Chapter 190
Chapter 190
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 190
Chapter Title: Special Commentator Park Chan-hyuk -3
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The Korean broadcast team was watching the situation with expressions of wonder.
“Sometimes, when I see a really cool goal, I just can’t hold myself back.”
I barely managed to explain and successfully navigated past the moment.
“Yes! That was Special Commentator Park Chan-hyuk’s special celebration. Having been directly involved with Son Heung-min since his childhood days, the emotions must run especially deep.”
“Right, they rose together from the lower leagues, after all.”
Having snapped out of it thanks to my explanation, the broadcast team smoothly moved on to damage control.
- Kyaa lololol this is it.
- A manager who steals celebrations not just in the stadium but outside too?
Even so, the World Cup chat started heating up.
- What’s this… I only knew him from the news, didn’t realize Union Berlin’s manager was this type?
- His voice sounds so young, how old is he?
- 22 or 23, I think. Definitely young.
- Same age as Park Chan-hyuk: Han Yo-joo and Lee Song-gi.
- Damn, Park Chan-hyuk really looks insanely young;;
Last season, the Union Berlin manager—the first Asian to win the Champions League.
A huge chunk of viewers who tuned in just to see Park Chan-hyuk commentating the World Cup match had been waiting for this exact moment.
They were already pretty used to my antics from the Bundesliga and Champions League.
- But what’s “Hoo”?
- No idea. It’s a celebration Park Chan-hyuk’s been pushing lately.
- According to him, it’s Spanish for “Sí.”
- What? It sounded like “Hoo” to me?
- Dunno, if he says so, it probably is.
- Why Spanish though? Does Park Chan-hyuk speak Spanish too?
- Maybe ‘cause of the Brazilian players on his team?
- Brazil speaks Portuguese.
- Spanish and Portuguese are similar, ffs.
- Park Chan-hyuk’s German is insanely good though….
- You guys see that? When Park Chan-hyuk gives a speech, the old folks stand up from their seats. Reminds ‘em of the good old days.
- …? Why?
Anyway, my antics could’ve shaken the broadcast with the chat exploding like crazy.
“But excluding Son Heung-min and Lee Sung-jae, the other overseas Korean players went on loan or transferred to different teams—do you still keep in touch with them?”
The Korean World Cup broadcast team deftly shifted topics without getting swept up in the chat vibe.
“Yes. Even though they’re playing for other teams now, we still chat occasionally. In a way, it’s like a mentor-disciple bond.”
I nodded at the caster’s question. I was still in touch with those friends I’d built connections with back then.
And it wasn’t just the Korean players—even those loaned out from Union Berlin to other teams would ask me about their growth paths.
Gareth Bale’s positional shift unlocked his potential, and I’d nurtured other prospects brilliantly, cementing my reputation among young talents once more.
For the record, I answered their questions with all sincerity. Reaching out to me directly couldn’t have been easy for them.
‘Asking your former manager about growth advice isn’t exactly a walk in the park.’
Plus, most had parted on good terms with the club.
I offered extra helpful advice too—like the importance of diet and self-management.
Just like the saying “trust La Masia grads,” I hoped Union Berlin alumni would earn the same tag someday.
Of course, not everyone parted amicably. Some had clashed with me and left Union Berlin.
With the club’s rapid growth, playing time issues cropped up.
But those were the exceptions; most wrapped things up smoothly with the club.
“Speaking of which, you’ve recently earned the nickname ‘Union Berlin grads—you can trust ‘em.’”
“Haha. I’m just grateful for the nickname.”
In any case.
Thanks to my ongoing aftercare service, Union Berlin was starting to get called a prospect powerhouse.
It was still a bit behind La Masia’s fame, but the day it rivaled Barcelona’s youth reputation wasn’t far off.
“If it’s not too rude, I have a question for Union Berlin’s manager, not the special commentator….”
“Go ahead.”
“Thank you. As the first Asian manager to claim a Champions League title, do you have any new goals?”
