Short Interview with Soju

In a brief interview, Gosugamers.net's “Passenger” talks with Sung Duk “Soju” Lee about rumors of joining the Army, about not participating in the ESWC Korean qualifiers and his future in Warcraft III and Starcraft II.

First of all, you wrote "Enrollment at June 15th" at your Cyworld (Korean social networking site, similar to Facebook) is it fixed date?

Yes.

Why decide to join the Army now?

I'm 25 years old now. There are no competitions and I couldn't get a team, so I decided to go to Army.

Is there any other gamers who are thinking about retirement or enrollment into the Army?

Not that I know of.

If you finished your duty in about 2 years time, would you play Warcraft III if it is alive? or Starcraft II?

I don't know. I'll think about it at that time.

You did not attend the ESWC Preliminary, it would have been the last match for you before going to the Army. Why?

The organizers managing was very bad. I didn't meet with such a disappointed contest. It is a preliminary for National player who are representing their nation. But all preliminary matches were Bo1, they didn't announced maps beforehand and all maps were preset. It seems to be that they announced maps at event hall. It is a pity for Remind, he had to play against ORC in Bo1 Final at Secret Valley. Also I really don't like to go there after I knew that there is 2 seed players from 4 players and I didn’t get organizations recommended player, too.

Finally, do you have something to say to your fans?

I have been in very good shape from November 2008. My condition was very good and the games had been flowing the way I wanted. I got the title of Sandisk Sansa NicegameTV War3League Season 2. I was also good at WC3L but after that there was no competitions, I lost my team and could not find a new team. I'm very disappointed that I have to leave now because i'm in such good condition. Economic crisis makes whole thing different at that time. I think I can win surely if there was a WC3 contest on time.

Soju is the latest player to announce retirement following Yoan “ToD” Merlo and fellow Korean Jae Wook “Lucifer” Noh who has begun his Military service already. Soju will begin his service after completing a 5 week basic training course and will serve for a total length of about 22 months.

It is a shame to see an old school player like Soju go, especially when he is at his peak but its understandable judging from the circumstances. We wish Sung Duk Lee the best of luck with his time in the Korean Army.

There is no player that I have more respect for his talent than Soju, he does not even need to practice, he just has skill running through his veins.

”
Min Sik "reis" Ko (Soju's former manager)