Four second place finishes in four finals appearances.
And now, Jaedong is back for one more shot at claiming the ultimate prize at the end of a year that has been full of almost's, what if's, and should have's. After four close calls, there's a sense of desperation for Jaedong. What makes it all the more urgent is that it isn't just 2013 that has passed without cigars or trophies.
Let's go back to 2010. It is late January in Korea, and the finals of the NATE MSL (MBCGame Starcraft League) are shaping up to be the grandest Brood War event ever. The stars have aligned like they might in a dream, and the two best players of their generation have made their way through to the tournament to finally set up their very first grand finals clash.
Jaedong is the Tyrant of Brood War. Since 2007, he has won four major titles, led his team to a Proleague title, and is already one of the greatest to ever play the game. His style is that of fury personified—few can stand against his relentless aggression.
Flash is a prodigy. He is the youngest OSL winner in history, the undisputed ace of KT Rolster, and the best Terran player in the world. His macro style is so solid and so efficient that many compare him to a machine. He is expected to lead the Terran race for years to come.
It is an epic clash of the titans that will surely result in unbelievable games, heart-pounding drama, and moments to remember forever.
Unfortunately, all of those expectations come true.
After the first two maps see the series tied up 1 - 1, the series moves to Odd-Eye, a map on which Jaedong does not enjoy playing ZvT. As it turns out, Jaedong successfully executes a very risky 3-hatch-before-pool-build, setting himself up for a sure win if he can survive to the late game. What ensues is one of the most exhilarating ZvT's in history, with Flash launching an all-out attack to end Jaedong before it is too late, and Jaedong somehow holding off each wave by the skin of his teeth.
Then, the unimaginable. In the middle of a decisive battle, the power goes out. It is an unprecedented accident, all due to poor preparation, an overloaded cable, and a rogue space heater.
With no way to resume from replay (the technology isn't there), the referees must decide on the outcome of the game. Re-game, or victory by decision? In one of the most controversial moments in the history of Korean StarCraft, the referees decide in favor of Jaedong, deeming Flash is nearly out of steam and that Jaedong will soon crush him in the late game.
Jaedong closes out series in game four, winning 3 –1 to claim his fifth major championship. Fifth and last.
After the NATE MSL, Jaedong participates in eight more major tournaments, reaching the finals in three before the age of Brood War ends in Korea. He loses in all three finals. To whom? Who else: a vengeful Flash.
Back to the present. Jaedong is now closing in on four years without a major title, and has runner-up'd in his last seven finals appearances. His last title is marred by controversy. He wasted nearly a year mired in mediocrity after KeSPA's official SC2 switch as he struggled to adapt to an entirely new game. At some points in time, retirement looked closer than a return to championship contention.
But slowly, he has improved his skills and become a player who sometimes resembles the Jaedong of old. Unbelievable mutalisk-micro against MC in the WCS Season 2 finals. Ruthless retribution against StarDust in the semi-finals of DreamHack Valencia. These are moments that let you know the fire still burns. As the final generation of Brood War greats lies ailing—Bisu and JangBi retired, Stork, Fantasy, and Flash unable to find their old form—Jaedong has survived to carry their banner to the WCS Finals.
There is a fundamental difference between Jaedong and everyone else in the tournament. He's not like Bomber or MC, who erased their pasts and reinvented themselves as champions. He's not like MMA or Maru, who barely got started in Brood War before an opportunity called SC2 came along. He's not like INnoVation or Soulkey, for whom Brood War died too quickly for them to realize their potential. He's not like TaeJa or Polt, who face no shadows of the past as they began their professional careers with StarCraft 2.
Unlike the sixteen other players, Jaedong has already stood on top of the world. He is the only player who is competing for the title of the best, past and present. For Jaedong, the WCS Finals are not about rebirth or the realization of a lifelong dream. It's about the continuation of a reign that was interrupted in 2010.
At Blizzcon, Jaedong seeks to make up for lost time.
You should write 1-3 vs Hyun just to make the scores sort of consistent with loser vs winner score. Nice writeup nonetheless. Would be the perfect tournament for the Dong to finally get first place in.
