Homecoming Chaos and the Olympic Call-Up Storm
A bit further back in time, before Son Jinho was called up to the Olympic team.
The newly appointed Olympic team coach, Han Myeong-bo, was deep in thought.
Hmm... what to do.
The overlapping call-ups between the senior national team and the Olympic team had been an ongoing issue since the start of the year. The association's outdated administration and processing made pulling players a real hassle.
And in an attempt to vent that frustration, he'd gone out for drinks with a friend—which turned out to be the spark that lit the fire.
"Wow... he's killing it."
"Who? Son Jinho?"
"Yeah."
"With that many goal contributions, how could he not?"
"It's not just the goals and assists—he makes his teammates better too. There are players who shine on their own, and players who elevate everyone around them. Son Jinho does both."
Just sharing his casual impressions while watching a Borussia Dortmund match at a random bar, and it got turned into an article.
After bouncing around a few media outlets, public opinion in Korea had already accepted Son Jinho's Olympic call-up as a given.
He rushed into an emergency press conference to clarify it wasn't confirmed, but the media—amped up by the massive scoop of a Son Jinho call-up—were beyond control.
Naturally, Han Myeong-bo's worries deepened. The Olympic team had no mandatory call-up rights, so club agreement was essential. He didn't think Dortmund would let go of their key player mid-season.
After all, hadn't Koo Ja-cheol at Wolfsburg and Kim Bo-gyeom at Cerezo Osaka both been blocked by their clubs?
But then a miracle happened.
Son Jinho's side responded first once the media frenzy hit.
Han Myeong-bo immediately talked to the football association about the call-up, and it went smoothly.
It was a first for him as Olympic coach. The usual stifling interference from the association's higher-ups seemed to vanish when it came to pulling players.
This is it.
Han Myeong-bo figured out the reason, but it didn't bother him.
Or rather, he wasn't in a position to complain about it. With the group stage qualifiers looming and call-ups still unfinished, he needed every paw he could borrow—even a cat's.
Son Jinho's call-up had gone off without a hitch for now, but a huge problem remained: mid-season pull-out.
Unlike senior team A-matches with dedicated windows, Olympic qualifiers had no such schedule. Even if the player wanted to join, clubs would likely refuse.
Still, he should make it for the finals.
Han Myeong-bo tried to stay optimistic, looking forward to Son Jinho's arrival. A young Bundesliga star would motivate the others and spark growth.
The in-flight announcement chimed in my ear, and I turned to gaze out the window. Returning to Korea after half a year brought a strange feeling. Like the cozy warmth of home? Guess living abroad had stirred some patriotism in me.
"It's me..."
While I was getting sentimental, Coach Choi Gi-hyeon's sleep-talk drifted over. I glanced over—same as the flight to Germany, Ki-hyeonshi was in the seat next to me.
The coach was heading back with me to report on the now-guaranteed Germany study abroad success.
I closed my eyes quietly, pondering the Olympic team call-up. Having become an orphan before middle school and exempt from service anyway, I had no real need to join. But since it was Korea's first-ever Olympic soccer bronze medal shot, participating would make for a solid career boost.
Anyway, upon landing at Incheon Airport...
"What the hell? Where's that punk Son Jinho! When's he coming out? Can he keep reporters waiting like this?"
"Think he slipped out another way by now?"
"Kid's already ignoring the press!"
"Ignoring the media means ignoring the fans!"
Hyena-like reporters swarmed the arrivals hall, so I sent Ki-hyeonshi out first. Mine removal, basically.
"The one who first spotted Son Jinho's talent, former Geum-sun High coach! It's me!"
Stepping into the hall, Ki-hyeonshi unleashed an area taunt. The effect was tremendous. Reporters cursing me all turned their attention to him.
"Haha! Yes, I'm Choi Gi-hyeon! The one who first scouted our Jinho!!"
Leaving Ki-hyeonshi happily handling interviews—and defusing the minefield—with a beaming smile...
"Hang in there! I'll cheer for your games!" I quietly approached the fans. Finger to my lips kept their cheers silent but joyful.
"Thank you! Where should I sign? Want a photo? Any dreams? You look like a student—shouldn't you be heading to school to study? Study hard, okay? I'm grinding German too, but man, it's tougher than I thought. Guess languages are a talent thing."
"...Uh, yeah. But I really gotta hit the bathroom..."
"Bathroom reminds me—did you know Europe's short on public restrooms?"
"..."
The fans there were all moved by my dedicated fan service.
"Son Jinho!"
As I geared up for more service on a dazed fan, the reporters not sucked into the Ki-hyeon vortex approached cautiously.
"Shh. Ask quietly. I'll do the interview."
"Gasp... okay."
Unlike the lured mines, these knew manners and didn't ask weird stuff.
"Um... thoughts on the Olympic call-up?"
That much was fine. I signed and serviced fans while chatting with reporters.
"Wearing the Taeguk mark is an honor. You a salaryman? Student? I'll run as long as my body holds out. If you're my dongsaeng, check the app I invested in—we can connect there..."
Directing teammates mid-game had leveled up my multitasking, apparently.
"...The interview and fan service monster."
The reporters staring at me like a monster? Priceless.
Anyway, after wrapping interviews and fan service, I headed out.
"Huh? Thought the reporter pile-up would take longer, but you hopped in quick?"
My father-in-law had come to pick me up. I hopped in his car and replied.
"Coach Choi pulled the aggro for me, so I slipped out easy."
"Should we wait then?"
"Told him it'd take long, so go ahead without me."
He was grinning through interviews—probably missed what I said...
Eh, not Germany—Korea. He'll figure out the airport bus or subway.