New Mountains to Climb: soO's 2018 Journey Begins Text by TL.net ESPORTS Graphics by Hushfield Written by Mizenhauer

Photos by leimmia





It’s not our first rodeo.



At this point, the StarCraft II community is intimately familiar with struggle. It's one of the most compelling stories in all esports, drawing us in with the gravitational pull of a black hole. We watch with rapt focus, knowing—even dreading—what comes next. No matter how impressive soO looks on the path to the ultimate stage, fate looms like a specter. It’s what makes soO so respected in the first place. He never surrenders in the face of failure.



soO had finished second in GSL a record six times, but the BlizzCon finals was an untarnished frontier. It was a potential Eden if he could only reach it, so soO entered



It might have been aiming for the stars given soO’s form at the time. Most notable were a pair of losses to Dark in



soO had finished in second place on eight occasions prior to facing . But this time was different. He had bared his hopes and dreams to the community when he penned



"I’ll get myself ready until BlizzCon no matter what and I’ll show you a different side of myself. A career can be decided in a single moment. BlizzCon is my time to redeem my past mistakes."



It’s clear how much the WCS Global Finals meant to soO.







It wasn’t to be. There was no doubt that Rogue was a powerful force in himself, but fate was an even stronger one. soO took a 2-1 lead in the series, but crumbled from there. The final blow came on Acolyte where Rogue completely outplayed soO. soO staggered back to the hotel, alone with his thoughts and a suffering none but he could understand.



We had seen soO fail before, but never like this. Rumors of retirement were stirring before BlizzCon even started and they only intensified afterwards. soO was also notably absent from HomeStory Cup and online events. The healing process was harder than ever. Relief was not as forthcoming as it had been when Stats and GuMiho had shattered his dreams. If his brief but noticeable absence fanned the flames, they roared like an inferno when he



soO seems certain his best days are behind him. 27 is a pivotal age in his eyes, for it is around the period when progaming careers peter out. If he hasn’t won by now, what’s to lead him to believe he ever will?



In 2014 he ascended to the pantheon of ignominious legends by taking second place in three consecutive GSL's. 2016 was the year in which he lost and subsequently regained his drive to be a progamer. 2017 was the year the fans came to know soO as a human and not just a caricature. We marveled at his resurgence, and suffered even greater disappointment because we dared to open our hearts. One can’t help but wonder what 2018 will be for perhaps the greatest Zerg of StarCraft II, the Kong who has outdone even the progenitor of his line, Yellow.



Despite finishing second at BlizzCon less than three months ago, soO does not enter the first GSL of the new year as a favorite. The spotlight shines far brighter on INnoVation, Dark, and the man who beat him in the WESG APAC qualifier, Classic. soO, riddled with doubt, troubled with old age, and coming off the largest defeat of his career has slipped through the cracks. He finds himself in maybe the most challenging group of the Round of 32. Zest is an elite Protoss. Bunny and his distinctive mech play are formidable in their own right. soO’s opening match against NoRegret is unlikely to trip him up, but there’s no denying that soO finds himself in the middle of the pack once more, a startling feat given all he accomplished in 2017.



soO has never quit. He’s given us reason to believe time and again, but this as we enter 2018, we can’t help but wonder if it’s one time too many. Those who savor his losses are licking their lips at the prospect of the only dish that can sate their hunger: soO finally breaking. But soO doesn't play for buzzards. He plays for those who have given him their hearts and cheered for him every step of the way. Those whose attention he garnered in 2014, and those he won over by baring his vulnerabilities in 2017. soO will keep fighting even if this is his last year. He still has to repay his fans for their kindness.



"As for the fans cheering for me and wanting me to win because I've lost so many times... I want to repay you for your expectations, but there's nothing I can say besides “I'm sorry”. I feel you are the driving force that keeps me working hard at the game. It's not over yet so I still want to become a champion, if only to repay your kindness."





