Sweet Spot is a novel by Boy Season that was first released in 2016. It has been adapted into a completed manhwa that is written and illustrated by Seyang. Released in 2018, it was serialized by Lezhin and published by Bookcube.
Synopsis[]
Yoon Geon Yeong is the ace pitcher of the Professional League baseball team, Amber Elephants. Since when did he start to notice Punch, the club’s elephant mascot? A mascot’s job is simply to cheer on the players. Why does Geon Yeong keep getting distracted by it? Something happened between him and Wonwoo, the man behind the elephant mascot, in the past. And so, the strange tension between these two men is gradually turning into a different feeling.
Characters[]
Yoon Geon Yeong[]
The pitcher for his baseball team and when playing Yoon feels he must be faster, sharper and stronger than anyone else. Despite looking tired Yoon is observed to still be able to throw an accurate fastball without a hitch. His dream to become a pro player came whilst laying on the ground during July. He took steps towards that by reaching the National High School Baseball Championships. The skill level of the finals was higher than Yoon expected but he still got to the semifinals, the first time in his baseball club's history. Yoon focuses his attention on his opponent where he concentrates on overpowering them and take complete control of the flow of the game. With Punz floored and others laughing at him Yoon intervenes to pleasantly yet firmly remind players to not go too far. Identifying that Punz hit the sweet spot of a ball Yoon thinks it was not a coincidence and that whoever is in the mascot costume definitely has past experience with baseball or he may even be playing presently. In a game against the Ocean Dolphins he considers whether they are a team with a high hit rate that specializes in offence. Yoon guesses they are taking preventative measures since he is the starting pitcher. His shirt number is 12.
Character Article: Yoon Geon Yeong[]
Wonwoo Nam[]
The team mascot, Wonwoo silently acts rambunctious when in the Punz elephant costume. Around Yoon he ranges from being supportive such as high fiving him to being flustered and fleeing if too much attention is on him then pretending like nothing happened. His suit more than occasionally comes coming under physical attack whether from overly excited fans, children who pull his trunk to baseball players where Punz was told not to cross the dugout. Punz acts appreciative when he is defended by Yoon.
His skin is described as pale by Yoon where he has a small body, his height is estimated to be 170cm at most. Entering a staff only area to remove his costume Wonwoo comments that it is so hot and speaking out loud further Wonwoo remarks that his water is lukewarm where he forgot to put it in the refrigerator. With his mascot head struck off Wonwoo asks the kids where they learnt to act like a brat. During their past match Wonwoo thought Yoon would leave for a place where they could never reach him. Noting that Yoon saw him in the present years later Wonwoo wonders whether it is simple curiosity and what does he want before considering that he may be being hypersensitive. Not expecting Yoon to remember him Wonwoo reflects how they are not close. Fond of fried chicken Wonwoo states he could eat it everyday yet working at a side dish place Wonwoo comments that if he had the ability to run a chicken place it would have already been done. Not reacting warmly to Yoon seeking him out Wonwoo questions what business they would have after years where they do not even know one another's names. Feeling he was a jerk, Wonwoo felt Yoon got in his face and even mocked him.
Jo Jinwon[]
Calling Yoon on his phone and asking what he means by "what" Jo questions if Yoon knows what time it is. He is asked about who is in the elephant costume but wonders how would he know that. At a bar Jo says it is rare that Yoon suggests that they meet up and he speculates if this matter involves a girlfriend. Feeling that Yoon is getting misty eyed at watching his high school baseball video Jo comments on it being ten years and how time sure flies. He was the catcher in the game and tells Yoon the feeling of catching the last ball is still fresh in his mind. Jo did not even know it was a perfect game until he was told afterwards. He remembered Wonwoo and how he got nothing for his baseball efforts. Jo felt Wonwoo had broken his leg at the time. Delighted to see him again Jo suggests he and Wonwoo go out to eat and catch up. He questions whether Wonwoo is close to Yoon since some days ago Yoon was asking about him the other day. At a restaurant together he tells Yoon not to so be so grumpy to Wonwoo who is already having a hard time.
Song Juyeon[]
A reporter who conducts interviews. Wondering why Yoon is so angry Song thinks whether Yoon feels he can act so flippantly because of his baseball status. Song says she likes elephants to strike up a conversation with Yoon before beginning today's Dugout interview. As a sports channel announcer Song shares that it is a bit embarrassing to say but truthfully she did not know anything about baseball until high school. From cue cards Song is familiar with Yoon's past baseball feats and yet appears quite mortified after Yoon shuts down any questions regarding his private life.
