Squirtle's interview was also done entirely by him with only a couple of edits from me.
StarTale_PartinG
Source: This Is Game
You were the first one to advance in to the finals.
I am more than thrilled that I defeated the Protoss player that was on most form and current GSL champion Seed hyung. Of course I also feel a little down that I had to beat someone I'm good friends with. But my joy is bigger right now.
In game one, you were very aggressive with your harassments.
PvPs are not about the amount of practice you put in but the amount of thought you put in. That's why for today, compared to the other match ups that I normally I prepare for, I practiced a very small amount for today's match up. But out of all the opponents I had prepared for, Seed hyung was definitely the most stressful opponent and I had no confidence in myself. Lately these days, my confidence for PvPs seem to just find me all of a sudden. I was thinking of my build orders as I was riding the car over to the studio and I decided to implement them while believing in myself.
Game two ended with a huge final battle.
I tend to think about all the PvPs I had lost in the past and how crucial that final battle timing was. I was also thinking about final battle timing during today's game two. I think today, that timing that's been on my mind for a really long time finally worked itself out. I'm satisfied within myself and I am proud of my victory.
The finals is going to be a PvP. Who would you prefer to face that would be easier?
I never thought to myself that there was someone easy while participating in this tournament. Aside from the KeSPA Terrans, I even considered the KeSPA players a threat. While it's true that the finals will be difficult regardless of who advances, I would like it my fellow teammate and hyung Squirtle, advanced. There is a reason. In the GSL season 2, if I had made it to the finals and hadn't lost to Mvp, I would've faced Squirtle hyung in the finals. I even had build orders all planned out to use against Squirtle hyung. So since I missed my chance last time, I want Squirtle hyung to advance so that I can use it this time and get recognition for it by him.
You became a star during the OSL Group Nominations.
I honestly can't say that I did that by myself. I want to thank all the participants from the OSL nominations. I was able to get the spotlight for the fans, and I was able to correct my dirty image I had been known for so I am relieved about that. (referring to the time he said that he was going to go to the finals since Terrans are so easy and that he was going to walk over Mvp, only to get roflstomped by Mvp) It was something I had been wanting to say those things for a while now and I'm glad I did. I'm also glad that a lot of people have found interest in me ever since the OSL nominations. I want to thank all the people who said nice things about me. If not for anyone but for those people, I want to keep performing well and show great games for those people who dedicated their time to cheering for me.
Anything else you would like to say?
I want to thank AcE hyung, Avenge, San, and MC for helping me with practice. I want to thank our sponsors BenQ, ZOWIE Gear, Joy Gear, and Red Bull. I get to play against BaBy next week so I am really excited for that match up. I've been wanting to play against the KeSPA players and now thanks to the OSL, I finally get the opportunity to. I became friends with BaBy on facebook so we're going to be seeing each other more frequently from now on. I hope we can drop addressing each other formally and become good friends. I don't know when that will be but I want to help him if he ever needs help for TvPs.
StarTale_Squirtle
Source: This Is Game
Q: How does it feel to advance to the finals of the winner bracket so easily?
A: I never expected to be able to win so easily. Even now, I still can't believe that I won so easily.
Q: Did you prepare the strategy for the first game beforehand?
A: Of course it was prepared. It was a strategy that was prepared and tailored against my opponent. My opponent is very confident in his fundamentals, so I thought that he would use strategies that will play to his strengths, and I prepared the strategy in the first game against that point.
Q: In the second game, you won through defense.
A: In the second game, it was a strategy that would have held and put me in a good position regardless of whether my opponent would expand or attack. When I saw him attacking, I panicked a little, but I think I defended pretty nicely.
Q: Your opponent in the finals is your junior in the team, Parting.
A: In the past GSL Code S, because of Parting's slip up, we weren't able to meet in the finals. We're finally able to play against each other this time, and I plan not to give myself too much pressure, and to play it as if it were a normal practice game since we don't really have much time to practise. But I will still go into the games with a mentality of wanting to win the games.
Q: Are you also hoping to win the tournament and go straight to the WCS?
A: I've had such a thought ever since I made it to the semifinals. To be honest, all I knew was that my opponent today was a strong one, and I was unsure about everything else. The other players also said that the opponent was a really strong one. But including online tournaments, I've played him quite a few times, and I've basically won all the time, and so I was confident of defeating him. Now, since I already made it to the finals, I really do want to win the entire tournament.
Q: Who do you think is your greatest stumbling block on the way to winning the finals?
A: That'd still be Parting, for no other reason other than he's been playing really really well recently. Even though the other players are really good too, but I feel that as long as I can defeat Parting, there's really nothing much for me to worry about.
Q: Any last things to add?
A: I want to thank Ace hyung and Avenge. I will probably have to treat them after eturning to the team house. I also want to thank our sponsors, Red Bull, BenQ, ZowieGear and JoyGear. Lastly, I would like to say that I heard today that Violet from KT passed away from leukemia. Back in the days when I was just an amateur, I would watch his games and just yearn to play Protoss. My heart ached even more because a Protoss player I liked had to pass away. I hope he rests in peace.
Samsung KHAN_RorO
Source: This Is Game
You managed to survive another round in the losers' bracket. How do you feel?
Since there were so many Protoss players still alive in this tournament I really wanted to defeat one today. The opponent was herO[jOin] so I wasn't feeling very good about my win but I'm glad that I get to see one less Protoss from here on out.
In game one, you made a comeback in a game that you had pretty much lost.
In the beginning, I was able to get ahead a lot with my aggression so I was in a good spot but then I got too carefree and ended up losing my army and my chance to finish it off. But thankfully, I don't think herO didn't exactly know how big my army was at the end so he made some wrong decisions.
Was the zergling/baneling all in in game two a pre-planned build?
I had almost no time to prepare after my games from yesterday. I had to prepare for ProLeague so I was given that build from another Zerg player.
Your overlord bait worked really well.
It all depends on the scenario so I was worried whether or not this would work even after I was taught the build order yesterday. I decided to just go for it since I won game one anyways but I think herO fell for it too easily since he had no prior experiences.
In the round six of the losers' bracket, you will faced Seed. What do you think will happen?
He's a really strong player so I think it's going to be difficult. But since I am the only remaining Zerg player my goal is to just drop as many Protoss players as I can manage. In order to show the fierce fighting spirit of the Zergs, I will keep playing my best until the last possible minute.
You are the only Zerg representative. Do you feel any burden by that?
I don't feel any. I'm just so happy that I get to go play in China. It's my first foreign trip. I even plan on getting a passport. I think it's going to be a great experience for me since I'll be playing and spectating as well.
Today it was revealed that KeSPA players would not be participating in the GSL qualifiers. What are your thoughts on this?
The players don't really know the underlying reasons so we just followed orders. Personally, I think it's a real shame.
Anything else you would like to say?
I want to tell herO I am sorry I had to beat him. But I want him to know that I love him and am going to buy him something yummy so I am hoping that he lets go of any negative feelings.