The Honorary Firefighter
“Wow~ Looking sharp, huh? Decent enough to pass muster!”
“What the…?”
“Yeah, gotta be at this level to qualify as my little brother!”
“...Shut up.”
The siblings still bickered affectionately every time they met. The sight of her brother in uniform, standing tall (or so she thought), kept tugging her lips into a grin.
“Woojina.”
“Yeah?”
“Aigoo, you've got dust all over you.”
“Where?”
“Hold still, let sis take a look.”
Her eyes wouldn't leave his clothes. Then,
“Manager Jun-an.”
“Y-yes?!”
Song Jun-an, glued to the rearview mirror from the front seat watching the heartwarming siblings (or so it was written, though it felt more like Baek Woo-hee), jumped at the mother's call.
“My daughter's face.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
“You'll burn a hole through it.”
“...Ahem, ahem!”
The mother whispered softly. Flustered, Jun-an coughed repeatedly.
“Hahaha!”
“...?”
Jun-an's booming laugh, the mother's mischievous smile, and the siblings' baffled expressions at the sudden outburst.
“What? Why are you two laughing?!”
“N-no, it's nothing.”
“Come on, what is it?!”
“Daughter, it's nothing. Manager Jun-an just...”
“M-Mom! Hahahaha!!”
The car heading to the government office buzzed with chatter the whole way.
A moment later,
“Here we are~!”
Woo-hee stepped out first. Woojin followed.
They'd arrived at the Fire and Disaster Management Agency building inside the Seoul Jongno-gu Government Complex. (Relaunched as the current National Fire Agency in 2017 and relocated to the Sejong Special Self-Governing City Government Sejong 2 Complex.)
“This feels kinda weird and exciting?”
Thrilled, Woo-hee bounced around, taking in the sights. Come to think of it, she always loved going out with family. This was one of those times she couldn't hide her childlike joy. Maybe it was because today felt like there were four of them instead of three, just like the birthday party scene shoot in Burnt and Hidden Marks.
She looked around curiously, endlessly fascinated. Didn't she ever get tired? Woojin smiled, watching her.
“This way, please.”
“Thank you.”
Guided by the staff, they entered the Fire and Disaster Management Agency director's office.
“Welcome, we've been expecting you. I'm Nam Ki-wan, Director of the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.”
“Hello, I'm actor Baek Woojin. It's an honor to meet you.”
Director Nam offered a seat. Woojin sat.
“I saw the movie. It was so moving.”
The director continued,
“I heard about your father too. Though I never knew him personally, it brought back painful memories of colleagues we lost too soon.”
Sincere condolences, followed by,
“I'm thrilled that our agency and actor Woojin have forged such a deep bond. We look forward to your continued success and will provide full support.”
Expectations for the future, and
“With Burnt and Hidden Marks and your touching personal story, public interest in firefighters has exploded. Thank you for giving voice to our cause through your brilliant acting and the film.”
Infinite gratitude toward the movie and Woojin. Those who rush to the front lines to save lives above all else. Yet, their burdens weighed as heavily as battling flames—poor working conditions.
- Under the current Firefighter Health, Safety, and Welfare Basic Act, statutory fire health officers, meant to handle firefighters' health management and counseling at city or provincial fire headquarters, number zero nationwide.
- Thus, most injuries sustained on duty require out-of-pocket medical costs.
- Average overtime exceeds 64 hours monthly, with only 6 hazardous material suits per 100 firefighters—and those are worn out.
- Plus, they often buy their own gear.
By reflecting these harsh realities, the film delivered a social message while achieving mega-hit status, its impact immense. Beyond improving treatment, calls to convert firefighters—split between national and local civil servants—fully to national status had long existed but gained little traction. Yet Burnt and Hidden Marks' small spark ignited nationwide attention, reigniting the issue.
As the film dominated box offices, moving audiences everywhere, political moves to gradually pursue “firefighter national civil servant conversion” began appearing in reports.
In the original timeline, the law took effect only in 2020. Who knew in this life? It might be distant or soon. Whenever it happened, Woojin hoped Burnt and Hidden Marks marked the miraculous starting line. So that all firefighters walking his father's path nationwide received the fair treatment their sacrifices deserved.
“No, thank you for the wonderful offer—I'm the grateful one.”
Fire and Disaster Management Agency promotional ambassador. Wearing that uniform would feel like breathing alongside his father, shining somewhere in the night sky. That was all he wished for. With no other requests, Woojin politely declined the standard national agency ambassador fee, accepting only in spirit.
This heartfelt anecdote later made headlines, earning him the nickname “Baek God”—but that's a story for another time.
