My Girlfriend Wants Victory

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After Son Jinho’s announcement of his retirement from the national team, the South Korea Football Association’s website crashed due to overwhelming traffic.

[Predicted event becoming reality! Son Jinho’s retirement declaration from the national team!]

As the media attacks lessened, the public opinion that had started to calm began to boil once again.

[Outrage among the public! Holding the media accountable! ‘Not just the Football Association, but the media also bears responsibility!’]

[Lawmakers express concern over media’s abuses. ‘Reporters crossing the line by invading personal privacy and spreading falsehoods under the guise of the public’s right to know has gone too far.’]

Amidst the surging public sentiment, voices emerged stating that not only did the association chairman impact Son Jinho’s retirement but that reforms should also be made in the media.

[Shock! Jeong Do-jun’s construction company affiliated with the FA exposed for shoddy work?]

The media, startled by this, redirected the focus to attack Chairman Jeong Do-jun once again.

[Collapsed apartment… This time the construction company is Medieval Construction.]

As the story of the shoddy work that seemed to be buried under other topics resurfaced in the news.

[Medieval Group’s stock plummets! 90% wiped out from its peak!]

[Medieval Group shareholders demand Jeong Do-jun step down.]

[‘In the face of angry public sentiment.’ Jeong Do-jun resigns from his position as President of the South Korea Football Association. ‘I feel a responsibility for not completing my term…’]

Ultimately, Chairman Jeong Do-jun could not withstand the stock crash and resigned from both the association’s presidency and his management roles.

[Chairman Jeong Do-jun laments his unfair treatment. ‘I too am a victim of fake news. I was deceived by the media.’]

However, before stepping down, Jeong Do-jun publicly retaliated against the media that attacked him despite having covered advertising costs.

[Personal details of reporters who wrote articles on Son Jinho’s naturalization are revealed.]

He successfully shifted some of the public anger directed at him toward the media.

[Media outlets express their apologies. ‘We regret causing pain to many, including player Son Jinho, with articles that were not fact-checked.’]

└ LOL, saying ‘we regret’ in this situation is just ridiculous, haha!

└ For real, it’s frustrating how stiff-headed they are.

└ So what happened to my hyung? Is he really retiring?!

└ Who knows what will happen… Can the association persuade him?

└ Just leaving those guys alone would do more good than harm.

*

As Chairman Jeong Do-jun stepped down and media companies expressed their apologies to Son Jinho.

[Football Association declares reforms. ‘We will communicate with humility. The top priority is to win back Son Jinho’s heart!’]

The Football Association begged Son Jinho not to go through with his retirement, promising apologies and preventive measures.

‘No way in hell!’

However, having already made up his mind to retire, Son Jinho firmly rejected the association’s offer.

Unlike other players who need military exemptions, Son Jinho was exempted from military service due to losing his parents at a young age.

The Football Association was now facing a situation where one of their ace cards was sealed away.

“How about we try talking to him about studying in Germany…”

“Seriously, if you threaten me like that now, I’d definitely naturalize in Germany. If what’s on my neck isn’t just decoration, then think for once!”

Even if they could at least say something in public opinion, like mentioning Son Jinho studying in Germany, they might have tried to use it as a threat.

But if they attempted that now and enraged Son Jinho further to the point of actually naturalizing…

The association might be left in ruins by the wrath of angry citizens.

“…Let’s ask the national team players to persuade him. Our words, having lost trust, may not be as effective as the national team players’ words.”

In the end, the Football Association requested help from national team players they had a good relationship with to persuade Son Jinho.

– The leader is hefty: Hmm… Doesn’t it seem like Jinho has been hurt a lot?

– Dobongsan Mad Dog: I’d be disappointed too.

But given the explosive screw-ups of the association, the players were also hesitant to step in too boldly.

– Dobongsan Mad Dog: Even I feel frustrated and angry just watching, so how bad must the person involved be?

– Dobongsan Mad Dog: For real, it’s a complete letdown. If it weren’t for the army, I’d have announced my retirement too.

– The leader is hefty: Huh? Then how will Jinho solve his army situation? Is he really going to naturalize?

– Dobongsan Mad Dog: Jinho has army exemption.

