Not long ago, after the Community Shield match, Ho-young appeared on a British entertainment program.
It was a very famous show in England, titled Larry King Live Morgan, a talk show hosted by the well-known presenter Piers Morgan.
Usually, famous talents or socially notable figures appeared as guests, but fitting for the home of football, the proportion of footballers was especially high.
Over the past few years, several major figures such as Thierry Henry, Van Nistelrooy, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, and Frank Lampard had appeared, and each time the ratings had been enormous.
But this time, a guest who could truly be called a massive hit was set to appear, drawing huge interest from fans even before filming began.
That guest was Ho-young.
Since he almost never showed himself off the pitch, the reaction was even more fervent than usual, and many people looked forward to his appearance.
Because it was a rare chance to see him not on the pitch, but on a talk show.
There had been considerable concern that Ho-young, being so serious by nature, might ruin the show, but those worries were completely washed away on the day of filming.
The atmosphere on set was warm and lively.
Piers Morgan, a former journalist, matched unexpectedly well with Ho-young through his smooth wit, and the mood stayed good throughout the recording.
Moreover, since there was a script prepared in advance, there was nothing particularly difficult about it.
Ho-young freely talked about things fans had always been curious about, such as transfer rumours and behind-the-scenes match stories, and that alone was more than enough material for the broadcast.
And it did not end there.
Faced with such a famous figure, Ho-young was not the type to let it end just like that.
Ho-young wanted to obtain one of Piers Morgan's talents by fulfilling various conditions, including 'achieve the highest ratings in the same time slot.'
Another condition was 'make the audience burst out laughing,' and fortunately, he got several chances throughout the recording.
That was thanks to Piers Morgan's sudden questions, for which he was famous.
"There's one thing I'm curious about. Before a match starts, who pays the most attention to his appearance in the dressing room?"
"Even if a footballer pays attention to his appearance, the only part he can really style is his hair. It's not like we can freely customize the kit."
"Then who spends the most time on his hair? Before stepping onto the pitch."
"Guardiola."
It was a type of joke, witty banter using Guardiola's lack of hair, something that could only be said when two people were close.
It showed just how close Ho-young and Guardiola were.
"He's always standing in front of the mirror. Wax and combing are essential. Polishing it is a bonus."
"Hahahaha!"
At those words, some of the audience burst into genuine laughter.
"If Pep watches this show, I suppose he'll lose the little hair he has left."
"That's how much he loves football. He keeps thinking and thinking, while eating, while walking, even when going to the toilet. And watching him always makes me reflect on myself."
"So the two of you drive each other on. But how do you know he thinks even when going to the toilet? Do you go there together too?"
"Of course not, but if it's for creating better football, there's nothing I wouldn't do. I trust our Citizens will understand."
"That's incredible passion. By the time this airs, I imagine there'll be articles saying Manchester City's tactics were perfected in the toilet."
"It's an honor."
Like that, the condition was fulfilled without much difficulty.
Thanks to that, the program achieved the highest ratings in its time slot, and Ho-young succeeded in obtaining the talent called Musket's Straight-Talking Style (U).
Straight-talking style.
In other words, bluntness.
Piers Morgan was a controversial figure who often got into trouble for speaking his mind openly on political remarks and social issues.
Because of that, the nickname Musket followed him around, a label given because his knowledge was shallow and quickly ran dry, but it was powerful all the same.
His straight-talking style did not simply mean being blunt.
It meant the ability to put a message that absolutely had to be delivered into his words, and to convey it properly to both his debate opponent and the audience.
More than that, it was a way of speaking that could pick up on the other person's true feelings and even persuade them, which was Piers Morgan's unique talent.
Thanks to that, Ho-young received a lot of help from it.
First of all, it was very effective in persuading Guardiola.
"Sign Gareth Bale and use him on the right? I'll have to think about that."
At first, Guardiola reacted negatively.
And for good reason. Bale was certainly explosive, but there were limits to using him as Manchester City's starting winger, especially on the right.
At Tottenham, Modrić could support him, but Manchester City's right side was a position where the player had to handle everything alone.
He had to withstand the opposition's high press by himself, create space, and constantly provide chances for Ho-young, so not only explosiveness but also work rate was extremely important.
Of course, Gareth Bale had the explosive weapon of knocking the ball past opponents and bursting forward, but he also had the fatal weakness of being too predictable.
That was why Guardiola opposed the signing.
But it did not take long for Ho-young to persuade him.
"2007-08 season, 12 matches, 2 goals. 2008-09 season, 30 matches, 1 goal and 3 assists. 2009-10 season, 34 matches, 4 goals and 10 assists. 2010-11 season, 41 matches, 13 goals and 7 assists. That is Gareth Bale's career over the last 4 seasons."
Ho-young spoke only to the point.
What he wanted to convey was Gareth Bale's dazzling rate of growth.
And one more thing.
"His main position is on the left, but as you know, he plays on the right for the Wales national team. Because Ryan Giggs plays on the left. And Wales won 4 matches in the last World Cup European qualifiers using a 4-3-3."
Ho-young stopped there.
Because everyone knew that one of the main reasons Wales had won those 4 matches was Gareth Bale.
Instead, he continued with something else.
