EPT“He’s hot” is used a lot. It is impossible to deny who is the most “hot” player currently in the SC2 scene. Over the last half year, there has been a 16 year-old boy who has the hottest streak. Lee Seung-Hyun, or StarTale Life.
Last year on October, he became the Royal Roader of GSL Season 4. In November, he became the MLG champion. In December, he won the Blizzard Cup. On January, he became the owner of the Iron Squid trophy. In March, he became the champion of MLG Winter, earning himself two MLG trophies. Enduring pro-gamers will dream of winning one trophy monthly at least.
During a quiet weekend, we met Life. There is one word to describe his personality. He doesn’t talk long. But he certainly doesn’t have an introverted personality. He has much confidence, but also humble. His answers aren’t the stereotypical short lengths, but pleasant enough. Outside of a stadium, we have a high school freshman, and we asked if he had any dreams. Despite having a difficult game ahead, he still had time to have this interview.
“Time passed by in a flash, and I still don’t comprehend it”
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/ytoihnA.jpg)
Q: It’s been a long time. What do you feel about being a MLG champion?
A: I’m resting from practicing. Because I was playing so much, I didn’t have time to meet my other friends.
Q: In half a year, you won four major championships. This is a surprising result. Since your debut, how do you feel about this change of fortune?
A: Time passed a lot faster than I thought. I can’t still comprehend the fact I won four championships. I still am having trouble understanding this (laughs)
Q: Amongst those memories, which one do you remember the most fondly?
A: Facing Mvp in the final game of the GSL. It was arduous for me.
Q: I still remember you facing Mvp in the finals (laughs). Your parents were there at the time to watch you play. If you make it to the finals again, I imagine your parents will be very happy.
A: They would congratulate me and be happy. But because I can’t meet them often, I contact them through the phone. My home is in Gyungnam, Tongyung, which is far away, so I wasn’t able to meet them after my championship.
Q: Did your parents ever oppose your decision to become a pro-gamer?
A: At first they didn’t have any objections. They told me to do what I had a passion for.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/LunBvvS.jpg)
My parent's faith in me made Life
Q: You appear very confident in front of your fans. Is this a façade, or the real Life, or just the fans making it up?
A: I really can win. It’s my true personality.
Q: Before you start a game, what do you feel?
A: I think about winning. If I win, I think about how to win the next games.
Q: How many hours do you practice daily?
A: I practice for at least 8 hours. If it is a significant game, I will practice more.
Touching a hot potato, “Life! How is Zerg in HotS?”
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/cnjauRb.jpg)
Q: During your practice, when was it the most challenging for you to play?
A: Just about now. Since about the HotS beta.
Q: Let’s get onto HotS shall we? Zerg players have been saying the race is weak. You have said such words too, but won a championship. Are other Zergs playing it wrong?
A: Yes, because you can’t ask for a nerf just because of your faults. Especially at MLG, players I was with like Leenock angered me (laughs).
Q: After the victory and practicing extensively, what do other Zergs feel about the race?
A: I know there are disadvantages to Zerg, because most players were used to Zerg in WoL which was a good period for them. I feel Zerg is a bit weak, but not at the level that people say. The degree of balance currently fits me. Those who come late can’t win.
Q: So the game is not balanced currently? (laughs)
A: Ah, that is why I said the people who come late don’t win.
Q: Terrans have been saying the same words recently. In the late-game, Terrans struggle defeating the compositions of other races. Do you believe that Protoss is stronger in the late-game?
A: Yes, Protoss is like that. Terrans have a chance against Zerg in the late-game. With Ultralisks and Brood Lords you can win despite making a few mistakes. But against Protoss, this is impossible.
Q: Zergs have been having trouble against Medivac’s Ignite Afterburners. The so called, “Buryo Line” timing attack has been troubling Zergs, and wait in the ground for their army. What do you feel about this issue?
A: Once you say it, the curls unfold, if you defend it the first time, you will defend it again. I think it is okay. At first it is important. You have to defend it initially.
Q: How is ZvZ playing out now? Compared to WoL, HotS involves more Mutalisks.
A: Actually, Muta vs Muta fights are based on luck. Because of that, I hate it. Whoever gets the first strike on and inflicts damage first, and have to place your Zerglings on the front-lines. Compared to WoL, ZvZ feels more boring.
Q: Let’s suppose you have a conversation with Blizzard’s balancing team. If you could say one thing, what would it be?
A: Infestor’s Fungal Growth. It is a new expansion, 저저전이 말려버렸어요 (I have no idea what this means, even my parents cannot comprehend it). The efficiency of Infestors has fallen so Mutalisks have replaced them. Mutalisks were already popular… If Fungal Growth could return to the original state, it would be nice.
Q: There is a large deviation in the skills of Zerg which makes for a serious situation. One very well performing player is “넥라” (Life’s nickname). Most ordinary players cannot keep up with the hand movements. Bronze, Silver, Gold players are struggling against other races. If you could give them a tip, what would it be?
A: If you can control each individual unit well, you will improve. The basic unit of Zerg is the Zergling, so if you improve your control of Zerglings, you will play better.
