A Hard Conversation in the Gym
The rhythmic thud of punches hitting the heavy bag echoed through the gym. Haneul-i was in the middle of an intense training session, his breath steady and his movements sharp. He enjoyed the challenge of boxing—the way it pushed his body and mind to new limits.
Coach Kang watched from the side, his arms crossed. After a few moments, he approached Haneul-i, his expression thoughtful.
"Haneul-i," the coach said, his tone unusually serious.
Haneul-i stopped mid-punch and turned, wiping sweat from his brow. "Yes, Coach?"
"I need to talk to you," Kang said, motioning for him to sit down.
The Coach's Concern
As they sat on the bench, Coach Kang leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "Why did you start boxing?" he asked.
Haneul-i tilted his head, confused by the question. "Because… it looked fun," he replied honestly.
The coach sighed, nodding as if he had expected the answer. "That's what I thought," he said quietly.
"What's wrong with that?" Haneul-i asked, his brow furrowing.
"There's nothing wrong with having fun," Kang said. "But boxing isn't just a sport—it's a calling. It requires passion, commitment, and a love that goes beyond the ring. And I don't think you have that."
Haneul-i opened his mouth to protest, but the coach raised a hand to stop him. "Don't get me wrong. You're one of the most talented fighters I've ever seen. But talent without passion… it's not enough. And I don't like forcing kids to do something their heart isn't in."
Realization
Haneul-i sat in silence, the coach's words sinking in. He thought back to why he had started boxing in the first place. It had been exciting and new, a way to challenge himself. But as much as he enjoyed it, he realized he didn't feel the deep connection to the sport that Coach Kang was talking about.
"You're right," Haneul-i said finally, his voice calm. "I don't love boxing like that. It's been fun, but… you're right."
The coach smiled, clapping him on the back. "You're a good kid, Haneul-i. And you've got a bright future, whatever you choose to do. I'm glad you gave boxing a shot."
Quitting with Gratitude
That evening, Haneul-i packed up his gloves and gear, leaving them at the gym as a quiet farewell. He didn't feel sad about quitting—instead, he felt grateful for the experience.
"I learned something new," he thought, smiling to himself. "And that's enough."
Helping Ji-eun
The next morning, as Haneul-i was helping the villagers with their chores, he received a call from Ji-eun.
"Haneul-i, can you help me?" she asked, her voice tinged with panic. "My car broke down, and I'm stranded near the next town."
"I'll be there soon," he said, grabbing the bike the villagers had gifted him.
Riding through the scenic countryside, Haneul-i reached Ji-eun's car in less than an hour. She was standing by the roadside, looking relieved as he pulled up.
"Thank you so much," Ji-eun said, smiling. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
"It's no problem," Haneul-i replied. "Hop on. I'll take you back to the village."
A Sibling-Like Bond
As they rode back, Ji-eun chatted about her latest designs and the challenges she faced balancing her work in Seoul and her life in the village. Haneul-i listened patiently, occasionally teasing her about how frazzled she sounded.
"You're like my annoying little brother," Ji-eun said with a laugh as they stopped at a convenience store along the way.
"And you're like my bossy older sister," Haneul-i retorted, smirking.
They bought ice cream and sat outside the store, enjoying the warm sun and the simple pleasure of their sibling-like bond.
Returning to the Village
By the time they returned to Joam-ri, the sun was beginning to set. Ji-eun insisted on cooking dinner for him as thanks, and the two shared a hearty meal with the rest of the villagers.
As night fell, Haneul-i stretched out on the floor of his small home, feeling content. Ji-eun's laughter echoed in his mind, and he smiled, grateful for the simplicity of his life in Joam-ri.
For Haneul-i, the day was a reminder that life didn't have to be extraordinary to be meaningful. It was the small moments—helping a friend, sharing a laugh, and enjoying a quiet meal—that made it all worthwhile.
The Trip to Seoul
The day began like any other for Haneul-i. The villagers had asked him to head to Seoul for spare tractor parts, and since Soo-jin, one of the village's brightest, was finishing her term at Korea University, he'd also be bringing her back to Joam-ri.
"It's just a simple trip," he told himself as he set off on his bike, the early morning breeze cool against his face. But little did he know, this trip would be anything but ordinary.
Meeting Soo-jin
After picking up the tractor parts, Haneul-i made his way to Korea University's Seoul Campus. The towering buildings and bustling students were a stark contrast to the quiet simplicity of Joam-ri.
He parked his bike near the gate and waited, scanning the crowd. That's when he saw her.
Soo-jin walked toward the gate, her hair shining in the sunlight, her smile radiant as she waved goodbye to her friends. Haneul-i felt as though the world had slowed down.
She's beautiful, he thought, his heart pounding in his chest.
