• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 02:13
CEST 08:13
KST 15:13
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
[ASL19] Finals Recap: Standing Tall10HomeStory Cup 27 - Info & Preview18Classic wins Code S Season 2 (2025)16Code S RO4 & Finals Preview: herO, Rogue, Classic, GuMiho0TL Team Map Contest #5: Presented by Monster Energy6
Community News
Weekly Cups (June 30 - July 6): Classic Doubles3[BSL20] Non-Korean Championship 4x BSL + 4x China9Flash Announces Hiatus From ASL66Weekly Cups (June 23-29): Reynor in world title form?14FEL Cracov 2025 (July 27) - $8000 live event22
StarCraft 2
General
Weekly Cups (June 30 - July 6): Classic Doubles The GOAT ranking of GOAT rankings The SCII GOAT: A statistical Evaluation Weekly Cups (June 23-29): Reynor in world title form? Program: SC2 / XSplit / OBS Scene Switcher
Tourneys
RSL: Revival, a new crowdfunded tournament series FEL Cracov 2025 (July 27) - $8000 live event Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament WardiTV Mondays Korean Starcraft League Week 77
Strategy
How did i lose this ZvP, whats the proper response Simple Questions Simple Answers
Custom Maps
[UMS] Zillion Zerglings
External Content
Mutation # 481 Fear and Lava Mutation # 480 Moths to the Flame Mutation # 479 Worn Out Welcome Mutation # 478 Instant Karma
Brood War
General
BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ ASL20 Preliminary Maps [ASL19] Finals Recap: Standing Tall SC uni coach streams logging into betting site Flash Announces Hiatus From ASL
Tourneys
[BSL20] Non-Korean Championship 4x BSL + 4x China [BSL20] Grand Finals - Sunday 20:00 CET CSL Xiamen International Invitational The Casual Games of the Week Thread
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers I am doing this better than progamers do.
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Path of Exile What do you want from future RTS games? Beyond All Reason
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
Summer Games Done Quick 2025! US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Stop Killing Games - European Citizens Initiative Summer Games Done Quick 2024!
Fan Clubs
SKT1 Classic Fan Club! Maru Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread [Manga] One Piece [\m/] Heavy Metal Thread
Sports
Formula 1 Discussion 2024 - 2025 Football Thread NBA General Discussion TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 NHL Playoffs 2024
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
momentary artworks from des…
tankgirl
Culture Clash in Video Games…
TrAiDoS
from making sc maps to makin…
Husyelt
StarCraft improvement
iopq
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 644 users

Free announces retirement.

Forum Index > SC2 General
89 CommentsPost a Reply
1 2 3 4 5 Next All
GTR
Profile Blog Joined September 2004
51436 Posts
November 11 2013 14:09 GMT
#1
Once the former franchise star of the Woongjin Stars organization, Yoon 'Free' Yong-tae has announced his retirement after failing to be claimed through waivers.

On the first of October, it was announced that Woongjin will be releasing all but two players, Soulkey and sOs, due to financial problems with the company. As a result, ZerO and PianO have moved to broadcasting Brood War on Afreeca, BrAvO was picked up as a practice partner with SK Telecom T1 and Aria, Hanbin and now free, have completely retired from Starcraft 2.

Unlike some of his teammates, Free, for the meantime, won't be moving straight to the Afreeca scene. He will most likely move on from the e-Sports world and look towards a new path after his military service.

Source: http://esports.dailygame.co.kr/view.php?ud=2013111114012147590
Facebook Twitter Reddit
Commentator
NovemberstOrm
Profile Blog Joined September 2011
Canada16217 Posts
November 11 2013 14:11 GMT
#2
Thanks GTR :D
Moderatorlickypiddy
NicksonReyes
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Philippines4431 Posts
November 11 2013 14:22 GMT
#3
Welp, just Stars' 3rd winningest player :/
"Start yo" -FlaSh
IntoTheWow
Profile Blog Joined May 2004
is awesome32274 Posts
November 11 2013 14:22 GMT
#4
Archon reaver stonewall vs Jaedong. Never forget.
Moderator<:3-/-<
StarStruck
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
25339 Posts
November 11 2013 14:25 GMT
#5
Considering no one wanted to pick up their hallmark players, meh.
renaissanceMAN
Profile Joined March 2011
United States1840 Posts
November 11 2013 14:47 GMT
#6
On November 11 2013 23:22 IntoTheWow wrote:
Archon reaver stonewall vs Jaedong. Never forget.


