ALL NOVEL Chapter 29
Korea’s schedule passed quickly.
I greeted my father-in-law, Chairman Hwang Geum-soon, my uncle, and the members of Geumsun High School’s football team including Kang Chan after a long time.
Well… everyone seemed to be doing well.
My father-in-law had unexpectedly become a “geese dad,” spending weekends fishing with Chairman Hwang Geum-soon.
Kang Chan was now a regular striker for Geumsun High School, participating in matches.
The Geumsun High School football team was on an undefeated streak, virtually confirming their advance to the finals, and they were currently in a training camp to prepare for the tournament.
“Hey, do crowds still come to watch the games these days?”
“Some people still visit the stands occasionally.”
According to Kang Chan, the fans who used to visit every match while I studied abroad in Germany were mostly gone, but a few still came by to support Geumsun High School when they felt like it.
Well… it’s a good thing. I hope youth football can develop as well.
– Hooouuuuu─!
– Ah… Hello. It seems like there are more of you than before…
I recalled the younger brothers who came to greet me at the airport upon my arrival. Among a few familiar faces were some unfamiliar ones, and I asked them what had happened.
– I saw your performances on SBK News!!
Then the younger brothers said that SBK had been focusing heavily on my activities…
Hmm, I might end up appearing on the broadcast soon.
Since the planning has been approved, aren’t they just adding fuel to the fire to boost my image?
“But why haven’t I received any booking requests yet? No way. Are these guys seriously thinking of shoving a camera in my face without any prior arrangement just because they’re on terrestrial TV?”
At this time, cable channels were struggling, so the prestige of terrestrial television was solid, and because of various abuse incidents involving terrestrial PDs, I felt a bit uneasy.
“I didn’t think he was that kind of person…”
Looks like I can’t rely on appearances after all?
I shook my head, recalling the stubbornly naive-looking PD.
Well… since I learned a good mindset in Europe, I shouldn’t have any problems. I was always ready to whip out the regulations.
If the broadcasting crew tries to mess with me, I’ll just respond with double fists of law.
*
Meanwhile, at SBK.
The aftermath of the strike that lasted through July was still shaking SBK.
“Haa… How tangled is it after a month-long strike?”
PD Kim Hyun-deok said as he clutched his head, looking at the writer.
“What’s the first thing we need to do, Writer Choi?”
“Well… we need to secure Son Jinho first.”
The writer, looking haggard, answered the PD.
“Didn’t you say you’d reach out before the strike?”
“I told the intern to handle it, but he quit and ran away while we were on strike.”
PD Kim Hyun-deok sighed deeply, bowing his head at Writer Choi’s words. The words ‘You should have managed it better’ nearly slipped out but he barely held back.
In any case, he also had some responsibility in this.
“…Let’s contact Son Jinho first. I’ll get in touch.”
Finishing his words, PD Kim Hyun-deok got up from his seat, holding his phone.
*
One day before leaving for China.
I received a call from the broadcasting PD.
– Hello, Son Jinho. I’m Kim Hyun-deok from SBK, I don’t know if you remember, but we met before.
Hmm. It seems my earlier suspicions were correct. Seeing the very courteous greeting from PD Kim Hyun-deok, it felt like I could seal away my double-fist regulations.
– We have a program planned and would like to secure you for it.
Oh…? Wait a minute, do PDs normally make booking calls themselves?
I felt slightly puzzled but focused back on the call with the PD.
– We want to film a pilot program about your daily life studying in Germany.
I was wondering if it could be interesting as a variety show, but well… that’s up to the PD to figure out.
– The appearance fee will be around…
I nodded and accepted the PD’s offer. Well, even if it’s not fun, I doubt there will be any devil editing involved.
*
October 2nd.
The South Korean U19 national team moved from Incheon Airport to Zibo City in Shandong Province, China to participate in the AFC U-19 Championship.
As this tournament grants qualification for the FIFA U20 World Cup, it was a significant event for South Korea’s young prospects, so SBC even arranged to broadcast it exclusively.
Since it’s such an important tournament, the South Korean U19 national team started congregating for training a month prior.
