Title: 축구천재는 조용히 살고싶지 않다
Summary: The protagonist, a soccer king of Brazil, wakes up after a traffic accident to find himself in the body of an 18-year-old Korean. Realizing that he has crossed into an alternate world through different soccer history, he understands that he has entered the year 2027, 35 years after the time he knew. As he learns more about modern soccer, he decides to pursue his dream of becoming a professional soccer player.
Personal Review:
Not a Serious Football Novel The novel blends elements of comedy with soccer, drawing on the protagonist’s past as a Brazilian soccer legend and his impressive physique in the new body he’s inhabiting. As a “munchkin” protagonist, the main character is so talented that struggles related to growth or overcoming adversity are rarely featured. The story mentions the protagonist training, but skips over the details, allowing the narrative to move forward quickly. The novel also incorporates memes popular in international soccer forums, adding humor. Fans of soccer and those familiar with these memes may find it enjoyable, but readers unfamiliar with them might find the humor hard to grasp. The use of “Ronaldo literature,” or Homenath Literature, is added to the story, which some readers may find off-putting, detracting from the overall appeal.
The Eccentric Protagonist The protagonist’s behavior is a bit unhinged. True to his nature as a former Brazilian soccer player, he plays EDM loudly in the locker room, displays rebellious actions when joining the high school soccer team, and even announces his marriage at a press conference without a proposal. These eccentricities set him apart from typical sports novel protagonists. However, his quirky behavior isn’t overdone, making the character fun to follow without causing discomfort, and it provides plenty of comedic moments.
Evaluation:
- Originality ★★☆☆☆ The premise of a legendary player possessing another’s body and becoming a soccer player is not entirely unique, as similar plots exist in other works. Therefore, the originality suffers somewhat.
- Immersion ★★★☆☆ The story’s focus leans more on comedy than soccer, which may detract from the tension and excitement usually associated with sports novels. The soccer matches become somewhat dull as a result, making it hard to stay fully immersed in the plot.
- Popularity ★★★☆☆ The use of popular themes like possession and soccer helps make the novel accessible to a wide audience. However, the inclusion of memes from international soccer forums may limit its appeal to readers unfamiliar with them. Additionally, since the novel doesn’t maintain a serious tone, those expecting a more traditional sports narrative may find it less engaging.
- Writing Quality ★★★☆☆ The story is well-paced for a web novel and suits the format of a lighthearted, fast-moving narrative. However, there are some sections where the writing feels lackluster, or the story drags a bit, affecting readability.
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Consistency ★★★★☆ Since the first chapter was published on June 26, 2024, the author has generally kept up with a consistent schedule, releasing new chapters five times a week. While there has been one break in publication, delays are fairly frequent.
