Chapter 189
Chapter 189
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 189
Chapter Title: Special Commentator Park Chan-hyuk - 2
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***
Time flew by, and I arrived back in South Korea.
[Park Chan-hyuk Returns Home as Special Commentator for the South Africa World Cup!]
A huge crowd of soccer fans had gathered at Incheon International Airport.
“Manager Park Chan-hyuk! Just one Hoo, please!”
“Hooouuuuuu!!”
I smiled for the fans as I signed autographs, then sat down for interviews with the reporters. It was incredibly touching to see this level of excitement directed at a manager who wasn’t even a player.
Normally, I would have slipped in quietly without all the fanfare. Sure, I attracted attention inside the stadium, but outside it, I was just a calm guy who enjoyed reading and sipping tea.
This time, though, the broadcaster had specifically requested the high-profile entrance.
They’d shelled out big money to bring me on board, so naturally they wanted to milk the publicity.
‘But they won’t ask me to do a variety show, huh.’
Anyway, SBC was the sole broadcaster covering the World Cup.
Ahead of the tournament, they’d coughed up extra cash to lock in exclusive rights.
That sparked a torrent of backlash, especially from rival networks.
Korean broadcasters had always banded together to negotiate down the fees. SBC’s solo move shattered that unity.
On top of it, SBC jacked up broadcast and ad fees on companies, citing their monopoly.
Furious competitors retaliated by airing hit dramas right during match times.
The result? World Cup ratings tanked way below expectations. What SBC hadn’t accounted for was that housewives hold the TV remotes.
With losses looming from the exclusive deal, the network turned to me as their ratings savior.
They seemed desperate to cling to that “soccer powerhouse” image.
In the original timeline, SBC patted themselves on the back after the Cup, claiming it was about honor over money. But since they never tried another exclusive, the financial hit must have been brutal.
‘Still, with Korea reaching the quarterfinals here, things might play out differently.’
The reporters shifted to questions about the national team manager.
- What are your thoughts on the current national team tactics?
“I believe they suit the Korean national team perfectly.”
The lingering suspicions about the manager had mostly evaporated.
Sure, scandals and controversies still left some fans sour, but solid results and proven skill had shut down the harshest critics.
- Word is that manager Huh Moo-jung recently got a coaching offer from Europe. Your take?
My overwhelming success at Union Berlin, combined with the World Cup run, had put the idea in their heads.
For context, this was the first time a European club had offered a managerial job to a Korean. I’d come up through the assistant coach ranks myself.
My response to the question was predictably boilerplate.
“Managing in Europe is grueling and incredibly challenging. That said, if he takes the plunge, I’ll cheer him on—and offer any help he needs.”
A few reporters looked annoyed at the safe, scripted answer.
‘Do they think coaching abroad is a cakewalk?’
I brushed off their grumpy stares with a mental scoff.
From the start, language was a massive barrier for a Korean manager in Europe.
Sure, he’d lived there as a player, so maybe communication wouldn’t be a total disaster.
But fluent like a native? No chance.
‘This is a freak case for me—German just clicked somehow.’
How many clubs would assign a Korean interpreter just because the manager spoke Korean? And in 2010, foreigners fluent in Korean were rare. That boom only hit after Korean culture swept the globe.
“We’ll wrap the interview here. Thank you.”
I ended things amid the slightly deflated mood and headed to my hotel.
[GL Group Cheers on the Taegeuk Warriors!]
Riding in the car with the driver handling the wheel, I glanced out at the streets.
Korea was already in full festival mode just from clinching the quarterfinal spot.
“The streets are buzzing with passion.”
“Haha, it’s World Cup season, after all.”
[World Cup’s a Five-Star Slam Dunk! Quarterfinal Appliances on Sale!]
Discount promotions celebrating the quarterfinal run popped up everywhere.
Smiles were plastered on every face.
Heck, some guys and girls who locked eyes during street watch parties were already hooking up.
‘...This might spawn World Cup babies in two waves.’
***
Time zipped by after I landed in Korea.