Great read. We can argue that MVP is somewhat in similar position, he still wants to go back to his glory (The King) from previous game. MVP vs JD will be a great struggle.
On November 04 2013 19:06 TAMinator wrote: You should write 1-3 vs Hyun just to make the scores sort of consistent with loser vs winner score. Nice writeup nonetheless. Would be the perfect tournament for the Dong to finally get first place in.
Another awesome article. Jaedong would be another fantastic winner of Blizzcon. Glad I got so many favorites to cheer for. One of them is bound to win!
MVP's period of dominance, while impressive as hell, wasn't in nearly as mature a metagame as when JD ruled Broodwar. I don't think it is unreasonable to say that JD is the bigger comeback story.
I wish I could root for Jaekong to get another silver, but he's on Maru's half of the bracket. Ro4 finish at Blizzcon would still be pretty good though.
As a journalism student and newspaper editor, I write and read features all the time and I must say that feature was very well written! And I don't say that just because I'm a Jaedong fan. Good work! Although I don't see it happening, I hope the Tyrant can come through and make some magic happen in the Grand Finals.
Dat BW bias. Jaedong isn't the only one who have stood on top of the world at this Blizzcon. Mvp, "THE KING", has already stood on top of the world and is also looking for return to BlizzCon to claim yet another championship, his last was also his FIFTH.
Even though I don't cheer for JD as much as I did in BW (Even more so than for Flash even though I was also a T back then), I can't help but feel he's the hardest working among the guys who transitioned over. I hope he finishes second behind MVP .
The stars have aligned like they might in a dream, and the two best players of their generation have made their way through to the tournament to finally set up their very first grand finals clash.
What about GOM Classic Season 1?
Maybe I only remember this because it was the first time I had ever heard of pro SC...
On November 04 2013 19:31 Shellshock wrote: I wish I could root for Jaekong to get another silver, but he's on Maru's half of the bracket. Ro4 finish at Blizzcon would still be pretty good though.
Shut up he is not Jaekong and he will win this event! Imma fangirl the hardest I ever have and cheer him on through a bunch of timezones to ensure total dominance! Screw maru, screw everyone else attending this, Jaedong will win, the tyrant is back after all
On November 04 2013 19:31 Shellshock wrote: I wish I could root for Jaekong to get another silver, but he's on Maru's half of the bracket. Ro4 finish at Blizzcon would still be pretty good though.
Shut up he is not Jaekong and he will win this event! Imma fangirl the hardest I ever have and cheer him on through a bunch of timezones to ensure total dominance! Screw maru, screw everyone else attending this, Jaedong will win, the tyrant is back after all
To everyone cheering for JD: You realize that with this you are doubting Mvp in the same time?
On November 04 2013 19:41 mnck wrote: Dat BW bias. Jaedong isn't the only one who have stood on top of the world at this Blizzcon. Mvp, "THE KING", has already stood on top of the world and is also looking for return to BlizzCon to claim yet another championship, his last was also his FIFTH.
On November 04 2013 19:42 Dreamer.T wrote: Even though I don't cheer for JD as much as I did in BW (Even more so than for Flash even though I was also a T back then), I can't help but feel he's the hardest working among the guys who transitioned over. I hope he finishes second behind MVP .
Unfortunately, it is not possible. JD faces Mvp in his very first match on BlizzCon. It is so sad that one of them is to be knocked out in Ro16.
T_T poor JD, MVP is really scary Terran in TvZ. Even MVP isn't in top players any more but he's still god of mech and BO5. I can't remember any zerg could break through his mech. Thanks to aLive, no EG in quarterfinals
On November 04 2013 19:31 Shellshock wrote: I wish I could root for Jaekong to get another silver, but he's on Maru's half of the bracket. Ro4 finish at Blizzcon would still be pretty good though.
Shut up he is not Jaekong and he will win this event! Imma fangirl the hardest I ever have and cheer him on through a bunch of timezones to ensure total dominance! Screw maru, screw everyone else attending this, Jaedong will win, the tyrant is back after all
To everyone cheering for JD: You realize that with this you are doubting Mvp in the same time?
