Chapter 37: The Afterparty
Gimpo's reaction to their final match was tremendous. In many ways.
The hype that had cooled off when I suddenly slumped had reignited fiercely amid the intense late-season title race.
Even so, people weren't fully buying it. They'd seen us as a dark horse from the start. No one had imagined Incheon slipping up.
Incheon had dominated like tyrants all season. But when they did falter, Gimpo's spotlight shifted from domestic soccer fans to the entire nation.
Not just articles—even prime-time national news anchors were covering it live.
The top Korean soccer YouTuber's video on our team hit over 500,000 views. Online reactions exploded, especially to the Suwon match.
My endless nicknames now included "Gimpo Haaland." With the title win, media attention poured in.
"Whoa... A championship parade as an army enlistment gift? That's a new one."
"Chaewoo hyung, don't cry. Take it slow."
"You still haven't enlisted?"
"Shut up—you're not going either, you Swedish bastard. I'm so jealous."
I brushed past the pensive Chaewoo hyung and waved to the crowds gathered in groups of threes and fives. My heart felt a bit empty.
Self-centered as it might sound, Gimpo's surge—and the insane buzz—stemmed from me. That's objective fact. Sure, some came for the team, but others for me.
What if it all fades when I head to Europe? The worry flashed briefly, but seeing dads with kids, friends in Gimpo kits cheering... it wouldn't.
Hype might dip, but these new fans would stick around. Fans endure through thick and thin.
The parade's highlight: Mayor Jang Yongbeom, now governor-candidate famous thanks to Gimpo Green UTD, stepped up.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Gimpo Mayor Jang Yongbeom."
"Wooooaaah!"
Not sure about mayor, but as club owner, he'd nailed it. The crowd roared.
"Gimpo Green UTD drawing nationwide attention beyond our citizens? That's thanks to you fans, our players, Coach Nam Suhyeon, and the staff."
Nam Suhyeon paused, fist pumped, and led the chant.
"Next season, we'll boost the budget to grab Asia's eyes, not just the nation's!"
"Wooooaaah!"
"Jang Yongbeom! Jang Yongbeom! Jang Yongbeom!"
Cheers rivaled a politician's rally. You could hate his party, but as Gimpo Green UTD owner and fan? Hard not to love.
Is this okay? He's running for Gyeonggi governor next year. Whatever—as long as he invests big. Promotion, then ACL? Dreamy, but possible. Snag some stars, add two more foreigners...
"Yes, Green Warriors! Thanks for loving Gimpo Green UTD all through 2025. Never dreamed of a parade from founding days. We'll fight hard in the first division—follow us!"
The stadium announcer's heartfelt words ended Gimpo's first-division promotion parade.
Next up: the afterparty.
"Kiyaaah!"
"Hyung, ease up on the drinks."
Despite Dojin hyung's nagging, Chaewoo hyung downed shots nonstop.
"Dude, you'll play soccer in the army anyway. What's the worry?"
Donghan hyung's sharp jab left Chaewoo hyung silently chugging—and sobbing.
"Waaah. Don't get relegated without me right away. Dojin, Munty."
Oh boy.
"Koreans go to the army, huh? Not in Munich. Why hasn't the captain gone?"
"No idea."
I shrugged at Kvirin Moll's question and popped more fried chicken.
Back in my Yoon Jongmun days, a shredded ACL got me exempt...
"This good?"
"Dip in mayo sauce. Perfect beer snack."
"Olmunt, you keep forgetting I played in Munich. Back in Munich—"
"Ugh, enough."
I shoved chicken into Kvirin's mouth to shut him up.
"Oh? Another beer!"
Kvirin winced at first but ordered more after tasting it. Knew he would.
After a few rounds draining his Munich tales, something new slipped out.
"You know I signed a one-year deal with Gimpo, right?"
"Yeah. Heading back to Germany?"
I tossed it casually, but his face clouded.
"Yeah. Body can't handle a full starter season anymore."
"Ah..."
As I looked flustered, he grinned.
"Kinda sad. Got attached here quick. You and Paulo could kill it in the first division anyway."
True—Kvirin turns 37 next year. He'd struggled more as the season wore on.
Still, retiring just as we're bonding? Sucks.
"So, retiring?"
"Not quite. Third-division club called—gonna back up a year, then retire."
"Then coach there?"
"Nah, agent work."
Oh... Kvirin as agent. He'd talk Munich till the other side caves on contracts.
"Won't yap Munich in negotiations."
"How'd you know?"
"Obvious from your face. No agency yet, right, Olmunt?"
"Yeah. Gotta pick soon."
"Why Europe?"
"Dunno yet."
Offers incoming now I'm known, but nothing solid. Gotta shine in first division first.
Glanced at the clock: 4 a.m. already. Party winding down—good.
But where's the coach? Whole team's here boozing, but...
Bathroom break?
Clink! Glasses rang out crisply.
"Great spot. Where'd you find it?"
"Haha. While the crew parties, some biz needs discussing. Places like this."
Politician through and through, Nam Suhyeon thought, sipping with Jang Yongbeom.
"Sad about Yoon Chaewoo enlisting. Solid captain."
"Yeah, but hope he grows at Gimcheon Phoenix."
"Got a new captain? Yoo Dojin?"
"Olmunt."
Jang's eyes widened. "Olmunt? You sure?"
Nam Suhyeon shot back like it was obvious. "Top skill, fluent Korean despite being foreign, leadership—who else?"
Jang fidgeted with his glass, embarrassed. No other choice without Chaewoo.
"But you, Mayor? Parade okay?"
"What about it?"
"Grateful as Gimpo's rookie coach, but relegation next season?"
"Won't be mayor then."
"Pardon?"
"So no issue. Bit sad, sure."
Jang laughed, clapping unusually. "Hahaha! Never seen that face on you, Coach."
"Still..."
"Won't happen. Even if, I'm fine—as a fan now. First division once? Twice ain't impossible."
This soccer nut mayor, Nam thought, vowing to milk investments before the election.
"So, need two Central American midfielders."
"Huh?"
"You said once ain't twice? Applies to ACL too."
"AFC Champions League?"
"Yep. Bolster a few spots. Milk everything before Olmunt leaves for Europe."
Nam descended the stairs, shaking off fatigue. Even a soccer-loving mayor like Jang was exhausting—subtle politics everywhere.
But ACL was real. Plan post-Olmunt too. Qualify, snag AFC cash, coast easy. Peak squad now—gotta seize it.
Splash!
"Congrats on promotion, Coach!"
Ice-cold beer bucket dumped on Nam's serious face.
"Hey! Don't trash the place!"
"Owner okayed it, Coach. Say something."
Nam eyed the owner's thumbs-up, speechless at Yoon Chaewoo's cheek.
Still, I wanna achieve something in the first division with these guys.
In the chaos, Nam Suhyeon thought that.