The new Leesssangrok, receiving acclaim (?) blessed with incredible mechanical skills and the following discussions.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/uI8jlW8.jpg)
Q: Recently, the “New Leessangrok” comparisons between you and Flash have emerged. The two of you meet frequently and lead to entertaining games. How do you feel when you are compared like this?
A: Flash is an incredibly strong player, we are compared similarly, which makes me very satisfied. I want this relationship to continue to the future.
Q: Do you believe you are playing better than in the past? You won the recent MLG in style.
A: I’m not certain on that. When I see it, Flash was not well versed in HotS. But he played extremely well which really surprised me.
Q: You two faced off in the MLG Championship pool once haven’t you? When you first faced him you were inflicted a 2-0 loss, which was the first time you lost to a Terran in a major championship. How did you feel at the time?
A: I could have won easily, but he did better than I thought. At the time I was really unfocused. I was determined to challenge him again and win.
Q: There is a very hilarious picture that gave you fame. Last year you won the “GSL Photogenic Award”, and the “넥라투르” (not sure how to translate this properly) was born in MLG. What do you feel when you see the many pictures of you?
A: I feel burdened due to the numerous pictures, but the fans enjoy the pictures, which is okay with me. There is no need to restrict pictures. When I think about it, they display a wide variety of expressions.
Q: You had a properly taken picture in the e-Sports awards last year. Most progamers feel bad when seeing those kinds of pictures, so what do you feel about this picture here?
A: (Checks the picture) This picture is so bad. I feel this one will hand around for a while… Hmmm. Okay. You can upload this picture.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/9TRJ1cN.jpg)
*This picture was uploaded with Life’s permission*
Q: When we talked to Curious, he said your facial expressions are “Read-in” on the contrary. Is this true, or do you admit to faking the expressions?
A: My expressions are real, but nobody has to believe it.
Q: Earlier, you said that with full confidence. Which one is true!
A: I don’t know (laughs). I’m overflowing with confidence, but one small corner says no. I have some concerns that I’m not confident.
Q: You know all this season’s feisty players. I suppose you are having fun with them. Do you make a lot of jokes with them?
A: Yes, our team enjoys making pranks and jokes for fun. We like to incorporate many puns into our speech as well.
Q: How serious is the level of joking in the team?
A: It’s a bit mean saying it in public (laughs). Our team likes to “diss” each other for fun. We don’t truthfully mean them. I don’t really get involved in them.
Q: Really? Do you take the brunt of the jokes, or say them?
A: It’s a mixed bag. (Shifty eyes). I tend to suffer more.
Q: For random purposes, who do you feel the most close with?
A: There is a lot of giving and taking, and I feel open with everyone, but I feel the friendliest with Curious.
Q: Last season, Curious played exceptionally well. Did he do so well because of the team, or did he normally play well but saw the light finally?
A: From what I’ve seen in practice, he improved a great deal. Because of HotS I can’t decide currently, but he does play well.
The Blizzard Cup greets everyone entering the StarTale practice room
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/0b6FrCJ.jpg)
Q: You have a famous nickname “넥라”, but this is your old ID that was given to you, but there is no confirmation this is your alias. “Monster”, “Godly”, “B-level Zerg”… Which one holds a special place in your heart?
A: I don’t concern myself with nicknames, but “B-level Zerg” is pleasantly surprising. I watched the VODs where that nickname originates from, but the old player who couldn’t win is gone (laughs). I upgraded quicker than I thought.
Q: So now that you had time to improve, where do you place yourself?
A: S-class Zerg
Q: If you could assign yourself a higher grade? SS-level Zerg?
A: Of course, SS-Zerg would be nice.
Q: Do you have a girl you like?
A: I don’t have one. It’s not like I lack an interest in girls, but I really don’t have time to watch TV, and I don’t have interest in celebrities.
Q: Now you attend high school, did you make any new friends in your class? And is high school uncomfortable for you?
A: I almost attended the “Digitech High School”. I can’t attend school much, but when I go, I have some friends.
Q: This is the age when you go out with friends. Do you even feel the urge to go out with your friends?
A: There is no possibility. I have to practice (laughs).
Q: If you were given an unconditional vacation for a week, where would you go?
A: I don’t have a place I would like to go, I prefer meeting people. Friends, family. Since I’m a progamer, most of my friends are from my elementary school days, but I have barely any contact with them.
Is Life the Overmind?
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/uyfHNB6.jpg)
A moment captured that shows Life imitating Abathur from the campaign
Q: How would you like to express yourself?
A: Hmmm. What do I say? Does the Overmind still exist?
Q: You are still young, so you can lead the Zerg as the Overmind, but when do you want to continue being a progamer and decide to end your career?
A: I want to live out the life of a progamer for a long time, and be a memorable player for everyone else.
Q: Finally, a last word for the readers!
A: Thank you to all those who continue to support me, and even if you don’t thanks (laughs). Please support me openly!
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/A81P1Mt.jpg)
Propaganda made as a last request by “넥라”!
Personal note: At the behest of the Life fanclub, I translated this interview for a great community. Sorry if there are any grammatical, typological or translator issues, forgive me, I'm fairly new to the whole translating business, and my Korean is chobo level T_T Hope you enjoy this interview!
