[interview] Code A Preliminaries Day 2 Winners

Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about making it to Code A?

I'm not feeling it yet. I wasn't expecting anything at all but when I saw my group, I found my confidence.

How were today's matches?

They went well. I didn't particularly find any match difficult.

Tell us about yourself.

I prefer to test out various strategies. I don't have televised matches experiences so my strength is that I don't really have a set style yet. The match up where I have most confidence is ZvT.

Your debut will be in the GSL.

I didn't really have any thoughts. I think I'm going to have to actually play the matches to know what it's going to feel like. My team hyungs told me that when you make a debut, you don't really think about anything so I think that will apply to me as well.

What are your goals for this season?

First off, I want to get through Code A. I just really hope I can defeat at least one player.

What are your goals as a pro gamer?

I want to become a player like EffOrt hyung. EffOrt hyung is really good at the game but he also never loses confidence when it matters the most and keeps on playing so he is an awesome player. I want to resemble a player like him.

Anything else you would like to say?

Later on, sKyHigh hyung is going to play so I hope he does well and makes it to Code A with me.

Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about making it to Code A?

This is my first time in Code A so I'm really nervous. But when I think about the players that I'm going to be facing, I feel really excited.

How were today's matches?

The match against LosirA in the Ro4 was the toughest. I've won a lot in foreign tournaments but after losing a big game in the GSTL, I lost my confidence. But LosirA went for an all in in game one so I was able to conquer the match easily.

How do you feel about your experiences with foreign tournaments?

I noticed that foreign team players hate to practice in tight schedules. That's why I lost a lot of my skills as I was working with foreign teams so I regained back my skills after I came back to Korea. Instead of being in a foreign team, it's so much better to just stay with a team in Korea and hone your skills there.

Were you confident for this qualifiers?

My most recent performance in IEM was abysmal. I didn't even make it to the playoffs. Afterwards, I went on a losing streak on ladder so I thought I was going to have a tough time today. But then I saw who was in my group and realized that as long as I could take out LosirA, the rest of the road was going to be easy. That's how I was able to gain my confidence.

What are your goals for this season?

So far, I still haven't been able to gain a single victory in the GSTL and GSL. I'm going to use this opportunity to grab a victory in the GSL and ride the momentum. Not being eliminated from the Ro48 will be my first goal.

Anything else you would like to say?

Later on, my teammates are going to be playing so I hope they do well and come up with me. I want to thank HyuN for coming with me today at my request and cheering me on.

Source: This Is Game

You finally made it in to Code A. How do you feel?

I feel such a happiness that cannot be expressed in words. Honestly, I kept thinking to myself that I was going to make it but I also felt doubtful at the same time. But I was able to make it like this so I really can't tell if I'm dreaming or if this is reality.

You defeated Lucky in the finals by a score of 2:1.

After I won game one I told myself "finally, I made it" and celebrated prematurely. That's why I lost game two. I planned on finishing it with a 2:0 score but he chased me so I felt uncomfortable. But then I successfully did my all in in game three and aggressively made it.

You grabbed JangBi in the Ro4 by a score of 2:0.

I didn't think it was hard. In fact, the Ro16 match against NaGi was harder. It was an elimination race so it was even more tiring.

You must have been jealous of all those players who made it to Code A.
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Indeed. I'm at a relatively young age so as I was playing I kept asking myself whether or not I had what it took. Truth be told, I even contemplated just retiring but now I'm going to find myself again and work hard.

What is your first ever GSL goal going to be?

My goal is to win the Ro48. In a past interview, AnNyeong hyung once stated that the Ro48 of Code A is just like playing in the finals. That's the kind of mentality I am going to have as I prepare.

Anything else you would like to say?

After BBoong made it past the preliminaries, he lent me his uniform. I think I was able to find my strength thanks to this uniform. The manager told me that If I made it past the prelims, he was going to take me out for drinks. Originally, our team is now allowed to have alcohol. But the manager knows I like alcohol so if the manager is paying, I would really like to go drinking with him at least once. Later on, Classic hyung will be participating in the prelims so I hope he makes it.

Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about making it to Code A?

Honestly, I couldn't get in much practice so I just told myself that I would do my usual plays. I am so happy that I made it like this. We're on break right now so I had done very little practice.

Which match was the hardest today?

The finals match against Alone was the toughest. I even successfully pulled off a hidden expansion but it wasn't enough and I ended up having a hard time winning. In my game one on Daybreak against Classic, that game went on for nearly an hour and I almost lost.

Puzzle has mentioned you quite a few times in his interviews.

We had been good friends since our amateur days. But Puzzle doesn't really help me out much. If I ask him for advice he just says "I don't play with my head, I play with my hands. Go play a thousand games and then come to me."

How would you rate your own SC2 skill level?

Mid to top? I'm plenty skilled and I think I'm good enough to beat anyone.

What kind of thoughts did you get when you found out that you were going to be participating in the preliminaries? Your past preliminary results haven't been the best.

I felt like I was given one more chance so I was very joyful.

Do you get nervous during televised matches?

I used to get nervous at first but now it's gotten much better. But I've never been to the MokDong studio so I won't know how I'll feel about that until I actually go there. But I do think it's going to be a lot of fun.

Your friend Puzzle, is also currently Code A.

I think it's going to be fun. I want to shut that obnoxious mouth of his. I really hope I get to face him.

If you win three times in Code A, you can make it to Code S. What are your goals?

First off, I want to get past the Ro48 and avoid the preliminaries. The best case scenario would be if I defeat Puzzle in the Ro48 and I make it further in to Code A.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank the coaching staff for always believing in me and for always giving great advice. Also, Puzzle told me that if I ever get a chance to do an interview, I should mention him. I did just that today so I hope he likes it.

Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about making it through the qualifiers after not getting through for a while?

If I really think about it, I'm not really happy right now. But If I go back home I think I'm going to be super ecstatic. I'm just not feeling it right this minute.

Currently you are team-less. Weren't you playing in a foreign team?

I've been team-less for about two months now. I canceled my contract midway. There were a lot of things I was unhappy with and I just wasn't satisfied.

You're playing as a team-less gamer but isn't that difficult?

I got permission from SlayerS_Jessica to stay at the SlayerS team house. Right now I don't really feel like I absolutely have to join a team. I don't really have any complaints.

For a while you hadn't been producing any results. How come?

The biggest problem was that most of my past victories were from luck. But this season is different. I wanted to get by purely through skill so I practiced really hard.

You played a lot of KeSPA players today.

I met Shuttle in the Ro4 and it was really tough. He was a much better player than I expected. I faced Crazy-Hydra in the finals and he played a really economic play for game one. That's why I went for an all in for game two and ended it.

Your GSL Open Season 3 results were not the best.

Back then, I got eliminated straight away in the Ro64 by Maka. That's why this season's goal is to make sure I don't have to go through another preliminary ever again. After getting past the Ro48, I want to participate as much as I can in televised matches and get recognized.

Do you plan on staying team-less for a while?

Originally I wanted to be in a team before participating in the qualifiers. If it's for practice, a Korean team is ideal but if I want to participate in a lot of tournaments, a foreign team is the best choice. That's why these kinds of decisions are so hard and so complicated. I think for now, I'm just going to keep staying team-less.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank SlayerS_Jessica noona for letting me stay at the team house and for helping me greatly

Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about makiing to to Code A for the first time?

I had been preparing for this moment since several years ago but it took me this long to get in so it's a real shame. But I did make it in the end so I'm relieved.

In the Ro8 you took down Soulkey and in the Ro4, you took down Movie.

Soulkey played really well but I was the superior one in the mutalisk micro when we faced each other head to head so I won. Against Move I decided to do a (날빌?) but he I don't think he responded properly. This is something I aimed for because he was a KeSPA player.

In the finals, you took down Sound.

Overall I was pretty much in the lead the whole time. I won without any problems without any special crisis.

