Source: http://lol.duowan.com/1601/316394510742.html

DuoWan’s series of interviews for spring split has now reached EDG. This day also happens to be the same day as EDG’s press conference. During the press conference, EDG’s jungler, Clearlove, renewed his contract with the team. Coach Aaron was also was promoted to the position of board member and manager. Throughout the entire event, San Shao’s shadow everywhere. He’s no longer someone who just simply invested into the team. His passion and dedication towards this team is truly astonishing. EDG’s immense success has much to do with San Shao’s planning. However, some people view him highly while others don’t. San Shao hopes that he will be able to prove himself through more achievements.

Lastly, we invited their jungler, Clearlove, to talk about EDG’s current situation. Throughout our conversation, Clearlove seemed very excited. He, like others, really looks forward to this new season.

This Clearlove interview is the only interview written in the Q&A format for our spring split interview series. In this article, we did not make many tweaks to his answers. The purpose is so that everyone would be able to look more clearly into Clearlove’s thoughts during this time.



Q: How are you doing in scrims lately? How is the entire team doing?

EDG Clearlove: As for me, I’m so-so. The entire team is pretty good though. I feel like I still don’t understand the new patch well enough yet. My performance in scrims hasn’t reached the level I demand from myself.

Q: Looking back on 2015, the year that was filled with many ups and downs, what is something you urgently need to change about yourself?

EDG Clearlove: First of all, I looked after the feelings and thoughts of our Korean players a bit too much last year. That’s why this year, as the shot caller, I need to become stronger. I hope to be able to unite the opinions of the entire team. Secondly, this new patch is almost like an entire new game. I hope to change my play style into a more aggressive one. This way, it’s more likely to bring my team victory. Lastly, I need to change my bad temper and not have my emotions affect my attitude in game.

Q: As the team’s shot caller, what do you do to have your team fully trust you?

EDG Clearlove: First of all, I need to practice more than everyone else. Only then will your teammates willingly listen to you. Secondly, you need to separate your personal life from the gaming related things. During your personal life, you need to care for your teammates often. However, during game, you cannot be lax. You must be blunt and be able to point out your teammate’s mistakes. This is really important if you want them to improve.

Q: Although Fireloli did play matches in 2015, he played more for “entertainment” purposes. Aaron once said that he would put effort into cultivating him as a talent this year. He wants to develop him into the second “Clearlove”. How do you look at this?

EDG Clearlove: I think it might be because the team thinks I’m getting old. However, I believe that I will still be able to play at my peak for another two years without any problems. However, if I’m unable to lead my team towards victory, then I will consider retiring. I don’t want to be someone who drags others down. This is why the team considered having him as my successor. Aaron also has similar thoughts.

As for Fireloli, there’s another thing. I actually took the initiative in bringing up that idea. I’m a player who needs pressure. It’s like a spring. The more pressure he gives me, the stronger I’ll be. Also, during the two years I’ve had with EDG, I didn’t have much time to rest. Just like this year after season 5 Worlds, I played some tournaments with our secondary team. After that, it was All Star. I’ve been under high-pressure situations the entire time. If I have someone to rotate with, I would be able to have some time to adjust myself once in awhile. I think this is a really good option for me.

Q: Can you tell us how you rate Fireloli?

EDG Clearlove: First of all, Fireloli is really smart and has a great attitude. These two criteria are crucial if one wants to become a top tier jungler. However, he’s too relaxed. Whether it’s in a match or during rank, he’s never serious enough. I’ve been discussing this issue with him. Right now, he’s been slowly trying to correct his flaws.

Q: Gogoing also took some time off to adjust himself. However, after he retired, he said that he shouldn’t have allowed him to go into relax mode. What do you think about his point of view?

EDG Clearlove: It might be because his definition of ‘rest’ is different than my definition. My definition of rest means that I still need to keep up with practice. However, my health and my mentality must be well kept in order for me to do half the work and still have the same results. When I feel like I’m not in the best condition, I’ll sleep more, or I’ll just play less and watch and think more instead. And I’ll start playing again after I feel well rested. I won’t rest and adjust my body through long vacations or traveling.

Our team has set a side a certain amount of time for rest. We have about 9.5 hours of rest time per day. However, I will always practice until the last second before our scheduled rest time. This is why I get fewer hours of sleep.