Yea and I will probably end up regretting doing so just like I did when he won his 4th gsl vs squirtle. Lets just agree that whoever wins between the two of them shall win?
@Lukeeze[zR]: Naniwa already won an mlg in star 2 so you can't really call him a star 2 kong even though it's been a few years now.
On November 04 2013 19:31 Shellshock wrote: I wish I could root for Jaekong to get another silver, but he's on Maru's half of the bracket. Ro4 finish at Blizzcon would still be pretty good though.
Shut up he is not Jaekong and he will win this event! Imma fangirl the hardest I ever have and cheer him on through a bunch of timezones to ensure total dominance! Screw maru, screw everyone else attending this, Jaedong will win, the tyrant is back after all
To everyone cheering for JD: You realize that with this you are doubting Mvp in the same time?
Yea and I will probably end up regretting doing so just like I did when he won his 4th gsl vs squirtle. Lets just agree that whoever wins between the two of them shall win?
@Lukeeze[zR]: Naniwa already won an mlg in star 2 so you can't really call him a star 2 kong even though it's been a few years now.
Naniwa has won two MLGs (2011 Dallas and 2011 Global Invitational)
On November 04 2013 19:41 mnck wrote: Dat BW bias. Jaedong isn't the only one who have stood on top of the world at this Blizzcon. Mvp, "THE KING", has already stood on top of the world and is also looking for return to BlizzCon to claim yet another championship, his last was also his FIFTH.
That was not really the point of the article, and MVP was not even included in the players used for comparison. And really, winning OSL/MSL in the prime of BW is rather of a different caliber in terms of achievement.
I think JD has a solid shot of making Ro8, maybe even Ro4, provided he can avoid Dear. Assuming of course he plays nothing like in Toronto, in which case it will be a short and agonizing affair.
On November 04 2013 19:41 mnck wrote: Dat BW bias. Jaedong isn't the only one who have stood on top of the world at this Blizzcon. Mvp, "THE KING", has already stood on top of the world and is also looking for return to BlizzCon to claim yet another championship, his last was also his FIFTH.
This article is not about stating facts but rather creating hype. And there always is some bias in creating hype. And actually your post shows that it succeeded - people get excited about the finals :D
I really want Jaedong to win, he was the guy who made me watch BW and I haven't looked back since. Teamliquid does undisputedly the best job of hyping up Blizzcon, Blizzard should be ashamed.
This article mirrors many thoughts and feelings I had as well. Also JD's win would signify the first time a BW OSL/MSL/GSL champion would win a premier SC2 tournament, would make him the person who won the most prize money EVER, and it's his chance to forever confirm his status as an RTS-Legend.
I wouldn't put my money on him winning, tournament is too stacked to really call anyone a favourite, but I'm damn sure going to cheer for him (:
JD will torch MVP. Almost every tournament, he has shown visible improvement. This is the one where he will show he is a finished product. He will finally claim his first sc2 championship and then go on to win the dreamhack finals immediately after.
Got to say I love the way this thread was written, but there might be a lack of data or whatever...anyway who care about statistics when they have the real emotion and legend in front =)
On November 04 2013 22:34 KivTM wrote: JD will torch MVP. Almost every tournament, he has shown visible improvement. This is the one where he will show he is a finished product. He will finally claim his first sc2 championship and then go on to win the dreamhack finals immediately after.
Unlike the sixteen other players, Jaedong has already stood on top of the world. He is the only player who is competing for the title of the best, past and present.
but the one thing we have learned from 2013 so far ist, the far deeper it gets in the tournament, the harder it to predict something at all... look at jd wcs2 finals look at dear in gsl and wcs3 finals srsly wtf o_o
On November 04 2013 19:41 mnck wrote: Dat BW bias. Jaedong isn't the only one who have stood on top of the world at this Blizzcon. Mvp, "THE KING", has already stood on top of the world and is also looking for return to BlizzCon to claim yet another championship, his last was also his FIFTH.
You miss the point. Jaedong is the only player who stood on top of the world in both BW and SC2 games so far.