Such an amazing game, and so sad to hear he's leaving.
On August 15 2013 03:43 Waxangel wrote: no amount of money can replace the enjoyment of being mean to people on the internet
DiMano
Profile Joined July 2011
Korea (South)2066 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-11-11 14:54:52
November 11 2013 14:54 GMT
#7
Aria was extremely talanted and I really thought he would be top 4 at one of the next GSL but now he retired T_T
intotheheart
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
Canada33091 Posts
November 11 2013 14:56 GMT
#8
Goodbye, Free.

Another WJS player bites the dust. Does anyone know when the rookie draft is coming?
kiss kiss fall in love
Sawamura
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
Malaysia7602 Posts
November 11 2013 15:00 GMT
#9
On November 11 2013 23:47 renaissanceMAN wrote:
Show nested quote +
On November 11 2013 23:22 IntoTheWow wrote:
Archon reaver stonewall vs Jaedong. Never forget.


Such an amazing game, and so sad to hear he's leaving.


I don't think I have seen that game .... can anyone link me to that vod ?
BW/KT Forever R.I.P KT.Violet dearly missed ..
glzElectromaster
Profile Blog Joined March 2012
Japan2474 Posts
November 11 2013 15:01 GMT
#10
From what I know, no team showed interest in Free mainly because of his age and his rather mediocrity. He apparently still wants to play the game professionally, but rather than going to afreeca to stream, he'd rather find a job in the computer science? field.

Or so I read on StarCraft Times.
RIP Kt. Violet | In solitude, where we are least alone
NicksonReyes
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Philippines4431 Posts
November 11 2013 15:03 GMT
#11
On November 12 2013 00:00 Sawamura wrote:
Show nested quote +
On November 11 2013 23:47 renaissanceMAN wrote:
On November 11 2013 23:22 IntoTheWow wrote:
Archon reaver stonewall vs Jaedong. Never forget.


Such an amazing game, and so sad to hear he's leaving.


I don't think I have seen that game .... can anyone link me to that vod ?


+ Show Spoiler +


"Start yo" -FlaSh
Grobyc
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
Canada18410 Posts
November 11 2013 15:09 GMT
#12
Awww man, I was really wanting him to move to Afreeca
If you watch Godzilla backwards it's about a benevolent lizard who helps rebuild a city and then moonwalks into the ocean.
OpticalShot
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
Canada6330 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-11-11 15:33:22
November 11 2013 15:09 GMT
#13
All the best to Free, lots of respect for his decision to find new paths in life.

Also the source is DES not Fomos, so aren't we (TL) free to do a full translation?

*edit: yeah might as well.

+ Show Spoiler [Korean Text] +
웅진 스타즈 프랜차이즈 스타였던 '뇌제' 윤용태가 결국 은퇴를 선언했다.

웅진은 지난 10월 1일 대규모 웨이버 공시를 통해 김민철, 김유진을 제외한 윤용태, 김명운, 노준규, 임진묵, 송광호, 조한빈 등 6명의 선수들을 방출 시켰다. 모기업의 경영난 악화로 인해 웅진은 선수들을 모두 데리고 있을 여유가 없다고 판단해 이 같은 결정을 내렸고 가장 나중까지 거취가 결정되지 않았던 윤용태는 결국 은퇴했다.

웅진에서 웨이버 공시된 선수들 가운데 김명운이 가장 먼저 은퇴를 선언했고 이후 임진묵이 은퇴하며 아프리카에서 스타크래프트:브루드워(이하 스타1) 방송을 시작하겠다는 의사를 페이스북으로 전했다. 노준규는 SK텔레콤 T1에 입단했으며 연습생이었던 송광호, 조한빈 등은 은퇴할 것으로 알려졌다.

