[Interview] Code A Ro32 Day 1 2012 GSL Season 4

Source: This Is Game

Tell us how you feel about making it to the third round.

I am so happy because I was able to win today. I am going to work really hard in order to ensure that I get past the final round and get in to Code S.

If there had to be a reason as to why you are better this year than last year?

I've been practicing more and more these days. Last year, I wasn't able to practice a lot. I was able to produce good results because I worked at it.

You showed an aggresive style early on.

It wasn't a strategy that I had prepared before hand but I had this feeling that it was going to work so I improvised and went for it. But it is true that I was mentally shaken up when it failed. Since I lost the first game, I got a hold of myself for game two and focused. I told myself that as long as I can grab game two, I would be able to grab game three.

In game three, the beginning consisted of crossed build orders.

I knew I had won as soon as I saw his blink stalkers. I can't help but think that the victory may have been too easy.

You only have one more match before advancing to Code S.

I've never been to Code S before so I plan on working really hard so that I can step on the Code S stage this time.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank my parents for always cheering me on and my Protoss teammates for practicing with me. Lastly, I want to thank our sponsors Lotte, RAZER, and partner MYM.

Source: This Is Game

How do you feel about making it to the third round?

I was expecting to go through a hard time since it was a mirror match up, but I was able to win because I planned out my builds well.

If you had to evaluate today's match?

TvTs are all about the battle of build orders so the minute your build orders get crossed, the victor gets decided. I think that's why it was such a simple victory.

Even though you played well today, you failed to make it through the MLG qualifiers last week.

My games just didn't go that well (laughs).

What are your goals for this season?

Getting in to Code S in my goal. I want to play my matches at a higher level.

It seems like you've gained more confidence than before. Has anything changed?

I'm still not there yet. I don't think anything particular has changed since I feel like I'm the same as before. Personally, I find mirror matches to be the toughest.

Your TvT results have been the worst lately.

Every match I had, it felt like all my opponent had build orders ready to match the ones that I prepared. I think luck was just not on my side.

Your next opponent is JYP.

He is a really good player during practice but since this is a televised match I think I'll be able to take the victory (laughs).

Anything else you would like to say?

I am so happy since I was able to win in a match up that I considered was my worst. I want to thank the hyungs who helped me with practice and our sponsors OCZ and Tt eSports.

Source: This Is Game

Tell us how you feel about winning your match today.

To start off, I feel good. Last season, I disappointingly fell in the third round. That's why this time I want to make it no matter what.

Your timing attack in game one was outstanding.

It was a planned build to poke at him. It wasn't like YoDa played bad or anything. I grabbed a timing that I think any other Terran would have also fallen victim to.

In game two, you macroed up to a brood lord/ling composition.

Since the map was Antiga Shipyard, if the Terran sets up a planetary fortress in the middle of the map, there's no choice but to muscle your way through. I was already planning on grabbing brood lords even with late eight gases. I originally wasn't planning on getting brood lords but his early game banshee/hellion harass forced me to. And for the end result, it was actually the right choice. I decided to attack with my brood lords after I saw the proper opening and it worked well.

We want to know some updates about you. Seems like you've been rocking the online tournaments lately.

I'm currently participating in NASL, IPL Fight Club, and a European tournament. The lag is pretty bad on the EU server but I still grab my victories. I seem to go head to head with Nerchio a lot. IPL Fight Club was broadcasted today and I am currently at a nine set winning streak. But I really do hate EU server tournaments. The lag is so bad that I get really angry because I can't even dodge my opponent's banelings even though I see them coming.

You won't be able to attend the MLG Fall Championship since you were eliminated from the qualifiers.

I've been doing so well lately that I got overconfident for the MLG qualifiers. Since I had so many obligations before the qualifiers I just told myself "well, I if i can just put in a certain amount of effort I should be able to advance." I didn't use any build orders that I knew I should be using and just went with the flow. Thank to that, I made critical mistakes. It was really disappointing.

In the next round you will face Vampire.

I think it will be easy. I have the most confidence in my ZvPs. I feel confident but I am going to make sure I don't get overconfident like I did for the MLG qualifiers. I won't underestimate my opponent and make sure I work hard so I can advance through.

Anything else you would like to say?

In order to prepare for my game one against YoDa, Center helped me out a lot. I think I'm going to have to buy him something delicious in order to show my gratitude. We kept talking about what kind of scenarios would occur and Center guessed it right. I hope Center gets to read this interview.

Source: This Is Game

You successfully made it to the third round.

This was my first victory for TvP in a while so I am really happy. Since I made it the third round, I am going to work hard so taht I can make it to Code S.