On November 04 2013 19:41 mnck wrote: Dat BW bias. Jaedong isn't the only one who have stood on top of the world at this Blizzcon. Mvp, "THE KING", has already stood on top of the world and is also looking for return to BlizzCon to claim yet another championship, his last was also his FIFTH.
You miss the point. Jaedong is the only player who stood on top of the world in both BW and SC2 games so far.
Also, Jaedong stood on top (in a more indisputable manner, too) for far longer than MVP.
On November 04 2013 20:27 holmesgenius wrote: T_T poor JD, MVP is really scary Terran in TvZ. Even MVP isn't in top players any more but he's still god of mech and BO5. I can't remember any zerg could break through his mech. Thanks to aLive, no EG in quarterfinals
TvZ is more about micro than macro, I don't think MVP have the chance to win, and he will have better chance if he faces Polt.
On November 04 2013 19:41 mnck wrote: Dat BW bias. Jaedong isn't the only one who have stood on top of the world at this Blizzcon. Mvp, "THE KING", has already stood on top of the world and is also looking for return to BlizzCon to claim yet another championship, his last was also his FIFTH.
You miss the point. Jaedong is the only player who stood on top of the world in both BW and SC2 games so far.
Also, Jaedong stood on top (in a more indisputable manner, too) for far longer than MVP.
When has Jaedong ever stood on top of both? What the hell are people smoking these days?
erm, jaedong and stardust in the semifinals of DreamHack Bucharest? That never happened, it was taeja v life and mma v innovation, Jaedong got eliminated in ro16 afaik at Bucharest.
On November 04 2013 20:33 Lukeeze[zR] wrote: What would happen if Jaedong had to face Naniwa in the grand final ? Can they both get 2nd place ?
If that doesn't get us 200k+ viewers, i dont know what would!
JD vs Naniwa? In that time? Pfft, hardly 150k will be hit.
Yeaah fuck that 150k omg #dedgaem
Seriously, if we hit 150k, it will be the most awesomest shit ever! I remember screaming when DH hit 30k!
Well, everyone hope this Blizzcon will set up a new record. All of 2013 was lower numbers than 2012, with barely any majors hitting 100k. You can understand why people want a big show this time.
On November 04 2013 20:33 Lukeeze[zR] wrote: What would happen if Jaedong had to face Naniwa in the grand final ? Can they both get 2nd place ?
If that doesn't get us 200k+ viewers, i dont know what would!
JD vs Naniwa? In that time? Pfft, hardly 150k will be hit.
Yeaah fuck that 150k omg #dedgaem
Seriously, if we hit 150k, it will be the most awesomest shit ever! I remember screaming when DH hit 30k!
Well, everyone hope this Blizzcon will set up a new record. All of 2013 was lower numbers than 2012, with barely any majors hitting 100k. You can understand why people want a big show this time.
If twitch does its job correctly, maybe it'll hit 100k...
I wont even try to watch, I'l do something else and watch VODs.
Still have hope for JD, but not sure if he can take it.. A good news for JD I think (not sure about the audience though), is that most of his greater opponents face each other even from the ro16 - like take Dear vs Taeja for example.. Pretty sure both could take JD out, but they'll be facing each other in the opener..
Last time I saw JD's play was solid, but his opponents were doing too much of ridiculous all-in builds.. Like - a few steps above a standard all-in.. So - as long as he expects the unexpected or can scout it - he still has a chance..
He might even win the whole thing (as long as someone else defeats Dear or how solid is his ZvZ, he tends to underestimate the matchup I think..)
EDIT: Speaking of the devil though - his 2nd opponent is exactly Dear or Taeja, so IDK, sounds badly.. :/
EG JD fightin!! I hope he performs well in this tournament. It was so sad to see him lose in the season 3 finals, he looked absolutely heartbroken. 2013 overall has been a great development (even if bittersweet) year for him, would be fantastic to see him crown it off with a great performance here
Make sure to drop by his fanclub and show support too!
On November 04 2013 20:33 Lukeeze[zR] wrote: What would happen if Jaedong had to face Naniwa in the grand final ? Can they both get 2nd place ?
