Located on the western outskirts of Cheongju, Chungbuk Football Club was bustling with activity. On the divided fields, players trained hard, separated by age groups. The sweat of aspiring players drenched the grass as they gave it their all in pursuit of their dreams.
On a bench near the U-17 field, Coach Lee Chae-woon sat in casual clothes, talking to Jiwoo Yoo, who was similarly dressed.
"So, it's finally happening, huh?"
Lee Chae-woon showed no signs of surprise when he heard that Jiwoo was in the process of signing a contract with Boca Juniors. He nodded calmly, as if this outcome was inevitable.
"Yes, sir. I think I'll have to quit by the end of this week."
"Why? It's going to take at least a few months before you leave for Argentina."
"That's true."
"How will you train until then?"
"I'll find a place near home..."
Even with the fastest arrangements, it would take at least six months for Jiwoo to leave for Argentina.
"If you don't have a place for personal training, come here."
"Can I really?"
"Of course. If you keep showing up here, it'll be a great motivator for the others, don't you think?"
Coach Lee gestured towards a group of players taking a short break nearby.
"Boca Juniors."
It wasn't one of Europe's top five leagues, but it was a powerhouse in South America. Any aspiring footballer would know its name.
For the other players, being scouted by such a prestigious club made Jiwoo an object of admiration.
"You think so?"
"Definitely. This academy is small and relatively new. If a professional player emerges from here, it could give everyone hope and push them to work harder."
Chungbuk Football Club wasn't a well-known academy. It had never produced a professional player. If Jiwoo joined Boca Juniors and eventually debuted as a pro, it would be a monumental first, sparking interest not just among the players but also among outsiders.
"I guess I'll have to work even harder."
"Hah! How much harder can you work?"
"Excuse me?"
"You already run 5 kilometers every morning, eat breakfast, train, eat lunch, train again, and finish with evening training. I've never seen anyone as intense as you in my life."
"I had to, sir. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have had this opportunity."
Jiwoo's relentless determination to maintain his performance was legendary. People around him would try to stop him, warning that he'd collapse at this rate, but Jiwoo wouldn't budge. He was desperate to retain his edge.
Coach Lee remembered one of Jiwoo's most poignant statements, made when he was lying on the ground, panting heavily after an exhausting session:
"If I stop now, everything I've worked so hard to learn will disappear."
Since then, Coach Lee had never tried to dissuade Jiwoo. Instead, he quietly supported him, ensuring the boy wouldn't falter.
As they watched the ongoing training, Jiwoo spoke up, revealing what had been weighing on his mind.
"I'm sorry, Coach. You took me in despite all the objections, but here I am, leaving after less than a year."
Among the few adults Jiwoo truly trusted, Coach Lee was one of them. Not just because he was a close friend of Jiwoo's father, but because he had fought with the academy board to take Jiwoo in when no one else would.
"What's there to apologize for? I'm happy for you. If you make it, it'll put our club on the map and bring in more players."
"Ah, so you're planning to use me as a promotional tool?"
"Obviously! A player scouted by a South American giant? Imagine how many kids will want to join after we put that on our website."
"Fair enough."
The two continued to chat, catching up on everything they hadn't discussed before.
Having witnessed Jiwoo's relentless effort over the past year, Coach Lee cared for him deeply.
"Jiwoo."
"Yes, Coach?"
Coach Lee gave him a thumbs-up.
"You'll succeed. I guarantee it."
His unwavering belief in Jiwoo resonated between the two.
"Thank you, Coach."
"Still, it's going to be a bit dull without you around."
"I'll keep in touch often."
"Yeah, right."
"I mean it!"
"Spend that time practicing instead. You'll need it to survive among the South Americans."
They laughed, but then something struck Jiwoo's mind.
"Coach, I have a favor to ask."
"What is it?"
"Do you know any agents you can introduce me to?"
Coach Lee grinned widely.
"Funny you ask. Someone who's been wanting to meet you just reached out. Want to meet him?"
---
The Next Day, Afternoon, at a Café near Gongju
"Do you think they'll dislike me?"
"Don't worry. They're just cautious around new people, but they're not a bad person."
As Coach Lee chatted with someone at a table, Jiwoo walked into the café. Spotting him, Coach Lee waved.
"Over here!"
When Jiwoo approached, the man sitting with Coach Lee stood and handed him his business card with a slight bow.
"Nice to meet you! I'm Cha Myung-hoon from Global Agency."
He was 35 years old, a seasoned veteran with over a decade of experience in the industry.
"Pleasure to meet you."
Although Jiwoo accepted the card, he remained wary.
Without wasting time, Jiwoo got straight to the point.
"Did your agency approve of signing me?"
A year ago, Jiwoo had been involved in an assault incident, making skepticism understandable.
"...Yes, of course."
