Introducing Liquid`Sea Text by Liquid`Nazgul Graphics by HawaiianPig



I imagine the reactions to this post will be very diverse. For those of you who were with us during our Brood War years, it is obvious why this is a huge moment. For newer fans of StarCraft, let me take you back to a time before StarCraft II existed.



For many years, TeamLiquid.net's focus was professional Brood War in Korea. Though it was centered in Seoul and focused solely on Korea, Korean Brood War was such a huge phenomenon that it inevitably spilled over internationally. A small but fanatical 'foreign' community came together – people undaunted by having to watch foreign language re-streams of the worst quality during the deepest hours of the night.



While TeamLiquid.net grew through the years and introduced many new fans to Korean Brood War, the international fans were never more than a marginal concern for the Korean industry. There was a huge gap between us and the Korean industry, and Korean pros had little knowledge of TeamLiquid.net and the foreign fans. That's why Sea was very special to us.



Of all the Korean pro-gamers the foreign community idolized during those years, Sea was the one who cared about giving back. Of hundreds of registered KeSPA pro-gamers, he was the one also registered on TeamLiquid.net so he could thank his fans abroad.



And not just any pro-gamer! This was the 2006 Proleague finals MVP, who led MBCGame Hero to their only championship by winning the







Throughout the years, Sea did interviews for TL and met up with his foreign fans at events, from the



Nowadays, it is hard to understand exactly how much that meant for people back then. At the time, the distance between a foreign fan and a progamer was so vast, the thought of a progamer even posting on TeamLiquid.net at all was unimaginable. For us, Sea becoming part of Liquid is like seeing what was once thought impossible become reality.



At the same time, everything seemed to make sense when Sea came to us with an interest in joining Liquid. Who better, from the KeSPA progamers, to reach out to Liquid for new opportunities, than the one who cared the most about reaching out to his international fans?



Sea made it clear that in his mind his future was with Liquid. With the KeSPA teams transitioning from Brood War to StarCraft II, Sea had to decide how he would make his own transition. As a seven year veteran of the scene, he decided he needed something completely new, a drastic change of scenery that would allow him to enjoy the game again. Sea believed the lack of joy in his game was part of the reason he couldn’t play at his best in recent years, and by leaving the old and embracing something new, he felt he could find the motivation that had made him great before.



Sea has impressed us with how well he has transitioned so far, but it's clear that he's yet to reach his full potential in StarCraft II. We have a lot of growing to do together, and we invite all of you to be a part of that experience.



It’s Sea's plan to use streaming to connect and interact with his fans, and make sure they're as much a part of his journey as possible. So whether you're an old-school fan of MBCGame Hero, a Liquid supporter, or someone who's just intrigued by how one of the so-called 'elephants' will fare in StarCraft II, we welcome you to tune in.



It's truly amazing that this came to be, and part of me still doesn't really completely believe it's happening. Even so, with an ID like that, I'm willing to believe that it could be fate.



Welcome, Liquid`Sea.



- Liquid`Nazgul



Connect to Liquid`Sea



Watch Liquid`Sea Follow Liquid`Sea and TeamLiquidPro on Twitter! Watch Liquid`Sea Stream!





Replay Pack!



Check out this replay pack from Liquid`Sea, including games against Liquid`TaeJa, Liquid`Ret, and of course, the feared lllllllllllllllllll.

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Interview with Liquid`Sea

Us?



We're overwhelmed.



But how does Sea himself feel about the big decision? A week before the announcement, we talked to Sea about KeSPA, StarCraft II, Liquid, FC Barcelona (??), and a few other things.



Let's start with 'how do you feel about joining Liquid?'

Liquid`Sea: Well, first off I'm very thankful to Liquid for accepting me. I think it's an honor that I've joined the team. Hmmm... I do have a lot to say, but it's tough to make it all sound right in text.



What kind of team did you know Liquid as before?

Liquid`Sea: I knew of Liquid as a website since a long time ago, but I didn't know much in detail until 2008 when a ton of people from TeamLiquid.net showed up to cheer for me at the Blizzard World Wide Invitational in France, and it really surprised me. I've been interested in foreign countries since I was young, and I was really happy to learn that I had fans outside of Korea.



I remember writing down all their IDs and adding them to my friends list, removing some of the pro-gamers on my friend list to do so. Around then I would go to channel "OP TL" in the morning to chat frequently, haha.



I didn't know Liquid had a progaming team, but around three years ago lilsusie mentioned that I should join Liquid as a progamer. I learned then that Team Liquid could run a team as well. I never imagined it would get so big...