Written byPhotos byIt’s not our first rodeo.At this point, the StarCraft II community is intimately familiar with soO's struggle. It's one of the most compelling stories in all esports, drawing us in with the gravitational pull of a black hole. We watch with rapt focus, knowing—even dreading—what comes next. No matter how impressive soO looks on the path to the ultimate stage, fate looms like a specter. It’s what makes soO so respected in the first place. He never surrenders in the face of failure.soO had finished second in GSL a record six times, but the BlizzCon finals was an untarnished frontier. It was a potential Eden if he could only reach it, so soO entered BlizzCon 2017 with his eyes set on a top two finish. The term “life changing money” gets thrown around a lot in sports, but reaching his tenth premier event finals would bag soO more than twice as much as he earned in 2014 . $140,000 represented the third largest paycheck in StarCraft history, only eclipsed by winning BlizzCon itself, and TY’s WESG haul It might have been aiming for the stars given soO’s form at the time. Most notable were a pair of losses to Dark in GSL Season 3 and the second Super Tournament . soO had always dominated his former teammate, but as BlizzCon crept closer, the wheels seemed to be coming off the bus. This was not the soO who had rampaged to consecutive GSL finals. Fatigue was catching up with him and things weren’t clicking as they had in the first half of the year. The fact that he was happy with second might have been a portent, but he freely admitted that once he and Rogue stood alone, the desire to win flared up as strong as ever. It was an opportunity to pry the monkey off his back.soO had finished in second place on eight occasions prior to facing Rogue . But this time was different. He had bared his hopes and dreams to the community when he penned My Life as Sisyphus , winning over more fans to his side than ever before. Those who had previously enjoyed mocking soO status as a running joke had a harder time of it, once they got to know his pain more intimately. soO's confessions revealed another side of a complex personality that didn't know how to give up, cementing the adoration of his followers.It’s clear how much the WCS Global Finals meant to soO. BlizzCon 2014 was a careless embarassment soO never wanted to repeat. 2017 was an opportunity to rectify that mistake, and all the others which had haunted him throughout his career. BlizzCon may not have matched GSL Code S in terms of sheer mathematical difficulty, but the title of WCS world champion came with an unrivaled prestige. Perhaps it would be enough to change the entire narrative of soO's entire career.It wasn’t to be. There was no doubt that Rogue was a powerful force in himself, but fate was an even stronger one. soO took a 2-1 lead in the series, but crumbled from there. The final blow came on Acolyte where Rogue completely outplayed soO. soO staggered back to the hotel, alone with his thoughts and a suffering none but he could understand.We had seen soO fail before, but never like this. Rumors of retirement were stirring before BlizzCon even started and they only intensified afterwards. soO was also notably absent from HomeStory Cup and online events. The healing process was harder than ever. Relief was not as forthcoming as it had been when Stats and GuMiho had shattered his dreams. If his brief but noticeable absence fanned the flames, they roared like an inferno when he missed the WESG qualifiers . Some fans couldn’t help running with soO’s ambiguously worded tweet explaining why he had missed the event. It turned out he had simply been out of the country, but it was an unusually timed vacation.soO seems certain his best days are behind him. 27 is a pivotal age in his eyes, for it is around the period when progaming careers peter out. If he hasn’t won by now, what’s to lead him to believe he ever will?In 2014 he ascended to the pantheon of ignominious legends by taking second place in three consecutive GSL's. 2016 was the year in which he lost and subsequently regained his drive to be a progamer. 2017 was the year the fans came to know soO as a human and not just a caricature. We marveled at his resurgence, and suffered even greater disappointment because we dared to open our hearts. One can’t help but wonder what 2018 will be for perhaps the greatest Zerg of StarCraft II, the Kong who has outdone even the progenitor of his line, Yellow.Despite finishing second at BlizzCon less than three months ago, soO does not enter the first GSL of the new year as a favorite. The spotlight shines far brighter on INnoVation, Dark, and the man who beat him in the WESG APAC qualifier, Classic. soO, riddled with doubt, troubled with old age, and coming off the largest defeat of his career has slipped through the cracks. He finds himself in maybe the most challenging group of the Round of 32. Zest is an elite Protoss. Bunny and his distinctive mech play are formidable in their own right. soO’s opening match against NoRegret is unlikely to trip him up, but there’s no denying that soO finds himself in the middle of the pack once more, a startling feat given all he accomplished in 2017.soO has never quit. He’s given us reason to believe time and again, but this as we enter 2018, we can’t help but wonder if it’s one time too many. Those who savor his losses are licking their lips at the prospect of the only dish that can sate their hunger: soO finally breaking. But soO doesn't play for buzzards. He plays for those who have given him their hearts and cheered for him every step of the way. Those whose attention he garnered in 2014, and those he won over by baring his vulnerabilities in 2017. soO will keep fighting even if this is his last year. He still has to repay his fans for their kindness. Credits