“Shall we go, actor?”
“Yes, Director.”
After a brief tea time, they headed to the venue.
* * *
Woojin smiled leisurely as he took a seat in the center of the venue audience. He immediately turned to his mother and sister behind him. Their eyes sparkled.
Woo-hee would've looked good in uniform too. And next to her, Jun-an hyung... stop staring at my sister.... You'll burn a hole.
- Flash, flash!
The press corps' flashes erupted like fireworks trying to capture him. Long accustomed, Woojin ignored it. But his mother and sister, unused to it, kept blinking.
- The event will begin shortly.
The appointment ceremony followed the standard government format. Salute to the flag, moment of silence for national heroes and martyrs.
“Actor Baek Woojin, please come to the stage.”
At the MC's call, Woojin walked to center stage. Piercing the reporters' flashes behind him, his sister's phone camera snapping his brother seemed loudest. They fought like cats and dogs usually, but her “little brother obsession” shone through. Woo-hee busily snapped photos, murmuring “My beloved little brother!”
Actor Baek Woojin.
Appointed as Fire Lieutenant.
You are hereby appointed as an Honorary Firefighter of the Republic of Korea.
March 8, 2013. Fire and Disaster Management Agency Director.
- Clap clap clap!
Applause erupted. Next to Woo-hee sat Ma Young-jae, gazing warmly at Woojin.
“Congratulations, Baek Woojin.”
Director Nam personally pinned the honorary firefighter badge on Woojin's uniform. Woojin bowed in thanks.
“Next, remarks from Honorary Fire Lieutenant Baek Woojin.”
“Hello, I'm actor Baek Woojin. First, it's an honor to stand here on this meaningful occasion.”
He took the mic.
“Burnt and Hidden Marks has created yet another precious bond. I feel truly blessed. I promise to do everything to raise awareness of firefighters' sweat and tears.”
His slow, deliberate voice held no tremor.
“Living as a firefighter during filming was pure joy. I regretted its end, but now that regret is eased. Thank you for everything.”
Every word brimmed with sincerity.
“Finally, deepest thanks to Director Nam and all involved for choosing March 8. Thirteen years ago, my late father passed on his birthday. Today, I'm appointed fire lieutenant. You've made an unforgettable day. I dedicate this appointment letter to my father in heaven, the late Baek Seong-ho, Fire Lieutenant. Thank you.”
The event ended with Woojin's remarks. The full speech hit the news verbatim, warming online entertainment spaces just as the offline venue had.
At that heartwarming moment,
“Good job, son!”
“So proud, little bro!”
Woojin pulled his mother and sister into a tight hug.
“Congrats, Fire Lieutenant Baek! You're my junior now? Haha!”
“You've endured so much because of me. Without you, uncle, I wouldn't be here.”
Ma Young-jae patted Woojin's shoulder, voice thick.
“Seeing you now... I miss Seong-ho more today. Heh, this...”
“Let's go see him!”
“Huh?”
Ma's eyes widened.
“Let's all visit Dad. Mom, sis, what do you think?”
“Sounds good! Why not?”
“Yes, son. Mom's in. Young-jae, you too?”
“...”
“Come on, uncle~ Let's go!”
Woo-hee grabbed his arm. A faint smile touched his lips.
“...Yeah, let's.”
He nodded, voice trembling. The tiniest last chain of memory snapped. Tearful recollections ended. From now on, those memories would fill only with joy.
Jun-an called out cheerfully.
“Then I'll drive. Let's head out!”
That day. A gentle breeze at a firefighter's grave in the National Daejeon Hyunchung Garden—
- Whoosh.
Brushed lightly over the unfurled appointment letter.
[Appointment Letter - Baek Woojin Fire Lieutenant]
The two inscriptions glowed in the fading sunset.
* * *
Ra Ho-chan's calls always brought good news.
- Gareojin Jageuk post-production is done!
Another firefighter film, distinct from Burnt and Hidden Marks, had reached its final cut.
To maximize quality, they'd regrettably skipped the February Berlin Film Festival. So the director said,
- We're aiming for Venice in August. Haha!
Both top-three festivals, right? “Whether you go east or west, Seoul's the goal!”
He revealed plans for Venice submission.
“Thanks for the update, Director! Keep me posted on decisions.”
- Sure, Woojin! See you soon.
“You too, Director. Get home safe!”
If selected for Venice, that left about five months' buffer. Perfect for real rest. Yeah, time to play for real!
To clear the diary mission, “I” was gaining momentum!
- Click.
Woojin dove into travel searches all day. Thus began the novice traveler's arduous prep.