Source: This Is Game
You successfully made it to Code S. How do you feel?
I pretty much figured I would advance today seeing who my opponent was. I feel good about the end result and I also kind of saw it coming.
Why did you foresee yourself advancing?
It's because my games have been going really well lately. When I start doing well, I get really lucky with my games regardless of who my opponents are. That's why I kept thinking to myself that I was going to win.
Even though you say that you get lucky when you do well you still ended up losing game one without being able to show your true skills.
I got back just two days before my Code A matches after I played in an overseas tournament. But I still hadn't known about the GSL scheduled matches even up till then. I only just found out that I had to play today so there was no time to practice and I also can't play a macro game on Whirlwind. So I excluded banshees from my strategy but then my opponent ended up going banshees himself so I lost (laughs).
Bbyong decided to go for banshees for game three. Did you expect this?
I really expected a different build for game three. But thankfully I was able to choose a gas build and blocked his attacks.
You're showing a great form for overseas tournaments. How much do you think you've returned to your old self?
I think I've pretty much returned at this point. In the past, I couldn't find ways to win so I really suffered. But nowadays I think I've found out the key to winning every single one of my race match ups. As long as I don't get shaken up during the mid game, I can win easily.
Seems like you're brimming with confidence. Are you confident for next season's Code S?
If they stick with WoL, I see myself putting up a positive result. Terrans have received a great patch recently so I am excited for the next season.
In your personal opinion, how well did you think you performed today?
I think I would give myself a 50/100 (laughs). If I had just responded properly for game one I probably could have taken it. I did not practice enough. I won game two rather easily but I lowered my score because of my poor performance for game three.
Anything else you would like to say?
I want to thank my fans for always cheering me on regardless of whether I'm doing well or not.
Team 8_BaBy
Source: This Is Game
You successfully made it to Code S. How do you feel?
I felt like I didn't show my true skills last season so I wanted to come back to Code S. I am glad that I was able to advance like this and I am going to show a different form for this time.
Symbol is known for having a high ZvT win ratio. Did you feel pressured?
I heard that he was a really good player. So I approached today's match with the thought that I was going to undergo a learning experience but then I ended up not feeling as nervous as I thought I would be and my games went really well so I was able to win.
You started off game one with a disadvantage because of his early roaches.
I felt like I was in a really disadvantageous situation because of those roaches. But I kept playing defensive, teched up to 3/2 upgrades with my mech army, and then saw a chance to make a comeback.
Most players don't create a lot of medivacs but you did the exact opposite and created an excess of medivacs in order to grab your victory.
Since the SC1 days, I really liked all out battles. I had a good win ratio for my practices and I wanted to show that form I once had for SC1 so I used that strategy.
You've made it to Code S. What are your goals for this season?
I want to at the very least make it to the Ro8. I just have too many things I wasn't able to show for last season.
Anyone you want to face for Code S?
I don't really have anyone. But I think people have this notion that I am weak at TvP because of last season's losses. I want to use this season to disprove this notion.
Anything else you would like to say?
I've improved a lot since last season so I am going to work hard so I don't show anymore pathetic losses. I want to thank Ryul2, check, and Alone for helping me with practice.
LG-IM_Mvp
Source: This Is Game
You successfully made it to Code S. Tell us how you feel.
With today's victory, not only did I make it to Code S but I also won the NesTea award so it holds a lot of meaning.
Tell us how you feel about winning the NesTea award.
NesTea hyung is the oldest hyung at LG-IM and he is also someone I view as a rival. I am so satisfied with the fact that I was able to chase NesTea hyung's accomplishments. I really like the fact that I was able to win an award titled "The NesTea Award"
The only unique awards that the GSL gives out are the NesTea awards and the royal roader awards. Was it a shame that you weren't able to win the 5x GSL winner award?
GSL created a special trophy for the 5x GSL winner but I wasn't good enough to grab it. So I don't feel disappointed about it. During the regular season, I considered myself to be a royal roader as well. I wish they would create a royal roader sword for me as well (laughs). I won the first season for the regular GSL season so I hope they would create a replica of Life's sword for me (laughs).
Have you tried out HotS?
I don't have a lot of time because I have to focus on WoL so no, I haven't tried it yet.
