[Interview] Code A Ro48 Day 3 2013 GSL Season 1

KT Rolster_Crazy



Source: This Is Game

You won your GSL debut and secured your spot for next season's Code A. How do you feel?

I think I can take a sigh of relief because I no longer have to worry about falling down to the preliminaries. I think I did well for my debut so I am very happy.

How did you prepare for your match against Vampire?

I searched for several of his VODs. I prepared by following the movements of my hands. I didn't see any immortal transitions after he took his natural in his VODs so I wasn't expecting that kind of strategy to come. I got flustered because I was hit by an immortal strategy in game one. I wasn't even able to use the strategy that I had prepared. But I was relieved that I was able to win games two and three.

You showed a brood lord composition for games two and three.

I used to grab fast hive and grab my upgrades for SC1 also. As I was practicing, I realized that I could replicate this style for SC2. It's convenient to block an all in that could be coming and it's also easy to transition. So I ended up using it.

You will face the winner of Hack vs TRUE. Who would you like to face?

I am confident in my ZvT and I'm also good friends with TRUE so I would like to face Hack. But now that I hear myself talking, it kind of sounds like I'm hoping for TRUE to get eliminated. So I'm just going to say I don't care who makes it (laughs).

This season's goals?

Woongjin Stars' Soulkey is Code S so it looks like I'm also going to have to make it up there. Soulkey made fun of me at the qualifiers by jokingly asking me "you're still in the preliminaries?" (laughs). When we were together in Woongjin in the past, we always had fun viewing each other as rivals. We even had a bet going on to see who would do better first but I ended up losing that bet. I know I'm late but I want to catch up now.

How are the preparations for HotS coming along?

It is a little worrisome. I still have a lot of WoL matches to play so I don't think I'm going to have the time to prepare for HotS. I think I'm going to have to learn from one of the teammates that has already transitioned to HotS.

Anything else you would like to say?

Manager Lee Gill Man and coach Kim Sang Hoon came to the studio today even thought it was their day off. I want to thank them for coming with me. Lastly, I want to thank the fans for coming to the studio also.

Woongjin Stars_Flying



Source: This Is Game

Once again, you've returned to the second round of Code A. Tell us how you feel.

I was a little worried because I didn't get to practice a lot because of the break. I wasn't able to end it easily but nonetheless, I feel relieved.

You started off the match against Arthur with a loss in game one.

My robotics facility being revealed had a lot to do with that. After I scouted my opponent I saw that he went for a stargate. And then I accidentally forgot to cancel my nexus. I think all those factors lead to my loss.

You won on Whirlwind and Icarus, two maps that are not currently being used in Proleague.

I've played on Whirlwind before so I just made sure that I had a build order prepared. For Icarus, I played a couple of games with Arira on it yesterday. I felt like the map was a four gate map. So I used it but as it turns out, Arthur had gone for four gates as well. Because neither players had an advantage or a disadvantage, the winner was decided through mentality battles.

You secured your spot for next season's Code A with today's victory. What are your goals for this season?

I think I should at the very least try to make it to Code S. I want to start off in an advantageous position since next season is going to be HotS.

Your next opponent will be Stephano. What kind of match are you expecting?

I've lost a lot of PvZs for televised matches. So there is a notion out there that I am no good at PvZs. I know that Stephano is really good at ZvPs but I want to beat him no matter what and turn this notion around that I suck at PvZ.

Anything else you would like to say?

I know it's late but happy new year's to everyone.

Woongjin Stars_sOs



Source: This Is Game

Congratulations on your victory. Tell us how you feel.

I feel really good cause I think I made it through because of luck.

Why do you think you got lucky?

Everyone went on break so my match was scheduled at a pretty crazy time. So I thought to myself that the winning player would be the player who focused the most midst all that. I think I got just a bit more luckier.

How did you prepare for your match against s2?

I told myself that I had to grab game one no matter what as I prepared. I watched s2 hyung's VODs and I saw that he was good at all match ups. So I did a lot of mind controlling. I didn't really have a specific strategy prepared and just played responsive style.

What do you think will happen in your next match against Noblesse?

I think I am perfectly capable of winning as long as I play comfortably. I plan on enjoying this match since Noblesse is a dongsaeng that I've known for a while. Since I was teaching him when we were playing SC1, I don't want to lose this match no matter what.

Last season, you hung around Code S Ro32. This season's Code S must make you more desperate no?

For last time, I comfortably headed over to the Up/Downs. But I lost all my games so I felt really bad. I want to make it up this time without any stops and work hard so that I can get to Code S.

Anything else you would like to say?

