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.
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.
But will he be allowed to? I would love to see Rain in more tournaments, and it's really good to be exposed to more than just the Korean ladder metagame, I would think.
On October 15 2012 01:03 zerious wrote: Rain don't need the money
I wonder what his salary with SKT1 is (He will get a rise when his contract is up for sure)? I know the top top players make quite a bit. But I think it is pretty top heavy and the non-star players don't make as much.
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).
Not updated + the fact is most of the games he played were quite old and that was before he turned into a beast, I am not a fan of Rain but do not try to discredit his amazing play. Right now he definitely is the best Protoss player in all PvX match ups.
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.
How about you chill the eff out and play with 1 hand to give foreigners a chance -_-
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).
On October 15 2012 00:56 wozzot wrote: 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).
That's why he(and most Koreans) are awesome and moneyhunters like Stephano aren't.
Rain is quickly becoming one of my favourite players. Extremely talented, but still friendly and down to earth.
Rain might come from an affluent family, he did say before that he played Starcraft professionally because he found it fun and that he didn't like school that much lol.
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.
Sorry dude, it's not going to happen if you stay in a KeSPA team.
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.
Sorry dude, it's not going to happen if you stay in a KeSPA team.
I'm pretty sure he knows what he can and cannot do. Probably better than you even!
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.
Sorry dude, it's not going to happen if you stay in a KeSPA team.
I doubt he even wants to, ProLeague is his main priority, so he'll most likely only go to Blizzard or MLG events.
On October 15 2012 01:07 Hazuc wrote: Best player in the world right now.
I could see him as the best protoss player in the world, but certainly not best player in the world. He played very well here, but obviously lost in GSL to MVP and nearly lost to Last.
Were Rain, RorO and BW herO successful in BW? Out of curiosity (never followed the scene).
Congrats to Rain. I really wanted Parting to win(but it seems like its time to give up on that dream), but it is good to see him take it. He deserves all the wins he is getting. Good interview.
On October 15 2012 01:07 Hazuc wrote: Best player in the world right now.
I could see him as the best protoss player in the world, but certainly not best player in the world. He played very well here, but obviously lost in GSL to MVP and nearly lost to Last.
Were Rain, RorO and BW herO successful in BW? Out of curiosity (never followed the scene).
On October 15 2012 01:07 Hazuc wrote: Best player in the world right now.
I could see him as the best protoss player in the world, but certainly not best player in the world. He played very well here, but obviously lost in GSL to MVP and nearly lost to Last.
Were Rain, RorO and BW herO successful in BW? Out of curiosity (never followed the scene).
On October 15 2012 01:07 Hazuc wrote: Best player in the world right now.
I could see him as the best protoss player in the world, but certainly not best player in the world. He played very well here, but obviously lost in GSL to MVP and nearly lost to Last.
Were Rain, RorO and BW herO successful in BW? Out of curiosity (never followed the scene).
He's been around for a while. Before Telecom he was in MBC Hero and was known as By.Sun. He's had some success, but this last year he's exploded.
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.
Sorry dude, it's not going to happen if you stay in a KeSPA team.
He'll be at IPL 5, once he makes top 4 in gsl next season.
On October 15 2012 01:07 Hazuc wrote: Best player in the world right now.
I could see him as the best protoss player in the world, but certainly not best player in the world. He played very well here, but obviously lost in GSL to MVP and nearly lost to Last.
Were Rain, RorO and BW herO successful in BW? Out of curiosity (never followed the scene).
On October 15 2012 01:07 Hazuc wrote: Best player in the world right now.
I could see him as the best protoss player in the world, but certainly not best player in the world. He played very well here, but obviously lost in GSL to MVP and nearly lost to Last.
Were Rain, RorO and BW herO successful in BW? Out of curiosity (never followed the scene).
Rain was one of the better rookies (won the award like someone mentioned). He had some good games but wasn't really all that close to the level of any of the more established A teamers (he usually wasn't favored when sent out in proleague, as far as the stream chat went ). He did have some surprise wins here and there though. I liked him.
Roro was solid, never spectacular. Mediocre enough at times to be on everyone's anti in fantasy BW. But good enough to destroy everyone's fantasy team at the same time...THE 50% winrate dude >.> I always thought he was at least a little better than 50 percent, though.
