EPTThey frequently refer to the original DES 1st Anniversary LeeSsang interview in this piece. A search of the DES website has a page which I think is supposed to have that interview, but it is empty. I do not know if there was ever an English translation. They do have original videos of the interview as well Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5, but they are in Korean only and don't have much footage other than the two of them sitting and answering questions, so probably not much use to you if you don't speak Korean. However, the one instance of Flash singing on a radio show that they talk about is in part 5 around 3:35.
Part 1: Lee Young-Ho - Lee Jae-Dong "We miss the times of four years ago"
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/3RCqOlB.jpg)
'Reunited' LeeSsang's first story
Though unknown to outsiders, Daily e-Sports's first anniversary is remembered as a 'joyful hell'. Though our bodies were tired, our spirits were high. At the center of those times were Lee Jae-Dong and Lee Young-Ho, the LeeSsang pair.
Although they were the two most popular players at the time, they had never had an interview together. Due to their busy schedules, getting them together required a great deal of planning and effort. During the Daily e-Sports first anniversary planning meeting, the reporter who declared, "somehow we must get a LeeSsang interview," would end up greatly regretting the statement.
However, we did not forsee an even greater challenge ahead. When the promotional images released prior to the interview became a hot topic, the reporter received threats(?) from fans wanting a video version. Although a lack of microphone preparation meant that we were reluctant to show a low quality video to the fans, they continued to encourage us to follow through with it.
Already four years have passed by. Now LeeSsang have become players who represent e-Sports and have grown old enough to be considered veterans on their respective teams. Daily e-Sports has reached it's fifth anniversary of publication.
Have Daily e-Sport's goals and LeeSsang's dreams from that time become realized? To discuss these questions, we met with e-Sports's greatest stars 'LeeSsang' once again.
Remembering four years ago
We don't remember the last time we saw you two together. Daily e-Sports's first anniversary was the first time you interviewed together, but already four years have passed since then. In that time it seems like everyone has grown and changed a lot.
Flash: It feels like we just did that interview yesterday, but four years have already passed? I did not know. Knowing that all that time spent preparing for the next match has become four years, I get a feeling of futility.
Jaedong: I definitely feel the passage of years. Appearances have changed a lot. Haven't I gotten old as well (laugh)? I'm not in as good physical shape as before; lately my body feels jittery. Since Young-Ho is still young he may not know yet, but when you get old like me, you will experience the change over each successive year.
Why is Jaedong talking like some 80 year old man?
Jaedong: In progamer terms I'm already an old man (laugh).
You can definitely feel the fresh atmosphere when watching the old interview video.
Flash: I was a young minor at that time. My thoughts were simpler too. I only remember being really excited about doing an interview with Jaedong for the first time. In truth, even with friends it is difficult to find chances to meet each other, so I'm delighted to get such chances in interviews.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/A8tgyc6.jpg)
Jaedong: I can't forget it either. That was the day Flash achieved 100 wins in Proleague. He broke my record for the fastest 100 wins (laugh). But his team ended up losing so it was a little depressing, wasn't it?
Flash: Yes (laugh). Those were my 'Child Labor Terran' days. That was also when Hwaseung was doing well. Even the mention of the name 'Hwaseung' makes it feel like a long time ago.
Jaedong: I remember the depressed look from that time (laugh). You seemed a little cute at that time, but now you've matured a lot.
Flash still looks cute to me, is that not the case?
Flash: The cute phase has passed. Since you (the reporter) has had a child yourself, it just looks that way now. In progamer years I'm a grown man.
Jaedong: Rather than cute, he's gross now (laugh). At that time the conversations and atmosphere was fresh, but now it's been colored by reality.
Flash: Jaedong has aged a lot as well. Your round cheeks were so cute at that time (laugh).
Jaedong: I was cute? As if. I suddenly remember, last time we interviewed, I wanted to talk about your cuteness but I couldn't because I was laughing too much.
Flash: Right, I was talking about the time I went on the radio and was singing a song incorrectly, and you were laughing so hard you couldn't speak. Thinking of that I'm suddenly embarrassed.
Jaedong: I need to go back and watch that video. The reporter was even nice enough to include the video of your singing (laugh). It will be a welcome cheering up.
It seems that you have both gotten much older. Before, we had to wring the answers out of you, but now we throw out a topic and you talk about it nonstop.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/BOBqgzU.jpg)
Flash: Were we like that (laugh)?
