Source: This Is Game
Your first time ever advancing to the Ro16. How do you feel?
It's really good and all but I am more happy about the fact that I beat Squirtle. My feelings got hurt after reading Squirtle's Ro32 WCS interview so ever since then, I've wanted to grab revenge.
Your first opponent of today was last season's finalist, HyuN. Also, didn't the fact that your ZvZ win ratio was so low burden you?
From a listener's perspective, things probably could have been different but I didn't get nervous so I knew I was going to make a good result. Rather than say that my skills have increased, I think it's more of a case of my true skills finally coming out because I got used to the televised matches atmosphere.
In the winners' round, you pulled off a comeback against Squirtle.
I practiced my ZvP somewhat but most of my focus went to my ZvTs. As it turned out, Neo Planet S had a smaller entrance than I thought it did. My preparation was incomplete so I lost.
You had games today on all three new maps. If you had to evaluate the maps?
I think they're all similar to the other maps. But for now, I still need to get used to them so I won't know anything for sure until I play on them more. I think Icarus is a little more unique than the others. I think that backwards expansion concept is fresh.
A lot of fans are wondering what you've been up to these days.
From December until the first week of January, I really didn't do anything. I'm not sure if it's okay for me to say something like this but I was going through a really hard time. It was so bad that I almost hated life. But I realized that I would probably start messing up in tournaments if I kept that kind of mentality so I started practicing again. After round three of Code A was over, I received news that the team was disbanding. It was such a difficult time that I just couldn't think straight along with coach Hannibal.
So then what about your progress in getting a new team?
All the negotiations are almost over and all that is left is for the official announcement to get released. I think everyone will know what's going on when the official announcement comes out in just a little bit.
You get to attend your first ever group nominations. How do you think it will go?
I think I'm going to get picked pretty quickly. So I just plan on clearing my mind.
Anything else you would like to say?
I want to thank Maru and Classic hyung for helping me with practice. When I had to practice alone I just focused on image training to come up with strategies and I laddered. The strategy I used today during my very first game was a strategy that I lost to against Life when he used it on me. I want to thank him for using that build on ladder. Lastly, I want to thank the fans for coming to cheer me on.
Teamless_Squirtle
Source: This Is Game
After resting for a season, you've returned once again to the Ro16 of Code S. Tell us how you feel.
Of all the Code S matches that I've participated in, today's were the most burdening. It was my first performance since I left the team and this is the last WoL season so I felt pressured.
You had to go all the way to the final round but how did you prepare after seeing your group?
I prepared by focusing on matching my opponents' strategies. Everything was going according to plan but then I faced an obstruction during game two of the winners' round. I think I was impatient for all my games. I should have engaged after spreading out my units during the situations where I was at a disadvantage but I was impatient so I just kept on going for it. After I lost in the winners' round, I admitted to myself that I was playing impatiently so I told myself to slow it down for the final round.
Seeing your map choices today, it seems like you had preparations for Icarus.
Rather than say that I had a lot of preparations done beforehand, I wanted to utilize the new maps to hit my opponents unexpectedly. I was expecting BBoong to go for a fast spawning pool build but I still ended up excluding it as possibility. In the end, our strategies got crossed over and I ended up losing. I think it's still half and half for now.
How have you been doing since leaving your team?
After leaving the team, I went back home and just kept on practicing. For now, I'm still looking for a team. I think because the rumors said that I'm trying to join a KeSPA team is why I haven't received any contacts from overseas teams. While it's true that I asked around KeSPA teams and found out my options, I never actually said that that's where I was heading. To be exact, there is not a single team out there yet that I am currently in negotiations with.
You have group nominations ahead of you.
Ever since I've left the team, I've had this desire to not show any embarrassing performances to coach Won and coach Kim. We really don't have many Protosses this season but I saw what MC hyung said in his interview about picking Protosses. While I can't help but feel like there is no need for him to intentionally decrease our numbers anymore than what we are already at, I still don't have any desire to avoid this challenge. Ever since I got to the finals, I always got eliminated from the Ro32 and Ro16 afterwards. The Ro16 only consists of really good players so I think everyone will be the same regardless of who I face. I think it's every man for himself.
How do you feel about the new maps?
I've played on all the new maps and I think Icarus fits my style the best. Akilon Flats is good for Protosses as well but I've practiced more on Icarus so I think I've gotten used to that map more.
This season's goals?
My current situation is somewhat difficult right now but my desire to practice is heating up. As far as I'm concerned, if I just practice really well, then good results will naturally follow.
Anything else you would like to say?
I want to thank PuMa hyung, aLive, Team 8's Neige, and Ryung hyung for helping me with practice. I also want to thank viOLet hyung for specifically helping me with my PvZs.