episode_0122

And those children, growing up witnessing the absurdity of adults during their childhood.

As they grow into adults, children develop in two different directions.

There are those who cunningly use the absurdity of adults to become like them, and there are those who refuse to compromise with such absurdity, choosing to uphold their purity and stand firm on their own judgment.

Of course, even for the latter group, some level of social interaction is necessary, despite society not being a bed of roses. There are times when one must turn a blind eye to certain things or witness absurdity, but that’s just part of the process.

Nevertheless, if one is truly an adult.

If one is an adult who knows how to protect the future of children.

They will never turn a blind eye in times of crisis.

However, the role of Baek Joong-eon is merely to maintain a precarious neutrality and subtly influence the scales of other judges. Ultimately, it is Min Chae-won herself who must overcome this crisis.

While an adult who can solve everything may be reliable, they may not necessarily be able to provide good guidance.

Having successfully placed the three characters of “Baek Joong-eon” on the list of judges for the day’s Lalghisimo hidden camera content, it is now Min Chae-won’s turn.

With Min Chae-won’s musical skills, she may be able to sway the hearts of the other judges who have received instructions from Yoon Gwan-cheol. It all starts from there.

“What’s this? Calling me out of the blue.”

“It’s been a while, why the long face?”

“Aren’t we supposed to have a good time when we meet?”

But not wanting to leave everything to Chae-won. Thus, Baek Joong-eon embarked on a long journey to meet the unfortunate fate of his school days once again.

Inside the quiet hanok cafe with no customers, a subtle tension filled the air. The manager and staff had temporarily left the counter to organize the storage room.

“Just get to the point of why you called me out.”

“Stand still. Did I say something offensive?”

Seemingly displeased with Baek Joong-eon’s attitude, Yoon Gwan-cheol cast a cold glance.

The atmosphere grew even colder. The air conditioning breeze froze the space between the two once more.

“Spit it out. What’s the point?”

Tsk. Clicking his tongue, Baek Joong-eon spoke.

“Your son. I can’t teach him anymore. Find another teacher.”

Baek Joong-eon and Yoon Gwan-cheol had never gotten along since their school days.

It wasn’t about relationships with women, they just didn’t see eye to eye on values since they were young.

Thud. A hand flew, hitting the glass table.

“Why are you suddenly saying this out of the blue…”

“I mean it. I can’t teach him anymore, so find another teacher.”

“You’ve never said anything until now, and suddenly you’re saying this? It’s only been one semester, how much have you taught him?”

To be honest, Yoon Ji-chang was a student that was impossible to teach.

He was prepared to learn, had a strong foundation, and knew how to express his own style. The problem was one.

Yoon Gwan-cheol. His father’s presence was the biggest hurdle for Yoon Ji-chang.

But Baek Joong-eon had never brought up that topic in front of Yoon Gwan-cheol.

Yoon Gwan-cheol was not someone who took advice from others to heart.

From the moment he became a famous violinist, he never looked around. He lived solely for himself. After his wife’s death, his mental illness worsened, and he even imposed his thoughts on his children.

What would happen if you told such a person, “Your parenting is wrong”?

It would lead to a hundred fights.

On both sides, they were both cultured adults, so the argument would likely end there, but where would Yoon Gwan-cheol’s influence extend after the fight was over? Naturally, it would be directed towards his daughter Yoon Ji-yu and Yoon Ji-chang.

Baek Jung-eon couldn’t bear to see the children continue to be hurt, so he had avoided directly advising Yoon Gwan-cheol all this time.

However, he couldn’t just stand by and watch the two children suffer. Despite not having a good relationship with Yoon Gwan-cheol, he got along well with his wife.

So, he recommended him to Han Ye-dae and introduced him to a good mentor. Even claiming to be Ji-chang’s mentor was an extension of his consideration.

It wasn’t for no reason that he didn’t nag about Ji-chang’s chaotic attendance.

“If you hadn’t brought it up first, I wouldn’t have even thought about sending him to Han Ye-dae… If you were going to do this, you should have mentioned it earlier. Now suddenly asking for a mentor. Are you a professor?”

Baek Jung-eon listened to Yoon Gwan-cheol’s story. He gently swirled the tea in his hand, showing a sense of ease.

“Is it because Ji-chang’s attitude in class is bad?”

There was no answer. Baek Jung-eon looked directly at Yoon Gwan-cheol, tapping the tea cup.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?”

On Yoon Gwan-cheol’s heavily wrinkled face, the two characters ‘determination’ were deeply engraved.

Baek Jung-eon recalled a conversation he had with his wife in the past. She also predicted Yoon Gwan-cheol’s unstable mental state.

It was possible that he couldn’t accept his own death due to a sudden worsening of his condition. She was too busy worrying about the family’s future to show any signs of it.