I am sorry that I wasn't able to show a complete match. I will show a complete and fun form for my next match. I've made it to the second round so I am going to work hard so that I can get all the way to Code S. I will also show a better form for Proleague. Lastly, I want to thank my fans, friends, and my parents for cheering me on.

Team 8_TRUE



Source: This Is Game

This was your GSL debut. Tell us how you feel about winning.

I am so happy that I won today and I am going to work hard so that I can win my next match as well.

How did you prepare for today's match?

I rested a lot during the new year's break. But I figured that my opponent had probably rested up a lot too. So I just practiced all day yesterday. I contemplated a lot on which ZvT strategies I would use.

Your nydus play for game two was fabulous. Was it improvised?

It wasn't improvised. I didn't get to practice a lot since it was a new map. Coach Kim taught me that build a long time ago because he told me that it was a guaranteed one win build order.

Your next opponent will be Crazy.

I lost to him in Proleague some time ago because I failed to see his nydus. I am color blind but I didn't know how to alter color settings. So I missed the mini-map and lost but now that I know what to do, I will play a great game this time.

Do you feel a certain greed to get to Code S?

I think it's going to be difficult. I am still lacking in skill.

You secured your spot for next season's Code A with today's victory. How are HotS preparations coming along?

I heard that we were going to be able to take a break after Proleague Round 3. I think I'm going to have to practice then. I still haven't played a single game on it yet. But I believe in the coaches and that they've already deciphered the game so I won't fuss over it too much (laughs).

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank coach Cha for coming to the studio with me today and giving me lots of help. I also want to thank coach Kim for overseeing a ton of my games and coach Han for helping me a ton while also training my mentality factors. I faced a troublesome situation today at the studio but SK Telecom's coach Park helped me out of that tough spot. I am grateful for his help even though I wasn't even one of his players. HS has his GSL debut ahead of him later today and he prepared extensively so I hope he makes a good result. I also want to thank the fans for coming to the studio today. I hope all the Team 8 players can remain strong and finish off the rest of our matches with good results. Coach cha had a baby daughter some time ago. So I wanted to dedicate a ceremony to him during Proleague but I wasn't able to do it since I lost. I will make sure I do a ceremony for his next child.

Teamless_aLive



Source: This Is Game

First off, tell us how you feel about winning today's match.

I am so glad that I secured my spot for next season's Code A. I was about to be disappointed in myself had I fallen to the qualifiers again but I am relieved that I won.

You pulled off a comeback but why do you think you lost game one?

I should have sent my banshee to his natural but I sent it to his main base instead. My banshee intentions were also revealed so I couldn't really damage him. Trap also defended really well. He was about to block my attack for game two as well but Trap over committed so I was able to pull off the comeback win.

Your next opponent will be the winner of NesTea vs HS. Who would you like to face?

Personally, I want to face NesTea hyung. The reason being that I am good friends with him and I also feel like I can't lose against him. We both see the other as a one win card so I want to face him no matter what. He's also a really highly considered hyung so I would like to learn something from him. I'm not really friends with HS but I have heard that he's good. I can't help but feel that NesTea hyung is going to lose (laughs).

It was announced today that your contract with Fnatic had ended. Why was this so?

After Fnatic closed down their Korean team house, I heard that they were probably going to let me and Oz hyung go as well. We weren't able to come to terms with new contract negotiations so it was just time to move on. It's not like the team was in bad terms with the players or anything. I was also teamless around this time last year so I will work harder and show a great form.

Any team that you are currently looking at?

Fnatic said that it was okay to start looking for teams while I was still affiliated with them but I told myself that that was not right. So I waited until everything was officially terminated and now I am looking for teams. I hope those teams out there that are interested in me will try to contact me.

Anything else you would like to say?

The new year's break is over but I want to wish everyone a happy new year's. I hope that everyone will be able to work even harder this year and make greater results. I will also work harder so I want a lot of people to cheer for me. Some people have expressed their concerns for me since I am teamless again but I want to let them know that there's nothing to worry about. I want to thank my parents for cheering me on and encouraging me from home and I want to thank an acquaintance of mine for coming to the studio today. Lastly, I want to thank supervisor Hwanni for coming with me to the studio today.

SK Telecom T1_FanTaSy



Source: This Is Game

With your advancement to the second round of Code A, you also secured your spot for next season's Code A. Tell us how you feel.

Rather than grabbing the Ro48 victory, the desire to end my losing streak was bigger. I am so happy that I won and I hope to stay on a winning streak whether it be GSL or Proleague.

Your opponent was Team Liquid's Zenio. How did you prepare?

After not being able to rest for a long time, I was finally given a break. I came back to Seoul yesterday and just practiced by warming up my hands. I was on a losing streak but I had confidence in my skills. I was certain that everything would be fine after the break. My home is BuSan and I always seem to do well after going back home. So this time I was also able to feel good.

