Offseason (9)
Even in the long off-season, we still had a mountain of work ahead of us.
Excluding scrims, the task that took up the most of our time was filming content.
It was the quintessential pro gamer chore—one they hated with a passion but had no choice but to endure.
Today, the five players had dressed a bit more neatly than usual and were gathered in the practice room, fiddling with their phones. My phone buzzed as I stood waiting beside them.
It was Manager Kim Ki-hyeon.
"Yes, Manager. The players are all ready. We can start filming whenever."
"Got it. One of our staff will be there shortly. The marketer will explain the format, so just make sure the players cooperate well."
"Understood."
I ended the brief call and clapped to get the attention of the five, who were pulling bored faces.
"Alright, everyone. The staff's coming to film the team intro video, so let's get ready."
"Ugh, what a pain..."
Seona groaned and rolled around on the floor like a kid throwing a tantrum.
She usually loved dressing up and being the center of attention, but lately, she'd been feeling her skills improve by mimicking the pros she'd seen at TIC. Interruptions like this clearly irked her. Back in the day, she'd have jumped at the chance for the spotlight.
The others were just as openly annoyed, asking me, "Do we have to do this?"
Of course, my answer was a firm "Yes." Even as a player, I'd despised promo videos and ads, but I'd come to accept it after hearing that our fat pro salaries came with the condition of showing up for team activities.
Our girls probably saw it the same way I had back then—just another annoying chore.
A few minutes later, the dorm bell rang. I opened the door, and in came a marketing team guy from the company—Han Sang-cheol—bowing politely, a massive camera slung around his neck.
He looked utterly drained from the job, his face lifeless and dark circles heavy under his eyes.
"Hello, I'm Han Sang-cheol, deputy manager from marketing, handling today's shoot."
"Coach Kang Yuseong. I got the gist of the concept from the manager—how long do you think it'll take?"
"Introducing the practice room, dorms, and other company facilities the players use? Probably over five hours. It's a big one, so a few folks from HQ studio came along to help. Might wrap a bit faster with them."
Five hours? That's forever.
The players' faces fell, but unavoidable work was unavoidable.
"Shall we start with the practice room? One player guides each section, giving a light intro. Who's up first?"
At Han Sang-cheol's words, the five started eyeing each other warily.
"Eunjae, you do it."
"Nah. You go."
"Sera, wanna try?"
"No."
They kept passing the buck until Yuna stepped in to sort it out.
"Fine, rock-paper-scissors! Loser does it—no whining! Ready or forfeit, go!"
"This is our capsule room with the capsules we practice in and usually scrim and practice games—"
"Hold on, Player Cha Yuna. You're talking so fast it's hard to follow. Let's try again..."
"Ah."
"Nice and slow this time, one more take."
Yuna, who'd suggested rock-paper-scissors only to lose immediately, was stuck guiding the practice room tour.
Unfamiliar with this soft role, she rattled off her lines without breathing, her lower eyelids trembling visibly. It was painful to watch.
Tsk tsk. She's not cut out for this. Heard she performs well in front of crowds with bans, though.
"Pfft, look at Unnie's eyelids shaking."
"Heh, should've practiced being sweet and gentle more."
"Hey, are you trash-talking me right now?!"
"Ch-Cha Yuna! Cue again!"
"Urk..."
Yuna's practice room segment wrapped after much trial and error. Next, Ha-young handled the dorms where the players lived.
She'd grumbled about having to tidy up underwear and all for the shoot but had cleaned diligently enough that the place looked spotless when we entered.
Eunjae covered the fitness center, massage room with chairs, and cafeteria. Sera did the cafeteria—wait, no: restaurant was Sera, and Seona handled the shops around the practice building. First round of filming done.
Then came individual 1-on-1 interviews. Standard stuff: life as a player, satisfaction with team facilities, future goals—the usual team content fodder.
Takes me back.
I'd done tons of these as a player.
Hated them every time, twisting away like a brat. Watching now, though? Kinda fun.
As the afternoon shoot wound down, Han Sang-cheol gathered everyone.
"Great job, everyone! Just the group promo photo left. Head to the mini studio on the second floor—strike whatever poses you like."
"Like this?"
"We've got ten minutes while we set up gear. Change if you want."
"Yes! I'm changing! Unnie, girls, dorm run?"
"Eh... I'm good. You go."
Ha-young skipped changing—it was a hassle—and Sera tried to stay too, citing laziness, but Yuna, Seona, and Eunjae dragged her off.
Left in the studio, Ha-young was sweating buckets from the long shoot in the still-warm weather.
"Tougher than gaming, huh?"
Fanning herself with her hand, she flashed me a bright smile.
"Hehe... Way harder than I thought."
"Told ya. Back when I... yeah, makes sense. Honestly, scrimming and losing feels less stressful."
"Yeah. Kinda embarrassing, not really into it..."
"No choice. It's baked into your salaries. It'll ramp up in Division 2, then Division 1."
"Ugh... so should I be happy?"
"Division 1 pros? They'd kill to do this daily for a spot. No biggie."
"True. Guess I'll suck it up in Division 1 without complaining. Hehe."
While we chatted, the four returnees showed up changed.
Yuna rocked an all-black fit: studded silver jacket and pants, black shoes. Eunjae in a tight shirt hugging her curves and short shorts showing off thick thighs.
Seona went classy white blouse and long black skirt. Sera still had her hat pulled low, baggy brown shirt, and the dolphin pants her aunt had dressed her in before.
"Un...nies. I really don't wanna wear this..."
Sera fidgeted with the dolphin pants exposing her bare legs. The other three smirked in satisfaction.
"No way, keep it on."
"With legs like that, baggy joggers? Nearly smacked you."
"Aw, missed chance. Shoulda made her wear that tank top too."
"N-No! I'd die first!"
"Ha-young, you sure no change?"
"Yeah, this is fine."
Han Sang-cheol and crew returned with gear.
"Oh, all changed? Ready to shoot?"
"Yes!"
Tension easing with the end in sight, the players' energy was up.
"Freestyle poses, anywhere!"
They struck: Yuna hands in jacket pockets, slight spread stance. Eunjae blew bubblegum, squatting. Ha-young awkwardly prim, hands clasped.
"Ugh... so embarrassing..."
"Argh! Sera's too shy! Unnie's got you!"
Sera covered the dolphin pants front with one hand, gripped her hat with the other, head turned away awkwardly.
Seona glued herself to shy Sera in a hug, winking at the camera.
"Shooting! One, two, three!"
The huge light panel blasted blinding white flashes.
"Done! Wanna check the shots?"
"Yes! Me!"
"Me too!"
All five crowded the tripod-mounted camera. Satisfied with the results, they grinned through a quick critique session. Shoot over.
"Thanks for cooperating! Photos'll get edited and polished—up on the team site and socials within a week. Check 'em out!"
And with that, our full-afternoon team shoot wrapped.
I had no idea then. How often these shoots would repeat.