The Man Everyone is Watching (2)
Kim Min-seok, the journalist, felt his heart skip a beat for some inexplicable reason when he first heard the news that Cha Tae-oh had signed with Borja Navas.
He wasn't against the transfer at all. In fact, he desperately wanted Cha Tae-oh to leave La Liga 2 behind as soon as possible and conquer bigger stages. But even so, an inexplicable unease washed over him because of the commentator.
Ever since the documentary on Cha Tae-oh, he'd gained fame as the dedicated commentator for AD Alcorcon across multiple outlets, promoting both Cha Tae-oh and the club while solidifying his own position as a reporter. If Cha Tae-oh transferred to Getafe CF now, it was obvious his status as the so-called 'Cha Tae-oh expert' would crumble.
The reason was simple. The surge in interest from soccer fans toward him stemmed from his exclusive commentary on Cha Tae-oh's games, where he showcased his deep knowledge of La Liga and earned rave reviews. The problem was, if Cha Tae-oh moved to Getafe CF this summer transfer window, he wouldn't be able to cover those games anymore. SportsOn, the rival network, held exclusive La Liga broadcasting rights. With his one-year contract already signed with Kumon Play, jumping ship was impossible.
Moreover, once Cha Tae-oh left, Kumo Play had no reason to hype his games like they did now. The network already caught flak for ignoring low-profile matches. Would fans still care about La Liga 2—let alone AD Alcorcon—after Cha Tae-oh was gone? Realistically, the odds were zero.
Unless a new Korean player joined AD Alcorcon, of course. In this situation, Cha Tae-oh hiring a new agent—and a super-agent as capable as Borja Navas—practically screamed an imminent transfer.
Kim Min-seok braced himself to accept it. Still, thanks to Cha Tae-oh, he'd boosted his profile, rekindled Korean fans' interest in La Liga, and seen his articles praised across communities.
But just a day after the transfer rumors exploded, Cha Tae-oh chose to stay. Kumo Play cheered, and Kim Min-seok breathed a sigh of relief.
Now, in the second-round match, with about 20 minutes gone in the first half, one thought lingered in Kim Min-seok's mind as he gripped the commentary mic. And he didn't hesitate to voice it.
"Cha Tae-oh really needs to move to a bigger stage. He's far beyond La Liga 2 level. There's so much to praise, but if I had to pick one thing from these first 20 minutes..."
"His shooting, right?"
The sharp caster jumped in, finishing his thought, and Kim Min-seok nodded unconsciously.
"I rate Cha Tae-oh's kicking power as beyond Asian level. Perfect timing—here's the replay of that first goal..."
"It curls into the top corner like magic. No, it just gets sucked in."
"Alex Roberto, who's marking Cha Tae-oh today, had backed off to block that angle. Yet he still pierced that tiny gap with his shot. And it was his first shot attempt of the game."
The shot motion was concise, but its power, trajectory, and precision were astonishing.
"Cha Tae-oh's been showing shots like that since last season with the B team. Same in the first round. I think this otherworldly kicking power is the biggest reason behind his insane scoring ability."
"He doesn't take a ton of shots per game, does he?"
"Exactly. What's funny is, he doesn't wait for perfect chances either. Once it meets his criteria, he shoots without hesitation—and hits at an incredible rate. A player with that decision-making and kicking power belongs in the top flight."
Kim Min-seok continued, his tone a bit excited.
"Honestly, I don't think our players lag behind overseas in skill. Our guys have great technique. But shooting? That's where we fall short."
Soccer fans nodded along in agreement.
Kim Min-seok pressed on. "Shooting power isn't just about physicality—it's technique too. Sure, Cha Tae-oh has great physique, but the point is, physicality doesn't dominate shooting."
"Add that physique to his kicking power, and it's perfection, right?"
"Exactly. If our players up their shot quality like this, we could churn out Europe-shakers like Son Heung-min nonstop."
As possession shifted to AD Alcorcon, the caster smoothly pivoted.
"Elche pass mistake! Intercepted, out wide. Miguel Amaro receives. Advancing!"
After conceding, Elche CF pushed forward more aggressively—but without raising their line much. Their attacks relied heavily on individual flair rather than fluid build-up.
"Elche switches to defense fast. Miguel Amaro stops the dribble, passes back."
"No need to rush. They can build patiently—Alcorcon's leading."
Before Elche could form their defensive wall, AD Alcorcon rushed quick passes toward Cha Tae-oh. Finally, the ball reached his feet.
"Alex Roberto! Sticks tight to Cha Tae-oh."
Having given Cha Tae-oh space for that earlier shot—which pierced the narrow gap for a long-range goal—Alex Roberto pressed without letting him turn.
Elche players nearby piled on too, refusing to leave it to Roberto alone. No room for Cha Tae-oh to shoot.
Confirming the defense swarm, Cha Tae-oh didn't force a turn or dribble. Instead...
"Cha Tae-oh! Shields the ball with his back turned!"
"His physicality doesn't yield! Amazing at holding off like that—unlike when he drives forward."
The moment Cha Tae-oh held firm, drawing three Elche defenders, Nico Salaberria and Miguel Amaro—lingering wide—locked eyes. As if on cue, they moved oppositely: one into the space behind Roberto at the penalty arc, the other to the touchline. One stretching, one pinching.
"Heavy pressure from Elche!"
As an Elche midfielder charged from the front, Cha Tae-oh escaped with a slick la croqueta, twisting 90 degrees. Spotting his winger dragging a defender touchline-side...
Tuk-!
Cha Tae-oh's dazzling play erupted.
"Fake move, then he spins completely the other way!"
One upper-body feint fooled the marker; Cha Tae-oh shifted the ball opposite. Elche, expecting a goalward drive or pass wide—especially Roberto—lost him entirely.
But calm Roberto twisted his bulk to block the central run. Right then...
Pang-!
Cha Tae-oh didn't drive—he threaded a perfect pass into the central space where his teammate lurked.
The runner kept the pass's momentum, firing with his weaker foot toward goal.
Bung-!
Not powerful, but low and precise into the corner...
Challang-!
It slipped past the keeper's late dive, ripping the net.
AD Alcorcon's second goal. The scorer...
"Goooaaal! Nico Salaberria adds another with a clean finish!"
"Cha Tae-oh's visionary play and key pass! Nico Salaberria slots it home with his right foot! What a picture-perfect sequence!"
"26th minute—score's now 2-0 as AD Alcorcon pulls two ahead!"