[스포츠니어스 | 포항=조성룡 기자] Let’s not use the expression ‘madness’ carelessly anywhere.
last 16 days. I was assigned a weekend coverage game and completed my application. According to K-League regulations, reporters must apply for coverage through the site two days before the game. The weekend matches I had to go to were Pohang-Gangwon and Daegu-Jeonbuk. After finishing the coverage application, when I got off work, a ‘Kakao Talk’ message came from a Pohang club official. “I heard you are coming. When you come to the stadium, please call me 10 minutes before you arrive.”
I thought it was because of the ‘Cho Seong-ryong jinx’ that Pohang lost in the Pohang coverage game. But something felt strange. I drove to Pohang at dawn on the 18th. Usually, home game team officials are busy preparing for the game. But at noon, a phone call came like a ghost from a club official. “Where are you? How long will it take? Then what will be the arrival time?” Something felt strange. I should have run away then. Considering what happened following that.
From the flower necklace to the ‘princess crown’, ‘I’m out of my mind’
That’s how I arrived at Pohang Steel Yard. I felt uneasy as the Pohang club seemed to have done a ‘conspiracy’. Still, he had a request, so he called. “I’m Jo Seong-ryong. I’ve arrived at the Steel Yard.” Then, a club official replied, “Yes, you can come to the press conference.” His anxious heart calmed down in an instant. I thought, ‘I guess I was wrong’.
The media entrance of Pohang Steel Yard passes by the team bus, passes through the locker room, and enters the press conference room. Without thinking, I said hello to the parking security guard and trudged on. Suddenly, a group ran out in front of the team bus. Along with the cheerleaders, the mascots ‘Soedori’ and ‘Soesuni’ appeared literally ‘pop’. My mind was confused.
Cheerleaders, who had never met before, suddenly shouted “Welcome, Reporter Seongryong Cho!”, hung flower necklaces on them, and sprinkled pollen on them. Soedori and Sosuni were also making a fuss by the side. Suddenly, he unfolded a banner saying that he had to take a picture. On the banner, it was written, ‘The day of Sportsnius reporter Jo Seong-ryong’s visit to Steel Yard’. Without knowing what the hell this situation was, he told me to take a picture, and he asked me to pose.
After the photo shoot, they dragged me to the press conference. In the meantime, ‘Soedori’ stole my bag and wore it instead. I thought it would end following just taking pictures, but their ‘madness’ did not end. When I went to the press conference, there was a sticker in the front row that read, “Sportsperson Jo Seong-ryong reporter Jeon Yong-seok.” Next to it were various snacks, hot packs, and tissues, as well as an iron doll and a ‘Rashban’ underwear set.
There was even a promotional image welcoming me on the large TV installed next to the press conference. At this point, it gets scary. Pohang, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of the club and produced many inductees into the K-League Hall of Fame, was doing this. Gradually, I feel like I’m crazy.
I had to take pictures even while sitting in the press conference. The moment I tried to come to my senses, my mind went blank once more. ‘Who am I and where am I?’ Suddenly, Soedori opened her jelly and started putting it in her mouth. She took off her shoes and even put on fluffy slippers with Winnie the Pooh on them. She even put a princess tiara on her head. At this point, you should resign. If you do what these people tell you to do, it will end quickly. You have to pose and eat jelly.
Pohang’s true ‘madness’ begins on the ground
After frantically taking a few pictures at the press conference, it was 90 minutes before the start of the game. It’s time for pre-player interviews. After asking the club officials for their understanding, saying, “I will interview the players,” I headed to the ground. But, I kept getting my back. When I turned around, Soedori and Soesuni were holding placards reading ‘Jo Seong-ryong, the son of Pohang’ and ‘You’re cool Jackie Chan!’ I was born in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.
In order to interview players, you have to come out to the ground through the central aisle of the steel yard and head towards the corner flag. In the center of the ground were caster Lim Gyeong-jin and commentator Jung Kyung-ho, who were the relay crew for the day. As they greeted them, Soedori and Soesuni were laughing and waving placards. At that moment, a female announcer with a loud voice suddenly made a comment through the speakers in the hall.