“Well, I’d love a treble or an unbeaten season. And my big aim is designing a system so Union Berlin stays a European soccer powerhouse even after I retire.”
“Haha, at your age, retirement feels like a distant future, doesn’t it?”
“Who knows? The future’s unpredictable.”
I gave an awkward smile in response.
- Why are these guys suddenly doing a fan meet?
- Ffs, aren’t you supposed to be broadcasting the World Cup?
Meanwhile, soccer fans started raging. The team was skipping the actual commentary for casual chit-chat live on air.
- But if Park Chan-hyuk was right in front of me, I’d wanna ask him stuff too.
- Union Berlin stories are fun anyway.
- I wanna ask Park Chan-hyuk what tactics to use in FIFA.
- I’m FM lololol
- Wonder if Park Chan-hyuk’s good at FM.
- Him streaming FM on YouTube would be gold.
Or maybe they were just jealous.
Anyway, public opinion wasn’t overwhelmingly bad overall. But it was time to get back to commentary.
“Oh! Right as we speak, Andre Ayew picks up the ball!”
The broadcast team seemed to sense it too, cutting the small talk at the right moment and diving back into full commentary.
“That’s the player Special Commentator Park Chan-hyuk warned us to watch out for!”
“Exactly. I can see him playing in the Premier League someday.”
I refocused on the commentary.
“Andre Ayew starts a quick dribble forward!”
Right on cue, Ghana launched a counter.
“Oh! That’s dangerous!!”
The caster’s urgent voice rang out.
Korean soccer fans thought it was a goal conceded for sure.
But I could see our players sticking with it to the end, never giving up.
Then, just before Ghana’s striker unleashed his shot.
“Lee Sung-jae! Lee Sung-jae with a phenomenal tackle!”
Lee Sung-jae, joining the defensive effort, barely managed to block it.
“Incredible! That’s as good as a goal-line clearance!”
“Yes. I trained him.”
I lightly plugged myself behind the cheering broadcast team.
Ghana’s attack marked the end of the first half, and halftime began.
“We’ll be right back after the break!”
“Now, soccer is…!”
As the team delivered their first-half wrap-up, all eyes turned to me.
Because I didn’t follow the script.
“Uh, I haven’t gotten my ad fee yet.”
I gave an awkward smile. My sister had strictly warned me against free volunteering.
‘Broadcast stations can use World Cup quotes for ad-like stuff, right?’
The PD and writer hurriedly conferred, then held up a sketchboard.
“Soccer is SBC! We’ll see you for the second half!”
Only then did I beam and say.
***
Halftime ended, and the second half kicked off.
Korea’s kickoff started things.
Korea led thanks to Son Heung-min’s opener.
But the fans and broadcast team watching had no room for complacency.
Right before halftime, momentum had swung to Ghana.
“Kevin-Prince Boateng threads it forward!”
Ghana picked up where they left off, pressuring Korea hard from the second-half start.
“Andre Ayew gets the ball! Tries a cross!”
Moments later.
“Ah… South Korea concedes.”
Andre Ayew pierced the defense and lofted a cross.
Asamoah Gyan, bursting into the box, headed it home.
“Gutted for South Korea. They’ve allowed the equalizer.”
As the team abandoned neutrality with sighs.
“Goaaaaal! It’s in! Asamoah Gyan equalizes! With South Korea’s defense wobbling, Gyan pounced sharply! And as I mentioned, Andre Ayew picks up an assist this match.”
I kept the high energy going.
Commentary had to stay neutral.
But Korean soccer fans’ reactions were ice-cold.
- Why are you happy? Traitor?
I’d upheld my neutral duty and still caught flak.
For the record, the match went to extra time in a brutal battle, with Lee Sung-jae assisting Park Ji-sang’s goal to secure South Korea’s win.
[Title: If Son Heung-min and Lee Sung-jae hadn’t balled out and we lost, Park Chan-hyuk <<< would’ve gotten absolutely roasted, right?]
- Fr, watching live I was on edge for him.
Post-match, the narrative was that his players saved their master.