Joo Won 주원 [Current Drama 2024 - The Midnight Studio/ 야한(夜限) 사진관]

green_cardigan · September 2, 2018

19 hours ago, kittyna said:

I do think JW has enough star power to at least have some say in what he does, and longtime fans will know that he's willing to fight for what he wants. So, for instance, I remember once someone posted a link to an article here that said that "Gaksital" and "Good Doctor" were both productions that JW wanted to sign on to, but that his agency wasn't entirely for at first. Considering that he wound up doing them anyway, my guess is that he won that round of negotiations

19 hours ago, kittyna said:

And JW has sometimes had some say over his female leads as well. Of course, he can't outright pick them - that would depend on what the casting director and said actresses and their agencies want as well - but he can and does sometimes request specific people he wants to work with. So I've heard that he requested Choi Kang Hee for "Level 7 Civil Servant" (and got really upset when he found out netizens were bashing her casting) and Shim Eun Kyung for "Nae Il's Cantabile".

I think Joowon really has the talent of choosing great dramas and people to work with. He doesn’t avoid taking risks, and as the result we sometimes get these amazing dramas like Gaksital and Good Doctor.

19 hours ago, kittyna said:

lol - I think you mean Kim Ah Joong. Kim Soo Hyun is a different actor (not even actress!) entirely

Now I’m embarrassed... thank you for correcting me Korean (or foreign) names are hard to recall, especially if you have a bad name memory like I do. I’m not a fan of Kim Ah Joong, but she’s adorable and a good actress, and I like her style very much.

This is the video I was looking for.

19 hours ago, kittyna said:

By the way, if this is a really recent sighting...I wonder how it was these three guys ended up meeting together. I'm not sure about Daesung, but I do know that Go Kyung Pyo, while doing his enlistment, is not in the White Skulls (i.e. not in JW's division). And besides, White Skulls is based in Cheorwon, not Daejeon.

*fingers crossed* Please let it be because of Army Fest, please let it be because of Army Fest, please let it be because of Army Fest....

(lol - you get the idea. I'm surprised we haven't yet heard news about the 2018 Ground Forces Festival, actually. Is there one happening at all? Is JW going to be making an appearance there? I mean, he did it last year, so maybe the ROKA wants to give the emcee spot to someone else, but with a number of celebrity soldiers, including Ji Chang Wook and Kang Ha Neul, signing on to the military musical recently, I think JW would have a decent chance at emceeing again, right? Right???)

Thanks for sharing this! I think many ROKA divisions are having holidays at this time, but it’s totally possible they met because they’re preparing for an event... can’t wait!

EDIT: I had to come back and add these here coz omg!

Spoiler

LEEEEGGGGSSSSS!! He’s strong...

...and beautiful! Thank you for these updates!

kittyna · September 2, 2018

10 hours ago, green_cardigan said:

EDIT: I had to come back and add these here coz omg!

You beat me to these pics, but I just may have one better

Because it's now circulating on Instagram that JW got another promotion to Sergeant!

Now, I'm not going to lie - when I first saw this post, I actually took it with a grain of salt. Because I'm not noticing anything particularly different in JW's insignia this time around from the last couple of events he did, and from charts like this one, three stripes means he's still a Corporal, and we'd know for sure he got promoted to Sergeant once he's got four of them:

But since this post did originate from JW's fans in Korea...perhaps they know something that I don't. Like, maybe the promotion's already happened, but he just hasn't gotten the new patch yet. Who knows?

But you know what? My confusion isn't all that important right now, and we've still got reason to celebrate. Promotion to Sergeant happens sooner or later during a Korean man's mandatory military enlistment anyway. So rather than this telling me that JW's been really strong in the military (although, if he has been promoted, he's gotten it sooner than in the default timeline, so that's saying something!), it's telling me that we're comfortably in the end stretch of his service.

Which, if you ask me, is also worth celebrating

11 hours ago, green_cardigan said:

I think Joowon really has the talent of choosing great dramas and people to work with. He doesn’t avoid taking risks, and as the result we sometimes get these amazing dramas like Gaksital and Good Doctor.

lol - It's funny, because I sometimes hear the opposite! I've seen some comments that JW's so focused on challenging himself as an actor that he'll even sign on to dramas where the rest of the script-writing or plot/character development isn't that great.

Which, to be honest, is a really subjective thing: what exactly constitutes a "good" script?

I mean, I've seen a number of people say that "Yong Pal" had a bad script, but I actually liked it. Yes, it does have this odd mood whiplash in the middle, when the story's focus shifts drastically from Kim Tae Hyun to Han Yeo Jin, but I was cool with that, because I saw it as something experimental and cross-genre (combining medical and business K-drama tropes), and I thought the whole "Is love enough when your partner is doing some really morally shady stuff?" question was really fascinating and intriguing. But I can also see how people who were first drawn to JW's performance would have been disappointed in the second half, when Tae Hyun shifts to a more behind-the-scenes role in the story. And, let's be honest: the whole "poison/liver cancer" subplot near the end was really freaking bizarre. But still, as a general whole, I thought "Yong Pal" had a really compelling story.

And now for some more pics!

Spoiler

I don't often see pictures that give JW as sharp a jawline as this one (From this Instagram slideshow: https://www.instagram.com/p/BmzT_ojA1zm/)

I know this is JW as Woo Ki Myung in "Fashion King", but am I the only one that's also getting a serious Park Si On vibe here? (From this Instagram slideshow: https://www.instagram.com/p/BatwUwjj7g4/?taken-by=wndnjs2510_seon)

This shot from "Nae Il's Cantabile" cracks me up. Like...just how many cans are in that cupboard???

This is cute: JW with various child actors he's worked with, including a few "mini-me"s (i.e. actors who played the childhood versions of his characters)

Last one for today: I'm just really liking the fun, casual vibe here.

kittyna · September 3, 2018

Just popping by quickly with a couple more goodies.

First of all: I've seen snippets of this video before on Instagram, but not the full thing on YouTube. And it's SO CUTE!!!

And secondly, speaking of "Good Doctor"....

The trailer for Season 2 of the American version is also now out on YouTube!

I know, I know - I've confessed that I only ever managed to watch the first episode of Season 1 What can I say? While I did like Shaun Murphy - this show's take on Park Si On's character - I wasn't a fan of some of the changes that had been made to other characters' storylines (Two residents having a quickie in their break room within the first few minutes? Seriously??? Even if the rest of the drama turned out great, that just turned me off right away.).

BUT! That doesn't mean I'm not still invested in this drama to at least some extent. If nothing else, I want to see it do well, even as it grows into its own story that's completely separate from the Korean drama. And getting award nominations and approval for a second season are notable achievements in the realm of American television, so there we go.

And by the way: as JW fans...please don't be disappointed by the fact that while the trailer for the first season was bombarded with "Check out the original version! The actor in that one was amazing!" comments, that doesn't seem to be happening this time around. Again, as I've stated already: besides the first episode, the American version of "Good Doctor" has its own unique storyline. It is not a remake in the most orthodox sense of the term. So by this point, the show has its own narrative, with its own fans.

kittyna · September 3, 2018

Just coming by with today's pics

Spoiler

Another military selca

Cute Chibi Fanart!!!

