The years 1991 and 1992 were a time of great upheaval. Due to a three-party merger, the National Assembly, which had been controlled by the opposition, returned to the ruling party's advantage. The small Democratic Party, which was barely hanging on, produced a few star politicians of its own, but they wielded no real power in politics.
The Peace Party also became a minority opposition party, its influence significantly diminished. It was a year of defeat in the local elections, a year spent grinding their teeth in preparation for unifying the opposition. The 14th general election ended in a victory for the ruling party.
In the meantime, the remarkable advance of the National Party, founded by Song Yeong-ju, the head of Daehyun Group, was also noticeable. Behind the scenes, Chairman Cheon planted his people and money in both major parties. In the end, all of it would become Chairman Cheon's power.
Meanwhile, the War on Crime entered a period of massive crackdowns to mark its first anniversary. Many gangsters who had been lucky enough to remain hidden were arrested, and the smaller organizations that had sprung up like mushrooms in the vacuum left by the capture of larger ones were all dismantled.
Things only quieted down again after the general election, as the country entered the presidential election season. Amidst such chaos, I was engrossed in preparing for the college entrance exam. There was nothing I, a mere youth, could do at the moment, nor should I have, so I endured the hardship and waited.
The day of the college entrance exam, which would later be replaced by the Suneung, was cold, as it always was. I arrived at the examination site in Manager Ha's car. Before I got out, Manager Ha nonchalantly held out some taffy.
I stared at the taffy for a moment.
“Young Master, I wish you the best on your exam.”
“Yes, Manager Ha.”
A smile unknowingly spread across my face at Manager Ha's gruff expression of goodwill. I applied to the law department at Korea University. Myeong-soo followed my lead and also applied to the law department at Korea University, while Hyeon-seong had already been accepted to the Korea National University of Physical Education.
“Whew, it's cold.”
A white puff of breath escaped from Myeong-soo's mouth as he got out of the car with me. Not long ago, Myeong-soo had met and greeted Chairman Cheon. It was the first time I had ever seen that normally affable fellow tremble so much.
The main gate of Korea University, where the exam would be held. It was a path I had walked once before, but the nervousness was the same.
“Wow... I'm so damn nervous. Aren't you nervous?”
“A little?”
“Jeez, you're not a robot, why are you so calm? No fun. Let's hurry. We'll be late.”
“There's still plenty of time.”
“Still. What if we're late?”
“Alright, let's go.”
I passed through the main gate of Korea University with Myeong-soo. Now was the time for the efforts of the past three years to be put to the test. It was also the day the results of my bet with Chairman Cheon would be decided.
The university entrance college entrance exam consisted of a written test worth 320 points and a physical fitness test worth 20 points, for a total of 340. Unless one was physically disabled, the physical fitness test was an easy 19 to 20 points, so in reality, the written exam was everything.
The tedious exam period, which felt like it would last forever, finally came to an end.
“Mu-hyeok, did you do well on the exam?”
“Yeah. You?”
“I made a few mistakes... but I think I'm still within the passing range.”
As Myeong-soo and I came out of the main gate, Manager Ha greeted us.
“Young Master, did you do well on the exam?”
“Hahaha, now I must leave it to the heavens.”
“It seems you did well. Let us go, the Chairman is waiting.”
“Yes.”
I took Manager Ha's car and arrived in the Pyeongchang District.
“Did you do well on the exam?”
“I did my best.”
“Hehe, this rascal.”
“I've done all I can, so now I must leave it to the heavens.”
“Alright, let's eat.”
I had a meal with my grandfather and Myeong-soo. My grandfather said little until the meal was over. It was only after we returned to the room that Myeong-soo let out a sigh as if he had just survived.
“Phew... No matter how many times I see him, I can't get used to your grandfather. The atmosphere is just...”
Seeing Myeong-soo's wilted face, I couldn't help but chuckle. Myeong-soo shot me a sidelong glare.
“It's not a laughing matter. I was so scared I couldn't tell if the food was going into my mouth or my nose.”
“We're going back down soon, so you won't have to see him much anymore.”
“What are you going to do if you pass?”
“I'll have to bring my grandmother up here. Find a house too. What about you?”
“Me? I'm sticking with you, of course.”
“...Get a room at a boarding house.”
“Forget it. Once you bring your grandma up, your place will be paradise. Why would I get a boarding room? No way.”
“Sigh...”
This annoying guy.
