episode_0394

“Ah, it’s so hot, when will Ji Maeng-ho come out? J-si is Ji Maeng-ho, right?”

“Definitely. It’s practically an open secret. Well, Ji Maeng-ho is famous for being shameless and exposing women.”

“Oh, Ji Maeng-ho is famous?”

“Wouldn’t all the baseball journalists know?”

“Why didn’t they write an article about it then? With Ji Maeng-ho’s popularity, it would have guaranteed high views. Even this time, the views must be off the charts.”

“How should I know? Well, a new sacred figure seems to have appeared in the baseball world, so they probably covered it up. And there are plenty of players who mess around like crazy. Well, it’s the first time they’ve come all the way to the Olympics to do something like this.”

On the way to the stadium by bus. Unlike usual, the road was packed with reporters instead of fans. Thirty minutes before the game started, the article published by X-Patch had a ripple effect in gathering journalists who came to cover the Olympics.

Moreover, the types of journalists were quite diverse. Social affairs reporters who came to cover the Olympics, entertainment reporters looking to capture celebrities attending the Olympics, and even sports journalists. Public broadcasters seemed to be there to cover Ji Maeng-ho as well.

Baseball journalists remembered when one newspaper stirred up trouble with Ji Maeng-ho, leading his agency SY Agency and AT Thunders to boycott that newspaper. They didn’t seem particularly interested in this topic since it was related to that incident. But they still came to cover what happened in the baseball world?

“Hey! It’s Ji Maeng-ho!”

As the reporters gathered eagerly, someone spotted Ji Maeng-ho coming out.

“Mr. Ji Maeng-ho! Did you see that article? Is it true?”

“Mr. Ji Maeng-ho! Please clarify!”

“Mr. Ji Maeng-ho! …!”

“….!!”

The voices of many reporters mixed together, creating a chaotic scene.

“Wait, wait! I’ll answer everyone, one by one! One by one!”

With Ji Maeng-ho’s booming voice calming the previously noisy scene, he made eye contact with each reporter one by one. Handsome and imposing, Ji Maeng-ho momentarily left the reporters speechless.

“What baseball player has such intense eyes… Isn’t he like a gangster?”

However, these gathered reporters had been through thick and thin. Breaking the frozen atmosphere, one brave soul spoke up.

“…Is that article true?”

“For now, it’s not true. I haven’t dated Ju-hee or anything; I just went to throw the first pitch that day and had a meal.”

“What? Are you saying the article isn’t true? Anyone can tell that it’s you in the photo!”

“Lies! Are you lying to the public?”

“Come on! One at a time! I’m not saying the whole article is a lie.”

“…Yes?”

“Well, the person in the photo is me.”

“So, are you saying you met other women at the Olympics?”

“Yes.”

“…Yes?”

Expecting denial, the reporters were stunned by Ji Maeng-ho’s straightforward admission.

“…Isn’t it shameful to behave like that while representing the country?”

“Well, I haven’t committed rape, blackmailed anyone with photos, or impregnated any married women. What’s there to be ashamed of? Do adults not have sex?”

“Yes?”

“But still, as a national representative…”

“Aren’t national representatives human beings? Can’t they have sex?”

“…Isn’t he too bold?”

“What can I do.”

“…Yes?”

“So what can I do? I had sex. So what? Is having sex a crime!”

Ji Maeng-ho’s unapologetic demeanor seemed to suggest he had nothing to be ashamed of, or rather, he appeared downright confident. There was a hint of pride in his expression.

“…Well, having sex isn’t wrong after all.”

Someone mumbled softly in response to Ji Maeng-ho’s confident stance.

“Still, it was the same at the Asian Games. Do you know what kind of club the national team player belongs to? As mentioned in the article, athletes from other sports expressed great unease at the sight of that player, and they posted on social media about it!”

“So, was it because of me at the Asian Games? And what sport is it? Why blame me for not winning? Is it my fault that we can’t win?”

“…Well, even though we did win in football at the last Asian Games.”

“Oh, he was a football player? If he had a complaint, why didn’t he say it to my face?”

“No, isn’t that not the main issue here? As a national team player, shouldn’t there be an obligation to maintain dignity?”

“My actions damaged dignity? I actually enhanced the national prestige.”

“…Excuse me?”

