Chapter 92

92. The Return of the Test Taker

“Ugh. It’s already summer vacation.”

“Looks like you’re worried about summer vacation. That’s what being a third-year student is all about.”

Cafeteria.

Do Min-woo and Lee Young-jun stuffed their mouths with rice, grumbling. Kim Min-yeong, seeing the two, smiled and asked Jin-hyuk.

“Is Se-yeon filming?”

“Yeah.”

“She’s busy.”

“Her drama will be airing soon.”

Min-yeong nodded. Do Min-woo, excited, said,

“That’s the drama I directed.”

“Hey. You’ve said that about twenty times already.”

Despite Min-yeong’s reprimand, Do Min-woo remained unfazed.

“The drama will be a huge success. Hehe.”

Min-yeong, looking at Do Min-woo, said with a resigned expression,

“Jin-hyuk, do you have any special plans for the summer vacation?”

“Not really. I’ll just do what I usually do at home.”

He had never attended cram schools and found it awkward to go to study rooms.

Jin-hyuk had always studied well at home, but now that his home was even bigger and more comfortable, it provided an even better environment for studying.

“Min-yeong, what about you?”

“I’ll do the same. Cram school, study room, home. That’s it.”

Because Jin-hyuk and Min-yeong were in different classes, Min-yeong had reclaimed the top spot in his class. However, he still ranked second in the school, behind Jin-hyuk.

But being second in the school was a sufficient score to apply to Korea University.

“Have you decided on your major?”

Summer vacation would soon be over, and the early admission application period would begin. Until recently, Min-yeong hadn’t decided on a major, not because he lacked interests, but because he had too many.

“Hmm… I’m planning to apply to the Department of Media and Communication at Korea University.”

“Department of Media and Communication?”

“I’ve always wanted to work in media or journalism.”

Min-yeong smiled. Lee Young-jun’s eyes sparkled.

“Wow! That’s great! Min-yeong, you’d be perfect as an anchor.”

Jin-hyuk nodded.

With his good looks, clear voice, and meticulous personality, it was a fitting career for Min-yeong.

“I’m more interested in becoming a journalist, though.”

“Wow! If you become a reporter for the entertainment section, please do me a favor.”

Lee Young-jun, who had already decided to become a film director and was preparing for the relevant major, said,

“You should be asking the top star in front of you, Jin-hyuk.”

“Of course, Jin-hyuk. I always admire you, and I will continue to admire you.”

Lee Young-jun laughed awkwardly and scratched his head.

“But Jin-hyuk is already too far ahead. If I want to cast an actor of Jin-hyuk’s caliber, it might take at least 20 years.”

That was assuming he became a film director, which was a needle-in-a-haystack opportunity. Even his uncle, director Lee Bong-chun, was only now preparing his debut with an independent film.

“I’m going to become a webtoon artist.”

Do Min-woo said. No one was surprised; it was a statement he often made.

“A webtoon artist is good, but I think you’d also do well as a manager.”

“Manager?”

Jin-hyuk, who had thought about it for a while but never mentioned it, said,

Meeting people in this industry, I think Do Min-woo would be a good fit.

With his friendly appearance, lack of fear, and quick adaptability, he already had the makings of a good salesperson.

Despite his laid-back demeanor, he was meticulous when it came to things he wanted to do, like drawing, where he showed incredible attention to detail.

He also had a good sense of aesthetics and fashion.

Most importantly, considering his exceptional talent in evaluating works and actors, Jin-hyuk believed he had the potential to succeed in this field.

“Why would I want you to be my manager, bro? Come on.”

“No.”

Before Do Min-woo could smile, Jin-hyuk firmly cut him off. Business is business, and personal matters are personal.

“I’m fine with Yongsu.”

“What? You said you think I’d do well. Why wouldn’t you use a friend as a manager?”

“I wouldn’t use a friend as a manager. Anyway, Min-woo, you seem to have a good aptitude for it.”

Min-woo seemed to think about it for a moment.

“No. I’m going to become a webtoon artist and make a big hit. Haha!”

It was a confusing and dream-filled time for these teenagers.

Their high school life was slowly coming to an end.

***

The summer vacation of the test takers was hot,

“Forty-nine, fifty.”

It was simple.

After warming up using the exercise equipment at home, Jin-hyuk returned to his desk.

Study. Exercise. Study. Exercise.

Exercise was an important routine to maximize concentration, so Jin-hyuk maintained a consistent schedule every day.

