Welcome to the S-Class Heroes, Rivalries, and The Post-Hero Age A BroodWar Article by DoctorHelvetica
We live in an era without a face, without a hero, without a god. We also live in an era that produces the highest skilled players imaginable. Is StarCraft dying? Or is this just a new life?
Let's remember a time when big personalities and epic rivalries fueled E-Sports. Let's celebrate the skill of the players we cherish now. Let's look forward to the future, whether you think it's bright or dark, it looms upon us.
Every sport needs a hero.
Please keep in mind this is an OPINION piece and is not meant in anyway to be objective. This is just how I feel about the way the scene was, is, and will be. Absolutely no flamewars.
What is a hero?
I think this might be one...
There was once a time, a place, and a scene in which there was one man, one gamer, and one genius we could all look up to. Someone who was sure to win that OSL title, someone who was sure to amaze us with every game he played, someone who was sure win a starleague title, to conquer and rule as the benevolent leader of the BroodWar community. This hero would become the single representative of E-Sports, this hero would change the game forever, and this hero would leave fans in awe and give anti-fans a focus for their hatred.
Indeed, the E-Sports kingdom once had an emperor. His name was Lim Yo Hwan. When someone asks me "What good does a champion, a face, a hero really do to the scene?" I can only point to The Emperor himself. This man invented BroodWar, he made the sport what it is, and he brought the fans to the table. This sport lives on because of the flair and personality he brought to BroodWar; becoming more than just a gamer and transcending the stereotype that gamers were anti-social outcasts.
A hero dominates the scene, changes the metagame, and brings attention to the scene all at once. He is an all encompassing figurehead of BroodWar. Lim Yo Hwan was more than just a player, he was a role-model, a celebrity, a hero and giver of hope to gamers everywhere. He is a personality to the public, a king to his game, and a god to his fans. A hero is what eases people into becoming fans and is what keeps them in for the long haul. They're a spokesperson for e-sports, proof that nerds can be sex symbols.
Every sport needs a hero. Every sport needs a Pele, a Michael Jordan, or a Tiger Woods. StarCraft has had it's share of heroes. SlayerS_BoxeR, [ReD]NaDa, Iloveoov, and sAviOr. The 4 bonjwa's, the 4 men who dominated the game and made all fear them. The men who brought life and energy to the game, gave it a spirit, and more than anything brought attention and popularity to the scene. BoxeR was the face of video games in Korea, a tall, handsome, and charismatic man that every parent could appreciate; that every citizen could respect.
A hero's presence is always felt...
What is a hero? A hero doesn't just dominate and win a lot of games, otherwise Jaedong would be our hero without a doubt. A hero inspires awe with his games, strikes fear into the hearts of all who meets them, and changes the way the game is played. A hero has moments that make you jump out of your seat and yell in excitement. While it's impressive to see Jaedong multitask a group of mutas, while ling harassing, massing lurkers, and expanding; there's nothing truly heroic about it. When NaDa individually yamato cannons more than an entire control group of BattleCruisers, it's heroic. Times have changed. We no longer have this one hero, or even a few.
There was a time when you could always count on NaDa, on Iloveoov, on YellOw, on sAviOr, on BoxeR. These were faces of the sport, they were rivalries that ignited an inferno among the fanbase. Let's not pretend we don't have modern equivalents, but there are too many faces now. Before there were a few heroic men standing above all, looking down upon the rest, that those under them would learn from their heroic deeds and one day become gods themselves.
There are so many players now capable of winning a StarLeague or dominating ProLeague that could we reasonably select one as hero, as a face, as a king? Jaedong, FantaSy, Calm, Bisu, Stork, JangBi, FlaSh, Mind, Leta, go.go, YARNC, Luxury, fOrGG, Iris, EffOrt, Kwanro, ZerO, Hwasin, KaL, Sea, Light, and the list goes on. So many players with the potential skill to knock the "champion" off his throne that being the champion means almost nothing. You're not a hero if you only last a season.
The heroes of old and their rivalries defined the personality of the BroodWar scene. We can thank the likes of Lim Yo Hwan, Hong Jin Ho, and Park Jung Suk for that. The games played between gamers like these are the things of legend, even between players with a great disparity in skill, to see two huge personalities sitting in those booths was electric to the audience.
legendary players need legendary rivalries...
Aging Heroes, Young Villains, and Electric Rivalries
When gods do battle...
BoxeR vs Anytime. Iloveoov vs JulyZerg. NaDa vs sAviOr. sAviOr vs Bisu. These were the rivalries that ended the life of the hero and began a new era of revolution. Anytime put an end to BoxeR's domination, he never fully recovered from the loss. Sashin, the dark god of death ruled with an iron fist, the dark kingdom of the villain known as Anytime[gm] stood strong until the emergence of a new hero.
Each new hero falls to a new villain. NaDa could not beat sAviOr, his legendary SK Terran made to be a joke. His hero throne usurped by the zerg sAviOr, who revolutionized 3 hatch play and became the new hero, changing the game, making zerg a race to be feared once more. Mutalisk micro and crippling dark swarm usage became the weapon of choice for post-sAviOr zergs. It wasn't about genius micro of what were previously seen as weak units but rather frighteningly intense macro, a fast hive, and pushing straight across the map with plagues and swarms covering the map. The maestro truly turned the song of zerg into a symphony of destruction.
Iloveoov fell to JulyZerg, a macro player who was supposedly invincible against Zerg could not win against the micro intensive zerg play of July. sAviOr fell to the revolutionary protoss play that Bisu borrowed from Daezang. These were the villains that made our heroes fall from grace, but does that change their hero nature? Does Lim Yo Hwan still not command respect when he walks into a room? It was the legacy of their games, the moments, the gems hidden inside the statistics that made them who they were. When has a protoss commanded as much excitement as nal.rA? When has a terran made you giggle with excitement as you guessed what zany build he would pull out of his hat since the emperor himself?
These heroes are still every bit as respected as they once more, but they no longer rule the scene, ended by villains they hide in the background. They are tools of nostalgia, old favorites that make those who have been watching since 2002 crap their pants with excitement. But they are still relics of a forgotten age. An age when one rivalry dominated the scene, when everyone HAD to see the BoxeR vs YellOw game, the NaDa vs Anytime game, the sAviOr vs Hwasin game.
These rivalries are what ignited sparks among the fanbase and created series games that no one in their right minds would miss. How can you compare Jaedong vs YellOw[ARNC] to sAviOr vs Bisu? These rivalry matches generated INSTANT hype and even when the games were poor in quality they had a particular energy about them that left viewers satisfied. No one would pretend that FlaSh vs Jaedong in the GOM Classic was a good match, but it generated electric waves of excitement due merely to the rivalry.
Can a new rivalry live up to the test?
Now the word rivalry is all but meaningless as the dominant player changes at the drop of a pin. Jaedong has been rivals to Stork, FlaSh, Luxury, Bisu, and FantaSy in the span of less than 2 years of BroodWar competition. When you think of BoxeR's rival you instantly think YellOw; that's a rivalry on par of Packers/Viking, on the par of Ash Ketchum and Gary Oak. It doesn't change, it doesn't falter, it's an eternal clash between two geniuses of the sport.
Todays rivalry works something more like this: Great players play a few closes series. They are declared to have a rivalry. One of them slumps and then a new "rival" appears and lasts about a season and a half. Is there a single rivalry in BroodWar anymore that compares to what was once had? Jaedong/Bisu have played a great series in GOM and some seriously high level games in Proleague, but is it any better to games that FlaSh/Leta have played? That FantaSy and Stork have played? How long will it be until one of them slumps and someone else takes the place?
Rivalries, villains, heroes made StarCraft an e-sport with a bit of flair. It wasn't just nerds playing a game, it was strong, handsome, and charismatic men waging war over a digital landscape, rife with ceremony, pyrotechnics, and legendary rivalries. This has changed. StarCraft is a different sport now. There is no hero. There is no villain. There is no face of the game. Who are we to look up to? Who is the man who will raise the TV ratings, change the game, and dominate it at the same time? Kim Taek Young was the last true hero and Jaedong might yet be his successor. However, the state of starcraft is a bit different. The focus on flair and persona has decreased in the wake of a skill-level explosion. Some may find this depressing, others like myself find it enthralling. While the personalities may not be heroic, the games certainly are. As we transitioned from an era of personality rivalries and heroic characters we moved sharply into an era where there are too many great players to fill one room. A whole new class.
Welcome to the S-Class, mon cher'
Meet The Heroes:
Let's take a time out as we move from an era of big personalities and heroic charms to take a look at the players who made that era what it was. These are some selected articles from around TL (including one of my own :3) that are great representations of those progamers and who they are.
The Storm Zerg by pubbanana (Guest Writer) TeamLiquid: Final Edits
"Actual happiness looks pretty squalid in comparison with the overcompensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn’t nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamor of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
– Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
Many people would describe Hong Jin Ho's career as tragic. Coming so close so many times only to be met with defeat can only be seen as heartbreaking to the thousands of people who cheer and adore him.
But this is not a tragedy.
This is a love story.
Because the game is his whole world, it reciprocates his love. His hands produce and position units that pour over into his opponent's defenses like a whirlwind. Slowly, his intense stare changes into an affectionate gaze as the game rewards him with a moment of meaning in a meaningless world.
No matter who types GG in this moment, he will experience a joy which is the essence of his existence as a progamer.
A joy because he created a storm.
This is the Storm Zerg. This is Hong Jin Ho.
“I want to be famous.”
For two years, the Terran Emperor Lim Yo Hwan existed in this world without a rival. It wouldn't be until 2 years later, in 1982, when Hong Jin Ho would be born in a small city in Daejeon known for it's cherry blossom festival. Without a father, his older brother and himself were raised by his mother. Long before he was [NC]...YellOw, long before the Lim Jin War, he was a boy with his father's face and his mother's ambition. However, he didn't share her visions for his future.
“I want to be famous.”
Studying and school weren't important to him. He was driven by different motivations. Though he has a warm personality, he can't be forced into something that he doesn't like. Likewise, he won't waste time on something he doesn't love.
When he first saw StarCraft in a PC room, his path in life took a sudden turn. Sacrificing everything, he walked down that different road in life that every progamer takes, but very few ever find the will or motivation to continue down. His mother thought he was out studying or cramming for school when he'd come home late at night. He was beaten when she found out what he had really been devoting his time to, but it didn't stop him. Nothing could. A genuine affinity had been formed. It was a bond that was never meant to be broken.
Risking his future and enduring his mother's disappointment, he left for Seoul to make it as a progamer.
“He looks like a thug.”
His life wasn't easy at this point. Living in an apartment with two other gamers, he practiced day and night and only lived off of one meal of ramen a day. Their winnings from local tournaments were barely enough to allow them to survive on their own.
Coach Song Ho Chang was having trouble sponsoring a pro team. He was in the middle of negotiations with an urban clothing company about sponsoring his team, but the deal fell through. They were barely making enough money to survive. Coach Song had to sell his car so that his kids would have a place to stay. By a stroke of good luck, he convinced a local PC room to offer their services to his team for free. Just as good things were beginning, the PC room closed it's doors and his team was once again left without a sponsor. Out of desperation, he went to the Gamei headquarters and pleaded with them to sponsor his team. While they didn't get an official sponsorship, they did get a place to stay and a PC room to use.
Soon, these two people with the strength to never accept the conditions as they were presented would cross paths.
“He looks like a thug.” was Coach Song's first impression of Jin Ho's appearance. Not expecting much of anything, he agreed to give him a test to be apart of the Gamei team. Though the result was less than spectacular (in that he lost every single game), it was the way that he lost that intrigued the coach. Particularly, in his games against the team ace Kim Jong Sung (SalMoSa), Coach Song noticed that Jin Ho had a kind of organization and sense for his units that he hadn't experienced in a player before.
Watching him lose, Coach Song was charmed by his play which could only have been born out of a pure devotion to the game. And with that, he recruited him. The first step towards a progamer was marked by the very action that signified his career – losing. It was then solidified by the very thing that had started him down this path in life – his love for the game.
“Drop! Drop! Drop!”
Hong Jin Ho had found something in Coach Song that had been missing in his own life. While he doesn't explicitly state it, his coach was a sort of father figure to him during their time together. Coach Song gave him lectures about maintaining the mindset of a professional. He also helped him change the way he dressed and presented himself. Jin Ho had matured with the help of his coach, for it was with this team that he became a man.
