Chapter 97

97. Graduation

"Come in, son."

Before the official start of the workday, Jinhyuk finished his exercise and entered the front door, greeted by his mother, Kim Sun-hwa.

"Come, come, Jinhyuk. Sit down."

His father, Woo Bong-soo, served the rice and said to Jinhyuk.

At first glance, it seemed like any other day, but Jinhyuk's heart felt a bit different.

"Oh, our son is already graduating from high school."

Mother Kim Sun-hwa, who usually bustled about, paused her busy hands, moved by a different sentiment.

"Hehe, bittersweet, isn't it?"

Jinhyuk just smiled.

Many emotions, more than just bittersweet, were swirling in Jinhyuk's heart.

His first high school life, where two lives intersected.

There were many unimaginable events and many encounters.

With each step and each meeting, different shades of emotion filled Jinhyuk's life.

While reflecting on those emotions one by one, he realized his bowl was already empty.

"I've finished eating. I'll get up first."

"Alright. See you at the graduation ceremony."

In the underground parking lot, as always, Manager Kim Yong-soo was waiting.

"Come on, Jinhyuk. How's your condition?"

"Good. How about you, hyung?"

"Me? Always good. Hehe."

Manager Kim Yong-soo, who always looked tired but always said he was good. Jinhyuk's car glided out of the apartment parking lot.

As the car passed by the area near his old house and the school, Jinhyuk said,

"Hyung, please stop here today."

"Here?"

"Yes, I'll walk from here."

As soon as Jinhyuk got out of the car, people's gazes focused on him.

"Hey, that's Woo Jinhyuk."

"Wow!"

This was why Jinhyuk usually got out of the car right in front of the school, but today he wanted to walk along his old route to school.

Jinhyuk's steps headed towards his old house, which he was visiting for the first time since moving.

He stood there for a moment, gazing at the house.

"Mom!"

A young girl, who looked like a middle school student, coming out of the apartment entrance, was startled to see Jinhyuk.

"Hello."

"..."

Jinhyuk greeted her, but the girl, unable to respond, just stared at him in a daze.

"Is... is that really Woo Jinhyuk...?"

Jinhyuk nodded, and the girl covered her mouth and let out a scream.

"I used to live here. I just came by because I remembered it."

"I know! I know! I heard about it! It's our house. Our house, the second floor over there."

She was a new student who had moved into Jinhyuk's old house.

"Can... can I take a picture with you?"

Jinhyuk smiled and nodded, and the girl, unsure of what to do, stood next to him.

"Ah! What do I do!"

They took a selfie together, and the girl, who also got a signature, repeatedly thanked Jinhyuk. Jinhyuk left a warm farewell and headed to school.

Every tree and sign along the familiar route to school.

Jinhyuk slowly walked, taking in the familiar scenery, imprinting it in his eyes and heart.

His gaze met the eyes of students watching him. Familiar school uniforms.

It was natural that all the students' attention was on Jinhyuk, who was walking openly and confidently.

"Hey, hey, wow! That's Woo Jinhyuk, right?"

"Wow! I heard he goes to Myeongseong High School!"

"Wow. I just found out."

"What?"

"I like how men have short hair."

"Ah, here we go again."

Jinhyuk's short hair, cut for the drama "Born a Man."

But, that conversation seemed familiar somehow.

Then,

"Ah, this popularity never fades, even at graduation."

Suddenly, Do Min-woo, running his long hair through his fingers, stood next to Jinhyuk and put his arm around his shoulder without a word.

From the always playful Do Min-woo, a bittersweet feeling was conveyed.

"Jinhyuk..."

"..."

"Let's meet often."

Jinhyuk's busy schedule was already hectic. While he could see each other at school during high school, that was no longer possible.

Moreover, Do Min-woo had to live in a dormitory at a local university.

Jinhyuk silently removed Do Min-woo's arm from his shoulder and instead put his arm around Min-woo's shoulder.

"Of course."

For a moment, Do Min-woo's nose tingled, but before he could feel embarrassed, he shouted,

"Hehe. Of course! What would you be without your hyung? Don't worry. I'll take responsibility for your life from now on."

With that firm promise from Min-woo, Jinhyuk's last walk to school ended as he stood in front of the school gate.

