy that BoxeR hyung uses a lot in his games. I received that strategy so I was able to use it. At first, my opponent's drone and my scv met each other early on in the game so I got a little flustered but I think the game went much easier than I expected it to.

Is BoxeR's coaching helping out?

There was a lot we didn't know. We weren't properly using all the interface features SC2 had to offer and there were a lot of areas where we weren't fully tapping in to our potentials, so yes, thanks to coach BoxeR, we have been seeing a lot of progress.

NesTea is a really strong player so weren't you feeling pressured as your prepared?

I had confidence when I picked NesTea at the nomination but after watching his VODs I saw that he was better than I thought. So I was really worried about that but I was able to win so I am relieved. I think I went over a big obstacle today.

There seems to be a lot of talk saying that SC2 fits you better than SC1.

Even in my opinion I think SC2 fits me better than SC1. I get this feeling that I'll just keep getting better and better the more I play. I'm still lacking in skill right now but if I keep progressing according to the schedule then I should be able to become a top player.

How do you plan to prepare for the rest of your games?

The remaining two opponents are not easy opponents either. I'm going to have to prepare for my opponents one by one. Today's match up was against a GSL player so I wasn't feeling very confident about my skills but thank to today's victory, I was able to gain that confidence.

Anything else you would like to say?

Today was the first time I came to the studio like this with coach BoxeR. His advice helped me grab the victory. I was worried about getting here because of the storm but as it turns out, it wasn't that bad. I hope the fans can all return home safely.

Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about grabbing your first victory after taking down BaBy?

I think this is the first time I was able to practice for a match up feeling this jolly. Normally I feel really pressured as I prepare for my games but this time I was able to prepare calmly. I didn't think about our affiliations like GSL or KeSPA as I prepared so I think that's why I was able to play such a great game.

At the group nominations you seemed very bold but weren't you feeling the burden of losing?

I was confident that I was going to win as long as I met a Terran opponent. I thought to myself that since I have so much confidence against GSL players that KeSPA players should be easier to win against.

BaBy attacked you early game.

During my practices, the scenario that I really wished for happened today. That's why I was able to block it with such ease and take the victory. I felt like I didn't need to play a long macro game. So I practiced against a lot of all ins.

Has anything changed since the group ceremonies?

I looked at my twitter this morning and saw that I had a lot tweets than usual so I realized that I received a lot more followers. That really livened me up. Lately I've been practicing even harder for the fans.

Today's ceremony was very unique.

It was a ceremony I had thought of after BaBy provoked me. My next opponent will be Flying hyung and since I'm good friends with him I am going to show a grand ceremony. Instead of using a sponge I am going to prepare a different ceremony.

With this momentum you could probably aim for the championship.

Since it's only the Ro16, I think it's too early to talk about the championship. I think I'll get there eventually as long as I keep working hard. After losing to Mvp hyung in the last GSL, I realized that I shouldn't be so cocky.

Anything you would like to say to BaBy?

I was supposed to exchange number with BaBy but I ended up losing my cell phone. In order to become friends with BaBy quickly I think I'm going to have hurry up and get another phone. Today's ceremony was for the league's success. If he beats me next time I am prepared to take on whatever ceremony is thrown at me. Personally, I wish to advance to the Ro8 with BaBy.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank Sparta, Harrier, Bomber hyung, Sound hyung, Hack hyung, and Sculp for helping me with practice. I also want to thank teamless Sting and Team Legion's Shuttle (F*** YEAH SHUTTLE!) for their help as well. MMA and Squirtle gave me a lot of advice so I was able to play a great game today.
Today AcE hyung and Hack hyung failed to make it through up and downs but I hope they don't feel too bad about it and stay strong since there will be plenty of other chances. Lastly, I want to thank our sponsors BenQ, Joy Gear, and Red Bull.

Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about grabbing your first ever OS2L victory?

I feel really good. I'm not necessarily satisfied yet but I don't think it was that bad of a game.

Weren't you feeling the pressure because you had to face a GSL player?

It wasn't that hard for me to prepare. A lot of players worked hard to hep me so I was able to gain the confidence I needed to win.

What was the reason that you weren't satisfied with today's game?

My hands did not move like they did in practice. So that was a shame. I'm going to make sure I play a better game next time. I'm in a group against 3 Protoss players so I'm feeling a lot of pressure but I am going to prepare for my next game and make sure I put up a good result.

Were you able to receive some help from coach Clide?

He would help me out even on days that he had off. All the KT teammates are on break right now so I had no practice partner but coach Clide was a former GSL representative so it was a huge help.

You have to face BeSt in the next round.

It is really hard to beat Protosses on Daybreak. Even GSL players tend to QQ about that map. GSL players don't seem to be acknowledging BeSt but I think he's good. That's why I am going to have to prepare extensively for him.

ProLeague is over so you can now focus all your time on SC2.

A certain side of me is relieved but the other side of me feels like it was such a shame. Since I have been given the opportunity, I'm not going to think about anything and just practice SC2 so that my skills can become that of a top player.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank Wooki, Stats, and JYP for helping me with practice.

Sniper and GuMiho,