And it showed in his game. He swept the first 3 tournaments his coach signed him up for. While Coach Song was known for his passive coaching style, even he could not resist the spectacle that was developing into what is now known as the Storm Zerg. Cheering behind Jin Ho, he could be heard yelling out to his fleet of Overlords “Drop! Drop! Drop!”
During his next tournament, the first Gamei Open, he would lock eyes with a boy who would become his greatest rival and deny him victory again and again for the first time.
But not on that day. On that day, he would be the one watching Jin Ho grasp first place.
“You were made to do this.”
The Gamei team was once again coming under sponsor troubles. Despite this, Jin Ho continued to crawl his way through every preliminary round he could find. Sensing that something drastic was needed to help support the team, he switched his attention to 2v2 play. His decision paid off as he and SalMoSa swept several televised 2v2 tournaments. But their efforts were not enough. Despite their good intentions, the Gamei team lost sponsorship and Jin Ho was forced to part ways with the team that had raised him.
Coach Song had no worries. Jin Ho had impressed him with his performances, even in the televised leagues which new players generally don't fare well in due to nerves. But he was different. The stage was his home. For the little boy who wanted to be a star, doing what he loved in front of a crowd was a dream come true.
“You were made to do this.”
The coach's words would ring even more true months later when he would watch Jin Ho grasp the trophy in iTV's King of Rookies of tournament. His star was shining. There was no looking back at this point. The Storm Zerg had arrived.
"I even had to try my first kiss twice."
The year of 2001 was magical for the young Storm Zerg. While working under contract for any team that would house and feed him, he qualified for all three Starleagues. His hungry spirit was shown through his waves of Hydralisks and his bundles of Mutalisks that moved in a way that had never been seen before. It was almost cinematic to watch a Jin Ho army clash with the enemy from both land and air.
HanBit Soft Starleague Round of 8.
Coca Cola Starleague 2nd Place.
SKY Starleague 4th Place.
He had posted an impressive record and triumphed over an impressive number of veteran players in his first year as a progamer. The Storm Zerg was also responsible for the first case of distorted audio in a broadcasted match due to the hell-hollering of his female fanclub. In comparison with making it to the big leagues so early in his career, Jin Ho replies "I even had to try my first kiss twice".
"I never wanted to stay without Yo Hwan-hyung."
Lim Yo Hwan and Hong Jin Ho. Their fated meeting in the 2001 Coca Cola finals held no particular significance to either one of them at the time, but they have since come to realize that they were guiding an entire generation of progamers. He admits he held a shallow view of their rivalry back then, but has since understood his role as a veteran progamer and as a rival.
Jin Ho would find his next home in early 2002 with Yo Hwan on the Ideal Space (IS) proteam. Living together with Yo Hwan and being the veterans on the team, he saw how their personalities were polar opposite of each other. Yo Hwan would push the practice partners until they would beg him to stop. Jin Ho would push them until they asked him to stop. Though he teased him for it, Yo Hwan understood that his soft approach was needed to balance the otherwise brutal training sessions.
After the SKY 2002 Starleague, Yo Hwan's father had been angered by the fact that IS didn't provide his son with what he thought were "adequate" Protoss training partners. His contract with IS would expire a week later, and with that, he was gone. Though Jin Ho and Lee Yun Yeol were shaken, they still tried to keep IS together.
But, by December, Jin Ho had signed a deal with the KTF MagicNs. When asked why he was leaving IS when he was one of their main pillars of support, he simply said "I never wanted to stay without Yo Hwan-hyung."
"The title of 'King of Second Place' stops today."
Jin Ho's NC clan mates had crowned him the King of Second Place during his time with the Gamei team. Placing in the top 3 of over 10 tournaments, but never placing first had caught their attention. Though it was a title he didn't at all care for, it would follow him to his professional career and become his most distinguishing characteristic.
Coming close, but never finishing.
Losing to Lim Yo Hwan in the Coca-Cola finals and then to Prince of Zerg, Sung Hak Seung (MuMyung) in the KPGA Winner's Championship within months of each other had given him a strong desire to shed his second place image.
He set his sights on the KT OnGameNet King of Kings tournament.
Garimto, SlayerS_`BoxeR`, TheMarine, JinNam, V-Gundam – They were all ships sailing towards the same port.
And Hong Jin Ho was the storm that destroyed them.
Before the final match with Dynamo Terran Jo Jung Hyun (V-Gundam), he made his intentions very clear: "The title of 'King of Second Place' stops today."
V-Gundam's units looked almost pitiful. Forced to lift his last expansion and watch his remaining SCVs bunch together like a herd of cattle, the situation was hopeless. Jin Ho's Lurkers burrowed with a certain vigor, his Hydralisks attacked with an intimidation that he certainly had never seen until he encountered the ID of [NC]...YellOw.
Yet, Jin Ho looks oddly serene. Sweating from head to toe and presenting a vicious display of his skill, he watches his units with a sincere expression of a child. The constant affection exchanged between Jin Ho and his units produce but two simple letters:
"gg"
And with that, the King of Second Place had grasped his first major trophy.
"When I wake up tomorrow, I don't want all of this to be a dream."
Was it really happening?
Hong Jin Ho vs Lim Yo Hwan. 2003 KTEC KPGA Winner's Championship.
"He's using such bizarre strategies."
The nightmares of the KPGA Tours.
The failure to advance to the finals in the Panasonic Starleague.
Even losing in special event games.
Second place.
The King of Second Place.
The Yo Hwan Jinx.
His mind was clouded. The mental battle between himself and Lim Yo Hwan was almost more than he could handle.
"Everyone is expecting me to lose."
Last year, they were under the same roof, training for the same Starleague. This year, they're rivals again. Two boys who chased the same irresponsible dream are meeting in the finals once again. The real battle that is going on is invisible to the audience, for it is being held in their minds.
What is taking place is something very pure. Ambition, devotion, hope, all of it is being poured into the keyboard and the mouse. It is, in some ways, like witnessing the most selfless of all actions.
Because those who fall in love with themselves have no rivals.
On that day, Hong Jin Ho emerged as the winner. Overcoming the Yo Hwan Jinx and once again pushing aside the title of 'King of Second Place', he struggled to find words to describe his feelings.
"When I wake up tomorrow, I don't want all of this to be a dream."
For Jin Ho, it would prove to not just be a dream, though it may as well have been. In fact, it was only a taste of things to come. With a new team and a new victory, he would make his presence felt on a deeper level to all who would continue to cheer for him.
"He doesn't even keep one hour to himself."
Defeating his own team mate, Lee Yun Yeol, in the final of the GameTV Challenger Open Starleague after their return from ClikArena in France was just a glimpse of the Hong Jin Ho who wore the KTF uniform with a kind of pride that he didn't show before. Normally very sensitive about playing against members of his own team, he showed a zeal that was very unusual for him.
Hong Jin Ho, a man who prided himself on his compassion for others, was now showing a dear friend no mercy.
But it was in the most compassionate way. Rather than lose to someone due to his own useless pride, he would now rather give it everything he has. If he loses, he loses doing something that he loves. On the most basic principles of sport and the human character, he had found himself.
And as long as you and I are breathing in this world, he would work to make us proud of saying "I cheer for Hong Jin Ho."
He won the iTV StarCraft Ranking League and MBCGame's Big 4 Tour and placed 2nd in the TG Sambo MSL and the Olympus OSL. He also helped KTF reach 3rd place in both the MBCGame Proleague and the OGN EVER Proleague.
The KTF team was making a good showing, but it was Jin Ho who was truly making a commotion. The MagicNs were known to have the longest and most strict practice routine at the time. Their coach, Jung Soo Yung, was a character all his own. Banning Han Woong Ryul (Oddysay) for telling a lie so that he could leave practice to go see a girlfriend, cursing at JinNam and JinSu and threatening to not let them participate in the Premier League, hitting players with baseball bats to help them concentrate, the list goes on. He was a true maniac about his player's discipline.
Yet, even he was amazed by Jin Ho's work ethic.
"He devotes himself entirely to the team. He doesn't even keep one hour to himself."
"After the games today in Daegu, I won't put the KTF uniform back on."
During the KT-KTF Premier League, Jin Ho would meet a ghost from his past. His former coach, Song Ho Chang, had finally found solid financial backing for his team and they were reborn as Toona SG. Lee Yun Yeol and Jin Ho both wasted no time in going back home to their old team.
"After the games today in Daegu, I won't put the KTF uniform back on." announced Jin Ho on his fan site.
However, it was a pact that would only last 4 months. Because of their relationship, both Coach Song and Jin Ho had overlooked the business end of their deal. It was doomed to fail from the start.
He was a man now. He wasn't the same kid who was struggling just to be able to eat by playing StarCraft. He was a superstar. This was his living. This was his life. To be able to continue his career, he needed money. Though it hurt both of them, Jin Ho eventually accepted KTF's invitation to return to the team with an increased salary. Lee Yun Yeol, who was unhappy at KTF, decided to stay with Toona. He had also taken a shine to Lee Byung Min (GoodFriend) and had hopes of leading the team to glory with him. Though there were salary problems due to Neowiz not being able nor having the knowledge to properly sponsor or market a progame team, they survived.
Though Coach Song was not a rich man, he had left Jin Ho with a most priceless gift.
"Today, I was just a Zerg."
The Lim Jin War. Lim Yo Hwan vs Hong Jin Ho. This is, without a doubt, the most glamorous match-up in progaming.
When these two are facing each other on the stage, they are the only two people in the world.
But within this world, there exists one small detail: Maps. Everyone always agrees that a match between Jin Ho and Yo Hwan will ultimately be decided by how well they prepared for the maps. In the TG Sambo MSL, Jin Ho had said that he was confident with every map and that he wasn't worried about them at all. The only thing that worried him was the fact that he was playing a student of Lim Yo Hwan.
In return, Yo Hwan says that he knows him better than anyone else and he can tell what strategies will or will not work against him. But, no matter what, if you ask each of them who their favorite opponent to beat is, they're going to say each other's name. This is why a Lim Jin War is such a special thing, and not just for the audience.
Ever Starleague 2004 Semi-Finals. Another Lim Jin War was beginning. The commentators gave their opinions about which player had better chances on which maps and prepared a little statistics fiesta for the viewers. The crowd was expecting the most epic event ever in the history of progaming.
But this Lim Jin War wasn't decided by maps. Three bunker rushes and it was done.
Jin Ho knew he would be criticized for not reacting to the bunker rushes and adjusting his strategy.
Yo Hwan knew he would be criticized for using a bunker rush three consecutive times.
On this day, like every day, there was a winner and a loser. But on this day, neither one of them were smiling.
With his world crumbling around him, Jin Ho ran away to a PC room to write a letter to his fans.
"Today, I wasn't Hong Jin Ho. Today, I wasn't the Storm Zerg. Today, I was just a Zerg."
The shards of those words cut through his fans like a knife. It was a tragic turn of events that no one saw coming.
But this was not a tragedy.
The most tragic thing that could happen to him would be if he were to stop trying.
To stop playing. To stop being the Storm Zerg. To stop hearing the cheers of his fans. To not play StarCraft.
No, this is not a tragedy.
This is a love story.
No matter how many times he fell, the number of times he got back up was always one more than that.
He'll win and he'll lose. That's what progamers do.
Because the game is his whole world, he'll live with his back against the wall until he experiences that certain joy which is the reason for him sitting on that stage.
On October 30 2008 18:37 Ver wrote: *The return of iloveoov to progaming deserves at the very least one more article about the mental master. I very strongly encourage anyone who hasn't to check out Plexa's incredible works done already in the spoiler below. Since Plexa already covered so much so well, I don't want to be repeating any of his work and will instead focus on the other aspects of oov. I assume that anyone who reads this also read his articles, since otherwise you might be quite lost*
"When you play, you have to start off with a mind to turn the game into a rape"
-iloveoov
Long before the reign of Savior, iloveoov was the evil boss of progaming. He was the original person to hate, besides Mumuyung of course. He refused to rob Yellow of a silver, made Boxer cry, and emptied stadiums faster than Firebathero in a swimsuit. Go back and look at old live report threads, it's astounding how much hate he got. The games ended long before the threads finished, but the rest of the posts mostly consisted of complaints/hate against oov. His play was misunderstood, he was treated as a boring robot, but in reality he was the greatest genius in broodwar history. Now attitudes towards him have softened considerably, but I want to bring to the forefront the harder to see parts of oov.
