Seoul Jungsang High School, an all-boys school in South Korea, is where the story begins. Among the students is a boy named Kim Yulhan, a second-year high school student. Yulhan is characterized by thick glasses, a rather thin body, and a pale face because he rarely plays outdoors. In addition, he was known as a quiet and shy boy. Every morning, Yulhan is taken to school by his mother, Jung Dahee, who also works as a math teacher at the school.
In his class, Yulhan was often the target of five bullies who liked to humiliate him in front of other friends. The five bullies were Han Minsik, Jung Taegyu, Choi Beomhwan, Seo Kangjoon, and Lee Yeojin. They were known for making noise and often taking advantage of other students' weaknesses.
That day, the classroom suddenly became quiet when their homeroom teacher, Teacher Park Jinwoo, walked into the classroom with a new student. Teacher Park introduced the student to the whole class. The new student was Baek Eunyeon, a boy with a cheerful appearance, full of mischievous smiles, and sharp eyes full of confidence. Eunyeon was known to be unpredictable. Despite his mischievous behavior, he was a very smart student and always managed to beat anyone in academics. His father was a renowned professor in Korea.
When Eunyeon stood in front of the class, almost all the students looked at his sharply, including the five bullies who considered his a new threat. Meanwhile, Yulhan who was sitting in the back corner only took a quick glance at Eunyeon and quickly lowered his head, hoping not to attract anyone's attention.
Eunyeon walked confidently to the empty bench in the middle row. His mischievous smile made some students whisper, as if trying to guess what the new kid was like. Teacher Park Jinwoo instructed all the students to treat Eunyeon well, but the atmosphere of the class remained tense. After the teacher left the room, the sound of whispering began to fade, replaced by the piercing gazes of the five notorious bullies in the class.
"Hey, Baek Eunyeon, right?" said Minsik, the leader of the bully group, with a grin. He approached Eunyeon's desk with his gang. "You look too relaxed for your first day. Do you know who's in charge here?" His tone was full of mockery.
Eunyeon raised his head, looking at them with a casual gaze. "I know who wants to look powerful," he replied coldly. "But that doesn't matter. I'm just here to learn." His words sounded innocent, but there was something in his tone that made Minsik uncomfortable.
In the corner of the classroom, Yulhan watched the situation with mixed feelings. He knew how it felt to be the target of Minsik's gang. Whenever there was a new student, they would test their mettle by intimidating their victims. But Eunyeon seemed to be different. he didn't look scared at all.
"Studying?" Taegyu, one of the bullies, laughed loudly. "You think you're smarter than us? Or are you just a smart ass?"
Eunyeon remained calm, then took out a notebook from his bag. "I don't need to be a smartass," he said with a faint smile. "I am indeed smart. If you want to prove it, I'm ready anytime." The challenge sounded light, but full of confidence.
The class was immediately boisterous. All the students started whispering, talking about Eunyeon's bravery. Even the five bullies seemed surprised by his response. But Minsik wasn't going to let himself look defeated. "Well, if you're really smart, we'll see, New Kid. Don't be too confident."
Meanwhile, Yulhan could only look down deeper, hoping the conversation would end soon. He didn't want to get involved in any fuss, especially with Eunyeon, who seemed to carry an aura of danger.
However, everything changed when the school dismissal bell rang. In the school parking lot, Yulhan saw something he never imagined. The five bullies surrounded Eunyeon in a corner of the parking lot, trying to scare him. But before they could do anything, Eunyeon had moved first. Within seconds, he grabbed Minsik's hand that was about to pull his collar and folded it back with what appeared to be a highly practiced technique.
"I don't like violence," Eunyeon said, still with a faint smile. "But if you want to try me, I don't mind giving you a lesson." His gaze turned sharp, causing Minsik and his gang to back away slowly.
In another corner, Yulhan peered over the wall. For the first time, he felt that there was someone who might be able to fight Minsik's gang. But, did this mean he should approach Eunyeon? He was still hesitant, but something inside him told him that this new kid would change his life.
The next day, the atmosphere of the class was different. All the students were still talking about the incident in the parking lot yesterday, and their attention was drawn to Eunyeon who looked relaxed sitting at his desk. Some students even began to notice something unusual about this new kid. Although he seemed cheerful and always smiling, there was a tension in him every movement, as if he was always ready to face something bigger.