Q: As for the player’s injuries, how do you see it? Do you also have similar conditions?

EDG Clearlove: First of all, their injuries are due to their unhealthy sitting positions. For example, PawN and Koro1 all sit however they want. For me, I don’t have any problems with my health. I sit very properly when I play games. At times, I will also exercise. When I sit for a long time, I’ll stand up and loosen my body. My body definitely feels better from this. If you sleep early, drink more water, eat more fruits, then your mentality shouldn’t have any problems either.

Q: In the new season, what hopes do you have for your teammates?

EDG Clearlove: Koro is considered one of the older ones in the professional scene. I hope that he will be able to become more and more confident. I hope he’ll be able to regain the confidence and feeling he had during MSI. I hope he will become stronger and stronger and that we’ll be able to become the strongest top jungle synergy next year.

Pawn: I hope his back problem gets better quickly. Sometimes, his back pain affects his mood. This also affects the atmosphere of the entire team. I hope that he will go back to being the lively little fatty.

Deft: I hope that he will allocate time for rest and for practice reasonably. Rest when he’s supposed to and practice when he’s supposed to. Don’t overload on practice and instead focus more on the quality of practice. I also hope his mindset can become even better.

Meiko: As the kid, I hope he can spend more time thinking. In the future, he has the potential to become China’s number one support. He needs to mature even more.

Q: I’m asking this question for the fans. Why do you duo queue with Koro less now?

EDG Clearlove: We used to duo quite often. We do it less now that we’re streaming. (Koro speaking: Duo queuing with Clearlove is too stressful. We get unhappy when we lose).

Q: EDG has had many achievements after establishing itself as a team. However, some people worried that EDG might enter into a bottleneck phase?

EDG Clearlove: This year, all the big teams are very strong. EDG will be facing many challenges. If EDG will be able to break through its bottleneck period, then we will be able to rise up even more.

Q: Can you name the teams that may be the hardest to deal with?

EDG Clearlove: LGD, RNG, IG

Q: Did you base this ranking off of scrims?

EDG Clearlove: I’m basing this off of their strength. The three teams’ mid and jungle synergy are all strong. It’s harder for us to play against.

Q: Recently, you posted a few statuses on the EDG app. However, people have had some suspicions about this. Can you respond to this?

EDG Clearlove: EDG is becoming bigger and better through the past two years of development. It has also increased in its diversity. Throughout its development, it’s inevitable that there are some flaws. Our practice schedule was already very full and none of our players knew about this event. However, the event itself was very meaningful. It had good intentions.

Q: Then is this problem currently solved?

EDG Clearlove: In the end, the team dropped the event. Our team is actually very understanding. The owner is willing to take into account the opinions of the players. This is also one of the reasons why I’m staying in EDG.

Q: How do you feel about Athena, who performed very well at IEM? How does he compare to Pawn?

EDG Clearlove: Since it’s his first time coming to China, I feel that he’s not very used to the environment or the food yet. We lack a bit in communication. He still needs to slowly integrate. I’ve been working with Pawn for a year now, so I still have a better rapport with Pawn.

Q: From WE to EDG, Aaron has always accompanied you. Right now, Aaron has been promoted to the manager of the board. How do you view his change?

EDG Clearlove: Aaron being able to achieve all of this represents how much the owner trusts him. Looking at it from my perspective, I feel that he’s the type that’s able to do whatever he does well. Plus, he’s always been a person who puts his heart into his work.

Q: Flandre considers you to be his best friend. Right now, being his neighbor, do you talk to him a lot?

EDG Clearlove: I helped him when he first entered into the professional scene. I used to duo queue with him frequently and taught him some of the details about top and jungle synergy. I also comforted him when he didn’t qualify for season 5 Worlds. I started to talk to him more after Snake moved here. However, since we’re opponents, we need to maintain our competitive attitude.

Q: Then why aren’t you inviting him to meals anymore?

EDG Clearlove: Because he ruined me in Rank! I’m really pissed off! That’s why I’m not treating him to food! (Clearlove laughs arrogantly)

The strongest impression he leaves on his teammates is how he continuously instructs them in game. “EDG being able to win Worlds has nothing to do with my ability to continue on playing. As long as I can maintain at my peak, I will keep playing!” In esports, not everyone can succeed without trying. This is the same with Sky, Faker and Clearlove.