The journalists’ expressions twisted in confusion at Ji Maeng-ho’s unexpected words. Causing such a stir and calling it enhancing national prestige…

“I shattered the prejudice that Asians are small, and that’s enhancing national prestige.”

Confidence overflowed in his expression. The journalists’ gaze naturally shifted from his face to his lower body.

“Well, I can’t strip down and show you here for five minutes.”

Ji Maeng-ho’s joke elicited scattered laughter from the journalists.

“Ahem, well. Apart from that issue, aren’t there bigger problems? If you don’t rest well at night, wouldn’t it naturally affect your performance? As a national team player, shouldn’t you always maintain your physical condition in the best state?”

“I do this even during the season. For me, this is the best state. If I go in with all guns blazing, I have too many distracting thoughts…”

“Well, even so, there were mistakes and strikeouts in the Netherlands game, right? If you had focused more, such things wouldn’t have happened…”

“I always enter the game in a focused state.”

“Even so, the results…”

“Results? I hit 2-for-2 with a home run against the Netherlands, and today I hit 2-for-3 with another home run. I don’t remember much from last year’s Asian Games, but I think I hit around .800 with about 10 home runs. Last season, I hit .400 with 60 home runs, and this season I’ve recorded 30 home runs with a .400 average. What more results do you want to see from me? Huh?!”

Just listening to the staggering list of records made the journalists speechless. After surveying the silent journalists, Maeng-ho opened his mouth again.

“Sex is like a routine for me. You know routines? It’s a routine to make myself the best. I became the best in Korea with this method, and I will become the best in the world when I go to the US. Same goes for this Olympics. I’ll prove it with my method. Don’t like my method? Curse me. I find that exciting. Making those who curse me shut up with a home run is my hobby.”

“…”

“No more questions? Well then, I’ll be going. Oh! And for those curious if my national prestige is real, please contact me. Only women, of course.”

After causing a commotion, Ji Maeng-ho walked away. There were still more questions to ask, but no journalist could catch up to him. Fortunately for the journalists, the next person came out immediately.

It was the national team coach, Lee Geum-hyeon.

“Coach Lee Geum-hyeon! What do you think about the controversy surrounding Ji Maeng-ho?”

“Will you continue to use a player who has caused such a stir?”

In response to the journalists trying to vent their unresolved anger towards Ji Maeng-ho, Lee Geum-hyeon smiled awkwardly. Then he spoke.

“…Player Jimangho. We will continue to utilize him. I do not wish to deeply involve myself in the personal lives of adult players, and Jimangho is a core player of the team. If Jimangho were to be late for training or disrupt a game due to his personal life, I would have removed him from the roster as well. However.”

“But…?”

“Jimangho has never shown such behavior. He always performs at his best during training, and his performance on the field is fantastic. I believe Jimangho is already one of the world’s top players. Coaches probably wouldn’t remove Pelé or Messi from the lineup just because they slept with a woman the night before.”

“……”

“He is still a young player and may be inexperienced in interviews, but I hope that senior journalists, who are mentors in life, will kindly overlook this and watch a player grow.”

*

-Is Jimangho insane? How can he conduct an interview like that on live TV?

-ISMHS.

-He’s a type of player we haven’t seen in Korea, lol. Honestly, I found it entertaining.

┗Korean sports stars did have that aspect. Humble, dedicated to the team, defensive in interviews. It’s actually refreshing.

-Wow, did anyone watch Jimangho’s interview today?

┗Sigh, how did someone like him come out in Korea by chance?

-Jimangho looks like he’ll crash and burn within a few years. I’ve never seen a player who enjoys playing around so much last long, lol.

┗But even if he retires now, isn’t he legendary?

-Really… how did a player like him become a national representative… Shouldn’t a player like him be expelled from the national team? Even children are watching, and he’s talking about sex in interviews.

┗Those children were born through sex, weren’t they?

-I feel sorry for Jimangho… Talking about sex when they say we need to increase the birth rate, then they’re busy criticizing those who mention sex. Who would want to have kids if all they do is criticize people for mentioning sex?

-Still, it’s a bit too much for a public figure.

┗┗Since when were sports players public figures?

┗┗Well, if you go by the dictionary definition, professional baseball players are public figures.

-Hahaha, this guy’s interview is hilarious. I’m a Jimangho fan starting today, lol.

┗For real, it seems like it’ll be fun, lol.