"He'll do more than well enough at our club too. And if we sign him now, it'll be a bargain. His value shooting through the roof is something that will happen in just 1 or 2 years. That's what his current growth potential suggests."
Because Ho-young knew the future, he could say it confidently.
Of course, there was always the possibility that Gareth Bale, who was originally supposed to go to Real Madrid, might come to Manchester City and develop differently.
The bigger problem was that Gareth Bale had refused the move to City.
'He lacks confidence.'
Judging from Bale's interview, Ho-young could tell that Bale's true feelings were still stuck at exactly that point.
He wanted to come, but he did not have the confidence to do it.
'No one knows that feeling better than I do.'
So he contacted Bale's agent and requested a chance to speak with Bale alone.
In a luxurious apartment in North London.
Gareth Bale was pacing around with a flushed face.
'He said he'd call around this time...'
Bale, who had immediately accepted Ho-young's request to speak the night before, was anxiously waiting for the phone call.
He had said he would refuse a move to City, but when Ho-young personally asked to speak to him, how could he possibly refuse?
He had already admired him greatly, and after facing him directly, that admiration had only risen to a ridiculous level.
To play at the same club as someone like that was clearly an honor.
The right side of Manchester City, a club chasing every trophy.
A position where he would have to produce incredible performances while supporting Ho-young, or else be abused for it.
It would not have been an exaggeration to call it the most burdensome role in the world.
One mistake, and he might hear every insult imaginable for the rest of his life.
Especially since the right flank was directly to Ho-young's right, comparison was almost inevitable.
In other words, playing with Ho-young was like a double-edged sword.
Moreover, most of the players at City were already world-class.
Producing a proper performance among them would never be easy.
Bale was still only 22 years old.
His biggest worry was whether he could really handle that pressure and adapt to Manchester City.
'I'm not ready yet.'
He desperately wanted to play alongside Ho-young, but he still thought it was not the right time.
And then.
"It's here."
The call he had been waiting for all day finally came.
Bale steadied himself and brought the phone to his mouth.
"Hello?"
-Hello. It's Ho-young.
"Ah, good to hear from you."
They had already spoken a few times on the pitch, so it was not terribly awkward.
And Ho-young began with light conversation.
-Thanks for taking the call.
"Haha... no, thank you."
Even that one sentence moved Gareth Bale.
And it did not end there.
-To be honest, after Guardiola, you're only the second person I've ever asked to speak with like this. So it actually feels a bit awkward for me too.
"Ah..."
Gareth Bale was struck speechless.
Then, like a shy girl meeting her idol, he bit his lower lip lightly as both cheeks turned red.
How could anyone possibly stay calm after hearing that the football star everyone admired had chosen him as only the second person he had ever asked to call personally?
The resolve he had had to reject Manchester City was already melting away like snow.
More than anything, Ho-young's next words were decisive.
-That's how it felt when I left Real Madrid. I was anxious, like I was walking into a dark tunnel. I had no certainty either.
"Mm... to be honest, you're right."
-But there's one difference between you now and me back then. I can give you certainty. The certainty that we can walk out of that tunnel together.
"Ha..."
At those words, Bale pulled his mouth away from the receiver for a moment.
"Ugh..."
Every single word gave him goosebumps.
It felt as if his heart was shrinking and tingling at the same time.
But Ho-young did not stop there.
-That kind of opportunity isn't something just anyone can take. Only those with courage can seize it.
And just like that, one line after another poured out, each one tugging at Bale's heart.
Even so, when Bale still hesitated, Ho-young hit him with a straight one.
-I'll be your tutor.
The decisive blow.
-You can become the best. Take that chance.
"!"
The best player in the world was telling him that he would help him become the best.
It was an offer he simply could not reject.
And so Bale eventually.
"Yes, yes!"
Changed his mind, and kept shouting yes for a while until the call ended.
The related article came out the very next day.
[Gareth Bale, 22, Tottenham, transfers to Manchester City one day before the deadline...
Tottenham offered astronomical wages to keep Gareth Bale, but they could not match the £200,000 per week, around €234,000, offered by Manchester City.
That is more than double Gareth Bale's current salary, and is considered top-tier even in the Premier League. It is also reported that Manchester City paid a £40 million, around €46.8 million, buyout in the process.]
[Gareth Bale, can he finally break free from the shadow of being called the second Giggs and soar brilliantly?]
[One of the most intriguing talking points is the upcoming Manchester derby clash with Wales' original superstar, Ryan Giggs]
[
[The 2011 summer transfer market, hotter than ever before, closed on August 30 at 11 p.m.]
[
The requirement of 8 homegrown players in the 25-man roster could be met through Joe Hart, Gaël Clichy, Kyle Walker, Gareth Bale, James Milner, Michael Johnson, Stuart Taylor, Joleon Lescott, and Micah Richards.
And then, on August 31, 4 days before Premier League Round 3.
The 11 players who would be responsible for Manchester City's future gathered at Training Ground No. 1.
Their names were Joe Hart, Gaël Clichy, Thiago Silva, Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta, Iniesta, Fellaini, David Silva, Eden Hazard, Gareth Bale, and Ho-young.
It was the formation of a Space Defense Squad that went beyond the Earth Defense Squad.
(To be continued.)
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◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)