INTERVIEWS
- It’s your first time in the semifinals since the Clubday Online MSL.
▲ I feel great advancing so far after such a long time. The only thought in my mind is to do even better in the future. If I lose in the semifinals it's all over, so I will have to prepare very hard.
- Wasn’t it hard preparing for this match since your opponent was your own teammate?
▲ The actual preparation wasn’t particularly difficult but mentally it was a big burden. That was what made it hard.
- It must’ve been awkward with Hwasin.
▲ It’s inevitable that that happened. Once this interview is over, I’ll have to go over and comfort him a bit.
- You lost after a long game on Matchpoint.
▲ I thought the second set on Matchpoint would be the deciding set of the series but I didn’t realize Hwasin hyung would prepare for a long match. I was so caught off guard I almost lost the 3rd set but I was lucky with my build and was able to play through the rest of the set pretty easily. If the game on Ultimatum had also gone to a management game I think I could’ve lost as well.
- This isn’t your first time performing a team Kill.
▲ I’ve done it before at the GOM TV Classic but there weren’t that many teams participating in that tournament so it didn’t hit me as hard... But because this is a tournament that all teams are participating in, the burden on me was a lot greater.
- When were you sure you had reached the semifinals?
▲ When I won the game on Ultimatum, I was sure I would advance to the semifinals. Because Hwasin hyung cheesed early in the game, I knew he would be unlikely to use a strategy like that again in the next game. That was why I was able to play the match comfortably. That was also why I used the double Nexus strategy which wasn’t the original strategy I had practiced for that map.
- If you were to say a few consoling words to Hwasin.
▲ I don’t know what to say but I hope you don't get too down... There are many opportunities in the future too so I hope you will work hard.
- Who do you want to play in the semifinals? (this interview was done before the match between Stats vs. Jaedong was played)
▲ I hope Jaedong hyung advances. I want to show off my skills properly with a player who is as good as the high level of semifinals indicates. This definitely won’t be an easy match, but I am confident I can win.
Source: http://www.fomos.kr/board/board.php?mode=read&keyno=102921&db=interview&cate=&page=1&field=&kwrd=
- You’ve reached the semifinals two seasons in a row now.
▲ To be honest, the brackets worked out favorably for me. Therefore I thought I must not lose and played today with that mentality, so although I’ve reached the semifinals, I feel pretty calm. Because I also reached the semifinals last season, this time I definitely want to reach the finals. That’s why I believe it’s a bit early to celebrate.
- It must have been a surprise to you when Stats advanced out of the Ro8.
▲ I was anticipating a match against JangBi but when Stats advanced I was a bit surprised. But because I personally have a pretty good record against newer players, I didn’t get too nervous. I really think luck was on my side with the brackets.
- The maps were evaluated as being unfavorable for zergs.
▲ Though it’s true maps play an influence in games, depending on effort put in, one can definitely overcome that disadvantage. Even if I were to lose, I try very hard so that I can’t place blame on the map. Though they may say the maps are unfavorable for zergs, seeing as how there are two zergs in the semifinals right now, I think player skill definitely creates a difference.
- How were your games today?
▲ Personally, I wasn’t too happy. The games played out because a bit of luck was on my side… while I was playing him, I could feel that Stats has not fully shown his utmost potential on a live match yet. I felt this weakness early on and was able to play the rest of the games comfortably. Also, today in the first set my mouse setting was a bit weird so I was really annoyed and so the game played out in a weird way. Afterward when I checked, I found out the mouse setting had been done incorrectly. Thankfully, I was able to gain a big advantage in the earlymid game so that I could win the game, and after figuring out my opponent in the first game, I was able to play the subsequent game with more ease.
- You’re playing Kal in the semifinals.
▲ I’ve always thought that Kal is very good against zerg. Although I know I must not lose focus, protoss also happens to be the race I’m most confident against right now so I’m actually very happy about facing a protoss in the semifinals. Without regard to who it is, I’m satisfied in the lone fact that I’ll be facing a protoss again. I will grab this chance to show my abilities.
- There are many fans wanting a finals with you and Flash.
▲ If I get to the finals, I am definitely hoping to play Flash. Looking past our record against each other, I just want to play him on a finals stage. Because he’s an opponent I really want to beat, I hope that opportunity arrives.
- Today’s your birthday so you must be even happier that you won.
▲ That is true. However, though it’s my birthday there’s nothing that’s especially different. Things seems the same. Today I am thinking of my parents a lot for some reason (laughs).
- Last words you want to say?
▲ Because our team lost so disappointingly in the last proleague match, the birthday event that my fans earnestly prepared was ruined. I’m so sorry… I really wanted to win but because we weren’t able to do so, I was so sorry. Because I feel like I am not repaying our fans’ support enough lately I apologize, and I plan on repaying their support through future proleague matches and the MSL so I hope they will keep supporting us. Perhaps it was because today was my birthday but so many fans cheered for me today and I felt even more strengthened.
Today so many gifts were delivered to our team house so I want to say how thankful I am. Lastly, I want to thank my parents and friends who came in the early a.m. to wish me a happy birthday, and I’m also very grateful to all my teammates.
Source: http://www.fomos.kr/board/board.php?mode=read&keyno=102928&db=interview&cate=&page=1&field=&kwrd=
Love Kal's modesty Happy birthday to Jaedong~ definitely deserved his wins.
Feedback and corrections are always welcome!