With my sudden inclusion, the media began speculating about why I, who wasn’t even on the roster, had suddenly joined the final lineup…
“Who came over from Germany just because he wanted to? And if those guys were good at football, I wouldn’t have been called in!”
Probably, seeing my inclusion, parents whose kids were dropped were tipping off the media in their anger.
Well, at least it’s fortunate that Dongwon Chumchi also got on the final list without prior training just like me, so it didn’t cause too much fuss.
“Hey, little bro!”
“Dongwon Chumchi!”
Anyway, after a long time apart, Dongwon Chumchi had successfully debuted in the professional scene and was continuing his career successfully.
“How’s studying in Germany? Is it okay? Not too intense with the racism?”
“Ahh. Ask one question at a time. Well, it’s manageable. Sometimes there are those who squint their eyes, but I elbow them a bit, and they don’t do it after that.”
“…Doesn’t the referee catch that?”
“How could an amateur get caught doing that?”
After the friendly tournament in the UAE, we were in the same room again this time, and we had various conversations, most of which revolved around Germany.
Since Dongwon Chumchi had traveled to Reading for his studies, it made sense that he had a strong desire for overseas advancement.
Perhaps it was also because he had been the only Korean player in Reading who hadn’t received a contract offer.
“To be honest, it must hurt his pride…”
For various reasons, it maybe also contributed to Dongwon Chumchi choosing to move to Sunderland right after they made an offer.
Well… I think I would have done the same in his position.
“If you’re going to go abroad, adjusting to the European stage in Germany before moving to another league isn’t a bad idea.”
I subtly encouraged Dongwon Chumchi to go to Germany. As far as I remember, he hadn’t been able to successfully continue his career at Sunderland.
The choice lies with Dongwon Chumchi, but considering he had been performing well on loan at Augsburg, I hoped he would seriously think about heading to Germany.
Since I have returned now, wouldn’t it be better to share my success with the people around me rather than just living well by myself?
Personally, I preferred everyone around me to be doing well together rather than just myself.
*
Monday, October 4, 2010.
At Linzi Stadium, Shandong Province, China.
With the referee Andre’s whistle, the match between South Korea and Iran began.
South Korea was grouped with Australia, Iran, and Yemen, which the media labeled as the group of death, expressing concerns about elimination, but we were confident in our victory. The U19 national team showcased a performance worthy of that confidence.
Before receiving the ball, I scanned around to check where to pass it, and as soon as I got the ball, I flicked the bottom with a gentle touch, sending a beautiful cross to Dongwon Chumchi as he penetrated into the penalty box.
Dongwon Chumchi successfully nodded the incoming ball, shaking the Iranian goal net.
“Waaaaaa─!”
As Cha Dongwon ran to the stands to celebrate,
“Inshallah. (As God wills.)”
I approached the Iranian goalkeeper who had conceded the goal and conveyed the comforting thought that everything was happening as Ho-woo wished, so as a mere mortal, he could do nothing.
Understanding my feelings or not, the goalkeeper nodded in response.
“Allah hu Akbar. (God is great.)”
Well, those aren’t bad words, but strangely hearing that from a Muslim was incredibly intimidating.
*
The first half, 40 minutes.
South Korea 1 : 0 Iran.
[After Iran conceded, they became quite anxious, right? I hope the players can calmly use that to our advantage.]
[Ah! Just as you said, Iran’s passing error! Baek Seok-dong blocks the ball and immediately passes it to Son Jinho!]
[Son Jinho receives the ball! The Iranian players rush in but can’t stop him! He successfully evades pressure with ease!]
[Here comes a counterattack from South Korea!]
[Five attackers, three defenders—South Korea has the numerical advantage!! This is a golden opportunity for South Korea!]
[The ball is still with Son Jinho! Son Jinho! He puts it between the legs of the charging Iranian center-back! And shoots!! Goaaaaaaal!! The second goal comes shortly after the first goal!!]
[Son Jinho, who assisted the first goal, has now sealed the next one himself! An incredible long-range shot! It’s a perfectly crafted trajectory that leaves the Iranian goalkeeper frozen!!]
“Hoouuuuu─!”
[Son Jinho, who scored, begins to yell in triumph!!]