These shots from "Yong Pal" turned out really nicely

As did this one from "Gaksital"

I really like the lighting in this behind-the-scenes shot from "My Sassy Girl"

Fun times with his friends

This shot of JW with 2PM's Chansung (who co-starred with him on "Level 7 Civil Servant") is just too cute for words. I remember there was one moment on 1N2D when JW was filming inside the KBS building and he ran into Chansung by chance - cue full-on running hug So...maybe they are close in real life, too?

kittyna · September 4, 2018

Just felt like offering Preview #2 for my current "Good Doctor" fic!

A quick FYI, though: this segment does contain Korean profanity. I'm not going to translate it, since that would all be censored, but the word in question should be pretty recognizable as a rather common swear in K-dramas. And, if nothing else, I know it shows up quite liberally in shows like "Gaksital" or "Yong Pal"

Spoiler

“Seonsaengnim.”

Something about his tone makes me glance up at him in curiosity. “Eh?”

“I really, really do not like the patient’s mother-in-law.”

I shoot him a sympathetic look. “None of us do.”

“I mean it, Seonsaengnim,” Si On says, his voice growing in urgency. “Family members should always care for each other.”

I suck in a sharp breath through my teeth, my eyes darting nervously. “Well, actually, when it comes to in-laws…”

“Even though Lee Soo Jin-ssi is not that woman’s daughter,” he barks out over me, “Lee Soo Jin-ssi is still her son’s wife. That woman should still love the person her son loves. She should want her son’s wife to be happy, because she should want her son to be happy. And that baby is still her grandchild. A grandmother should love her grandchild, even if it is not born yet.

“This mother-in-law is not a real mother! She – she is like an evil stepmother. Like the one in Snow White. She is just being mean for no reason!”

The sudden vehemence in his tone makes me stop in my tracks. Si On goes on ahead of me for a little bit, but then he stops, too, when he sees I have not followed him.

“Ya…” I gasp, impressed. “Look at you: you’re getting really aggressive these days.” Realizing that he might take that as criticism, I quickly add, “It’s a good thing. You need to be more assertive and just tell people what you want.”

“Seonsaengnim,” Si On says at length, “I think I know – know why people curse now.”

Well, this is unexpected.

I sidle over beside him. “But didn’t you say that you don’t like to curse? And that you don’t like it when other people do?”

He shakes his head, lips pressing into a stubborn thin line. “Animida. I do not like to curse. But I do know how.”

That’s…not exactly what I was asking. But I’ll go with it.

“Jinjja?”

He looks me straight in the eye, then gives me a firm nod.

Park Si On…actually knowing how to curse? Well, this is something I’ve got to see!

Glancing around us to make sure no-one – especially no kids! – is listening, I give him a nudge in the side. “Show me.” When he doesn’t respond, I resort to grabbing him by the elbow. “Come on, Si On-ah. Just do it. Do it, do it, do it!”

I know how immature I’m sounding right now, but I don’t care. It’s been a long day, and thinking about Soo Jin’s mother-in-law makes me want to hit something. So if this is a more harmless way to vent, I’m taking it.

For a long moment, Park Si On doesn’t say anything. But I can see him taking in a deep breath, trying to build up the courage to do it.

“I hope you –”

He loses his nerve, his words trailing off. So, I try to help him along. “I hope you….”

Then, without warning, it all gushes out:

“I hope you stub your toe on the door, get foil in your mouth when you eat kimbap, and pop a pimple when scratching your head!”

Wait…what?

I shoot him a pointed look. “That’s it?”

“Ne.”

My eyes narrow incredulously. “That’s what you call a curse?”

Si On nods, looking down glumly at the floor as though his own words have gotten to him.

“Ya – a curse isn’t supposed to sound funny. If it ends up making the other person laugh, then that doesn’t count.”

“Seonsaengnim was not offended?” he asks. “That did not sound harsh?”

I burst out laughing, no longer able to stop myself. “Not a bit!”

[...]

“Cha-saeng, Park-saeng – what are you two doing here?”

I glance over my shoulder at Na In Hae, who is now standing in the doorway, even as Si On gives her a small bobbing nod. My mouth opens with what I hope would be a good answer, but he beats me to it.

“Seonsaengnim is trying to teach me how to curse. Seonsaengnim says that I need to talk more aggressively, or I would be a pushover.”

I whirl around to face him, eyes wide. “Ya, Park Si On!” I hiss. “Not in front of the kids!”

But then, to my surprise, In Hae claps her hands in glee.

“Jinjja?” she blurts out, now scurrying over towards us. Si On and I both scoot over to give her some space to sit down beside me. “I second that, Park-saeng,” she adds, shooting him a pointed look before redirecting her attention towards me. “So…what have you covered so far, Cha-saeng?”

Quickly, still unable to believe this is happening, I fill In Hae in on the details. Once I am done, she stares at Si On, her eyes growing wider and wider in interest.

“I can do one better, Park-saeng. Do you know ‘gae saekkie’?”

Si On nods. “Ne. I know that one.”

Now it’s In Hae’s turn to cross her arms in front of her chest. “Do you think you can say it?”

He mulls over it for a moment, then shakes his head. “Andwaemida. But I do not mind when other people say it.”

“Jeongmal?” I blurt out, my eyes widening in astonishment. “But didn’t you say that you don’t like it when others curse?”

“Ne.” Si On gives me a firm nod. “I do not like to curse. And I do not like to hear other people curse. But even if I do not like to hear other people curse, I can still prefer some words over others.”

In Hae’s eyes sparkle in mischief. “And ‘gae sakkie’ is one of them?”

“Ne. Because ‘gae saekkie,’ literally, means ‘dog’s offspring.’ So when somebody else calls me that, I can pretend that they mean something nice.”

With that single comment, any and all humour that I had been feeling thus far is sucked away, and it is like a cloud has fallen over the three of us. “Mwo?”

“When someone calls me ‘gae saekkie,’” Si On explains, “it hurts for a little while. But then I tell myself that they are saying I am like a puppy, and everything is okay.”

Well...that's one way to make yourself feel better when someone cusses you out.... *shrugs*

kittyna · September 4, 2018

And here I am with today's pics!

Spoiler

Sweet moments from miscellaneous dramas:

(This...pretty much just sums up Yoo Jin and Nae Il's entire home life in a single shot, doesn't it? )

(You'll have to click through the slideshow for the cutesy couple stuff)

Recording studio pic?

JW's airport fashion (or lack thereof, depending on what you expect from celebrities at the airport )

Such a cute reaction face from 1N2D

soomoi · September 5, 2018

On 9/4/2018 at 2:44 AM, kittyna said:

Cute Chibi Fanart!!!

Excellent artwork by the wonderful fans joowon.art

Those expressive eyes described cute Yongpal in 3 different modes: rogue, white knight, romeo.