The day of the World Cup quarterfinal between Korea and Ghana arrived.
“Wow! Manager Park Chan-hyuk—we’re huge fans!”
“Love tuning into your broadcasts.”
I exchanged warm greetings with the broadcast crew.
A short while later.
“Hello, soccer fans across the nation! I’m caster Park Yong-dae. Joining me on commentary is Han Seok-jun.”
“Yes. Hello, everyone.”
“And today, we have an extra special guest. Ahead of the Korea vs. Ghana quarterfinal, we’ve secured a star special commentator: Park Chan-hyuk, manager of last season’s Champions League champions, Union Berlin.”
The South Africa World Cup broadcast kicked off in earnest.
- Oh, chat’s open.
- Hey hey
- Park Chan-hyuk really doing special commentary today?
- Yup
- Damn, chat’s packed way more than usual;;
- Lol, Champions League-winning manager on commentary? How’s this not a riot.
The chat was way more lit than I expected.
‘Feels like I’m on some internet show.’
I zoned out staring at it and totally missed my intro cue.
“Uh, Manager?”
The caster called my name with a concerned look.
I snapped back to reality and greeted the viewers.
“Chaniru. Ah, no—that’s not it. Hello, I’m Park Chan-hyuk, manager of Union Berlin.”
A minor live gaffe, but the caster smoothly pivoted, keeping it from blowing up.
“Yes, it seems the manager’s a bit nervous for his broadcast debut. By the way, congrats on topping the fan poll for ‘Who Should Manage the National Team Next World Cup?’”
Korean soccer fans had voted me number one for that. They clearly had an eye for talent.
“Managing the Korean national team is an honor like no other. I’m proud so many fans want me for it.”
I answered the caster’s question with a satisfied smile.
“Does that mean you’d consider taking the job?”
“Right now, I’m focused on building Union Berlin, but someday? Who knows.”
As we bantered with the crew, the Korea-Ghana quarterfinal kicked off.
“With the ref’s whistle, the match between Korea and Ghana is underway! Special commentator Park Chan-hyuk, what’s your prediction?”
“Ghana holds a slight historical edge, but it’s not a huge gap. In a razor-thin contest like this, focus and motivation decide it—and Korea’s players look plenty fired up.”
And above all, Ghana wasn’t at full strength.
Michael Essien, the Chelsea star, had sadly missed the tournament with a knee injury right before it started.
Even without him, they’d locked in a quarterfinal berth.
In the original history, with Essien, they might’ve beaten Uruguay and reached the semis.
“Yes, exactly. And Ghana’s star Michael Essien bowed out with that pre-tournament knee injury, right?”
I nodded at the caster and added cautiously.
“Truly unfortunate. The World Cup is every player’s dream stage.”
I had to be careful—my fame meant my words could spread overseas.
“You’ve got a reputation for developing young talents brilliantly. Any standout players from Ghana or Korea catching your eye?”
“We need to watch the IU brothers closely. Sticks out because it matches my favorite singer’s stage name.”
“Er... I see. New artist?”
“Yeah, debuted in 2008, I believe.”
While I traded light jabs with the crew, Korea launched a counter.
“Great pass from Lee Sung-jae!”
“I developed him.”
“Son Heung-min’s flying!”
“Ditto—I developed him.”
Lee Sung-jae’s pass found Son Heung-min.
“Goaaaal! Son Heung-min! Son Heung-min’s opener! Korea takes the lead against Ghana!”
“Dreams do come true! Korea dares to dream of another miracle semifinal run!”
Son Heung-min stayed cool inside the box and slotted it home past Ghana’s keeper.
In that moment, I faced a dilemma.
‘Sigh. Celebration... I wanna do it.’
As a non-manager here, no risk of a card. But conservative viewers would hate it.
‘Sigh. Hold back. Not my house—don’t stir trouble.’
I decided to restrain myself.
Unfortunately, my body had other ideas.
I shot up from my seat, leaped in place, and bellowed.
“Hooouuuuuuuuuuu─!”
The Korean broadcast team stared at me in amused bewilderment.