“Reporter Jo Sung-ryong of Sportsnius came to our Pohang Steel Yard! Reporter Cho Sung-ryong recorded a whopping 94% win rate with 7 wins and 1 draw when he covered the Pohang game in the last 2022 season! Please welcome!” And on the large electronic display board, the welcome image that had been sent to the press conference was being sent out clearly. This jinx people are talking regarding is a kind of ‘meme’. However, there are people who openly direct this to stadium speakers. That’s Pohang.
At that moment, I saw an official from the Pohang club who had been talking on the phone from afar. He sprinted and grabbed the collar. Spectators who came to the stadium early saw the scene. However, there was no more shame (?) in a situation that was already embarrassingly embarrassing. An official from the Pohang club smiled, saying, “We have prepared to welcome you with all our heart.” However, I did not know that I would encounter a bigger challenge regarding 15 minutes later.
An unexpected word “No, is the winning rate that good?”
Fifty minutes before the start of the game, the coaches and reporters from both teams meet and talk regarding their resolutions for the game. On this day, the reporters for the match between Pohang and Gangwon were alone. Recently, the atmosphere in Gangwon is not good. I met director Choi Yong-soo with a slightly heavy heart. However, director Choi Yong-soo said this to me out of the blue. “If you come to Pohang coverage, the winning rate is that good?”
An official from the Gangwon club gave a hint. “The director went to an interview with a broadcasting company earlier and saw the image displayed on the screen.” Cold sweat ran down my back. In Pohang, I am welcomed as a ‘meme’, but from the point of view of the opposing team, I am just uncomfortable. “No… that… that…” At that moment, Director Choi laughed and said a word. “I like reporter Kim Gwi-hyeok more, who has a lot of interest in our club (Gangwon).”
Pohang coach Kim Ki-dong was completely unaware of the ‘madness’ of the club officials. Coach Kim also encountered the event on the day of the match. Rather, he asked me back, “How the hell did the club officials know in advance that Jo Jo-ja was coming for coverage?” It was a funny expression nonetheless. “As expected, the people in our club do a good job.”
After the stormy pre-game schedule, I went up to the reporter’s seat located at the top of the spectators’ seats to cover in earnest. Alas. Pohang’s ‘madness’ was detailed. They also put a sticker on the reporter’s seat that reads “Sportsness Reporter Cho Seong-ryong’s seat.” Fortunately, I experienced a lot of things before, so I was less shy in my own way. After all, humans are animals of adaptation.
The game, which seemed like a war, ended in a 1-1 draw with Gangwon Gallego’s opening goal and Pohang Lee Ho-jae’s equalizer at the end of the second half. When Lee Ho-jae’s equalizer went in, Soedori and Soesuni were waving placards toward the spectators on the ground. ah… Until the end, these people were sincere. Even coach Kim Ki-dong said at the press conference following the game, “I put Lee Ho-jae in the hope that the Cho Seong-ryong jinx will continue.” It seems that ‘madness’ has also spread to director Kim.
The beginning of Pohang’s ‘madness’, which is absurd if you know it
I asked the Pohang club officials the reason for this ‘madness’. The beginning also dates back to the 16th. Tired of preparing for the home game, Pohang club officials were busy working in the office. At that time, Deputy Manager Lim Jung-min said a word. “Can we win this game?” When the staff asked why, they replied, “Reporter Seong-ryong Cho is coming to Pohang.”
At that time, team leader Shin Joo-hyun called all the team members and entered into a brief meeting. In the midst of hardship and exhaustion, we want to energize them with crazy events. Ideas thrown by Pohang employees were gathered one by one to complete this event. As a result of the coverage, the person who suggested giving me the princess tiara and rod is likely to be a social media manager in Pohang. An official from the Pohang club also said, “The employee ran away saying that he shouldn’t run into reporter Jo Sung-ryong?”
After all the coverage was over, an official from the Pohang club emphasized, “We have to take all the gifts we prepared.” From flower necklaces to underwear and princess tiaras, there is a store where you can pack everything. The event was held by the Pohang club, so why is it my share of shame? I asked out of curiosity. “How long will the press conference hall and press seats be reserved for?” An official from the Pohang club replied, “until the undefeated record is broken.”
As time goes by, my shame only grows, and the pride of the Pohang club officials grows as well. Lastly, the officials from the Pohang club planted anxiety in a corner of my heart once more as they greeted me. “Didn’t you say you were going to Daegu tomorrow? We’ll make sure to contact Daegu.” no. Leave it. please.
