Winter Break Returns
The matchup for the Champions League round of 16 between Dortmund and Manchester United was confirmed.
"...Hey. Son Jinho."
"What?"
"This isn't a dream, right?"
"It's reality."
Han Gyeowol, who had been cursing the heavens, steadily progressed through the five stages of grief.
Stage 1: Denial.
"...Yeah! It's rigged! They're gonna redraw now!"
"How do you rig a live analog draw?"
Stage 2: Anger.
"Uwaaaah!! How the hell did we get Dortmund?!"
"Well, unlike us who topped the group, you guys came second."
Stage 3: Bargaining.
"Heavens!!!"
"Maybe Santa would've granted it if you'd wished to him?"
"...Son Jinho. Stop poking at me."
Stage 4: Depression.
"I'm screwed. Picking a husband between Manchester United and Dortmund? I can't do it."
"No, you still gotta pick a husband humanely..."
"Shut up!"
And finally, Stage 5: Acceptance.
"Heehee... No matter who wins, I don't lose!"
"...".
Han Gyeowol was broken.
And that evening.
Under everyone's neglect, Han Gyeowol's black history piled up in real time.
Meanwhile, at the same time.
Unlike Han Gyeowol's despair, most soccer fans were thrilled about the Korean Derby unfolding in the Champions League.
Their only concern was whether Park Ji-sung would play.
Park Ji-sung had been suffering from chronic knee injuries, and lately showing signs of aging curve, so Korean soccer fans naturally voiced their worries.
Of course, as per community nature, it didn't take long for a new topic to pop up.
Han Gyeowol spent a while churning out black history and kicking blankets.
"Glory Glory Man United!"
Claiming it was for prenatal education, she blasted Manchester United's anthem and quickly regained her composure. I smiled as I watched her, then turned to check the news articles.
The word "global village" from my elementary school days felt real now.
With smartphones advancing and SNS going mainstream, the world connected tighter.
Along with SNS boom, K-POP spread worldwide.
Dortmund's marketing team moved fast when Gangnam Style surpassed Bieber's views and blew up globally.
Just days ago, at the marketing team's request, I'd filmed a video for Dortmund's official YouTube.
I could've refused, but seeing it as fan service, I did it diligently.
It wrapped quick, so I'd forgotten when it'd go up.
Bzzzzt—!
My phone went nuts like an incoming call—the video must've just dropped.
There was still plenty of time until the Champions League round of 16 between Dortmund and Manchester United.
"Let's focus on the league for now. If other teams snag some points off Munich, it'll ease up."
Jurgen Klopp decided to concentrate on the league and Pokal for the meantime.
After the league round 17 away at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and the DFB-Pokal round of 16 home vs Hannover 96, winter break would arrive.
"Coach said winner gets bonus vacation?"
"Ooooh!! Vacation!!"
Dortmund players vowed to end the first half with a win and head into break happy.
And time passed.
Crowds gathered at Hoffenheim's home, Rhein-Neckar-Arena.
"Grab points this game and turn the mood around!"
Before kickoff, Hoffenheim players looked determined to snap their five-game league losing streak.
But the gap between Dortmund—rising as Bayern's rival in a one-point title race—and relegation-threatened Hoffenheim was wider than expected.
From kickoff, Hoffenheim got pinned back and pummeled in their half.
From the 18th minute Mario Gotze mid-range strike, Dortmund bombarded Hoffenheim. Halftime ended 3-0, into the second half.
Son Jinho read the pass in Hoffenheim's half and stole it.
Springing up, he scanned around. Lewandowski streaking into the box caught his eye.
Lewandowski took Son Jinho's pass, rolled it softly toward goal with his right, then dragged it back with his left to dodge the centerback's tackle.
Short dribble right for angle, then smashed right-foot shot—net ripples.
As Lewandowski scored with dazzling skill, Son Jinho hopped on his shoulders in joy.
"Dammit! Do that every time!!"
Just three days after Hoffenheim, DFB-Pokal vs Hannover.
Jurgen Klopp gave Son Jinho rest, looking fatigued from buildup.
Early season without Ilkay Gundogan settling? Maybe not.
Now, he could afford it. Klopp split Jinho's role between Mario Gotze and Ilkay Gundogan.
Not full firepower, but enough for Hannover.
"Hey. Son Jinho."
Han Gyeowol, watching Dortmund without him, realized his impact anew.
"Yeah?"
"CL round of 16 is Feb 13."
"Yup."
"Won't you feel sick that day maybe?"
"Nah, condition'll be peak."
Han Gyeowol's cheeks puffed at his firm shutdown of her scheme.
"If you get MOM that day, I'll specially shout your name, Winter."
"Ah! Don't. For real."