Source: This Is Game
How do you feel about advancing to the Ro16 as first in your group?
I was really worried about today since I didn't get a lot of sleep and my health was not in the best condition but I was able to advance far more easily than I expected to so I feel dazed.
Was there anything disappointing about today's matches?
I could've defeated Polt hyung by a score of 2-0 today but I ended up giving away a game so that was disappointing. I wanted to make a clean 2-0 sweep and make my way up but I think losing a game hurt my pride a little.
Did you expect to face finale in the winners' match?
I didn't practice up for any PvPs today and had just focused solely on PvTs. TaeJa is such a good player so I knew that that match was going to be difficult but finale played so well that he surprised me. But I knew that I was going to advance no matter what if I had to play a PvP so I was confident.
You don't necessarily have the best PvP score yet you were confident that you would beat finale if you faced him?
Recently I've been winning all my PvPs. Back when I sucked at PvPs it was because I just wasn't practicing them. But after my loss to Rain hyung in the OSL, I've had this determination to extensively practice PvPs as well. So I've been preparing really hard since then and Squirtle hyung has helped me in so many areas where I was lacking so I was able to cover my holes.
You were able to make it to the Ro16 after three seasons so this must mean a lot for you than the others.
I now know what an honor it is to be able to grab the microphone and do an interview at GOMTV. I am glad that I get to attend the group nominations and I also feel like if I pick my group wisely for this season's Ro16, I should be able to make it all the way to the semi finals. Right now I'm booming with confidence so I am confident I can defeat anyone that comes my way.
Is there anyone specific you want to face for the Ro16?
If I get a chance to pick, I am going to grab MarineKing hyung, Rain hyung, and DRG hyung. I am confident that I can get through even a group of death. I especially want to face Rain hyung the most out of these three so I really hope Rain hyung makes it to the Ro16.
Rain won OSL so how do you feel about that?
I can't help but think that I would've been the one standing there on the stage if I had just beaten Rain hyung. Honestly, I'm envious because of his victory but I'm also close friends with Rain hyung so I want to congratulate him. It seems like Rain hyung has been blocking my paths lately so this time it'll be my turn to do the same for him for the GSL.
Anything else you would like to say?
I want to thank our sponsors ZOWIE Gear, Joy Gear, Red Bull, and Hack, Sparta, Sound hyung, and teamless Sting for all their help with practicing. My friends have a ranked math exam ahead of them so I hope they do well for that and get in to the colleges of their choice. This time I am going to make it far as the fans want me to go so I hope they watch me with a lot of expectations.
TSL_Polt
Source: This Is Game
How do you feel about making the Ro16 two seasons in a row?
I didn't have a good feeling after losing to PartinG. TaeJa is such a good player and finale performed so well that I kept on thinking I was going to fall out of this group dead last. But then I got confident after beating TaeJa and thanks to that, I was able to play my games properly.
It was a disappointing loss against PartinG for the first match.
Both Protosses used a build order that I absolutely despise against me. I hate the build order where Protosses skip their cybernetics core after their gateway and just go straight for a nexus so I was hoping that my opponents wouldn't use it against me. I was planning on cheesing my opponent if he did end up doing that build order but my cheese rush got blocked so I actually screwed myself over (laughs).
You faced TaeJa who made it to the semi finals last season in the losers' match.
I was actually talking to him before the matches began and I'm not sure if it was because he was exercising or what but he told me that he injured his wrist. I think that's why I was able to win so easily today.
Is there a certain know how that only you know when it comes to marauders?
I tend to do different army compositions than most Terrans. My tech transition is delayed since marauders cost gas but my attacks become that much stronger. I think that knowing how to control both my marauders and my tech transitions is the key to my victories.
How far do you want to get now that you've made it to the Ro16?
Lately my body hasn't been feeling great so I've been going to a hospital. That's why I wasn't feeling great today. And I lost my first match so I was in a dangerous situation but I was able to make it to the Ro16 like this so if I get a chance to pick early, I will deliberately create an easy group so that I can go straight to the semi finals.
Has practice been going well for you lately?
I think I'm doing better than I was doing for season four. I was able to realize through my practices that it wasn't me who was lacking but rather the fact that the Terran race sucks (laughs). It's difficult but winning means that much more so I'm going to work even harder so that I can win.
You've been given the nickname, "Gwanak mountain marauder" by the community.
I don't think that's a bad nickname. The main reason behind that nickname is related to school and I always like whatever nickname the fans give me.
Anything else you would like to say?
I hope TaeJa heals quickly so that he can make it back up to Code S. Symbol plays tomorrow and HyuN the day after, but I'm not worried about Symbol because I know he's going to make it through easily. But since this is HyuN's debut in Code S, I hope he can keep rising higher as he rides his current momentum. I also hope that the rest of the TSL members going through the qualifiers will develop a mindset that they will make it no matter what and approach their games that way.