After oov won against Boxer in the Ever OSL finals most of the crowd immediately left. And I don't know if FBH's half-naked ceremony made people leave but it fit well.
Pure Clutch and Dominance
iloveoov, rightly called the most dominating player in history, also became synonymous with boring, safe play that characterized the future generations of terran players. oov was blamed as the split between the Boxer style of flashy micro terran and the cold, calculating macro terrans that reigned afterwards. But unlike the many terrans that followed him such as goodfriend, Bifrost, FBH, or hwasin, oov was the smartest player in sc history, and totally unlike midas or iris, iloveoov was the also the most clutch player in history. While Nada (and only Nada) has accomplished more, you cannot argue with a 5-0 history in OGN/MBC finals.
There is an easy answer to the question of: If you had to pick someone to play for your life, who would you choose? In the highest pressure scenario possible, OSL/MSL finals, oov was unmatched.
iloveoov 3-0 Yellow Trigem MSL iloveoov 3-2 Nada Hanafos MSL iloveoov 3-2 Kingdom Spris MSL iloveoov 3-2 Boxer Ever 04 OSL iloveoov 3-0 Julyzerg Shinhan Bank OSL
Note that he won against Boxer even after losing against the incredible game 4 build and looking visibily disturbed. And it was a series that he "force[d] himself to win."
JulyZerg 3/0 *In July only. Clearly watermelon power. GARIMTO 2/0 Bisubuild 1/0 *It may have only won once, but it captured the heart and mouth of Klazart forever. TL.net 1/0 *Soon to be 2-0 sAviOr 4/2 *Pre-2009. Bisu 2/1 Jaedong 2/1 *He still lost to CUTEANGEL. JulyZerg 3/2 *Overall NaDa 6/4 rA 2/2 BoxeR 3/4 Reach 1/3 ChoJJa 1/3 *Sorry Tfeign, his Kespa ranking doesn't matter here. YellOw 0/5 *Yellow is the REAL Silver medalist. Take that Stork. Stork 0/3 *Wait Stork got 2nd place in Silver medal count. Who is it!? Will the real Mr. Silver please stand up? Silver 0/1 *Someone called? Did I make Power Rank yet? GG.Net 0/1 Midas 0/0 *JUST KIDDING. And you were up 2-1 too! ToSsGirL 0/0 Blackman 0/0 *Only if you're Polish.
The only way to beat oov
However, iloveoov was not just a Nada, who dominated single leagues but didn't hold his massive weight in teamleagues. Back when all kill leagues were around, iloveoov was the only ingredient needed. With a 13-2 record overall in the MBCGAME teamleague and putting up performances like this, It's not exactly hard to see how 4U won despite having a lineup similar to KTF last season.
Loser's bracket finals 4U vs GO
1: Xellos(GO) defeated Kos(4U) on Enter the Dragon 2: Xellos(GO) defeated IntoTheRainbow(4U) on Detonation_Xnote 3: ILoveoov(4U) defeated Xellos(GO) on JR's Memory 4: ILoveoov(4U) defeated ForU(GO) on Parallellines 5: ILoveoov(4U) defeated Nal_rA(GO) on Enter the Dragon 6: ILoveoov(4U) defeated Eros~Rage(GO) on Detonation_Xnote 4Union 4 : 2 GO
This is not someone you wanted to face
It was not just older teamleagues where he pulled miracles: oov still holds (the tied) record for most proleague victories at 17. Up until Boxer's retirement, oov was the team ace. It may have been team Boxer, but oov long was the guy you could always count on to win.
This is just how good he was in prime form, which he considered up to his Spris MSL win:
The primary charge leveled against oov was that he was safe, standard, and boring. But was that really true? Boxer was beloved because his play was risky and art, but oov was hated, because he was a machine. But oov was risky, oov was cutesy, oov is the smartest player in SC history, but oov's brilliance is much harder to detect, because it is far deeper and harder to understand.
A great example of this is EVER '04 finals. This series was one, if not the best series ever, and the most popular/spoken of game of the series is Boxer's m&m rush game 4 on Requiem, for very good reason. Ironically none of the other games are ever spoken of even though it is one of the most loved series and all the games are very very deep. The risk Boxer made in game 4was huge, the margin of error infinitely small, and above all he pulled it off in 1-2 situation.
Now consider game 3 on Mercury. iloveoov does a 1 fact 1 port tank/vult into wraith without addon build while boxer walls off and goes 2 port wraiths with addon. This is what's called a build order loss, and it's not luck, it's because Boxer is really smart too. Boxer's cloaked wraiths rape all of oov's wraiths without taking any damage and proceeds to take potshots at his scvs, who are frantically making an armory/acad, and gets many kills. Meanwhile oov counter's boxer with his tanks, but Boxer is able to easily repel them with tank/scv/wraith and almost no losses. At oov's base he is only able to live because he mass repairs his first goliath, and even then he is in a desperate situation with having no turrets, very limited scan, and only a paltry force that is being contained and continually sniped by Boxer.
And what does oov do while he is being nearly killed? Defend and stabilize? Counter? Nope, he expands. A hidden expansion at 3's main, which singlehandedly wins him the game. -Ironically Boxer almost gets himself back in the game with two hidden expansions of his own, but oov's early-mid game lead was too much to overcome.- Furthermore he does not get turrets, which would prevent Boxer from harassing him completely but instead invites the harass and keeps Boxer focused on harassing him while saving money at the same time. It may not be as flashy as Boxer's m&m rush, but it was every bit as impressive and seriously attests to iloveoov's psychological understanding.
Look at it from Boxer's POV: you nearly killed him, he still doesn't have turrets so you can harass him further. Would, oh I need to check for his hidden expansion, possibly come to mind at this time? No, of course not. Even knowing oov and his hidden expansion tendencies inside out, Boxer still didn't consider it; that's how strong of a play it was.
People dismissed it as luck because Boxer's wraiths flew so close later on, but that was more of Boxer sending his wraiths away from oov's base than actively scouting for expos, for his wraiths didn't even scout the expo properly and did not attempt to scout any others. He sent out a deliberate scouting scv later which discovered it, so it would've been more luck that Boxer found it when he was not intending to.
oov's explanation to critics of his 'lucky' hidden expansion play"That's undeserved. I always think "the opponent would be unaware if I expand now" in my practice. It's all about timing. It's my strategy that I make a feint of defence, and expand at the very time that others think I won't. But recently other players did very well in scouting, therefore this strategy didn't work out. And the countermeasure is to pretend training units when rivals are scouting. He goes aways, then I expand."
Not even the Emperor could stop the busdriver.
iloveoov was anything besides a safe, boring player; if you know what to look for.
It was Nada who is the epitome of the safe terran, who ran his opponents over with impeccable macro and micro. oov did not have that ability to outplay them with mechanics, he needed to gain advantages with builds and game flow. Why did Nada never had any difficulty defeating July and oov did? oov was certainly more skilled at defense overall but his gameplan relied at gaining an early economic advantage, and while other zergs could not exploit the timing window of oov's first form, July could. Nada's safe play on the other hand was impervious to July's early aggression, and as July could only win zvt by aggressive play and doing early damage, it is not surprising that Nada is 8-2 vs July overall and was able to 3-0 him with ease in finals. I attribute the ease to the imbalanced positions Nada got; given their history, it wouldn't have made too much of a difference though.
Ironically, Boxer, who immediately comes to mind as the most aggressive and risky terran without question, and certainly was, played far more economically safely than oov. Consider Boxer's original innovation: 1 base harass. The most striking thing about it was how long Boxer took to expand. Usually he would only expand as his main minerals were running dry, although he often would only expand after his main ran out and just float his cc to the nat. While this build requires you to forego a cc until a fair amount of harassment is done and SV tech+ 3 rax is reached, there is little reason to not expand unless the enemy was near breaking point from the harass. The 8 marines sacrificed in making the CC are more than made up a few minutes later. Their loss is completely insignificant unless the battle is continually active and any loss in production for either side would spell their loss; which is true sometimes, but not always, and not for how long it takes for the main to run out.
Having played this build almost exclusively up until '06 or so, I realized how strong defensively strong this build was. You would march/fly around the map shutting down zerg expansions and disrupting their econ/tech. And of course, when they couldn't stop you from doing this, they would try to counter. And these counters would never succeed, because you are running off of 1 base, and short of defilers, which zerg could never reach in peace, there was no way they were successfully countering a 1 base terran.
One can argue that this is also due to Boxer and the trend started by him simply believing that aggressive play can accomplish the job well enough and the overall neglect for economics. However, ask yourself why Boxer still sticks to 1 base builds to this day. Why did Boxer stick with this style even after Nada pushed an expansion much earlier (though much later than oov would)? It's because Boxer can create a game flow where the battles are decided with small unit aggression, where he reigns supreme. Any earlier attempt at expanding would put him in peril to zerg counters, and it would not be necessary to do this if he could control the gameflow.
This is also one of the reasons why July/oov was so exciting to watch. oov was aggressive economically, July aggressive offensively. Economic aggression has never been fully appreciated/examined, and this lack of understanding is one of the reasons that oov was so hatable until Nostalgia set in.
Look at the gamechanging, very similar to Bisu vs Savior, game of oov vs July on Nostalgia (1st set): "The game that broke the streak." The only reason oov died to that attack was because he was projecting the illusion of force with his initial group that got killed and July hit in a timing window where no zerg had done. oov was taking very considerable risk doing this, for not only did he expand early when Zergs were accustomed to being more aggressive rather than mass expoing, but he also was using his initial m&m to 'threaten' July when he was actually in no position to do any damage to July. oov's mental play backfired; July was too new for him, and undercut his old timing and thoughts completely. Boxer would not have lost that way. Nada would not have lost that way.
One of the best examples of oov's economic aggression is the, much underloved, oov vs Nada HanaFos MSL finals. While the only vod remaining is game 4 on Detonation, it still shows a lot about oov. On Detonation and up 2-1, Nada double proxy raxed oov and bunker rushed, while oov lifted off his rax while playing standard factory rush. oov somehow manages to hold off the intial rush, and tries to counterattack but is blocked while Nada lifts the raxes into oov's main and continues the harass. Nada's expo is nearly done when oov just started his, and is clearly ahead. oov, despite having lower troop count, immediately pressures Nada's nat, while double expanding after getting his nat mining. Nada is forced to react to oov's early pressure, and by the time he has enough troops to break oov's contain, oov's economic advantage has already kicked in and rolls him over. If that's not perfect play in a must-win situation, I don't know what is.
Game 5 was apparently a more extreme version of game 4 with Nada not gaining that early advantage to keep it reasonably close, but alas it along with the TG MSL LB finals vods no longer exist. It is quite a shame, because oov/nada is by far the best TvT rivalry in history, despite how one-sided it was. It was the ultimate example of intelligence vs raw skill.
Psychological understanding was why oov was so dominant. It is the reason why him and Savior were totally uncheesable, and while part of that was because they rightly share the title for "Best Defense," they also were so psychologically dominant that they were prepared for it at the right times. Just as it takes someone as smart as Boxer or Flash to cheese at the right times, it takes someone as smart as oov or Savior to see it coming every single time. For examples, look no further than rA vs oov on Requiem or Kingdom vs oov's whole final series. Similarly, oov's hidden expansions did not succeed because of luck, they worked because he outthought his opponents.
But oov's psychological play was certainly not limited to in-game strategy. It was his cocky, abrasive attitude that originally attracted the hate bandwagon, but this was just a mental ploy.
oov a response to a question on his cocky and confident attitude"Yes, on purpose, so does in interviews. E-sports is Mind-sports. Practice is important, while some factors outside the stage weigh much as well. As a progamer, I should be polite to media and fans, but I don't want to show the impression of weakness to people. I'm always confident of winning, so I express my confidence, which is helpful to the matches in my opinion."
oov vs July Shinhan finals is another great example of the wonders of mental preparation. Only one of two finals ever won on pure mental domination, the other being Flash vs Stork Bacchus, oov trounced his old enemy July in 3 mostly one-sided games.
