Juan Moreno “Vortix” Duran
Nominated for making it to five premier or major top four finishes, including 2nd at WCS Europe, top three at IEM Cologne and first at THOR Open 2012. Vortix has shown true mastery in all zerg match-ups and has provided the viewers with a highest quality entertainment during Cologne and Europe regionals.
2012 achievements:
1st: THOR Open
2nd: WCS Europe
Top four: IEM Cologne
Top four: IEM Singapore
Sasha "Scarlett" Hostyn
Nominated for being the pure definition of break-out player, going from zero before IPL 4 (where she debuted by beating renowned names to the ground) to being WCS-certified as the best player in North America, leaving players with much broader history behind.
2012 achievements:
1st: WCS Canada
1st: WCS North American
2nd: MSI Worldwide Cup
Seung Hyun "Life" Lee
If being a royal roader does not qualify you for a “break-out player” nominee, we don’t know what does.
Except maybe another royal road and winning Blizzard Cup over all those prominent champions and rising stars.
2012 achievements:
1st: GSL Season 4
1st: MLG Fall Championship
1st: Blizzard Cup
2nd: TSL 4
Yoon Jong “Rain” Jung
Nominated for being the most successful KeSPA player for the entire year, winning two premier tournaments within a month and finishing top four at two others. If Rain had broken out earlier, he would’ve certainly been nominated in the “Best Korean” but even as it is, he’s one of the most worthy contenders for the “Break-out player” title.
2012 achievements:
1st: OSL
1st: WCS Asia
3rd: BWC
Top four: GSL 4
Lee Sak "Parting" Won
Nominated for having a truly rapid increase in skill throughout the year, ending with becoming the double World Champion and second in the ultimate champion of champions tournament: the Blizzard Cup.
2012 achievements:
2nd: WCS Asia
1st: BWC
1st: WCG 2012
2nd: Blizzard Cup
Dong Hyun “Symbol” Kang
Nominated for making to the finals of Spring Arena 2 and Iron Squid within one month of each other, placing second at HomeStory Cup 6, as well as being considered one of the absolute best players during GSL Season 3.
2012 achievements:
2nd: Iron Squid I
2nd: Spring Arena 2
2nd: HSC VI
Hyun Woon “Creator” Jang
Nominated for being among the brightest rising protoss stars in Korea, whose achievements include first places at TSL 4 and WCS South Korea, as well as runner-up placements at BWC and IPL Tournament of Champions. Helping Team Prime to an IPL TAC 2 championship must also not be overlooked.
2012 achievements:
1st: TSL 4
1st: WCS South Korea
2nd: BWC
2nd: IPL Tournament of Champions
Young Suh "Taeja" Yoon
Nominated for being one of the most dreaded terrans on the planet after going through a complete reincarnation after putting on the TL shirt. Taeja went from being just a team league weapon for SlayerS in 2011 to a player that competed all over the world, never failing to impress.
2012 achievements:
1st: DreamHack Valencia
1st: Assembly Summer
1st: MLG Summer Arena
2nd: DreamHack Winter
Dong Hwan "Violet" Kim
Nominated for having achieved nothing in 2011 to placing high in nine premier tournaments (three gold medals included) and being one of the most serious contenders for the title of “Best Korean”. This has truly been a rebirth year for Violet and his nominations is well justified.
2012 achievements:
1st: IEM Sao Paulo
1st: MLG Spring Arena 2
2nd: IPL 5
2nd: NASL 4