In the conference room of Haneul High School, the mood was somber as the principal, Mr. Kang, called the meeting to order. Two weeks had passed since the horrifying video of Daewon's humiliation had surfaced, but the shock had not faded. The teachers sat around the table, faces drawn with concern.
"This situation has gone on long enough," Mr. Kang began, his voice heavy with the weight of recent events. "We've received complaints from parents, and the students are still reeling. We need to address this properly, and we need to do it now."
Ms. Han, the literature teacher, spoke up first. "Joon's behavior is reprehensible. He should have been suspended immediately, but instead, he's been walking around like nothing happened. The students see this, and it sends the message that we condone such actions."
Mr. Lee, the history teacher, nodded in agreement. "We're also dealing with the aftermath of Daewon's absence. He hasn't returned to school since the video, and it's clear that he's suffering. This isn't just about discipline; it's about the wellbeing of all our students."
Ms. Park, the guidance counselor, added, "We need to think about how to help Daewon reintegrate when he does return. But first, we must address Joon's behavior. He needs to face consequences, not just for Daewon's sake but for the sake of every student who might think they can get away with something similar."
The math teacher, Mr. Oh, sighed. "But what can we realistically do? If we push too hard, Joon's parents might get involved, and they have connections. We need to be careful, or we could find ourselves in hot water."
Ms. Han leaned forward, her expression resolute. "We can't be afraid to do what's right. Joon needs to make a public apology. Not just some insincere gesture, but a real, meaningful apology. And that video needs to come down immediately."
Mr. Kang nodded, considering her words. "I agree. But we need to ensure that the apology is sincere, and that it doesn't make things worse. Perhaps we could have Joon do the video in the presence of his parents and some of us, to make sure he understands the gravity of his actions."
Ms. Park interjected, "And we should also require him to participate in some form of community service, perhaps something that directly helps other students. He needs to understand the impact of his behavior."
Mr. Kang sighed, looking around the room. "Alright. We'll meet with Joon and his parents first. Then we'll have him make the apology video, with us present. We'll also involve Daewon's parents and ensure he receives the support he needs to return to school."
With the plan set, the teachers began to disperse, but Ms. Han lingered, deep in thought. The image of Joon's smirk from that morning was still fresh in her mind. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to come.
As she walked through the hallways, heading to her classroom, she heard familiar voices coming from the room. It was Joon, and he was talking to Hyeri. The classroom was empty, the other students still at lunch, and their voices echoed slightly in the still air. Ms. Han paused just outside the door, her curiosity piqued.
"Joon, it's been two weeks. You need to take the video down," Hyeri was saying, her voice filled with a mixture of frustration and concern. "This has gone too far, and you know it. Daewon hasn't come back to school because of you."
Joon's voice was dismissive, almost mocking. "Oh, come on, Hyeri. Don't be so dramatic. It was just a bit of fun. Daewon's always been a loser, and he's proving it by hiding away. Why should I care?"
Hyeri's voice sharpened. "Because it's the right thing to do, Joon. You've humiliated him in front of everyone. This isn't a joke. You need to apologize."
Joon chuckled darkly. "Apologize? For what? If Daewon can't handle a little teasing, that's his problem, not mine. Besides, it's not like he's dead or anything. He'll get over it."
The sound of a sharp slap echoed through the empty classroom. "You're an asshole, Joon," Hyeri said, her voice trembling with anger.
Ms. Han tensed, ready to step in, but then she heard Joon's voice, low and menacing. "Watch it, Hyeri. You don't want to make me angry. I might just turn my attention to you next."
Ms. Han knew she had to intervene. She walked into the classroom, her expression calm but stern. "Good afternoon, Joon, Hyeri," she said, pretending she hadn't heard the exchange. "Is everything alright?"
Joon quickly let go of Hyeri's wrist and stepped back, his demeanor shifting to one of forced politeness. "Afternoon, Ms. Han. Yeah, everything's fine."
Hyeri, still shaken, nodded quickly and took her seat. Ms. Han watched them for a moment before turning her attention to the classroom as the other students began to file in. Seojun was the last to arrive, his face set in a grim expression. He apologized for his tardiness and sat down, his eyes flicking toward Joon with undisguised anger.
As the lesson began, Ms. Han tried to maintain a sense of normalcy, but the tension in the room was palpable. She assigned a new reading and began asking questions about the previous day's homework.
"Minji, can you tell us what you thought about the passage from 'To Kill a Mockingbird'?" Ms. Han asked, trying to engage the class.