Writer:

Editors: CosmicSpiral, Wax.

Photo:

Digital art:



Writer: Mizenhauer Editors: CosmicSpiral, Wax.Photo: leimmia Digital art: Hushfield

GumBa Profile Blog Joined July 2012 United Kingdom 29429 Posts #2 The real patchzerg To all the haters: you deserve to witness many, many more Serral victories, worthy of the godlike player he is.

Waxangel Profile Blog Joined September 2002 United States 29129 Posts Last Edited: 2018-01-15 22:12:38 #3 On January 16 2018 04:08 GumBa wrote:

The real patchzerg

Back off, vulture, I thought you were only in the campaign and StarCraft 1 -_- Back off, vulture, I thought you were only in the campaign and StarCraft 1 -_- Administrator Hey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?

intotheheart Profile Blog Joined January 2011 Canada 16855 Posts #4 No K-pop? 1 star. kiss kiss fall in love

GumBa Profile Blog Joined July 2012 United Kingdom 29429 Posts #5 On January 16 2018 04:08 Waxangel wrote:

Show nested quote +

On January 16 2018 04:08 GumBa wrote:

The real patchzerg



The Zerg of many many patches, given the lengthy resume The Zerg of many many patches, given the lengthy resume

His blatant abuse of so many patches is quite frankly disgusting. His blatant abuse of so many patches is quite frankly disgusting. To all the haters: you deserve to witness many, many more Serral victories, worthy of the godlike player he is.

DieuCure Profile Joined January 2017 France 3701 Posts #6 I hope he will not be eliminated in Ro32, considering his group and the style of play of Bunny it's unfortunately possible.

intotheheart Profile Blog Joined January 2011 Canada 16855 Posts #7 On January 16 2018 04:09 GumBa wrote:

Show nested quote +

On January 16 2018 04:08 Waxangel wrote:

On January 16 2018 04:08 GumBa wrote:

The real patchzerg



The Zerg of many many patches, given the lengthy resume The Zerg of many many patches, given the lengthy resume

His blatant abuse of so many patches is quite frankly disgusting. His blatant abuse of so many patches is quite frankly disgusting.

Don't forget the maps.



soO is mapzerg confirmed? Don't forget the maps.soO is mapzerg confirmed? kiss kiss fall in love

SetGuitarsToKill Profile Blog Joined December 2013 Canada 28391 Posts #8 On January 16 2018 04:09 GumBa wrote:

Show nested quote +

On January 16 2018 04:08 Waxangel wrote:

On January 16 2018 04:08 GumBa wrote:

The real patchzerg



The Zerg of many many patches, given the lengthy resume The Zerg of many many patches, given the lengthy resume

His blatant abuse of so many patches is quite frankly disgusting. His blatant abuse of so many patches is quite frankly disgusting.

Perhaps the truest patchzerg is one who can abuse EVERY patch. I am enlightened now, thanks Gumba Perhaps the truest patchzerg is one who can abuse EVERY patch. I am enlightened now, thanks Gumba Community News "As long as you have a warp prism you can't be bad at harassment" - Maru | @SetGuitars2Kill

GumBa Profile Blog Joined July 2012 United Kingdom 29429 Posts #9 On January 16 2018 04:10 SetGuitarsToKill wrote:

Show nested quote +

On January 16 2018 04:09 GumBa wrote:

On January 16 2018 04:08 Waxangel wrote:

On January 16 2018 04:08 GumBa wrote:

The real patchzerg



The Zerg of many many patches, given the lengthy resume The Zerg of many many patches, given the lengthy resume

His blatant abuse of so many patches is quite frankly disgusting. His blatant abuse of so many patches is quite frankly disgusting.

