WCS Season II Finals

Countdown to Start



Brackets and Information on Liquipedia


Banner photo by ESL

Before the Tournament

Liquid`TaeJa earned a spot at the WCS Season II finals with a top four finish in WCS America. He arrived in Europe ahead of most Korean players, going to Germany for the Acer TeamStory Cup finals and staying there until the start of the WCS tournament. TeamLiquid.net's Waxangel bothered TaeJa on Skype for an interview and tried vainly to coax amusing comments out of him.

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Waxangel: Can we do a short interview before WCS?

TaeJa: Sure, lol.

At WCS AM you said your TvT was a problem because you haven't been able to practice. Is that still a problem going into WCS?

Yes, I played some TvT while I was streaming lately, and I can't even break 50% win-rate...

Is it hard to find people to practice with since you're in Europe now (TaeJa stayed after the ATC finals)? How are you prepping for WCS?

I haven't been able to rest for almost a month because I've been going to tournaments, so I'm just focusing on regulating my condition.

You're up against WCS Season 1 champ INnoVation first. You worried about him, given your current state in TvT?

We're both doing poorly at TvT lately, so I'm not that worried.

There's also two Protoss players in your group: NaNiwa and Duckdeok. What do you think about them?

I heard that NaNiwa was a good player and that he practiced a lot from the other players at the EG-TL house, so I think he will be a difficult opponent. Duckdeok is a champion, so he must be good as well. I also remember losing to Duckdeok back in GSL Season 5 (2012), so they'll both be difficult opponents.

International fans still remember 'Summer of TaeJa' 2012. How do you feel about your skill level compared to then?

I had a level of skill back then where I felt like I wouldn't lose to anyone I faced, but nowadays, maybe because of lack of practice, I don't think I'm that good.

Is it just because of lack of practice? Anything else that was helping you play that well in 2012?

I think it's just the difference in the amount of practice I put in. I tend to gain confidence through practice.

So it's possible that you could recover your old level of skill?

Yes.

At your current level then, do you think you have a shot at winning WCS Season II?

I'd have to have luck on my side given my current level.

Did you ever think, playing WCS America, that maybe it would have been good to stay in the Korean region?

Nope.

A lot of fans on the various community sites consider Korea to be the most prestigious region—do you ever feel like you just want to prove your skill or just go for pure prestige?

Things like prestige are important, but I think it's better to make a lot of money to prepare for my future life.

You first attended a foreign tournament at Assembly Winter early last year, and it seems like you've become a veteran of the scene by travelling to so many tournaments after. What's changed about you from that experience?

I don't think anything has changed, lol.

See, this is why you're a top 5 worst interviewee.

;; Who's #1?

Personally I think it's YoDa. Must be a Terran racial trait.

Keke;;

Hmm, any final comments?

I'll work hard to get a good result at the Season finals, so I hope a lot of people cheer for me.