***

"Finally..."

The principal's third "last."

Perhaps the principal was also feeling nostalgic.

But the final "last" finally came.

"Next, representing the graduates..."

Jinhyuk went up to the podium.

"Woo Jinhyuk, born on May 11, 1994. This student has completed all the courses of this school for three years, and is hereby awarded this diploma. February 14, 2013..."

Representing the graduates, Jinhyuk received his diploma and the top award.

The graduation congratulatory video followed.

Rough but sincere, the video, filled with the time the students spent together, inevitably...

"...sniff..."

"Sniff..."

brought tears to everyone's eyes.

Thus, with tears, Jinhyuk's eventful three years of high school came to an end.

"Hehe. Congratulations, Jinhyuk."

The chairman, who was on the podium, was the first to offer his congratulations, filled with regret and gratitude.

As soon as he descended from the podium, the first person to approach was...

"Jinhyuk, congratulations."

It was Teacher Jeong Su-jin, who had been his homeroom teacher for the first and second years.

Jeong Su-jin's eyes were already moist. While consoling the last bit of regret with a warm handshake with Jeong Su-jin,

"Jinhyuk!"

"Wow! Jinhyuk!"

The warriors of the soccer field, whom he hadn't seen much due to his exam preparation, came running and overwhelmed Jinhyuk.

"Hey... Jinhyuk, can we take a picture with you?"

Students from the same class, who couldn't approach Jinhyuk due to his aura, mustered the courage to ask for a photo.

"Congratulations, Jinhyuk."

"You too."

Kim Min-young approached and extended her hand to Jinhyuk.

"At least we're in the same school. We can see each other often, right?"

"Often. We should see each other frequently."

"Right."

A glint appeared in Min-young's eyes as she smiled. As they shook hands,

"Phew. Congratulations, Min-young."

"Hehe. Congratulations, Jinhyuk."

Parents who already knew each other also exchanged greetings.

"Jinhyuk!"

Soon, Min-woo's family and Young-joon's family gathered around Jinhyuk.

"Brother."

"Youngha, how have you been?"

While Jinhyuk was greeting Young-joon's younger sister, Youngha, a familiar face approached the group.

"Hello. I'm Se-yeon's mother."

A youthful face that belied her age, and a sophisticated outfit that looked expensive even though the brand was unknown.

Se-yeon's mother, Yoon Sung-hee, the director of Seongdo Hospital, who was a school trustee but rarely showed her face at school.

First meeting with friends' families. Of course, it was Jinhyuk's first time too.

Yoon Sung-hee greeted the parents and then approached Jinhyuk.

"Jinhyuk, nice to see you. I've heard a lot about you from Se-yeon."

"Hello, nice to meet you."

Bowing, Jinhyuk was looked at with a pleased expression by Yoon Sung-hee. Se-yeon, standing next to her, offered her congratulations.

"Congratulations."

"You too."

Se-yeon, who had shed her formerly rough and boisterous image and now exuded a mature and shining star's aura.

Then,

"Wow!"

"Wow!"

A commotion arose from one side of the auditorium, and another star appeared.

Yeon Se-ryun and her father, Yeon Sung-hoon.

"Se-ryun!"

The children ran to Se-ryun and greeted her warmly,

"Wow, how have you all been?"

While Se-ryun, almost in tears, was jumping around, Yeon Sung-hoon greeted the parents and then approached Jinhyuk.

"Jinhyuk, congratulations on your graduation."

"Thank you, Director."

Jinhyuk still went to the acting school regularly for practice and would continue to do so.

Perhaps that's why they could greet each other with the most relaxed minds.

"Let's all take a picture together, shall we?"

Min-woo's father suggested. Everyone found their spots.

"Alright, I'll take the picture. One, two..."

Just as the teacher, who was taking the picture, was about to count to three,

"Wait! Hold on!"

Rushing over was Lee Byung-chun, Lee Young-joon's uncle.

He had recently released a film that received great reviews and was now a rising director.

Of course, he would become a future master, the first Asian to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, about ten years later.

"Phew... I'm sorry! The traffic was bad!"

Director Lee Byung-chun bowed repeatedly, unable to even offer his congratulations to the children, and took his place.