“Then again, maybe I'm getting ahead of myself since we haven't even been accepted yet. Hehehe.”
“I'm confident. I guess you're not.”
“Bullshit. My score will be higher than yours. This isn't a school test, it's the real deal.”
“Yes, says Lee Myeong-soo, who always ranked third in the whole school.”
“Ah... you bastard, hitting me where it hurts. Yeah, yeah, you're so great.”
The results for the college entrance exam, which were graded by each university, came out quickly. Chairman Cheon obtained Mu-hyeok's score faster than anyone. It was only a week after the exam.
“Hehe, Myeong-hun.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“Is this really the same brat who lived like a hoodlum until he was seventeen? A perfect score, he says, a perfect score. And not one of many, but the only one.”
“Is that so?”
“Tch, you're no fun.”
Clicking his tongue at Manager Ha, Chairman Cheon repeatedly gazed at the paper in his hand. On it was written Mu-hyeok's score: the first perfect score in the history of the college entrance exam.
“You must be pleased.”
“Pleased. Of course, I'm pleased. Aside from Ji-soo getting into Korea University, haven't all my sons and grandchildren gotten into college with money? But now I have a grandson who gets a perfect score.”
“Congratulations.”
“By the way, what kind of demand will this boy make? I'll have to grant him whatever it is, right?”
As he said this, Chairman Cheon's face was wreathed in smiles. Manager Ha also raised the corners of his mouth, ever so slightly.
“Weren't you already planning to do anything for him?”
“That's that, and a bet is a bet. I have to hear what he wants.”
The beaming Chairman Cheon suddenly asked.
“But now that he's going to university, can't he just live here and attend?”
“It seemed he was thinking of bringing his grandmother to Seoul to live with her.”
“Drat.”
“You know, don't you? His grandmother is his first priority. That will probably be difficult.”
Chairman Cheon smacked his lips with a look of disappointment.
“Yes, I must respect that. But more importantly, why did he say he chose the law department? Is he planning to take the bar exam?”
“I do not know.”
“I wish he wouldn't waste his time unnecessarily. That boy's stubbornness is no ordinary thing; he never moves according to my will. It's frustrating.”
Chairman Cheon said, as if he had a headache.
“Isn't that why you like him, Chairman? He is not defying your will, but choosing his own path and walking it correctly.”
“That's right. A path he walks himself is better than one I pave for him. What a shame. How wonderful it would have been if that boy had the Cheon surname.”
Manager Ha pulled out the chair for Chairman Cheon as he sat down.
“What does it matter if he is a Cheon or a Kim? He is of your bloodline. And it's not as if he has any other paternal relatives besides his grandmother.”
“Yes, that's right. Since he thinks the world of his grandmother, I should meet my in-laws as well. Please make the arrangements.”
“Yes, I understand. I will let you know when the arrangements are complete.”
“Ah, and the school records, you took care of those, I assume? After all...”
“That has been handled without any issues.”
“Well done. You may leave.”
Bowing his head, Manager Ha left the study. For a long while after, Chairman Cheon continued to gaze down at the paper in his hand, a smile playing on his lips.
That evening, I heard from my grandfather that I had received a perfect score. Perhaps because it was a path I had walked once before, I felt no particular excitement. Only Myeong-soo was unable to close his mouth for a long time upon hearing that I had a perfect score.
I returned to our home in Busan with Myeong-soo.
“My boy, you've worked hard.”
“Aww, it was no hardship. What's so hard about someone giving you a ride in a car?”
“Aigoo, alright. Go wash up and come out. I've made dinner.”
“I was planning on eating out today?”
“Why waste money for no reason? Grandma's cooking is best. We'll do it later.”
“Alright. I'll go wash up.”
After dinner, I held onto my grandma and we talked in the living room.
“Grandma, let's go to Seoul together.”
“...”
“Why? I have to go to Seoul for university now. Do you think I'll be at ease if you're here in Busan all by yourself?”
“Mu-hyeok.”
“Yes, Grandma.”
“I have no intention of leaving this place. I'm going to keep living in Busan.”
“Grandma.”
“You're all grown up now, and I have all my friends and acquaintances here. What would I do up in Seoul? Forget it. I'm staying here, so you go up alone.”
“Grandma...”
“Don't you worry about your grandma. I'm just going to live here until I die.”
“I told you not to talk about dying!”
I couldn't help but raise my voice out of frustration. Grandma reached out and patted my back.