-He’s talented, but his character… I don’t think I can support Jimangho in the future…

-Lol, they say tens of thousands of condoms are distributed at the athletes’ village, but Korea is too conservative. Is it a problem if adults have sex?

-Still, he’s a national representative, so that’s a bit…

┗┗Conservative.

-Jimangho’s wording is unique, lol. If he watched STS, he could learn something, lol.

-Jimhosin is jj after seeing the outline of his photo. Hoho…

┗Why does this person carry a gun in his pants..?

-Jimangho controversy! Gets excited every time he gets cursed at!

┗What’s wrong with him? Lol

┗But his away game performance is better. Seems like he thrives on getting criticized.

-To be honest, Jimhosin is cool, lol. How long do they expect sports stars to be humble? Sports stars should have a taste like Ronaldo or Neymar, lol.

-Phew, at least Jimhosin hasn’t been caught up in scandals like Ronaldo.

┗┗Stop it, that was just Ronaldo messing around. Don’t force innuendo—geez.

-If you party like Jimangho, you can skip practice the day before a game.

“I’m Jimangho, and I appreciate the support, but I had to deactivate my Instagram because of you guys. Damn it. And the guy who sent me a picture of his private parts, I’ll find him and kill him. Thank you for your support, and I will continue to work harder in the future. Look forward to the second half of the season. [20047 comments]”

┗ISMHS!

┗Haha, I was wondering when this guy would explode, lol. There won’t be just one or two baseball fans going to the club to see this guy on the day of an away game, lol.

┗Haha, cheering for him!!!

┗Jimangho, honesty was good, but let’s be careful with our words in the future, lol

┗Those who bought Jimangho’s uniform after watching the interview are idiots!

┗┗Jimkukno, you still don’t have it? Geez.

100,000 Etpung fans support Maengho Shin!!

Haha, this guy will be screwed if he makes it to the Olympics for real haha

ESMH

Maengspi has surpassed 20,000~~!!! The Olympics are great~~~~!!!!

During the Olympic period, it seems like around 5,000 more have joined haha

Honestly, it’s a national disgrace. Jimaengho is screwed.

…How does Namyung know about that?

*

“Sigh, did you shout too loudly?”

Initially, I planned to apologize while sticking to the facts, but as I listened to the question, I found myself getting heated unintentionally.

“Hehe, a man should have that level of spirit.”

Seeing Rossby’s fondness, I realized I might have made a mistake. Slightly regretting my actions, my phone rang.

“…Nuna?”

-“Ha…. Maengho. I was going to handle it myself, why did you do that interview? And on live broadcast.”

“…It was live broadcast?”

Fortunately, Soyoung’s tone held more concern than anger.

-“Really, I told you not to do the interview.”

“…Sorry.”

-“Ha…. What’s done is done. Anyway, when you come back to Korea, no more interviews. Reject all except the reporters approved by the club.”

“Well, I was doing that already.”

-“I should have followed you to the US…. Can you handle this?”

“Handle what?”

-“If you make even a slight mistake after that interview, people will try to bring you down. If your performance falters, they’ll pounce like vultures. Most people will hope for your downfall. So be careful during interviews.”

“It doesn’t matter to me.”

People’s opinions? They don’t affect me at all. If they did, I would have quit baseball in high school when everyone pressured me to do so.

-“Oh? Really?”

“Well, what’s the point of ranting online? I’d rather be having sex and hitting home runs during that time.”

“…You didn’t mention that in the interview, right? If you did, it would have been a big problem.”

…Would that really have been such a big deal? I’m not sure, but since Soyoung said so, I decided not to talk about such things in the future.

-“Anyway, with this interview, many people who wish for your downfall have emerged. If you falter even slightly, the insults will overflow. They will try to shake you from the outside.”

“Nuna, don’t worry. Nothing like that will happen.”

However, Soyoung’s worries were baseless.

No matter how much they hoped for my downfall, it wouldn’t happen.

I had Rossby by my side. With Rossby, there was nothing I couldn’t achieve. I intended to become the greatest second baseman in history, no, the greatest player ever, just as Rossby envisioned.

I am the cheat batter who sees through the pitcher’s mind.

“And I acknowledge Yoo Inwon. Looking at your recent hitting and physique, you might as well be a gorilla instead of an orangutan. Congratulations, gorilla.”

“…Shut up.”