The Golden Trio's Agonizing Choices and the Chaebol Agent's Cold Contract
The golden generation of South Korea — Jung Tae-woo, Lee Tae-yang, and Yoo Hee-sung — had become the biggest focus of the world football scene right now.
Yoo Hee-sung had snatched the Olympic goal-scoring title from France’s Lucas Dubois, proving himself a world-class striker, while Lee Tae-yang’s sturdy physique and sparkling playmaking ability had drawn the eyes of European clubs.
Yet among the three, Jung Tae-woo drew the hottest attention.
It was his insane shot-stopping ability that seemed to predict the future, combined with the exact footwork passing skills that made it hard to believe he was a goalkeeper.
Jung Tae-woo had perfectly embodied the ideal goalkeeper demanded by modern football, which was more than enough to pull the attention of European clubs.
But the worst news for the European teams was that he was on the verge of signing with the woman called the “Queen of Two Faces” in the football world, the one who was the ultimate agent and a source of terror for club executives — Eun Ga-young.
[Many overseas teams have poured love calls, where will Jung Tae-woo’s next destination be?]
[South Korea’s Guardian Deity Jung Tae-woo, where will he go?]
[Love calls poured on the 17-year-old trio, what choices will they make?]
[Yoo Hee-sung receives a love call from Manchester United and becomes “Hee-sung Deuk”]
[Lee Tae-yang receives a love call phone from a German club]
Jung Tae-woo’s house, living room
Eun Ga-young, Jung Tae-woo, and Yoon Seo-jung were sitting around the table.
On the table lay a revised contract far more generous than the one shown at school.
Eun Ga-young opened her soft voice.
“Jung Tae-woo currently receives great interest from European teams. His potential has been recognized worldwide thanks to his performance in the Olympics. At a time like this, it’s better to sign with an agent and advance to Europe.”
Yoon Seo-jung looked at the contract with a worried expression.
“But Tae-woo is still so young…”
“That’s right. Jung Tae-woo is still very young,”
Eun Ga-young nodded and continued.
“That’s why the European teams are even more enthusiastic. Showing such ability at his age in the Olympics means he has the talent to become the greatest player.”
Eun Ga-young glanced at Jung Tae-woo for a moment, then turned back to Yoon Seo-jung.
“But clubs are ultimately businesses. They always pursue profits. That’s why an agent is absolutely necessary. We will do our best to arrange for Jung Tae-woo to receive maximum profit.”
“Tae-woo, what do you think?”
I had been staring blankly at the revised contract for a moment.
Contract Analyzer
Whoa, this crazy contract condition…
The conditions were incomparably better than what I had seen before.
The fee had dropped to a surprising 5%, and added to the contract were even more mouth-watering benefits like housing support upon European entry and language teacher support.
This is chaebol class…
I never even thought about that.
“I honestly want to sign, Mom. The conditions are outrageous, and above all I want to compete against the world’s greatest players in a football powerhouse nation.”
Of course I’m already the world’s greatest, but…
“If that’s how you feel, Tae-woo…”
Mom signed the contract after hearing my words.
“Is it done?”
“Yes, please take good care of me. From now on, I will do my best as Jung Tae-woo’s agent to manage and support his career.”
Eun Ga-young said with a bright smile.
While organizing the contract, she continued talking.
“First, let’s start preparing for the European entry. We’ll begin with language education, physical management, and carefully review offers from each club. We’ll find the optimal environment for Jung Tae-woo to fully display his talent.”
It would be perfect if I could go straight to Manchester City, but that’s probably impossible…
In the Premier League, known as the EPL, Asian players need work permits to play.
To obtain them, one of two conditions must be met:
Playing at least 75% of national team matches in the last two years, or obtaining a recommendation letter from a famous football figure.
With my current status, both conditions were almost impossible.
National team participation required age and experience, which were still far off.
And in fact, the only realistic possibility was a recommendation letter from a famous player, but that was also almost impossible.
Who on earth would write a recommendation letter for a young Asian player they barely knew?
Although I had shone brilliantly in the Olympics,
European clubs would still only see me as a promising talent with potential.
No way, but if it’s Eun Ga-young, there must be a way.
Yoo Hee-sung was sent to Manchester United by a woman, wasn’t he?
Of course Yoo Hee-sung had succeeded in the K League and then moved to Europe.
But when you think about it, wasn’t my situation even better right now?
Let’s try asking anyway.
“I’m a personal Manchester City fan, is it possible for me to advance directly to the EPL?”
Eun Ga-young stared at my question for a moment.
[Work Permit Issues]
Hmph… staring so hard with such a pretty face makes me uneasy…
“Haha, you don’t seem to know Jung Tae-woo’s position yet.”
“Position?”
“Yes, the EPL clubs are also showing great interest in Jung Tae-woo. His Olympic performance showed value far beyond a mere prospect.”
“Then isn’t the work permit a problem?”
“Of course there’s a work permit issue, but that’s something I can solve. Jung Tae-woo just needs to tell me where he receives an offer, and I’ll negotiate the best possible conditions.”