Minji, always eager to participate, answered softly, "I think it shows how important it is to stand up for what's right, even when it's difficult. Atticus knew he was facing an uphill battle, but he did it because it was the right thing to do."
Ms. Han smiled approvingly. "Exactly, Minji. Atticus represents the moral compass of the novel, someone who stands for justice and integrity, even in the face of adversity."
She then turned her attention to Joon. "Joon, what did you think of Atticus's decision to defend Tom Robinson?"
Joon leaned back in his chair, a smirk on his face. "I think Atticus was wasting his time. Everyone knew Tom was going to be found guilty. It's just the way things are. Some people are meant to lose."
The classroom fell silent, and Ms. Han felt a surge of anger. "That's a very cynical way to look at it, Joon. Atticus was trying to change that mindset, to show that everyone deserves a fair chance."
Joon shrugged, clearly uninterested. "Maybe. But it didn't change anything, did it? Tom still lost."
Ms. Han suppressed a sigh. "We'll discuss this further tomorrow. For now, everyone, please prepare for the quiz on Friday."
As the class ended and the students filed out for lunch, Joon and his friends gathered at the back of the classroom, their voices low but filled with cruel laughter. "Did you see the look on Daewon's face when we made him kneel?" Joon said, laughing. "I still can't believe he actually did it."
One of his friends, Hyun-woo, chuckled nervously, but there was a hint of discomfort in his expression. "Yeah, man, that was…something."
Seokjin, another friend, added, "He's probably never coming back. I mean, would you, after that?"
Joon grinned. "Good riddance. The loser probably ran off to some other school where he can cry in peace."
Hyun-woo, who had been quiet, finally spoke up. "Maybe we should take the video down, Joon. It's been two weeks, and…well, it's just wrong."
The group fell silent, and Joon turned to Hyun-woo, his eyes narrowing. "What did you say?"
Hyun-woo hesitated but didn't back down. "I said we should take the video down. It's not right, Joon. We've done enough."
Joon's expression darkened, and he stepped closer to Hyun-woo, his voice low and threatening. "Don't start with that, Hyun-woo. You were there, you didn't have a problem with it then. Why now?"
Hyun-woo, feeling the weight of his guilt, looked around at the others, but no one supported him. Frustrated and ashamed, he shook his head and walked out of the classroom, leaving Joon and the others behind.
The rest of the day passed in a tense blur, and as the final bell rang, the teachers gathered once more in the staff room. They needed to finalize their plan of action.
Ms. Han cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention. "I overheard something earlier. Hyeri was trying to convince Joon to take down the video and apologize. He refused, but it gave me an idea. What if we require Joon to make a public apology video as part of his punishment?"
The room fell silent as the teachers considered this. Mr. Lee was the first to break the silence. "A public apology video could be effective," he said thoughtfully. "But only if it's done the right way. Joon can't just stand in front of a camera and mumble a few words. It has to be genuine. He needs to understand the impact of what he's done."
Ms. Park, the guidance counselor, nodded. "Agreed. We need to ensure that he comprehends the gravity of the situation. This isn't just about punishment; it's about making him see the harm he's caused, to Daewon and the entire school community."
Ms. Han leaned forward, her expression serious. "We should involve Daewon's parents in this process, too. They deserve to know what steps we're taking and to have a say in how Joon is held accountable. It might also help Daewon if he sees that justice is being done, in some way."
Mr. Kang, the principal, tapped his fingers on the table, deep in thought. "We'll need to tread carefully with this. Joon's parents will likely be defensive, but we can't let that deter us. If we explain that this is a necessary step in resolving the situation and preventing further incidents, they may be more receptive."
Ms. Han added, "And perhaps we could use this as a teaching moment for the entire student body. After Joon's apology, we could hold a school-wide assembly or a series of workshops on bullying and its effects. It's clear that our students need a deeper understanding of empathy and the consequences of their actions."
The others murmured their agreement. The plan was taking shape, and it felt like a step in the right direction.
"We'll start with Joon and his parents tomorrow," Mr. Kang decided. "Then we'll arrange for the apology video, and we'll work with Daewon's family to ensure they're comfortable with our approach. After that, we'll focus on the broader student body."
The meeting ended on that note, and the teachers began to leave, their minds already racing with the tasks ahead. Ms. Han, however, lingered for a moment longer, feeling the weight of the day's events pressing down on her. She knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but for Daewon's sake, and for the sake of every student in their care, they had to see it through.
With the final bell echoing through the halls, signaling the end of classes for the day, students eagerly packed up their belongings and streamed out of the classrooms, their minds already drifting to the freedoms of the afternoon.
