Interview with MC: 'I learned a lot about PvP in IEM Hanover'

We could not just bypass the opportunity to catch up with the world champion of Intel Extreme Masters SK Gaming's Min Chul "MC" Jang. The "Boss Toss" talked to us about his grand final experience, the lessons he learned during his stay in Hanover and his goals for the next month.

GosuGamers: So, you finally got revenge against Puma after losing to him in two grand finals. Would you say that your slap back was strong enough to put you in the leading position in this rivalry?

MC: Well, right now I would say it is 50/50 since he beat me twice in tournaments and I beat him twice. So I would say the person who wins next is in the leading position.

GG: Now that the Puma issues is, more or less, taken care of, will you be on the look for a new arch enemy? Do you need the constantly hanging presence of rivalry in order to keep yourself in shape?

MC: I dont really care about any rivalry, I just want to give my best in every game and versus any opponent. I want to win as many tournaments as possible so I have to be in shape at any time.

GG: Your group turned from one of the most balanced race-wise into a protoss fest and you did not have the easiest of times,
finishing 3-2. Was there a period when you thought "Damn, I lost this"? Was your confidence shaken by the fact that the other two favorites - Puma and MMA - went undefeated?

MC: I never doubted the fact that I will pass the group stage. Obviously, it was a bit difficult because of all those pvp's but in general I never lost faith in me. Well, the fact that I finished my group as no.1 didnt make me feel inconfident at all. MMA and Puma played the next day and when they finished first I was happy because we wont meet at the quarterfinals.

GG: Did you learn anything from the foreigners you met in this tournament? Did anyone earn your honest respect?

MC: I learned a lot about pvp during this tournament. My opinion is that the foreigners are really good in pvp. In Korea you try to finish of your opponent as soon as possible and it would never go into late game with Motherships.

There is no-one in particular that I give my respect to - there are just a lot of people who improved a lot during the time.



GG: Let's hop to the grand final series itself. Your 2-base play brought you the early lead but then Puma started adjusting all too quickly to this. Didn't you feel the need to alter your gameplay at some point?

MC: My fast expansion into 3gate is more to be safe for early aggression and to see what my opponent is doing. I always checked what Puma is doing and when I saw on his expansoin that he made his 3rd gas I made a robo. I always tried to adopt to his playstyle.

GG: Game four was a real nail-biter and from viewers' point you were a dead man after Puma caught you off-guard. Would you say he made a mistake by comitting fully to the marine attack? Or did you know all the way that there was still a real shot of making a comeback?

MC: I was pissed when he caught me off-guard and was in a really bad spot. Puma thought he could finish me off after he caught all my sentries and most of my army but when he was fighting near my choke I had all my 8 gateways up and so I managed to defend it. After I defended that attack I knew that I am back in the game.

GG: Not one of all five games went into the deep late game. Was that you intention from the very start and are you glad that was the case? How confident are you playing late game PvT?

MC: I think about some strategies before the game but I dont makeup my mind to just play a fast game, it always depends what my opponent is doing and how I have to react.

I am very confident in my late game vs Terran. Obviously, it depends on how the game developes but if we are even than I normally don't lose vs a terran in late game because of my templars.

GG: When we talked to Apollo earlier today, he said that Puma's style of TvP had lost ground due to the meta being changed? Do you agree? Would you have still beaten him if this was a 2011 event?

MC: Well, with the immortal, EMP, etc. patch it made things easier for protoss vs terran. But I can't say I would have beaten him in 2011. I guess no one can say, we would have to play it to find out.

GG: You are always very confident and jaunty on stage. Are you like that in real life? Do you think it's a necessary characteristic of any champion?

MC: I go to tournaments to win and to say that I don't would be a lie. The goal for me is always to become champion. I am that in real life as well. I think it is always good to have some self-confidence as a champion.

GG: Why no victory dance this time? You probably left a void in many fans' expectations, hehe!

MC: I am sc2 progamer and not a professional dancer :D I was just so happy that I grabbed the trophy and that was it didnt feel the need to dance.

GG: Players have been having somewhat of a negative feeling towards the noise in the hall. Are you one of those too? Or all is well when it ends well?

MC: For me its fine because when I play I don't hear any noises from outside when I am focused.

GG: We saw your girlfriend being continually at your side! Do you think you could've made it without her support?

Sure, I could have won without my girlfriend as well but it was very nice that she was here with me and that I could win a major tournament with her being with me.



GG: Some Korean progamers that have signed with foreign teams have said that they prefer living together with foreigners. Would you say the same for yourself?

MC: The only Koreans that live with foreigners are ogs and I like the atmosephere there nontheless I am happy wiht my current situation. Having a good manager and living by myself.

GG: Would you ever like to go back to being part of a Korean pro-team or SK is to remain your home for a long more?

MC: Right now I am happy with SK and want to stay as long as possible. No one knows what the future will bring but right now it's just 2month with SK so I dont really think about any other things than SK.

GG: Feast was voted SICKEST NERD BALLER by the IEM fans, although Carmac was kind of on your side ;) What is your opinion of the Belgian protoss? Do you agree with people's choice or consider yourself the much better candidate?

MC: I don't know what Feast did to become the sickerst nerd baller but he got the most votes so he deserves it.

GG: I want to go East for just a moment and talk GSL. We've seen a huge redistribution of power in the tournament: new players coming to fame while others finding themselves in a slump. Is it hard keeping up with the constant change?

MC: In Korea we have a lot of good players and not everyone made his breakthrough yet. The competition is very tough so we will always have new players who show up and impress.

GG: You are still the proud owner of the titles "Boss Toss" and "God protoss" but is there any player - young or new - that you are looking up to? Is there an apprentice from whom the master learns?

MC: I don't have anyone that I look up to. I just would like to learn WhiteRa manner because he is always so nice :D

GG: What's next for you in 2012? GSL victory? Some more international ownage?

MC: During this month I want to win the MLG and than IPL - those are my goals for this and the upcoming month.

GG: Any final shoutouts to our readers and your fans?

MC: Thanks for the interview and all the fans who cheer for me. I will try to keep winning tournaments in 2012. Thanks to my manager and SK-Gaming and our sponsors Toshiba, Steelseries, Kingston...



If you guys enjoyed our interview with the IEM WC champion, you should definitely check the video interview our friends and partners from Definitive eSports took with MC literally minutes after his victory.