Lee Young-ho defeated Kim Taek-yong in the final match and advanced to the quarterfinals. Lee Young-ho’s performance today was terrifying. Although he lost to Jaedong in the first match, the preparation and psychological warfare that Youngho Lee showed today was enough to elicit admiration. Lee Young-ho, who advanced to the quarterfinals after finishing second in the group, will meet among those who advanced to first place in the group.

Below is the full interview with Lee Young-ho after his victory.


Q. How do you feel about advancing to the round of 16 as runner-up in your group?

It's good to go up. There was a similar composition in the past, and it went up to second place just like then.


Q. I heard that they were busy preparing without even turning on the broadcast. How did you prepare?

I didn't want to fail in the round of 16, so I prepared desperately. Although we lost the first game, I like our performance.


Q. In my first match with Jaedong, I lost due to a split-second timing. There is also an opinion that the fast triple, 2 armor, and Vessel's Iready 8 are a bit greedy.

I enjoyed the initial build, but Jedong hyung prepared well for the next psychological battle. Poor judgment there. Then I think we need to make up for it. If I hadn't done Iready, I would have blocked it, but I couldn't help but think of Mutalisk.


Q. After the match with Jaedong, you could feel your fighting spirit burning?

A loss is a loss, and in fact, I didn't prepare for the loser's match. Still, I felt stable after winning the first set of the loser match and feeling like I had the upper hand.


Q. He also attempted a no-barrack double against Kim Taek-yong. The no-barrack double in the Toss match is a more gambling build than the Zerg match. Have you fully grasped Kim Taek-yong's psychology?

The build today went really well as expected. For the second set, I was planning to play either BBS or No-Barrack Double, but since Toss is a good map for a live double, I also chose No-Barrack Double.


Q. Many fans came to visit the site?

This in itself really makes me feel nostalgic for the old days, but it's also fun. I gave this taste a star, but the disappointing thing is that my arms hurt so much. I've been a star for 20 years, and now I'm working my hardest.


Q. Are you confident of winning?

I think the quarterfinals will be the most difficult. Personally, Jang Yun-cheol, Park Sang-hyun, and Lee Jae-ho are the most difficult to win, but since I advanced to second place, the possibility of meeting them is very high. But I am confident and will do my best.


Q. What would you like to say in conclusion?

This is a competition that I entered to give back to my fans after not being able to participate in the competition. Depending on the condition of my arm, it may or may not be the last time, and I decided to donate the prize money if I win. I will prepare really hard.


Q. What is Lee Ssang-rok to Lee Young-ho?

In the past, I only thought about winning, but now playing the game itself is fun. And realistically, there aren't that many opportunities to meet in the future, so I'd like to meet again in a multi-game event and make fans feel nostalgic for the past.