– The leader is hefty: Wow, I’m so jealous, why is he exempt?

– Dobongsan Mad Dog: His parents passed away in a car accident when he was in elementary school.

– The leader is hefty: No way;;; You should’ve said that along with it;;

And so, while the Football Association and the players exchanged glances at Son Jinho and couldn’t take action either way, time was slipping away.

*

[Dortmund decides to grant Son Jinho additional rest. Jürgen Klopp also agrees.]

[Dortmund’s Jürgen Klopp, ‘It was far too heavy for a mere 16-year-old. We will do our best to help him return to the field with a bright smile again.’]

[Jürgen Klopp appeals to the South Korea Football Association. ‘Please don’t make it hard for Jinho any further, just leave him alone.’]

*

Once the incident with the association was settled, Dortmund granted me an additional three-week long vacation.

The size of the incident was far too great for a young promising player to handle.

They were worried I might mentally collapse or break down.

“Umm… I really feel fine, you don’t have to give me a break.”

“Jino, take this opportunity to spend time with your precious people and gather your thoughts.”

I spent time with my loved ones as recommended by Dortmund, trying to collect my thoughts.

Contrary to my belief that I was unaffected,

On the day I was given a break, it seemed I had been asleep all day.

Somehow, like the doctor said, stress and fatigue must have been building up without me noticing.

Having slept deeply for a while, I got up and headed to the kitchen, hearing Gyeouri and my mother-in-law’s voices.

“Mom! Why is there so little meat for me?”

“Shut up, go wake Jinho.”

“Are you seriously griping about food when Chelsea just lost 3 to 1 to ManU? Mom! Losing to a strong team is nothing to be embarrassed about, okay? Mom! Don’t be embarrassed! ManU is a strong team!”

“…You little brat!”

“Ow─! Son Jinho!! Help me!!”

While frolicking around, Gyeouri ended up getting slapped by my mother-in-law and was desperately calling for help.

“Hmm. Seems like she hasn’t fully woken up yet.”

I smiled kindly at Gyeouri, who was begging for help, then quietly walked back into my room.

Thus, I was able to soothe my weary heart in the warmth of my family.

*

[Dortmund barely wins a tough match against Mainz in the 7th round!]

[Dortmund feeling the absence of Son Jinho, suffers a crushing 3-1 loss against Marseille in the Champions League Group F second match!]

[Jürgen Klopp shakes his head at Son Jinho’s early return. ‘I miss seeing Jinho active on the field, but right now, he needs time.’]

[Dortmund records 1 win, 1 draw, and 2 losses in the 4 matches without Son Jinho!]

[Dortmund’s Jürgen Klopp expresses his regrets. ‘We drew a match we could have won and lost a match we could have drawn.’]

[Returning to training is Jinho! Fortunately, he looks bright!]

[Son Jinho joking with Jürgen Klopp!]

[Is Jürgen Klopp all smiles with Son Jinho’s return?]

[As soon as he returns, Son Jinho’s name is back on the starting list! A certified ace of Dortmund!]

*

October 22, 2011.

In the Bundesliga’s 10th round match between Dortmund and Köln.

As the players entered the field.

At Dortmund’s home ground, Signal Iduna Park, a different cheer song began to resonate.

“Walk on, walk on With hope in your heart And you’ll never walk alone You’ll never walk alone.”

At the same time, the Südkurve, Dortmund’s pride, lit up with the face of Son Jinho, smiling brightly after scoring a goal.

[Ah… It seems the Dortmund fans are singing support songs to encourage player Son Jinho who has gone through a tough time in many ways.]

Overwhelmed by the sight of the fans cheering for him, Son Jinho could not help but burst into tears.

[In front of the fans’ support, Son Jinho, with his head lowered, sheds tears. His teammates beside him quietly embrace and comfort him.]

└ For real;; That’s incredibly touching;;

└ Although I shouldn’t say this, I wish my hyung would just naturalize in Germany;;

└ Ugh, those association bastards.

└ WTF, why is Liverpool’s anthem playing at Dortmund?

└ Info: Liverpool’s anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” is also used as a cheer song at Dortmund.

└ Thanks for the friendly explanation!!