TL CoreJJ: “[Yeon]’s doing well. He’s mechanically very good too. And once he’s ahead, we should make sure he can succeed.”

Q: What are you thinking going into the best of fives? Are you familiar with the format, and who do you think you’ll face?

CoreJJ: I don’t know who we’re gonna face, but whoever we play versus, we’ll try [our] best.

Q: You secured a massive lead against C9 today. As first seed, FLY will get to pick their opponent. Who do you think they’ll pick between TL and SR?

CoreJJ: They can choose us. I don’t mind either if we play by C9 and or FlyQuest. I think they’re both fine teams, and it’s up to us doing well or not. 

Q:  People have been critical of TL’s recent performance, but you had winning opportunities today. What do you think about the team’s level during today’s matches?

CoreJJ: I think we had a massive lead in Game 1, and then we couldn’t close out. We were losing the game too, but we came back and we still lost. So I didn’t think we played well particularly, as a team. 

Q: If your goal is to beat FLY and C9, what are you planning to change between today and next week?

CoreJJ: Definitely doing better in the teamfights. Today, we lost the game in a crucial middle-late game teamfight. We gotta figure out how and why.

Q: Do you think it’s a communication thing? Are you not on the same page? 

CoreJJ: I remember one fight we actually did well. But other than that, I think we just didn’t play well overall individually. 

Q: In the past, Yeon has talked about shouldering the responsibility of carrying the team and staying at his mechanical best. In both games, especially Game 1, he did very well. Do you think the team is struggling to capitalize on his performance? Are you just not synchronized?

CoreJJ: [We’re] not synchronized. He’s doing well. He’s mechanically very good too. And once he’s ahead, we should make sure he can succeed.

Q: Impact and APA have very limited champ pools in the current meta. Are you concerned about drafting in the best of five stage, or do they have more picks we haven’t seen?

CoreJJ: Especially in a Bo5, we gotta show up with different champions. We have many pocket picks, [but] there’s no more, “It’s okay to lose games.” We have to win every game, so we’ll try to show what we can do. 

Q: Is Spawn in LA? 

CoreJJ: Spawn is gonna come soon, next week.

Q: TL seems to perform better when Spawn is there in person, which creates the mythical “Spawn Buff,” but that’s also usually during the highest-pressure games. Why do you think the team struggles until your backs are against the wall?

CoreJJ: I hope we’re gonna do well, you know, in the playoffs situation. We’ll prove we will do well this playoffs. Playoffs are important.

Q: Have scrims been improving since MSI? 

CoreJJ: I think it’s pretty good. Improved. Better than last week. I think when we played in MSI scrims, it was not bad, too. And I think overall, games are [at a] fine level.

Q: DIG-DSG is happening now. Who do you think will win, and why?

CoreJJ: DSG is gonna win. I just chose a random D. 

Q: Many people have said DSG’s improved a lot this split. Based off their split and this game’s draft, who do you think will win?

CoreJJ: DIG is gonna win. Just [a] feeling. Honestly, DSG’s comp is pretty good too. Both comps [are] fine. 

Q: Darkwings’ Ziggs is pretty interesting — that’s copying APA’s flow, no?

CoreJJ: Yeah. It is copying, but if Keine is playing well, it’s probably hard. Darkwings needs to play well. 

Q: What do you and Yeon think about Rahel’s skill level?

CoreJJ: I think many ADCs are good. I think Rahel is definitely high-level in the LTA. His individual level as an ADC is pretty high.

Q: Now for some fun questions from fans. First, do you sleep with socks on or no socks? 

CoreJJ: Socks? No. No way. 

Q: No socks? Why not?

CoreJJ: Haven’t thought about it, that’s just weird. 

Q: Do you prefer zip-up jackets or hoodies?

CoreJJ: Zip-up jackets. Zip-up jackets. 

Q: What are your favorite spots for dates with your wife?

CoreJJ: Restaurants — Japanese or Korean.

Q: Any recent fun stories you want to share? 

CoreJJ: We started playing spikeball. Everyone’s playing.

Q: Even Yeon? Are you playing indoors or outdoors?

CoreJJ: Outdoors, outdoors. 

Q: Yeon’s going outside? I’m surprised. 

CoreJJ: Yeah. Yeon can go outside too.

Transcription assistance from Sage, @eonmoons