Childhood to Early Teens

Wonwoo grew up in the humble countryside, where cicadas flew amok and beetles frolicked, ready for catching. In fact, there wasn't much to do but listen to the cicadas' chirping and catching beetles with his friend Soonyoung since the meager internet connection available was abysmal and so was cell phone reception. When he wasn't chasing after huge bugs, he'd help his neighbors run errands or perform whatever odd jobs his young self was capable of to earn a bit of change.

Back then, he felt his future was clear: he'd finish high school, attend the nearby college, get his teaching certificate and come back to the small town he grew up in to teach a new generation. Perhaps he'd go back to school and get a degree in physics so he could teach his favorite subject at a college (maybe), but he wanted to focus on giving back to the community that raised him in the absence of his ever busy parents. Yes, he had his life planned out and was dead set on making it a reality. That was, until he met a certain boy with a fire in his eyes.

In high school, he had the pleasure of becoming friends with one of the kindest, most hardworking souls he'd ever met. The boy wanted to become a police officer and at first was determined to have Wonwoo become one as well after witnessing his incredible problem-solving skills and discerning eye. However, once learning of Wonwoo's dream to become a teacher, he respected his decision and started rooting for him.

"Think of all the people we'll be helping, Wonwoo! You, preparing new generations for the world, and I, protecting them so that they can reach their highest potential!"

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Late Teens
[Warning: Death, Violence (non-graphic)]

High school was a breeze, save for the humanities courses that gave him a modicum of trouble. His parents told him they'd be moving to the city due to work after graduation, so he'd be able to attend the university there. Things were looking very bright for him and for his bright-eyed friend as well. Before they knew it, the end of their last year in high school was right around the corner.

A week before final exams, his friend asked him if he wanted to go an arcade that recently opened in the city with a couple others tagging along, but Wonwoo denied the offer since he really needed to focus on studying. He bade him farewell, and returned to studying. What was to occur in the hours following his friend's departure still struck him to this day as completely surreal.

Shouting outside his home caught his attention, and after hearing a bit about some kind of hostage situation, he immediately turned on the television in the living room to the news. The headline cause the color to completely evaporate from his face when he recognized the location as the one his friend headed to earlier.

"Armed Man Holds Students Hostage in Convenience Store"

For the next couple hours, Wonwoo had his eyes glued to the television. Every second that ticked by felt like a day as he watched the tense negotiations between the captor and the police. When things started to look up, he let himself enjoy the luxury of a deep breath. Though the feeling of relief didn't last for long when a second later, the TV started emitting gunshots. He swore he could physically feel his heart sink into his stomach as he bore witness to the horrific event, the acid within it eating away at the muscle. A heavy curtain of helplessness draped itself over his shoulders as he could only watch the shootout, could only watch a familiar figure (too familiar) struggling to hold onto dear life as he was getting wheeled into an ambulance.

Then came the overwhelming guilt. He knew he had no control over the situation, but why was the guilt he felt so suffocating?

Regardless, life carried on. He felt like a shell of a human as he mindlessly went to school, took his tests, and graduated. The school had a small vigil for his passing, but that was it. Wonwoo felt it almost cruel how the world continued to spin after such an event, but did his best to continue on as he knew his friend would hate to see him in such a state.

The funeral took place almost immediately after his graduation. It was a very modest, intimate event with only a couple people besides his friend's family attending. Through the funeral, Wonwoo couldn't find any tears in him to shed; he just felt incredibly numb, still in the midst of processing the whole... situation. But as family members were reciting their eulogies, he felt a painful clench in his chest. When it was mentioned that his friend had a feeling that all of them were not going to leave unscathed, that he threw himself into harm's way so that the other hostages could use the diversion to escape, Wonwoo felt something in him snap. Though he wasn't sobbing, he couldn't stop the tears.

It was unfair. The whole thing was just so unfair! But Wonwoo knew he couldn't just sit in a pool of his own tears and curse the universe. He needed to take action, so that such an event wouldn't happen again.

And if his friend couldn't become a police officer, then Wonwoo decided he would become one for him.

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Likes: His job, reading, learning, the sciences, cats
Dislikes: Insubordination, swimming, seafood, raw chicken

Wonwoo was always reserved, but almost completely withdrew into himself after the loss of his friend. He's not very talkative when with someone he's not familiar with, but is able to open up more with someone he's known for a while. Despite the seemingly cold demeanor and sharp gaze, his heart is very soft and he's quite empathetic.

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Trivia

Hardcore workaholic. If his job was a person, he'd be married to them.Despite being a workaholic, he understands that his health is important and tries to also take care of himself... Well, more like, if he's sick he can't work, so he tries to not be.Reckless, but not as much as he used to be. He used to throw himself into harm's way almost mindlessly, but many injuries later he finally learned his lesson (kind of).Doesn't drink, just in case he gets a call. Used to only drink on his birthdays.Enjoys reading during whatever downtime he has. Occasionally, he thinks about becoming a teacher again but realizes that it's probably too late.Raised a chicken with his friend Soonyoung in his childhood. Can't look at raw chicken without thinking of her.Once thought about growing his bangs out in high school since people thought his gaze was scary and avoided him. He thought it might help him make friends if they couldn't see his eyes.

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[Childhood Best Friend] (1/1)
Kwon Soonyoung

One of the few cherished friends from his youth. Wonwoo and Soonyoung were practically attached at the hip, always seen around town playing together. The two of them even had a pet chicken they raised. Their friendship continued strong into high school, Wonwoo helping Soonyoung with his studies whenever needed. However, he lost contact with Soonyoung not long after graduation when he moved with his parents to the city and switched career paths.

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