I will prove myself to the Starcraft 2 Community within 3 months!
On the 28th, Ko “HyuN” Seok Hyun moved in to the TSL House. HyuN joined the MBC Game Heroes in the year 2005 and has been a pro-gamer ever since with the total official record of 84 Wins and 110 Loss.(Starcraft Broodwar) But ever since the dispatching of the team, he has been searching for a right direction with his life and decide to proceed on as a Starcraft 2 Pro-gamer.
When we met HyuN at the TSL Team House on the 29th, he looked very bright and happy. He was already close with his teammates and was beginning his path as a Starcraft 2 pro-gamer. He stated that “my goal is to prove myself to the Starcraft 2 Community within 3 months.” Additionally he stated that “I really wanted to continue playing games and all I want to do now is work hard and get better.”
How does it feel to join the team TSL?
Since this is a new beginning for me, all I want to do is work hard. It feels weird now to be part of the Starcraft 2 and I am also very nervous. I have been pondering and worrying about what I should do with my life for a very long time. Now, I feel that I have a clear path ahead of me therefore I am able to work hard for it. But the past few weeks have indeed been a very troubling time for me.
You must have pondering about what you want to do with your life for a very long time.
What kind of thoughts were going through your mind?
I was thinking, should I continue playing games as a pro-gamer. I’m somewhat aged, therefore I was also pondering whether I should go to the mandatory army service now.
What made you decide to play Starcraft 2?
I really wanted to continue playing games. Truthfully, I was confident that I will be able to be better in Starcraft 1. People around me doubted that I will be successful with Starcraft 1 due to my age, but I wanted to prove them wrong and prove them that being old does not matter as a Starcraft 1 pro-gamer. Unfortunately Starcraft 1 did not work out too well for me and I had to find a different path. I knew a lot of the players who have moved on to the Starcraft 2 and also the TSL coach, therefore that convinced me to play Starcraft 2 professionally.
You must have had a long period of practicing alone. How were you doing with the practice?
Because I was not in a team for a period of time, it was really hard to create new ideas or optimize a build order alone. I watched a lot of live VODs or replays. I think I will be able to realize what I'm capable of once I practice for a while at the TSL House. When I was practicing alone, I tried to practice as much as possible. But I believe the practice I’m doing now at the TSL House is the “real” practice.
Realistically speaking, how would you rate your Starcraft 2 skills?
I played for a month now and I was able to move up to the Masters League, but such achievement does not mean anything to me. I still believe I am way behind the other Starcraft 2 pro-gamers. One can not rate a player's skill based on the ladder points only, right? I believe that practicing alone is not a very legitimate practice. The Starcraft 2 begins for me now.
Did you watch Starcraft 2 while you were a Starcraft 1 pro-gamer?
Haha, Nope. I had no clue what was going on with Starcraft 2 and I only heard some news from my friends. In fact, at first I did not know that Queens can inject into the Hatchery to produce additional larvae and I played without it and I could never figure out why I would lose all my games. One day Seo “Shark” Gyung Jong was with me and was astounded by the fact that I did not know much about the Queens. Haha. Currently, I am just learning the game therefore I really enjoy playing the game and I am very eager to improve.
Recently Park "Fin "Ji Soo (also known as fOrGG) has recently joined Starcraft 2 and has been improving a lot within a short period of tie. The fans must be looking forward to a similar result with you.
I came over to Starcraft 2 with the confidence that I will do well. Fin has been a great example for me to learn from. Also there are other players like Kim "Oz" Hak Soo who also used to play Starcraft 1, that are doing well in Starcraft 2. I believe I can do well too, but the most important factor for me will be my effort. I believe Starcraft 2 will be very similar to Starcraft 1. I will have to practice A LOT. Without effort, I am nothing but a worthless body haha.
Do you know how the fans are reacting to your decision of joining the Starcraft 2?
I have not been able to check yet, but the more fans the merrier! I am also somewhat pressured due to the attentions, but I think everything will be resolved if I do well. I did not get into Starcraft 2 just to be a mediocre. I will continue working hard for my goal and I hope a lot of fans will cheer for me.
When do you plan to play on a broadcast?