이후 윤용태만이 거취가 결정되지 않아 팬들의 궁금증을 자아냈던 상황. 윤용태는 접촉해 오는 팀을 기다렸지만 나이가 많은 상황에서 윤용태를 원하는 팀이 없었고 더 이상 기다리지 않고 은퇴를 하는 것이 맞다고 판단한 것으로 알려졌다.

윤용태는 은퇴한 다른 선수들이 아프리카 TV를 통해 스타1으로 복귀한 것과 달리 더 이상 게임을 하지 않겠다는 의사를 전했다. 윤용태는 컴퓨터 관련 자격증을 취득한 뒤 새로운 길을 걸을 것으로 보인다.

윤용태는 "내 의지로 은퇴한 것이 아니고 아직까지 게임에 대한 열정이 남은 상태에서 은퇴를 하게 돼 아쉬움이 크다"며 "그동안 응원해 주신 팬들께 인사도 못하고 은퇴하는 것 같아 더욱 아쉬운 마음이 든다"고 말했다.

[데일리e스포츠 이소라 기자 sora@dailyesports.com]


On October 1st, Woongjin released 6 players (Free, ZerO, hOn_sin aka Bravo, Piano, Aria, Hanbin). This decision was unavoidable as the parent management was forced to downsize due to financial woes. Free, who has been hanging in the limbo since then, finally announced his retirement.

Of the released players, Zero was the first to announce retirement. Piano followed shortly and expressed his intent to broadcast SCBW on his personal stream. Bravo was picked up by SKT1. The [B-teamers / practice partners] Aria and Hanbin are expected to retire.

Fans have since then waited for Free make an announcement regarding his future. [It's now known that] Free waited a few days for teams to make last-minute offers, but none came [for various reasons, his age being one of them] so he decided to finally retire.

Unlike many other retirees before him, Free expressed his intent to step away from gaming / Afreeca streaming. His plan seems to be to attain computers-related licenses as he will pursue that path.

Free said, "There is a lot of regrets [and bitter feelings] because I have to retire while I still have a lot of passion for gaming. It doesn't feel like I'm making a proper goodbye to my fans [which further burdens my heart]."
[TLMS] REBOOT
slowbacontron
Profile Joined October 2012
United States7722 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-11-11 15:15:29
November 11 2013 15:15 GMT
#14
On November 12 2013 00:01 glzElectromaster wrote:
From what I know, no team showed interest in Free mainly because of his age and his rather mediocrity. He apparently still wants to play the game professionally, but rather than going to afreeca to stream, he'd rather find a job in the computer science? field.

Or so I read on StarCraft Times.

If that's true, I'm disappointed. free actually did quite well in the latest Proleague, and I think he could be a valuable asset to a lot of teams.
jjakji fan
lolfail9001
Profile Joined August 2013
Russian Federation40190 Posts
November 11 2013 15:17 GMT
#15
Good luck to him, whatever.
He played the games long enough.
DeMoN pulls off a Miracle and Flies to the Moon
ETisME
Profile Blog Joined April 2011
12384 Posts
November 11 2013 15:19 GMT
#16
On November 12 2013 00:01 glzElectromaster wrote:
From what I know, no team showed interest in Free mainly because of his age and his rather mediocrity. He apparently still wants to play the game professionally, but rather than going to afreeca to stream, he'd rather find a job in the computer science? field.

Or so I read on StarCraft Times.

It's a smart choice.
streaming on afreeca is only delaying the inevitable need to get a proper job that can support his living.
I think some may be able to make a small living but it is much better to get a full time job because the skills are more transferable between jobs.
其疾如风,其徐如林,侵掠如火,不动如山,难知如阴,动如雷震。
MrMotionPicture
Profile Joined May 2010
United States4327 Posts
November 11 2013 15:20 GMT
#17
Figured this would happen eventually. Sad news. He was such a skilled dude
"Elvis Presley" | Ret was looking at my post in the GSL video by Artosis. | MMA told me I look like Juanfran while we shared an elevator with Scarlett
Spectralx
Profile Joined November 2010
United States198 Posts
November 11 2013 15:43 GMT
#18
Gl to all, and I stll remember Bravo's proxy EVERYTHING vs Liquid' T . One of the best TvT holds/ pushes In beginning of sc2 Proleage
Spectral - Paralyzed Quadriplegic Gamer
Titusmaster6
Profile Blog Joined September 2007
United States5937 Posts
November 11 2013 15:45 GMT
#19
Will never forget you free. gl hf
Shorts down shorts up, BOOM, just like that.
XiaoJoyce-
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
China2908 Posts
November 11 2013 15:56 GMT
#20
Only 2 players? All but 2 players?