Han Chi Hyuk[]
A Zebras team member who is thanked for accepting today's interview. After playing in the major league and the Japanese League, Han will be playing in Korea starting this season. He wanted to see Amber Elephants' pitcher Yoon with his own eyes and manages that when he intervenes after Yoon has tackled the elephant mascot. Han informs Yoon that announcer Song has been waiting for him.
Minor Characters[]
Park In Ho[]
A batter member of the Bisan Buffalos who was somehow able to hit Yoon's fastball. This would prevent Yoon's possible record being made.
Ham Pil Gyu[]
Yoon's replacement pitcher who takes his place so he does not overexert himself. Ham loses control of the pitch allowing the first batter to walk.
Kim[]
The captain.
Lee Minho[]
A baseball player who berates Punz for crossing the dugout. Lee questions whether he should train him when the Victor and Elly mascots were behaving well. Along with his team mates he considers taking Punz's head off this once to see who is inside.
Soyeon Yoonsuk[]
A taekwondo instructor who had brought kids to a baseball stadium. She asks some kids what is going on here when they have been hassling Wonwoo. Soyeon excuses their behavior since they are just kids. She reacts angrily at being accused of slacking off.
Yoo Inhyun[]
He dresses up as the Elly mascot and complains about some nutty guy putting his hand up his skirt and groping his behind. With his looks called into question Yoo is certain that he is a handsome guy. Yoo wonders what it is like to be with a beauty like Moon Sahee.
Hyungmin Kim[]
A player in the past match between Yoon and Wonwoo. He was noted as having a 0.300 batting average.
Lee Gyuseok[]
Batting in the Ocean Dolphins team he is the third up to play.
Jun Sungwook[]
Like Lee and Park he is a batter in the Ocean Dolphins team.
Park Joonhui[]
A third member of the Ocean Dolphins that Yoon regards as a lineup where he, Lee, and Jun have high enough averages to aim for this year's home run King. His shirt number is 47.
Jin Sunwook[]
Whilst batting at the Ocean Dolphins game he is struck out.
Kyujin[]
He is mentioned by Jo as having told him that Wonwoo was Punz, their team's mascot. He told Jo he got the job for Wonwoo because he felt sorry for him.
Gyeong Seungjoon[]
After Jo is taken out of the rotation Gyeong acts as a junior catcher to Yoon. He assures Yoon that all he has to do is throw the ball properly and he will be sure to catch it. With Yoon angered Ham calmly speaks as he considers how a fight could break out.
Moon Sahee[]
The celebrity doing the first pitch today. She is thought of as a girl who makes all men's hearts flutter. There is a rumor that Moon is really interested in Yoon which may have some truth to it since she picked him up in her car after a game.
Kim Daehyung[]
A player mentioned by Yoo as seeming more manly and cool than Yoon.
Jo Deokbae[]
Along with Kim he is commented on when Yo considers why Moon is all over Yoon.
Story[]
At the Amber Elephants vs Bisan Buffalos baseball game the score is 2 to 0 with the Amber Elephants in the lead. NBS News reports that it is the top of the 9th inning with one out and a runner on first base. Pitcher Yoon Geon Yeong has been defending the mound for 8 1/2 innings and thrown a total of 108 pitches and he is still standing strong. In all of Korean professional baseball's history, there have only ever been two instances of a pitcher achieving a 13 out 'no hitter'. When Yoon's record is prevented by Park In Ho he leaves the pitch for Ham Pil Gyu to take over. Infuriated at the reversal Yoon comes face to face with an elephant mascot. On the pitch with the short-stop catching a pop fly to the infield a team connected a 6-4-3 double play where the Amber Elephants still manage to win 2-0.[1]
Remembering his rise in baseball, during one game Yoon remembers a player who did not give up. In the morning Yoon receives a call from Jo Jinwon who he requests make something up to the coach for him being late. Approached by fans as he makes his way there Yoon sees Punz the elephant's trunk being pulled by children and recognizes him as the elephant guy from yesterday. After confronting him Punz runs away and Yoon wonders why he was so flustered for.[2] Yoon is joined by Jo before his attention is drawn to the elephant on the pitch. Curious about him Yoon would gain answers himself by running after the mascot where he intended to remove his costume head.[3] Before that can happen Yoon is approached by Han Chi Hyuk who reminds him of an interview with Song. She had heard Yoon was very impressive ten years ago against Cheongryonggi High School. After the interview Yoon finds the elephant stood beside him.