The TSL's Zerg line up became really powerful. What is the secret?

I think this started as HyuN hyung began doing better. I won today with HyuN's hyung's build. Symbol hyung also gets help from HyuN hyung so HyuN hyung's influence is huge.

What will be your goal for Code A?

First off, I really want to avoid another preliminaries. So getting through the Ro48 is my first goal. Afterwards, I will think about what my next goals will be.

What kind of player do you want to become?

I want to become a player like HyuN hyung and Symbol hyung. I especially want to become a stylish kind of player that HyuN hyung is.

Anything else you would like to say?

I'm really happy that I got through the preliminaries. I want to let my fallen teammates know that I know how hard they worked so they should remain strong.

Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about making it Code A through your first ever GSL participation?

Honestly, after Team 8 lost in the ProLeague playoffs, we took a break. Since we were on break, I just figured I would stick to the basics for this preliminaries. But then I did much better than I thought I would. I told myself that if I just focused a little more, I could get through this so I worked hard and the end result was so good that I am very happy.

You took down GSL players dreamertt and San.

I saw my group and knew it wasn't going to be easy. I completely lost a macro game to dreamertt in game one so I busted out a build I had been practicing in game two. In game three, I got lucky because of my scouting, grabbed an early advantage, and won the whole thing. In the Ro4, San played kind of an all in-ish style so I won. GSL players are really good at the late game stage but San went for all ins so I was able to win.

What about meeting Acacia in the finals?

I won game one without any problems so I thought I would advance easily. But then he got aggressive in game two so my hands started shaking and my ling/bane micro was so bad that I ended up getting pushed back to a game three. In game three, he also went for an aggressive style but this time, I regained my composure, blocked his attack, and won.

In Code A, if you win the first round you stay in Code A, and if you win three times you're in Code S. Are you confident enough that you'll make it?

I don't really have a goal I'm thinking of right now. When I see who I'm pitted up again, I plan on working hard from there.

Any specific player or race you would like to play against?

I have various situations where I am confident against a certain race. Which is why it pointless for me to say anything right now. Whoever I get, I just plan on doing my best.

Anything else you would like to say?

I got through my very first SC2 preliminaries. The SC2 interface may be easy but the game itself is really difficult. I'm going to work hard so that I can put up better results than I did for SC1 so I hope the fans keep on cheering for me.

Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about making it to Code A for the first time?

This was something I had been aiming for ever since two years ago so I am so happy that I finally succeeded.

You beat Sea in the Ro4. How was that match?

The match against Sea was definitely the toughest. Game three was pretty much a lost game for me but I won because I got lucky. He had the superior army but he messed up at the engagement so I won because of that.

What about your match against Classic?

In the finals, I decided to be aggressive for both games. I figured my opponent was going to be nervous so I aimed for that and it ended up working so I won easily.

Since this your first time in Code A, how far do you want to make it?

Since I'm not that good yet, I just want to get past the first round so I can at least make it to Up/Downs.

How has the merge between ST and ZeNEX helped you?

I've learned so much. There are so many good hyungs that I get to learn so many things. Bomber hyung and Hack hyung teach me so much.

Anyone you would like to specifically face in Code A?

I don't really have anyone I want to face and I don't even have a race preference since they're all so similar.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank my teammates for helping me with practice. I also want to thank my parents for constantly helping me out through these past two years.

Source: SeeKeR's Got Game

According to your picture, you still seem unimpressed.

My first time in the Code A preliminaries and I advanced undefeated. What else would you expect?

What is the secret to you getting through undefeated?

My b.net ladder account is just three letters. GOD. Most of the time that seems to do the trick. My opponents quiver at the sight of me.

Which match was the hardest for you today?

(laughs). Pretty sure this interview is harder than the matches I just played. *winks*

.....Why the hell are you so cocky?

Ask GOD.

I can't ask GOD.

Well you're talking to him right now aren't you?

You do realize that Korean netizens will rip you to shreds because you're being a dick?

And I'll just rip them to shreds right back.