On 9/4/2018 at 2:44 AM, kittyna said:

These shots from "Yong Pal" turned out really nicely

Again JW is playing magic that the more I stare into his pictures, the more I immerse into Taehyun's grief and hardship. Like this one, without too much nuances and emphasis - just by looking at Shi-On's back makes me feel pity for his life.

On 9/2/2018 at 3:37 PM, green_cardigan said:

On 9/2/2018 at 4:12 AM, kittyna said:

(lol - you get the idea. I'm surprised we haven't yet heard news about the 2018 Ground Forces Festival, actually. Is there one happening at all? Is JW going to be making an appearance there? I mean, he did it last year, so maybe the ROKA wants to give the emcee spot to someone else, but with a number of celebrity soldiers, including Ji Chang Wook and Kang Ha Neul, signing on to the military musical recently, I think JW would have a decent chance at emceeing again, right? Right???)

Thanks for sharing this! I think many ROKA divisions are having holidays at this time, but it’s totally possible they met because they’re preparing for an event... can’t wait!

Bingo! your guess is all correct! The caption speaks for us!

JW's hairstyle is so refreshing. Pretty surprises he can be so versatile in styling even in military

kittyna · September 5, 2018

7 hours ago, soomoi said:

Bingo! your guess is all correct! The caption speaks for us!

lol - I was just coming online to share that poster, and you beat me to it.

I'm so happy for JW right now. He's been doing all of these ROKA-run events and it's just awesome!

Personally, I think the part I'm looking forward to the most is the chance to see JW collaborating with Go Kyung Pyo again. What can I say? Save for having been a listener to BoA's stuff for years now, I'm not much of a K-pop person (most of the Korean stuff I listen to is Drama OSTs). So BigBang...really isn't registering for me right now. Like, I'm sure that's awesome for their fans - and I know there are many - but that's not what I'm most excited about right now.

But JW with GKP...that's a relationship I do feel something for: mostly because I thought the friendship between their characters in "Nae Il's Cantabile" was just adorable, but also because...aren't they also friends in real life? I seem to recall something like that, where GKP mentioned that if he were ever to guest on "Running Man", he'd like to have JW along as part of his team, but I don't know how close they are in actuality.

Anyways - either way, this is going to be a ton of fun once October rolls around Can't wait to see the pics that come out of this one.

And speaking of pics....

Spoiler

I love it when guys can look good in really basic and simple things like a plain white T-shirt. And JW just owns it!

lol - So cute! A bit childish, yes, but mostly just cute.

JW meeting with fans

Sleepy JW...

Really liking this close-up shot

kittyna · September 6, 2018

Here I am with today's pics! And, once again, it's Throwback Thursday!

Spoiler

Cute behind-the-scenes photos from "Good Doctor" (Thanks to Moon Chae Won's fans on Pinterest for this )

Promo still from "Level 7 Civil Servant"

Some cute expressions and moments from 1N2D

Loving this shot of Hwang Tae Hee

"Gaksital" Behind the Scenes - The look is Lee Kang To; but that face is totally Moon Jun Won

A nice black and white collage

The moment that started it all for me: JW's appearance on the 2010 Chuseok Special on KBS for "King of Baking, Kim Tak Gu". And I do mean "the moment" literally. It was when JW, in comparison to Kang Dong Won and TOP (note the label of "Kang Dong TOP" here), said that he was "more innocent" that I just fell for this guy - not just as an actor, but as a person.

Damn...I watched this show in January 2016, and look where I am now!

green_cardigan · September 7, 2018

Another poster! I’m so in love with Joowon’s hairstyle

On 9/5/2018 at 8:26 PM, kittyna said:

Personally, I think the part I'm looking forward to the most is the chance to see JW collaborating with Go Kyung Pyo again.

On 9/5/2018 at 8:26 PM, kittyna said:

JW with GKP...that's a relationship I do feel something for: mostly because I thought the friendship between their characters in "Nae Il's Cantabile" was just adorable, but also because...aren't they also friends in real life? I seem to recall something like that, where GKP mentioned that if he were ever to guest on "Running Man", he'd like to have JW along as part of his team, but I don't know how close they are in actuality.

Me too! I can’t wait to see their interactions @kittyna Do you know if they broadcast or live stream these festivals?

kittyna · September 7, 2018

3 hours ago, green_cardigan said:

Me too! I can’t wait to see their interactions @kittyna Do you know if they broadcast or live stream these festivals?

I'm not entirely sure. I wouldn't be surprised if it's broadcast on Korean television, but internationally...I mostly just rely on fan-taken photos and videos that crop up on Instagram or Pinterest

3 hours ago, green_cardigan said:

Another poster! I’m so in love with Joowon’s hairstyle

lol - I saw people commenting on JW's hairstyle in the earlier poster, too. I wonder what's going on, though - the White Skull Division is usually really stringent about maintaining uniform, and that includes a distinctive hairstyle that's different from the rest of the ROKA.

(Quoting from this allkpop article that was posted for G-Dragon's enlistment, also in White Skulls)

Quote

Known as the 'skull cut', military officials emphasize a unique haircut starting from 9mm at the top to 1mm on the side. If soldiers were to break this rule, they must stylize their hair again, even if they are days away from being discharged.

Basically, about as close to a full-on buzz-cut as you're ever going to get without actually doing it. It makes White Skulls soldiers like G-Dragon, JW and Ji Chang Wook instantly recognizable, even from other Korean soldiers. Yes, most soldiers do have it longer on top and nearly buzzed on the sides, too, but the actual portion left longer on top appears to be smaller compared to everyone else, and the overall contrast between short/long is more apparent.

So my question is: since when was JW allowed to change his style, and why? Any ideas? Because I actually have no clue whatsoever.

Anyway, time to get on to today's pics!

Spoiler

Speaking of the White Skulls' distinctive hairstyle, this slideshow offers a couple of good looks at it.

Love these black and white shots

Dreaming of Salzburg....

(LOVE this fan-edit for "Nae Il's Cantabile"!!!)

"My Sassy Girl" - Both in costume and not

What do you do when the prince you're babysitting starts crying???

I absolutely love how hands - especially the contact between them - says and does so much in "Nae Il's Cantabile". Holding hands does for Cha Yoo Jin and Seol Nae Il what hugs and kisses do for everyone else, and it's adorable.

kittyna · September 8, 2018

Just throwing this out there really quickly, because I don't know when the final answer will be revealed (and what's the fun in playing then?).

Quick! Where do you think JW is in this pic???

Going by things like height and build, the consensus on Instagram is that JW should be one of the taller guys: so either the one on the far left, or second from the right (the other one then being Go Kyung Pyo).

But again: WHICH ONE???

I'd love it if people who usually read my posts actually try their hand at this game. So...people like @green_cardigan or @soomoi or @valinor500 - please, don't be shy!

(I've got my guess, too, but I'm holding off on sharing it so I can see what you guys think first)

green_cardigan · September 8, 2018

3 hours ago, kittyna said:

Quick! Where do you think JW is in this pic???

3 hours ago, kittyna said:

Going by things like height and build, the consensus on Instagram is that JW should be one of the taller guys: so either the one on the far left, or second from the right (the other one then being Go Kyung Pyo).