The first season for 2013 will be WoL but afterwards, it will transition to HotS.
The winter break is going to be the key factor. I'm going to have to get treatment as I keep on practicing. A lot of things will have changed so if I don't get a head start then I'm going to fall behind. I'm going to prepare for HotS as I continue to prepare for the first season of 2013 for WoL.
Last season, you disappointingly missed your chance to grab the championship. Since the next GSL is the last WoL one, you must want it badly.
It's going to be the last WoL tournament and I also haven't gotten the 5x GSL trophy yet. My chances are not high but I'm going to work hard so that I can grab the 5x GSL trophy before the transition to HotS comes.
Any particular player that might get in your way?
Code S has nothing but difficult players and there are no easy players. PartinG has been looking so good lately that even he's going to be difficult. Looks like MarineKing is the only remaining easy player (laughs).
You grabbed an advantage in game two with your bunker rush but then ended up allowing a comeback.
I won game one without much difficulty so my hands hadn't warmed up entirely yet. I couldn't even micro properly during my bunker rush. Normally I don't allow my bunker rushes to get blocked that easily but things just didn't go my way. I figured I had a 50/50 chance but as the game started looking to be in his favor everything started falling apart.
You won game three with marauders and you didn't even scout. Did you expect your opponent to go for blink stalkers?
It's not that I saw his strategy coming. This build was a build that was popular last year so I presumed that sHy probably di not know about it since he didn't play SC2 last year.
You made it to Code S. What are your goals?
My goal is always to grab the championship. Since the GSL after this season will be a Hots tournament, I want to go to the Ro8 and secure my spot for Code S so that I can start off the HotS tournament from Code S.
The GSL Grand Finals will take place soon. How do you think it will go?
My group is full of players who have really good momentum because of their recent championship victories. I know it's going to be difficult but I won't know for sure what will happen until I actually play the games.
GSL awards voting are currently underway. Anything that you really want to receive?
Last year, I wasn't able to achieve the most popular player award. If I can just grab the award for this year, that I'll be really happy.
Anything else you would like to say?
홍덕? and First helped me a lot. I want to thank them for helping me with practice. I hope that YongHwa and First both make it to Code S. The day before yesterday was the coach's anniversary. I wanted to congratulate him after my previous match ended but I wasn't able to. I know it's late but I want to take this opportunity to congratulate him. Lastly, I want to thank our sponsors LG Electronics, Steelseries, Googims Company, and Coca-Cola.
StarTale_Life
Source: This Is Game
You successfully made it Code S. How do you feel?
I knew I was going to make it. I am happy that I made it but I wasn't happy with my performance.
DId you expect to win this easily?
If my opponent had just done a standard build, then I would never lose with my build order for game one. It got a little dangerous because he used an 8 gate build but he messed up his micro so I was able to win.
You started off game two with a disadvantage because his cannon rush forced you to lose your natural. Did that not make you feel uneasy?
I didn't feel uneasy. His pylon was located outside my base so I knew I would be fine as long as I just killed it.
You stated in your previous interview that you didn't believe in the GSL jinx and that you believed in yourself. But after you won last season you then fell in to Code A. Anything you would like to say regarding this?
I'm sure that everyone who fell did the same thing that I did and just let his guard down (laughs). If I can just make sure I keep my guard up and keep on practicing hard then I should be able to go back to my original place in no time.
Next week will be the GSL Grand Finals. How do you think it will go?
My performance and even my practices have been going really well these days. If I can just get lucky then I should be able to grab the championship.
What do you think about the Grand Finals groups?
Both groups are about the same right now. It doesn't really worry me.
Have people treated you differently since winning a GSL and a MLG?
Nothing's really changed but I did screw up something so I'm getting a lot of heat from the team (laughs). My friends also continue to treat me about the same.
Next season of GSL is the final WoL one. Does that scare you?
It doesn't scare me because I view it as a new challenge. I think it's going to be a lot more fun. I've only played HotS a couple of times for fun.
Anything else you would like to say?
I want to thank my teammates for practicing with me and my fans for cheering me on. Lastly, I want to thank our sponsors Red Bull, ZOWIE, and Joy Gear.