They had been right when they said that the student years were the best of one’s lifetime. Soon as it’s over, you have to step out of the tiny, surrounding and comforting walls of rules, discipline, friends and stop with naïve mistakes.
It only takes some time to realize that all the virtue they put into you from a young age were just for garnish. Reality is that the world is unforgiving, harsh and unmerciful. The forceful smile you have to put on every morning and the effort to bite down the anger and anxiety would take a toll on anyone.

It wasn’t that Hwan wasn’t expecting none of it, but having to experience everything first hand was no joking matter. The case was a lot worse taking that it’s only been few months since he returned from America.
At first sight, Korea doesn’t appear impossible. The job outline and routine work wasn’t much different from the work he followed as intern in the advertising firm he worked back in America on par with his collage final year. But everything else – is.

From the way of conduct, starting appearance, speech, presentation, etiquette – to submission at the end of a project, every tiny, insignificant detail has come to bear too much value. If you don’t smile when you say Good morning, that’s disrespectful.  If you forget to bow your head as your section head passes, that’s disrespectful. If you drink before pouring soju to your superior’s cup, yet again; issue. Before submitting the final work, you must meet your immediate seniors and give them your regards.

These were the things that Hwan has not yet adjusted to. Before he had realized, he was nicknamed “RudeMan” in the department.
Because of his dark complexion, and the way his glasses and uncut shaggy black hair stood in the way of his eyes making direct contact with anyone; it was later explained to him that he appears ‘rude’. Apparently his towering 192cm of height was not a comforting factor.

Some of his workmates were understanding that he was new to the Korean background, so from time to time, they cheered him up.
With work slowly consuming most of Hwan’s time, it only took him a nick of time to understand that his ual orientation would certainly become too much of a problem.
Yeong, the guy who shares the other half of Hwan’s’ workstation once mentioned how someone was fired because of their ual orientation.

“It was stupid though.” Yeong said. “The department head was the guy who hit on him but his wife caught them together. There was a notice put on saying “due to negative social impact” or some bull like that. It was just stupid.”

Hwang bit down on his rice and avoided eyes. They were having lunch at the time. “So, personally, you’re not against gays?”

Truthfully using the word ‘gays’ never felt right. Being gay wasn’t equivalent to being a part of a cult or a certain ‘type’ of people. But this inconsiderate nature of heterouals made the difference. Hwan wasn’t an idiot.

“… I don’t think it’s right.” Yeong said – and Hwang tightened his heart, ready to listen to more.

“…but really thinking about it, it’s none of my business, you know? If they’re gay, fine. I’m not the to poke my stupid nose and go on a rally saying people shouldn’t love each other. Those are the kind of es that start wars! I only wish for world peace.”

Touched, Hwang chuckled.
It was an honest answer prepared with care and thought and Hwang was happy with it. He thought that if he ever does come out, Yeong would be the first to know.
Besides, Yeong was a pacifist. Everyone knew that much. 

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Im trying.