Jung Tae-woo finally understood the confident voice of Eun Ga-young.
She wasn’t just a simple agent in front of him.
She was a human being who symbolized the ability to turn the impossible into reality.
Of course it was made possible because of the play I had shown,
but still…
“Then I’ll send you the list of offers after gathering them. Rest comfortably.”
She bowed toward our mother and said goodbye.
“Mom, I’ll be going.”
So when Eun Ga-young left, I followed her and called out to her.
“Agent-nim.”
“Is there anything else you’re curious about?”
Eun Ga-young looked at me with a questioning gaze.
“I’d like to film a variety show before the transfer, is that possible?”
“A variety show?”
I was important for football, but right now my mom was even more important, so I wanted to go to the variety show I had promised to do even before the Olympics and make my mom happy.
“Yes, I want to go on the variety show called Star Mission Big Operation.”
“Hmm…”
She asked cautiously.
“Is there a reason?”
“When I go to Europe, I won’t be able to see Mom for a while, so I want to go on the variety show Mom likes before I leave and create good memories.”
Eun Ga-young’s eyes softened when she heard my words.
“I see. I’ll look into it and arrange something.”
“Yes, thank you!”
I smiled without hiding my joy.
“You have a very beautiful heart that thinks about family. Don’t lose that heart.”
“Take care.”
“Yes, then I’ll be going.”
***
“It’s so cozy.”
My words echoed emptily.
The soft eyes that had been looking at Jung Tae-woo had disappeared, and loneliness filled the space.
The warm relationship between Jung Tae-woo and his mother pained a corner of my heart.
Their appearance showed a warmth of family that I had never experienced and would never experience in the future.
As the youngest daughter of the SC Group, I had grown up under constant attention, but no one could know the loneliness hidden behind that splendor.
“President, where should I take you?”
“Take me to the main house.”
“The main house?”
There was a tone of surprise in the driver’s voice.
Has it really been four months since I last went to the main house? Time passes so quickly.
“Yes, I want to go back after a long time.”
As the magnificent outline of the mansion began to appear from the window, my chest tightened even more.
What filled this huge house was only splendor and authority, with no warmth to be found. No, it was rather unbearably cold.
Why did I say I wanted to come here?
Was I coming to find the warmth I felt at Jung Tae-woo’s house? Or just to isolate myself even further?
The car stopped in front of the mansion, but I couldn’t get out easily.
The moment I entered this cold space, even the small hope inside me would freeze.
Knock knock —
At that moment, a knock sounded to wake my thoughts.
When I opened the window, the familiar face that had almost raised me stood in front.
“Miss Ga-young, it’s been a long time.”
Mrs. Kim’s warm voice came through.
A smile spread across her wrinkled face.
Mrs. Kim, who had cared for me since I was little, was the only source of warmth in this cold mansion.
“Mrs. Kim…”
Just her presence felt like the ice in my heart was slowly melting.
I got out of the car and Mrs. Kim gently hugged me.
“You look so tired. Shall I make you a warm cup of tea after you come in?”
I nodded at Mrs. Kim’s words.
Maybe even in this cold mansion, I could find even a small warmth?
But it was just my illusion.
The wide hall was still cold and empty,
and under the gorgeous chandelier, only silence filled everything.
“Father is…”
“He’ll probably be late again today.”
Compassion was hidden in Mrs. Kim’s answer.
No matter how much I looked back at the past, I had no memory of being loved by my father.
As the youngest, anyone would have been cute, but all I received was not affection nor dislike, just indifference.
That indifference was perhaps even more painful than hatred.
“He only called me when there was a party or needed something, and after that he didn’t even show his face,”
My figure hidden behind the title of SC Group’s youngest daughter was just a lonely girl.
That might be why.
I had vowed to create a business and succeed so that my father would see me.
“What? What are you doing here?”
Following Mrs. Kim to the dining room, there was already a guest waiting.
The man in a flashy suit drinking coffee and reviewing documents was none other than my second older brother, SC Electronics president Eun Sung-joon.
Eun Sung-joon’s sharp gaze pierced at me.
Just his presence made the air in this cold house seem even colder.
“Oppa…”
One of the people I least wanted to face when coming to the main house.
While my first older brother and father were indifferent to me, my second older brother always mentally tormented me.
Eun Sung-joon put down his coffee cup and gave a cynical smile.
“You’re running APEX Agency? It’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing. I can definitely make it successful.”
“You? Hah~ do your best. In the end it’ll go bankrupt anyway.”
Slap!
As he left, he hit my shoulder.
What did I do wrong?
The relationship tied by the name family feels so cold and distant, is it really normal? Is my very existence a nuisance to them?
Feeling suffocated, I thought I couldn’t stay in this house any longer.
“I’ll go back first,”
“Miss!”
Even though Mrs. Kim’s worried voice came from behind, I paid no attention and quickly left the main house.
The cold outside air brushed my cheeks, but I felt my breath freer than ever.
Looking up at the sky with eyes brimming with tears, I once again made my vow.
“I’ll succeed by any means and make him see me again.”