[Interview] Code A Ro48 Day 2 2012 GSL Season 4

Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about making it to the second round of Code A?

If you lose in the Ro48, you have to go through the preliminaries again so I was so nervous because I was aware of that fact. I am so relieved that I was able to win like this.

How did you prepare for your match against Last?

I tried to find his VODs so I could study them but there really weren't that many. I was really worried because I didn't know his style so in order to make up for that, my Terran teammates practiced against me using all sort of styles possible so that I could be prepared for all kinds of situations.

You made a comeback in game one.

I knew that his economy was in a dire situation so I kept on hitting him. In the end, I was able to come out on top in the economy battle. Also, my opponent used his vikings very poorly so I was able to make a comeback.

In game two however, you allowed a comeback to occur.

I blocked the first attack so I was in the lead. I pretty much figured he was going for a 4 rax transition but then he caught me off guard with a mech transition. I was planing on ending it with banes/lings but I was so surprised when I saw he had hellions.

Do you think you'll make it to Code S?

If I can keep getting games like I did for game three, then I think I can make it.

Who would your rather face in the second round, Sang or SuHoSin?

I want to face a Protoss. I find it easier to prepare for ZvPs then ZvZs.

Were you feeling any pressure regarding losing to a KeSPA Terran?

I'm not a very well known player so I wasn't really feeling that pressured. My opponent was someone who has been doing well so I just viewed as as any other pro gamer as I prepared.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank my Terran teammates and Mexican player MajOr for helping me with practice. I want to thank my parents. our sponsor Sky Digital, and Polt hyung for coming with me today.

Source: This Is Game

You took down by.hero and made it to the second round.

Since I was up against a KeSPA player, I told myself that I had to win no matter what. I had practiced only a little so I was a little worried but I perfected the strategy I used in game one yesterday so I was able to come to the studio today with a calm mind.

If you had to evaluate your opponent's skill?

It was a daytime game and it was broadcasted only overseas so I think my opponent was feeling comfortable. However, he rushed his games so I was able to make comebacks.

You fell to Code A after losing the Up/Downs.

I thought I had an easy group. But then I ended up failing to get through so I was feeling really upset. I'm really good friends with Shine but he was the reason I failed to make it through Up/Downs so I think I'm going to have to discuss this with him (laughs).

How did you prepare for today's match?

I usually prepare through ladder. That's how I was practicing up for this time too but then Sirius advised me that I should go for an 11/11 for game one. He told me it was important to get on fire from the very first game so I did as he instructed and I think that's how I was able to make it to the second round like this.

Game two was pretty difficult. What was the reason?

My opponent's build was a build order that was really outdated but none the less, it was a build order that could take my mech build head on. Thankfully my opponent hit my expansions very poorly so I was able to make a good comeback.

Are you confident enough to make it to Code S?

I have to face MC in the second round so I am feeling a bit pressured. I'll have to approach this match with the mentality that I am going to get schooled. Recently the amount of practice I do has decreased but I think I'm going to have to kick it up again for this second round. If I can just get back to where I once was, I think I can make it to Code S.

It feels like your skills have dropped lately.

I think it's because I've been practicing less and less. I've been too focused on having fun instead of practicing but since I've woken up now it's time for me to focus on nothing but practicing again.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank our sponsors Raid Call, MSI, Steelseries, and EIZO. I want to thank Sirius for practicing with me and the fans. Since I haven't seen my parents in a while, I plan on vising them for Chosuk.

Source: This Is Game

How do you feel after taking out Noblesse and making it to the second round?

The fact that I don't have to go through the preliminaries again makes me so happy.

You scored a 2-0 victory. How were today's matches?

I started off with a disadvantage so I was in trouble but I worked hard so that I could achieve a comeback no matter what. Thanks to that, i was able to win. In game two, I think luck just followed me there so I won.

It must have been such a shame that you fell out in the Ro32 of Code S last season.

I think I underestimated Code S. I just kept thinking that I would do well and then I ended up falling. The Up/Downs were like three days before my finals performance so I think that's why I played so sluggishly. But I've woken up now so I don't think this will happen again.

How did you prepare for today's match?

I did a lot of sparring with Sting so I think that's how I was able to win today. Sting really helped me out a lot.

How do you spend your days these days?

I am practicing diligently. And I spend my days in the team house with the mentality that it is only a matter of time before I can rise to somewhere high again.

You will be leaving soon to participate in WCS Asia.

I plan on playing WCS Asia without feeling any kind of pressure. I'm going to work hard so I can focus on the global finals and win the championship. Since I already have a seed for WCS Asia, I'm just going to play this one comfortably as I enjoy it.

Your next opponent is fellow teammate ByuN.

ByuN hyung is so good at the game so I think it's going to be a really fun match. I hope the outcome doesn't affect our friendship, and I hope whoever loses can just be cool and admit the defeat and act like nothing's changed.

Are you confident that you'll make it to Code S?

