The sun rose lazily over the city of Hanseong, casting gentle rays onto the busy streets below. In a modest apartment on the fifth floor of an aging building, eighteen-year-old Joon Kim was about to embark on what he thought would be just another day in his ordinary life. He roused from sleep, the familiar sounds of the bustling city drifting through his window: the distant chatter of early commuters, the honking of taxis, and the distinct aroma of street food wafting up to his room.
Joon stretched, blinking the morning fog from his eyes. He glanced at the worn-out clock on his desk—7:00 AM. Just enough time for a quick breakfast before school, he thought. He padded into the small kitchen, where his mother was already preparing a simple meal. Her eyes sparkled when she saw him.
"Morning, Joon! I made your favorite—kimchi fried rice," she beamed, dishing a steaming portion onto a plate.
"Thanks, Mom," Joon replied, flashing a smile, appreciating her warmth amid the day's mundane routine.
As he munched on his breakfast, his thoughts wandered to the upcoming day—the final exams were just around the corner, and the pressure was mounting. He had always been an average student, putting in just enough effort to maintain decent grades and keep his parents proud. But a part of him yearned for something more, something beyond the confines of classrooms and unyielding routines.
After breakfast, he grabbed his backpack and headed out, the door creaking slightly as he opened it. Joon met his friends at their usual spot, a small café where they gathered before school. Soo-ah, the girl he had silently admired since childhood, was already there, flipping through a textbook. Her long, dark hair fell over her shoulders, and Joon felt a familiar flutter in his chest at the sight of her.
"Hey, Joon!" she called, waving him over with a bright smile. "Did you study for the math exam?"
"Kind of," he admitted, sliding into the seat across from her. "You?"
"Of course. You know me—I can't let you slack off." She laughed lightly, and the sound enveloped him like a warm embrace.
As they chatted, oblivious to the world around them, a group of their classmates entered the café. Among them was Hyun-soo, once a close friend of Joon, now someone who had become envious of Joon's unnoticed efforts to succeed. His laughter, brash and loud, turned Joon's head.
"Look, it's the genius of the class!" Hyun-soo quipped, smirking as he strolled past Joon's table. The words dripped with mockery, and laughter followed him like a shadow. Joon's cheeks flushed, an all-too-familiar embarrassment creeping in as he felt the heat of judgment from their peers.
"Ignore them," Soo-ah encouraged, noticing Joon's tightened expression. "They're just jealous."
"Yeah, maybe," Joon replied half-heartedly, though he couldn't shake off the feeling of inadequacy.
With the bell ringing, signaling the end of the break, he stood up, determined to prove himself in class, focused on his studies. But as the day wore on, Joon couldn't shake the words of Hyun-soo from his mind—genius. It stung, igniting a flicker of a dream long buried beneath layers of self-doubt and societal expectations.
That evening, Joon returned home to find his mother on the phone, her face pale and etched with worry. She hung up when she saw him and turned, her expression shifting from concern to shock.
"Joon, we need to talk," she said, taking a deep breath. "Your uncle has passed away."
At that moment, the dreams of the ordinary life slipped away, replaced by a whirlwind of emotions. Little did Joon know, his life was about to change drastically, setting him on a path filled with challenges, luxurious temptations, and unexpected trials.
As he processed the news, an unfamiliar thrill coursed through him—a burgeoning sense of potential in the wake of tragedy. The first chapter of his ordinary existence was drawing to a close, giving way to something extraordinary.
And thus, the journey of Joon Kim began.