Chapter 58
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Park Si-hyun and Women...
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Park Si-hyun with women...
"Coach Hiddink, crushing even England 3-1... Expectations for this World Cup are skyrocketing even higher."
Right after the match, in the press conference room.
Endless camera flashes turned the space blindingly white.
Today, Korea had perfectly crushed England with Park Si-hyun's equalizer, An Jung-hwan's reversal goal, and then Park Si-hyun's sealing strike.
The score was 3-1.
It was a 'miraculous victory' that no one had predicted.
Even Sven-Goran Eriksson, the man at England's helm, didn't hold back his praise, saying, "The Korean team's strength has jumped several levels."
A match that stunned the world.
Just a few months ago, the Korean national team had been suffering under evaluations like 'they'll struggle to even escape the group stage.'
But with this one game, the atmosphere flipped completely.
Fans cheered, "16th place is basically guaranteed now, right?" while the media raced to splash headlines like "8th place isn't a dream."
That feverish excitement carried straight into the press room.
The journalists' eyes sparkled, their pens already scribbling odes to victory.
However—
The man atop that fire, Coach Hiddink, poured cold water on it all.
"You can look forward to it."
His thick, firm voice rang out through the mic.
"But we can't assume we've broken through the group stage. We mustn't delude ourselves. We're still ranked 40th in FIFA. Even objectively in our group, we're just fourth in strength."
The room buzzed in an instant.
Some reporters tilted their heads, and the one-note celebratory vibe sank oddly.
But Hiddink's voice didn't waver.
It grew even firmer.
"No matter how much the players improve or hope shines through, we must stay humble. Players and fans alike. We can get excited from today's win. But if complacency creeps into that excitement, we'll crumble the hardest."
Pausing briefly, Coach Hiddink slowly scanned the reporters.
"So remember this. If Korea pulls off a miracle, it won't be luck... It'll be because we gave 100% in every single match. If we do that, 16th isn't the limit—we can go beyond."
A short, resolute declaration.
As his words landed, the reporters buzzed again.
"So... you're saying our players can go beyond 16th, even higher?"
"Does that mean aiming for the quarterfinals... or semifinals?"
"Coach Hiddink, specifically—"
Their voices overlapped in a frenzy.
But Hiddink offered no more answers.
He silently gathered his papers, stood, and headed for the door.
Amid the flurry of shutter clicks, he seemed about to leave the room.
However—
Stopping at the door, Hiddink slowly turned his head.
"You were just about to twist my words into hype-building headlines."
No one could respond.
It was true.
Their laptop screens already flashed with titles.
[Hiddink: 'Korea Can Reach Semifinals']
"That's not the message I wanted. I emphasized 'reality,' not 'expectations.' We're still the underdogs right now. Without humility, this team will collapse again. If you reporters truly want Korea to win, please don't distort my words—write good articles."
"Kyaaah!"
"National team players, keep up the hard work!!"
Seoul World Cup Stadium.
Ahead of the final France friendly, the national team—fresh from Jeju training camp—held an open practice in front of the public.
This wasn't just any training.
It was a stage to heighten fans' expectations and let the players feel the scorching support firsthand.
A 'psychological boost' orchestrated by Coach Hiddink himself.
Cheers exploding from the stands set the training ground ablaze.
A simple pass drill drew roars, and even basic shots shook the stadium with massive chants.
That's when Lee Chun-soo nudged me with his elbow from the side.
"Hey, Si-hyun. See that woman in the front row? Feels like she's staring only at me— you sense it too?"
I chuckled and shook my head.
"She's probably looking at Jung-hwan hyung, not you."
"Hey! People have tastes, okay? There are definitely women who like me."
"You know it yourself—90% of those female fans came for Jung-hwan hyung."
"...You punk."
Lee Chun-soo grumbled, and the surrounding players burst into snickers. An Jung-hwan couldn't hide his grin either.
"Haha, Si-hyun, it's not that bad."
"Then try waving once."
"Okay."
The moment An Jung-hwan lightly waved toward the stands—
"Kyaaaaah!!! So handsome!!!"
"Jung-hwan oppa!!! I love you!!!"
The female fans' screams tore through the training ground.
An Jung-hwan casually waved again, flashing his signature smile.
Watching it all, Lee Chun-soo bristled.
"Hmph! Think I can't do it?"
He waved right away—
"Waaaaah!!! Chun-soo hyung!!! That Scotland goal was insane!!"
"Chun-soo hyung, I love you!!!"
This time, booming male fan voices rocked the stadium.
"Ah..."
Chun-soo scratched his chin awkwardly, chuckling embarrassedly.
I patted his shoulder and said,
"Hyung, at least the cheers were louder than Jung-hwan hyung's."
"Shut it. Being handsome and good at soccer is the weird part. I'm normal, and Jung-hwan hyung's the freak."
Chun-soo hyung's reaction cracked me up so hard I was giggling when suddenly he gave me this weird look and yanked me into a hug.
"Si-hyun... I really like you."
"..."
...So, I'm ugly, huh?
Daring to call Park Si-hyun ugly?
Even before regressing, I...
'I'll let it slide 'cause it's Chun-soo hyung.'
Ahem...
Absolutely, definitely not unpopular with women before regressing.
"Whoa... This is..."
President Klaus Hartmann trailed off, at a loss for words.
What had just played was a new song Lisa Schmidt had personally brought in.
Etalclang Entertainment had grown into Germany's biggest agency thanks to Lisa's father, the world-renowned singer Andreas Schmidt.
His daughter Lisa had earned the title 'genius girl,' climbing the Billboard charts and proving her talent early on.
But this...
The producers and arrangers beside him exchanged stunned glances, holding their breath.
"When I first heard the melody, honestly... I wondered if it was too mellow."
"But with Lisa's voice layered on... that mellowness turns into profound depth."
Lisa had sung ballads about adult tales since childhood.
At just 15, her renditions of grown-up pain and love earned her cheers of 'genius.'
But they were stories she couldn't truly relate to.
So at some point, her songs filled with mere technique, her voice growing colder without real heart.
This track was different.
For the first time, Lisa laid out her own story plainly.
Through a 17-year-old's eyes, with a 17-year-old's emotions.
Not mimicking adults, but raw honesty all her own.
That's why it rang truer, fresher.
It pierced straight to the listeners' hearts.
Lisa asked cautiously, worry in her eyes.
"...Was it okay?"
Klaus steadied his breath before replying.
"The melody was like waves. But your voice was the light shining over them. It's not just well-sung. It embraces the listener's heart."
The producer next to him nodded vigorously.
"I feel the same. The melody alone would've been ordinary. But now, anyone can tell—it's 'Lisa Schmidt's song.'"
Klaus exhaled deeply, as if holding back awe.
"I felt chills like when your father Andreas first sang for me. But this is a different emotion. You're not his shadow, Lisa—you're a fully independent artist."
"Ah..."
Lisa's lips trembled.
How desperately she'd wanted those words. 'Lisa Schmidt's song.'
The moment her own story— not someone else's—was truly recognized.
Klaus's gaze turned utterly serious.
"Release it immediately. This will shine like a star on Billboard."
But Lisa hesitated, then shook her head.
"Sorry... Could you hold off a bit?"
"Why?"
"There's a friend... I want to share this song with first."