Offseason (7)
It's 2037 now. Korean broadcasts of overseas soccer are split between two companies.
The sports channel SportON, established by KN Media—the largest sports broadcasting rights trading firm in Korea. And Coumon Play, the OTT service from Coupon Monster (aka Coumon), Korea's biggest e-commerce giant.
Coumon Play dwarfs SportON in sheer size, but SportON refuses to budge. Broadcasting rights fees are king in snagging these deals, so it's no easy feat for mid-sized KN Media to outmuscle Coumon's capital. Still, with decades dominating the sports rights market, KN Media plays gatekeeper, blocking Coumon's total monopoly.
That said, Coumon Play wins fans with rock-solid servers and top-tier video quality from massive investments—leaving SportON lagging in service appeal.
Curiously, the two overlap on just one sport. SportON covers baseball, basketball, volleyball, MMA, boxing, and more. Coumon Play handles golf, tennis, American football, ice hockey, F1, rugby, table tennis, etc. In this clean divide, soccer stands alone as the battleground where they tear into each other.
Soccer rivals baseball in Korea's popularity, but with far more leagues to chase, the rights bidding wars rage fierce. SportON held the edge originally—holding exclusive rights to the Premier League, Korea's top draw. But three years ago, Coumon Play snatched it away, tanking SportON's paid subscribers and hitting them hard.
SportON countered by grabbing La Liga, Serie A, and Ligue 1 to retain users. The snag? Korea's top national team stars in big leagues play only in the Premier League and Bundesliga—both now Coumon Play territory. SportON faced a crisis.
La Liga boasts popular clubs like Real Madrid CF, FC Barcelona, and even Atletico Madrid, but their dominance dulls the league's overall thrill. Serie A and Ligue 1? Without Korean stars, they're even less popular than La Liga here.
The Premier League? Popularity peaks. The so-called BIG7—London's Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC, Tottenham Hotspur; Manchester's brothers United and City; Liverpool FC; and Newcastle United, boosted by Saudi oil money—draw global stars for nail-biting title races every season. Even mid-table sides pack talent, keeping the drama nonstop.
Plus, two Korean national team aces shine at Norwich City and Southampton FC. And with three more in the Bundesliga, Coumon Play effectively monopolizes the hot leagues.
Coumon Play prioritizes Korean overseas players' games above all—not just abroad, but aiming to own K League 1, K League 2, and national team broadcasts too.
But the 34-35 season brought trouble. Norwich's Korean star benched after a dismal start and coaching change. Southampton's guy lost his spot to injuries. To secure Premier League rights, Coumon Play let Bundesliga slip back to SportON from 35-36 onward.
Misery piled on: Both Premier Leaguers transferred to Bundesliga and Serie A pre-35-36. Two promising Korean prospects joined AS Monaco in Ligue 1, leaving the Premier League Korean-free.
The league's star power endures, but losing Korean star broadcasts dents Coumon Play's prestige. No new Premier Leaguers emerged through 36-37—and 37-38 looks the same.
"Phew... Not like I can do much about it..."
Jo Hwan-seok, head of Coumon Play's sports division, groans deeper by the day. Top brass obsesses over Korean overseas broadcasts, now all poached by SportON—pressure mounts.
Queries to agent pals and reporters yield the same: No Premier League Koreans this season.
No tricks left. Wait out SportON's exclusive window, then outbid.
...That was the plan.
Until a certain player's documentary lit up communities and NewTube.
Sports Korea's self-produced documentary Challenge chronicled Spanish fourth-division player Cha Tae-oh's story in a one-hour feature. It blew up communities largely thanks to his looks.
But soccer fans fixated on his skills—game-changing play transcending fourth-division limits. It sparked hype for a new star's rise.
Fans now buzz: Can Cha Tae-oh replicate this in La Liga 2 next season?
Jo Hwan-seok spotted the thirst instantly and pounced first.
Can't let SportON steal this one.
SportON only bought La Liga (first division) rights—first come, first served for La Liga 2.
A lifelong soccer fan, ex-elite youth player, and Seoul University soccer alum, Jo pegged Cha Tae-oh as a surefire La Liga 2 success post-doc: unreal touch, dribbling, speed, physicality, headers, technique, shooting, finishing, link-up play.
Not a full pro scout, but experts hailed him as "Korea's first complete forward type." SportON's late rush couldn't match Jo's resolve.
And so...
Coumon Play nailed the golden opportunity.
"Congratulations, Director."
"Thanks. Kim Reporter's help made it smooth."
"Aw, no biggie. I just connected you to Alcorcon."
"They were super proactive on club promo. Huge assist from AD Alcorcon."
"They see Cha Tae-oh as the team's future. Didn't expect full backing till I saw it in Spain."
"They know real talent when they see it! Haha!"
After sealing the deal fast, Jo hosted Kim Min-seok—Alcorcon's bridge—for drinks. Not just thanks.
"Read all your articles, Kim. La Liga expert, huh."
"Haha... Flattered."
"Seriously. Wonder why SportON never nabbed you as commentator."
Jo floated the pitch casually.
"So, how about commentating Cha Tae-oh's games?"
Feels weirdly surreal.
NewTube exploding? Meh—just folks finally noticing me.
But Coumon Play exclusive live broadcasts? Whole different vibe. Not just clips—Koreans watching my games live, real-time.
Figured it'd happen someday. Not pre-season, though.
Kim Min-seok deserved the world. No doc push from him, no early breakthrough.
But he thanked me more.
"Thanks? I owe you more. Debuting as commentator thanks to you."
"Nah, not my doing."
"Haha. Both denying? Call it mutual win?"
"Haha, sure!"
"Truth? I owe big. Company too. Know they bought the doc?"
"Yeah. Heard part 2 filming too..."
"Yep. Part 1 our budget, part 2 Coumon funds crew—big production. Testing waters, La Liga 2 promo too."
Coumon Play sent a crew for part 2 and pre-launch hype vids. AD Alcorcon welcomed them warmly. I cooperated fully—no reason not to.
"You and me both slammed now."
"Reporter heading out for coverage?"
"Coverage busy, but commentating means grinding La Liga 2 harder, haha!"
"Right. Best of luck!"
"I should say that! Keep killing it—you'll succeed. National team call-up soon, mark my words."
National team call-up.
It ignited my chest. Land that, and I'm free of the "K League 2 reject" label forever.
My lifelong dream, too.
"National team... national team..."
Post-call, I murmur it endlessly.
Dreams feel tangible now.
"...Not yet."
Not in hand. But I'll seize them one by one.
First up.
"Real preseason starts now."
"Whew... Nervous."
"We got this, Joni. A-team starters."
"Yeah. Calavera as coach? Show out in preseason, it's ours. Theo's locked, though."
"Joni, I'll play with Theo no matter what!"
"Me too! Hate the bench!"
"We can do it, Joni! We're invincible warriors!"
"Right, Miguel. Let's go!"
"Vamoooooooos!!!"
Conquering La Liga 2 awaits.