All in all, your games weren't really that difficult.

I had an afternoon match so there weren't any background noises while I was in my booth. I think I was able to focus because of that. I can't help but think my games went so well because of that.

In the next round, you have to face fellow teammate Squirtle.

I think it's going to be a really hard game, and I also think I will be heading to the Up/Downs. I always lose against him during our practices, but I will prepare to the best of my abilities and work hard so I can make it to Code S.

If you do end up falling to the Up/Downs, who do you think will be the player who keeps you from making it Code S?

Since all the players in the Up/Downs hasn't been decided yet, for now, I will just focus on getting myself in to Code S and not think about the Up/Downs.

It won't be long before you have to play your third round match.

I seem to climb up another round every season. So I can't help but think maybe I'll make it to Code S this season since I made it to the third round last season. I'm also feeling really good about this.

How do you spend your days?

I didn't have a lot of time to practice back when I was preparing for WCG and WCS preliminaries, but nowadays I have so much time on my hands that it's tiring. But I still think it's good to have a lot of time to practice like this.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank Avenge, Han Jae Woon, and PartinG for practicing with me, and I want to thank our sponsors Red Bull, ZOWIE, Joy Gear, and BenQ

Source: This Is Game

Tell us how you feel about advancing to the third round.

My entry to Code S hasn't been decided yet but I am still happy because I was able to win like this.

How did you prepare for today's match?

Genius hyung tends to play macro style so I used strategies that would match that style but after losing to him in game one, I switched up my strategy for game two. I wasn't confident in my macro but I ended up winning game three as well.

Wasn't there a dangerous situation in game three when your one hit army attack got blocked?

I knew I was in a disadvantageous situation after that got blocked but I figured I could turn it around as long as I defended against his one hit attack.

You will face Heart for the next round.

I think TvTs bring on less stress than PvPs so I think I'll be fine. I came over a huge obstacle in Genius hyung so I think I'll be able to easily advance to Code S.

What if you fall to the Up/Downs?

The games are really tight but personally the Up/Downs is something I want to experience at least once. But still, I really do want to go straight to Code S (laughs).

Is there a player who is exceptional or a role model to you?

Personally, my role model is TaeJa. He's a player I highly value.

How are the games for MLG vs ProLeague?

Foreign players have different perspectives than we do but I don't think there's that much of a difference. If I get the chance for it I definitely want to attend an overseas tournament.

Anything else you would like to say?

I bought some meat for Bong and Choi Sung Il and yet they didn't help me with practice. Those two guys don't know how to be grateful (laughs).

Source: This Is Game

You made it to the third round.

I had to go through a team kill so I can't say I am happy. But since I made it this far, I am going to work hard.

Overall you slowly lead on ByuN through your pace.

ByuN hyung's style is to macro up a lot so I prepared by matching his style. I think I also had a lot of luck follow me.

Since this was a team kill, preparing for it must have been difficult.

As soon as ByuN hyung found out that we had to go through a team kill, he went home to practice. Therefore, we didn't have any discomfort.

Your schedule will get really busy since you also have WCS coming up soon.

I think the more tournaments I participate in, the better it is. Personally, I wish it would get even tougher for me (laughs).

You had to face a lot of Terran players for the MLG qualifiers and yet, today was also a Terran opponent.

I think playing all those PvTs really helped me out for today's match. Defeating all those Terrans helped me to win my match today.

WCS player roster was released.

I think it's going to be a difficult match. I'm going to do my best to ensure that I grab a positive result. I think I'll be fine as long as I calmly approach my matches with the mind set that I'm playing on ladder. I was able to make it to the finals because I advanced out as Korea's #1 representative so I am going to my absolute best till the very end.

This will be your first overseas tournament.

I leave tomorrow so I am half excited half worried. I'm also going to China so I'm a little scared (laughs).

Who do you want to face in the next round?

I haven't faced MC yet so I would like it if MC could make it. And also personally, I prefer PvPs rather than PvTs.

Anything else you would like to say?

I hope ByuN hyung makes it to Code S through the Up/Downs. Since I had to defeat a fellow teammate to get to the third round, I will do my absolute best. Recently, I had some GOMTV audience member give me some chips during the GSTL so I want to thank them for that. Lastly, I want to thank our sponsors OCZ and Tt eSports.

Source: This Is Game

You only have one more round before you can go to Code S.

Since my second round opponent was MC hyung, I just came to this match with the anticipation that I was going to play a learning match, but then I was able to win like this so I am happy. Since I was able to win, looks like I'm going to have to head straight to Code S.

How did you prepare for today's match?

