Source: This Is Game
You've returned to Code S after two seasons.
I'm actually happier about my performance today than being happy about getting in to Code S. Rather than say that I was desperate to get back to Code S, I was more envious of my teammates who made it Code S. I didn't show that I was jealous of the others when I was with the team but I think I've been playing poorly so I was able to gain some confidence with today's momentum.
Your performance today was really clean. What was your secret?
In my past interviews, I would state a lot of factors that were holding me back such as mentality or game related troubles. But our recent acquisition of Killer hyung has resulted in him being my mental advisor. Killer hyung advising me from the side really helped me out a lot.
Is that why Killer followed you to the studio today?
That is correct. The coach was also busy but like I previously stated, Killer hyung takes care of me in that area.
You were up 3-0 when you decided to go for an 11/11 against Trap. What was the reason for that?
I used to do 11/11 a lot in the past so people had that kind of image of me but I haven't been using it recently so Protosses tend to play really greedy against me. I was up 3-0. I wanted to send a warning to other Protoss players, and I was confident about my remaining match against ByuN so I decided to just go for it.
What kind of results do you want to make for the Code S you've returned to?
If all this time that had elapsed was my practice time, then now it's time to reveal what I've got. I plan on playing from here on out with nothing else but the championship in my sight.
How were you able to regain your confidence through your performances?
I used to play around a lot in the past. Like I previously stated Killer hyung shared a lot of stories with me and I was also sent out as the final player for this season's GSTL match against StarTale. I was able to use those matches to not get nervous and climb another level.
Anyone you specifically want to face for this season?
These days, Life is just really good. I want to properly face Life for once. I feel a certain force that I once felt in DRG hyung in Life. I want to take down the best player, find my momentum, and gain recognition. And I normally do really well for online tournaments but recently I've been losing to Life a lot in the final round. I've beaten him for the GSTL so I think if I beat him for Code S, I will be able to gain even more confidence.
Anything else you would like to say?
I want to thank Killer hyung for coming with me today, the coach's father, and the coach. I also want to thank my teammates for working so hard just to help me with practice. Today my girlfriend told me that she was able to pass her college entrance exams. I want to congratulate her on that and also let my parents know that I appreciate all their hard cheering for me. Lastly, I want to thank our sponsors RAZER, Lotte, and partner MYM.
StarTale_PartinG
Source: This Is Game
After some hardships, you were finally able to make it back in to Code S in the end.
I had confidence for this Up/Downs. But if I had to make some blames, there is a hidden story behind game one where I opened up phoenix against ByuN. You see, among my teammates, Kim Mo told me to go for phoenixes. He told me I would win no matter what so I went for phoenixes because I believed in him and that was my downfall. I was hurting mentally cause of that one loss. The loss felt like I had sustained three losses. But I was able to make it up like this so I am relieved.
Your immortal all in against Shine was phenomenal. Was the strategy strong or was the player initiating it strong?
I am at a different class when it comes to immortal all ins (laughs). What's different about me than other players is that I put my soul in to my plays. My plays are stronger cause I put my soul in to them. And because I put my soul in to them, I can focus better.
Against Trap, your probe was long distance mining from Trap's natural. Was this on purpose?
I'm not sure if I should say it this way or not but that is basic micro. It's important to make sure your probes aren't just idly sitting around.
Are there any evidences as to why your immortal all ins are so strong?
Rain hyung stated that he saw my play back in WCS Asia and said he came up with a sure victory build order thanks to me. But then he tried it against hyvaa twice and ended up losing. I had a lot of fun watching that occur. There was no soul in his all ins. He also improperly placed his force fields. That's how much soul he's lacking. He can't win.
With today's victory, you've made Code S five seasons in a row.
I had no idea it had been five seasons. I just play my matches without thinking about that kind of stuff.
You are the first Protoss to make it for this season's Up/Downs.
I didn't even think about that fact either. Seed hyung plays tomorrow so I really hope he doesn't make it. He told me that we would face each other for this week's GSTL and he also made fun of me by saying I would be the WCS Global Finals champion. He's been slowly provoking me but I just can't stand it anymore (laughs). That's why I'm also going to destroy that contract we worked out about not doing ceremonies on each other. From now on, whenever I beat Seed hyung, I'm pulling a ceremony on him. Now that I think about it, I should aim for the best ceremony award.
StarTale players occupy the most in Code S. What are the chances of team kills occuring?
If a team kill occurs then it occurs. These days I've even started enjoying the sweet taste of team kills. I don't know why, but I get happier when I win in a team kill situation. It feels like our team's presence has climbed another level so a team kill victory isn't so bad.
What are your goals for this season?
I grabbed the concept of the game this season. I made a decision after seeing Bomber hyung fail to make it yesterday. I plan on taking down everyone who prevented my teammates from making it. This season is all about revenge for my teammates. And then I'm going to go to the finals and grab the championship.
Anything else you would like to say?
I want to thank our sponsors ZOWIE Gear, Joy Gear, and Red Bull. After I beat Shine, I went over to find KeeN and begging him to win no matter what. There was a chance of rematch so KeeN could have taken it easy but he played with all his soul in to it. He is a really good friend so I plan on taking him out to eat during the weekend. I was planning on buying pizza for my teammates if I made it to Code S today. But Kim Mo can forget about eating any pizza since he told me to go for that phoenix build in game one. Anyways, I'm joking about that and I want to let him know that I appreciate him telling me to do that build, and I hope he keeps on helping me with practice.