You've spent a LOT of time as a progamer in Korea. A lot of people would say it would have been safer to stay on a KeSPA team, so why did you become interested in international teams?

Liquid`Sea: It's been around seven years since I've been a pro-gamer in Korea... I started to feel a bit stagnant. I wanted a challenge, and thankfully Liquid was interested in me, and I came to join the team.



Of course, KeSPA is a safer option, but I wanted to challenge myself, and become a better player and person by joining a foreign team.



What is your view of the international StarCraft II scene? Was it something you were keeping a keen eye on?

Liquid`Sea: Honestly, I never thought I'd play StarCraft II at first. When players like MC, JYP, Symbol, or MarineKing switched over – about three years ago now was it? – I wasn't interested at all. I think that I thought it was foolish, things were so stable back then that I got complacent...



About a year ago, I started hearing from players who had made the switch first, and once KeSPA started to transition to StarCraft II, I started looking at it with a lot of interest.



I think the foreign scene has a much broader vision than the Korean scene. Because, you know, foreign = the whole world.



The official KeSPA transition to StarCraft II has gone on for about half year now. How have your thoughts on the game changed?

Liquid`Sea: At first I thought it wouldn't be fun, but as I played it more I think it's more fun that StarCraft 1 in terms of variety. More so than watching, it's much more fun to play.



You still have problems adjusting?

Liquid`Sea: I'm done with adjusting. I'm at the stage where I'm practicing. There's nothing hard now.



You were just recently with KeSPA Team Eight. Do you think the KeSPA players have caught up a lot with the players who got an early start?

Liquid`Sea: I honestly think they're similar now. If I had to mention one thing though, I really respect them. Because they took the role of pioneers, KeSPA players were able to bring themselves up to this level now. KeSPA players who switched early like Mvp, MC, Nestea, etc., I'm very grateful to them and I'm always respectful of them. It's because of them that I've been able to join a foreign team.



Did you get a lot of advice from your old colleagues who switched early?

Liquid`Sea: Yes, they gave me a huge amount of help. MC, MarineKing, JYP, Symbol, Clide, and former MBCGame Hero players helped me a lot, and they advised me a lot about joining Liquid. I'm grateful to them.



With the end of the last Proleague season, pro Brood War is over in Korea. How do you feel about that?

Liquid`Sea: Hmm, I'm ambivalent about it, but I think endings are new beginnings. So I'm excited for what's to come.



Any regrets?

Liquid`Sea: Personally, I think I had a successful career. If there's one thing that gives me pause, it was that I didn't do so well in individual leagues... But that's because of skill, so I don't have any regrets.



On that note, you really were an amazing player in team competition in Brood War. Do you have any idea why?

Liquid`Sea: I don't really know that myself;; But I think it's a relief that I was at least good at one, though I wanted to be good at both T_T.



Your most memorable moment?

Liquid`Sea: I guess it would have to be when we won the grand final. But I remember everything from those two years between 2006 and 2008, when MBCGame was founded from Pirates of Space. Back when Bisu, July, and Pusan were all on the team.



Are you familiar with any of the foreign players?

Liquid`Sea: Yeah, a lot. Guys like DIMAGA, White-Ra, Ret, ClouD are my friends from StarCraft 1. Out of the SC2 players, I know that Stephano is the most representative.



Any StarCraft 2 players you like now?

Liquid`Sea: I like TaeJa. He's on Liquid, and he's good.



Have you been watching international tournaments? What do you think of them?

Liquid`Sea: I don't watch them too often, but when I do, they make me remember how passionate international fans are. Also, foreign players are a lot better than they were in StarCraft 1.



Foreigners in StarCraft 1.... T_T



So, what are your goals as a StarCraft II pro-gamer?

Liquid`Sea: I want to have a successful career. How to put it, I don't see it as a failure that I didn't win an individual league in StarCraft 1, and I think I was pretty successful. Of course winning a championship is my goal in StarCraft 2, but in the big picture of things, I want to leave my mark on StarCraft 2 like I did in StarCraft 1.



I'd also like to learn more English and give interviews in all English.



Let's move on to some lighter things. What do you like to do outside of StarCraft? You're famous for being a big fan of soccer...

Liquid`Sea: Hmmm -_-;



Back when I played Brood War, whenever there was a Barcelona game, I'd make sure to watch every single one live. But because of StarCraft II, I haven't been able to pay as much attention. I would like to watch some soccer late at night with my international friends, though.



Your favorite player is still Messi, right?

Liquid`Sea: Yup, I like him the best, and Barcelona is still my team.



It's kind of strange that you follow Spanish soccer, since a lot of Korean fans are more into the Premier League because of Park Ji-Sung.