But again: WHICH ONE???

Haha this is fun! My guess is that Joowon is the one on the far left. Because of that lean build and body language looking so familiar. I can be wrong though!

soomoi · September 8, 2018

1 hour ago, green_cardigan said:

Haha this is fun! My guess is that Joowon is the one on the far left. Because of that lean build and body language looking so familiar. I can be wrong though!

The left one because of the shape of the head

kittyna · September 8, 2018

12 hours ago, green_cardigan said:

Haha this is fun! My guess is that Joowon is the one on the far left. Because of that lean build and body language looking so familiar. I can be wrong though!

11 hours ago, soomoi said:

The left one because of the shape of the head

lol - My guess is the left, too, for the same reason that @soomoi said. Compared to Go Kyung Pyo (and a lot of other male Hallyu stars, to be honest), JW has this really distinctive heart-shaped face, in my opinion, where there's a really noticeable difference in the width of his face at the cheekbones and at the jawline.

Right now, the silhouette on the left has this feature, whereas the one closer to the right doesn't. So my guess is that JW's on the left.

And now for other pics!

Spoiler

Another cute piece of chibi fanart

These behind-the-scenes shots from "Yong Pal" are so cute!

Two completely different lighting styles in these two pics, but both look gorgeous.

Happy to meet the fans

Some behind-the-scenes shots from "Love Express". I always think it's hilarious that Korean actors wear these massively long and puffy coats when not on camera. I know it's for warmth (since "winter fashion" on film is never true to real life temperatures ), but no matter how tall the actor is, those coats are still disproportionately large.

kittyna · September 9, 2018

Just popping by with today's pics!

Spoiler

A behind-the-scenes moment from "Good Doctor" I haven't seen before. I'm not sure, but it looks like JW's holding a camera - since I do know he likes to take behind-the-scenes photos of himself and his co-stars - and Moon Chae Won's looking at whatever picture he took.

(Thanks to Moon Chae Won's fans for sharing this on Pinterest)

And another adorable one from "Yong Pal"

007 JW

So JW's a hamster now???

A simple but heartfelt thumbs-up

The (almost-)always serious Cha Yoo Jin

I wonder who he's making this face at, and why

Gu Ma Jun and a rather awesome-looking vintage phone

valinor500 · September 9, 2018

@Kittyna many hugs to you!

I write here only sometimes because my english is meh (i'm Italian), but i love to read all your post, you're an angel!

I love Joo Won and all my Soompi friends in this tread!

kittyna · September 10, 2018

17 hours ago, valinor500 said:

@Kittyna many hugs to you!

I write here only sometimes because my english is meh (i'm Italian), but i love to read all your post, you're an angel!

I love Joo Won and all my Soompi friends in this tread!

Thanks for the kind words!

You do what's comfortable for you, but just know that you're always welcome to share here if you want. I'm sure most people in this forum speak/write English as a second (or third, or fourth, etc.) language, and will generally be forgiving of any efforts, "meh" or otherwise. Growing up in and living in Canada as a native English speaker makes me the odd one out here, I think

And by the way, my knowledge of Italian is pretty much non-existent: maybe some food-related or music-related terms, but that's about it. So you've got one up on me in that respect. So, I'll just say it in advance: if I end up having to use Italian in my "Seolleim in Salzburg" series, and it'll likely happen sooner or later since I want to make a nod to opera/vocal music in the near future, please forgive me for any mistakes then.

Anyway, I'm doing the pics a bit earlier than usual today, because the fic that I've been working on is now more-or-less ready, and I want to have a chance to post that later today. So stay tuned for that!

Spoiler

A collage of kiss scenes, plus one almost-kiss (Don't worry, Nae Il-ah - in my fics, you get your kiss eventually!)

Such adorable "Good Doctor" fanart!

I know that Choi Ro Woon wasn't JW's "mini-me" in "My Sassy Girl", but it's adorable that they still have matching smiles.

Autumn's hit with a vengeance where I am, where things just got a lot colder and rainier almost overnight. So I'm in a mood for looking at fall fashion now.

What's cuter than JW making finger hearts? JW making finger hearts shyly.

I'm liking this screenshot from "Nae Il's Cantabile"

kittyna · September 10, 2018

And now it's time for the new fic!

Spoiler

Title: Life Lessons

Drama: "Good Doctor"

Characters: Park Si On, Cha Yoon Seo

Premise: Ever since they first met, Cha Yoon Seo has taken it upon herself to try to teach Park Si On the skills that she thinks are necessary to get around in society. However, every single time she does, she ends up learning something new from Si On as well.

Warnings: Some Korean profanity, a passing mention of past child abuse

Note: This fic jumps through different points in the drama, most notably Episodes 7, 10/11, and 16. So for those who haven't watched, there will be some spoilers here.

Note on Language: Although the characters speak Korean, and I can reasonably expect some knowledge of common words and phrases from you guys (given we are in a Hallyu fandom forum), I do want to say a few things about how the language works in this story in particular.

In short: Park Si On's super-formal way of speaking means that I am using forms of common words and phrases that may be unfamiliar for some people. Most of us know the general distinction between jeondaemal (formal/polite language) and banmal (informal/casual language) in Korean. We tend to associate jeondaemal with the "-yo" suffix, and the banmal with the absence of a suffix; so, for instance, "gwenchanayo" (jeondaemal) vs. "gwenchana" (banmal); "aniyo" (jeondaemal) vs. "ani" (banmal), etc.

But the reality in Korean is a bit more complicated than that: there is at least one level that is even more formal than that, and that is the one that Park Si On uses for the most part. Instead of the "-yo" suffix, it's "-imnida" - which, yes, turns all of these words into quite the mouthful.

Transferring that same degree of formality into English, though, was a bit harder. While English does have a distinction between formal and informal language, it's definitely nowhere near as clear-cut as it is in Korean! So, for the purposes of these stories, I'm doing it by resorting to a trick other authors have used to make characters sound more "polite" or "proper": not using any contractions at all (e.g. saying "I do not want that" instead of "I don't want that"). It probably ends up sounding even more stilted than Park Si On's formal speech would in Korean, but it's the best that I can do.

Also, I do want to point out very quickly that I do not translate any Korean profanity that shows up in this fic. This is because Soompi censors out swearwords automatically (and rightly so, as far as I'm concerned), so it's not going to show up right in the text if I did. Most should be fairly straightforward based off of context, but if you're at all confused...Google is your best friend

Finally, since I do label each of the "life lessons" with a number...please don't read too much into it. I just chose those numbers randomly, only remembering to keep them in ascending order.

Once again, please do not upload parts of this fic to any other website without my permission. If you want to share, just post a link to this page. Thanks!

Spoiler

Life Lessons

Lesson No. 15: How to Drink

Today…has just been crap. Total, complete crap.

It started off well enough, I suppose. Just like any other day at the hospital. But then there had been that whole fiasco with Eun Ok, and the door that should have been locked but wasn’t, and Park Si On getting in trouble for that, and –

Aish.

