IG TheShy on his level today: “I would say that my peak is right now. I’m actually a lot better now”

You just faced Gen.G and Kiin. Would you say you played against one of the best top laners in the world right now?

Kiin is a great player, to be honest. But since it’s been a while since we were on a stage like this for an official match, I could definitely tell he was playing a little shaky — maybe he was a little nervous. And obviously I made mistakes too. We both looked a little nervous, especially during the laning phase, so there were mistakes here and there. I feel like we haven’t really been able to get a good read on each other’s peak skill level yet.

You’ve taken several breaks from competitive League over the years, but you always seem to come back when it matters most. What keeps bringing you back, and what makes you decide when it’s time to step away?

I do feel I’m gifted enough to be in this industry and to play as a professional, and I think that’s what keeps bringing me back. But the main motivating factor is really everyone who encourages me to come back — the teams that keep telling me they need me, all the support from fans who say they want to see me back, all the people waiting for me to return. Those are the things that keep bringing me back to the scene.

You once said you felt you might have achieved your goals too early in your career. Do you still feel that way, and has your motivation changed since?

Just a few years into my career I was able to reach the very peak, lifting the trophy, and that’s something not a lot of players get to experience. So I do still agree it was an early achievement. But the motivating factor is different now — I feel so incredibly blessed and happy just to be at Worlds this year, and I’m going to try my best to go as far as I can.

You’re one of the most iconic and beloved players in League of Legends, and I think a big part of that is a playstyle that never left anyone indifferent. Is that a fair description, and do you understand why it makes people so passionate about you?

A lot of people must have thought of me that way because of all my risky plays and the bold self I was when I was young. But now that I’m older, I can’t help it — I’ve matured, and I’ve been going for a more conservative type of play. That’s something I want to control and manage, so I can still hold that title. Maybe I have to hold that standard for myself too. But as years go by, I have become a different person.

Looking back at your 2018 season, do you still believe that was the highest peak any top laner ever reached in League of Legends?

I’d say my peak was actually 2019 — I don’t think I was the best in 2018, I was better in 2019. And I believe I’m just as good right now. I would say that my peak is right now. I’m actually a lot better now — it’s just that you might not see it that way, because everyone else has been growing and improving as players. The overall average has been going up; everyone has an elevated type of gameplay right now.

You were the first to bring glory to the LPL in 2018 by lifting the Summoner’s Cup. After years without China winning that trophy, do you believe you could be the one to bring it back?

It’s going to take high levels of skill to reach that point. So far we’ve only played one match and it was a regretful loss against Gen.G — but I firmly believe we were at a pretty similar level. So honestly, I can’t comfortably say I’ll be able to lift the trophy for the LPL. But I’m going to try my best, and I want to bring good results for them.

You’ve achieved so much and stepped away from competition more than once. Do you have an idea how much longer you’d like to keep competing, or is that something you prefer to decide one season at a time?

As someone who’s had such a long career, I feel it’s not strange for me to take a break, come back and keep playing. It’s a special opportunity, but I’ve not had the privilege to live an ordinary life, and I’ve always thought about that. I haven’t decided yet, and I’m looking forward to that too — it’s just that I may still be in this scene for as long as I want to be.