"Alright, let's do it again. One, two, three!"

Click.

Thus,

Another page of time was etched in everyone's hearts and in their precious albums.

***

MBS's ambitious new variety show, "Born a Man"

Despite only releasing a teaser and a few behind-the-scenes clips, it sparked an incredible response.

– Wow! The coolness is exploding.

– I was definitely watching the video, but at some point, I was searching for military enlistment.

└ It's dangerous. "This video features Woo Jinhyuk and may differ from actual military service." This disclaimer seems necessary.

And the main episode began.

The amazing teaser was not just a teaser, breaking the stereotype that teasers are all there is.

– Haha, why is Jang Su-yong so funny.

└ If he's doing it on purpose, he's a genius.

Comedian Jang Su-yong didn't need to worry about being funny. His awkward movements, despite being a former front-line GOP soldier, were so clumsy.

Each of his actions, which he was unaware of, made the audience burst into laughter.

Para-ba-bam...

The actors' dazed expressions, clutching their hungry stomachs, accompanied by sad music, were surprisingly...

funny.

The actors' unconscious expressions and actions, and the brilliant directing and editing that captured these moments, provided unexpected entertainment.

– Wow! Jinhyuk is almost like a special forces member, isn't he?

└ I'm a non-commissioned officer. Seriously.

Jinhyuk delivered a shock beyond imagination. And then,

"Keep going. It's almost over."

"Huff huff..."

The unexpected emotional impact created by the actors, centered around Jinhyuk, was overwhelming. The result was:

A 21.1% viewership rating in just three episodes.

"Wow-!"

A cheer erupted in the MBS variety show department meeting room.

"Wow!!"

The "Born a Man" production team embraced each other.

21.1% is the highest variety show rating, both for terrestrial and cable TV, as of now.

"How long has it been since we've seen a 20% rating?"

It was a milestone that MBS variety shows hadn't achieved since the 2010s.

"If it's this good now, what will the next episode's rating be?"

The team members' faces were aglow.

The next two episodes were the highlight of this season.

The KCTC training conducted by the team members assigned to the army.

KCTC stands for Korea Combat Training Center (Army Science and Combat Training Unit).

To put it simply, it's like a large-scale survival game using advanced equipment.

Of course, as it was set up for a variety show, it was different from the usual KCTC training.

Four teams of seven members each engaged in guerrilla warfare, with the last team standing in a true survival competition.

"The next two episodes are the real deal. I'm still shaking."

The PD, who had goosebumps while editing, shivered.

Thinking of Jinhyuk's ghost-like performance, which even wiped out former special forces members, the anticipation of the viewers, already high from the teaser, was off the charts.

Seeing the PD's excited face, one of the writers suddenly sighed.

"But, what do we do now that Jinhyuk is leaving?"

A fact everyone knew but no one had mentioned.

"Is it difficult to keep him on?"

The PD shook his head.

"We're still trying to persuade him."

"Okay..."

"Let's do our best with what we can. We need to minimize the impact even if Jinhyuk leaves."

While the "Born a Man" team resolved to do their best, enjoying today's joy,

Another team was also basking in the same joy.

The production team of the TVC drama "The Chaebol Prosecutor."

"Wow, it's a real frenzy. A frenzy."

Thanks to the indirect advertising MBS promised, the atmosphere before the broadcast was electric.

"I didn't expect MBS to give us that much exposure."

"Of course. Jinhyuk is doing this, so it's only natural."

Comedian Jang Su-yong had given Jinhyuk the nickname "The Chaebol Prosecutor," and every time the subtitle appeared, it read "The Chaebol Prosecutor."

– Will the Chaebol Prosecutor survive this harsh training?

– Will the Chaebol Prosecutor Woo Jinhyuk succeed this time?

Thanks to this, "The Chaebol Prosecutor" stayed at the top of the real-time search rankings on portals.

Two weeks later, right after Jinhyuk's last appearance on "Born a Man," "The Chaebol Prosecutor" aired.

To catch the audience's attention at the moment they felt the loss of Jinhyuk, the broadcast schedule was even adjusted.

"The atmosphere is great. Let's see how far we can go."

The PD smiled with high expectations.