The real reason for oov's victory over July. Outeating him by stealing Midas's food.
oov's use of interviews"I always used interviews strategically. That’s why I would mock my opponents, or pretend to be strong. I thought all of that was momentum, and I would even ask my fans to post things on message boards like “ILoveoov is really good” etc. When I played JulyZerg in the Starleague final, I thought mentality was particularly important. Honestly, I was scared and nervous. After I admitted he was a strong opponent and said honestly what I felt, I was able to go into the game with confidence and get a good result."
Many people blamed oov's victory on maps, but that was nothing of the sort. oov won on what people believed to be the imbalanced Cultivation Period; although July said he had found an answer and oov felt that the maps "had many zerg favoring aspects," with a sparks rush, designed to set the tone for the rest of the series and pre-empt whatever strategy July had planned. And set the tone he did. July's post-game interview shows exactly how big of an effect this was:
"I had practiced immensely for the match but after I lost the first game disappointingly I couldn't show what I had prepared. The reason I lost is because I never managed to do what I had in mind...I had come with a strategy I had prepared tearing my hair out. After I had lost the first game so shamefully I felt numb from there on even in the second game."
And oov agrees in a response to the outcome of the 2nd game:
"The second game would’ve been very difficult. I was able to win with both the psychological advantage and momentum I gained from winning the first game."
It is quite likely that this mental destabilization was the cause of July's uncustomary mistake in game 2 and poor army positioning in game 3, although game 3 oov also did a very intelligent upgrade rush to counter July's intelligent counter to fast expansion play. The effect of oov's bitter lesson to July is quite pronounced. In July's next finals vs Best, two and a half years later, July opens with a 5 pool to set the stage.
End of an Era
oov to me was the triumph of intelligence over mechanics. His apm was under 250, his micro often sloppy, his macro mechanics/multitasking good but not exceptional. If you want proof of that, just check out oov vs Yellow game 3. oov gains an amazing lead, and then nearly throws it away with the worst micro ever seen in a final. Only oov could get away with this. Of course he had solid micro at times, and his marine spread vs July on IntotheDarkness was one of the best pimpest plays ever, but in general, oov did not rely on his micro at all. If he microed well, great, but it was not essential for him to win.
Even after his Shinhan OSL and WCG '06 win, oov still managed to show some of the old brilliance. While the old master no longer had the motivation to put out the dominating success as in his past, he nevertheless was able to show it in isolated incidents. Check the vods list at the end for links to games vs FBH and DarkElf.
Above all else, this is reason for oov's success:
"The way I play is to create a pattern where I have an advantage, and then crush my opponents with momentum. That way my opponent can’t play with 100% of his skill. That’s why I think mind-games are more important than skill."
The true Gorilla
How Gorillas celebrate.
While oov originally got his gorilla nickname for his long stature and lanky build, I have discovered long forgotten evidence that proves he really is a Gorilla.
"Yes, I am a cheapskate. I don't buy my teammates a drink or something usually. There are only 3 times I paid the bill. The first time I treated them some bananas and milk..."
Yes you read that right, bananas and milk. oov does not treat to expensive dinners, oov treats to bananas. Is there any doubt that oov is a gorilla now? If there is, just look at this:
give oov banana. oov macro. oov win. You know the deal.
If you still have doubt, this will solve all questions. Ok not really, but oov is the master of hilarious faces.
The oov face, need I say more?
Putting his gorilla nature aside, there are even more interesting aspects to oov. Bonjwa is not the only exclusive group that oov belongs to; he is also one of the very few progamers to be married. oov's uniqueness clearly shows here, for he never veered into the "path of night," and was able to maintain a relationship throughout his entire career as a pro.
iloveoov's exceptional path
iloveoov, Coach and Prophet
When oov retired in early 2008, people were noticeably disappointed that they would no longer get to see him work his magic. But for oov, coaching was just another way to showcase his brilliance.
"When I thought about being a coach, I thought I would be making build-orders myself, and teaching them to other players. I figured I would still be a trend-setter, just that I wouldn’t be on TV anymore"
Note that this interview was taken shortly after he became a coach back in Feburary. In 7 or so months, oov has invented a strategy that threatens to overturn modern tvz. When people had been doubting if there was anything left to innovate, oov comes back to prove them silly. Rather than saying anything here about 'the strat,' I will point you to this amazing article by Day.
This is all the more striking because TvZ is one of the most stable matchups in history. Look at the previous TvZ trends: Boxer- 1 base fast tech with constant harass; oov- 2 rax expand; Boxer- Bunker rush; and now, oov- 1 base vulture drop into FE valkyrie+mech. Of course there are smaller ones, like Sync's 3 rax +1 sunk break or Flash's map specific mech, but these are the overall builds that have transformed the matchup completely and can be used even if your opponent knows its coming.
As a sidenote, can anyone possibly doubt that if these two played any other race, that race would be the most dominant in SC history? Yes, including random.
"I told all the terrans on the team that I want to train a winner, and make terran an important part of the team again. If there are no prospects, then I’ll have to find some new ones. Right now, Fantasy has the most potential. His strength is that he absorbs things very quickly, but his weakness is that he is too introverted. But we can change that."
How amusing this is when looking at the present situation. Fantasy, having completely demolished GGplay with oov's build, is looking at the finals with the heir of Yellow. In just 8 months, complete transformation from a nobody to an almost royal roader. And you're looking at the reason right here.
He's back!
Stork before the OSL Finals said "I will think of the finals as a match not only against Fantasy but also Coach Choi, which will push me to prepare even harder."
Has any coach ever had this effect? What other coach is practiced and thought against extensively by opponents? Has any coach been credited with a build that may turn a very stable matchup up on its head? There is no question that nobody understands the mental situation of the finals better than oov. And when people say that this is just because oov is a former, elite pro, I will point you in the direction of Kingdom. Hey Kingdom, you still around? Haven't heard a word about you since you've become a coach.
The changes to SKT1 since oov has become coach have become quite noticeable. The departure of Boxer in 2006, slump of Midas, and loss of motivation for oov spelled doom for the team in 2007. It shows in their record: in r1, they were a paltry 8th at 9-13. In r2, they upped that by going 9th at 8-14. For the most successful team that proleague had ever seen, this was an unthinkinable low.
And the difference was striking. The very first season oov was coach, SKT1 zoomed up to 2nd place at the exact opposite record, 14-8, and if not for Bisu randomly sucking in his best matchup, they would've been in the finals. While they are not doing too hot so far this current season due to zerg favoring maps and their zergs going for the longest losing streak possible (0-10 so far), the team is far more motivated and from their interviews, I doubt they will have any problem fixing it.
oov is back now, his motivation is here, especially with Boxer returning, it would be hardly surprising to see oov own again, even at a lesser scale. While some may dismiss him as going the path of Garimto, I believe that as long as he can overcome his wrist, oov will return again. This is one person who lives up to his goals, no matter what the pressure on him. And his goals are high.
"I wanted to make a team that Boxer wouldn’t be ashamed of. So when I signed my contract, I didn’t even look at the money. I just left that to the team. There’s about a year and a half left, and I want to enter the army as someone I can be proud of."
On January 29 2008 21:51 Plexa wrote: Letter to the Sky
Before the crisis
2005 had started brilliantly for Nada. Despite losing a bo7 MSL grand final to Gorush in YATGK MSL, he came back to defeat Gorush in the IOPS semifinals and then went on to win the finals over July in a convincing 3-0. Then things started to go wrong.
A shitstorm was just around the corner
Nada had qualified as a seed for both MSL and OSL and a 2/1 finish respectively meant that he was the heavy favourite to destroy in the upcoming season. But as per the OSL curse, he went 1-2 in his group and failed to qualify for the Ro8 in EVER 2005 OSL. But the real snag came in the form of Savior. As mentioned in my very first blog, the game showed a solution to Nada's SK terran style for Zergs and signaled the coming a tragic year.
Nada would then lose to Yellow in the loser bracket of Uzoo MSL and to Pusan in the Daum Direct ODT Rnd 2. Thus, Nada would be absent from both major leagues for the next season. But thankfully, he was still around from the Snickers All-Star tournament. On the 16th of July he would fight Yellow for the title, and came up short 2-3 (as written in my blog). But the worst was just around the corner.
On the 18th of July 2005, FiFo reported that Nada's dad had been killed in a car accident. An intoxicated driver preformed an illegal U-turn and collided with Nada's dad.
Life after Death
Nada was withdrawn from the P&C roster for the next two months giving him time to come to terms with what had transpired. The funeral service was held on the 20th of July and was said to be a particularly moving ceremony. All of P&C showed up to the funeral in support of Nada.
About 2 weeks later, Nada posted a poem on his fan cafe. The poem was originally translated by SpAnK[eM] and is in the format that Nada wrote the poem in.
Letter to the Sky
hi this is nada~.. hows ur life goin'? i am drunk today too~ i am living life with drinks nowdays u know when u drink, u feel better? i was walking in the rain after having drinks with friend in the cafe
like...
the rain that is... father's tear..
my dad always wanted to do some business... had many failures because of those tries... but before all those failures he wanted the happiness of our family... but... he couldnt... no... because of that 1 guy...
my dad was very healthy... very healthy... my dad was very strong... he wasnt skinny like me he was big.. and strong.. he never lost vs people and when we were living in the name of poor my father fought with gansters only with his 2 hands...
oneday my mother came back home with all bruises over her face my dad grabbed a metal pipe and gone to the corporation .. he leaped over the fence to revenge for my mom... its like that... thats how much he loved our family and thats how strong he was...
but.....
the 1 guy .... drinking driving... and by illegial U-turn dad is in the sky now... this ... this isnt a destiny.. its an error of destiny... an error of the sky... the error that never supposed to be happend...
ha.........i still feel empty... but not a long ago... when i walked in the rain... i felt it.. it was like... my father's tear
i...nada... think i have to get brave back...
i talked with my friends in Gumi(state of korea)... alot of talk... everyone is living a hard life... i felt it now...
i realized how happy life i am living while talking with my friends... i realize it now... now... now i realize...
yes i have to wake up again... having no practice now is killing me...
if i go back to seoul... practice hard... so no one can beat me...
and for sure... i will dedicate all those winnings and honors to .. my father...
i.. im going back ...
dont worry...
im going back to the real nada...
so
remember
i will take care of my family dad..
Return to Star
Nada's first game back was against Nal_ra in ODTR1. He dominated Nal_ra with a pure macro oriented style, lost to Cloud in the winners game, then defeated Nal_ra once more in a similar fashion. Whats important was that even though he had gone through intense tragedy, Nada was able to pull out a win and get through to the next round.
Unfortunately, Nada couldnt get much further. He slumped badly in Proleauge and lost 0-2 in ODT Round 2 and 0-2 in the 7th MBC Survivor. He finished out the year with a roughly 50% win rate in Proleauge, but there was something more special he did in the last months of the year.
Many of you will be familiar with the 'Make a Wish' Foundation who try to give terminally ill children one day where they can leave their illness behind and enjoy life. Nada, still dealing with the ordeal of his dad's death, did one of the most noble and honorable things a progamer has ever done, he got involved with the charity.
Nada began to work alongside the foundation and helped out their cause by volunteering himself to take some kids out during December of 2005 to treat them to a day of unparalleled joy.
"the experience even though it will be a short one for him, will forever change him. There is nothing more gut wrenching and noble than what he is about to do, he has courage." - Entropy
Nada was inspired by the death of his Dad to reach out and help other people. When posed with the question about why he wanted to get involved in an interview he said; "Help before it is too late"
Help others, before they are gone from this world. Like the premature death of his father who was now gone forever from this world. This act earned a lot respect from me towards Nada, it is such an amazing thing to do for the world, especially after a tragedy which could have ruined his life. He turned the negative into a positive, the mark of a true champion.
Nada's dreams come true
Nada started 2006 with a bang - going on a 5 game winning streak and passing the first stage of the 8th MSL Survivor. Then, thanks to an expanded league, Nada defeated Shark and Nal_ra in i-Station Dual tournament to qualify for Shinhan 2 OSL. At the same time he qualified for Pringles 2 MSL - Nada was back into both major leagues.
Nada's Shinhan 2 OSL run is something legendary. He 3-0'd his group (containing Light, Zergman and Jy). Went 2-1 against TT, 2-0'd Zergman, 3-0'd Goodfriend and found himself in the finals for a Golden Mouse. (Vods are at the end). His opponent? Anytime[gm] - a protoss abusing the legend of the fall to get to the finals.