Jaedong: It's because it has been so long since we met like this. It's exciting to meet like this and eat out together after so long (laugh).
Talking about the old days, it seems your moods have improved.
Flash: Have I really gotten that old (laugh)? Sharing these stories, the memories and feelings all come flooding back. Hard times, fun times, sad times, a lot has happened. I do miss it a little.
Jaedong: I'm strangely overcome with memories as well. Maybe since there have been so many hardships, I do miss the times of four years ago.
Eating with LeeSsang
The owner of the restaurant we are at today happens to be an e-Sports fan. We are eagerly awaiting the special white grape juice. Thanks to LeeSsang I can also tag along and mooch some.
Flash: I heard white grapes are good for your body so I often buy it myself. Isn't it great?
Jaedong: The drink is great. It tastes good and it's good for the body. I'm very pleased with it.
I've heard that you two are well known in e-Sports for your eating habits, is this true?
Jaedong: How did they find out? It's true, binge eating is my specialty.
Flash: A picture of me eating the cookies in the press room got published, so lots of people know. Even from long ago, the ladies who cooked for us in the dorm liked me since I ate the most out of everyone.
What kind of food does Flash like?
Flash: I like meat a lot. Anytime there's meat I end up stuffing myself. After losing a match, Coach Han Gyu-Jong and I would order around 100,000 Won (~100 USD) of food and eat it all. Nowadays since the price of food is difficult to manage, we go to all-you-can-eat places (laugh). I deal with stress by eating.
Jaedong: Nowadays I haven't been eating that well so when I get the chance, I end up eating a lot. I should get my fill today before I leave.
It's the anniversary interview so you can order whatever you want.
Flash: Really?
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/2ODWX6H.jpg)
Jaedong: Well then, which is the most expensive steak on the menu? Suddenly I think of (Kim) Taek-Yong(Bisu). Last time I had a double interview with him, we ordered the most expensive steak at that restaurant (laugh).
I remember, we went over millions of won (thousands of dollars).
Flash: Really? Did Bisu want to eat steak?
Jaedong: Honestly I didn't know he would order it. But he did. I was surprised. I don't like steak that much so I didn't order it but I was surprised by his bravery (laugh).
Flash: Then go ahead and order it today.
Jaedong: I have cheap tastes so that kind of fancy food doesn't fit me (laugh).
On the topic of food, it seems that Jaedong isn't the type to put on weight.
Jaedong: It seems that way. At the beginning I wasn't eating well so I lost some weight. I've always managed my weight okay given how much I eat. Plus I like exercising.
Even just talking about it I feel envious.
Flash: Me too. I'm the type that puts on the pounds when I eat, so I'm required to diet. Lately I lost a lot of matches so after binge eating a bunch I went on a diet for a bit.
Jaedong: Dieting is (Song) Byung-Goo(Stork)'s thing.
Flash: Stork has a rapidly fluctuating weight. He loses a bunch and then gains a bunch, like a yo-yo. But then again it seems like he doesn't actually diet.
Jaedong: Still, I admire the ability to focus and diet easily. Stork seems like he can lose five kilograms overnight.
Surprisingly, Flash is supposedly godly at dieting.
Flash: I didn't know, but I'm not as good as Stork. I feel like I gain weight and go on a diet many times a year. I'm the most envious of people who can eat as much as they want and not gain weight.
Jaedong: But I feel like I've gained weight lately as well. My face stays slim but my body fat increases. People joke that it's a symptom of aging, but now that I think about it, it seems correct. I need to exercise more.
Last time we met you both said you go out to eat often, but nowadays you don't have the time, right?
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/ISS5Q9i.jpg)
Flash: Nowadays we're both so busy that we can't. Jaedong has his foreign schedule as well so it's very difficult. I'm am also very busy. We live farther apart so we haven't had the chance to do so.
Jaedong: When I was on Hwaseung, we lived close to each other, so we met at Gangnam station or Seorae village and went out to eat sometimes. Nowadays it's sad that we can't. Progaming feels like the busiest job in the world (laugh).
