EPT
This interview was conducted November 14th.
-- Beginning of interview --
The person for this 30 Q&A has been designated by OGN’s Kim Jung Min (TheMarine) commentator as the man who pursues perfection, “Perfect Terran”, Seo Ji-Hoon (XellOs – CJ).
Seo Ji-Hoon, like the nickname Perfect Terran suggests, is a player who played at the top once, showing near perfect plays. Although he has been showing signs of slumping, he has the skills, showed by an individual league gold medal. We are expecting him to make a comeback in the near future.
To his fans, this 30 Q&A should be a sweet shower of news in a drought, and those who didn’t know about Seo Ji-Hoon have an opportunity to get to know him in detail.
CJ’s Symbol, Perfect Terran Seo Ji-Hoon
Q: Seo Ji-Hoon is this type of person: a word of introduction
A: Born in February 9th, 1985, alive for 24 years, and running breathlessly after becoming addicted to a game called Starcraft at age 17. I used to be what you call a typical A-type personality but my personality changed a lot after meeting people and now I claim to be an A-type unlike an A-type person.
Q: Why did you pick professional gamer as your job?
A: I enjoyed playing around with computers at an early age so I thought “When I’m older, I’ll become a computer programmer”. But then I went to a place called PC Bang with my friends and played Starcraft for the first time. Then I liked it so so much that I became crazy about it. There were a few times where I decided to study so I stopped playing but it’s so hard ^^ So I played games like crazy and became a professional gamer.
Q: What’s a memorable episode that you can remember?
A: Something that I remembered suddenly. It was around 2005 when we were broadcasting outside in Pusan. While moving out to the waiting room, someone hit me really hard in the back of my head. I felt it was unfair more than the pain. I can’t even complain anywhere.. T T I must have felt really bad if I’m remembering this suddenly~ haha. When we were in G.O, living in Gurodong, we didn’t have money so I remember digging up all the coins in the residence, bought Cheese Rabokki (mixture of Ramen and Ddukbokki) and really enjoyed eating it.. At that time, it was so difficult that we couldn’t eat but I was happy. Simply playing the game was so enjoyable that I didn’t stop to think about how difficult it was.
I remember being sponsored by CJ. When I first heard the news, I was really really happy.. But at the time I was rather stoic so instead of showing it, I kept it to myself.^^
Q: What was the most difficult time for you as a pro gamer?
A: I would say from the fall of 2006 to mid 2007 was the hardest for me. The results weren’t showing as I wanted and there were not so good events here and there. Perhaps because of that, I kept thinking negatively and suffered from insomnia and showed signs of depression but I got over it.
Q: What is your most memorable game and why?
A: Rather than a single game, all of the games that I’ve played since the beginning are important to me. But if I had to pick, the games that I played in the Olympus Star League come to mind.
Q: Any players you are especially close with?
A: I’m close to Kim Jung-Min (TheMarine.^^ lol Kim Dong-Joon (Rookie), Kang Min (Nal_rA), Lee Jae-Hoon (fOru), Lee Joo-Young (OversKy), Park Tae-Min (GoRush) etc, I’m close to the old G.O team members. And I’ve been close to Cha Jae-Wook (ClouD), and Choi Soo-Bum (DoGGi) since we were amateurs but it’s been hard to see their faces lately.
Q: What do you do during your free time?
A: I’ve been drinking more lately. And sometimes I go to the bookstore by myself and spend time there and sometimes I take walks.
Q: Who is the most memorable fan?
A: Café moderator Lee Jung-Hwa and Dongri. They resigned recently. Thanks for your all your hard work~
Q: What was the most memorable present that you received from your fans?
A: It’s good to get material presents but the fans that always watching and cheer me on is the biggest present.
Q: You’ve been active as a pro gamer for a long time, what was the biggest change since your debut?
A: There is more responsibility. Before doing anything, I think of my fans or my family and realize that it’s not just me.
Q: You must have given up a lot of things to become a pro gamer. Do you have any regrets?
A: No particularly. I gained a lot more than what I lost.