After one of the most intense finals in a long time, Nada walked away victorious. He had achieved his goal and won in his fathers name - he had answered his Letter to the Sky.
천재는 달랐다. 위기 순간에 더욱 빛나는 전략을 선보였고, 승리를 거뒀다. 이윤열은 경기가 끝나자 아버지의 이름을 불렀다. 하늘에 계시는 아버지께서 그를 도왔다. 이제 이윤열의 시대가 열렸다. The Prodigy was different. He coordinated an astonishing strategical move in a time of danger, and won. He called out his father's name, after the match. His father aided him all the way. Now, the era of Lee Yoonyeol has begun.
-골드 마우스를 차지했다. -You have secured the Golden Mouse. ▶우승하고 눈물을 흘리긴 처음이다. 내 인생에서 최고의 날이다. 너무 기쁘다. 이렇게 기뻤던 날이 없었다. 밑에까지 내려갔다가 다시 올라오는 것이 이렇게 힘들지 몰랐다. 제주도에 이렇게 많은 팬들이 모일 줄 몰랐다. 너무 고맙다. ▶It's my first time shedding tears after winning the league. This is the best day of my life. I am so happy. I have never been happier. I never knew it would be this hard to climb all the way back to the top after having hit rock bottom. I also did not expect so many fans in Jaeju Island. I am very grateful.
-어머니께서 참석한 결승전에서 승리한 것은 처음이다. -It is your first time winning the Finals where your mother has attended. ▶어머니께서 오셔서 우승한 것은 처음이다. 이 자리에 못 오셨지만 이번 우승만큼은 전부 아버지께 드리겠다. 앞으로는 어머니에게만 잘 할 것이다. ▶Yes, it is my first time winning the Finals, with my mother seated as the audience. But, for this very victory, I give it all to my father, though he didn't make it. From now on, I will do my best for my mother.
-4세트 패한 후 기분은 어땠나. -How did you feel after you lost the fourth set. ▶4세트에 자신이 많았다. (오)영종이가 너무 잘해서 5세트가 긴장됐다. 전략을 두 개 준비했는데 마지막 세트에서 쓴 것은 필살기였다. 1시 위치를 마음 속으로 빌었는데 1시 위치가 나와 승리의 여신이 내게 미소 짓는 것 같았다. ▶I had much confidence in the fourth set. (Oh) Youngjong was too good, and made me nervous in the fourth set. I had prepared 2 strategical plots(for Tau Cross), and the one I used in the last set was a deathblow move. When I hoped to be placed at 1 o'clock, and was actually placed at 1, I knew the goddess of triumph was smiling at me.
-5세트에서 드롭을 지속적으로 시도했다. -You consistently tried dropship attacks in the fifth set. ▶이리저리 흔들다 보면 페이스가 내게 오는 전략이었다. 절대 유리한 상황이었다. 승리를 확신했고, GG를 선언한 (오)영종이의 판단은 옳았다. 스타게이트를 올린 것도 자신이 불리하다고 생각한 것 같다. ▶That strategical move eventually grants me advantage as long as I consistently attack, harassing the opponent. (Oh) Youngjong's decision to surrender GG was the correct choice. He must have thought he was going to lose, seeing he built Stargate.
-골드 마우스를 획득한 첫 선수다. -You are the first to secure the Golden Mouse. ▶너무 골드 마우스에 욕심을 내다보면 질 것 같았다. 결승이라는 마지막 순간에 골드 마우스에 대한 모든 생각을 지웠다. 우승한 뒤에 할 행동만 생각했고, 골드 마우스는 잊었다. ▶I was afraid I will lose focusing solely on the Golden Mouse. At the very last moment in the Finals, I wiped out all my obsessions directed at Golden Mouse. I only thought how I'd react after winning the match, and forgot about the Golden Mouse.
-가슴에 우승배지를 세 개 달았다. -You have attached three Starleague Champion Badges on your chest. ▶아무리 무겁더라도 좋다. 충분히 자부심을 가지고 있다. 100개가 되도 유니폼에 달고 싶다. 유니폼만 봐도 우승자라는 것을 알게 되지 않겠나. ▶I love it, no matter how heavy they may be. I have plenty esteem for them. I want them on my chest, even they number to be 100. All people will know I am the champion just by looking at my uniform.
-최근 포스가 대단하다. -Your current force is amazing. ▶한 동안 PC방 예선에 머물렀을 때 다시 전성기 기량이 돌아올까 걱정했는데 이번에 스타리그 우승을 거두면 다시 전성기를 찾을 것으로 생각했다. 또 자신감을 찾았다. ▶Having stooped low lingering in PSL preliminaries, I worried if my prime stats will be back at all. But, I thought they are to be regained by winning this Starleague. I also have regained my confidence.
-최근 팬카페에 쓴 글이 화제다. -Your recent notes you have wrote in your fan cafe's draw much attention. ▶팬카페에 글을 쓸 때에는 자신감이 있기 때문에 쓰는 것이다. 좋은 향기가 나네요 승리를 부르는 이것은 자신감이다. 팬들에게 ‘지켜봐 달라’는 메시지다. ▶Whenever I write something there, it is because I am confident. It's all about confidence. It's also a message to the fans saying "Please, do watch me closely".
-‘포스트 임요환’ 1순위로 꼽혔다. -You have been chosen to be no 1 'Post Lim Yohwan'. ▶임요환을 최고로 존경하는 생각만큼은 변하지 않는다. 그러나 그의 뒤를 이어 바통을 받는다면 바로 오늘이라 생각했다. 이제 바통을 이어 받은 것 같다. 최고의 선수가 될 수 있도록 노력하겠다. ▶The idea of utterly respecting Lim Yohwan as the best does not change. However, if I were to ascend his greatness at all, I thought it'd be today. I will strive to become the best progamer.
-아이옵스 스타리그와 현재의 자신의 모습을 비교한다면. -If you were to compare yourself in IOPS Starleague, and now. ▶연습 방법부터 달랐다. 아이옵스 스타리그에서는 자신감만 있었지만 지금 현재는 자신감뿐 아니라 승리에 대한 확신이 든다. 그러나 아직 부족하다. 예전에는 자만심도 있었지만 이제는 그러면 안 된다 생각한다. ▶The methodical approach in practice games was already different. I had only confidence in IOPS Starleague, but now not only do I have confidence but also assurance that I will win. Still, I need more work. I was too confident in the past, but now I know I should not be.
-팀에 잡음이 많았다. -There are many rumors in the team. ▶창단 멤버다. 애정이 많다. 잡음은 외부에서만 들렸으면 좋겠다. 나는 내 할일(우승)만 한다면 모든 결과가 좋아질 것이다. ▶I have been in this team from the very beginning. I hope all the rumors stay outside. As long as I do what I do(winning leagues) all the outcome will be ok.
-가족과 제주도 여행을 계획하지 않았나. -Did you not plan a Jaeju Island vacation with your family. ▶이번 8강전에서 1패를 먼저 한 뒤 결승전이 제주도에서 한다는 사실을 가족들에게 알렸다. 그러면서 제주도에 모두 내려가자고 말했다. 그때엔 결승까지 확정된 것도 아니었지만 그 말 때문에 한 발, 한 발 오를 수 있었다. 가족들이 있다고 생각하니 더 떨렸다. ▶After I lost the first game in R8, I told my family the finals are held in Jaeju Island. And, I said to them we should all go there. I was not in the finals back then, but by saying it out loud, I was able to climb up step by step. I was more nervous thinking that my family was right next to me.
-앞으로의 목표와 각오가 있다면. -Your resolutions and goals in the future. ▶다시 돌아온 전성기를 오래 이끌고 싶다. 더 많은 연습을 하고 나와 팬들에게 실망스러운 경기를 보여주고 싶지 않다. 차기 시즌에서 우승자징크스를 내 손으로 깨고 싶다. 언제나 목표는 우승이다. ▶I wish to lead my current primal era as long as possible. I want to avoid performing disappointing games in front of the fans by spending more time in practices. I want to break the Champion Curse in the next season. My goal is to win, always.
-다음 조 지명식에서 지명하고 싶은 선수가 있다면. -Do you have any particular athlete you want to pick in the next group decision day. ▶(최)연성이형이 듀얼 토너먼트에서 반드시 올라왔으면 한다. 아직 복수할 것이 많이 남아 있다. 내가 우승을 하면 꼭 올라온다 했으니 올라 올 것이다. ▶I hope (Choi) Yunsung hyung will make it (to Starleague) from Dual Tournament. I have much to avenge him. He will surely make it, because he promised me he will if I win the league.
-고마운 사람들이 많을텐데. -You must have many to whom you're grateful. ▶매 경기마다 두뇌회전을 도와준다며 초콜렛을 사다 준 이광수 코치님이 너무 감사하다. 또 연습을 도와 준 삼성전자 허영무, KTF 강 민, MBC게임 김택용이 너무 고맙다. 물론 팀원들이 가장 고맙다. ▶I thank the assistant coach Lee Gwangsoo who brought me chocolate every single match saying it helps the brain to function better. Also, to Hu Youngmoo(Samsung), Kang Min(KTF), and Kim Taekyoung(MBCgame) for the practice games. Of course, I am most grateful to my team members.
-오영종에게 한 마디 -Your words to Oh Youngjong ▶영종이였기 때문에 내 우승이 이렇게 빛날 수 있었다. 24강 때부터 결승에서 만나자고 말을 많이 했다. 16강까지는 같이 연습도 했다. e스포츠 발전을 위해 같이 힘을 내자고 말했는데 그대로 이룰 수 있어서 너무 기쁘다. 영종이에게 고맙다 ▶My championship shines more brightly only because Youngjong is on the other side. We shared conversations from as early as R24, that we should meet in the finals. We practiced with eachother until R16. We told eachother we should try harder to improve the E-sports, and I am happy to have done as we have said it. I give much thanks to Youngjong.
To me, this story remains one of the the most touching in progaming. After stumbling across Nada's poem, i was overcome with emotion and knew that this blog needed to be written for all the Nada fanboys out there. And if you come to my blog for games, i will not disappoint, here are Nada's vods from Shinhan 2 OSL.
Symphony of Destruction-The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of an Absolute Legend. By DoctorHelvetica. TeamLiquid: Final Edits
"Music's exclusive function is to structure the flow of time and keep order in it." - Igor Stravinsky
"I've never seen such timing, such precision, such masterful control before. What happened to him and when is it over?"-irl friend on Ma Jae Yoon.
How can a human stand against a God?-TheTyranid, commentating on hyvaa vs sAviOr
Is he really back? Is it really him? The Maestro that changed the game forever?-Myself when told of Bisu's defeat.
Dominance in C Minor
The Maestro walks onto the stage, spotlight in his eyes, absorbing the vibrations of an excited crowd. His tuxedo is sharp, the CJ Entus logo gleaming off his sleeve. He takes a bow. "An original composition," He informs the crowd the title of the piece, "ZvT in F Minor." The crowd roars, this song is a hit. It's 2006 and The Maestro, Ma Jae Yoon is the best progamer in the world. Very few composers were even a slight challenger to the fame of Jae Yoon, but even conductors like Jin Yung Soo couldn't steal his glory.
From a seat in the audience once could see the cool confidence of this young Maestro. Contrary to the decorum of an opera hall, hundreds of girls scream. "MA JAE YOON HWAITING!". Indeed, he is a superstar, the Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart of his generation. He has the bravada and the skill required to be a deity of this art, and he earned every bit of credit he gets.
He raises his baton and begins the music. The tempo is quick, the movements are sharp and precise. The song paints a picture of domination and complete victory, and as the conductor waves his baton with a confident smirk, the world of e-sports lives with fear in its heart. Nothing could stop Ma Jae Yoon, it seemed his dominance would continue forever. As the flutes played their trills , zerglings enveloped the many cities of the Terran federation. As the trumpets blared, hydralisks spat down a lone shuttle on the hills of Aiur. As the cellos moved the hearts of man, mutalisks tore apart a renegade cerebrate and his army.
It feels good to be the best.
He had dethroned the kings of yesteryear and no-one could call him anything less than "Ma Bonjwa". It seemed like centuries since BoxeR, NaDa, and iloveoov controlled the scene. For the first time ever, the Swarm was in control; they had an emperor of their own. Hell's orchestra was playing the dirge of every commander who would dare have the audacity to challenge the might of the swarm. There was no stopping him now. The year of the destroyer has arrived.