When Soo-jin reached him, she tilted her head slightly, her soft voice breaking his trance. "Are you the one here to pick me up?" she asked in Korean, her tone smooth and kind.
Haneul-i froze, his mouth opening but no words coming out.
"Mister?" she added, a playful smile tugging at her lips.
"Y-yes!" he stammered, his voice cracking slightly. His cheeks flushed as he fumbled with his helmet, feeling more nervous than he had ever felt in the ring.
The Ride Back
Soo-jin climbed onto the bike gracefully, her presence sending a wave of warmth through Haneul-i. She turned to wave at her friends, her voice sweet as she said, "See you all later!"
Haneul-i gripped the handlebars tightly, his knuckles white as his heart pounded harder than ever. Get it together, he thought. But when she wrapped her arms around his waist, her touch light and gentle, his entire body tensed.
"Are you okay?" Soo-jin asked, her tone filled with concern.
"Y-yes! I'm fine!" he replied, stuttering as he struggled to keep his focus on the road.
To distract himself, he asked, "What's your major?"
"Medicine," she replied cheerfully. "I'm studying to become a surgeon."
Haneul-i blinked in surprise. "A surgeon? That's… incredible."
"Thank you," Soo-jin said, her voice filled with modesty.
After that, the ride fell into silence, but Haneul-i's mind was anything but quiet. Her laughter with her friends, the way she spoke, the warmth of her hug—it all played on repeat in his head.
Reaching the Village
When they finally arrived back in Joam-ri, the villagers greeted them warmly. Soo-jin dismounted, smiling and thanking him.
"Thank you for the ride, Haneul-i," she said, her voice soft and sincere.
Haneul-i nodded quickly, unable to look her in the eye. "Y-you're welcome," he mumbled before rushing off to his room, his heart racing.
A Realization
Once inside, Haneul-i sat on his bed, burying his face in his hands. His entire body felt hot, and his thoughts were a jumbled mess.
What's wrong with me? he thought, his heart still pounding. I've never felt like this before—not in the ring, not anywhere.
Then it hit him. The way his chest tightened when he saw her, how her voice made him feel weak, and the way his thoughts spiraled whenever she smiled.
I'm in love.
But then another thought struck him—a realization that made him groan in frustration. Soo-jin was staying in the village for three whole months.
"How am I supposed to survive this?" he muttered, falling back onto his bed. He stared at the ceiling, his mind filled with her laughter and smile.
For the first time in his life, Haneul-i felt completely out of his depth. And yet, despite the panic, he couldn't help but smile.
Soo-jin's Curiosity
Later that evening, after settling into her temporary room in the village, Soo-jin wandered out to join the villagers for their usual nightly gathering. The atmosphere was warm and lively, with laughter and the smell of freshly cooked food filling the air.
As she chatted with the village chief, her curiosity got the better of her. She glanced toward where Haneul-i had disappeared earlier and asked, "Chief, who is that guy? The one who picked me up?"
The chief chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "Ah, Haneul-i. He's truly a gift from the heavens, just like his name says."
Soo-jin tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
The chief gestured for her to sit down, leaning back as he began to explain.
The Story of Haneul-i
"Haneul-i came to us three months ago," the chief began. "He survived a terrible plane crash that happened near our village. We found him unconscious, with no memory of who he was or where he came from. He didn't even know his own name."
Soo-jin's eyes widened. "A plane crash? Is that how he got that scar on his face?"
The chief nodded solemnly. "Yes, that scar is from the crash. But ever since he recovered, he's been one of us. He learned Korean quickly, helped us with farming, and even trained at a boxing gym for a while."
"Boxing?" Soo-jin asked, intrigued.
"Yes," the chief said with a smile. "He trained for just four weeks and became the Rookie King. But after winning, he decided to quit. He told us he didn't have passion for the sport, and our village coach supported his decision. That's the kind of person Haneul-i is—he's honest with himself and always gives his best, no matter what."
Soo-jin listened intently, her admiration for Haneul-i growing with every word.
Part of the Family
The chief's expression softened as he continued. "He's like a son to us now. He doesn't remember where he came from, but that doesn't matter. Haneul-i is family, and he's always helping us—whether it's fixing tractors, harvesting crops, or just making us laugh. We're lucky to have him."
Soo-jin glanced toward the small house where Haneul-i had retreated earlier. The story of his resilience, humility, and kindness stirred something deep within her.
"He's really something, isn't he?" she said softly.
The chief nodded, his smile broad. "He truly is. You'll see for yourself in time, Soo-jin."
As the villagers continued their cheerful conversations, Soo-jin couldn't help but feel a growing curiosity—and perhaps something more—for the scarred yet gentle soul who had become Joam-ri's gift from the heavens.
_______________________________________