Five years ago, there was a team named GO with a coach named Cho. Coach Cho knew how to find and raise young players. GO had Xellos, Midas, Nal_rA, and GoRush. Coach Cho taught them to play without fear. So, when Xellos played, he'd make the GO face. Always. It looked like this: (–_–). Win or lose, (–_–). GO face meant "no fear."
But GO was not a wealthy team. Coach Cho had to use his players' prize money to buy food. GO watched as its fearless sons left home for richer teams. Coach Cho was sad, but found hope in a young boy who was born with the GO face, but didn't know how to scout. Coach Cho pointed at him and said, "one day, this boy will learn how to scout, and he will become the best Zerg that ever played." That boy's name was Ma Jae Yoon. You know him as Savior.
Four years ago, Ma Jae Yoon learned how to scout. He also learned how to win the MSL. Savior made the GO face, and won the MSL again. And again. Savior was happy. But Coach Cho was still struggling to buy food for his hungry players.
Three years ago, there was a food company that wanted to be a sponsor. It was fitting that they picked the hungriest team: GO. The company told GO "no limits." That meant Coach Cho would never have to worry about buying food again. That company's name was CJ. GO face became CJ face. It still meant the same thing. No fear.
Two years ago, a very different team named Samsung KHAN placed second in the Proleague Finals. Samsung had three very good and passionate players. Samsung's ace was a dependable Protoss named Stork. Next came a rising Terran named Braq. You may know him better as FireBatHero. Third was a young Protoss who had just burst on the scene. His name was Jangbi. These three never made the CJ face. When Samsung won, they showed it (^_^). When Samsung lost, they showed it even more (T_T). That year, CJ Entus played Samsung KHAN four times and only won once.
Two years ago, Savior lost to Braq in the MSL. Braq did a dance, and Savior was never the same. When playing Braq, Savior made a face like this: (O_O). Savior played scared. Savior lost. But Savior's teammates made the CJ face for him. When they beat Braq, they drew a pylon heart. It didn't mean "I love you."
One year ago, CJ Entus had two young kids in the TG-Intel Classic. One was a Zerg who lost to Tossgirl on Blue Storm. His name was Effort. The other was a Terran who was destroyed by Jangbi. His name was Skyhigh. These two played for CJ in Proleague. They tried to make the CJ face, but it looked like this: (O_O). They played scared. And they lost. A lot. But Coach Cho kept sending them in.
One year ago, Samsung KHAN sent their three players every match. They swept the entire Shinhan Proleague. Stork won an OSL. Jangbi was the next big thing. Coach January was happy. Samsung was happy (^_^). That year, CJ Entus played Samsung KHAN four times and didn't win once. Braq danced two more times. CJ's players watched Braq dance. They watched like this: (–_–).
This year, Samsung KHAN played their big three every match, again. And this year started out like any other year -- Samsung won (^_^). A lot. So Coach January kept sending Stork and Jangbi and Braq. She sent them in again and again. But a few months later, something changed. A few months later, Samsung didn't win as much. Samsung began to lose (T_T). A lot. They still made the playoffs, but in the final round, Samsung finished second to last. In their last few matches, Coach January sent in their young players together for the first time. Their names were Juni and Miracle. Their faces looked like this: (O_O). They played scared. And they lost.
This year, Coach Cho kept sending in his young players. But this year, their faces changed. CJ's kids didn't play scared. Five months ago, CJ won Winner's League. Skyhigh won four straight games to win in the finals. He won like Xellos used to win, like this: (–_–).
One week ago, CJ played Hite in the Proleague Playoffs. Skyhigh won twice against Hite's best player. When the match came down to single game, Coach Cho didn't send Savior. He sent Effort. And Effort won. He won like Savior used to win, like this: (–_–).
This week, CJ Entus plays Samsung KHAN in the Shinhan Proleague Playoffs. Samsung will send out three passionate veteran players. But they will also send out Juni and Miracle, who will look like this: (O_O). They will play scared, and they will lose.
This week, CJ Entus will not send out Ma Jae Yoon. CJ will send Effort, Skyhigh, and four other players who are now better than Savior. All six will wear the face Coach Cho taught them. They will play without fear, and they will win.
