NaDa you are arguably one of the most successful StarCraft players to ever touch the game. You’ve consistently been one of the highest ranked pro regardless of when you look at the rankings. You’ve won a Golden Mouse! What is your secret? How long are your practice sessions usually? Are you the kind of player who likes to train specific skills (custom games where you practice the same situation over and over) or do you prefer to work on everything at once (laddering)?
Thank you. I believe the main factors that allowed me to consistently play well are my fans and my family. During hard times, my fans and my family have always supported me, allowing me to get back on my feet and continue. I usually practice through ladder, but I tend to train through specific custom games when there’s a tournament approaching.
What made you want to sign with compLexity? Along the same lines, compLexity is one of the oldest organizations in Western eSports, were/are you aware of their rich history in progaming? What does it mean to join a foreign team to you? Also what factors lead you to leave your former team oGs?
To be truthful, I was not familiar with the history of compLexity, since I have been active mostly in Korea. However since compLexity is one of the oldest organizations in Western eSports and since I have played professionally for a long time, I have a feeling we’re going to get along well. Since compLexity has a rich history in pro-gaming, they are a team that is recognized worldwide. I was very thankful that they took a great interest in having me as their member. I have left oGs because I wanted start with a new mind with the remaining year I have. oGs has always been great to me and I believe that they will continue to improve and get even better.
What kind of events will you be attending in the near future? I know that I, as well as hundreds of other foreign StarCraft II fans would love a chance to meet you at an MLG or an IPL. Do you intend to play in more foreign tournaments now that you’re on a foreign team?
Currently due to my personal reasons, I won’t be able to attend foreign events immediately. I really really want to attend the foreign events and meet my foreign fans, but it’s just too hard right now. However I will concentrate on GSL and GSTL and achieve great results. My current dream is to become the Starcraft 2 Champion. If my personal situation is resolved, I will immediately attend foreign events. ^^ Until then, I will promise that I will participate in a lot of online foreign tournaments and meet my fans live through the stream.
compLexity has a partnership with the Korean team MVP. Have you had a chance to meet the MVP team? Do you intend to train with the MVP players when you are in Korea? Along the same lines, compLexity player Drewbie was in Korea a few months ago. Did you have a chance to meet him or any of your other new teammates?
Yes, I really like the members of the team MVP. Also team MVP is a team that ordered the most from the NaDaMALL ^^ (haha) Of course, it will be an honor for me to practice with the members of MVP in Korea. I believe that MVP is a very powerful team and I will try my best to help the MVP team as best as I can.
As I’ve mentioned before you are legendary in the StarCraft scene. What would you consider to be your proudest moment from Broodwar? What about StarCraft II?
I would consider the moment when I won the “Golden Mouse” to be my proudest moment in Broodwar. I believe the moment when I yelled “I’M NaDa” at MLG is my proudest moment in Starcraft 2. ^^
I feel like us foreign fans know NaDa the programer but don’t have the slightest clue about NaDa the 29 year old man (27 in US age). What are some things you like to do when you’re not playing StarCraft? Do you have a girlfriend? What about a favorite movie or food? Tell us about your life outside of eSports.
^^ Yes I was born in 1984. Outside of Starcraft, I like to work-out, listen to music, or travel. I also have a girlfriend. My favorite movies are ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ and ‘Titanic.’ I love to eat fruits.
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me NaDa. Before we wrap this up, do you have any words for your new teammates? How about any for your fans?
First of all, I’m so happy to get to meet the compLexity team members and I hope to get along with them. During the remaining 1 year, I hope to help compLexity with their development and through my interactions with the foreign fans, I hope to return as the great NaDa once again. Thank you. ^^
Images courtesy of TeamLiquid and famos.kr