"…"
A hint of hesitation in Cha's response made Jiwoo suspicious. Sensing this, Cha quickly added,
"There was initial resistance, but I persuaded them. I told them they'd regret letting someone like you slip away."
Global Agency, known for representing top athletes across Asia, was cautious about taking on controversial clients. However, Cha's persistence had paid off, albeit with conditions:
"If he causes any problems, you'll be held accountable."
"If you're still unsure, we can include a clause allowing you to terminate the contract at any time if I fail to meet your expectations."
Cha's willingness to include such a disadvantageous clause to build trust was evident.
"…"
Jiwoo stayed silent for a moment.
"Trust is essential in the relationship between an agent and their athlete, don't you think?" Cha said with a friendly smile.
Despite his approachable demeanor, Jiwoo couldn't let his guard down completely. He knew that people who seemed kind now could abandon him later when things turned unfavorable.
"Alright."
Still, he didn't outright reject the offer. After all, Coach Lee, one of the few adults he trusted, had introduced him.
"Thank you!"
"But, as I'm still learning to trust people, I'd like that termination clause you mentioned included in the contract. Is that okay?"
"Of course!"
The contract was finalized in the presence of Yoo Ji-woo's family.
The family trusted the name Global Agency. It wasn't a small firm, but a dominant player in the Asian sports market, which reassured them that the terms wouldn't be unreasonable.
"This is a good contract," said Yoo Han-woo, who had brought in a lawyer from a firm he knew to review the terms. After confirming that everything was in order, the contract was signed.
"Shall we move on to reviewing the Boca Juniors contract?"
Once the deal with the agency was secured, Cha Myung-hoon focused on reviewing the contract with Boca Juniors.
"This clause could potentially be unfavorable later. It would be better to remove it," he noted.
Global Agency, a giant with a presence across all sports sectors, demonstrated exceptional thoroughness. They scrutinized even minor clauses, ensuring none could disadvantage the player.
Cha Myung-hoon explained every detail and sought Yoo Ji-woo's opinion, showing a level of respect that impressed him.
'We intend to proceed as explained earlier. What are your thoughts, Mr. Yoo?'
It wasn't a typical power imbalance between agency and player. Cha Myung-hoon treated Ji-woo with the utmost respect, ensuring he remained in control of decisions.
With everything handled by the agency, Ji-woo focused solely on training.
Beep!
Before heading to Argentina, he pushed himself harder, determined to improve his game further.
"Mr. Yoo Ji-woo! Still training?"
Cha Myung-hoon visited him daily after their deal.
"Would you like some of this?"
He'd bring meals or even specially prepared health foods after consulting Ji-woo's parents.
Despite all his efforts, Ji-woo's emotional walls didn't come down easily.
"Mr. Yoo Ji-woo~."
"Player Yoo!"
"Ji-woo!"
"I brought this for you today!"
"Done with training? Let me drive you home!"
Cha Myung-hoon kept trying, aiming to get closer to Ji-woo.
A few days later, after discussions with Boca Juniors, the final contract was prepared.
"I've added a clause that wasn't in the initial draft."
"What clause?"
"If you get promoted to the first team, you're guaranteed a starting spot."
Having seen too many young talents fade away without getting opportunities, Cha Myung-hoon was adamant about securing this clause. Though Boca Juniors initially resisted, they ultimately agreed after internal discussions.
"Upon being promoted to the first team, a minimum of 15 starts will be guaranteed."
The inclusion of such a clause—especially for a rookie like Yoo Ji-woo—was a testament to Cha Myung-hoon's negotiation skills.
"…That's good."
"Shall we proceed, then?"
"Yes."
After placing the contract back in his briefcase, Cha Myung-hoon watched as Ji-woo sipped his orange juice and spoke softly.
"I'll be counting on you from now on."
A smile crept onto Cha Myung-hoon's face.
"I didn't expect to hear those words from you."
It had been nearly two weeks since they first met, but this was the first time Ji-woo had said such a thing.
"What do you mean?"
"You've never said anything like that to me before. You've never even smiled at me."
"That's because…"
"I understand. I know what happened at Haeun Middle School and how adults pushed you to the brink of a cliff."
Anyone involved in Korean sports knew about the incident with Ji-woo. The story of a player assaulting their coach was a taboo subject in the country.
Cha Myung-hoon extended his hand.
"I'll do everything I can to support you in achieving your goals. So, please try to smile occasionally."
He felt deeply sorry for Ji-woo—a 16-year-old who should have been laughing and enjoying his youth but had instead lost his smile.
"…I'll try."
After shaking his hand and giving a short reply, Ji-woo walked ahead. Seeing the warmth hidden within Ji-woo's reserved demeanor, Cha Myung-hoon chuckled softly and followed him.
"Wait for me!"
Smiling brightly, Cha Myung-hoon called after him.
Thus began their journey together.