Liquid`Sea: Well, I became a fan of Barcelona because of Ronaldinho, before they were the best team in the world. Naturally, I became attracted to Messi's play as well and became an even bigger fan of the team. I really want to see him play live, it's on my 'bucket list' of things to do.



On a side note, I'd really like to get in touch with an old friend whose ID was Dream.t)Squall. He used to post on TeamLiquid, and he was from Barcelona.



Oh yeah, DreamHack Valencia was a few weeks ago. Maybe some day you'll get a chance to play in a foreign tournament, and see some international soccer as well?

Liquid`Sea: Yes, I have thought of that, haha.



Some other progamers play other games on the side for fun. How about you?

Liquid`Sea: It's tough enough playing just StarCraft. I don't think I've touched another game since I started playing StarCraft.



Alright, let's wrap up. Any thing you want to say freely? To your fans, or whomever?

Liquid`Sea: I'd like to thank everyone you helped me join Liquid.



If there's one thing I can promise to all the fans, it's that I won't disappoint you.



I'll do my best so I will live up to my name in StarCraft 2 as well.



How about a word in English?

Liquid`Sea: Hi!



i join teamliquid im now excitement !! cheer me up !!!!!!!!!!!



turst me. kkkk



Is that right?



Sure, we'll say so.

Liquid`Sea: ;;;



















This is a really big day for us.I imagine the reactions to this post will be very diverse. For those of you who were with us during our Brood War years, it is obvious why this is a huge moment. For newer fans of StarCraft, let me take you back to a time before StarCraft II existed.For many years, TeamLiquid.net's focus was professional Brood War in Korea. Though it was centered in Seoul and focused solely on Korea, Korean Brood War was such a huge phenomenon that it inevitably spilled over internationally. A small but fanatical 'foreign' community came together – people undaunted by having to watch foreign language re-streams of the worst quality during the deepest hours of the night.While TeamLiquid.net grew through the years and introduced many new fans to Korean Brood War, the international fans were never more than a marginal concern for the Korean industry. There was a huge gap between us and the Korean industry, and Korean pros had little knowledge of TeamLiquid.net and the foreign fans. That's why Sea was very special to us.Of all the Korean pro-gamers the foreign community idolized during those years, Sea was the one who cared about giving back. Of hundreds of registered KeSPA pro-gamers, he was the one also registered on TeamLiquid.net so he could thank his fans abroad.And not just any pro-gamer! This was the 2006 Proleague finals MVP, who led MBCGame Hero to their only championship by winning the grand finals ace match at the age of 16. He would become the template for all of the straight-out-middle-school, teenage prospects to come: your Leenocks, TaeJas, Creators, and who have you. He was one of the best, most consistent Proleague players ever, and he would even earn a nomination to the KeSPA hall of fame down the line.Throughout the years, Sea did interviews for TL and met up with his foreign fans at events, from the Blizzard World Wide Invitational in Paris, to Team Liquid meet-ups in Seoul . The pinnacle of it all was a memorable appearance on TL Attack in 2008. Nowadays, it is hard to understand exactly how much that meant for people back then. At the time, the distance between a foreign fan and a progamer was so vast, the thought of a progamer even posting on TeamLiquid.net at all was unimaginable. For us, Sea becoming part of Liquid is like seeing what was once thought impossible become reality.At the same time, everything seemed to make sense when Sea came to us with an interest in joining Liquid. Who better, from the KeSPA progamers, to reach out to Liquid for new opportunities, than the one who cared the most about reaching out to his international fans?Sea made it clear that in his mind his future was with Liquid. With the KeSPA teams transitioning from Brood War to StarCraft II, Sea had to decide how he would make his own transition. As a seven year veteran of the scene, he decided he needed something completely new, a drastic change of scenery that would allow him to enjoy the game again. Sea believed the lack of joy in his game was part of the reason he couldn’t play at his best in recent years, and by leaving the old and embracing something new, he felt he could find the motivation that had made him great before.Sea has impressed us with how well he has transitioned so far, but it's clear that he's yet to reach his full potential in StarCraft II. We have a lot of growing to do together, and we invite all of you to be a part of that experience.It’s Sea's plan to use streaming to connect and interact with his fans, and make sure they're as much a part of his journey as possible. So whether you're an old-school fan of MBCGame Hero, a Liquid supporter, or someone who's just intrigued by how one of the so-called 'elephants' will fare in StarCraft II, we welcome you to tune in.It's truly amazing that this came to be, and part of me still doesn't really completely believe it's happening. Even so, with an ID like that, I'm willing to believe that it could be fate.Welcome, Liquid`Sea. Administrator