You know what? It was just crap.

And the worst part of it is – the most stupid part of it is – that I hadn’t said anything when I’d still had the chance.

Park Si On had asked me about it, of course. He’d asked me right to my face: “Does Seonsaengnim think I am lying, too? Does Seonsaengnim not believe me, too?”

And I, idiot that I was, had only told him to go back to our common room and wait.

What sort of an answer is that? Granted, I didn’t know that things would turn out that bad: that the parents would file a complaint and that Park Si On would be asked to leave. But still. What does that matter? Point is: I had believed him, but I hadn’t said anything.

And now he’s not answering my calls, even though there’s nothing I want more than to apologize right now.

Serves me right. If he ignores me for the rest of my life, it’s probably no more than I deserve.

So right now, at this moment, I just want to call it a night. Go home, get into bed, and just pretend that nothing happened.

But even so, I can’t get that last image of Park Si On out of my mind: the way he had just walked away from the hospital – from me – without even a single backward glance. Other people might think he’s either oblivious or stuck-up, but I know better. I’ve seen him at this before. I know that when he does that, it’s because he’s withdrawn into himself: choosing to focus on the single task at hand – in this case, getting home – without any interference from external stimuli.

So now, as I finally manage to drag myself back to our building, I can’t help glancing over at his unit on the first floor.

Wait.

That’s strange.

The lights are off, and the curtains are already drawn.

Has he gone to bed already? Or worse – has he just up and left?

I need to know for sure, but I still end up hesitating once I am right outside of the door, one finger hovering over the doorbell.

Should I do it?

I don’t mind the possibility of waking Si On up if he’s already asleep. But I am worried that he’d just ignore me like he did all afternoon.

Well, then, it looks like there’s only one way left.

Quickly, before I could lose my nerve, I punch in my old passcode, knowing that Si On’s never bothered to change it. Then, as soon as I hear the chime that signals that the door is unlocked, I turn the latch and step inside.

The light in the foyer, which is motion-activated, turns on immediately, but I still flick on the light switch for the apartment’s main room with one hand as I take off my shoes and step up onto the landing.

And that’s how I spot Si On almost right away. He’s sitting slumped over on the floor beside his bed; and right now, most likely because of the light and the noise that I’ve been making, he’s turned his head to look up at me, blinking slowly in curiosity.

Si On scrambles to his feet as I step closer to him, but he doesn’t say anything. Instead, his hands folded together in front of his lap, he glances down at the floor, still blinking in that way he does when he’s lost for words.

Looks like I’ll have to start, then.

“Are you wondering why I came in without ringing the doorbell first?”

His eyes flicker up to meet mine for a split second before he looks down at the floor again. And although I can’t actually see him doing it, I can almost feel him giving me a slight nod.

“You weren’t answering my calls,” I explain, my voice coming out so curt and petty that I cringe inwardly at the sound of it. “So I figured you wouldn’t open the door even if I rang.”

Si On still doesn’t say anything, but the dejected look on his face gives me an idea.

I was hoping for a chance to talk things over with him. And if both of us are feeling crappy right now anyway….

I give him a firm look as I turn to leave. “Come with me.”

“Wh- where are we going, Seonsaengnim?”

Hearing Si On’s voice behind me, I let out a sigh of relief. Finally, he’s actually responding to me.

I turn back around to face him. “To the Library.”

His eyes narrow and he gives me a nearly undetectable shake of the head. “I do not want to study right now.”

“Ara, ara,” I say, closing the gap between us and holding out one hand towards him. “Of course you don’t need to study anymore; you’ve probably read more books and journals already than I ever will in my lifetime.” I give him what I hope is a reassuring smile. “But seriously: just trust me, arasseo? This Library is different.”

“Seonsaengnim, what kind of a library –”

But I am already turning and heading for the door at this point, so Si On doesn’t bother to finish his sentence. Instead, I simply hear the soft echo of stockinged feet on hardwood as he scrambles to follow me out of the apartment.

Several minutes later, we have come to the Library: the bar close to the hospital that is a favourite hangout for all of us staff. I can see, as Si On and I make our way inside, that this is his first time here. Shuffling along a few steps behind me, he turns his head this way and that, craning his neck in his efforts to try to take in the entire bar at once.

As we make our way towards the counter and I nod a greeting to the man standing behind it, Si On finally can’t contain his curiosity any longer. “This – this is a library? But I do not see a single book.”

Beside us, the bartender lets out a bark of laughter, and even I have to turn my face away to hide mine.

“A new face, I see,” he drawls at me, his hands still occupied with wiping the glasses. “Who’s your friend?”

I turn towards Si On. “Go on – introduce yourself,” I prompt him. Waving one arm towards the other man, I add, “This guy here’s the owner; he’s known us residents and medical students for so long, he’s practically our uncle by now.”

“Ah.” Understanding flashes in his eyes as he turns and gives the bartender a formal bow. “Annyeonghasimnikka. My name is Park Si On.”

Recognition lights up on the other man’s face as well. He shoots me a surreptitious sideways glance. “He’s ‘that’ friend, isn’t he?”

I answer with a smile and a slight nod, gesturing with one hand for him not to say anything more.

“So, um….” The bartender, clearly unsure where to go on from here, stops, clears his throat, and tries again. “What will you two have, then?”

Scanning over the room, noting out of the corner of my eye that Si On is copying the gesture, I light upon an empty table in the centre. Jerking my head towards it, I answer, “Just a bottle of soju and your pick of the bar snacks for now. I’ll let you know if we want anything else.”

As we take our seats, I see once again that Si On is still peering curiously around us, trying to take everything in. And I don’t blame him. Maybe it’s because it’s so close to the hospital and most of the patrons are doctors like ourselves, but the Library is filled with bizarre and vaguely medicine-related paraphernalia: art prints showing X-ray skeletons eating and drinking on the walls; microscopes and plastic anatomical models on the shelves; even some fake IV-drips that are actually meant for serving cocktails.

“So what do you think?” I ask after a moment’s pause.

Si On gives me the closest thing to a level look that he can manage. “It looks very, very interesting, Seonsaengnim. But I still do not see how this could be a library.” He glances towards one of the decorations. “I think Seonsaengnim means that this is a medical library, but –” he pauses and shakes his head at one of the prints on the wall “– but if that is the case, then this library is not a very good one. See? That picture over there is not even accurate.” His lips press into a thin line. “When someone is receiving a skeletal X-ray, even though the doctor does not ask for him to go into a full fast beforehand, he should still not be eating or drinking during the procedure. Especially alcohol.”

I can’t help it. The earnest seriousness on Si On’s face makes me burst out laughing, clapping my hands in amusement.

Startled, he glances back up at me. “Did – did I say something wrong, Seonsaengnim?”

“Ani,” I answer, waving my hand to reassure him. “It’s just…it’s just….” Forcing myself to calm down, I try again. “Ya, Park Si On. Two things,” I say, holding up the same number of fingers for emphasis. “One: those pictures are just art, not actual medical images, so don’t take them too seriously.” After making sure that he’s nodded at me and understands what I’m saying, I add, “And two: you see that neon sign over there?” Si On turns his head to follow my pointing finger with his gaze. “‘The Library’ is this bar’s name. So when I said that I was going to ‘The Library’, that’s what I meant. Not a literal library, but this place.”

