Chapter 45
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Park Si-hyun at the Crossroads of Choice
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Since we couldn't keep talking in the parking lot, I invited Coach Hiddink to my house.
In the unfamiliar yet strangely tense atmosphere, a steaming cup sat on the table, slowly cooling.
The silence stretched on, and the voice that finally broke it was lower and calmer than expected.
"I... want you to join the national team, Si-hyun. Of course, I'm not forcing you. I can guess why you left for Germany at such a young age."
That single sentence locked my gaze in place without me realizing it.
Coach Hiddink's voice wasn't just something that entered the ears.
It pierced the chest and etched itself into the bones with its weight.
"The first Korean national team I took over was..."
The coach closed his eyes as if choosing his words, then opened them again.
"...an incredibly 'polite team.' Even when a junior had a chance to score, they'd look for the senior first and pass the ball. They used formal language even on the pitch, and in moments needing quick communication, 'excuse me' came out first. It was more like manners class than soccer."
The coach shook his head with a wry smile.
That smile wasn't mockery—it was the face of an adult genuinely regretting it.
"I've looked into how you've been in Germany. The racial discrimination you faced as a kid, the unfair doping suspicions... You didn't run from any of it—you fought back. It must not have been easy. But you never lost your confidence. The problem is... that kind of confidence would just look like 'standing out' in Korea."
I chuckled and tilted my cup.
"Yes, exactly. After a huge fight with the coach who tried to force me from striker to defender... that's how I ended up in Germany."
"Haha... Hearing it now makes it even more bitter."
A short laugh passed, then the coach's eyes sharpened.
That blade-like gaze made me straighten my back instinctively.
"But things are different now. What I changed wasn't just tactics or formations. I completely shattered the outdated hierarchy that shackled Korean soccer. Instead of seniors and juniors holding each other back on the pitch, anyone can use informal speech for quick communication. I've created a stage where young players don't cower and can show their true colors to the fullest."
I know all of it.
The Korean national team that Coach Hiddink transformed.
Because in the future, I'd checked out all his achievements.
"And stamina."
The coach tapped the table with his finger and continued.
"That was the biggest weakness. More than technique or tactics, I wanted to instill in Korean players the power to endure until the end. To turn South Korea's 'tenacity' into a real weapon."
The coach's voice was calm, but the conviction within was rock-solid.
"As a result, a team that used to shrink before strong opponents now stands tall and fights. Of course... when we got crushed 5-0 on that European away trip, the media tore us apart."
I'd watched that live from Germany.
The moment we lost 5-0, all those Confucian boys mocking the coach for scrapping senior-junior formalities over something like this.
"But I told the players this: 'This is just the beginning. We're preparing to win on the real stage.' And in the end... we did it. The recent results are proof."
I could roughly understand why Coach Hiddink had come all the way to Germany to persuade me.
He probably thought I'd grown sick of Korean soccer.
And that was partly true.
Whether it was Coach Kim Tae-ho, whom I'd treated like a benefactor, or the other soccer bigwigs...
I just didn't like how they did things.
I couldn't understand why the soccer association prioritized connections, pedigree, and money over soccer.
Of course, playing in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers would guarantee success.
My name would become known to every Korean, and I'd enjoy popularity beyond celebrities.
South Korea made it to the semis without me, so with me, we could only do better or the same—never worse.
But the problem was after that.
Korean soccer suffered in World Cups post-2002, and a public drunk on the fourth-place high lashed out without seeing the big picture.
Under that pressure, players shrank, and coaches turned conservative.
In the end, Korean soccer got stuck reveling in 2002's glory and never took a step forward.
Knowing that uncertain future, I'd honestly considered naturalizing here over dealing with tiresome Korea.
In Germany, at least, you're judged purely on skill.
Of course, racism exists, but score goals and you get applause; fail and you get boos. Simple and clear.
But Korea's different.
Score and you're 'not humble enough'; miss and you're 'not trying hard enough.' Always judged by non-soccer standards.
Considering all that, was there any reason for me to play for the Korean national team?
