EPT
Liquid`TaeJa![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Ogrxc.jpg)
Source: This Is Game
You've made Code S Ro16 three seasons in a row. How do you feel?
On Saturday and Sunday, my computer broke so I couldn't play any games. That's why I arrived early to the studio today so I could practice. I can't focus in PC bangs so I just prepared by watching replays on my laptop. It was hard to play games on my laptop.
Group E had deadly players known as MMA and Mvp. What kind of thoughts came across your mind when you saw your group?
I really liked it. I've been getting called the top Terran lately but it felt like it wasn't an official title unless I beat the other top Terrans. But there are still a lot of players I haven't faced yet so I can't say that I'm the top Terran player yet.
Was MaNa someone who you knew well since you have a lot of foreign tournament experiences?
I met him once in Assembly, where I won by a score of 3-2. He played exactly the same as he did during those games. I saw the benefits today from searching for and studying MaNa's replays.
You constructed additional CCs in a ceremonious style against MaNa.
I wanted to win in our mentality fight. I had a cheese rush prepared for game two so I wanted to tip him over the edge. But then he scouted me right away in game two.
In game two, he got back at you with a nexus rush.
It was so much fun. It made me want to get revenge for the third game.
In the winners' match against Mvp, you showed the more dominant position.
I blocked his attack in game one and won easily but game two was difficult. I had to follow up with a third CC so it wasn't easy.
Currently, you are under consideration as the #1 Terran player. What do you think you have to do to actually achieve this feature?
Since my TvTs are fundamentally solid, I really need to do well in my TvPs now since Protosses are rising right now. Right now, since Terrans aren't doing so hot right now, we Terrans need to stick together and instead of focusing on championships, we need to focus on proving who we are as a race and making a statement. It'd be much better of course if we did win championships, but right now that seems too hard to do.
Lately, people say that you've gotten a lot better.
I recently had to change mouses so it was difficult for me. I'm not sure if that's exactly the reason but all I know is that I'm not satisfied with my performances yet.
As of right now, you can't seem to get past the Ro8 in Code S.
I think Ro8 will be a given for me this season. Ro8 is like basic for me. I've won twice recently in overseas tournaments, so as long as I manage to avoid a Protoss, I should be able to grab the championship.
How are TvZs these days?
It's a lot better than TvPs right now. In TvZs, the better player wins.
Anything else you would like to say?
As I was preparing, I had a lot of help from Sting. I want to thank Sting for that. I want to thank my parents, my aunt, my brother, and my fans for always cheering for me. Lastly, I want to thank our sponsors TLAF, RAZER, and TwitchTV.
LG-IM_Mvp![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/dI4cv.jpg)
Source: This Is Game
You''ve made Code S Ro16 seven seasons in a row. How do you feel?
I had no idea it had already been seven seasons. I found this out through the interview. It's been seven seasons in a row so I feel really good and it also holds a deep meaning. But right now, I'm exhausted because of all the games. I really want to go home and rest.
You beat MMA in just two games and advanced out of your group as second. Were you worried about your head to head score?
Truth be told, I didn't think about our head to head score. In the past in another interview, I was asked if I wanted to grab revenge against MMA hyung. I knew that when I lost against him that it was because it was my fault and that I was lacking in my skills, but I also knew that I had the confidence to win if we ever met again. That's why I got up on the studio today with confidence and didn't really worry about my opponent's intentions.
You won today but you were in a troublesome situation earlier.
I had scenarios where I had to start off the series badly since I lost in the build order battle, and I also had scenarios where I made the wrong decisions so I couldn't block the opponent's attacks. I think suffered quite a lot during the early games.
Why did you lose to TaeJa in the winners' round?
I think skill wise, he was better than me and also, I didn't quite prepare thoroughly enough. Overall, I was insufficient.
Recently, people have been claiming TaeJa as the top Terran.
I always thought that TaeJa and ByuN were really good. Regarding TaeJa however, he's putting up the results that are worth the high standard in which I hold him to. ByuN is also really good but he hasn't made the kind of results he should be with his skills. I think both players hold the potential to win the championship someday though.
Is the current top Terran still you?
Truth be told, skill wise, I'm just not up there right now compared to the other Terrans. There are just so many good Terran players out there right now. The situation is a lot different from last year. I've also dropped in my skill level a bit. Truth be told, in my current state, I think I'm probably ranked around 60th in the GSL. Basically, there are about 50ish players that are better than me right now (laughs). I am saying all this right now because I think this sort of mentality is the reason I have been faltering lately. In the end, the important thing is skill. If my skills are there, I can win championships. I also have the confidence necessary. I lost to TaeJa today but I was never intimidated.
How is your wrist treatment progress?
I have had a hectic schedule lately because of not only my scheduled matches but also because of our sponsor's requested events. Thanks to that, I haven't been able to tend to my wrists lately because I can barely get any rest these days and it's also such a hassle.
In the OSL, you have an important match up coming up against PartinG.
I lost to Flying but so did PartinG. Truth be told, there's really no inspiration there. My only regret right now is that PartinG and my upcoming match determines who advances and who get eliminated, so I'm disappointed about that.
You've had some experiences in losing to KeSPA player lately. What kind of feelings did you get during those losses?
Truth be told, I didn't really feel anything different. I hadn't prepared thoroughly enough and I was also outplayed in other areas. But if we ever meet again, I'm confident enough that I'll win. Games are all about winning some and losing some. It's just that in those situations, I was lacking.
Can you win the championship this season?
It's going to be a little difficult. But I mean, I won in season two when everyone had counted me out so whatever. I think that if I'm given the opportunities, I can always grasp it. If I just work harder, I'm sure the championship is a possibility.
Anything else you would like to say?
I want to thank my teammates, ST_Sound, and NSH_jjakji for practicing with me. For my OSL match against BaBy, PuMa and MMA helped me out so I want to thank them for that. LG-IM's LoL team has a very important match coming up on Wednesday so I hope they do well regarding that. If I get the chance, I want to go cheer for them. NesTea hyung has another OSL match coming up soon. I know he's in a tough situation but I really hope he makes it to the Ro8. (eh? Isn't NesTea already eliminated? http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/2012_OnGameNet_Starleague_Season_1/Round_of_16 ) I want to thank my parents for always cheering for me. Lastly, I want to thank our sponsors LG, Steelseries, Googims, Nvidia, and Coca-Cola.
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