Source: This Is Game
After falling last season, you've made it back in to Code S. How do you feel?
Truth be told, I wasn't expecting much today. I told myself that even if I did end up losing, I just wanted to show all my plays that I was capable of showing, so I came to the studio with that kind of mindset. That's why I am even happier right now.
Your recent results have not been the best.
Recently, all my games don't seem to be going my way. I keep dealing with so many scenarios where I'll play well and think that I'm going to win and then just end up losing.
So have you been thinking about a lot of things?
I think there's a mixture. I've been thinking a lot more and I've been making mistakes a lot more. In my opinion, I haven't been practicing as much as I should have lately. I can't really say for myself that I've worked as hard as I should have.
It seems like your WCS results disappointed you.
I had a feeling that I would put up those kinds of results before even entering the tournament. As I played my games, I never got the feeling that I would win them.
You lost to Reality. Losing to a KeSPA player must have affected you somewhat.
Even at that point, I pretty much considered myself to be on similar skill levels with them. After actually facing him, I realized that he was really good. I didn't really get any specific thought after losing to him.
After seeing today's games, it seems your style has completely changed.
I just played like a player who resembled someone who had emptied his mind of all mundane thoughts. I didn't really try to do plays that would match up my strategies to the opponent's strategies.
Seems like your fans would be anticipating your distinctive and solid mid-late game plays.
Since I lost many games by using those kind of plays I began to lose confidence within myself. I really think I'm going to have to practice a lot more. Especially if I want to win in the mid-late game stages.
What kind of mindset will you have as you enter this season's Code S?
I don't necessarily want to reach a really high place. I am still not fully prepared. I'm just going to prepare for whatever match is in front of me.
Anything else you would like to say?
I want to thank YoDa for helping me with practice. My teammates gave me a lot of build orders to use and gave me a lot of good stories so I was able to win. I want to thank my family and my teammates for cheering for me. It seems like Mvp and NesTea are not playing very well lately so I hope they remain strong. They're player who always overcome slight slumps so I'm not too worried about them. Lastly, I want to thank our sponsors LG, Steelseries, Googims, Nvidia, and Coca-Cola.
mTw_SuperNova
Source: This Is Game
How do you feel about making it Code S nine seasons in a row?
It was such a difficult road. That's why it makes me even happier. As it should be, Code S is somewhere I belong.
This is your first national tournament since entering mTw.
After I received my new uniform, I told myself that it was time to change myself from here on out. I stood at the GSL stage for the first time since getting admitted in to mTw and it really feels like I'm playing better than before.
We're curious to know as to whether or not your were staying overseas for a bit.
I went to Germany for two weeks. I participated in a German tournament and I also got to meet the mTw staff members. I had a lot of time so I also did a lot of sight seeing. I also did a lot of thinking.
What kind of team is mTw?
They took really good care of me and were very welcoming. They are also anticipating a lot of things from me. I can't help but think that I've come in to a great team. They told me that they were going to support me well enough so that I only needed to focus on gaming.
Will you be planning on staying in Korea?
I am going to keep attending GSLs in Korea and also attend overseas tournaments if the opportunities arise. I received so much help from the team so I am able to live like this.
You had to play a rematch today. (referring to the second round where three people were tied at 3-3)
I never once had to think about the rematches when I play for Up/Downs. I was worried since the time finally came but the maps came out okay for me. I just played like I practiced and I thought to myself that this was very doable.
The game two against Creator was a nail biter.
I thought I was in the lead and I thought I would attack the first attack flawlessly. But his attack was much more stronger than I had anticipated so I was worried about losing right then and there. But somehow I was able to block it and played from there as if I was in a trance. I think I got some help from the heavens. I knew Creator was a player who always gets his upgrades so I tried hard to stay ahead with mine even in that troublesome situation.
Do you think you will be available to grab ten Code S seasons in a row?
I think I am absolutely capable of it. But I don't want to have to go through an ordeal like this again. I plan on advancing to the quarter finals of this season's Code S so that I can comfortably grab my placement for next season and the tenth season.
While you were gone from Korea, the battle between KeSPA player and GSL players was really fierce.
I can't help but think to myself, "wow, they already caught up by this much?" You can tell that the GSL players are feeling a lot of the pressure from the way they're playing. But I really hope that GSL players can overcome this and step forward. I think we should be embarrassed that we allowed them to catch up this quickly. We should think of this as a good lesson and just strive to work harder.
How do you think you would do against KeSPA players?
After watching their games, I honestly think they've all caught up at this point. I will just have to prepare for them as I have always done for any of my games. And I am going to play against them without thinking they are KeSPA players.
Is there a specific KeSPA player you want to face?
I want to face Flash and I also noticed that Jaedong received a Code S seed. So facing him would be good too. I want to face all the BW legends.
Anything else you would like to say?
This was my first GSL since putting on the mTw uniform and I am so glad that it went so well. I want to thank the mTw team for all their hard work. I want to thank manager Paoul for taking care of me during my two week stay in Germany. I want to thank VINES, TheStC, and JYP for practicing with me.