There is a reason why CJ doesn't have the same lineup every day. That reason will be on full display this weekend, when you watch Juni, Miracle, and Odin play for Samsung and then watch Effort, Skyhigh, Kwanro, and Movie play for CJ. Yes, CJ has harsh practice schedules and brutal B-team demotions. But CJ's true story is about unbreakable trust and leaps of faith. It's about old coaches who believe in young players and old aces who can step aside. It's about the next generation and the growth of teammates.
This weekend, two very different teams play each other. One is rising, and the other is falling. One is complacent and scared, and the other is hungry and has no fear. One is the past, and the other is the future.
Five years later, Coach Cho's kids are still hungry.
But not for food.
Shinhan Bank Proleague 08-09 Playoffs Week 2 2009-07-25 13:00 KST
At first, I only liked CJ because of the bandwagon effect and the fact that Savior was on the team. Now, I can understand why people admire CJ so much. I love how there are fresh (–_–) faces on CJ who can carry on the tradition of their seniors.
mmmmmm was funny to see the faces and all =D but Im going to keep being ^_^ when KHAN wins this match like when we won over STX and not even one people besides the KHAN fans believe in our team
Interesting setup to the article comparing Khan's O_O to CJ's -_-.
My issue with it is that it completely ignores Great's existence. Maybe because Great shatters the rhetoric of the article? Great's new, great plays it cool, and January's been putting him in all season alongside the veterans. He's also the guy who brought it home vs STX on day 1. Just like Skyhigh/Movie did. Kind of confused why Movie wasn't mentioned either. He's had some big snipes all year long and is as much an asset as Skyhigh in my op.
Overall, a fun article. Reminds me a lot of the article about CJ's team personality.
On July 24 2009 13:19 BisuBoi wrote: Interesting setup to the article comparing Khan's O_O to CJ's -_-.
My issue with it is that it completely ignores Great's existence. Maybe because Great shatters the rhetoric of the article? Great's new, great plays it cool, and January's been putting him in all season alongside the veterans. He's also the guy who brought it home vs STX on day 1. Just like Skyhigh/Movie did. Kind of confused why Movie wasn't mentioned either. He's had some big snipes all year long and is as much an asset as Skyhigh in my op.
Overall, a fun article. Reminds me a lot of the article about CJ's team personality.
Have you noticed that when he shows the line up he put a ^_^ face for great? He is acknowledging that this guy has the ability to win and he is on a high.
It's so weird rooting for Khan this season. Last season it was basically thinking how not to get upset, considering they had literally 4 aces(FBH/Jangbi/Stork/2v2 team). And this season basically no one even knows their players. I kind of like rooting for an underdog. There's no pressure.
January's been sending Juni and Miracle out for a while now, ever since they've really performed in the off-line prelims in the OSL/MSL. And January even sent great out in last season's finals, where he got owned by Leta. Sending young players out on the big stage has never been a problem for January.
More CJ blah blah bullshit, it will only make the victory sweeter. It's funny you don't mention Great, who did exactly what you describe this season and stepped up to win 2/2 crucial games against STX.
Even though I'm, obviously, a Samsung fan, I can respect a worthy opponent. So here's to you, CJ! Hopefully, when the time comes, Samsung and its fans will be as ^_^ as ever.
Good luck to all, and may the best team win. Go Samsung! Go Stork!
Stork has the :O confused face and not the T_T face, its the kind of confused face that doesnt know if its the best player in hte entire world, or a complete failure. But you have it wrong with Jangbi being the ace outsider player, Jangbi played 0 games on outsider. If anything they are going to send out Stork 60% and great 40% on outsider, this will be closer than you think CJ fans and youll see, dont underestimate Khan.
I really don't, enjoyable read Mr. Hot_Bid <3. Only thing that makes me a bit sad is that savior legacy is really over, it now rest on EffOrt shoulders.
Even though I love CJ, I always didn't like the face noone showed any emotion ever... you just changed that hot_bid, now I think it's freaking cool (-_-)
I guess this is one of the reasons I'm not a fan of CJ. The (-_-) face isn't terribly exciting, I'd rather watch FBH's shenanigans, Jaedong's badass face or the cocky T1 face.