Ma Jae Yoon's impeccable timing and game sense kept him leagues ahead of everyone else in the game. He defended against entire terran armies with a handful of lurkers and zerglings. He destroyed countless SCV's with his mutalisks and his fast hive build left terrans bewildered and destroyed. What he lacked in mechanics he made up for in an almost eerie sense and understanding of the game. Watching sAviOr play in 2006 was like seeing a man look into the future.
Defeating NaDa in the Shinhan OSL was his crescendo, his masterpiece, his coup de grace. With three MSL victories and an OSL win under his belt, he was approaching the record of legends like Choi Yeong Sung and Lee Yoon Yeol. Could he do it? How long would he dominate? Maybe he'll win a golden mouse too. These were the thoughts of many sAviOr fans in 2007.
From 2005-2007, no name struck fear in the hearts of men like that of sAviOr. He was the best damn player on earth, with 3 MSL titles and an OSL victory under his belt, who could stop him?
Domination...
A young zerg making a name for himself.
No match-up was hard for this guy.
The Revolution
A challenger appears.
There's a new composer in town. His name is Kim Taek Yong, and his concerts are starting to draw more attendees. Our beloved Maestro, Ma Jae Yoon just doesn't seem to compose like he used to. This younger generation, spearheaded by the protoss Bisu are getting all the attention. However, Ma Jae Yoon remains one of the best among the composers, and sits firmly upon the zerg throne. It's discouraging, but what could stop him for good?
Surely he could hold onto his dominance and boy did he try. Furiously writing songs and performing at every venue he could, there was no effort spared. But the harder he pushed, the harder things seemed to push back at him. It was the image of Taek Yong. It haunted him; and if he couldn't conquer his own ghosts, he could never conquer the world like he did once before.
Ma Jae Yoon soon finds his concerts getting bad reviews, and Kim Taek Yong begins drawing more and more attendees every show. Ma Jae Yoon is discouraged and tries writing again. However, his muse is lost! He cannot find the inspiration to write like he used to. The raw emotion and passion of his youth had faded, and the distraction of competitors was taking its toll. His confidence broken, his genius faded, he slipped into the abyss. Would he ever play well again?
The era of the revolution was a long and dark one for the swarm. Bisu's ingenious reinventing of Daezang's PvZ build changed the metagame completely. It knocked sAviOr of the bonjwa throne, turned PvZ into a matchup the Protoss felt safe playing, brought back Kang Min's Sair/Reaver build, it won 2 MSL's. Yes, Bisu revolutionized PvZ by taking Daezang's build and making it viable on all maps. The Forge FE, into DT/Sair confused zergs, and with the new macro style of protosses (Bisu, Stork, Anytime) the build was extremely popular for a long amount of time.
In these days Protoss builds are classified into two categories. "Light" and "Dark". Dark Protoss (Kingdom, BeSt, Bisu) tend to go for the bisu build in PvZ, favoring units such as Dark Templars and Arbiters. Light Protoss favor Sair/Reaver, using units like Reavers and Carriers (Stork, Jangbi, Free). Today, Bisu is still at the forefront of the Protoss force, leading the revolution against the swarm. While players like Free, KaL, and JangBi might have shiny new PvZ (The +1 Archon push is pretty popular), Bisu is the man who started it all.
These videos should be a familiar sight to any StarCraft fan. The infamous 3-0 defeat of sAviOr in the 2007 GomTV MSL. The games speak for themselves. This is the beginning of stagnation, but rock bottom has yet to occur...
Savior- While I was interviewing after my loss to Bisu[shield] in the MSL finals, I saw one of my fans crying in the far corner. It really hurt me. I'll never be able to forget her.
The Legend Killer
Hi, my name is Cho. Meet your replacement.
It's late 2007 and Ma Jae Yoon grows worried about his falling ability."Why can't I write a good song?" he asks himself. The growing ability of his young apprentice, Lee Jae Dong worries him. Still a young boy, Jae Dong composes with the same fire and zeal Jae Yoon had only months before. Why couldn't Jae Yoon do anything right? His seat on the Zerg throne was slipping, and he knew that the day when his apprentice took up the position grew nearer. He slips deep into a depressive slump, not composing anything. Allowing the rage to build inside of him.
Lee Jae Dongs compositions invoke the terror and darkness that Ma Jae Yoon once had in his music. Jae Dong wrote in a style so aggressive and dominant, it made Ma Jae Yoon seem like the songwriter for a garage punk band. Lee Jae Dong was Stravinsky, he was Wagner, he was Bach. A new era of young composers took the spotlight, Kim Taek Yong was seemingly just a fad. Lee Young Ho, Song Byung Gyu, and Lee Jae Dong ruled the concert world.
For Ma, his fans have all but given up on him. The loyal men who remember the days in which Ma Jae Yoon stood proudly upon the mountain of gods, waving his silver baton at the weak mortals who dare challenge him remember his potential. They remember that this was a man who had much more than just skill. What he had was magic. But the void in their hearts grew, and thus their faith in him was less. It seemed it could not get any worse.
Along with his demotion to B-Team, sAviOr did not even qualify for the starleagues in 2008-2009. Demoted to the B-Team, he was doomed to be a practice partner for the players he would have chewed up only 6 months before. The Maestro was out of the light and one could rest assured that all hope for the maestro to win was lost. The era of "Ma Bonjwa" was over. His anti-fans could finally rejoice, their players stood a chance.
Ma Jae Yoon lost games to many no-name players, for a multitude of embarrassing reasons. Jaedong changed the zerg metagame to a highly aggressive mid-game, ending with a management focused late-game. Ma Jae Yoon was among many of the zergs without the brilliant mechanics required for this playstyle, it seemed it was a dark time for the swarm. Zergs like Luxury and Jaedong, with brilliant mechanics and dull minds rules the scene, and players like sAviOr and GoRush contributed little to the throng of victories.
Ma Jae Yoon's game sense seemed to have waned with his confidence. Perhaps distracted by his constant assurance that he would lose, he forgot simple things like Adrenal Glands. He forgot timings, he forgot build orders, he forgot how to play StarCraft. It seemed like he didn't care. Perhaps the self-fufilling prophecy was that "I know I'm going to lose, so why try?". Players improved and perhaps sAviOr was too intimidated by them to really dominate. It seemed definite that sAviOr would not dominate again. Comebacks were rare in StarCraft and usually ended up embarassing, much like GARIMTO's attempt to be dominant again. The year of the destroyer ended.
A good year for the younger Jae
But the year of the legend killer began. Lee Jae Dong won the EVER 2007 OSL, and the following GOMtv MSL, cementing his place in history as a starleague champion. Jaedong absolutely dominated the starleagues, along with his rival FlaSh, and won an additional silver in the Arena MSL. Jaedong still is a frightening opponent to face and is the undisputed champion of the zerg race at this time. Ranked #1 in Kespa for a long time, Lee Jae Dong is a zerg player that will go down in history.
Ma Jae Yoon: Rock Bottom Losing games left and right, sAviOr is but a husk of the dominator he was before. Humiliated not only be constant losses, but by demotion within his own team, it seemed that the once undisputed StarCraft King, would never return.
Being humiliated by the likes of firebathero doesn't help much either.
sAviOr tries desperately but can't close the wins like he used to.
Being destroyed by Leta, who at the time was a no-name.
Savior: You must experience everything. Words are empty, you must experience them yourself. However, I still think it will be hard for me to get back in shape even. Honestly, I don't remember how it feels to be good again and I want that feeling back. But it will be hard.
Brilliance Regained
Much to the surprise of everyone, Ma Jae Yoon has been writing a new symphony these days. A symphony that encompasses the fury and passion of his youth, and the intensity of his current despair. After losing so much, he would finally manifest his desire, his passion, and emerge as a victor over his own demons. He entered the Anaheim concert hall, began the music, and the crowd was stunned. There are whispers in the halls. "Is he back?", "The Maestro?". While The Maestro continues performing, even now, what may be his final and glorious masterpiece, he leaves us with a few words that can only signal a return to his former brilliance.
Those words rung out through the halls of the Anaheim Convention Center and brought the adoring crowd to a frenzy. Immediately I knew the irc, the forums, and my friends would be abuzz with the words of the destroyer. Ma Jae Yoon pulled through, beating NaDa in the finals to win Blizzcon. It seemed that sAviOr hadn't won anything in centuries, it was a pleasant surprise to fans of the maestro. Those words rung in the head of every player who was ever eaten alive by the swarm. It was a promise. It was hope. It was a warning. It was destruction.
For the coming months the fanboys let loose cries of "2009!" at every upcoming sAviOr game. Ma Jae Yoon won his proleague games in the following weeks, stirring up the hype, pumping up the fan base. However his wins against TT and Yarnc didn't speak to his ability to dominate, and some fans -myself included- worried that he would just be a proleague wonder, unable to perform in the Star League.
Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen. In just a short while I'm going to destroy everyone.
The Maestro returns to the concert hall for his first performance in a long time. The crowd is silent with anticipation, they are eager to hear his newest symphony. The piece is titled "Dominance in C Minor", and when he raises the baton the audience draws a sharp breath. To their surprise, the music which emanates from the orchestra is more beautiful then anything they had heard from Ma Jae Yoson before. Kim Taek Yong gasps from back stage, knowing that he's just not going to be able to outshine a piece like this. Tears streak down the face of Ma Jae Yoon; he had done it. His last symphony was a strong one, and he would retire not as a has-been or a pathetic shadow of a former titan, but as a genius who ended his career just as strong as he began it. Welcome back Ma Jae Yoon, we missed you.
To any fan of the maestro, these past few weeks have been pure ecstasy. Defeating his arch-nemesis in the MSL, destroying the TvZ master UpMagiC, going on double three game win streaks in winners league, the maestro is back with a vengeance. He went on a nine game win-streak; defeating the likes of Leta, YARNC, Bisu, UpMagiC, Really, and ZerO. He is #1 on ICCUP, has topped his own personal win-streak, and contended in the Round of 8 for his 4th MSL title.
Defeating UpMagiC, the best mech TvZ in the world right now, in the Ro16 propelled sAviOr into the Ro8 against ZerO. Kim Myung Eun is one of the brightest young zergs and no match-up is better for him than ZvZ; the match-up that plagued sAviOr in the past, losing him an MSL against ChoJJa, the Cowboy Zerg.
ZvZ proved to be the thorn in sAviOr's side, he was eliminated 3:1 from the MSL. ZerO proved to be one of the bright young zergs following the example sAviOr set for them in 2006. Perhaps sAviOr will take from this experience a joy knowing that he set these brilliant young gamers on the path to glory, knowing that he invented modern zerg, knowing he began a dynasty. While perhaps he will never win another Star League, the Pro League has proven to be a venue he can perform in and there is no doubt we will continue to see impressive play from the former Bonjwa.
The zerg race is in a good position these days. Jaedong, ZerO, Luxury, YARNC, July, EffOrt, sAviOr, and hyvaa all playing brilliant games. The swarm will perhaps once again rule the earth. When it does, the credit will go to Ma Jae Yoon, the man behind it all. The genius, the revolutionist, the dictator, the maestro.
Masterful, breathtaking, and perfect ZvP by sAviOr. This is the maestro of old. sAviOr's impeccable sense of timing is apparent, zerglings arriving just in time, defending with the as few units as possible. Complete match control. Domination. Rivalry. Ecstasy.
ZerO, is one of the newer zergs. He has excellent muta control and has beaten the likes of Jaedong on ZvZ. The maestro, on a tear, isn't going to let this young upstart get in his way. And he doesn't.
sAviOr defeating the top TvZ right now. Amazing mutalisks. Amazing game.
sAviOr playing some excellent StarCraft against Leta, who is the #1 Proleague player of all-time.
sAviOr playing an excellent timing against YellOw[ARNC].
Thank you Two Eight Six for the awesome banner. Thanks to TeamLiquid writing staff for helping me. Thank you to sAviOr for inspiring me to make the original article.
