01 | First Meeting
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Once a year, the CSAT is watched and celebrated by the entire nation. Today is the day of the exam, and I am a high school senior who was a test taker until yesterday. I have been studying with the CSAT in mind since elementary school, and today is the day to display the results of that painstaking effort.
People all over the world were cheering for us and me as test-takers, but there was no one around me to support my CSAT. Since I had lived my life doing nothing but studying every day and focusing solely on the CSAT and medical school, having friends was a luxury to me.
Everyone around me was a rival, so I deliberately put up a wall. Friendly rivals my ass; it was obvious that even those who had friends were secretly consumed by envy, jealousy, and inferiority complexes, all wanting to beat their friends.
And so, I finished the CSAT, which is called the most difficult exam in history. As the sun was setting, I headed home immediately after finishing and was checking my answers.
My life, which had been like a machine studying under the strict instructions of my parents, changed after receiving the provisional score of a perfect score on the CSAT. I received a perfect score on the CSAT, which is held only once a year and where perhaps only one or two people achieve it—and on an exam even called the most difficult one in history.
And so, I entered the medical school of the best and largest university in the country, and there, I worked hard and conducted research to graduate. I obtained my license and joined the university hospital that my parents and I had so desperately wanted, and after completing one year as an intern, today was my first day as a cardiothoracic surgery resident.
“Professor, I am Seo-ah Yoon, a first-year resident.”
“Uh, sit down.”
“What, you’re in charge?”
Yes, I look forward to working with you.
"You don't usually come to the cardiothoracic surgery department these days. Why did you come?"
“… I had a reason to do that.”
“Just for that reason? I wonder if you are qualified to be a doctor.”
Still, I worked really hard to get in.
There is no one who isn't trying to get in here.
I have been trying to come here every day since elementary school.
So, I don't look at the process, I only look at the result.
“… I can guarantee my skills.”
If my assigned person isn't competent, they aren't my assigned person.
You absolutely have to do well.
“Entered medical school at the top of my class, maintained all A's for the entire six years, and got hired at this hospital immediately after graduation—the youngest.”
"Since you're smart, you understand everything, right?"
“… Yes, of course.”
"Go out, I'm tired."
Something feels wrong. Of all people, why did I have to get assigned to Professor Kim Seok-jin? He is the most skilled doctor at our hospital, but he is also rumored to be the most ill-mannered. I know that being a resident is tough, but I am well aware that being assigned to Professor Kim Seok-jin doubles the difficulty.
I have to serve as the patients' attending physician and work under the direction of my arrogant supervising professor, Kim Seok-jin. Will I really be able to do a good job?