Your next opponent will be Shine (KHAN). What kind of match are you expecting?

Personally, I think it worked out well. Of all the match ups, TvZ always turns out the best for me and I am confident. I was eliminated before reaching Code S last season but this time I will make it to Code S no matter what.

The next GSL season and next Proleague round will both be HotS.

I still haven't played a lot of HotS games yet. I played PartinG because of MLG several days ago and that's about it. I was able to realize that a lot of new things came up thanks to that match. I think I'll be able to adapt well though as long as I work hard.

Your goals for this season?

Last season, I fell short of one more game and I got eliminated. Before that, I went all the way to the third round of Code A and then fell short of one game again. This time, I will get to Code S no matter what.

Anything else you would like to say?

I was on a losing streak so my fans, my family, and my friends were worried about me a lot. So I really wanted win and I'm glad I was able to win like so I am really happy, and I will hard hard so that I can make up for being on a losing streak by going on a winning streak. Lastly, I want to thank Dark for practicing with me right up until the match began.

SK Telecom T1_Rain



Source: This Is Game

Tell us how you feel about winning.

I wasn't able to properly practice because of the break but I am relieved that I won.

Your opponent was Shine. How did you prepare?

After Proleague ended it was new year's break so it was difficult to find practice partners. So I had to do a lot of thinking. I also felt that PvZs are now doable so I was confident. I just did build orders that I was familiar with but I also played responsively to as I tried other things.

Your next opponent will be MVP Shine's teammate KeeN.

I think I've been meeting a lot of MVP players (laughs). When I saw his games in the past I saw that he was a good player so I know that I'm not guaranteed to win but I still want to play a fun match.

There's not much time left before the HotS transition occurs. How do you feel about HotS since you played it for MLG?

I played about 15 - 20 HotS games because of MLG. At first, I'm sure the players who understand the concept of the game and build orders will do well but I think that in the end, the players who did well in WoL will be the best players. When I was preparing for HotS I borrowed a GM account. But I still almost never lost. I think Protoss is really good with the current patch. So I can't help but think the players that are good at PvP will hold the advantage.

You reached the semi finals for your GSL debut and then next season you went to the Ro32 of Code S. This season's Code S must be important for you.

This is the last WoL season but ironically, I am the most confident right now. So it's disappointing but at the same time I am doing my best so I can get to Code S.

Anything else you would like to say?

Our team is doing poorly in Proleague right now. But we're working harder than any other team out there so I would like to ask that the fans lie in eager anticipation.

LG-IM_NesTea



Source: This Is Game

Tell us how you feel about winning.

I secured my spot for the Up/Downs with today's victory so I feel comfortable.

Your opponent was the 8th team rookie, HS. It must have been difficult preparing for him.

It didn't even matter that I searched cause I couldn't find anything regarding him. I didn't even get to properly practice because of the new year's break so I had to approach my match from my preparations through ladder.

You lost game two even though you scouted your opponent's army composition. Why do you think you lost?

I didn't know at first. I was intimidated once I saw his phoenixes fly my way. I ended up spawning units when I should have been grabbing drones. And my opponent's build order was really good. I am disappointed in myself.

Your next opponent will be aLive. What kind of match are you expecting?

I am friends with aLive on a regular basis and I've also met him many times in overseas tournaments. I think the match will be difficult since we know each other's styles but I am hoping to have a fun and comfortable match.

Mvp fell to Code B after grabbing the NesTea award. The NesTea award must have some kind of curse.

If you think about it, I stayed another season before falling out. I don't think it's a jinx (laughs). Mvp's health was in bad condition and we have HotS coming up soon so I can't help but feel that Mvp fell out on purpose so that he could take a break.

It's known that you've been streaming HotS. How do you feel about it?

I still haven't played it a lot. Aside from the beginning of the build order, I think a lot of things have changed. Today's match is over so I plan on going back and working on HotS. I still think Protoss is still strong as ever. I think I need to play it a lot.

Do you think it'll be possible for you to get back to Code S? How do you feel about it?

I think it's just what it is. My performance last season for ZvT was really bad. I need to work on my focus for late game some more. I think I'll be perfectly capable of making it up if I can pull that off.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to wish the fans a happy new year and I am working hard so that I can show an even greater form than now so I hope a lot of people will cheer for me. I want to thank the Protoss players I meet on ladder from time to time. I want to thank my girlfriend for always giving me the strength that I need. I want to thank our head coach and his wife. Lastly, I want to thank our sponsors LG Electronics, Steelseries, Googims Company, Coca-Cola, Nvidia, and ASRock.