Part 2: Lee Young-Ho - Lee Jae-Dong "We want to show a LeeSsang final in StarCraft 2 as well"
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/6WRdHlP.jpg)
Although they still feel like the young upstarts carrying their teams in the old days, over the course of these past four years they have become tired veterans. Though before they had glowing skin without any need for lotion, nowadays seeing that they carry and use anti-aging products we can definitely feel the passage of time.
After four years, in the present time of 2013, the biggest change is not appearance but these two players' place in e-Sports. At that time, they were the two best players Flash and Jaedong. Today they are still hardworking progamers, but we cannot escape the truth that the force of 'LeeSsang' is not what it once was, when players would shiver at the mere mention of their names.
What does 'LeeSsang' think of this change? From players who went from standing at the top to now climbing up towards it, we listened to their honest thoughts and feelings on the matter.
Changing status, unchanging passion
With the change to StarCraft 2, it seems that your positions have also changed a lot.
Flash: It was a change from sitting at the top awaiting challengers to becoming a challenger myself. Nowadays it is undeniable that I am not the best player.
Jaedong: Nonetheless Flash still remains in the top tier but I have not. I am not even worthy to be labeled a challenger. Flash has dropped from individual leagues, but he is still the win leader in Proleague. For me, in both Proleague and individual leagues, I am no longer an ace player.
Lately it has been difficult, and stressful.
Flash: I would be lying if I said it wasn't difficult. But I am starting to feel a sense of accomplishment for the first time in a long time. In the past when I was at the top it was almost lonely. Nowadays it's fun to watch my gradual improvement. There is definitely stress, but I am still happy.
Jaedong: Flash is definitely admirable, not so with me (laugh). Honestly, there is another reason why my results have not been good. At the end of last year and the beginning of this year, I barely practiced at all. I was so stressed from other matters that it was difficult to pick up the mouse.
After those issues were resolved, when I came back to the game I found that everyone else had gone far ahead. Chasing after them has been difficult. Due to my lack of results and failure to fulfill fans' expectations, I received a lot of criticism. Truthfully I still do today (laugh).
Flash: You did not practice at all?
Jaedong: Yes, well, of course I practiced a little but I basically put down my mouse during the Wings of Liberty to Heart of the Swarm transition. Without practice, obviously my results would be lacking. That much is obvious, but many people said, "Jaedong's time is over," or, "Jaedong can't do it," which stressed me out a lot.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/p2Gze4U.jpg)
Flash: Plus it's not like you could come out and say that you weren't performing well because you weren't practicing.
Jaedong: Right, making such excuses at that time would have been laughable. It was easier to just say I was still working hard. I want the fans to understand that the bad results was due to lack of practice and not a problem with my hands or spirit.
It is a plausible reason for a slump. However, it's not like a progamer's practice immediately translates into skill.
Flash: Correct, with hard practice, many players see results after three to six months. There are some that improve faster, but those cases rarely last long. With focused practice you generally see results after six months. If Jaedong practices like he used to, we might hear some good news in the future.
Jaedong: Thanks for understanding (laugh). It would be nice if people understood that as well. Almost nobody sees results from practice immediately. I am also looking forward to the end of the year for that reason. I am now practicing full-on and mashing my keyboard and mouse with the fervor of the old Jaedong. It's not yet the time for the results to show, but all of the talk around me has made me nervous.
If we quietly trust in you it seems you'll be able to focus better on your matches.
Jaedong: For now I would appreciate that. Even if I can't show anything right now, rather than saying "He's finished," I would appreciate the attitude of, "Let's wait a little longer and see." I am not going anywhere (laugh).
Flash: When a player isn't doing well, listening to those who continuously criticize makes things more difficult. There is a time when we need them to quietly wait for us. I had to go through that as well. Jaedong seems to be going though that time right now.
Jaedong: As expected, only progamers can understand each others' feelings (laugh).
Flash, how are you doing?
Flash: I am mostly the same as always. I've climbed up the ranks and only need to claim the top spot. Since I haven't been successful in individual leagues, I feel like the fans are restless. I also want to ask them to be patient for a bit. I am so very close. Right now Lee Shin-Hyong(Bogus/Innovation) is the top Terran, but please remember that I am constantly challenging for that spot.
Jaedong: He's doing so well in Proleague, so you must wait for him (laugh).
The change of values over time
Watching the currently popular drama 'Gu Family Book' I suddenly thought of Jaedong. I am curious to know how the Jaedong who cried for Lee Yeon-Hui (Korean actress) has changed. Last year when you received a supportive video from Lee Yeon-Hui you were smiling ear to ear (laugh).