Perhaps the truest patchzerg is one who can abuse EVERY patch. I am enlightened now, thanks Gumba Perhaps the truest patchzerg is one who can abuse EVERY patch. I am enlightened now, thanks Gumba

Anytime sgtk. Anytime sgtk. To all the haters: you deserve to witness many, many more Serral victories, worthy of the godlike player he is.

ZigguratOfUr Profile Blog Joined April 2012 Iraq 16046 Posts #10 soO's gonna get at least one more finals--there's no other way it could be. Maps I made recently: Nevermore: https://i.imgur.com/NiqR0Rj.jpg | Rubaiyat: https://i.imgur.com/XD3E3vd.jpg | Grand Canal: https://i.imgur.com/kNgyOCo.jpg

Clonester Profile Joined August 2014 Germany 2808 Posts #11 Time for more silver medals. Bomber, Attacker, DD, SOMEBODY, NiKo, Nex, Spidii

starkiller123 Profile Joined January 2016 United States 3166 Posts #12 On January 16 2018 04:09 DieuCure wrote:

I hope he will not be eliminated in Ro32, considering his group and the style of play of Bunny it's unfortunately possible.

hoping for Bunny and soO to advance, sorry Zest hoping for Bunny and soO to advance, sorry Zest

Musicus Profile Joined August 2011 Germany 23387 Posts Last Edited: 2018-01-15 19:40:20 #13



I enjoy watching him. He is my favourite player.



When he gets second place, I think to myself: No



When he gets first place, I think to myself: ...well that doesn't happen I like soO.I enjoy watching him. He is my favourite player.When he gets second place, I think to myself: NoWhen he gets first place, I think to myself: ...well that doesn't happen Maru and Serral are probably top 5.

GumBa Profile Blog Joined July 2012 United Kingdom 29429 Posts #14 On January 16 2018 04:38 Musicus wrote:

I like soO.



I enjoy watching him. He is my favourite player.



When he gets second place, I think to myself: No



When he gets first place, I think to myself: ...well that doesn't happen I like soO.I enjoy watching him. He is my favourite player.When he gets second place, I think to myself: NoWhen he gets first place, I think to myself: ...well that doesn't happen

Never4get Kespa cup Never4get Kespa cup To all the haters: you deserve to witness many, many more Serral victories, worthy of the godlike player he is.

Fango Profile Joined July 2016 United Kingdom 7762 Posts #15 On January 16 2018 04:43 GumBa wrote:

Show nested quote +

On January 16 2018 04:38 Musicus wrote:

I like soO.



I enjoy watching him. He is my favourite player.



When he gets second place, I think to myself: No



When he gets first place, I think to myself: ...well that doesn't happen I like soO.I enjoy watching him. He is my favourite player.When he gets second place, I think to myself: NoWhen he gets first place, I think to myself: ...well that doesn't happen

Never4get Kespa cup Never4get Kespa cup



Do people undervalue Kespa Cups because a foreigner won one? Do people undervalue Kespa Cups because a foreigner won one? Zest, sOs, PartinG, Dark, and Maru are the real champs. ROOT_herO is overrated. Snute, Serral, and Scarlett are the foreigner GOATs

pvsnp Profile Joined January 2017 7613 Posts Last Edited: 2018-01-15 20:16:43 #16 I'm not a soO fan and can't say I was sad to watch him lose in 2014. But seeing it happen all over again in 2017 was kind of painful, even for a detached observer.



I may not be a fan, but I will still cheer for him to break his curse and finally lift a GSL trophy. Nobody with a heart could do any less. Though until that happens, I reserve the right to meme about his second places.



