Preseason Within Preseason
11:59:57…
11:59:58…
11:59:59…
12:00:00
Beep-beep-beep-beep—
Whoa. Happy New Year.
In the dark room, I gave a modest little clap to celebrate the new year.
It was a bit dry, sure, but this New Year's felt different somehow.
Well, last year—2025—I was buried six feet under frozen dirt, so I couldn't exactly feel it.
Thanks to the world. Thanks to water. Thanks for the new year. Thanks to air. Thanks to Olmunt. Thanks to the meatballs.
I whispered it softly. Not self-suggestion—this was genuine. Not joy, exactly, but gratitude. For getting to see another new year.
And now Kang Dosik, who'd officially become my personal trainer straight out of the lamp like a genie.
Hmm… we'll negotiate that later.
2026. Gimpo's unprecedented debut season in the first division. Korean soccer had changed a lot too.
The military-police team Gimcheon Phoenix—relocating from Gwangju to Sangju to Gimcheon—had hit their cooldown. Automatic relegation this season, then a move to join the second division.
Chaewoo hyung would play six months in the second division, then.
That made this a historic season with three promotion spots from K League 2. Should've reincarnated just one season later.
The foreign player quota system was scrapped, but individual roster and registration limits stayed at five. Gimpo probably couldn't afford to sign five anyway.
Still, the thrill of watching foreign keepers, right?
Revolutionary promotion-relegation from first to fourth tiers. Second-division citizen clubs popping up like mushrooms. Fading ACL competitiveness. The federation's desperate wriggling to fix it all was palpable.
Problem was, our team's situation had changed just as much.
First off, Chaewoo hyung was gone. Who'd be captain?
Dojin hyung would be solid. And the new signing Jaeyoon hyung was a veteran among veterans, over 35.
Hmm… Jinho hyung or Hantae hyung had good personalities too. Really no telling who'd get it.
While Kvirin prepped for retirement, someone else set off on a challenge.
Hyeongjin hyung.
"I've played in the first division. Promoted. Even lifted trophies plenty. But I've never left Korea."
With that, Hyeongjin hyung headed to Yokohama. That's how you chase a challenge—with style.
Not like some whiny kid slacking off, wrecking team morale, then bailing. Damn, pisses me off just thinking about it.
New signings would come gradually. The front office director had even begged the city council once.
With Gimpo Green UTD fans rising among citizens, those guys would play nice. No worries.
But now what? January 1st. No one to hang with. No family.
Thud… thud… thud…
Guess I'll train. Real season kicks off with winter camp. Thailand this time, since it's winter.
Finally overseas. Somewhere without palm trees and Hangul together.
Ha…
Back in my pro debut days, wheezing through Seoul winters—only real overseas trip was that brief Europe camp.
Even Thailand feels off somehow. Like being a rookie again. New Year's buff—gotta grind.
Wonder who I'll sit with on the plane? Donghan hyung's back from loan, but…
Anyone but a snorer. Chaewoo hyung and Donghan hyung are great, but they snore like freight trains.
"KRAAACK! Hack! Hack! Pffffffft!"
Who knew humans could snore like that? New knowledge today.
Donghan hyung, underwhelming at depth-rich Seoul, was Gimpo's top talent here.
Still, snagging my seat right away? Dojin hyung must've pulled rank.
This camp would be tough. Thin depth meant front office tears to fill it.
They had to. Or else. Lots of new faces coming.
"Kraaack! Hack! Grrk! Hack!"
But the real killer was this snoring. How does a living person make that noise sleeping?
Two hours to Chiang Mai. Earplugs in—then I spotted someone squirming uncomfortably across from Donghan hyung.
Jo Giwon, Central American prospect. Promising kid, youth international. Growing fast—perfect for our pathetic depth.
Poor guy. Should give him my earplugs. I'm used to this snoring madness.
Oh, he's already got 'em in…
Hang in there, kid.
**
"Uuuugh."
While pitying zombie-walking Jo Giwon,
"Yawwwn… These young MG players are such a pain. Right?" "Young forty?" "Huh?"