Seojun and Hyeri walked side by side down the familiar streets, their footsteps echoing in the quiet evening. The sun had dipped below the horizon, and the air was cool, filled with the sounds of distant traffic and chirping crickets.
"Why were you late today, Seojun?" Hyeri asked, glancing over at him.
Seojun sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. "I overslept. Been having trouble sleeping lately. Guess everything that's been going on is finally getting to me."
Hyeri nodded, understanding. "Yeah, it's been rough. Everyone's on edge. You're not the only one feeling it."
Seojun kicked at a loose pebble on the sidewalk, sending it skittering ahead of them. "What about you? You seem off too. Did something happen today?"
Hyeri hesitated before answering. "Actually, yeah. Something did happen. I had a run-in with Joon."
Seojun immediately stiffened, his eyes narrowing. "What did that asshole do now?"
Hyeri sighed, rubbing her temples as she recalled the incident. "He was being his usual self—mean, dismissive. I told him he needed to take the video down and apologize to Daewon. But, of course, he just laughed it off, saying Daewon deserved it."
Seojun clenched his fists, his anger simmering just below the surface. "And then?"
"I slapped him," Hyeri admitted quietly. "I couldn't help it, Seojun. He was being such a jerk, like he didn't care at all about what he did. I called him an asshole."
Seojun's eyes flared with anger. "Good. He deserved it. But that's not enough. I swear, Hyeri, I'm gonna—"
"Seojun, don't," Hyeri cut him off, grabbing his arm to stop him from marching off. "I know you're angry, but fighting him won't solve anything. It'll only make things worse."
Seojun shook his head, his jaw tight. "He picks on Daewon, and now he's going after you? Someone needs to put him in his place."
"I can handle myself," Hyeri insisted, trying to calm him down. "And besides, it's not like he hurt me. He just grabbed my wrist and tried to intimidate me. It wasn't right, but I don't want you getting into trouble over this. I won't talk to him again, okay?"
Seojun took a deep breath, trying to cool his temper. He looked at Hyeri, seeing the concern in her eyes, and reluctantly nodded. "Fine. But if he ever tries something like that again, I won't stand by and watch."
"I know," Hyeri said softly, grateful for his protective nature. "But let's focus on getting through this the right way. The teachers are handling it now. We just need to stay out of trouble."
They walked in silence for a few more minutes until Hyeri's house came into view. "This is me," she said, stopping at the gate. "Thanks for walking me home, Seojun."
"Anytime," Seojun replied, offering a small smile. "You sure you're okay?"
"Yeah," she assured him. "I'm okay. Get some rest tonight, alright?"
"I'll try," Seojun said, watching as she walked up to her door and waved before going inside. He turned and headed home, his thoughts still tangled with anger and frustration.
As Hyeri stepped into her house, the warm, familiar scent of her mother's cooking greeted her. She slipped off her shoes and called out, "I'm home!"
Her mother appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dish towel. "Welcome home, Hyeri! How was school today?"
Hyeri forced a smile, not wanting to burden her family with the day's events. "It was alright. Just the usual stuff, you know?"
Her younger brother, Minseok, peeked out from the living room, holding a controller. "You're late! Did you have a club meeting or something?"
"Just walked home with a friend," Hyeri replied, ruffling his hair as she passed by. "How's your game going?"
"I'm winning, of course," Minseok grinned, returning his attention to the TV.
Her father's voice called out from the dining room. "Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. Come sit down when you're ready."
Hyeri nodded and made her way to her room, closing the door behind her. She tossed her bag onto the bed and sat down at her desk, staring blankly at the books and papers scattered across it. She should have been thinking about homework, but her mind kept drifting back to Joon and the confrontation in the classroom.
She shook her head, trying to push the thoughts away. Instead, she picked up her phone and scrolled through social media, looking for something—anything—to distract herself. But every time she came across a post from someone at school, her stomach twisted in knots, fearing that it might be about Daewon.
Finally, she set her phone aside and decided to get started on her homework, hoping the routine would help settle her nerves. But as she worked, the memory of Joon's cold, dismissive eyes lingered in her mind, refusing to be banished.
Seojun arrived home to the smell of his mother's cooking wafting through the air. He slipped off his shoes and headed straight for the dining room, where his parents were already seated, the table set with steaming dishes of rice, stew, and side dishes.
"Seojun, you're just in time," his mother said, smiling warmly. "Wash your hands and come sit down."
He quickly did as she asked, joining them at the table. His father, a stern but fair man with graying hair, looked at him over the rim of his glasses. "You were late today."
"Yeah, sorry about that," Seojun replied, helping himself to some rice. "I overslept."