There aren’t any qualifiers left for this year, therefore I am aiming for the first qualifier for the GSL next year. My goal is to make it to the First Season Code A. I believe I have about 2 months and I think I’ll be able to get a better understanding of my skill level by then. Even if I fail to make it to the Code A, I think being able to recognize my level of skills will help me work even harder to improve.
Starcraft 2 e-sport provides a lot of opportunities with foreign tournaments. Interested?
Yes, I would like to be able to play in foreign tournaments. If I reach the level where I get to play in foreign events, doesn’t that mean my skills are recognized? I will try my best to be able to play in foreign tournaments. I am quite jealous right now of how popular players like oGs.MC and MarineKingPrime. I want to be successful like them too. I believe that I need to catch up to the skill levels of the Starcraft 2 gamers within 6 months. If I am able to accomplish that, I should be able to qualify for the foreign tournaments naturally.
A day has passed since you have joined TSL. What’s the team atmosphere like?
The atmosphere is quite lovely. Coach and the players are very nice to me. I am currently the oldest player in the team, therefore I have to do well and lead them. All my teammates are so nice. I have a lot of experiences living in a pro-gaming team house and I am very good at adapting to the changes, therefore I am not worried. I think all I have to do is practice hardcore. I know it’s only been a day, but I’m already very used to the team. I love the team house too.
A lot of fans are looking forward to your ceremonies in Starcraft 2.
Right now is not the right time to be thinking about ceremonies yet. Haha. Even in Starcraft 1, I never really prepared ceremonies and just went with the flow. Also, I am currently not in the status to be thinking about the ceremonies. It’s too early. I am still learning this game and I can only show ceremonies if I’m good enough to be able to play on a live broadcast. Therefore my priority right now is to win. Plus, you don’t have to worry about my ceremonies, I am more than confident with them. I noticed that MC has been doing a lot of ceremonies recently and that inspires me to work even harder. I don’t know when I’ll be playing against MC, but we shall have a ceremony battle (in a mannered way because he’s a good friend of mine).
Do you know other Starcraft 1 players that are pondering about whether to move on to Starcraft 2 or not?
Not from my team: MBC Game. Also most of the Starcraft 1 Trainees are continuing to play Starcraft 1. Also I know that a lot of the other players are considering doing the mandatory military service. I’m sure they’re all going through a very hard time. I know that Jung “ZerG[kaL]” Jae Woo has just gone to the military service 20 days ago. I think all the players are going through hard time right now and I’m sure they’ll make the right decisions.
You said you watched a lot of VODs when you were practicing alone. Is there any Zerg player that you consider worth learning from?
I did not know IM.NesTea was that good, but when I was watching the VOD, I watched him win a lot of games. The finals against IM.Losira was EPIC. His build is very natural and I believe he is an excellent player. I have a lot to learn from him. Also coLMVP DongRaeGu’s ZvT is very memorable to me. I noticed that DRG is brilliant with his Mutalisk control and his decision making skills. I also viewed FXO Leenock as a great player and now he’s in the GSL finals. Also the Zerg players in my team, TSL, are very good. I plan to learn from all the players, but first I will learn from my teammates.
What did people around you say when you decided to play Starcraft 2?
They knew I was pondering about the issue for a very long time, therefore they gave me a lot of advices and talked with me a lot. Also a lot of the Starcraft 1 coaches told me great stories and they really helped. I believe I made the right decision. I really wanted to play the game. Before joining the TSL, I was in a huge slump and was struggling a lot and I am very thankful to all the people that helped me through the slump. A lot of people told me to continue on with Starcraft 1 and that Starcraft 2 will require much more work. Shark helped me a lot during the times of distress. I’m sure Shark was going through a hard time too and I am very thankful to him for being there for me.
What are your goals?
I can no longer play Starcraft 1, but I find this to be a great opportunity for a new start. I am ready and eager to work hard, so please continue to support me. All I can think of right now is to work hardcore. My goal is 3 month. Within 3 month, I hope to be able to catch-up. I hope you guys will continue supporting me!
Original Article
Thanks for reading! Enjoy~
Translated by Kevin
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