The Aftermath of the Crash
When the plane crashed in Joam-ri, the villagers acted quickly to rescue the survivor. Haneul-i, as they would later call him, was found unconscious but alive amidst the wreckage. His body was battered, and his face bore the fresh scar that would later become his defining feature.
The villagers contacted local authorities, who arrived to investigate the crash and collect evidence. Among the debris, they recovered a blood sample from Haneul-i to identify him. However, when they ran the sample against databases in South Korea and internationally, the results were inconclusive.
The DNA Test and the Mix-Up
What the authorities didn't realize was that Haneul-i's blood sample was contaminated with traces of the pilot's blood, likely from the crash's violent impact. The mixed DNA led to a false conclusion:
"The individual does not match any existing profiles in China or elsewhere," one investigator reported.
Without a clear identity, and with no memory of who he was, the authorities followed protocol. They filed the crash survivor as an unidentified individual and began the process of granting him a new identity under South Korean citizenship laws.
Becoming Haneul-i Naelin Seonmul
The villagers, who had cared for him since the crash, were asked to provide input for his new identity. They affectionately named him Haneul-i Naelin Seonmul—"gift from the heavens."
The local registrar formalized the name, granting him an official South Korean ID. The villagers celebrated his inclusion in their community, embracing him as one of their own.
Unaware of the Truth
For Haneul-i, the process of becoming a South Korean citizen was a blur. Still recovering from the crash and grappling with his memory loss, he trusted the villagers and authorities to guide him.
"Your name suits you," one villager told him as they handed him his new ID. "You truly are a gift to us."
Haneul-i smiled, the name feeling oddly comforting. He didn't question the process—after all, he had no recollection of another life.
Back in China: The DNA Discrepancy
In China, the DNA results reached Jian Yong and the authorities leading the search. The findings were a devastating blow.
"We ran the test multiple times," the lead investigator said during a meeting with Jian Yong. "There's no match for your son's DNA in our database. This… suggests he's not in China—or worse."
Jian Yong was distraught. "That's impossible," he said, his voice breaking. "There must be a mistake. Run it again!"
But the results were always the same, a cruel twist of fate caused by the contamination.
With no other leads, the search was officially called off, and Jian Chen was presumed dead. The badminton world mourned its rising star, unaware that he was alive and living under a new identity in a small South Korean village.
Haneul-i's New Life
As Haneul-i settled into his new life, he embraced his identity wholeheartedly. The villagers became his family, and his days were filled with simple joys—working in the fields, training at the boxing gym, and connecting with the community.
He had no memory of his past as Jian Chen, the badminton prodigy, and no way of knowing how close he had come to being reunited with his former life. For now, he was content, living as Haneul-i, the boy who fell from the sky.
The Joam-ri Area Competition
The annual Regional Village Competition was an event cherished by the rural communities surrounding Joam-ri. It was a day of camaraderie and friendly rivalry, featuring contests in sports, farming, and intellect. Each village brought its best participants to compete, showcasing their skills and pride.
Haneul-i's village had been preparing for weeks, each member of the community contributing to their collective effort. When it came time to select participants, the villagers unanimously turned to Haneul-i for the sports and farming categories.
"You're the strongest and fastest among us," Minjae said, clapping Haneul-i on the back. "No one else stands a chance if you compete."
The Farming Competition
The farming competition was a grueling test of endurance, precision, and teamwork. It involved tasks like plowing fields, planting crops in neat rows, and even carrying heavy sacks of grain over a set distance.
Haneul-i, with his strength and agility, took the lead in most of the tasks. But the rival village teams were no pushovers, especially those with years of experience in farming.
"Keep going, Haneul-i!" one of the elders shouted as he lugged a sack of grain across the finish line.
By the end of the competition, Joam-ri narrowly edged out the other villages to take first place. The villagers erupted in cheers, patting Haneul-i on the back and praising his effort.
"That was tough," Haneul-i admitted, wiping sweat from his brow. "But worth it."
The Sports Competition
If the farming contest had been a struggle, the sports competition was the opposite—a breeze for Haneul-i.
100-Meter Dash: Despite the rival village boasting a track team runner, Haneul-i dominated. His speed was unmatched, and he crossed the finish line with a wide gap between him and the others.Vertical Jump: Haneul-i's explosive power left everyone speechless as he cleared heights that seemed impossible.Calisthenics: Whether it was push-ups, pull-ups, or agility drills, Haneul-i completed them all effortlessly, leaving the audience in awe.
By the end of the sports events, it was clear Joam-ri had secured first place, thanks largely to Haneul-i's superhuman performance.
"You're unbelievable!" Minjae said, laughing as they collected the medals. "It's like you were born to win."
The Intellect Competition
The final section of the day was the intellect competition—a series of quizzes and puzzles designed to test general knowledge and problem-solving skills. Joam-ri's team, however, struggled.
"This is a disaster," one of the participants whispered as they fumbled through a geography question.
The villagers lamented the absence of Soo-jin, a girl from their village who was studying at a prestigious university in Seoul. "If only she weren't so busy," one elder said.
By the end of the round, Joam-ri placed last in the intellect category, but the villagers didn't let it dampen their spirits.
"We still won farming and sports," someone said. "That's what matters!"
A Unique Request
As the celebrations died down, a young woman named Ji-eun approached Haneul-i with a nervous smile. She was a fashion design major from Joam-ri, known for her talent but also for her shyness.