Great writing as usual, Mizenhauer. Though I gotta say, the frequency of these soO articles is a bit.....blatant. Denominator of the Universe

pvsnp Profile Joined January 2017 7613 Posts Last Edited: 2018-01-15 20:15:34 #17 On January 16 2018 05:11 Fango wrote:

Show nested quote +

On January 16 2018 04:43 GumBa wrote:

On January 16 2018 04:38 Musicus wrote:

I like soO.



I enjoy watching him. He is my favourite player.



When he gets second place, I think to myself: No



When he gets first place, I think to myself: ...well that doesn't happen I like soO.I enjoy watching him. He is my favourite player.When he gets second place, I think to myself: NoWhen he gets first place, I think to myself: ...well that doesn't happen

Never4get Kespa cup Never4get Kespa cup



Do people undervalue Kespa Cups because a foreigner won one? Do people undervalue Kespa Cups because a foreigner won one?

Of course not. They undervalue Kespa Cups because soO won one. Clearly it can't be a true first place.



Petition to rename the Kong line the soO line. Of course not. They undervalue Kespa Cups because soO won one. Clearly it can't be a true first place.Petition to rename the Kong line the soO line. Denominator of the Universe

ZigguratOfUr Profile Blog Joined April 2012 Iraq 16046 Posts Last Edited: 2018-01-15 20:22:32 #18 On January 16 2018 05:11 Fango wrote:

Show nested quote +

On January 16 2018 04:43 GumBa wrote:

On January 16 2018 04:38 Musicus wrote:

I like soO.



I enjoy watching him. He is my favourite player.



When he gets second place, I think to myself: No



When he gets first place, I think to myself: ...well that doesn't happen I like soO.I enjoy watching him. He is my favourite player.When he gets second place, I think to myself: NoWhen he gets first place, I think to myself: ...well that doesn't happen

Never4get Kespa cup Never4get Kespa cup



Do people undervalue Kespa Cups because a foreigner won one? Do people undervalue Kespa Cups because a foreigner won one?



Neeb's KeSPA Cup was more prestigious than soO's since there was twice the prize pool and a group stage.



On January 16 2018 05:14 pvsnp wrote:

Show nested quote +

On January 16 2018 05:11 Fango wrote:

On January 16 2018 04:43 GumBa wrote:

On January 16 2018 04:38 Musicus wrote:

I like soO.



I enjoy watching him. He is my favourite player.



When he gets second place, I think to myself: No



When he gets first place, I think to myself: ...well that doesn't happen I like soO.I enjoy watching him. He is my favourite player.When he gets second place, I think to myself: NoWhen he gets first place, I think to myself: ...well that doesn't happen

Never4get Kespa cup Never4get Kespa cup



Do people undervalue Kespa Cups because a foreigner won one? Do people undervalue Kespa Cups because a foreigner won one?

Of course not. They undervalue Kespa Cups because soO won one. Clearly it can't be a true first place.



Petition to rename the Kong line the soO line. Of course not. They undervalue Kespa Cups because soO won one. Clearly it can't be a true first place.Petition to rename the Kong line the soO line.



And Flash made top 4 of KeSPA Cup twice. Definitely a joke event. Neeb's KeSPA Cup was more prestigious than soO's since there was twice the prize pool and a group stage.And Flash made top 4 of KeSPA Cup twice. Definitely a joke event. Maps I made recently: Nevermore: https://i.imgur.com/NiqR0Rj.jpg | Rubaiyat: https://i.imgur.com/XD3E3vd.jpg | Grand Canal: https://i.imgur.com/kNgyOCo.jpg

pvsnp Profile Joined January 2017 7613 Posts #19 On January 16 2018 05:20 ZigguratOfUr wrote:

Show nested quote +

On January 16 2018 05:11 Fango wrote:

On January 16 2018 04:43 GumBa wrote:

On January 16 2018 04:38 Musicus wrote:

I like soO.



I enjoy watching him. He is my favourite player.



