First Broadcast? - 2
The match ended, and that evening, posts started popping up in the Hoo Gallery with live match reviews.
"Ah. Busted."
Coach Choi Gi-hyeon sighed and pulled his hands from the keyboard. He'd thought he'd slipped his name in naturally on the community site, but apparently not.
"Kid's got his own personal fandom already. Real deal."
Irritably lighting a cigarette, Choi Gi-hyeon thought of Son Jinho and grinned. He'd expected the kid to make it big, but he was spreading his name faster than anticipated.
Kugh. Coach who raised a world-class soccer star? It's... no, wait, why's the gallery called Hoo?
As always, he started to shout "It's me!" and dream of a bright future, but a question popped up.
Related to that weird celebration? Can't figure out kids' vibes these days, he muttered to himself, recalling his chat after the Gwanghwa High match with the SBK PD who'd come looking for him (well, really Son Jinho).
"Ah! Honor to meet Son Jinho!"
"Uh... how do you know our Jinho, PD?"
"Haha... I'm the one who pushed hard for U-19 national team coverage. In a way, Son Jinho's my benefactor. Thanks to him, we beat the national anthem ratings—saved my job."
Recalling that, Coach Choi Gi-hyeon clicked his tongue lightly.
"Wasting my license fee on that crap."
Even he hadn't watched the U-19 friendly, and it was ridiculous they'd broadcast it.
Honestly, as a taxpayer getting robbed, he couldn't look kindly.
"Aigoo, what sharp eyes! Thanks to you, I got to watch my star pupil play!"
"Coach, you didn't watch Jinho's game mu—!"
"Ah, kids, your parents are waiting. Dismissed."
Master of playing it cool—even Injo would cry—he sent the players off first, then talked at length with the SBK PD.
"Great work! Gotta see my girlfriend, heading out!"
The main guy Son Jinho would've been perfect to join, but he'd bolted for his girlfriend the second dismissal was called. So Choi Gi-hyeon heard the pitch solo.
Tsk... what'd that PD say. Something about trialing for a German club. Looks like a flop no matter how I slice it.
Recalling the program vaguely, he gave a wry smile. Couldn't see it succeeding.
Eh... Jinho'll decide.
Sorting his thoughts, he glanced at the clock. World Cup time had passed. He hurriedly turned on the TV and switched to SBC, exclusive broadcasters.
"Oh. What? Already scored?"
Flipping channels, he caught the Korean national team celebrating a goal in the 7th minute.
If Jinho makes it big, maybe I can squeeze into that crew too?
"Wooooah!! Goooal! Gooooal!"
Gyeowol shot both arms up, chicken legs in hand, the instant the goal went in.
"...That thorn in my side got no shame. Hogging two drumsticks alone."
The father-in-law grumbled softly at the sight, but hype-maxed Gyeowol missed it.
"See, I said order three chickens."
"Four people can't eat three. Jinho's on diet, skips chicken anyway."
"World doesn't know one chicken per person."
As Mother-in-law lightly scolded the grumbling father-in-law, the goal replay aired.
Ki Sung-yueng's corner kick wasn't cleared by the Greek center back, ball loose. Kim Jeong-su just redirected it in. Korea dominated Greece throughout. At 57', Park Ji-sung intercepted a pass and rifled one home, sealing the historic 2:0 win.
"Ooooh~~ Jisung best~"
Honestly, knowing the result made it less fun, but watching Gyeowol's happy smile made it worthwhile.
The next day, players gathered for recovery training and chatted about the World Cup match.
"Yo, catch the World Cup yesterday?"
"Duh. We heading to semis like 2002?"
Well, not just us—everywhere folks talked World Cup. Especially after the first win, expectations soared visibly.
"Think we could play there?"
"Dunno about us, but Jinho will. That monster not going? Who is?"
The players burned with passion to run that stage.
Seemed the national team's heroics motivated every soccer-dreaming kid. Other sports too, probably.
Representing your country—every athlete's dream, maybe.
So they push through injuries, careers derailed after.
Soccer alone: countless stars declined post-World Cup force-play. Kaka, Van Persie. Ronaldo switched styles after Brazil knee injury.
Wonder why risk injury for World Cup? Then season nears, you get it.
I did too—half-recovered, still played. That prestigious, representing your nation.
Anyway, during recovery:
"Jinho!"
Beaming Coach Choi Gi-hyeon approached.
Why. Again. What now.