3 and 1/2 months after Soojin wrote her exam.....
The alarm buzzed softly, pulling Soojin from a light sleep. She rubbed her eyes, swung her legs off the bed, and prepared for another day at the office. Her morning routine was simple — a quick wash, brushing her teeth, and a hurried breakfast of toast and tea while scanning the newspaper, just in case the civil service exam results had been published overnight.
By 8:30, she was out the door, briefcase in hand, walking briskly through the quiet streets toward her small office. The commute was familiar — the same faces waiting at the bus stop, the same distant hum of traffic, the same smell of city air mixed with early morning coffee from nearby vendors.
The office welcomed her with the usual fluorescent glow and hum of typewriters, printers, and soft chatter. Her work was steady, not too challenging, paid better than her previous job. She filed documents, answered calls, and managed small tasks, all while keeping the civil service exam results lingering at the back of her mind.
Lunch was taken at her desk most days, a simple boxed meal she had brought from home, eaten quickly so she could return to her tasks. Afternoon blurred into evening — paperwork, phone calls, and the occasional conversation with coworkers. By 6:30, she packed her things, said her polite goodbyes, and headed home.
Dinner was often solitary. After preparing a modest meal, she cleaned up and showered, washing away the stress of the day. Only then did she settle at the kitchen table with the newspaper, unfolding it carefully, scanning the pages with a mixture of hope and hesitation. Checking for the exam results had become part of her nightly ritual — a small, quiet moment of tension amid the routine of work, meals, and chores.
Evening faded into night as she put the paper aside, sometimes disappointed, sometimes restless, but always carrying the silent anticipation of the life she had been working toward. And tomorrow, the cycle would begin again.
The evening had settled quietly over Busan, the soft hum of the city outside Soojin's small apartment. She had just finished dinner, washed up, and curled into her chair with the day's newspaper spread across the table. Her hands trembled slightly—three and a half months of waiting, wondering, doubting. Today, maybe, was the day.
Flipping through the pages calmly, she scanned each column with practiced focus, almost meditative. Then, her eyes caught it: the printed civil service exam results. Her heartbeat quickened.
"No... it can't be..." she muttered, leaning closer.
Kyungmi, who had come over after her café shift for their usual nightly chat, leaned forward with a grin. "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Soojin's finger froze on the page. "Kyungmi... I think... I think it's here."
"Here? Where? Show me!" Kyungmi leaned over impatiently, her eyes scanning the tiny columns of numbers.
Soojin's fingers raced down the list, tracing the sequence of numbers until—BAM! There it was. Her registration number. Her name.
"Oh my god... Kyungmi!" she yelled, leaping from her chair. "It's... it's me! I passed! I... I can't believe it!"
Kyungmi laughed, scooping Soojin into a quick hug. "No way! Let me see! Let me see your number!"
Soojin held the paper out, still trembling. "Look! Look! It's really me!"
Kyungmi squinted, then gasped. "No joke... That's definitely you! Soojin, you actually did it!"
Soojin's hands flew to her mouth, disbelief still clinging to her. "After all these months... all the studying, all the stress... it's finally over."
Kyungmi jumped to her feet, spinning around in excitement. "We need to celebrate! Oh, I can't believe this! You actually passed!"
Soojin laughed, tears pricking her eyes. "Kyungmi, calm down! You're going to wake up the neighbors!"
"Calm down? Calm down?! No! This is HUGE! I mean, you've worked so hard—baking early mornings, office work, studying late nights... and now... you're officially on your way!" Kyungmi's hands flailed dramatically, but her grin was contagious.
Soojin shook her head, still holding the paper like it was the most precious thing in the world. "I... I just needed someone to see it. I couldn't just... celebrate alone."
Kyungmi sat down beside her, looping an arm around her shoulders. "Well, now you're stuck with me. This calls for proper celebration. And you're not allowed to say a single word about being tired or stressed anymore. You passed the civil service exam, Soojin! That's not small!"
Soojin laughed through tears. "You're ridiculous."
Kyungmi nudged her playfully. "Ridiculous? Maybe. But proud? Absolutely. You deserve this. I've seen you work yourself to the bone, and now... you did it."
Soojin leaned back, finally letting herself breathe, letting the joy seep in. "I... I can't believe it's real."
Kyungmi grabbed her hand. "It is real. Look, it's right here. Your name, your number, everything. This is your moment, Soojin. No one can take it away."
They sat together for a long while, laughter mingling with tears, plans for small celebrations and dreams for the future. Outside, the city lights of Busan blinked steadily, but inside that small apartment, the world had shrunk to two friends and the moment that changed everything.
Few days later on a Weekend
The soft golden sunlight spilled through the window, illuminating Soojin's small apartment where books, notes, and stationery were spread neatly across the dining table. It was the weekend, yet there was no rest for her—not yet. The written exam was behind her, but the viva loomed ahead, the final hurdle she had to cross.
Soojin hummed softly as she organized her flashcards, each carefully labeled with key points she needed to remember. The aroma of coffee lingered in the air, mingling with the faint scent of the papers. Unlike the anxious nights she had spent for the written exam, this preparation felt calm, focused... even enjoyable.
A knock on the door broke the quiet.
"Coming!" Soojin called, brushing off her sleeves and standing to open it.
Kyungmi stood there with a stack of books under one arm and a thermos of tea in the other. "Morning! Ready to turn this weekend into a study marathon?" she asked, stepping inside with a grin.
Soojin laughed, pulling out a chair. "I'm ready. And this time, I'm not panicking. I passed the written exam—this is just polishing for the viva."
Kyungmi set her books on the table, giving Soojin a playful nudge. "You actually look calm. Smiling while studying? Never thought I'd see the day!"
Soojin shuffled her flashcards and handed one to Kyungmi. "Here—quiz me like you're the examiner. Let's make it fun."