"Ji-eun has something to ask you," one of the elders said, nudging her forward.
"W-Would you… Would you try on some of the clothes I designed?" Ji-eun stammered, holding up a neatly folded outfit. "I've been working on them for a long time, and I think you'd look perfect in them."
Haneul-i blinked in surprise but nodded. "Sure. Why not?"
The Village Fashion Show
With the villagers' encouragement, Ji-eun quickly set up a makeshift runway near the community center. Haneul-i was handed a series of outfits to try on, each more elaborate than the last.
The first was a simple, tailored shirt and trousers that emphasized his athletic build. The villagers clapped and cheered as he stepped out, looking awkward but striking.
"You're like a model from Seoul!" one of the elders shouted.
The second outfit was a bold fusion of modern and traditional Korean designs, with intricate embroidery and flowing fabric. Ji-eun beamed as she watched him walk.
"You're really good at this," she said, her cheeks pink.
"I'm just walking," Haneul-i replied, smiling lightly.
By the end of the impromptu fashion show, the entire village was laughing and applauding. Ji-eun couldn't stop grinning.
"Thank you, Haneul-i," she said as he handed back the last outfit. "This really means a lot to me."
"No problem," he replied, his tone genuine. "It was fun."
A Day to Remember
As the sun set over Joam-ri, the villagers gathered around a bonfire to celebrate their victories and enjoy the camaraderie. Haneul-i sat with Minjae and Ji-eun, the warmth of the fire and the laughter of his neighbors filling the air.
"You really are a gift to this village," Ji-eun said, her voice soft.
Haneul-i chuckled, looking out at the happy faces of the people around him. "Maybe. But I think this village has given me more than I could ever give back."
For Haneul-i, the day was a reminder of the life he had built in Joam-ri—a life full of simple joys, hard work, and the unwavering support of a community that had become his family.
Ji-eun's Instagram Post
A few days after the regional competition, Ji-eun sat in her small room, scrolling through the pictures she had taken during the village fashion show. Each image captured Haneul-i's striking appearance: his athletic build, his confident posture, and, most notably, the scar across his face that added an undeniable rugged charm.
"This could be something," Ji-eun murmured to herself. With a deep breath, she uploaded a series of photos to her Instagram account, captioning them:
"My designs brought to life by our local hero, Haneul-i! What do you think?"
The post gained traction almost immediately. Comments poured in, praising both Ji-eun's designs and Haneul-i's captivating look.
"Who is this guy? He's so handsome!"
"That scar makes him look so cool and mysterious!"
"These designs are amazing. Where can we buy them?"
Within days, the post had gone viral.
Recognition and Opportunities
The attention Ji-eun's post garnered led to unexpected opportunities for both her and Haneul-i.
Ji-eun's Big Break
A prominent fashion agency reached out to Ji-eun, praising her designs and inviting her for an interview in Seoul.
"This is it," she said excitedly to the villagers, clutching the email in her hands. "This is my chance to make it in the fashion world!"
The villagers cheered for her, proud of her achievement. Haneul-i, too, offered a small smile. "You deserve it," he said. "Your designs are incredible."
Haneul-i's Rising Fame
While Ji-eun's career was taking off, Haneul-i's image also began to attract attention. Observant fans noticed his face in the pictures and quickly connected him to the Rookie King Championship.
"This is the guy who won the Rookie King title in 10 seconds!" one comment read.
"Isn't he the one with that insane liver punch?!"
Before long, companies began reaching out, eager to feature Haneul-i in advertisements. Most of the offers came from clothing brands, drawn to his lean build and sharp features, but there were also inquiries from sports companies and even a local fitness brand.
A Proposal from Ji-eun
One evening, as the villagers gathered for their usual dinner, Ji-eun approached Haneul-i with a shy smile.
"I need to ask you something," she said, pulling him aside.
"What is it?" Haneul-i asked, his tone curious.
Ji-eun hesitated before holding up her phone. "A lot of these companies are interested in you. But… would you mind helping me out too? If I can show them more designs with you modeling, it might help me get more attention."
Haneul-i thought for a moment before nodding. "Sure. If it helps you, I'll do it."
The Second Fashion Shoot
Ji-eun organized another photoshoot, this time more professional. With the help of a few villagers, she set up a scenic backdrop in the fields and styled Haneul-i in her latest designs.
Haneul-i's natural confidence and striking features shone in every shot. Ji-eun couldn't help but marvel at how effortlessly he brought her clothes to life.
"These are perfect," she said, scrolling through the photos. "Thank you, Haneul-i."
A Growing Reputation
As Ji-eun's designs gained more attention and Haneul-i's face became more recognizable, their little village of Joam-ri suddenly found itself in the spotlight.
Reporters occasionally visited, hoping to learn more about the scarred young man who had taken the internet by storm. But Haneul-i, true to his nature, kept to himself, focusing on his training and his life in the village.
"I'm not interested in fame," he told Minjae one day. "But if it helps Ji-eun, I don't mind."
A Shared Journey
While Haneul-i remained grounded, Ji-eun's career began to take off. The fashion agency offered her a position as a junior designer, and her designs were featured in a small show in Seoul.
"You're the reason this happened," she told Haneul-i before leaving for the city.
"I just wore the clothes," he replied with a small smile. "The talent was all yours."
For Haneul-i, life in the village continued—simple, fulfilling, and quietly extraordinary.
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