“Ah.” He gives me yet another nod, just in time for the bartender to show up beside our table with our order: a bottle of soju accompanied with two chilled glasses and a pitcher of water, and two plates of assorted salty bar snacks. Si On then watches in wide-eyed blinking curiosity as I snatch up the soju and shake it vigorously before upending it and smacking it several times on the bottom.

The bottle opens with a satisfying crack. There’s some sort of catchy funky song playing in the background, and I start humming along with it as – etiquette be damned – I pour myself my first shot. Si On’s eyes follow my hands as I weave them together in my lap. “By the way – are you able to drink?”

I don’t know if there’s anything that forbids people with autism from drinking, hence why I haven’t offered Si On a shot yet. But something tells me that he’d know, even if just from reading up on the subject.

He shakes his head. “I never drank before.”

That makes me lean forward in curiosity. “Not even in university? Wouldn’t your sunbaes have offered you some?”

Maybe things are different for someone like him, but if no-one had even invited him along on a night out…that would just suck.

“They did offer.”

Thank goodness for that!

“But I did not drink it.” Pausing for a moment, as though trying to find the right words, he adds, “It is not that I cannot drink. I just really, really do not like the smell.”

Challenge accepted. Rearing back slightly, I tilt my head up so that I am now glancing down at him. “Well, if I were to offer you a drink…” I begin, my voice trailing off in what I hope is a suggestive manner, “would you accept?”

Si On mulls over it, and then nods. “If Seonsaengnim offers, then I will drink it.”

Well, that’s it, then. Nodding to myself in satisfaction, I pick up the bottle. Si On holds out his glass to me, carefully pinched between all his fingers on both hands, as I pour out a shot. Then, setting the bottle back down on the table, I take up my shot glass.

“Geonbae!”

I wait until Si On has cautiously clinked his glass against mine, then throw my head back to down the entire shot in one go. It goes down easily, with just enough of a burn to keep things interesting; I close my eyes and make a contented guttural sound deep in my throat.

Soon, though, curiosity comes over me once again. Has Si On managed to follow suit?

I crack my eyes open for a second, peering at him across the table. Then, at the sight of him, they fly open as a laugh bursts out from me.

“Ya!” I bark out as, making a disgusted face, he chases the shot down with an entire glass of water. “What’s all this? Did you just drink poison or something?”

From his perspective, he might just have, given the way that he’s still got that tight grimace on his face as, slowly, he lets himself swallow. It makes me wonder: does alcohol smell or taste differently to someone like him? Maybe it comes on stronger, or harsher? With sharpened senses like his, maybe that would be the case, but there’s no way I’d know for sure.

So instead of asking about that, I change the subject.

“I know you’ve just been fired, but don’t go back home just yet.”

Si On peers up at me and, just for a second, our eyes meet.

“Just stick around for this weekend, and then go.” I give him a nod for emphasis. “We can go out and eat something together first.”

Usually, Si On would answer me right away with either a nod or a shake of the head. But this time, he just peers down at the floor without saying anything.

“Are you still upset at me?” I ask after a moment’s awkward silence.

I see his head dip just the faintest bit downward. Was that a nod?

“Because you think I didn’t believe you?”

He looks back up at me, and his tone is strangely curt when he replies. “It is okay when people dislike me. But it is not okay…when people say that I am a liar.”

People like me?

I lean forward in my seat, folding my arms on the table between us. “I believe you,” I say firmly, hoping that he registers the earnest tone in my voice. “Mianhae – I should have said it earlier. But you’ve got to understand: sometimes life’s like that. You can’t please everyone; even if you’re honest, you’re never going to be able to earn everyone’s trust.”

Si On’s face sets into a stubborn frown. “That is too hard. I do not know anything about that.”

His reaction makes me think back to what Director Choi told me earlier today: that no matter how hard he tried, Si On could not make sense of anything that did not fit his black-and-white moral view of the world. Any sort of grey area…was simply too illogical for him.

And as of right now, I know that that’s made him the subject of abuse. The kids are better: they were scared of Si On at first, but I can see that they’ve started to warm up to him and some even ask for him in particular when I make my rounds. But it’s the parents that I’m worried about. The parents and Director Choi’s rivals in the hospital, for whom Si On is an easy scapegoat because of his autism.

Maybe Kim Do Han is right. Maybe it would be best for Si On to just…leave.

I know that he won’t like hearing this, but I’ve got to try anyway. Still, I can’t actually bring himself to look him in the eye when I start.

“Si On-ah.”

I don’t see when his eyes flicker up at me, but I can sense them all the same.

“When you go back home,” I continue, finally working up the nerve to look straight at him, “or start to look for a placement at a different hospital…maybe you should consider a different field. Something other than surgery.” Getting only a silent stare in response, I try to explain. “I know there are a lot of research positions out there. Lab work would be perfect for someone with talents like yours. Or there’s diagnostics, or radiology, or….”

Point is: something that won’t end up with him interacting with people in a way in which he could get hurt.

Si On shakes his head. “Animida. I have to become a surgeon.”

“If this is about saving lives,” I add, noting all the times he’s mentioned that very point, “you know you don’t have to be on the front lines to do it. Even behind the scenes, you can still help these kids –”

“Animida.”

I blink at him in surprise. It’s not often that Si On actually cuts me off.

“I want to see the children smiling. I want to be able to treat them with my own two hands.”

Why isn’t he getting it? Why can’t he see that I’m trying to help?

“Look,” I plead with him, my voice growing increasingly desperate, “if you go on like this – if you keep on insisting on training as a surgeon like this – you might lose any chance of becoming a doctor at all!”

Because for me, right now, it’s not even about whether or not he makes mistakes anymore. It’s about the fact that even when he doesn’t, people will say he will. And if Si On ends up offending someone rich enough or powerful enough to take things up to court, he could lose his license altogether.

I don’t know if he really doesn’t understand, though, or if he’s just being stubborn. Because he only gives me a firm shake of the head. “I will still do it. I will keep on trying. No matter what.”

Well, I can see that clearly enough. So, as much as I hate myself for doing it, I concede with a sigh. “Ne. Arata.”

The tension in the air is so thick that I could almost cut it with a knife, and both Si On and I end up staring at random objects on the table for a long moment. If it were up to him, we’d probably both stay that way all night, but I’m not like that. Sooner or later, the silence ends up grating on my nerves, and I just have to say something.

“Still,” I say, bouncing back upright in my seat, trying to put a more chipper tone in my voice than what I’m actually feeling, “there’s no reason not to celebrate. You’ve hit a milestone, after all: your first time drinking with a friend. So, you know what?” I sweep one arm to vaguely gesture to the entire bar around us. “You can drink everything that’s in here!”

Startled, Si On jerks his head up to look at me, eyes hilariously wide in terror. Turning his head to look at the wall behind the main counter with all of its bottles of booze, he looks back at me. “What? Everything?”