The simple summer vacation passed, and school resumed.

Apart from the change in study location from home to school and back, it was the same second semester for the test takers.

“Haha! I told you, Se-yeon. This is going to be a hit.”

Do Min-woo, who had become overjoyed by the high ratings of the drama Se-yeon was in, made a commotion in the cafeteria.

“…”

Se-yeon, who had returned to school after a long absence, lifted her spoon with a rather happy expression.

“Really. I didn’t expect it to do so well. Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it. Friends, right? Haha!”

Next to the laughing Do Min-woo, Kim Min-yeong smiled and said to Se-yeon,

“I was a bit skeptical when I heard Se-yeon was in a romantic comedy, but she really fits the role.”

Jin-hyuk nodded in agreement.

Although Jin-hyuk was studying rigorously and couldn’t watch all of Se-yeon’s drama, he could tell from the first episode he watched that she and the character were a perfect match.

He had also heard that the drama’s high ratings and the attention Se-yeon was receiving were significant.

According to Manager Kim Yongsu, through this drama, Se-yeon had gained enough popularity to become a leading actress.

“I need to study hard too.”

Everyone was working hard in their respective places.

Before they knew it, the cool autumn wind, which seemed to cool the sweat of those running hard, had arrived.

As the leaves fell and winter approached, a national event that excited all of Korea finally arrived.

The highly anticipated 2012 College Scholastic Ability Test day.

“Son, don’t be nervous. Take the test calmly.”

“Okay. Don’t worry.”

Although his son had already become a star that Korea was paying attention to, the heart of a parent of a test taker didn’t seem much different.

Jin-hyuk’s mother, Kim Sun-hwa, and Yoon Bong-su saw him off with worried eyes.

“Sir, Madam, don’t worry. Please go inside.”

Manager Kim Yongsu, who was putting Jin-hyuk in the van, kept bowing.

Once in the van, Kim Yongsu, trying to boost Jin-hyuk’s spirits, said cheerfully,

“It’s a good morning! How’s your condition, Jin-hyuk?”

“Hmm… Not much different from usual.”

“Haha. Then you’ll do well on the test.”

Since the test site was not far from Jin-hyuk’s home, it didn’t take long to arrive.

As Jin-hyuk got out of the van,

cameras started flashing.

“Jin-hyuk! How’s your condition today?”

“Did you have a good dream?”

As a few reporters hurriedly asked questions, Manager Kim Yongsu tried to manage the situation.

“Ladies and gentlemen, today is the test day. Please understand. We’ll do interviews near the test site and then enter.”

As Jin-hyuk walked from the parking lot toward the test site, fans and students gathered nearby went wild.

“Squeal!”

“Jin-hyuk! Look this way! Look this way!”

“Bro! Over here!”

Amid the constant screams and camera flashes, Jin-hyuk stood at the designated spot for interviews near the test site.

“Wow. You’re really something.”

“With that face and a top 0.1% score in the nation.”

It had been a while since Jin-hyuk had been in front of cameras. He was in his school uniform, but his appearance remained unchanged.

“Thank you to all the fans for their support. I wish all the test takers good luck today.”

After answering a few questions from the reporters, Jin-hyuk moved back to the test site with a simple greeting.

The test, which received the most attention in the history of the college entrance exam, finally began.

***

As soon as the test ended, Jin-hyuk’s busy schedule began, mostly involving overseas trips.

After completing a few domestic and international CF shooting schedules that had been delayed, two weeks seemed to vanish.

It was now the day the test scores were released.

“Ugh.”

“Oh!”

“Phew.”

The students who received their test scores had mixed reactions.

“Jin-hyuk.”

The homeroom teacher called Jin-hyuk’s name, and the curious eyes of the students turned to him.

“Good job.”

The teacher handed Jin-hyuk his score sheet with words of encouragement.

“…”

Jin-hyuk’s expression was calm, or perhaps a bit disappointed.

There were about three questions he was unsure about. If he was lucky, he might have scored a perfect score.

But he got two of those three questions wrong, so his luck wasn’t that great.

However, he achieved a perfect 1st grade in all subjects on the test.

“Did you do well?”

Se-yeon, who had returned to school after a long absence, asked Jin-hyuk. Jin-hyuk replied with a calm expression.

“Not bad. I didn’t get a perfect score.”

“What?”

When the topic of a perfect score came up, Se-yeon widened her eyes in surprise but soon nodded.