“He will definitely change 180 degrees after I die.”

“He might even force the children to follow my will.”

“Jung-eon, it might be difficult for you to stop him. I know. I know how stubborn he can be.”

“But, if we just leave him be, he’ll surely run wild to places he shouldn’t go… Just once.”

“Would you stop Gwan-cheol from doing something wrong… just once?”

The timing wasn’t certain.

However, it was unacceptable to teach Min Chae-won the wrong way after Ji-chang.

If the time had finally come to bring up the bitter story that had been kept in a corner of his heart, it was now.

“I won’t teach that brat Ji-chang until you stop interfering in the children’s education.”

Since he had found Min Chae-won, he might not care about Ji-chang’s future, but Yoon Gwan-cheol was determined to take responsibility for the children’s future.

Wasn’t Yoon Gwan-cheol the one who practiced his wife’s request to take care of the children in his own twisted way?

It was extremely unpleasant for Yoon Gwan-cheol that Ji-chang’s future was suddenly cut off.

“I haven’t said much until now. His attendance situation is not good either. If it continues like this, he might be expelled because of attendance.”

“Why are you bringing this up now?”

Thud!

The tea cup Baek Jung-eon was holding fell on the table with a loud noise.

“If we talk about it, your son might get hurt again. I don’t know why I should do this. The disciple goes somewhere and gets beaten up, but the mentor should be at ease.”

The situation where the son had fully disclosed what had happened between him and Yoon Gwan-cheol to Baek Jung-eon. Yoon Gwan-cheol laughed bitterly and held his forehead.

There was silence between the two for a while. The cafe part-timer who had finished organizing the warehouse and the manager discreetly glanced at the table.

Chirp chirp. A sparrow perched under the eaves of a hanok roof chirped for a moment. Yoon Gwan-cheol removed his hand from his forehead and looked up.

“There seems to be a misunderstanding. While I did lecture Ji Chang, it’s not like I’m a big fan of his.”

“Yoon Ji Chang might not take it that way.”

“….”

“That’s right. Imagine if your father suddenly said, ‘Our family members must become gods of music,’ and pushed you to that extent. You’d only feel rebellious.”

However, Yoon Gwan Cheol couldn’t accept Baek Jung Eon’s words.

Even if his father had done that, Yoon Gwan Cheol would have found a way to accept his intentions and become who he is now.

Despite the absurdity and oppression, Yoon Gwan Cheol was the type of person who didn’t blame his environment but did his best in the given situation.

In his eyes, his daughter Yoon Ji Yoo was a wonderful child who resembled him. Yoon Ji Chang and Jin Sae Byeok were cowardly runaways who needed to be nurtured and disciplined, anxious children who couldn’t be left alone.

“Don’t you think your example is flawed? I would have endured my father’s violence and become a god of music in that situation.”

“That’s because it’s you. Your children are not Yoon Gwan Cheol. Think about it, my friend.”

“So what? Are you saying that no matter what your children do, no matter how they ruin their lives, you should just watch and do nothing? Do you think that’s possible?”

Yoon Gwan Cheol, raising his voice, seemed to lower his voice as he became aware of the stares coming from the counter.

“I can never do that. Wasting talents and decaying, even in the face of life’s hardships, is a waste and a sin. Why can’t a writer like you understand that?”

Baek Jung Eon let out a long sigh.

He knew. It was impossible to persuade Yoon Gwan Cheol.

That’s why Baek Jung Eon had arranged this meeting with the intention of causing a small ripple from the beginning.

“I think it’s fortunate that you’re not a professor.”

“… What?”

“You were a university professor, right? I’m relieved. I’m relieved, damn it.”

After emptying the remaining glass with a gulp, Baek Jung Eon got up from his seat.

Yoon Gwan Cheol hesitated, waiting for his next words, but Baek Jung Eon didn’t say anything as he left the place.

Listening to the farewell from the staff, Baek Jung Eon walked out onto the street, thinking to himself.

‘Did he not understand what I meant by “I’m relieved”?’

But it turned out well.

It’s better to exacerbate confusion than to drain energy from an impossible-to-persuade person.

Getting into his car parked in the parking lot, Baek Jung Eon made a call somewhere.

“Yeah, Chaewon. Have you practiced enough?”

– Yes, Professor. I practiced a lot…!

“Good.”

An adult is a lighthouse that shows children the way forward.

But can the lighthouse determine the direction of the ship on its own? No.

The role of an adult as a lighthouse should be to show what lies ahead of the direction the child wants to go.

That’s what a true adult is.

“Jin Yeol is a remarkable person, but if it were you, you could achieve good results. I’m counting on you!”

– Yes…!

“And, be prepared for a harsh evaluation tomorrow, don’t be shocked.”

Chaewon’s voice on the phone was resolute.

– I won’t be shocked!