“All right, maybe not literally everything…” I concede, kicking myself internally for using the expression. “But seriously: you should learn to drink. Who knows? It’ll probably be good for your social skills.”

From the look that Si On gives me at that last bit, I know that he’s interested. That classic temptation of wanting to fit in with everyone else: somewhere deep inside, he’s got to feel it, maybe even more strongly than the average person.

Still, instead of agreeing right away, he glances hesitantly back down at the floor, so I move to reassure him. “Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.” I wave one hand dismissively in the air. “Drink all you want!” Patting myself on the chest with that same hand, I add, “I promise: I’ll get you home safely.”

It takes him a moment, but eventually, he answers me with a nod as he holds out his glass to me. Giving him my most disarming smile, I pour out a shot for him, then guide him through the steps of returning the favour. He holds the bottle cautiously, swallowing nervously as though afraid that he’d end up dropping it and splattering soju everywhere, but manages to pull it off without a hitch. Then, after we’ve clinked our glasses together in a toast, we down both shots simultaneously.

And that’s how it starts.

It doesn’t take me long to lose track of exactly how much time has passed, but I do know that we spend a good long while drinking and chatting together like old friends. Si On asks me about the kids. He lets out a huge sigh of relief and even manages to eke out a tiny smile when I tell him that they seem to genuinely miss him, with one little girl in particular having been overheard loudly and vehemently defending him to anyone – kids, parents, and doctors alike – who would listen. And that actually gets him to accidentally blab to me about how he had met up with Na In Hae earlier this afternoon, only realizing his mistake when I burst out laughing at how she had feigned illness to trick him into talking to her. Immediately, he cuts himself off, smacking himself on the head with his knuckles and moaning to himself about being “a big dummy”, before making me swear to secrecy: an offer I readily accept since, well, if Si On hadn’t had a problem with In Hae being outside of the hospital for a while, then why should I?

And while I am starting to get the impression that no, Park Si On does not know, in fact, whether alcohol has specific effects on those with autism, as we keep pouring ourselves one shot after another, I definitely notice a pattern. Si On, who relies on repetition to help him cope with any unfamiliar situation or environment, soon develops his own little ritual: downing his shot, chasing it with water, eating one of everything from the snacks set out for us, and then – finally! – holding out his glass for me to top up. As for me…I am far sloppier than he is: more than I’d care to admit. I just go for whatever it is I feel like – soju, water, food – with no particular logic behind it.

Maybe that’s why it happens, then. As Si On and I make our way through first one bottle, then two…I start to lose track of more than just the time. And at one point, after God-knows-how-many drinks, I feel myself opening my eyes – when had I even closed them before? – to find Si On crouching down on the ground beside my chair.

“Si On-ah…” I mutter down at him, staring at him with bleary eyes. “What’re you doing?”

“Get on, Seonsaengnim,” he says, his words surprisingly not slurred. “It is late. We have already drunk lots and lots. We – animida, Seonsaengnim – still has work tomorrow. So Seonsaengnim needs to go home now.”

I blink at him several times in confusion. The image of him in front of me sways and bobs; sometimes, it even breaks apart, turning into two overlapping Si Ons before fusing back again into one. “Mwo?”

Si On turns his head back towards me. Normally, he ends up blinking and then diverting his gaze elsewhere, but this time, he manages to stare right at me. “Bbali, Seonsaengnim,” he barks out, making me blink in surprise at the authority in his voice. “Bbali, bbali.”

Finally, it dawns on me just what he wants me to do. So, slowly, reaching out with one hand to steady myself on the table when I feel myself stumbling forwards as I stand up, I get out of my chair and lower myself down behind him.

Strange. I thought Park Si On didn’t like physical contact. Besides, I’m pretty damned sure that he hasn’t piggybacked anyone other than an incapacitated patient before.

Sure enough, our first attempt ends in disaster. Still not used to my weight on his back – and probably more than a bit tipsy himself – Si On stumbles the first time he tries to get up, making us both crash down onto the floor. As I burst out laughing, he rounds on me, eyes wide.

“Joesonghamnida! Gwenchansumnida, Seonsaengnim?”

Still laughing, I wave one hand dismissively in the air. “Gwenchana, Si On-ah. Let’s….” Reaching up and grabbing onto my chair for balance, I pull myself back upright. “Let’s just try that again.”

Our second attempt turns out better, and soon, I find myself higher up off the ground than I have been in a very, very long time. With the way that he tends to slouch over, as though trying to make himself as small as possible, Park Si On looks shorter than he actually is. But from up here, I imagine that were he to stand up completely straight, he’d honestly give Han Jin Wook a run for his money. The sudden jolt of being lifted up so high makes me head spin, and my hold around Si On’s neck instinctively tightens for a moment until I get used to it enough to loosen up again.

All the way from the bar to my apartment, Si On’s hold on me never wavers. Never mind that the vibe he tends to give off is like that of a gigantic soft and cuddly teddy bear; he’s actually far stronger than he looks: his shoulders are sturdy and his back surprisingly solid and warm. And although he jolts, startled, when I, acting on impulse, get into a shouting match with an ahjussi and his dog in a building close to ours, he does not let go, and even manages to run home when the man threatens to come down and chase us off his property.

So I really, really don’t want to let go when we finally get back to my apartment, the gentle rolling motion of the piggyback ride having lulled me to sleep. But too bad: Si On dumps me unceremoniously down on my bed anyway, and the next thing I know, I feel him gently draping a blanket over me.

Turning over to a more comfortable position on my side, I snuggle under the covers.

Is he going to wish me goodnight?

Ani. Barely, just barely, I hear Si On start to get up and walk away, probably thinking that I’m still asleep.

“Si On-ah….”

I know that he’s heard me this time.

“Even if you cause trouble…” I murmur, “I wish you could stay. Kajima, Si On-ah; we still need you here. The kids need you…and I need you, too.”

I don’t remember much after that. I don’t know if Park Si On tries to say anything to me. But what I do remember is the lightest feathery touch on my head: his hand, so soft and gentle and warm, stroking my hair.