[4] With other players likely about to take joking with Punz too far Yoon comes to his aid. Punz is then on the pitch with the other two mascots Elly and Victor and Yoon speculates that whoever is inside Punz has baseball experience. Following him Yoon sees the guy underneath remove the costume.[5] Yoon does not make his presence known but watches as Wonwoo in costume as Punz is taekwondo attacked by kids. Punz's head is knocked off and Wonwoo chides them and Soyeon who they are with. Yoon is laughing at Wonwoo's difference in behaviors and noticed he is asked for a photo with the taekwondo team. He and Wonwoo make eye contact.[6]
The match between Sinwon High versus Myeongseong High is recollected. By 14.07 Yoon thought he had to finish it before he hands the mound over to someone else. A photographer for a newspaper complimented Yoon as the successor to Yoon Seong Rim's baseball throne. With Shinwon having the lead at 4-3 Wonwoo stepped up onto the plate.[7] Presently Wonwoo is joined by the Victor mascot, and Elly who has Yoo Inhyun within. In this showers Wonwoo contemplates Yoon staring at him with his eyes all round and wide. As Wonwoo thinks about what he would like to eat he sees Yoon coming towards him.[8] Wonwoo's friends go ahead and Yoon confronts him having remembered him. He raises why Wonwoo has been following him and whether it is due to some petty revenge. Wonwoo returns to the restaurant he works at. He recalls speaking with Yoon before being reminded that he has grocery shopping tomorrow.[9] Yoon meets up with Jo and they recall the match ten years ago. It was the game Wonwoo was at where he got injured and taken away in an ambulance. A match between the Embo Elephants vs Monkeys Peanant Race has a current score of 1-0. A clock reads 12.40 at night and Wonwoo is watching the match featuring Yoon. Changing to the most watched video Wonwoo finds it is the one of him as Punz with Yoon on top of him. Wonwoo feels he was made to be embarrassed by Yoon when they spoke.[10]
On Monday there is not a pro baseball match but an away game in Ulsan. Once they are finished there, home games are starting on Friday. Their opponents this time are the Ocean Dolphins and Yoon specifically considers the capabilities of batters Lee Gyuseok, Jin Sungwook and Park Joonhui. Yoon delivers lunchbox's prepared by fans to Yoon. As the tour bus drives past Yoon sees Wonwoo driving the vehicle beside him. The match against the Ocean Dolphins is underway and Wonwoo watches it by phone.[11] Turning up at the stadium Wonwoo's claims to work there as Punz the mascot are not believed by the new security guard. Wonwoo then sees Yoon surrounded by adoring fans and he gains access thanks to him. Inside Wonwoo is found by Jo who assumes he and Yoon are close.[12] At a restaurant Wonwoo and Jo discuss how with the team owner coming to the stadium tomorrow Yoon has unexpectedly been made the star pitcher. Yoon joins them and Jo speaks up about the tense atmosphere. After buying Wonwoo the chicken he wanted, Jo mentions how their previous coach named Song was recently fired from the school. Jo raises Yoon's attitude around Wonwoo.[13]
With Jo at the restroom Yoon and Wonwoo discuss the injury the latter sustained. The next day Wonwoo cannot speak as Punz but waits for Jo to mention where Yoon is. As Moon Sahee's presence is discussed Wonwoo adds to the conversation on what it would be like to be with Yoon before being clear that he was just joking.[14] With them leaving in ten minutes Wonwoo remains to see the match with Yoon and Gyeong where tensions between them almost boil over. Wonwoo appears before Yoon as Punz and holds tight to his shirt even after Yoon tells him to let go or he will hit him. With his head struck off Wonwoo tells Yoon to not give up.[15] After Yoon's game ends Wonwoo sees him join Moon in her car. At home Wonwoo holds Yoon's baseball glove that he dropped and imagines himself being kissed by Yoon.[16] At a stadium Jo shares ice cream with Wonwoo yet the latter leaves after Yoon was glaring at him. Jo questions how interested Yoon is in Wonwoo since when he asked him to go drink Yoon said no but changed his mind because Wonwoo was going to be there.[17]
Images[]
Notes[]
- The Punz and Elly mascot names are from the English word for 'elephant.' The Victor mascot name is from 'victory'.
References[]
Sweet Spot Wiki[]
- An overview article on the entire series, create the Sweet Spot wiki for total coverage details!