Since I knew what kind of player MC hyung was, instead of specially preparing something, I did a lot of image training. Overall, my games just went really well.

Your next opponent will be Creator.

If I increase the amount of practice I have to do, I should be able to win. This isn't an online tournament so everyone's dedication will be about the same. If I have just a bit of luck regarding the maps, I should be able to grab my Code S spot.

In Creator's interview, he stated that he would like to face MC.

(엄살부리는 것 같다?) These days, I lost most of my TvPs on ladder. If it's not a mirror match, everything else is OP. Normally I am not the type of guy to QQ over these matters but my situation has been really bad as of late so it's time for me to start QQing.

Which part is the hardest for you?

Creator's upgraded Protoss strategy is really tough and Rain's warp prism plays are also really powerful. I especially think the warp prism plays are the most frustrating since you have to think so many more things. TvZs became more harder with the overlord/queen buff. The overlord speed upgrade personally gives me the most stress.

Your MvP score is not the best.

I think it's because I can't really calm down since it's an online tournament. Also, my opponents are really good. It's also hard on me since the matches are at morning times.

Recently, coach Hong went over the the managerial position.

I've known him since a long time ago so it's not really that different for me. If I had to pick one thing, I guess I would say that the silly times have increased than when manager Hwanni was there.

Seems like your performance has gotten better lately. You must have different expectations than other people.

When I was in Code S, I figured this is a place that I absolutely belong in. But lately, I haven't been able to make it to Code S at all lately. That's why I've been feeling greedy to get in to Code S lately and the thought that I have to do better than all the other players is really strong. If I do make it to Code S, I want to make it at least to the Ro8 so that I can remain in Code S for next season.

Anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank my parents and fans for always cheering for me. I want to thank our sponsors Raid Call, MSI, EIZO, and Steelseries. I also want to welcome our manager Patrick to Korea and congratulate coach Hong for becoming a manager.

Source: This Is Game

Tell us how you feel about making it to the third round.

I had no intention of getting eliminated in the second round. I am glad that my games went well but I had to defeat a dongsaeng I value highly so it hurt me to do that.

Did you prepare anything special for today's match?

I had never shown my ZvT before so I wanted to make sure I showed a performance with no mistakes but I ended up making a ton of them. So I'm not really satisfied right now.

Seems like your play style was aimed at exposing Ryung's weaknesses.

Since I was the one who grabbed the initiative, I can't help but wonder if the match was a bit too easy or not.

Within the KeSPA players who started SC2, you seem to be one of the few who participates in a lot of tournaments from the get go.

Ever since I just focused on SC2, I've been able to get really comforable mentality wise. I'm going to busy this season so I won't be able to show a great performance but if I will work hard so that I can do it once that day comes.

Your next opponent will be DRG.

I figured it would be really hard if I made it to the third round. But I think it's okay since he's someone I knew I'd have to face one day. I think this will be good experience for me since people say I am weak at ZvZ.

WCS roster was released. How far are your goals?

Instead of getting greedy about making it far, I want to just focus on gathering valuable experience while I'm playing in the WCS.

You are ranked 9th currently in the MvP ranking.

I'm feeling really greedy for the MLG. I thought I was lessening my losses but the KeSPA players are so good that my results aren't looking really good right now. I did my best but the KeSPA players are just too good so there was nothing I could do about that.

What do you think about the MvP matches?

I don't have any difficulties since they go on while I'm at the team house. I thought foreign players would play unorthodox styles but they don't really do anything different than us Korean do so I have lost to them. This is my first time facing foreigners so it's good experience for me.

One more victory and then you'll be in Code S.

I was really nervous because I didn't want to get eliminated in the first round but since I secured the Up/Downs I think I'll be fine from here on out.

This will be your first ever Up/Downs if you end up going there so it will probably bring a lot of pressure on you.

There are a lot of games so I think I will be tired. But I want to play as many televised matches as I can so I don't think it will be bad to at least experience it once.

You must not have a lot of practice time because of your hectic schedule.

I'm not the type to practice a lot so it's not that big of a deal for me (laughs). But whenever I do get the chance, I practice hard.

You are not getting to actually experience the GSL. What are your thoughts?

There's a league like Code S so I am greedy for it. I was able to get to the third round so I feel confident and there's not much time till my next match so I've found a lot of motivation.

Anyone you particularly want to face?

I used to be confident in my ZvPs but then I lost to Creator. That's why if I meet him for the WCS, I want to grab revenge.

Anything else you would like to say?

Ryung has stated that he never loses in the Up/Downs. I'm going to work hard so that I can get in to Code S and make sure that we both cheer each other on so that we can both make it. I hope Ryung makes it to Code S.