“I'm going to see my boy get married before I die. Don't worry, and don't cause any trouble when you get to university. You know how much heartache you gave your grandma when you were young, right? Don't do that again.”
“...Are you really going to stay in Busan?”
“Yes. This is where I was born, and this is where I'll die. If you keep asking, I might go. But... I don't know if I could live happily there.”
“...Alright. I'll come down often.”
“Why are you already thinking about leaving? You still have a few months.”
I tried to shake off my disappointment and spoke brightly.
“But Grandma, I got a perfect score. My maternal grandfather already found out. The only one in the entire country. Kim Mu-hyeok! Your grandson, Kim Mu-hyeok!”
“Aigoo! My boy, you did so well. So well.”
The feel of my grandma's hand stroking my face was so wonderful. Time passed quickly. The graduating seniors who had already entered the job market no longer came to school.
The students who took the college entrance exam still came to school, but they just passed the time without any classes. And then, it was the day the college entrance exam scores were announced. Television cameras and reporters from major daily newspapers, having received the information even faster than the school, descended upon the campus.
“As you've probably figured out, Mu-hyeok is the top student in the nation. The only one with a perfect score. The TV station and newspaper folks are outside, so watch what you say. Everyone, come get your report cards. Ah! But before that, a round of applause for Mu-hyeok!”
When the words 'perfect score' came from the mouth of the Viper Teacher, who had been my homeroom teacher for all three years, everyone looked at me.
Applause followed.
The sound of clapping did not stop for a long time. He was the first top student in the nation to come from a technical high school, not some prestigious academy. The principal came and gave me a long speech, telling me how hard I had worked.
Meanwhile, the camera crews and reporters who were stopping students after school to ask about Mu-hyeok were all growing frustrated because the students wouldn't answer properly and just walked away.
“Hah... why is it so hard to get a look at this Kim Mu-hyeok guy? Hey, has your newspaper gotten any info? We've got nothing. It's like someone's blocking it; getting information is so difficult.”
“It's the same for us. You too, senior reporter? Is he from some powerful family?”
“Nah, would someone from a family like that attend a technical high school here in Busan? I doubt it.”
“This is so frustrating I could die. Why isn't this bastard coming out? And why is the weather so damn cold...”
“Student, do you happen to know who Kim Mu-hyeok is?”
A reporter asked, grabbing a first-year student who was passing by. The student then looked behind him and pointed a finger at the approaching Mu-hyeok.
“That's him, the senior. May I go now?”
“Oh? Oh! Thanks. You can go.”
In an instant, reporters with cameras at the ready blocked Mu-hyeok's path. Mu-hyeok's eyebrows twitched, looking slightly taken aback. Myeong-soo and Hyeon-seong, who happened to be next to Mu-hyeok, were also caught on camera.
Myeong-soo and Hyeon-seong stealthily slipped away to the side to avoid the cameras.
“Mr. Mu-hyeok! Mr. Mu-hyeok!”
When the most senior reporter held out his microphone, the other reporters waited for the moment.
“Yes, go ahead.”
“You are the first student from a technical high school to receive a perfect score since the college entrance exam was implemented. What are your thoughts on this?”
“From a technical high school? What does it matter if it's a technical high school or a prestigious high school? It's the person inside that's important. Don't you agree, reporter?”
The veteran reporter, seemingly a bit flustered by Mu-hyeok's counter-question, could not answer. While he stammered, other reporters started throwing out questions chaotically. After a series of useless personal questions, one reporter asked the most important question.
“Mr. Mu-hyeok! Do you have any secret to studying? Did you have any tutors or attend any academies? Do you have any words for your juniors?”
Mu-hyeok tilted his head.
“Hmm... I've never had any tutors or attended any academies. I just studied from the textbooks and got first place. And as for my juniors... studying was the easiest thing, guys.” ...A silence fell.
“Well then, I have to go home now. Thank you for your hard work in this cold weather, reporters.”
Mu-hyeok quickly ran past the reporters. The reporters, belatedly coming to their senses, gave chase. However, having lived in the neighborhood for over ten years, Mu-hyeok escaped through the alleys, and they eventually had to give up.
“Wow... These reporters are more persistent than the police.”
Mu-hyeok clicked his tongue and headed home through a back alley. That day, the main news on every broadcast station was abuzz with Mu-hyeok's statement.
[Studying was the easiest thing. I just studied from the textbooks and got first place!]
It was an interview that would go down in history as an outrageous remark.