His mother frowned slightly. "You've been doing that a lot lately. Are you getting enough sleep?"
Seojun shrugged, trying to downplay it. "Just been a little stressed, I guess. It's nothing serious."
His father raised an eyebrow. "Is it about what happened at school? Your mother mentioned that things have been tense since that video incident."
Seojun stiffened slightly, but nodded. "Yeah, it's about that. It's been... hard to deal with."
His mother reached out, placing a gentle hand on his. "We're here for you, Seojun. If you need to talk about it, or if there's anything we can do, just let us know."
Seojun looked at his parents, grateful for their support. "Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Dad. I'll be okay. It's just... I hate seeing people get hurt, you know? And I hate that the guy responsible is getting away with it."
His father's expression hardened. "The school should be taking care of this. That boy has no respect for anyone. I just don't understand how they can let him get away with this."
His mother sighed. "We're hoping the school takes stronger action soon. I heard that they're planning to make Joon do an apology video, but I'm not sure how effective that will be."
Seojun frowned. "An apology video? I'm not sure that's enough. Joon needs to understand the real impact of his actions, not just say sorry in front of a camera."
His father nodded. "Exactly. And it's not just about Joon. The whole school needs to address bullying more seriously. If the administration doesn't take a firm stand, this kind of behavior will continue."
They ate in thoughtful silence for a while, the conversation shifting to lighter topics. Seojun's mother chatted about a new recipe she'd tried, and his father discussed a minor work project he'd completed. Despite their attempts to maintain a normal dinner, the underlying tension from earlier still lingered.
When dinner was over, Seojun excused himself and retreated to his room. He had homework to finish, but his mind kept wandering back to the events of the day. He tried to focus on his textbooks, but every time he looked up, his thoughts returned to the confrontation with Joon and the ongoing struggle to get justice for Daewon.
Meanwhile, at Daewon's house, the atmosphere was heavy with concern. Daewon's mother, Mrs. Kim, was busy in the kitchen, preparing dinner, but her mind was elsewhere. She cast frequent glances toward the hallway, hoping to see her son emerge from his room.
"How long is he going to stay in there?" Mr. Kim asked, walking into the kitchen after a long day at work. His face was lined with worry. "Have you talked to him at all?"
Mrs. Kim shook her head. "He hasn't responded to us. We've tried everything to coax him out, but he won't budge. I'm so worried about him."
Mr. Kim sighed, rubbing his forehead. "This isn't like him. He used to be so outgoing and full of energy. I can't believe how much this incident has changed him."
At that moment, Daewon's younger brother, Jinwoo, burst into the kitchen, his face pale and his hands trembling. "Mom, Dad, you need to see this. I found something on social media."
"What is it, Jinwoo?" Mr. Kim asked, alarmed.
Jinwoo handed over his phone, showing them a sequence of posts and videos. The video played, showing Daewon being harassed and beaten by Joon and his friends. The raw footage was a stark reminder of the cruelty he had faced.
Mrs. Kim's eyes widened in horror. "Oh my God, this is awful. How could they do this to him?"
Mr. Kim's face flushed with anger. "This is disgusting. We need to do something about this now. Daewon can't be left alone like this."
Mrs. Kim quickly moved to Daewon's room, knocking on the door. "Daewon, it's Mom. Please, open the door. We need to talk to you."
There was no response, just the eerie silence from within. Mr. Kim joined her, his voice firm. "Daewon, open the door. We're worried about you. Please, let us in."
Still no answer. The silence was deafening, and the sense of dread grew stronger.
Mrs. Kim's eyes filled with tears as she stepped back from the door. "We need to get him out of there. Something must be done."
Mr. Kim nodded grimly. "We'll figure out a way. We can't leave him like this."
Meanwhile, in Daewon's dark room, the only source of light was the faint glow from his phone. He scrolled through social media, the screen casting an eerie illumination across the room. His fingers moved with a practiced ease, navigating through posts and notifications.
Suddenly, he stopped scrolling. A live stream notification caught his eye. The title read: -"I Wanna Apologize"-. The face in the thumbnail was unmistakable—Joon.
Daewon tapped on the notification, and the screen transitioned to Joon's live stream. Joon appeared in his room, the background cluttered with typical teenage mess—posters on the wall, a stack of books, and a few scattered clothes. The light in the room was dim, with only the soft glow of a desk lamp illuminating his face.
Joon looked directly into the camera, his expression a mix of arrogance and insincerity. He flashed a smirk before speaking.
"I wanna apologize," Joon said, his tone lacking any real emotion.