When he gets second place, I think to myself: No



When he gets first place, I think to myself: ...well that doesn't happen I like soO.I enjoy watching him. He is my favourite player.When he gets second place, I think to myself: NoWhen he gets first place, I think to myself: ...well that doesn't happen

Never4get Kespa cup Never4get Kespa cup



Do people undervalue Kespa Cups because a foreigner won one? Do people undervalue Kespa Cups because a foreigner won one?



Neeb's KeSPA Cup was more prestigious than soO's since there was twice the prize pool and a group stage.



Show nested quote +

On January 16 2018 05:14 pvsnp wrote:

On January 16 2018 05:11 Fango wrote:

On January 16 2018 04:43 GumBa wrote:

On January 16 2018 04:38 Musicus wrote:

I like soO.



I enjoy watching him. He is my favourite player.



When he gets second place, I think to myself: No



When he gets first place, I think to myself: ...well that doesn't happen I like soO.I enjoy watching him. He is my favourite player.When he gets second place, I think to myself: NoWhen he gets first place, I think to myself: ...well that doesn't happen

Never4get Kespa cup Never4get Kespa cup



Do people undervalue Kespa Cups because a foreigner won one? Do people undervalue Kespa Cups because a foreigner won one?

Of course not. They undervalue Kespa Cups because soO won one. Clearly it can't be a true first place.



Petition to rename the Kong line the soO line. Of course not. They undervalue Kespa Cups because soO won one. Clearly it can't be a true first place.Petition to rename the Kong line the soO line.



And Flash made top 4 of KeSPA Cup twice. Definitely a joke event. Neeb's KeSPA Cup was more prestigious than soO's since there was twice the prize pool and a group stage.And Flash made top 4 of KeSPA Cup twice. Definitely a joke event.

Building firebats against Protoss, such a bad habit. And he got to the top 4? Joke confirmed. Building firebats against Protoss, such a bad habit. And he got to the top 4? Joke confirmed. Denominator of the Universe

Mizenhauer Profile Blog Joined February 2015 United States 1058 Posts #20 On January 16 2018 05:13 pvsnp wrote:

I'm not a soO fan and can't say I was sad to watch him lose in 2014. But seeing it happen all over again in 2017 was kind of painful, even for a detached observer.



I may not be a fan, but I will still cheer for him to break his curse and finally lift a GSL trophy. Nobody with a heart could do any less. Though until that happens, I reserve the right to meme about his second places.



Great writing as usual, Mizenhauer. Though I gotta say, the frequency of these soO articles is a bit.....blatant.



I have written a fair number of articles about soO, but I think you'd be shocked to know the other player I've written about the most. Note: I'll be excluding previews from GSL Season 1 because that system was scrapped and the topic was forced rather than chosen.



By my count, I wrote four articles about soO in 2017 (VSL Preview/Eo Yun Soo/BlizzCon/Weekly Focus). Two others were written as GSL final previews by other people. I wrote three articles about Inno during the same time period (VSL Preview/GSL S3 Preview/Weekly Focus). Two more articles were written for BlizzCon and SSL Season 1 by other writers. There was just an Inno/Maru article and now a soO article. So the two are pretty even on how frequently they've been covered in my tenure. It's not my fault soO's story, and by extension the articles about him, are more interesting and stick out so much more than other players in the scene like INnoVation. I have written a fair number of articles about soO, but I think you'd be shocked to know the other player I've written about the most. Note: I'll be excluding previews from GSL Season 1 because that system was scrapped and the topic was forced rather than chosen.By my count, I wrote four articles about soO in 2017 (VSL Preview/Eo Yun Soo/BlizzCon/Weekly Focus). Two others were written as GSL final previews by other people. I wrote three articles about Inno during the same time period (VSL Preview/GSL S3 Preview/Weekly Focus). Two more articles were written for BlizzCon and SSL Season 1 by other writers. There was just an Inno/Maru article and now a soO article. So the two are pretty even on how frequently they've been covered in my tenure. It's not my fault soO's story, and by extension the articles about him, are more interesting and stick out so much more than other players in the scene like INnoVation. ┗|∵|┓

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