For hours, they went back and forth: questions, answers, gentle corrections, mock explanations. Each mistake was met with laughter; each correct answer earned a celebratory high-five. Time slipped by unnoticed, the morning sun giving way to the warm glow of afternoon.
Soojin reviewed her possible viva questions aloud, timed herself, and practiced explaining concepts clearly. Kyungmi watched and chimed in with helpful pointers, teasing her only lightly.
At one point, Soojin leaned back, stretching with a satisfied sigh. "Kyungmi... I feel ready. Really ready. I know my stuff now."
Kyungmi nudged her. "See? Told you! Just remember, nerves are normal. But you've done all the hard work. The viva is just showing it off now."
Soojin smiled, feeling a quiet warmth spread through her. The pressure of the past months hadn't vanished completely, but it had softened. The viva wasn't a threat anymore—it was the final stage of something she had worked hard for, and this weekend, she embraced it with determination and joy.
As the afternoon light waned, Soojin organized her notes one last time, setting a clear plan for the next day's practice. She glanced at the stack of papers, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"One step closer... one final blow," she whispered to herself, determination shining in her eyes.
Days kept going Soojin has different glow on her face now. Maybe this glow is called success glow. She kept studying hardly also make time to sleep and eat properly. She worked as much less as she can. So that she has more energy for studying. After a lot anticipation finally that day come which would decide her future.
The Viva Day
The room was quiet except for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall. Three examiners sat behind the wooden table, papers neatly stacked, pens poised. Soojin straightened her back and took a deep breath.
"Good morning, Ms. Park," the lead examiner said. "Please, have a seat."
"Good morning, sir," Soojin replied, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her stomach. She slid her folder forward, fingers brushing the edge of the table.
"Let's begin with some basic questions," the first examiner said. "Can you explain the primary responsibilities of a civil service officer in our administrative system?"
Soojin nodded, leaning slightly forward. "Certainly. A civil service officer is responsible for implementing government policies, maintaining public records, ensuring regulatory compliance, and serving as a liaison between the public and administrative bodies. They also handle coordination among departments to ensure efficiency and transparency."
The second examiner scribbled notes. "Good. Now, can you give an example of a situation where you would need to prioritize conflicting tasks?"
Soojin thought for a moment. "For instance, if there is an urgent citizen complaint that requires immediate attention, but there is also a scheduled submission of departmental reports, I would first assess the impact and urgency of both. I would delegate non-critical tasks, address the pressing citizen issue personally, and then ensure the report submission is completed promptly. Prioritization is about minimizing disruption while maintaining accountability."
The lead examiner nodded. "Clear. Now, let's discuss ethics. Imagine a superior requests you to bend the rules for a favored applicant. What would you do?"
Soojin's fingers tightened around the folder. "I would respectfully refuse. My duty is to uphold fairness, transparency, and integrity. I would explain that compromising the rules could undermine the public's trust and the credibility of the office. If necessary, I would report the incident through the proper channels while documenting the request."
The third examiner raised an eyebrow. "Suppose that same applicant is someone influential, and refusing might put your job at risk. Are you willing to take that chance?"
Soojin inhaled slowly. "Yes. Upholding ethical standards is non-negotiable. Temporary discomfort or risk is outweighed by the importance of integrity in public service."
The first examiner leaned back. "Excellent. Let's move to practical knowledge. How would you handle a sudden shortage of staff in your department while facing a critical deadline?"
Soojin's eyes brightened. "I would first reassign available staff according to their strengths. Then, I would implement temporary workflow adjustments, possibly extending office hours to meet deadlines. Communication is key: informing both the team and superiors ensures accountability. If absolutely necessary, I would request short-term support from neighboring departments to maintain efficiency without compromising quality."
The lead examiner exchanged a glance with the others, then nodded. "Very well. Last question: why do you want to serve in civil service?"
Soojin's voice softened but carried confidence. "I want to contribute to my community in a meaningful way. I want to ensure that government services are accessible, efficient, and fair. I believe civil service is not just a job, but a responsibility—to uphold public trust, to make systems work for the people, and to leave a positive impact."
There was silence for a few moments. The examiners scribbled notes, whispered quietly among themselves, then looked back at her.
"You've given thorough answers, Ms. Park," the lead examiner said, voice calm but unreadable. "Your knowledge and reasoning are strong. We'll deliberate with the other candidates and inform you of the result in due course."
Soojin nodded, trying to mask the tremor in her hands. "Thank you, sir."
She rose, sliding her folder back into her bag. As she walked out of the room, her mind was a storm of relief, doubt, and anticipation. Every step down the corridor felt heavy—three months of preparation, sleepless nights, and endless practice, now resting on the decision of the examiners.
Kyungmi waited just outside the office door. Her eyes lit up when she saw Soojin, but she didn't speak immediately. She could sense the tension.
"How... how did it go?" Kyungmi asked gently, her voice low.
Soojin bit her lip, closing her eyes for a moment. "I... I think I answered everything. I just... I don't know what they'll decide."
Kyungmi reached out, holding her hand. "You did your best. That's all anyone can do. Whatever happens, you've worked so hard."
Soojin nodded, but her heart wouldn't settle. The waiting, the uncertainty—it was unbearable, yet exhilarating. She had faced the exam, shown her knowledge, her reasoning, her ethics. Now, all she could do was wait.
Outside, the sun was dipping low, painting the streets of Busan in gold. For Soojin, the city felt the same as ever, yet everything had changed. The possibility of success lingered like electricity in the air—thin, tense, and thrilling.
And deep down, she knew that whatever the result... she had already grown into someone stronger than she had ever been.
She had faced the final question, spoken her truth—but would it be enough to pass? The answer waited... just beyond the doors she had left behind.