On July 18 2007 20:51 Hot_Bid wrote: <font size="4"><b>Revolutionary Magic</b></font> by Hot_Bid TeamLiquid: Final Edits
<center> The five month Protoss Revolution began in March (image by zxk3).</center> It is a week before the GomTV MSL Final, and the fans were crowning a double champion. Savior had just dominated Nada in a Shinhan3 OSL Final that everyone, including Savior, had hyped and focused on quite a bit more. The Maestro, winner of two straight MSLs and in his fifth straight MSL Final, would walk over “his Protoss opponent.” The classification that was very telling. The Bisu/Ra semi was a mere formality, after all, they were just two Protoss, classified by their race and matchup, nameless except for their inevitable place next to the Zerg champion on the podium. No Protoss since Garimto had beaten a Zerg in a Starleague final. Reach and Ra had multiple chances and had always lost in unspectacular fashion.
It is a week before the GomTV MSL Final, and something was happening in the jungles of Thailand. We will never truly know why Bisu went on vacation a week before the Finals. There were two possible thought processes:
"I am a huge underdog in a really difficult series. I suppose I will try my best and whatever happens, I will be proud of how far I came."
"My name is Kim Taek Yong, commander of the Protoss, the prince who was promised, Dark Templar reborn. Leader of a disrespected race, victim of an imbalanced matchup, and I will have my vengeance in this MSL Final or the next."
Knowing what you know now, is there still any doubt as to what Bisu was thinking when he took that vacation?
Dominance has two requirements. Midas and recently Flash are good examples of players having a lot of one quality (mechanics) but very little of the other: the "magic" or "X-factor." It is that indescribable quality that you as the fan do not see but rather feel when watching a player who has it play.
Just as you can't dominate without it, you can't win with magic alone. Non-PvT Reach and to a lesser extent Garimto are examples of players whose great experience can take them far but not far enough. They do not currently have the technical skill to match the modern elite players. You simply need both qualities.
When mechanics and magic did converge, they produce players like 2004 Iloveoov, 2005 July, 4-badge Nada and Shinhan3 Savior. The convergence not only produced champions, but dominant ones.
A player’s confidence begins as a snowball rolling down a hill. It is a stream from a mountain peak or a baby tyrannosaur hatching from an egg. It is easily melted, diverted or even killed by the smallest of events at infancy. It needs to be nurtured and given time to grow. One bad experience at the wrong time in a player’s career and their magic will forever be lost, their confidence irreparably damaged. Dominance is unforgiving, and thus it is rare. To achieve it players must be not only be among the elite in technical skill but must walk a confidence minefield, vulnerable to circumstance and bad luck.
<center> The "magic" must be nurtured, preferably in Thailand.</center> Yellow is the poster child for the sad story of being so close, literally with his fingers around the magic but never able to hang on. I firmly believe that had Yellow won that first Coca-Cola OSL Final against Boxer back in 2001 their places in history would be reversed. We would be talking about Zerg and Terran completely differently today. The two most significant players in Brood War history came to their biggest crossroads at the most fragile point in their careers. We did not know it then, but player-wise it was easily the most influential, historical moment in ProGaming history. So much came down to one game on Neo Hall of Valhalla. It is what made Boxer "Boxer" and Yellow "Yellow." One player left that game with the magic, one player did not.
It is forged in deciding Game 3s and Game 5s. As ProGaming developed, as parity reigned and "great" win percentages hovered in the 60%’s, that special quality became more and more elusive. It was just impossible to be consistent, especially for Protoss. Looking through the list of champions, there has never been a dominant Protoss, one who had the magic. Until now.
<center> The series that shocked the world.</center> Bisu is the most talented Protoss to come along in the history of professional Starcraft. His macro is the best. His micro is among the best. He has no weak matchups. He has one extremely strong matchup that is so far above every other Protoss in terms of quality and consistency that it’s laughable. Bisu has perfect, relentless scouting. Bisu successfully pushes the line between victory and defeat like no other player outside Savior.
But most of all, Bisu posseses the highest Protoss multitask ability. It is not even close. I have said this countless times but I will re-iterate. The "Beesuit Build" itself is not special. The build that beat Savior, the build that is basically a modified Protoss FE that slightly delays its storm and intermittently cuts probes for early DT/Corsair, is only good because Bisu does it. Other players have tried it and failed where Bisu succeeded. His Corsairs do not die. His DTs act like there is someone watching them at all times, finding holes that no other player can find. You could just drop the "-Build" part of that designation altogether and simply call it "Bisu," because it's all him.
But forget those last two paragraphs. What is special about Bisu is that in addition to his best-ever talent, he is 8-1 in elimination games in 2007, with the lone loss coming to Flash in the Daum OSL Ro8. It is part luck, part skill, part concentrated power of will, but somewhere along the line, Bisu got "it." He has the confidence now that he never did before, and with every successful do-or-die game win, his confidence and his magic grow.
Bisu is the Protoss chosen one. But worst of all for his opponents, he is finally starting to believe it.
<center> TeamLiquid is also starting to believe it.</center> You could see it in his comeback against Light in GomTV1, in his almost too good to be true 6-0 tear through GomTV1 semis and finals. You can see it in him calling Hwasin “insurance” in the Daum OSL group selection and then humiliating him with Scouts. Most of all, you can see it his clutch stasis against Stork in the decisive GomTV2 finals game 5.
Protoss dominance had arrived. Bisu, the Revolutionary, changed the game.
It is a week before the July-GoRush GomTV2 MSL quarterfinal. The winner would go on to face Bisu in the semifinals. The match was a mere formality, after all, they were just two Zerg.
The Heroless Age?
The Legacy Will End With Me
Despite his ambiguous bonjwa status, Bisu did shortly dominate the scene and display the charisma and presence expected of a BroodWar hero. Come 2008, we had several BroodWar monsters stomping around the scene, many "heroes" in a class of their own, far above the rest. Gone was the time when there was one king of the game, one "bonjwa", but rather a whole host of kings clashing with a ferocity and level of skill that no one would have imagined possible in the BoxeR era.
There was something mystical about the age of heroes that is now all but gone. While there are great plays, while magic does happen, most games are standard macro build against standard macro build. The "heroes" of today aren't wizards, gods, or magicians like Kingdom, Casy, and Chojja. They are robots capable of destroying any other player on any given day. There is a different intensity now, a different experience, and I would submit that it may be a bit less spectator friendly. Without statistics to substantiate it, I make my claim cautiously. By no means is the improved macro of players ruining the fun of StarCraft, it's just changing it. As far as I can see, the fun is a bit more technical, more suitable for those who have been in the scene and have a good understanding of the game.
Keep in mind there are many reasons for this. Iloveoov's macro revolution brought the game away from crazy and flashy micro builds to standardized macro heavy build orders capable of crushing the opponent with giant armies before they know what's happening. Compare the schedule of progamers now to progamers in the age of BoxeR and NaDa. In the age of heroes, BoxeR could sit down and practice for one series for an extended period of time. He could come up with genius builds to counter his opponents exact playing style, whereas now a player is far better suited to use one of many standard cookie-cutter builds and rely on his mechanics to get him a win. The modern player simply doesn't have the time in his schedule to come up with something totally unique, he only has time to win.
KTF's FlaSh dominated 2008 netting a GOM and OSL win, but was stopped short often in proleague by Jaedong, who won the MSL that year and the OSL in the previous year. Stork dominated everyone in early rounds of starleagues and was a proleague monster for Samsung KHAN. FlaSh and Jaedong that year stomped all over proleague and held a short lived but strong rivalry. Jaedong won the following GOM tournament, July made a surprise comeback into the OSL, and fOrGG dominated FlaSh and Jaedong in the MSL.
Who was bonjwa? Who was our king to be? Perhaps the era of revolution was over. Everything had been done, everything had been thought of. Now it was time for a younger generation with supreme mechanics to take the ideas of the old heroes, make small innovations, and battle with a level of skill that still blows my mind. The closest thing to a Bonjwa in this small period, FlaSh, was still vulnerable to an entire host of players. He consistently lost to players like Stork, Jaedong, fOrGG, and Bisu.
Jaedong is the best player of our era, there's no denying. While I feel personally FlaSh at his peak is better than any player in history and his full potential will never be topped, the fact is Jaedong has posted 3 OSL victories, 1 MSL victory, ProLeague MVP, and the most ridiculous ZvZ statistics to ever be seen. However, he's never a sure bet, he's never a lock for the finals and he often goes into 1-2 week slumps. In fact, Stork has a winning record against him and he has dropped series to the likes of FlaSh and fOrGG. If I saw some amateur knock him out in the Ro64 I wouldn't be the least bit surprised, only disappointed. If NaDa didn't at least make the semi-finals at his peak, it would have shocked and apalled everyone watching. NaDa was in an S-Class of 4-5 players. Jaedong is in a double-digit S-Class where A-Class players often go above their own "skill level" and play A-Class games. Look at Pure's PvTs in early 2009, Thezergs play in the Ever 2008 OSL, Light's TvT's in proleague. These "weaklings" often defeat our "gods". At the moment, Jaedong is the closest thing we have to a hero, to a bonjwa, but there is something different about him. He hasn't revolutionized the game, he isn't a genius, he's just really damn good. He's a hero of mechanics, but he doesn't have the personality to carry the scene.
If anyone could be defined as bonjwa it would be him; however his lack of personality and the competition that faces him has kept him from the hero status that even a less dominant player such as Bisu held. Jaedong hasn't done too much to revolutionize zerg beyond sAviOr's innovations besides perfecting what the maestro had laid out for him. Bisu is known as the revolutionist and while he may never have the statistics of Jaedong; his charm, game changing play, and legendary status propel him onto that hero echelon that Jaedong stands so near to. Yet, he is still not what we would call a bonjwa. Where are we without a Bonjwa's dominance or a Hero's charm?
What we are left with is something of a "Bonjwa Squad", what most of us would call the S-Class. These are the players that all have the potential to win a StarLeague and consistently show strong results. FlaSh, Jaedong, and Bisu are easily the most skilled and talented players in the history of BroodWar. FlaSh revolutionized TvP and almost every build is now based on his fast upgrade style, but it's not the same as NaDa's tornado terran and Iloveoov's macro revolution. Jaedong changed the confidence of zerg and showed that with strong mechanics and multitask, the mutaling combination is to be feared by any race. Bisu is the last hero to stay strong into the new era but he cannot be what he once was because he cannot dominate.
Is he the one?
This class extends beyond the grasp of the three neo-kings, FantaSy has what it takes to become a hero, but the fact is that he will still lose to Jaedong. He will still lose to Stork's beast PvT. He will still lose to FlaSh. He is by no means guaranteed to win an OSL or MSL, in fact these past few years have seen more consistent upsets than any other. FantaSy is the player that has the personality, the creativity, and the wits to be a hero; but not the results. While the true essence of a hero is the unique nature of his play (and FantaSy's valkyrie build certainly qualifies under that standard) FantaSy hasn't dominated the scene to be a hero like the 4 bonjwa's were or even their lesser counterparts nal.rA, YellOw, Kingdom, and the likes of them. Could FantaSy be the face we're looking for?
Stork, Calm, EffOrt, YARNC, Luxury, Iris, BeSt, Jangbi, Mind; these players pop back and forth from A to S-Class. All of them have the potential to win a series against the big three, all of the have the potential to win a StarLeague and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if a player like Jangbi, Mind, Stork, or EffOrt won a starleague this year. That's how this era works. That's what this is. This is an era without a hero; because there are too many people capable of being one.
We transition to a future that is uncertain; StarCraft 2 is bound to hit soon with unforeseen consequences for the BroodWar scene. Will BroodWar die? Will both games co-exist as equals or will SC2 dominate on it's release? Looking into the future can be very frightening for some E-Sports fanatics, but I say there is nothing to fear.
Look into the crystal ball...
An Uncertain Future
The S-Classer With The Most "S"
A sport without a hero is a sport without a face, without a soul, without an essence. However how can you call a sport dead when the players are better than ever? Rumors of BroodWar losing popularity in Korea come about and we can only speculate as to why. While I would submit the lack of a face is an important aspect as well as KESPA's overly bureaucratic approach to regulation, a lot has changed and many of us might find this for the better. Skill has skyrocketed from the days of GARIMTO and TheMarine.
While this high skill level makes for the best games we've seen in years, it has to some extent drained the sport of it's personality. Goofy hairstyles, absurd trash-talking, big costumes, and bigger egos once were a huge part of E-Sports. While KESPA has cleaned all that up as of late, a bit of the charisma is gone, players have become macro robots playing 3-5 games a week (including series games) perhaps losing a bit of their soul in the practice room. But there is no doubt about the high levels of skill shown in the play. These macro wars are in many ways every bit as satisfying as BoxeR's old games.