CJ HWAITING!!!!!!!!!!!! The minute I read MA JEA YOON, i couldn't help but continue, and im glad that I did, awesome article, I think they need to stop feeding SaviOr food, maybe that's the reason he's stopped winning, make him feel hungry again and the need to win will come back. (-_-)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
On July 25 2009 02:41 {88}iNcontroL wrote: savior greatest zerg ever? I think jaedong has that.. sorry to nitpick but it seemed rather glaring to me >_<
its by no means a consensus either way, and "...he will become the greatest Zerg who ever played, but it will become debatable when another shows up that might be better depending on how you value starleagues" doesn't flow as well hehe
plus jaedong didn't exist in 2005, and the claim was made as a prediction from the mouth of a coach in the story, not a definitive statement of fact
also, i didn't make that scene up, it actually happened
edit: savior was the greatest zerg ever. Jaedong is the best zerg player ever, just like flash is the best terran or bisu the best protoss. Continuous increase in skill. But the person who has contributed more to zerg strategy and the brood war scene, the person who deserves our respect is savior, not jaedong.
[well they both deserve respect but you know what I mean]
Ah awesome article, I actually remember watching some old school National Geographic documentary on the WCG Starcraft finals, and it sorta followed around Xellos when he was at the top of his game, and coach Cho as they tried to get sponsors and mentioned the food problems and such. Loved when Xellos introduced Much "This is much, he has such broad shoulders" lol haha.
On July 25 2009 06:54 Wedge wrote: Ah awesome article, I actually remember watching some old school National Geographic documentary on the WCG Starcraft finals, and it sorta followed around Xellos when he was at the top of his game, and coach Cho as they tried to get sponsors and mentioned the food problems and such. Loved when Xellos introduced Much "This is much, he has such broad shoulders" lol haha.
When I heard about this article, I was like ^_^. Then, when I started reading it, I was like O_O. As I kept reading it, I went like –_–. Then, when I finished, my face went like >_<.
On July 25 2009 13:44 Tom Phoenix wrote: When I heard about this article, I was like ^_^. Then, when I started reading it, I was like O_O. As I kept reading it, I went like –_–. Then, when I finished, my face went like >_<.
Less biased articles next time, please.
Whaddya mean? This is playoffs time, this is what bias lives for! Plus it totally had a [CJ] tag in the title, you should have known what to expect.
This article is awesome, even if had been completely fabricated and had no basis in fact whatsoever.
On July 25 2009 13:44 Tom Phoenix wrote: When I heard about this article, I was like ^_^. Then, when I started reading it, I was like O_O. As I kept reading it, I went like –_–. Then, when I finished, my face went like >_<.
Less biased articles next time, please.
I wonder if author of this article is ( -_-) or (T_T) after todays results .
On July 25 2009 13:44 Tom Phoenix wrote: When I heard about this article, I was like ^_^. Then, when I started reading it, I was like O_O. As I kept reading it, I went like –_–. Then, when I finished, my face went like >_<.
On July 25 2009 13:44 Tom Phoenix wrote: When I heard about this article, I was like ^_^. Then, when I started reading it, I was like O_O. As I kept reading it, I went like –_–. Then, when I finished, my face went like >_<.
Less biased articles next time, please.
In the great words of Beyonder "lol, r u new here?"
On July 25 2009 13:44 Tom Phoenix wrote: When I heard about this article, I was like ^_^. Then, when I started reading it, I was like O_O. As I kept reading it, I went like –_–. Then, when I finished, my face went like >_<.
Less biased articles next time, please.
Nah, biased articles and trashtalk are half the fun.
Dear Coach January, as much as I admire you for being the only woman coach and coach of one of the strongest if not of the strongest SC:BW team in Korea I JUST HAD TO SAVE, UPLOAD AND POST THIS:
I'm not sure if this was (T.t) or (-_-) face though.
hehe im glad, because this article was about to look really really stupid
then it turned out absolutely perfect, one of our fresh faced kids made "The Leap" into full beastmode, and we have (–_–) winning 3 matches in one night