Wow, the Kespa team is cumbling, how is SPL coming?
Pew! Pew! Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!
1 2 3 4 5 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 3h 47m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft: Brood War
GuemChi 1096
Leta 801
PianO 353
Snow 186
Dewaltoss 63
yabsab 27
Sacsri 14
Bale 13
Free 12
Movie 9
Dota 2
ODPixel196
League of Legends
JimRising 710
Counter-Strike
Stewie2K1193
Other Games
summit1g10345
WinterStarcraft414
monkeys_forever277
Tasteless148
Mew2King135
SortOf96
NeuroSwarm51
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick38149
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 18 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Berry_CruncH333
• practicex 35
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• sooper7s
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
StarCraft: Brood War
• ZZZeroYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• BSLYoutube
League of Legends
• Rush1350
• Lourlo1125
• masondota2388
• HappyZerGling96
Other Games
• Scarra3333
• Shiphtur345
Upcoming Events
Sparkling Tuna Cup
3h 47m
WardiTV European League
9h 47m
MaNa vs sebesdes
Mixu vs Fjant
ByuN vs HeRoMaRinE
ShoWTimE vs goblin
Gerald vs Babymarine
Krystianer vs YoungYakov
PiGosaur Monday
17h 47m
The PondCast
1d 3h
WardiTV European League
1d 5h
Jumy vs NightPhoenix
Percival vs Nicoract
ArT vs HiGhDrA
MaxPax vs Harstem
Scarlett vs Shameless
SKillous vs uThermal
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
1d 9h
Replay Cast
1d 17h
RSL Revival
2 days
ByuN vs SHIN
Clem vs Reynor
Replay Cast
2 days
RSL Revival
3 days
Classic vs Cure
[ Show More ]
FEL
3 days
RSL Revival
4 days
FEL
4 days
FEL
4 days
CSO Cup
4 days
BSL20 Non-Korean Champi…
4 days
Bonyth vs QiaoGege
Dewalt vs Fengzi
Hawk vs Zhanhun
Sziky vs Mihu
Mihu vs QiaoGege
Zhanhun vs Sziky
Fengzi vs Hawk
Sparkling Tuna Cup
5 days
RSL Revival
5 days
FEL
5 days
BSL20 Non-Korean Champi…
5 days
Bonyth vs Dewalt
QiaoGege vs Dewalt
Hawk vs Bonyth
Sziky vs Fengzi
Mihu vs Zhanhun
QiaoGege vs Zhanhun
Fengzi vs Mihu
Liquipedia Results

Completed

BSL Season 20
HSC XXVII
Heroes 10 EU

Ongoing

JPL Season 2
BSL 2v2 Season 3
Acropolis #3
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 2
CSL 17: 2025 SUMMER
Copa Latinoamericana 4
Jiahua Invitational
Championship of Russia 2025
RSL Revival: Season 1
Murky Cup #2
BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 7
IEM Dallas 2025
PGL Astana 2025
Asian Champions League '25
BLAST Rivals Spring 2025
MESA Nomadic Masters
CCT Season 2 Global Finals
IEM Melbourne 2025

Upcoming

2025 ACS Season 2: Qualifier
CSLPRO Last Chance 2025
CSL Xiamen Invitational
2025 ACS Season 2
CSLPRO Chat StarLAN 3
K-Championship
uThermal 2v2 Main Event
SEL Season 2 Championship
FEL Cracov 2025
Esports World Cup 2025
StarSeries Fall 2025
FISSURE Playground #2
BLAST Open Fall 2025
BLAST Open Fall Qual
Esports World Cup 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall Qual
IEM Cologne 2025
FISSURE Playground #1
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.