I tossed a jab at the Snore King and bolted to the dorm.
Didn't know my roommate yet. Not with Paulo.
"Paulo. Probably one foreign merc's Brazilian. Take care of him."
That was reason one.
"Olmunt. You're rooming with Giwon. Mentor the kid. Tough fitness camp ahead."
Reason two.
So my roomie wasn't Snorezilla, but fresh sprout Jo Giwon.
Striker prospect Jeon Jaemin or defender Shim Jisung were options, but Giwon had the highest potential.
Gimpo's first youth international call-up, right?
Anyway, heavy responsibility—gotta step up.
Shy shuffle…
Giwon reeked of newbie freshness. Adorably so.
No misunderstanding. Newbies always smell fresh. Minsoo and Heemun did too. Corrupted now, though.
"Um… hello… no, I mean, hello."
Look at this greenhorn. Makes me wanna drill him tomorrow.
"Hey. Casual's fine?"
Hearing it direct beats rumors. Giwon glitched a sec,
"S-sure! You're… more fluent in Korean than I thought?" "Practiced all offseason." "Wow…"
Yes—that reaction. Time to unleash fluent Korean. True Korean-foreigner mode.
"I… I'm gonna work super hard. Wanna play league games with you, hyung."
Ooh, passion. Perfect. Hope he keeps it tomorrow.
"Love that mindset. Fitness tomorrow—we're paired. I'll push you hard."
Giwon's face paled a bit. But he wants to grind—I'll help sincerely.
"Why, hate it?" "No no! Total honor!"
Splat!
"Huff… huff… Break time?"
Giwon wilted quick, belying his words.
"Think that'll cut it in first division? Up!"
Tough trainer, tough partner—unlucky for him. No mercy, though.
Coach's goal: first-division stamina. Depth fix via tough love. Results in second half, maybe.
"Giwon." "Yes." "Nine years of soccer, then home?" "No sir!"
Good—fire back. Thirty more minutes.
"Jaemin." "Yes, Minsoo hyung." "Lucky it's me, punk." "Yeah. Slack off even a bit, and that's you."
Olmunt ears catch it all. Enjoyed Minsoo and Heemun's cute senior vibes, then,
"Minsoo, Heemun—bring Jaemin." "We're pressing now." "Not coming?" "Coming!"
Called Jisung too, getting wrecked by Dojin hyung. Grouped 'em.
All dead-eyed except Jisung, but this builds muscle and blood.
Practice against me? Easier vs. opponents.
Day one… two… three…
Training dragged on. Giwon improved steadily.
"Hold! Yes!" "O!"
Shouldering 50% power and shaking press? Solid.
Thanks to team help.
"Hey! Straighten up! This work in first division?"
Dojin hyung's bark.
"You can run games without me now. Prove why I should use you here—not just prospects."
Coach's motivation combo worked wonders. Real test in matches.
Before first practice game, more signings arrived.
"Finally teammates. No more goals conceded."
Shin Taehoon, second division's top prospect keeper.
"Whoa, check that frame. No wonder I don't get pushed around."
Anyang's Juyonghyeon, eyed by Jeonbuk and Ulsan.
Mayor's words no bluff. Mystery signings galore. Not done yet.
Paulo's intel (internet, obviously): two or three more. Hype building.
Preseason camp charm: new faces. Rising team? Electric.
"Assume intros done. Before Ryukyu FC briefing—something to say."
Coach hushed the buzz, gathered us.
"First practice game vs. Ryukyu FC—picking captain. Chaewoo's gone to military. Need new one."
Right. Dojin hyung? Vice to Jaeyoon? Or me?
"This season, armband to Olmunt—stellar last year."
"Me? Captain?"
Brain froze; asked again.
"Who else? Gimpo's first foreign captain—congrats! Know the responsibility. Stick around long."
Ignoring my shaky pupils, thunderous applause crowned me Gimpo's second captain on the spot.
Kang Dosik was serious? Thought he was messing with me.