Lee “Flash” Young-ho has secured a spot in the Round of 16 as the top finisher in Group E of the Google Play ASL Season 21 Round of 24, which took place on March 31st at FreecUP Studio in Samseong-dong, Seoul. Surrounded by fellow Terran players in Group E, Lee defeated Lee Young-woong and Lim Jin-mook to claim the first position in the group.
Read on for the complete transcript of Flash’s post-match interview following his victory.
Q. How do you feel about advancing to the Round of 16 as the first-place finisher in your group?
I’m thrilled to progress, especially after six years. It feels like a long time coming. Despite some arm discomfort, I put in a lot of effort, even with pain-relief injections. I’m determined to push even further.
Q. In the previous ASL, you played as Random. This time, you chose Terran. Why the change?
Back then, I felt unbeatable. Now, I’m not as dominant (laughs). However, I believe I can still compete for the title. If I win, I might go back to playing Random.
Q. With Kim Min-chul out, you’re the sole contender for a fifth title. How does that impact you?
I clinched my fourth title early and took a long break. Frankly, I didn’t expect others to catch up. Personally, I’m eager to secure that fifth championship.
Q. What prompted your return to competition?
The fans were enthusiastic about it. After much thought, I decided to come back. CEO Seo Soo-gil also encouraged me multiple times to return. If my arm holds up, I aim to keep competing. The fans have always supported my tournament participation, and I want to reciprocate that.
Q. Any particular player you’d like to face in the Round of 16?
I think a match against Jaedong or Kim Taek-yong would be exciting. I also look forward to competing against Park Sang-hyun. Overall, I’m feeling confident. Meeting Jang Yoon-chul would also be interesting.
Q. Lim Jin-mook advanced to the winners’ match. Was he a tough opponent to predict? Did you make any adjustments to your strategies?
I had different strategies prepared for each opponent. So, against Lim Jin-mook, I executed the plan tailored for him.
Q. You started your YouTube channel about a year ago, right?
After I began resting, I continued to take it easy. Even now, I don’t stream much on my personal channel. With years of hard work behind me, now in my mid-30s, I prioritize proper rest when needed. However, when it comes to tournaments, I’m fully dedicated and focused.
Q. What significance does ASL hold for you personally?
ASL is a special tournament for me. The first ASL took place when I started streaming personally. It was where I showcased my best performances. Even after retiring from professional gaming, ASL allowed me to relive those emotions from the past. Revisiting it after so long has been an enjoyable experience, and I hope to compete on an outdoor stage someday.