There Are Too Many Money-Making Talents 088
“Mr. Kim In-ha, please move to the award ceremony hall.”
I nodded.
No need to rush.
I could think about how to use the roulette ticket later.
Right now, I had time to savor this moment.
Following the emcee’s guidance, we arrived at the second-floor award hall, where many people waited.
A photo wall stood with its back to the windows.
Trophies and prize boards stood beside the podium.
And in front of me, the journalists’ flashbulbs lit up.
Sitting in the winner’s seat, I caught my breath for a moment.
The host began the ceremony.
“We will proceed with the award ceremony for the 60th DN Car Cup National Go Tournament. This newly revived event began with amateur selections, and after fierce competition among invited Chinese and Japanese players, the greatest player—the National Go Master—was born in a long journey.”
It was not my first victory.
But at this moment, it still felt thrilling and exhilarating.
Win.
The sense of achievement these two words carried.
It felt as though I would never tire of it, no matter how long I lived.
The host’s voice rose.
“We welcome the third National Go Master, Kim In-ha, to the stage!”
I stood and walked quietly onto the podium.
The DN Car director and Korea Baduk Association Secretary General Lee Sang-woo, my sponsors, handed me the trophy and prize board with both hands.
The weight was not unfamiliar.
I need to get used to it more.
I would fill the trophies in my room until the display shelves were full.
Then came the commemorative photos.
Shutter sounds burst nonstop.
And the interview journalists had been waiting for began.
“Mr. Kim In-ha, congratulations on your victory. Please share your feelings.”
I looked at the microphone for a moment, then spoke quietly.
“Above all, I am truly happy to win in the most traditional and symbolic National Go Tournament. I would like to express my gratitude to the sponsor DN Car through this place.”
After speaking, I bowed deeply toward the DN Car director in the winner’s seat.
Polite and simple.
The director in the front row twitched as if surprised, but soon skillfully composed his expression, stood, and bowed.
As expected from a large-company director.
……This is probably what the sponsor wants.
The National Go Tournament winner, me.
On that symbolic stage, mentioning the sponsor authoritatively and highlighting it in one scene.
This was also a performance for the sponsor.
But in the end, it was for me.
When I signed a sponsorship contract with the sponsor, this kind of scene came with it.
It showed the direction to change the image and elevate the brand.
I interpreted the advice from team leader Jeong Soo-yeon in the most accurate way, in my own manner.
The host continued.
“Today’s Go match must have been difficult. Did you not feel any burden?”
“It was a pleasant burden. It made me concentrate.”
“Mr. Kim’s witty reply. Now, we’ll take questions from the journalists.”
The host pointed to one of the journalists who raised their hands.
“Despite the penalty issue with Zihao 9-dan in the finals, you said ‘just let it be.’ What was the reason?”
I had expected this question.
I smiled faintly and answered.
“I thought I could win even if I just let it be.”
In reality, I had been in a favorable position, and it did not seem I would lose if I simply let it be.
The journalist nodded satisfiedly and took notes.
Then, as if cutting the aftertaste, another hand rose.
It was a Chinese journalist.
“Due to the Korea Baduk Association’s regulations, Chinese players were interfered with in the match. There are criticisms that it was not a fair victory. What do you think?”
The accent was low and strong.
Emotion was infused at the end.
After interpretation, the expressions of the Korean journalists, as well as the host-side Korea Baduk Association and DN Car staff, subtly hardened.
I quietly looked at the Chinese journalist.
“It could be.”
The journalist’s eyebrows twitched at my words.
It might have sounded like agreement.
“But if you’re in Rome, you follow Roman law, right? Moreover, I requested the penalty to be lifted, and after coordination, we resumed. I don’t know what the problem is.”
A clear rebuttal.
The Chinese journalist’s mouth twitched.
“Concentration was broken, and it interfered with the match flow. Even considering the regulations are different……”
“Hey.”
I cut him off.
Facing him, I slowly continued.
“Then do the same in Chinese Go tournaments. Of course, if I break the rules.”
At that moment, the tip of the hand holding the pen trembled slightly.
Shaking.
The reaction that pride had been hurt.
Exactly, the entire Chinese Go world might have been scratched.
The Chinese journalist, without sitting down, said while suppressing emotions.
“……I look forward to seeing you active in Chinese Go tournaments.”
The tone.
Hidden frustration and determination in the expressionless ending.
Usually, it is said that half is eaten where you play at home.
A flavor of let’s see once.
I nodded slightly without smiling or sarcasm.
“Ah, journalists. In that sense, you can write the article in advance.”
And after a moment’s pause, I added.
“It could become a party at someone else’s house.”
At those words, the Chinese journalist’s expression twisted.
The face that had been suppressing emotions finely crumpled, unable to hide anymore.
The atmosphere froze for a moment.
The host, with an awkward smile, picked up the microphone.
“Well, next question.”
I quietly took a sip of water.
I had already anticipated the waves the previous words would spread.
But it did not matter.
Because I prove with results rather than words.
***
I rested for two days.
Go is a sport that consumes mental energy.
I ate well, slept well, and focused on recovery.
Of course, I did not skip morning exercise.
Next week, there was also the second selection for the compound national team.
If I did not run lightly, my body would be sore and I could not endure it.