"If it were anyone but you here as coach, or if it weren't the 2002 World Cup, I'd honestly turn it down. I don't think there's any coach in Korea who could understand Park Si-hyun."
Coach Hiddink stared at me intently without a word.
"But because it's you, Coach Hiddink... I'm torn."
"I'm not forcing you. But remember this: Korea's goal is the round of 16. With the current team, we've got a 99% chance of advancing. That remaining 1%... that's why we need you."
Those words choked me up for a moment.
Hearing that someone I respect needs me. As a player, is there greater honor than this?
"I..."
* * *
Time passed.
Ahead of the final round of the Regionalliga, the Essen area was already in festival mode, regardless.
Rot-Weiss Essen had clinched the title and promotion to the 2. Bundesliga by beating Borussia Dortmund II in round 33.
And the even greater joy wasn't just for Essen fans—it was acknowledged across German soccer.
Rot-Weiss Essen's current squad had enough firepower for the 2. Bundesliga, and even top-flight promotion wasn't a pipe dream.
"Hahaha, this was so good!"
"Eating food like this for so cheap! If we go to the top flight, it'll be free, right?"
Shops around Essen were running discounts in celebration of the title and promotion.
Red Rot-Weiss Essen jerseys overflowed everywhere, and soccer talk filled the streets.
"Hey, isn't that Si-hyun over there?"
"Huh? Where?"
Where they looked, Park Si-hyun was emerging from a cafe with a drink.
"My faith must be strong for miracles like this. Hallelujah!"
"Cut the nonsense and let's go see."
But disappointingly, their 'god' Park Si-hyun hopped into a car in front of the cafe and vanished. Regretfully, they rushed inside to the counter.
"What drink did Si-hyun get? Tell me!"
"Hurry up and ring it up—we're in a rush!"
The cafe part-timer blinked at their urgency, then pointed to a menu item.
"Pineapple coffee... 3 euros 50 cents."
"What? Pineapple coffee? What's that?"
"Why pineapple in coffee?"
"Well... our boss likes it, so we made the menu for him."
"Sigh, no choice then. If our god bought it, there must be a reason. One of these, now!"
"Me too! If Si-hyun got it, it'll be good, right?"
The pineapple coffee, which never sold before, sold out completely that day. The owner added a sign to the window: 'Pineapple Coffee that Si-hyun Loves Too.'
"Heh heh, pineapple really is the best."
The owner smugly sorted empty pineapple cans alone.
* * *
May 9, Regionalliga final round.
Potsipalais Stadium, Rot-Weiss Essen's home, was packed with 10,000 fans.
The last match of the 2001-02 season, and Rot-Weiss Essen's final game in the third division.
Rot-Weiss Essen rested their starters in the first half. Fans were a bit disappointed Park Si-hyun didn't play, but they kept cheering.
"Si-hyun's not starting."
"He's played so much—let him rest this time."
Facing Rot-Weiss Essen was Dresden SC.
Their faces showed desperation rather than relief at the season's end.
The reason was simple: relegation.
A loss today would confirm Dresden SC's drop, so they had to win at all costs.
[Dresden SC—if they lose this one, relegation is confirmed. They have to win no matter what.]
[But facing Rot-Weiss Essen is their big misfortune. Even without starters, Rot-Weiss Essen is strong now. Their bench isn't weak at all.]
But unexpectedly, Dresden SC's desperate play shone first.
[Goal! Dresden SC strikes first, showing they won't go down without a fight!]
Even after conceding, supportive applause erupted from the stands.
"It's fine! Plenty of time left!"
Essen fans were relaxed.
With title and promotion secured, enjoying the final match mattered more.
In that situation, Dresden SC's coach pumped his fist and yelled.
"Yes! Keep it up like this! We'll avoid relegation!"
Then, the whistle echoed across the pitch.
Beep.
"Huh? What's that?"
Turning toward the sound, the coach saw the Regionalliga's disaster, Park Si-hyun, grinning right at him.
"Fuck... You guys can afford to lose this one. Why..."
And so, Dresden SC was nowhere to be seen in the next season's Regionalliga.