Since I always have the Up/Downs, I am confident that I can make it to Code S.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank Sting and Hack for helping me with practice. I especially want to give a special thanks to Sting. Lastly, I want to thank our sponsor Ttesports.

Source: This Is Game

You took down jjakji and made it to the second round. How do you feel?

I don't know if it's because it had been such a long time since I had participated in an individual tournament or what but I was really nervous. I was also nervous because it was my first time on a stage but I decided not to be concerned about my opponent but to just focus on my plays.

How was your first experience at the GOMTV studio?

I think the environment is perfectly fine. I was able to focus purely on my game and not get distracted by the fans so it was good.

If you had to evaluate today's games?

Even though I blocked his medivac harassment early on, I was still just idly coping with the situation and then I got hit by the scv rush and gave him an advantage. Thankfully, I was able to get my head back in to the game so I was able to win.

You were getting praises for your cross matches but recently your results have been so and so.

I can't seem to show my true performances for both individual leagues and ProLeague and our team didn't even make it to the postseason so I don't seem to have the chances to show my true games.

If you had to evaluate your current results?

I used to get nervous a lot in my past matches but since I have been stacking up experiences I think those nerve issues have diminished a bit. Thanks to that, slowly my real skills are coming out.

How did you prepare for today's matches?

I prepared with the thought that I would win game one no matter what and that I would do an all in for game two. I was also well prepared for a game three so I figured if it did go to a game three, I would be able to advance to the second round.

Are you confident enough to make it to Code S?

I want to work hard so I can make it to Code S. From what I've heard, the Up/Downs are absolute hell. I want to make it to Code S and avoid the Up/Downs.

Give us your most recent updates.

As I practice a the team house, I am preparing for several tournaments. And I'm also a practice partner for Flying hyung because of the OSL. I am going to help Flying hyung to the best of my abilities so I really hope he wins the championship.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank the Terran players who helped me with practice and I want to say that I will win the rest of my games so I can make it to Code S.

Source: This Is Game

You fought till the end and made it to the second round.

This was my first televised match in a while so I was really nervous. I prepared heavily for game one on Antiga but I ended up losing so disappointingly so I wasn't feel great.

How did it feel to come back to playing in a televised match?

I think playing in a booth is more fun than just practicing back at the team house.

You lost disappointingly in game one to high templars. Were you shaken up mentally?

It did affect me a little but I did great build orders for games two and three so I didn't give up.

In game three, you even switched bases.

I didn't want to fall to the preliminaries so I played as safely as I could. If this was a game that I played back at the team house, I probably would have been more aggressive.

You rested for a very long time. How did you spend your time?

Whenever I had the time to, I would practice a lot. As I rested, I realized how valuable the GSL truly was.

If you had to evaluate your own skills?

I always say this but I am confident in my TvZs. If I can just perfect my TvTs, I should be fine.

Is there a specific opponent you would like to face for the next round?

I want to face OSL winner EffOrt. But I'm not going to view him as a different player just because he's a KeSPA player.

For a very long time, you haven't felt what Code S is like.

It's not certain whether or not I'll make it but in order to get back up there, I will do my absolute best.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank our sponsors FXO, RAZER, and coach Choya. A lot of Protoss players helped me with practice so I want to thank them. On October 1st, FXO will get three new players. I hope they come fully prepared for what's in store for them (laughs).

Source: This Is Game

You took down EffOrt and made it to the second round.

I heard EffOrt was really good at ZvTs so I was really nervous but I was able to win like this so I am happy.

You must have felt a heavy pressure for having to face a OSL champion.

Of course I was feeling the pressure.

In game two, you lost to a nydus cavern build.

I thought he was going to go for a long macro game, but then he opted to do a nydus build. As soon as I saw it I pretty much figured it was over. I had never fallen victim to that kind of build before.

You must have been mentally shaken up after your loss in game two.

I just thought to myself, one more game and I'm free.

Last season, you were eliminated in the Ro32.

I hadn't practiced enough. If I think about even right now, my games were not satisfactory.

If you had to evaluate your current skills?

I think it's about the same. Nothing's really changed from the past.

In the second round, you will face asd.

I hate TvTs so I'm not really confident. But I still plan on preparing extensively.

Your first match against a KeSPA player. How was it?

It was really cool because I got to face a KeSPA player like this, and also meaningful because I was able to win.

How likely will it be for you to make it to Code S for this season?

If I can just get past the second round, I should be able to easily make my way in to Code S.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank everyone who helped me with practice. I also want to thank the coach for giving me a lot of great advice before the match. Lastly, I want to thank our sponsor, Ttesports.

Source: This Is Game

You successfully made it to the second round.

This was my first GSL so I am really happy. I think my games go better at the MokDong studio for some reason. As I was warming up in the booth, I felt like my games were going to go well.

If you fall in the second round, there's a chance that you may fall to the preliminaries again.

Even if I have to go through the preliminaries again, I am confident enough that I'll make it again. For now, I'm just satisfied with my first victory.

Tell us how you feel after finishing your first match at the GOMTV studio.