Just think how far we've come from Grrr.... vs H.O.T-Forever to Jaedong vs FantaSy. Skill has increased absurdly even from the days when sAviOr and NaDa dominated the scene. FlaSh, Jaedong, Stork, and Bisu have pushed the game to it's absolute mechanical limit. With enough collective APM to pay off the US debt to China these young players have revolutionized the way we think about the game. BoxeR's flair and power were incredible to see in 2002, but these builds are simply reflected by great micro. Most creative builds work against a player with bad mechanics, two players working with limited physical dexterity, forced to rely on their great wit to win. Compare that to a modern TvZ: two players with premapped well known build-orders, in a war of multi-tasking, unit production, and large-scale army micro.
A relic of a time gone by...
These games are breathtaking works of art, just as much as BoxeR's micro revolution in the early millenium. They are giant waves of space vikings crashing against a storm of zergling brood, massive production facilities capable of reinforcing a tank squad in seconds flat. Who knows what BoxeR could have done with mechanics like these, perhaps we see a bit of it in FantaSy; but still, players know what wins them the game at the end of the day. Good mechanics, good macro, good multi-task.
Just look at who we may consider to be the most important player of these past few years. Lee Jae Dong is not an incredibly tactical player, nor is he an incredibly creative player, like Plexa said, he's just so perfect in his execution that nothing works against him. He is an immovable wall and an unstoppable force, because of his hands. Because of his skills. Not because of his wits and innovation.
Thus the game becomes more and more entertaining to those who truly appreciate it, to those who play and understand it. Let me use the analogy of a drum solo. As a percussionist myself, the most technically impressive drummer brings me the most excitement. A load of new techniques to assimilate into my arsenal, pushing the limits of what can be done, and showing me something I never thought possible. A simple and melodic drummer will entertain the masses but is not as exciting (although appreciated) to those who are well versed in the craft. Perhaps StarCraft games have lost a bit of their mass appeal, becoming more and more focused toward an audience that can appreciate the delicacy of the mechanical involvement as well as the intricacy and force of the macro-game.
Is BroodWar dying? No, it's becoming less marketable in Korea and this should not be a surprise or downer for anyone. For one thing, KESPA's policies could easily change and bring a lot of disenfranchised fans back into the sport. Unfortunately we do live in an age of a faceless game, where there is no hero, where there is no korean superman. However, the foreign scene seems to have taken the opposite direction...
Hello, this is Nick "Tasteless" Plott...
The GOMtv Star Invitational was the first Korean "StarLeague" to be casted in english to the world. While the GOMtv tournaments weren't that popular in Korea, Nick Plott's colorful and simplistic commentary attracted foreigners of all skill-levels to watch the tournament and brought a whole host of new and non-korean speaking viewers to the table. While many of these viewers merely watched GOM and then trailed off, many came to TeamLiquid and grew to love the OSL/MSL/ProLeague and everything surrounding the scene. One of those viewers was myself.
While I can't speak for everyone, I can speak of the impact GOMtv had on me. I had a friend by the name of Dana who watched professional StarCraft on occasion, a game I had not even picked up since the vanilla version. He gave me the link to GOMtv and eventually I caved in at watched. While I didn't really understand the game, the humor of Tasteless, and exciting nature of the action kept me involved as a viewer. I purchased BroodWar, started watching old VODs, and before long here I was on TeamLiquid writing articles and posting like a madman. I'll never forget turning GOMtv on in the school computer lab, barely listening to Tasteless out of one speaker as FlaSh crushed Anytime in a dominating series. As far as I see it, the foreign scene is growing bigger while the Korean scene is perhaps growing smaller. KESPA's idiocy, the dropping of many sponsors/name changes within a year, (KTF, OGN, Lecaf, and HanbitSoft) and the lack of personality (the lack of a hero) in the current scene today may all be contributing and warning factors of a scene stagnating or heading toward stagnation.
TeamLiquid has grown exponentially, hosting it's own StarLeague, a popular Fantasy League, getting Korean progamers on TeamLiquid attack, hosting bigger and bigger events at WCG and Blizzcon, gaining more insider access into the Korean scene, and expanding as a forum while we move into the era of StarCraft II. The foreign scene continues to grow in many ways; WCG/Blizzcon has also grown with each installment. Foreign players have gotten better and better as we have seen both IdrA and nonY on CJ and eSTRO respectively and the rumors that eSTRO is going to take ret have been spreading like wildfire. With the death of GOM I'm not sure how many more foreigners can be brought into the professional scene so easily and concisely, but doubtless the following has increased exponentially since the days of SlayerS_BoxeR.
StarCraft 2 will see the emergence of a new hero. Who will reclaim the throne of E-Sports King. A man who will dominate the game and show us how it's played. We fear change but soon we will all applaud when a new emperor takes his rightful seat above us all. Those of us who came in the godless era will finally know what it is like to witness a hero in action. Don't fear change. Embrace it.
This isn't death, it's evolution.
Last edit: 2009-10-18 15:59:26
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DoctorHelvetica United States. October 10 2009 19:10. Posts 6336
(ﾟ∀ﾟ) (ﾟ∀ﾟ) | #1 sAviOr[gm] fan! & #2 Fantasy fan! | (ﾟ∀ﾟ) (ﾟ∀ﾟ) | Brigade chief of the "Loli is not a crime" Brigade! | Current number of members: 8!!! | Newest Member: So no fek! (￣▽￣)ノ
{88}iNcontroL USA. October 10 2009 19:10. Posts 22028
You'd think the best player that ever played the game would be mentioned here.
I don't know how you can be uninspired watching he who apparently must not be named play. Its interesting because I'm pretty sure all these players are inspired by said person.
Last edit: 2009-10-10 19:43:02
"After wrestling bears, you're not much of a challenge"
DoctorHelvetica United States. October 10 2009 19:45. Posts 6336
On October 10 2009 19:42 keV. wrote: You'd think the best player that ever played the game would be mentioned here.
I don't know how you can be uninspired watching he who apparently must not be named play. Its interesting because I'm pretty sure all these players are inspired by said person.
I didn't wanna write about Combat-Ex to avoid drama, sorry.
PM me or konadora to join the "loli is not a crime" club | Yuri is loev <3
keV. United States. October 10 2009 19:47. Posts 1407
On October 10 2009 19:42 keV. wrote: You'd think the best player that ever played the game would be mentioned here.
I don't know how you can be uninspired watching he who apparently must not be named play. Its interesting because I'm pretty sure all these players are inspired by said person.
I didn't wanna write about Combat-Ex to avoid drama, sorry.
Thats cute.
Its a great article, but I cannot see any conceivable reason why you omit Jaedong, just seems completely retarded to me. I think your definition of hero is ridiculously subjective and in no way the standard. It is your article to be fair. Just saying.
"After wrestling bears, you're not much of a challenge"
DoctorHelvetica United States. October 10 2009 19:48. Posts 6336
On October 10 2009 19:42 keV. wrote: You'd think the best player that ever played the game would be mentioned here.
I don't know how you can be uninspired watching he who apparently must not be named play. Its interesting because I'm pretty sure all these players are inspired by said person.
I didn't wanna write about Combat-Ex to avoid drama, sorry.
Thats cute.
Its a great article, but I cannot see any conceivable reason why you omit Jaedong, just seems completely retarded to me. I think your definition of hero is ridiculously subjective and in no way the standard. It is your article to be fair. Just saying.
I wrote about Jaedong a lot, probably more than any player in the entire article. I don't consider him the face of BroodWar or a hero of E-Sports sorry. His games aren't uninspiring and I never insinuated that.
Usually opinions are subjective so I'm fine with that observation.
Last edit: 2009-10-10 19:50:35
PM me or konadora to join the "loli is not a crime" club | Yuri is loev <3
keV. United States. October 10 2009 19:51. Posts 1407
On October 10 2009 19:42 keV. wrote: You'd think the best player that ever played the game would be mentioned here.
I don't know how you can be uninspired watching he who apparently must not be named play. Its interesting because I'm pretty sure all these players are inspired by said person.
I didn't wanna write about Combat-Ex to avoid drama, sorry.
Thats cute.
Its a great article, but I cannot see any conceivable reason why you omit Jaedong, just seems completely retarded to me. I think your definition of hero is ridiculously subjective and in no way the standard. It is your article to be fair. Just saying.
I wrote about Jaedong a lot, probably more than any player in the entire article. I don't consider him the face of BroodWar or a hero of E-Sports sorry.
I was pretty inspired after the Batoo starleague...
"After wrestling bears, you're not much of a challenge"
Fish_Baguettes Australia. October 10 2009 19:52. Posts 361
Finally finished reading all of that, and damn was that a good read! Very inspirational and informative.
Maybe one day in the future there will be a player who is extremely ahead of the pack and sit on the bonjwa throne again, but ever since the fall of sAviOr it has practically been a warring states period in the korean starcraft pro scene - no one has been able to state a claim of ownage over the title just like your article said =(
DoctorHelvetica United States. October 10 2009 19:53. Posts 6336
On October 10 2009 19:42 keV. wrote: You'd think the best player that ever played the game would be mentioned here.
I don't know how you can be uninspired watching he who apparently must not be named play. Its interesting because I'm pretty sure all these players are inspired by said person.
I didn't wanna write about Combat-Ex to avoid drama, sorry.
Thats cute.
Its a great article, but I cannot see any conceivable reason why you omit Jaedong, just seems completely retarded to me. I think your definition of hero is ridiculously subjective and in no way the standard. It is your article to be fair. Just saying.
I wrote about Jaedong a lot, probably more than any player in the entire article. I don't consider him the face of BroodWar or a hero of E-Sports sorry.
I was pretty inspired after the Batoo starleague...
Yep. He is definitely the best player at the moment and is far closer to bonjwa status to anyone since sAviOr lost it.
Seems like you just don't think I gave Jaedong enough credit when I would describe him as the most frightening monster to ever exist. Stats aren't enough. He really isn't a very creative/interesting player or person. I love watching his games though because the level of multi-task and mechanical prowess is jaw dropping.
PM me or konadora to join the "loli is not a crime" club | Yuri is loev <3
John49ers United States. October 10 2009 19:53. Posts 200
Damn that was a good read. I couldn't keep my eyes away from it.
“The beauty of Bill's system was that there was always a place to go with the ball, ... I was the mailman, just delivering people's mail, and there were all kinds of houses to go to.”-Joe Montana
DoctorHelvetica United States. October 10 2009 19:54. Posts 6336
On October 10 2009 19:52 Fish_Baguettes wrote: Finally finished reading all of that, and damn was that a good read! Very inspirational and informative.
Maybe one day in the future there will be a player who is extremely ahead of the pack and sit on the bonjwa throne again, but ever since the fall of sAviOr it has practically been a warring states period in the korean starcraft pro scene - no one has been able to state a claim of ownage over the title just like your article said =(
If Jaedong doesn't slump this season it will be pretty hard not to call him Bonjwa. The only problem is players like Bisu/Fantasy/Flash/Stork are very close to that level of skill.
Alot of people don't realize just how much better sAviOr was than everyone else at his peak. When there are 3 or more players that can take you on a series and easily be favorites to win you're not a bonjwa.
Just imo Jaedong doesn't have the personality, the creativity, or the "it" factor required. He is a beast on screen but I wouldn't even rank him with the likes of GARIMTO or nal.rA when it comes to heroics.
Also I'm not convinced he's better than FlaSh at his peak. Never forget 2008.
Last edit: 2009-10-10 19:56:26
PM me or konadora to join the "loli is not a crime" club | Yuri is loev <3
DoctorHelvetica United States. October 10 2009 19:04. Posts 6336![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/DoctorHelvetica/smghp2.jpg)
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konadora 
Singapore. October 10 2009 19:10. Posts 22172
{88}iNcontroL 
USA. October 10 2009 19:10. Posts 22028
well done.
2Pacalypse- Croatia. October 10 2009 19:14. Posts 184
DIMJkE Bulgaria. October 10 2009 19:14. Posts 421
nttea Sweden. October 10 2009 19:26. Posts 1150
Suc Australia. October 10 2009 19:30. Posts 565
PH United States. October 10 2009 19:37. Posts 3638
John49ers United States. October 10 2009 19:53. Posts 200
