StarTale_PartinG
Source: This Is Game
Now that you've reached the round of 8, how do you feel?
Back when people were saying that I was going to become a champion, I suffered a big loss at the hands of Mvp-hyung in the GSL semifinals. At the time, I felt sure that I wouldn't lose, but I remember that that was the first time that a Terran player had brought me down to my knees after I had beaten many of the best Terrans in the world. Afterwards, I learned not to become so overconfident, and that is why I was able to win today. Because I felt like I was able to get revenge for that time, I feel great.
You managed to reach the quarterfinals after winning an elimination match.
At first, I was planning to win all of my games. However, I wasn't able to play as well against Flying-hyung as I had prepared to do. Too many thoughts were floating around in my head as I was playing, and that's what made me lose. I felt that after I had lost to Leenock-hyung as well, and I believed back then that my skills weren't good enough. But I went into the mindset that all that mattered was that I advanced, so I quickly regained my composure.
How far have you progressed through your revenge scenario?
Now that I managed to put Mvp to sleep in the OSL, I'm about 80% satisfied. Now, there's only Flying left. The only opportunity we have to meet is in the final, so I definitely want to reach the final and get my revenge.
You won today's game more comfortably than expected.
In the waiting room, Mvp tried using psychological warfare on me. He brought up the Code S semifinals and told me that he would go for his signature Jung Jong-King cheese rush. I hesitated a bit, but I decided to play my own way and perform a counterattack. My head was starting to fill up with thoughts because what Mvp had told me, but I went with a build that I don't usually use and easily won. I feel that I won the battle of the waiting room.
Do you still believe in the importance of psychological battles?
I felt that even back in the semifinals of that GSL. People were saying that I wasn't very good at playing mind games, so I was constantly worried.
You made it into the round of 8 with your own hands.
I had wanted to play against my senior, Flash, from the beginning, but I got matched up with Rain-hyung instead. I don't have a problem with playing against him, but I was slightly disappointed because I wasn't able to play against Flash.
Why are you so focused on Flash?
He is a player who aims for the peak. I feel it even in SC2. If I went up against him, I would be able to understand his play style and the way he practices. Because of that, I have a strong desire to play against him.
How do you think things will go with Rain in the quarterfinals? Your PvP does appear to be shaky.
I don't think that my PvP is weak. If I try my best, I can win. During my BW days, Rain-hyung would do things like letting me watch his games. Since we were able to meet like this in SC2, I want to play an entertaining match with him.
You've participated in a lot of tournaments recently.
I wanted to emerge victorious in all of the tournaments in which I played, especially the GSL and the OSL. But from there, I even fell out of Code S, so there's only the OSL left for me now. I want to make sure that I win this OSL.
Any last words?
I want to thank Bomber, Sparta, and Sound, my teammates at StarTale who practiced with me. I'm also grateful to Hack and Sting for giving me advice. I also want to thank Team Legion's Shuttle. AcE just got knocked out of Code A in Round 1, but I hope he doesn't feel too crushed. He's a cheerful hyung, so I would like him to keep on living cheerfully. I had a nosebleed during practice, so my coach called me to his room and gave me his own medicine. I'm very thankful to him, and I will pay him back with a victory. I want to return the favor. Finally, I would like to thank my sponsors, BenQ, Joy Gear, Zowie, and Red Bull.