[Interview] OSL KeSPA Preliminaries

How do you feel about qualifiying?

I've been sick these past couple of days so I barely got to practice. After waking up today, I felt completely healed, and that is why I believe I was able to win. I was suffering because of enteritis but I think the real reason I was hurting so badly was because I over indulged on watermelons.

How were today's games?

To be honest, I didn't want to play against any Terrans. Even so, I ended up meeting nothing but Terrans on my way up. There are so many varieties for Terran build orders and it is hard to initiate against them. I say this because I am a initiative player.

In the last set against TurN you played a game where you took the initiative.

I played 7 PvTs and in almost all of them my opponents opted for a macro game. Against TurN I decided, since I was ahead after the first set, to just play strategically and use that to grab the intiative.

In the BW days, you never made it it into the StarLeagues. People these days seem to be saying the time for By.Sun has arrived now that you are involved with SC2.

I don't think I'm at that level yet. I just barely made it past the qualifiers. Right now I lack I'm lacking in skills and my experiences are really low compared to that of GSL players. I can't say that with my current skills that I am any good.

During today's preliminaries almost all the top players from ProLeague were eliminated.

ProLeague is a league that's broadcasted so the experiences you get through the games are really important. I heard that today's results were terrible for them but I don't know why that was so.

Within the dual tournament you will only face BW players, and once you get into the Ro16, then you will face GSL players. What do you think will happen?

I know GSL players are really good and all, but as long as I don't face the top of the top, I think I will have a shot at beating them.

How do you feel about qualifying for the Dual Tournament?

On my way to the studio I honestly didn't think I was going to make it this far but now that I made into the Dual Tournament it feels so amazing and good.

During the ProLeagues you were never sent out.

That is because all the players on our team is so good that I was never needed. It was a bummer that I was never send out during ProLeague but because I was able to advance like this through the individual tournaments, I am really glad.

How were today's games?

I think my games against Bisu in the Ro8 was the toughest. My Dark Templar attack was too easily blocked so I started with a disadvantage but when it came to the head to head battles, I was able to win and grab the advantage.

What happened in game 2 against Bisu?

I attempted a sort of an all in but it was way too easily blocked. That's why he took the advantage and I lost.

Wasn't the finals against mini tough?

My opponent was a really good player so I expected the games to be difficult but my strategies worked so well that I won easily.

After the StarLeague qualifiers you will face the GSL players. Are you confident?

In my opinion, even the KeSPA players are good enough to be on par with the GSL players. If the games go like they did during the qualifiers then I think I'll be fine. Regardless of the player or race you always start off with 6 workers so it's all the same. Until the time for the dual tournament comes I'll practice really hard and show everyone that even KeSPA players are progressing really well.

Any last words?

I want to thank our coach and manager for always working so hard for us. I also want to tell my parents that I love them.

How do you feel about qualifying for the Dual Tournament?

I saw my group and assumed that I wasn't going to make it but I think luck was on my side.

In your group what kind of players were there?

In my group there were many top ProLeague players. EffOrt, firebathero, and a bunch of other guys like them were in there.

How were today's games?

I was able to beat Kang Ki Hoon, Shine, sHy, and hitmaN[jOin] in order. Within these players that I faced, I think the games against Kang Ki Hoon were the hardest. I underestimated him and ended up getting flustered after losing game 1.

Why do you think luck was on your side?

I think all the good players were eliminated through other players so I just casually walked on by.

How good do you think your SC2 skills are?

I think I'm at the top. It's just that all my teammates skills are so much better than me that I haven't had a chance to get sent out yet.

Will you be confident for the Dual Tournament?

If I play like I did in the preliminaries then I should be able to provide great games for the Dual Tournament. If I win I will show you an outstanding ceremony. I hope the fans will be anticipating that.

Between SC1 and SC2, which game fits your style better?

I haven't gotten down the concept of SC2 yet so I think SC1 is still better for me. But with more effort I think my SC2 game senses will get better and better.

You have a good chance that you'll be placed into the same group with Flash. Any desire to face him?

I do not want to be in the same group with Flash. He's too good.

Any last words?

I never thought I would get through the preliminaries like this but the coach gave me great advice and so I was able to play without feeling nervous.

How do you feel about making it into the Dual Tournament?

Personally I wasn't expecting much from myself but getting into the Dual Tournament like this has made me so happy. I also think I will have to refine my skills and fix all my mistakes until it's time for the Dual Tournament.

How come you were not sure you would make it?

To me, It felt like I was lacking in skills. That's why I was not sure if I would make it or not.

How were today's games?

Against Protosses I knew that if my build orders were scouted I would lose and I heard that hOn_sin was really good so I had anticipated some really hard games against him.

Are you confident about the Dual Tournament?

After playing against the KeSPA players I believe that as long as I avoid the top of the top players I should be fine. So I think I'll be able to advance to the next round flawlessly. I didn't have any expectations when I came here but because I made it into the Dual Tournament, I'm tempted to make it to the OSL.

This is your first ever SC2 league. Are you confident?