Jaedong: That is from a long time ago. I liked her before but now my interest has disappeared. I had the feeling that celebrities are just people (laugh).
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/vRbVvDh.jpg)
Flash said four years ago, 'I will definitely marry a beautiful woman,' with such conviction. Do you still think that way?
Flash: I put away that dream a long time ago (laugh). A girl needs to be smart and kind. Of course a pretty face is nice too. Before I rated the face as 80% importance, but nowadays I guess it's more like 20%? It's easier to speak to a girl who is smart and kind.
Jaedong: Especially as a progamer, meeting a clever and wise girl is very important. Being with a girl that complains because you can't spend time with her is very tiring. Your results also definitely suffer. But it seems that smart, purposeful women don't do that. Since they have their own goals, they don't get dramatic in order to meet with their boyfriends.
Flash: Even if your job isn't a progamer, I think that meeting an intelligent woman has great benefits throughout life.
It looks like you've all grown up. The phase of being exciting for receiving Lee Yeon-Hui's video or declaring that you'll marry a beautiful woman seem to have disappeared.
Flash: Of course (laugh).
Jaedong: We've grown quite a bit (laugh).
I heard Flash said that there were many similarities between being a progamer and working manual labor, is this true?
Flash: It's very busy. There's almost no time to rest. When I was recovering from my arm surgery and had a month to live with my parents in the mountains it was so nice. That was the first time I could rest like that in seven or eight years. I knew then that the rest time that others take for granted is just a dream for progamers.
Jaedong: Right, and Flash's situation is especially bad. Regardless of who is the best player at the time, Flash is always the busiest player. Between the match schedule and all of the company activities, I worry for his health.
Still, it is very satisfying to see you both working hard, even with so little time to rest.
Flash: It's hard but it's worth it. Plus I get to earn money doing what I enjoy (laugh).
Jaedong: I'm telling you we've matured (laugh). It's seems you've realized the most important truth.
If you could go to a different team, where would you want to go?
Flash: Hypothetically, right (laugh)? Since it's hypothetical, please don't misunderstand. I want to try playing for SK Telecom once. I'm very friendly with (Jeong) Yun-Jong(By.Sun/Rain). I want to play with him together on the same team.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/HczTfeq.jpg)
Jaedong: I can see the headline now, 'Flash: "I want to go to SK Telecom"' (laugh). Couldn't we publish it like that?
Since you know how to pick headlines you could be a reporter too. Once you retire we'll take you any time so please become a reporter for Daily e-Sports.
Jaedong: Honest? Working as a reporter has an allure. I do kind of want to try it...
Flash: Jaedong will do well at whatever he does. But don't write anything investigating me (laugh).
I didn't know that Flash was so friendly with Rain.
Flash: We are very close. Attending so many foreign tournaments together, we became friends. I remember, one time we were on a flight to a foreign tournament, when the plane hit turbulence or something and shook. The lights came on as did the announcement to stay in your seats and fasten seat belts; it was a serious situation. At that time, Rain prayed, "I must spend all of my money before I die so please let me live." Perhaps it seemed unfair to him.
Jaedong: It seems that he's earned quite a bit of money lately (laugh). I should ask him to treat me to some good food.
The years have definitely changed you two. It's a bit sad but also part of reality.
Flash: Thinking of the last interview I also feel that way. The questions were similar but I feel like I had different thoughts at that time.
Jaedong: Please think of us positively. They say people come down to earth as they age. Of course people find my change in appearance regrettable (laugh). It's part of growing up so please wait and watch over me.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/kNCmyBI.jpg)
Please give us your final remarks toward each other.
Flash: Is there anything to say? Jaedong can take care of himself so I don't have any doubts. Before you know it, I will have reached the top. I will always cheer for you so don't be stressed and quickly work your way up yourself. We must have another 'LeeSsangRok' finals.
Jaedong: You beat me that many times in Brood War finals, so even in StarCraft 2 you want to force me into second place (laugh)? I will continue working hard to ascend. Please wait for me. Let's go and make another great 'LeeSsangRok' match.
Original Article Part 1 Part 2 by Lee So-Ra sora@dailyesports.com
Photos by Park Oon-Song photo@dailyesports.com
Such a lovely time.