Is that a promise…or an apology?

~~~~~

Lesson No. 23: How to Swear

“Soo Jin-ssi, fighting!”

The sound of Park Si On’s voice ringing out of the patient’s room into the hallway makes me smile despite myself. It’s about time someone around here was optimistic.

Si On himself emerges just moments later. “Ah, Seonsaengnim,” he says, greeting me with a small bow.

“So, how’d it go?” I peer past him into the room. “How is she?” When he opens his mouth to answer, I cut him off. “Not physically, I mean. I spoke with her ob-gyn already. I mean…how is she feeling right now?”

I know that questions like this are harder for Si On to answer than ones pertaining to a patient’s actual physical health. But I’ve always been one to believe that knowing a patient’s mental or emotional state is just as important; so now that he is officially a full-time resident with us, I’ve been trying to train Si On in this.

Still, it takes him a moment to gather his thoughts together. “Lee Soo Jin-ssi looks to be alright. She is more worried about her baby than she is about herself.”

His answer makes me smile. “She’d make a good mother, then.”

He gives me a nod. “Ne, Seonsaengnim.”

Si On now follows a step behind as I make my way through the ward, listening carefully as I explain all the tests that we have had done on the patient since she fainted on our doorstep, as well as the ob-gyn’s final diagnosis.

“Seonsaengnim.”

Something about his tone makes me glance up at him in curiosity. “Eh?”

“I really, really do not like the patient’s mother-in-law.”

I shoot him a sympathetic look. “None of us do.”

“I mean it, Seonsaengnim,” Si On says, his voice growing in urgency. “Family members should always care for each other.”

I suck in a sharp breath through my teeth, my eyes darting nervously around us. Softly, I let you a tsk. “Well, actually, when it comes to in-laws…”

“Even though Lee Soo Jin-ssi is not that woman’s daughter,” he barks out over me, “Lee Soo Jin-ssi is still her son’s wife. That woman should still love the person her son loves. She should want her son’s wife to be happy, because she should want her son to be happy. And that baby is still her grandchild. A grandmother should love her grandchild, even if it is not born yet.

“This mother-in-law is not a real mother! She – she is like an evil stepmother. Like the one in Snow White. She is just being mean for no reason!”

The sudden vehemence in his tone makes me stop in my tracks. Si On goes on ahead of me for a little bit, but then he stops, too, when he sees I have not followed him.

“Ya…” I gasp, impressed. “Look at you: you’re getting really aggressive these days.” Realizing that he might take that as criticism, I quickly add, “It’s a good thing. You need to be more assertive and just tell people what you want.”

“Seonsaengnim,” Si On says at length, “I think I know – know why people curse now.”

Well, this is unexpected.

I sidle over beside him. “But didn’t you say that you don’t like to curse? And that you don’t like it when other people do?”

He shakes his head, lips pressing into a stubborn thin line. “Animida. I do not like to curse. But I do know how.”

That’s…not exactly what I was asking. But I’ll go with it.

“Jinjja?”

He looks me straight in the eye, then gives me a firm nod.

Park Si On…actually knowing how to curse? Well, this is something I’ve got to see!

Glancing around us to make sure no-one – especially no kids! – is listening, I give him a nudge in the side. “Show me.” When he doesn’t respond, I resort to grabbing him by the elbow. “Come on, Si On-ah. Just do it. Do it, do it, do it!”

I know how immature I’m sounding right now, but I don’t care. It’s been a long day, and thinking about Soo Jin’s mother-in-law makes me want to hit something. So if this is a more harmless way to vent, I’m taking it.

For a long moment, Park Si On doesn’t say anything. But I can see him taking in a deep breath, trying to build up the courage to do it.

“I hope you –”

He loses his nerve, his words trailing off. So, I try to help him along.

“I hope you….”

Then, without warning, it all gushes out:

“I hope you stub your toe on the door, get foil in your mouth when you eat kimbap, and pop a pimple when scratching your head!”

Wait…what?

I shoot him a pointed look. “That’s it?”

“Ne.”

My eyes narrow incredulously. “That’s what you call a curse?”

Si On nods, looking down glumly at the floor as though his own words have gotten to him.

“Ya – a curse isn’t supposed to sound funny. If it ends up making the other person laugh, then that doesn’t count.”

“Seonsaengnim was not offended?” he asks. “That did not sound harsh?”

I burst out laughing, no longer able to stop myself. “Not a bit!”

We don’t get a chance to go on further then, as Kyu Wan’s mother interrupts just then with amazing news: after discussing it with her husband, she is willing to adopt Eun Ok as well so that the poor girl need not go into the orphanage system. And then, after that, there had been the remainder of our rounds, including the bunch of us doctors and nurses all getting together to set up a donated camping tent in the children’s playroom.

Afterwards, though, as Park Si On makes to leave, I call out after him, gesturing for him to follow me all the way to the break room where we usually talk one-on-one.

“What is the matter, Seonsaengnim?” he asks me as he sits down next to me on the bench. “Is something wrong?”

I shake my head. “Ani. It’s just….” Shooting him a mischievous smirk, I reach out and lightly smack him on the arm. “Ya, Park Si On! Don’t be such a pushover.”

Rubbing the spot where I had hit him with one hand, Si On gives me a grimace.

“You have to be more assertive,” I explain. “More aggressive. Saying things like ‘animida’ or ‘andwaemida’ works sometimes, but not always.”

Si On blinks at me in confusion, and even idly scratches his head. “But Seonsaengnim, Director Choi says –”

“Ara, ara,” I blurt out, tossing my head in a facsimile of a nod. “You told me: he said to always speak as politely as you could. Well, sometimes – just sometimes, mind you – and with some people, you have to be harsher than that. And right now –” I raise one hand to gesture for him to stay quiet “– those schoolyard insults of yours won’t work.

“So, let me ask you again,” I say at last, “do you know any actual swear words?”

Si On nods. “Ne, Seonsaengnim. People use them all the time, so I learned some.”

I lean forward in my seat, propping my elbows on my knees and my chin in my hands. “Well, then – let’s hear them. For real this time.”

And honestly, I think part of him does want to, if for no other reason than because I asked. So, just like earlier, Si On takes in a deep breath, and opens his mouth to begin….

“Andwaemida.”

My jaw drops. “Eh?”

“Joesonghamnida, Seonsaengnim,” Si On says, shaking his head. “I cannot do it. It is too difficult.”

No surprise there. Most people struggle their first time; I know I did.

“Well, then, how about this?” I turn slightly towards him and gesture for him to do the same. In this way, we are facing each other a little bit, which gives Si On a chance to observe everything I’m doing. “Just watch – and then copy what I do. Gwenchana; I’ll start with the simple stuff, and then we can work our way up.”

He gives me a nod. “Ne.”

Crossing my arms in front of my chest, I toss my head with a huff, rolling my eyes for good measure. “Aish….”

Shooting me a pout, Si On does it right back to me; but the way he has of using his neck to move his entire head makes me crack up despite myself.

“Did – did I do something wrong, Seonsaengnim?”

“Ani,” I manage to get out through my giggles. “You’re doing fine. I guess you just can’t not look cute when you get mad. But still, good try.” Raising my eyebrows at him in invitation, I add, “Ready for another one?”

He hesitates for a moment, but then nods. “Ne.”

This time, my word of choice comes out like a curt bark: “Ah, ssibal!”

Si On’s jaw drops in a loud gasp. “Seon- Seonsaengnim!”

“What?” I give him what I hope is a mischievous look. “You can’t do it?”

“Ne. I cannot do that.” He scrunches up in his seat, his crossed arms tightening in front of his chest as he shoots me a glare. “Seonsaengnim is going way, way too fast. Seonsaengnim is asking too much.”

“All right, then,” I concede, slapping my hands on my thighs. “How about this one? ‘Saekkie-ya.’”

It seems that we’re back in more familiar territory, because this time, although he still needs a moment to work up the nerve and it still comes out oddly forced, Si On copies me. And I’m just about to congratulate him when I hear the door clicking open behind me.