Source: This Is Game
What are your thoughts on becoming the champion of WCS Asia?
To be honest, my expectations weren't too high when I arrived here, but after beating my opponents one by one, I somehow managed to reach the finals. To tell the truth, I'm still having trouble believing that this is reality. That's why I didn't show any emotion when I was caught on screen (laughs). Now that some time has passed, though, I feel ecstatic.
This is your first championship title since your debut as a professional gamer.
To be truthful, if we had continued to play Brood War, winning a tournament would have taken me a very long time. Because I was able to take a championship thanks to Starcraft 2, I feel quite happy.
You faced PartinG in the finals. How did you feel at that time?
Honestly, it didn't matter to me whom I played against, whether my opponent was HerO, PartinG, or anyone else. But when PartinG said that he would defeat me during his interview, I did become a bit concerned. Fortunately, I was able to win.
You must certainly have felt comfortable since you advanced to the finals through the winners' bracket.
Because I was placed in an easy bracket, I was able to play my matches in a relatively relaxed state. I was also able to empty my mind once I secured a spot in the WCS Global Finals. Because I wasn't affected by nervousness, I was able to perform all the better during my games.
During the first set of the final match, you were at a build order disadvantage. Wasn't it risky?
When his Phoenixes arrived at my main base, I believed that I had lost. My chance of winning that game was about 20%, but I got lucky. PartinG likes to engage at 200/200 supply, so he was making preparations to max out, which helped me, too. During the final engagement, I was able to win by destroying his Phoenixes first.
You showed some amazing Blink Stalker control during the second set.
I had prepared that build in advance. While watching many of PartinG's games, I noticed that there were certain builds that he would consistently use, so I developed a counter-strategy.
You must now feel a desire to win the WCS Global Finals as well.
Since I performed well in WCS Asia, I'll have to do well in the global finals, too. Even if I don't win the whole tournament, as the WCS Asia champion, I want to make it high up through the brackets. Since I don't know much about foreign players, I'll have to practice even harder this time.
What meaning did this tournament have for you personally?
When I reached the finals of the OSL, I began to feel some worries about playing on a grand stage. But with my victory here, I think I'll be able to keep myself calm during the OSL finals, too. Since I've already taken this championship, I'm also no longer concerned about entering the Kong line (laughs).
You've earned a lot of prize money.
Even though I won so much, I don't particularly feel greedy for money. It's nice that I've received it, but it doesn't make me joyful at the moment. I'm thinking that if I make enough, it'll come in handy when I get married (laughs).
Do you feel an urge to participate in more foreign tournaments from now on?
I've learned more things from playing in international tournaments than I have from practicing at a team house. I want to participate in many of them as long as my body can keep up.
The title of "#1 Protoss" seems appropriate for you now. What do you think?
I don't like talk such as that. If you listen to that kind of talk, you begin to develop an inflated ego. I just happen to have the most momentum out of all the players right now.
What are your goals once you return to Korea?
After I go back, I'll be playing in the MLG MvP Invitational. Once I finish that, I'll have some time to call my own. During that time, I'm thinking of strengthening my endurance and practicing a great amount. I want to get into preparation mode for the OSL finals.
Do you have any last words?
I'm very happy about winning my first tournament, and I'm grateful to the fans who cheered for me. My teammates all took good care of me, so I'll make sure to treat them to something once we return to Korea. Also, I was able to put my mind at rest before the finals after hearing about StarTale's numerous second place finishes, but I've become very friendly with their players while here, so I feel sorry for them, too. I hope they're able to find success in another tournament.