If that doesn't get us 200k+ viewers, i dont know what would!
JD vs Naniwa? In that time? Pfft, hardly 150k will be hit.
Yeaah fuck that 150k omg #dedgaem
Seriously, if we hit 150k, it will be the most awesomest shit ever! I remember screaming when DH hit 30k!
Well, everyone hope this Blizzcon will set up a new record. All of 2013 was lower numbers than 2012, with barely any majors hitting 100k. You can understand why people want a big show this time.
Barely? I remember 5.5 premier tournaments with 100k+ viewers. WCS EU S1 final MLG Winter DH: Stockholm DH: Summer IEM: NY (barely not hitting 100k). WCS S2 finals (in Ro8 lol)
On November 05 2013 00:29 LockeTazeline wrote: I'd be surprised if it's under 200k. I haven't seen as much hype for an event since I started following Starcraft.
"He is the only player who is competing for the title of the best, past and present. For Jaedong, the WCS Finals are not about rebirth or the realization of a lifelong dream. It's about the continuation of a reign"
Oh man, this part made me shiver!!! I want to see Jaedong on top of the world again, my favorite BW player of all time. The Tyrant IS BACK!!
On November 05 2013 01:17 Dinotramp wrote: If there are 16 players and you are releasing these at the rate of one a day, you'll run out of time?? Why not release two a day?
This has kept me awake at night the past few days. HOW WILL THEY MANAGE?!
On November 05 2013 01:17 Dinotramp wrote: If there are 16 players and you are releasing these at the rate of one a day, you'll run out of time?? Why not release two a day?
This has kept me awake at night the past few days. HOW WILL THEY MANAGE?!
I'm also starting to get nervous. Wish I had some writing skill to help them out..
JD's the zerg I most want to win Blizzcon. It would be the perfect finish after all the 2nd place disappointments. Obviously his results are awesome, but we've seen his reactions after losing :/
Oh yeah, there's hardly any zergs anyway, but he's pretty much my #2 heart pick to be #1.
I still remember staying awake throughout the entire night and well into the morning waiting on the final decision of who win's or gets the rematch in that flash vs jaedong finals. God I wish that power outage never happened, that game was soooooo intense, non stop crazy attacks on one pivotal expansion. Few starcraft games in either BW or sc2 history can compare to the intensity of that match, although savior vs iris game 5 on neo arkanoid comes to mind.
Jaedong was out of form at WCS s3 finals, and he admitted himself he was lacking practice time. I don't think he's had enough time since then to reawaken the killer and carry it home for blizzcon, even though I'm rooting for him 100x more than anyone else. Jaedong winning would be a dream come true, but I'm definitely not expecting it
On November 05 2013 01:17 Dinotramp wrote: If there are 16 players and you are releasing these at the rate of one a day, you'll run out of time?? Why not release two a day?
This has kept me awake at night the past few days. HOW WILL THEY MANAGE?!
I'm pretty sure duckdeok and innovation came out on the same day, I could be wrong though
Speaking of the power outage incident. Does resume from replay resolve this? I know you can resume if someone disconnects, but if all the computers lose power (players, obs, refs everyone), is there still a way to get the replay?
As I met him at WCS, got him to sign my BW box, and he even took a few moments while signing to interact with me asking me "How are you?, I hope you're enjoying this event", and when I wished him luck for his next upcoming tournaments with a response of "I hope so" followed with a smile, I can't help but really cheer for him to win an SC2 tournament, despite normally not having any bias towards who wins an e-sports tournament compared to real professional sports. I definitely thought he had the series beforehand against Hyun, and I really wish he beat Stardust during Dreamhack
On November 05 2013 01:55 Tachion wrote: Jaedong was out of form at WCS s3 finals, and he admitted himself he was lacking practice time. I don't think he's had enough time since then to reawaken the killer and carry it home for blizzcon, even though I'm rooting for him 100x more than anyone else. Jaedong winning would be a dream come true, but I'm definitely not expecting it
How can you say you cheer for him 100x more than anyone else and then say something like this? A true fan of Jaedong would always expect him to win no matter the odds. Jaedong will win, the dong will rise again. Any true fan knows this to be the one and only truth.