I still don't feel like I'm any good at SC2. I think I'm mediocre at best. But I think as long as I practice really hard I will be able to become a good player soon.

A lot of players who were doing well in the ProLeague were eliminated.

The top SC2 players were eliminated so I think I need to take advantage of this opportunity and make it to the OSL.

Any last words?

I feel so moved today because I hadn't made it past the preliminaries like this in such a long time. I'm going to think of this as a fresh start for me and practice really hard to make it into the OSL.

How do you feel about making it into the Dual Tournament?

Recently I only play BW so I only had like one day to prepare for this. So I was really expecting to be eliminated on my way here but lo and behold, I advanced so I am really happy. I think the momentum is really good for me so I think I'll be able to show really good games in the Dual Tournament as well.

Recently your momentum has been really good. Did it follow you all the way to the preliminaries?

Recently as I play my games I feel like it is more luck than skill. I think I'm on a winning streak currently so I am hoping to show better games in the future that were a result of skill and not luck. I hope you guys will keep watching me for that.

How were today's games?

They went really well in my favor. Luck was on my side so I made it past the preliminaries like this.

Any players that left an impression on you?

Against Lizzy in game 1 I had 6 medivacs just doing nothing so I let him make a comeback. Coach Cha's mind control allowed me to make a comeback. (I kid you not this is what it says)

How good are your SC2 skills?

I think I'm mediocre. I just think I'm getting my build orders right so that is why I am winning a lot in tournaments.

Do you think there was something in your play that needs to be refined?

I think I need to play a lot more TvPs. If my opponent is on the same skill level as me then it's really hard to win in that match up. That's why I think I need a lot more practice.

Do you watch a lot of GSL?

I haven't missed a single game. I've been watching GSL furiously.

How good do you think you are compared to the GSL players?

I'm nowhere near the level of Code S players but I think I am on par with Code A players. With a little effort I think I will be able to beat Code A players.

Do you think you'll make it to the OSL?

If I prepare thoroughly I think I will definitely make it into the OSL.

Any last words?

Jaedong hyung is currently playing. I really hope he will advance as well. Right now it is a critical time for our team. We will practice really hard and go on a winning streak in the ProLeague.

How do you feel about making it through the preliminaries?

In my group there were so many really good players. I had heard that RorO and free were really good players so I came here without any expectations but I am so glad that I made it through.

How were today's games?

I lost too easily against Paralyze in game 1 so I felt really nervous. My hands were not warmed up so instead of going for long macro games, I decided to go for strategic macro games for games 2 and 3. And I think it paid off.

How did you prepare for today's matches?

I looked at the ladders stats of everyone in my group and I saw that I was placed the highest. So I played with confidence because of that.

How confident are you for this Dual Tournament?

Last Dual Tournament I wasn't ready. But this time I will prepare really well and make it into the OSL.

After the Dual Tournament you will face GSL players.

GSL players play exceptionally well so I am really excited about facing them. I never lose confidence in myself though.

Any last words?

I'm so glad that I made it past the preliminaries. Recently my ProLeague performances have been abysmal but because I was able to make it through the preliminaries today, I will also show better games in the ProLeague.

How do you feel about making it into the Dual Tournament?

I feel so happy that I made it like this. I told myself that as long as I didn't make any mistakes I would make it and that's exactly what happened.

How confident are you for the Dual Tournament?

During practice my results in TvP were really good so I had a lot of confidence against Protosses. I saw that I had a lot of Protoss players in my group so I was telling myself that this was definitely doable.

Isn't TvP difficult?

For Terrans it seems like vs Zerg and vs Protoss are the hardest match ups. But for me TvPs are the most comfortable. But the thing is, Terran is a race where if you make a mistake you cannot win.

The hardest games from today?

I face a crisis in my games against herO[jOin] but luck was on my side and thankfully I was able to win.

The final was against Crazy-Hydra. How was it?

Compared to my match ups during the Ro8 and Ro4 it was easy. I won a hard fought first game and I think that may have also had something to do with my victory.

2 STX Terrans made it past the preliminaries.

Within our team practices I believe our Terrans are the best. Even throughout the KeSPA players the Terran players are being regarded as the best.

If you had to compare yourself to GSL players?

If I played against GSL players it would be really difficult but it wouldn't completely hopeless. If I focus on nothing but SC2 I think I could catch up to them in no time.

You have to face GSL players after the Dual Tournament. Thoughts?

Personally I really have wanted to play against them. I think I'll be ecstatic if I beat them. That's why I want to pass the Dual Tournament and make it into the OSL. If it's a Protoss then I don't care who I face. I really want to play against them.

Any last words?

I feel really glad about making it through my first SC2 preliminaries. I will prepare really well and show a lot of great games.

How do you feel about qualifying for the Dual Tournament?

I was expecting a lot of hard games but I only met Terrans on my way up so I think I advanced pretty easily.

You won every match with a 2:0 but were there any challenging games?