Q: Who had the most influence on your life?
A: My mom. It must’ve been difficult physically and mentally because my grandfather passed away early. Seeing her overcome that and sacrificing herself for her children makes me think I can’t waste my life.
Q: Are there any things that you would like to other than playing games?
A: There are a few things but they’re only thoughts at the moment.
Q: You’re known to be a cold and unsocial person. What is your usual personality?
A: I lack sociability but I get to know people really well if I befriend them, I laugh and joke around a lot.
Q: What style of females do you like?
A: Someone who trusts my decisions; someone who has a clear opinion but shows consideration for others.
Q: A question from Kim Jung-Min (TheMarine) caster who designated you / You haven’t been playing in broadcasted games lately. What happened?
A: I’m not good enough.. hoho I’ll try a bit harder. Buy me sumthing tasty keke
Q: Designate the next person / one question you want to ask
A: SK Telecom’s Park Tae-Min (GoRush) / You’re too quiet lately, tell me what you’re doing~
Q: A word of advice to those people aspiring to be professional gamers.
A: Dream big and make your own style~ And effort is a must!
Q: A word to your fans
A: There’s been too few meetings, right? I’m always thankful and you guys are a big part of my strength. Thank you~!!
Fans are curious about this!
Q: Are there any teammates that you consider to be more handsome than you?
A: Ahh well….. I have nothing to say. lol
Q: As a senior member of the team, are there any players that you like or have your eyes on?
A: Kim Sung-Ki (DarkElf). He’s a good younger brother that buys food for me with my own wallet.
Q: You were in Star Goldenbell, did Kim Gu-Ra really swear?
A: I don’t know how that rumour came out. I was in 2 episodes and I’ve never heard of this.
Q: You’ve almost graduated. Are you preparing well?
A: Currently, I’m in 4th year of Information and Computer Tech Ah-Joo University. I’m writing reports and essays as time permits and I think if I prepare a little harder, I can graduate^^ Of course, I’m not in a situation to go to all the lectures like other students so I can’t accumulate a deep knowledge but it’s been a good experience for me. Ah.. and I wanted to say something through an interview. I’d like to thank all the people who gave so much help to help me go through school successfully, the Ah-Joo university student volunteers and officials, professor Lee Mi-Ja, and especially the team leader of the student volunteer team Park Il-Boon. And many many thanks to the previous president of the Ah-Joo University student council Jang Seung-Ki, and Kim Jae-Hyung^^ lol
Q: Many close gamers are transitioning to casting and coaching. What are your thoughts?
A: Realistically, pro gamers don’t last long so they must have spent a lot of time contemplating. I want to think positively and hope everyone does well.
Q: What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?
A: Strength: Careful and attention to detail
Weakness: I can’t do that so well lately
Q: Your personal way to get rid of stress?
A: Taking walks late at night. There is not much else other than this.
Q: Is there a goal that you want to achieve as a pro gamer?
A: I want this to be a memory that when I look back later on in life, I can smile happily.
Q: How do you see yourself 10 years from now?
A: It’s hard to say as I can’t even predict what will happen tomorrow but I think I’ll be living a plentiful and happy life with people I love.
Q: You were in an unsponsored team for a long time. Are there any good memories?
A: I remember the trip to Thailand. Back then, it was really difficult for an unsponsored team to go to a different country but somehow we did it. Kind of like a paradise on earth? lol I remember all the teammates who went really enjoyed it.
Q: Starcraft 2 is just around the corner. Have you thought of switching?
A: Well, I haven’t really thought about it yet but it'll be a question to ponder when it comes out
Seo Ji-Hoon rose to the top by winning the Olympus Star League. It has been hard to see his face due to repeated disqualification from individual leagues and slumps. But if he combines the skill that won him an individual league as well as the strength that supported the team since its unsponsored times to becoming CJ, we believe he can make a comeback like his nickname “Perfect Terran”. We’d like to conclude this 30 Q&A by thanking Seo Ji-Hoon for giving sincere answers despite his busy schedule.
-- End of interview --
XellOs fighting!!
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