That was an epic write up lol. There are 4 people that I'm cheering for: Mvp, Jaedong, Taeja, and Hero. It doesn't look very good for Hero, but it's close to winter. I'm not too sure about Taeja, but I'm hoping he makes a run and beats Dear. Mvp is the one and only King of Wings and I won't doubt the king. Jaedong hasn't won a tournament in a long time. Sadly, he's matched up against Mvp in the first round
JD is the main reason I got into watching professional starcraft. Call me a fanboy, but to me he's the greatest rts player of all time. No other player has had success over such a long period of time in two different games.
I hope he won't get second this time. Win it all, tyrant! And may you once again reign supreme over the puny humans, who call themselves competitors.
I think Jaedong can do it! After a disappointing WCS Season 3 Finals run, I still think he can bounce back and defeat any players that stand in his way! Let's see if his ZvT will pull through. Jaedong Fighting!
Ruthless retribution against StarDust in the semi-finals of DreamHack Bucharest.
I think this was Valencia, not Bucharest, seeing as neither player reached the semifinals of DH: Bucharest.
I don't even like SC2, but I have to watch this to see how Jaedong does. This article was so effective that it made me decide to watch a game I don't like.
I remember watching those finals live, procrastinating on a paper at 3AM in the library and hearing the entire stadium go NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO when the power went out.
Unlike the sixteen other players, Jaedong has already stood on top of the world.
not like mvp hasnt...
Nope. Mvp's biggest BW accomplisment was 1 map from Flash. In context, Jaedong stood on top of the world because SC:BW is considered more difficult than SC2, and Jaedong was at the top of that world when everyone else either failed or didn't have an opportunity to get to the top before BW got pushed aside.
On November 05 2013 03:54 Scrutinizer wrote: Maan good read but, still the power outage story??!
It was clear that JD had the game, 3 years should be enough time to GET OVER IT for god's sake.
if it was clear, then it wouldn't be a controversy :o
It was pretty clear to me as well as to many others, but most importantly to the referees whose profession is to decide on such things.
You cannot replay a match in which one side was lets say 75+% likely to win.. (and it was 90+% for Jaedong to win if you ask me) The referees only did what they had to do.
My brain says it'd be nigh impossible for JD to win, but my heart...good god I can't think of anyone I'd like to see win more. Jaedong hwaaaaaaaaaiiiiitinnnnnngggggg!
I started following BW a bit before the Power Outage MSL and became this huge Jaedong fan, only to see him fall to Flash again and again. This brilliant writeup hurt me like a knife in my chest. Can my heart possibly stand the pain again?
Oh the power outrage. It reminds me of so many memories.
I was watching that game saturday. I think it was the 1st time I actually decided to stay home whole saturday to watch a live game. Not a difficult decision. haha
That match I have so much memories and feelings. And oso the whole drama. I remember it make me dislike Jaedong more, and I feel for Flash. I totally switch from Fantasy fan to Flash fan.
Now I actually root for Jaedong . Somehow after all these years, Flash and Jaedong is some1 I could connect easily in the scene. If both of them retire I most probably no longer watch SC2 too.
It is sad, if Flash is in Blizzcon 2013, then there is 1 more thing to root for . . . . .
I used to hate Angry face Jaedong, now he doesn't show that side anymore, I kinda miss the angry face. So Zerglike and evil so villain and so powerful.
AH!! He look so mild right now! Look so Kong!! I wan the Dong!
Damn I abolutely love Jaedong. It is quite weird because I used to hate him when he played BW. I was a sAviOr fan so I didn't like Jaedong because the only zerg I could love was sAviOr, but now in SC2 I have no reasons to not love the Tyrant, he is truly one of the best RTS players of all time
On November 08 2013 07:45 Meepman wrote: Fun fact: If Jaedong places second again he's going to evolve into an tyrannical ultralisk and assimilate the essence of the "champion"
Fun fact #2: If he gets in the final he will be number one in alltime esports earnings and dethrone a foreigner!