That morning, math class started with Teacher Jung Dahee, Yulhan's mother, entering the classroom. "Today we're going to work on the board problems," she said with a smile. "Who's ready?"
The class immediately fell silent. Yulhan, sitting in the back row, looked down and tried to work the problems in his book. He knew that math was one of the most difficult subjects for him, especially with his mother always watching him in front of the class.
However, what was more surprising was Eunyeon. The child was already sitting at his desk, eyes fixed on the drawing book he was carrying. It seemed like she wasn't focused on math at all. he drew casually, as if he didn't care about the material being taught.
Teacher Dahee began to select students one by one to come up to the board. When Eunyeon's turn came, the whole class fell silent. Everyone wanted to see if he could answer the questions in the same way as yesterday-with courage and poise. Eunyeon only looked at the board for a moment, then raised his hand casually.
"Okay, Eunyeon," Mrs. Yulhan said, "try to solve this problem."
Eunyeon walked to the front of the board, leaving his book open with the strange drawings. Some of the students began to think that Eunyeon would definitely have a hard time, since he obviously hadn't been following the lesson from the start. However, once Eunyeon wrote the formula on the board, everything changed.
Quickly and accurately, he solved the math problems that looked very complicated. There was not the slightest hesitation in his hands, like someone who had mastered every step. When he was done, he looked back at the class with a faint smile on his face.
"Here's the answer," Eunyeon said casually, as if he had just drawn a work of art.
The whole class was silent for a moment. They couldn't believe what had just happened. Even Mrs. Yulhan, who usually taught with firmness, looked surprised. "Eunyeon... You did it so quickly and precisely. Where did you learn that much math?"
Eunyeon looked back, looking at Yulhan for a moment before answering. "Oh, I learned from experience," he replied in a light tone, then returned to his seat.
Yulhan, who was sitting in the back row, felt something strange about this new kid. Eunyeon was not only smart in academics, but also had an unexpected attitude. When he saw Eunyeon drawing again at the table, Yulhan began to feel that there was something interesting behind the child's relaxed attitude.
The five bullies sitting in front, meanwhile, looked dumbfounded and began to feel threatened. Those who usually felt superior over anyone they considered weak, now felt that there was someone who could defeat them easily-and that made them uncomfortable.
However, even though Eunyeon had proven his ability, the atmosphere of the class was still tense. That day, Eunyeon not only won the math problem, but also proved that he could not be underestimated.
When break time came, the classroom was filled with the hustle and bustle of students going out to buy food or just take a short break. However, Yulhan didn't go straight out as usual. He felt moved to approach Eunyeon, who was still sitting at his desk while continuing to draw casually, as if unaffected by the surrounding crowd.
Yulhan stood hesitantly near Eunyeon's desk, looking at the new kid who was so calm despite having just beaten all the students in a math problem. After a while, Yulhan gathered his courage to ask.
"Eunyeon," he called in a low voice, "You... why can you answer those problems so easily? I've studied hard, even from childhood I've always tried to be the best in class, but still you're faster and more precise."
Eunyeon raised his head and smiled slightly, still with a relaxed expression. "You're too hard on yourself, Yulhan," he replied. "I don't actually study at school. That's all I learned at home."
Yulhan listened attentively. "At home? So you don't study in class like us?" asked Yulhan, confused. "I know you're smart, but being able to beat everyone in the class in an instant, that's not unusual."
Eunyeon put down his pencil and looked at Yulhan with understanding eyes. "My father is a professor, he always taught me to look for new things, to not just rely on what was taught in school. From a young age, I was taught to think for myself and find solutions to problems. Sometimes, the lessons at school are too slow for me, so I study more at home, read books, or try challenging things."
Yulhan was silent for a moment. He felt a little envious, but also amazed at the way Eunyeon thought. "That's... amazing," he said slowly. "I always felt like I had to study hard at school, always obey what was taught. But I felt like something was missing. I never thought about finding new things or learning in a different way."
Eunyeon smiled again, this time a wider smile. "Learning is not just about what is taught, Yulhan. It's about how we see the world and how we can find solutions to challenges. My father always said, 'Don't just be a pursuer of grades, but be a pursuer of knowledge.' I just follow that."