“Well, if it’s you, Jin-hyuk, even a perfect score wouldn’t be surprising.”

“Did you do well, Se-yeon?”

Se-yeon shook her head.

“No way. I just took it to give a low score.”

Se-yeon had already been accepted into the Department of Acting at Korea National University of Arts, which is classified as a special university and holds early admissions.

Since the minimum score for the national test was not required, she didn’t need to take it.

However, there was an unspoken sense of duty among test takers.

Students in Se-yeon’s situation often took the test to give a low score to those in the lower ranks.

For Se-yeon, it was more about experiencing the national test for the last time in her life.

Se-yeon asked Jin-hyuk,

“When is the early admission result for Korea University?”

“December 17th.”

“It’s not long now.”

With a perfect 1st grade in all subjects, Jin-hyuk had easily met the minimum score required by Korea University, so he only needed to wait for the early admission results.

The early admission program, which only required high school grades and student records if the minimum score (1st grade in two subjects) was met, was a good fit for Jin-hyuk.

Although he had never lost the top spot in the school since the start of this life, the problem was the low 1st semester 1st year grades.

Even though the 1st semester 1st year grades had a very low reflection rate, for the top business school at Korea University, it would be a significant handicap.

The same applied if he failed the early admission and moved to the regular admission, which considered both the national test and high school grades.

While the regular admission, with a low reflection rate for high school grades, generally favored students with high national test scores,

this did not apply to the business school at Korea University. Even with a perfect score, a student could fail if their high school grades were significantly low.

In any case, there was no 100% guarantee of admission.

Jin-hyuk was prepared to accept the results calmly, but the tension around him lasted for ten days.

During those ten days, Jin-hyuk’s busy schedule as he returned to the entertainment industry continued.

The official promotion for Jin-hyuk’s return work, the TVC drama “Chaebol Prosecutor,” began.

“Chaebol Prosecutor”

Never before has there been such a fair prosecutor. Law for law, money for money, and fists for fists! The great performance of the most fair and lawless prosecutor begins.

- Actor Woo Jin-hyuk. Surprising return with TVC drama “Chaebol Prosecutor.”

- TVC’s new drama “Chaebol Prosecutor” gains attention with the casting of actor Woo Jin-hyuk.

The media began to flood with news of Jin-hyuk’s return work.

Indeed, the fans’ reactions began to heat up. However,

- TVC drama? What? A cable channel? Is the agency not doing its job properly?

- What’s “Chaebol Prosecutor”? The title sounds B-grade.

- TVC offered a groundbreaking guarantee.

- At his young age, is he already choosing works based on money? Disappointing.

The problem was that a significant amount of negative public opinion had formed. Of course, there were also many supportive comments.

- High School 2 was criticized for unproven acting skills, Hong Gil-dong for lack of gravitas, and now an unstarted drama is criticized for being subpar? Watch it and then talk. Jin-hyuk always exceeds expectations.

- I agree. True fans believe and watch, but people who don’t care are nitpicking.

- A cable drama is a bit unexpected, but I trust and watch Woo Jin-hyuk! I trust and watch.

- Woo Jin-hyuk makes history. Now, he will make history in cable dramas.

- Agreed.

Public opinion always sparks more heated debates when it collides.

Jin-hyuk’s return work was already receiving intense attention from everyone.

And the unexpected choice of work added fuel to the fire.

The SNS and internet forums were filled with heated debates about Jin-hyuk’s return work.

And. Jin-hyuk’s college entrance results, which still attracted significant attention, were...

Monday, December 17, 2012, 6:00 PM.

WP Entertainment’s Manager Lee Kwang-soo looked anxiously at his phone.

Ring.

Startled, Lee Kwang-soo checked his phone and answered with a disappointed expression.

“Yes, Manager. No news yet. I’ll let you know as soon as I hear anything. Yes, yes. I’ll contact you immediately.”

Click.

The head of the publicity department also seemed quite anxious. After all, it was a matter of interest not just to the nation but to all of Asia.

Ring.

Checking his phone, Manager Lee Kwang-soo quickly answered.

“Yongsu, how did it go?”

Manager Lee Kwang-soo’s eyes widened, and he jumped up from his seat.

“Accepted! Haha! Really? Accepted?!”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Overjoyed, Manager Lee Kwang-soo pounded the table like a victory celebration.

Woo Jin-hyuk, the test taker who captured the attention of all Asia,

was confirmed to be admitted as a freshman to the prestigious Business School of Korea University, Class of 2013!