Compared to the studio in YongSan, I wasn't nervous at all.

This was your first match against a foreigner. How was it?

I thought he was a really good player but as it turns out, not so much. I was a little disappointed to be honest.

Your performance in game two with warp prisms was impressive.

Even in my BW days, I really enjoyed using Shuttles. I think warp prisms are really good since they don't die easily with speed upgrades. I like to play a harassing style so I use drop plays, but I think it works even better for SC2.

Who would you like to face in the second round?

I really hope Killer makes it. Personally, I have a tough time with PvTs. Instead of PvTs, I would much rather prefer to play a PvP. I am confident that I won't lose in a mirror match because we'll have the same build orders.

How did you prepare for a foreigner opponent?

I didn't really prepare anything special. I just figured that if I practice up with my teammates and play with a calm mindset, I would be able to get a positive outcome.

If you had goals for this season?

My number one goal is to make it to Code S. I think I am fully capable of this.

How have you been spending your time after the end of ProLeague?

I just practice practice practice. Everyone is practicing right now.

Do you have anyone specific you want to face for the GSL?

If it's possible, I would like to face MC. My Zerg teammates would often tell me to just copy MC's style. That's why I really want to beat him at least once. I also would like to face GSL rank number one, DRG.

Source: SeeKeR's Got Game

Just so you know, after the way you treated me in our last interview, they had to pay me a lot to do this interview.

And you should know that they had to pay me to talk to you again. So it seems like we're even.

Whatever. How do you feel about making it to the second round?

It was easy. What else can I say? I was pretty much bored throughout the whole thing.

Okay, Mr. Jackass. You lost game two against Killer. You're not perfect.

I figured going undefeated in Code A as well would just be too unfair. I gave him game two so I could lift his spirits. ...And then I crushed it completely

How did you prepare for today's match?

I went over to the nearest adult video store and studied a ton of VODs. It really warmed me up and sped up my hands.

That's f*ing disgusting.

u mad bro?

Omfg... this is pointless.

Not really. I'm giving honest answers.

In the next round, you have to face Mini. How do you think it will go?

I guess you could say I will end up... *puts on sunglasses* minimizing him from the GSL. YYYYYEEEEAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!

Why do I even bother talking to you?

Your gf was willing to do so much more than that last night.

Okay f*ck this. Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank the fans for coming to cheer me on today. Even though they everyone and their mothers and your gf knew I was going to win automatically, it still meant a lot to me that they got worried after I lost game two. I want to thank my teammates for always getting me water, food, and massages whenever I demand it. Lastly, I want to thank the coach for paying my late rental fees after I shoved the receipts in his wallet last night.

Okay, we're done here, you can gtfo now.

Haha. I like you.

Fuck off.

---

In case you missed it, I created a satirical interview with Flash last time he won Code A qualifiers: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=368439
This is basically the continuation

Source: This Is Game

I would like to hear your thoughts on making it to Round 2 of Code A.

I will keep working hard even after reaching Round 2.

How would you rate today's match?

I think it was an easy match for me.

Your performance during the first set was a memorable one.

I was able to keep track of my opponent's movements by scanning, so I engaged after calculating his timings.

During the second set, you were caught off guard and defeated by Dark Templar.

If I did a Hellion drop, I could have easily won that game, but I prematurely thought that I'd won and grew overconfident. I'm irritated at myself.

Looking at your recent matches, it seems that you like to start by taking expansions and dragging things out into a long game.

I think it's my personal style. I think that in SC2, you have to prepare all sorts of builds, even those you aren't comfortable with. I think I've memorized every build for SC2, so I can now freely focus on the games [in my own way].

Even with the end of Proleague, you've had to deal with a busy schedule as of late.

I've got a match scheduled for early tomorrow morning. I have to go to Yongsan to play a match for an online tournament, but I would like to be able to play from where I live. I hope KeSPA reads this article and takes this into consideration.

You are set to play mini for the second round.

I'm not confident in my TvP, but I've been facing Protoss after Protoss recently. I'm not certain that I'll win, but I will try my best.

Recently, you and Rain have stood out as the best of the KeSPA players.

I think it's still too early to say that. After some more time passes by, I think we will find out who the best KeSPA players are.

How likely do you think it is that you will advance to Code S?

I want to do my best and move straight into Code S, but I feel that it will be difficult. I will try as hard as I can.

This is the first time in a long while that you've played in the GomTV studio since the GomTV Classic.

Because it's been such a a long time, the studio still feels new to me. But since I expect to come here often from now on, I think I will have to familiarize myself with this studio.

Is there a player whom you would like to play against in Code S?

I have no one in mind in particular. I want to take things step by step.

With the end of Proleague, you are able to focus fully on SC2.

I feel very good. Now that I'm able to focus on SC2, my skills have gone up, and I've become filled with confidence.

Through the MLG-KeSPA partnership, there will be an opportunity for the best KeSPA players to compete against foreigners. Do you feel confident that you'll win?

Foreign players have a unique play style, so I'm not very sure. I'll have to play to find out.