Yulhan felt Eunyeon's words go deep into his mind. For the first time, he felt that there was another way to learn, something freer and more interesting than just following the system. He began to think about trying Eunyeon's way-to rely less on school lessons, but more on the desire to seek and discover new things.
Just then, the five bullies who usually bothered Yulhan and the other students, peeked out from a distance. They watched the conversation between Yulhan and Eunyeon curiously. Minsik, who had always been the smartest in class, looked unhappy. "Are they talking about the lesson? Or is there something more?" he muttered to Taegyu, who nodded while looking suspiciously at Eunyeon.
However, Eunyeon didn't care about their looks. For him, the important thing was to share knowledge, and that was what he was doing with Yulhan. he had decided to not only focus on academics, but also on bigger things-something that could change the way others thought. And Yulhan seemed to be the first person to begin to understand that.
With a new sense of hope and curiosity, Yulhan left Eunyeon's desk, thinking to start applying what he had just learned.
After school ended, Yulhan walked home with a mind that couldn't stop spinning. On the way home, the streets that he used to walk through quietly now felt different. Eunyeon, the new kid, made Yulhan think about the way he learned and saw the world. All this time, Yulhan had always felt that he had to work hard in school, follow every instruction, and pursue the best grades. But Eunyeon... Eunyeon was not like that. he learned in a different way-more freely and curiously.
Arriving home, Yulhan went straight to his room. Upon opening the door, he was greeted by a familiar atmosphere-his study table full of books and notes. However, this time, the room felt more crowded. All the neatly arranged books and notes full of math formulas seemed to make no room for the new ideas he wanted to explore.
Yulhan sat at his study table, staring at the open math book in front of him. He remembered the conversation with Eunyeon earlier. "Don't just be a pursuer of grades, but be a pursuer of knowledge." Those words rang in his ears. He felt like there was a new path opening up, a livelier, more creative way of learning.
However, Yulhan also felt confused. How to start thinking like that? How to discover new things that were more interesting than just following the lessons? With mixed feelings, he decided to try to find the answer, even though he knew it wouldn't be easy.
On the other hand, Eunyeon returned home with light steps. Once home, he immediately stepped into his father's study. The room was filled with thick books, research journals, and a blackboard full of sophisticated theories. His father, Professor Baek, was sitting at his desk, reading a book.
"Eune, are you home?" asked Professor Baek without turning around, his voice full of concern.
Eunyeon smiled and sat next to his father. "Yes, Father. I learned a lot of new things today. Oh, and I met a new classmate, Yulhan. he's smart, but he feels stuck in the same way of studying all the time."
Professor Baek raised his eyebrows. "Yulhan? The kid whose mother took him to be a math teacher?"
Eunyeon nodded. "Yes. He's like... someone who always tries hard to keep up with the lessons, but I feel like he's missing something. I want to help him see the world in a different way."
Professor Baek smiled and put down his book. "Very good, Eune. Remember, education is not just about filling your head with information, but also about opening your mind and heart to new things. Help him to find his own way of learning, just like we taught you."
Eunyeon nodded, then stood up and walked to his desk. he picked up some books and started writing in his small notebook. An idea began to develop in his mind. Maybe Yulhan would be a good study buddy. But, for that, he had to show him a different way-a freer way that combined knowledge, creativity, and curiosity.
That night, as Yulhan sat in his room, he decided to try a different way of studying. He opened books he hadn't touched in a long time, books on topics broader than school subjects, and began jotting down ideas that came to mind. Maybe Eunyeon was right. Maybe there was a more fun way to learn, one that wasn't limited to classrooms and math formulas.
Meanwhile, Eunyeon, who was also in the room, was writing in his notebook, trying to come up with a plan to help Yulhan. he knew that it was not easy to change someone's way of thinking, especially if that person was used to a very structured mindset. However, Eunyeon was confident that, with a little help and encouragement, Yulhan could find his own way of learning-a way that was more in line with his way of thinking.
That night, the two children-though they were in two different places-were thinking about the same thing: how they could learn in a freer and more meaningful way, instead of just going with the flow.