Which hero? If you're talking about hero[join]...I barely remember him from before the most recent hybrid BW/SC2 proleague season..ahah...Just remember him being sent out once in awhile and losing.
Rain was awarded best rookie last year by KeSPa (this refers to his BW career). Players that got the award in the past list guys like EffOrt and a lot of champion material young guys. Rain was definitely a player to watch out for in last seasons of BW, if not BWs most promising young talent. The switch came in the perfect moment for him after gaining momentum in his career and adopting the right mind set from his training with SKT. He is without a doubt one of the most motivated guys to enter the competition from KeSPa.
On October 15 2012 05:30 disciple wrote: Rain was awarded best rookie last year by KeSPa (this refers to his BW career). Players that got the award in the past list guys like EffOrt and a lot of champion material young guys. Rain was definitely a player to watch out for in last seasons of BW, if not BWs most promising young talent. The switch came in the perfect moment for him after gaining momentum in his career and adopting the right mind set from his training with SKT. He is without a doubt one of the most motivated guys to enter the competition from KeSPa.
To put things into perspective, the other two winners of rookie of the year were flash and jaedong.
To be honest, I expected Rain to be an arrogant, greedy player for some reason, but reading this interview completely changed my mind. He seems like a humble, calm guy who plays because SC2 is his passion. Congratulations Rain.
On October 15 2012 05:30 disciple wrote: Rain was awarded best rookie last year by KeSPa (this refers to his BW career). Players that got the award in the past list guys like EffOrt and a lot of champion material young guys. Rain was definitely a player to watch out for in last seasons of BW, if not BWs most promising young talent. The switch came in the perfect moment for him after gaining momentum in his career and adopting the right mind set from his training with SKT. He is without a doubt one of the most motivated guys to enter the competition from KeSPa.
To put things into perspective, the other two winners of rookie of the year were flash and jaedong.
On October 15 2012 01:07 Hazuc wrote: Best player in the world right now.
I could see him as the best protoss player in the world, but certainly not best player in the world. He played very well here, but obviously lost in GSL to MVP and nearly lost to Last.
Were Rain, RorO and BW herO successful in BW? Out of curiosity (never followed the scene).
Nearly losing doesn't matter. Losing to MVP is hardly a smudge, he was just playing the day before against Last so MVP could study him
On October 15 2012 01:03 zerious wrote: Rain don't need the money
I wonder what his salary with SKT1 is (He will get a rise when his contract is up for sure)? I know the top top players make quite a bit. But I think it is pretty top heavy and the non-star players don't make as much.
On October 15 2012 01:03 zerious wrote: Rain don't need the money
I wonder what his salary with SKT1 is (He will get a rise when his contract is up for sure)? I know the top top players make quite a bit. But I think it is pretty top heavy and the non-star players don't make as much.
He'll probably swap contracts with Bisu xD
In fact I asked him about his salary and he said "I just talked to my team about it before I came to WCS so whatever".
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.
This shows how nice of a person he must be. Most Koreans talk bad about foreigners skills, he thinks he has to be prepared even better than in the asian finals! What a nice guy, the postmanprotoss is.
For me he is the most impressive protoss right now! But I hope MC and Squirtle can catch up to him again! *__*
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.
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.
This shows how nice of a person he must be. Most Koreans talk bad about foreigners skills, he thinks he has to be prepared even better than in the asian finals! What a nice guy, the postmanprotoss is.
For me he is the most impressive protoss right now! But I hope MC and Squirtle can catch up to him again! *__*
How come you decided to write this now, more than 2 weeks later? :D
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.
This shows how nice of a person he must be. Most Koreans talk bad about foreigners skills, he thinks he has to be prepared even better than in the asian finals! What a nice guy, the postmanprotoss is.
For me he is the most impressive protoss right now! But I hope MC and Squirtle can catch up to him again! *__*
Actually, considering the skill gap, koreans pros are actually really humble when commenting about foreigners. They usually say there is no gap, and even if there was, it is very small. I am not sure where you got the idea that most koreans talk bad about foreigner skills.