During the finals, after I won game 1 I got really nervous because I came to the realization that I was only 1 game away from advancing. Thankfully my opponent went for a gambling build and I was able to block that well and grab my victory.

In the finals, you faced Canata.

In game 1 he did a very quick barracks push. And in game 2 after he expanded he harassed me quite a lot with his marines. But I was able to prolong the game and was able to make a comeback.

Was the fact that you only faced Terrans a good thing?

One of my opponents in my group was hyvaa so I was worried about that. But thankfully he got knocked out. So I told myself that as long as I did not lose focus I would be able to advance.

Most of the current top SC2 players were eliminated.

During today's preliminaries a lot of the really good SC2 players were eliminated. I think that's going to benefit me in the end. With a little effort, I think I will be make it into the OSL.

Are there any difficulties with going back and forth between SC1 and SC2?

Of course it's difficult having to transition between two games but SC2 is a big opportunity for me. I want to be better than the other players so I will practice really hard.

Do you watch the GSL?

I watch it frequently. They're much better than us so you benefit from watching them. It's not possible to digest GSL players' builds 100% right now. Thankfully the Dual Tournament only has KeSPA players so I will play with the mentality of needing to beat only one match.

Any last words?

After the Ro8 there was a really long wait for the Ro4 matches to begin. Thankfully my manager and coach mind controlled me well so I was able to win the Ro4 easily. I really want to thank them for that. (What is up with BW players and mind control -.-;

How do you feel about making it past the preliminaries?

Within the 3 years that I have been a professional gamer, I have made it to 5 preliminary finals and I have lost all 5 of them. I was so worried about losing again during today's preliminaries but after I won the first match I gained a lot of confidence and played really well. I think that had a significant effect on me and was the reason why I was able to make it into the Dual Tournament.

In the past, your preliminary results were not that great.

I would make it the finals fairly easily but I would always get eliminated 0:2 in the last round for some reason. But this time I was able to make it past the finals so I think I broke the jinx.

Your finals opponent was M18M, who is known for being really good at SC2.

After I won the first game I was so sure I was going to win the second game as well. But my opponent harassed me too well and so I lost. I thought I was done for mentally but I didn't lose my focus and that was a big factor as to why I won.

You beat Stats in the Ro4.

I think he let me win too easily. In fact, the first match against Alone was the hardest. After I lost game one, I had to play the rest of that series as a nervous wreck.

If Jaedong hadn't been eliminated you would have faced him in the finals.

I was really worried because Jaedong is really good and because TvZ is extremely difficult. But thankfully Jaedong got eliminated. I think because Jaedong died early I was able to advance easily.

If you make it to the OSL you will face GSL players.

KeSPA players are still lacking in a lot of areas but that doesn't mean we don't have a fighting chance. For the rest of our time if we practice really hard I think it'll be playable.

STX Terrans are doing really well right now. Thoughts?

It is a fact that STX Terrans are really strong right now. We have a lot of TvTs and we practice really hard with each other.

Any last words?

I've been a gamer for over 3 years but I just now finally made it into the Dual Tournament. I will make sure I don't get eliminated in some lame fashion and I will prepare really well so I want to ask for a lot of support.

How do you feel about making it past the preliminaries?

I came with a calm and composed mind. And it made it all the better that my results were good. In the last series I had to play a regame and I think my opponent was mentally shaken because of that. It wasn't his fault that we had to play a regame so I felt really bad for him. Because Shuttle wasn't able to make it, I will do my absolute best with him in mind.

What was the situation with the regame?

I was in a bit of a disadvantage but I wasn't giving up. I was blocking a major attack by Shuttle when all of a sudden he got kicked out of the game so we had to do a regame.

Wasn't it harder for you because you had to do a regame?

My coach consoled me really well so I was able to keep my composure. On the other hand, I saw Shuttle's expression on his face and I realized instantly that he was not comfortable at all with the situation. I knew I had won right then and there. I felt that he would do an all in in order to hide the fact that he was shaken up and just as I expected, he did an all in.

How did you feel after seeing your group?

When I saw my group I initially assumed I would advance pretty easily. But after actually facing my opponents, every single game was a challenge. But I still advanced so I am happy.

Woongjin Stars had the most qualified players.

I actually expected more of us to make it. For all the players who were eliminated today, I hope they can revive themselves through their ProLeague performances.

You will face GSL players in the OSL.

I don't want to play against GSL players. In a recent interview Mvp said that he beat me while offracing as Zerg. This is true. Although if we're grabbing at strings here I should make it clear that it was only a little after I had started playing SC2. Right now if I had to play ZvZs I would win. Right now the skill difference between us and GSL players is so great that if they lose, they should be ashamed of themselves.

Any last words?

After losing three games in a row I felt like I wasn't going to make it. Ever since becoming a progamer that was the first time I had ever thought that way. But I couldn't let down Light hyung and my coach so I played real hard to prove to them that I have what it takes. I've released all negative thoughts and am practicing real hard so I will work hard to ensure that all my future games will be victories.
I also want to congratulate BisAnG for qualifiying.