F*ck you. Mr. GOD.

I'm flattered.

This interview took two minutes. Thanks for wasting my time.

You should be grateful. Most other interviewers only get to take pictures.

Anything else you would like to say?

Impress me. Oh yeah, and ty to teammates and sponsors and all that other insignificant stuff.

Source: This Is Game

You made it to Code A even though this was your first ever GSL.

I feel happy. I think luck followed me a lot today. I also think it's because I've gained a lot of confidence these days. These days, it seems like you need to have confidence in order for the luck to follow as well.

You played three matches and got through undefeated. How were the matches?

Honestly, they were really tough. It just says I got through undefeated on paper but it was exhausting. Game two against soO had me sweating. I was all prepared for a game three but I worked really hard so I was able to win.

It was a real shame that you fell out of WCS and WCG preliminaries. What has progressed for you since then?

I think the biggest key was that I didn't rest when everyone else was resting. Our team was given an entire week to relax after ProLeague but I didn't rest. I participated in tournaments without resting and constantly practiced with coach Clide and increased my skills.

In OSL, you also got through undefeated just like today's preliminaries. Have you gotten the hang of SC2?

I really have. I'm not at a level where I can say I'm the best yet. However, like I stated in my previous interview, I think I've risen to the top. If you really analyzed me of course I still have flaws but since I got to this state in just three months, I'm sure that I'll be even better in another three months.

In Code A, if you win the first round you stay in Code A, and if you win three times you're in Code S. How far do you think you'll make it?

I think the preliminaries are harder than the actual Code A matches. I told myself that if I can get in to Code A, then I should be able to make it to Code S.

There is a chance that you will face Jaedong in the first round of Code A.

That would be awkward. But since that would be our first SC2 match up against each other, it would also be exciting.

Anyone you specifically would like to face in Code A?

Not really. Everyone is really good in SC2.

Anything else you would like to say?

Thankfully I made it past the preliminaries. Truth be told, I didn't really have high expectations for myself when I came. I think this was a really good opportunity for me since I got through undefeated. I hope the fans keep on cheering for me.



videos by Moletrap

Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about making it to Code A during your first ever GSL?

Recently I only played SC1 for ProLeague so I didn't get a lot of chances to practice SC2. I told myself that I just didn't want to get eliminated from the get go but luckily I went through the whole thing.

You took down Kop in the finals. How was the match?

Kop plays mech really well. I lost game one even though I could have won and I thought of the games I saw him play in ProLeague and he did mech well there as well. I thought he was going to keep going with mech so I asked coach BoxeR how to defeat mech and the advice he game me helped me win. From the side, he kept tell me what I was doing wrong.

Which match was the hardest?

My first match against SSanai was the toughest. As I was playing, I noticed that the settings weren't set properly. It was different than what I use at the team house so I was bothered by that. I think the TvTs helped me adapt to the settings.

Within all your teammates, you advanced the most easily.

Honestly, I am the worst in my team. My ladder points are the lowest. I thought soO was going to advance by himself. But then I was the one to advance so I feel dazed. soO is really good in practices but I guess he can't do the same for tournaments. I heard Flash is also at the top on ladder.

In Code A, if you win the first round you stay in Code A, and if you win three times you're in Code S. How far do you think you'll make it?

Rather than say that I'm confident I just really want to try out the Up/Downs. While I was watching GSL from the team house I thought it would be fun since there are so many games. I want to experience the Up/Downs for learning purposes.

Do you have any specific player you would like to face in Code A?

I just don't want to meet any Protosses. I started off as a Protoss for SC2 and then switched to Terran. Protosses weren't that good in the past but these days, as long as they don't make mistakes, they just win. Protoss is too good.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank coach BoxeR for staying by my side and working so hard to help me. Yesterday, By.Rain bought meat for me. I think him buying me meat also had something to do with me advancing today. I asked him to buy me some more meat if I make it to Code A today but he hasn't responded yet. I think I'm going to do really well as long as people keep buying meat for me. I will be anticipating it (laughs).