Bdd: KT “gained so much” from tough Swiss Stage run

We had the chance to speak to KT Rolster’s triumphant midlaner Gwak “Bdd” Bo-seong after claiming a 2-0 victory that not only stopped KT from crashing out of Worlds 2023, but also booked their spot in the quarter-finals.

A hesitant start to game one saw KT allow DK much of the control before their comp came online and took over the game. They then managed to snatch game two in what was an extremely back-and-forth match.

KT Rolster has been a victim of the new Swiss Stage format, having been randomly drawn against LCK and LPL opposition for all five rounds. They were drawn against 2020 Worlds winners Dplus KIA for their do-or-die round five series where a victory was required to prevent elimination.

Lee Jones: You beat Dplus KIA twice in summer and once already in the Swiss stage before today’s series.

Were you quite confident in beating Dplus KIA today after initially drawing them?

Bdd: I still wished for an easier team. But we’ve beaten DK plenty of times in the LCK and Swiss stage so we were okay with the draw.

Lee Jones: Kiin pulled out Ryze in the first game.

Is that something KT had been saving and are there some more picks the team has up its sleeve?

Bdd: The team has a lot of these cards up its sleeve right now. We picked Ryze today because Kiin was confident picking Ryze against Rumble.

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Lee Jones: KT started game one very passively, even giving dragon soul, before swiftly taking control of the match.

Was there a point you felt you’d given DK too much or were you always confident in winning?

Bdd: Even before the game started, after the picks and bans were locked in I thought the comp wasn’t as perfect as it could be – it was a little off. If we had to play that match again, we might lose it next time. So after game one we really changed up the picks and bans so we could be better and win game two.

Lee Jones: Game two was very close and looked like either team could’ve won.

Did the match feel that close in-game?

Bdd: So for game two I thought that our comp had more opportunities to do things, we had the upper hand in the draft. The only reason it was so tight was because we made so many mistakes. If hadn’t done so then the game would’ve been in our advantage the whole time.

Lee Jones: KT had an incredibly tough Swiss Stage Draw.

You’ve made it through, but did you feel at all hard done by compared to other sides?

Bdd: Obviously our run was a little harder, we met more difficult teams on the way. But looking back now that we’re finished with the Swiss stage I don’t think it was a bad thing because we gained so much from the opportunity to play those teams on the way. So it’s okay.

Is there any team, or any specific mid laner, that you want to face in the quarter-finals?

Bdd: Obviously I’d like to face the easier teams, the relatively weaker teams, but personally I really want to meet JDG Knight.

Lee Jones: There’s a perception that KT plays better when there are less expectations on them to perform.

Did you feel that the tough draw meant KT could play without pressure and, if so, did that help?

Bdd: I never really thought of it in that way. I just think of KT as a team that can win any game and the results came out as expected in that way.

Lee Jones: Your name hasn’t been among the conversation of the best mid laners for some time.

How much would a Worlds title mean for your legacy?

Bdd: I’ve been playing as a pro for a really long time, and what I think is very important in a pro player is motivation. Winning Worlds would really increase my confidence and light up my motivation, so I really want to win this World Championship.

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