After morning exercise, I quickly showered and got into the car.
Whether from the afterglow of exercise, a faint heat still lingered on my body.
I lowered the windows a little.
Opening the windows a little, cold air brushed my face.
Winter had come quickly.
“It’s about time for contact……”
When I turned on the ignition and waited, a familiar notification sound rang from the hands-free.
A call from Jang Yu-na 2-dan.
I took a deep breath and pressed the call button.
“Hello? Our Mumeong is connected! Can you hear my voice? We’re broadcasting now.”
“Yes, hello.”
Today’s first schedule.
Jang Yu-na 2-dan’s morning live streaming appearance.
Since the Mumeong days, the fan base that loves her is particularly thick for broadcasting.
Although it is a phone appearance, I responded as a kind of fan service.
Through the speaker, a characteristic lively voice came.
“Our Mumeong, congratulations on the victory first! Applause!”
“Thank you. Thanks to the fans cheering for me.”
In a warm atmosphere, conversation with Jang Yu-na 2-dan on various topics flowed.
Mainly questions that viewers usually asked.
“Recently, there’s been some noise from the Chinese side. Have you seen the article, Mumeong?”
“No. I couldn’t see it in detail.”
“The Korea Baduk Association filed a protest over the Korean rules. Zhao Hao 9-dan was the victim, right? They said they demanded fair tournament operation.”
“……Interesting.”
“Right? If Mumeong hadn’t said ‘just let it be’ then, it would have been even noisier. Even now it’s like this.”
I smiled quietly.
Jang Yu-na 2-dan, the broadcasting is definitely skilled.
Even if I answered appropriately, she created the atmosphere and led the public opinion on her own.
In this process, she carefully adjusted so that no sparks flew to me.
“Ah, it’s already time. Mumeong! Finally, please give a word to our broadcast viewers.”
I chose words for a moment.
Words people want to hear.
“Jang Yu-na 2-dan broadcast, please love it a lot. I will repay with winning Go, not losing Go in the future. Thank you.”
“Perfect line! As expected, our Mumeong. Then, see you at the year-end Go Awards ceremony. You have to do a long interview that day! You can’t run away!”
“I’ll be waiting first.”
“Thank you!”
After the call, the car became quiet again.
I placed my hand on the steering wheel and took a deep breath.
“Year-end ceremony.”
I had received a call from the Korea Baduk Association yesterday.
They requested to attend the ‘Year-end Go Awards ceremony’ to be held next month.
They said they select winners based on fan votes and achievements among domestic pro players who performed this year.
And added.
I am a likely winner.
Newcomer award is already decided, right.
The key was whether it was best player or overall.
Winning the Ciel Bank Cup, National Go Tournament.
Achievements were sufficient, but Jeong Si-hoo 9-dan also had two titles.
Competition could not be avoided.
“……It might be better to postpone the roulette a bit.”
The current roulette tickets I have.
Two Platinum Roulette Tickets.
Two Gold Roulette Tickets.
One Talent Enhancement Ticket.
There was a high possibility of additional rewards depending on the performance at the year-end ceremony and the compound second selection.
“Right now, it’s not the time.”
Randomly increasing talents is meaningless.
When the combination, flow, and goals I want become clear, it seemed right to strategically spin them.
“Shall we go.”
I gripped the steering wheel and drove the car to the downtown area.
Since it was past commuting time, the road was a bit empty.
Crossing the Han River bridge, I changed lanes.
Today’s second schedule.
Broadcasting station located in Yeouido.
This was the first appearance on a public broadcasting entertainment show, not cable or terrestrial.
“Last song.”
It looks like a music entertainment from the outside, but actually it is a talk show where you listen to people’s stories.
If the previous ‘Who Today’ was healing-centered, ‘Last Song’ is currently ranking first in viewership among all entertainments based on ratings.
Each episode features one guest, after a conversation full of laughter and sincerity, selecting one song that contains their life and finishing.
“We’re here.”
I parked the car in the broadcasting station parking lot and caught my breath.
I arrived 30 minutes earlier than scheduled, but it was better than being late.
Entering the building, I called the assigned writer.
“Hello. I’ve just arrived.”
“Ah, yes! I’ll come down right away. Please wait in the lobby for a moment!”
After hanging up, I stood quietly in one corner of the broadcasting station’s first floor lobby, watching people passing by.
I wondered if I could see a celebrity, but no noticeable faces were there yet.
Then.
“Excuse me…… Are you Mr. Kim In-ha, the pro Go player?”
A strange man approached and spoke.
Disheveled clothes.
Face worn out from fatigue.
Seeing the employee badge around his neck, he seemed like a broadcasting station staff.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m PD Han Kyung-il. I think you’re here for an appearance?”
“Ah, ‘Last Song’ today has recording, so.”
Before the words ended, his eyes sparkled.
An expression as if something came to mind.
He scratched his head cautiously and said carefully.
“Ah, I see. If it’s okay, could I ask you to appear on our program as well…….”
An unexpected proposal, I tilted my head slightly.
Too sudden.
A bit flustered, but asked anyway.
“Can I ask what kind of program it is?”
He answered immediately.
“.”
Then, a beat later, added carefully.
“By any chance…… Do you sing well?”