1 New Job

This is my second time here in Korea.

The first time I was here, it was for something else, but now, I'm here to teach high school students. Korean high school students.

This is the challenge I'm going to face as a foreigner on paper.

'How did that happen?' you ask.

Yoonwoo recommended me to teach at Apgujeong High School, the school where he teaches. He did so when we were freshmen when we talked about our future.

We were in a cafeteria when we talked about it.

I asked Yoonwoo, "Where should I teach when we get our degree?"

"I'm going back to Korea to teach there, that's for sure.

But, hey, you should teach there too!"

I was surprised at his answer, "Really? I mean, am I really going to be accepted there?"

"Definitely! Korea needs more math wizards, you're smart, and you can also speak Korean now, thanks to me.We're gonna be hanging out all the time! All you need is experience and that's it."

Well, at least Yoonwoo has a point. I can finally hang out with him again after graduation.

So why not take his recommendation?

To start off, Yoonwoo helped me with all the needs. First, the apartment I need to stay in while I'm here. At first, Yoonwoo wanted me to live with him, but I politely declined.

Second, he toured me around Seoul to get familiar with the city. I already know about the city, but I still went along with him.

Third, food. Believe it or not, I just started to crave Korean food in college. Yonwoo brought a lot of packed ones from Korea. He was shocked to hear that I had never eaten such food before so he gave me some. He kept feeding me some until I started to like it. From then on, I always eat Korean food.

Favorite food? Kimchi fried rice.

And lastly, clothes. Actually, I don't know if this counts. I mean I already have plenty of them, but Korea is known for fashion, which Yoonwoo mentioned. I went along with the trend.

What about the school, you ask?

I had the chance to get to know about the school around February. The history, the facilities, the teachers, the principal, the non-faculty, and the rest. Yoonwoo helped me with that, of course. I had fun.

Right, back to where we are now.

I woke up at five in the morning, at the same time a lot of students wake up.

I prepare myself like always. Eat breakfast, take a bath, brush my teeth, wear my attire. I even turn the TV on while preparing. I have to be aware of what's going on. I also have to wear my coat. After all, it's still winter.

After I'm done preparing, I get my backpack and off I go.

I go out of the door of the apartment and the weather gives me the chills. Not that it surprised me. It was just sudden.

Apgujeong High School is within walking distance, so it's not that troublesome. No commute whatsoever.

I arrive at the school in no time. I can see a lot of students walking inside already at this early time. They are greeting at the two teachers at the gate. Those two teachers are Yoonwoo, who is by the way a science teacher, and Hwang Minsung, a P.E. teacher.

I start to walk inside and the two notice me. Then they call me, "Mr. Lee!"

I slightly bow my head to them one by one as a greeting.

Mr. Hwang speaks, "Are you ready, Mr. Lee?"

"Yes, I'm ready."

He smiles at me. I look at Yoonwoo and he also smiles with his thumbs up.

I then proceed to walk inside the campus.

I arrive at the faculty room and see fellow teachers getting ready for their respective classes on this first day of the year.

Suddenly, someone is approaching me.

This teacher has this Kpop visual aura, like Irene from Red Velvet. If we remove her Harry-Potter-looking glasses, nothing can stop her beauty inside the faculty.

Kim Jinri. History teacher.

"Oh, good morning. You must be Mr. Lee."

"Um, yes." I bow.

"Oh, you don't have to do that. After all, we're both teachers."

"Um, okay."

She then waltzes her way out of the faculty room. I wonder where she's going.

After that, I immediately go to my desk. It's far away from Yoonwoo's since we're in different departments.

I'm at my seat now, trying to calm myself.

Thirty minutes until classes start.

Ms. Kim approaches me for the second time.

"Mr. Lee?"

"Oh, yes Ms. Kim?"

"The principal calls for you now."

"Really?"

At this time? I guess he wants me straight to class from his office.

Not a hassle, ain't it?

I ask Ms. Kim, "Where were you actually?"

I think I'm crossing a line here.

"I went for the rounds."

I was about to stop her, but okay. She answered.

"I see."

I prep my stuff for class then left the room on the way to the principal's office.

After knocking on the door, I immediately entered.

Inside the office I see Yang Ilsuk, the principal. 47 years old. Sitting on his chair with a cup of coffee.

He may be in that age, but his body is more active than I imagined. I observed that while meeting him for the first time last February.

"Ah. Mr. Lee."

I bow down. "Good morning, Mr. Yang."

"Yes." he offers me a seat, which I accept, and a cup of coffee, which I decline because I had one earlier.

"Once again, welcome to Apgujeong High School, Mr. Lee."

"Thank you, Mr. Yang."

"Are you curious why I called you here?"

I answer his question, "Let me guess. Because I'm from America, I have to fully adapt to your system and abandon my American ways."