Chapter 52
Park Jincheol's family, who had originally lived in another region, deliberately moved to this area with its excellent school district when he entered his second year of high school. His father was a renowned university professor, and the family seemed quite well-off. To boost their son's spirits, his parents had moved into the Grand Felis Apartments, famous in the area for their high prices. They also gave him plenty of pocket money after the transfer, hoping he'd make friends easily. And as his parents wished, Park Jincheol seemed to be getting along well with some decent friends.
The group he hung out with closely included Lee Hyeokmin, the top student in the school and vice president of the student council. On top of that, his mother had met Lee Hyeokmin's mother a few times at the parents' association, and knowing their family was well-off put her mind at ease.
But the problem arose soon after.
"One day, Jincheol asked for more pocket money."
Park Jincheol's mother pressed her forehead and let out a long sigh. I had a feeling I knew where this story was headed from those very words.
"We were already giving him plenty, but he kept asking for more... I thought maybe he needed it to keep up with his well-off friends, so I just gave it to him. Then suddenly, he started saying he'd lost his jacket, lost his shoes, lost all his nice things."
It was obvious they'd been taken from him. That kind of thing was commonplace in my own childhood. The so-called 'scary older guys' snatching good brand sneakers and forcing you to hand over your knockoffs in return.
"I sensed something was off, so I went to talk to his homeroom teacher. But he said everything was fine. His friends were really diligent and good kids, his class attitude was great—no issues at all. What could I say? I couldn't bring myself to ask the kid directly and hurt his pride, so I just worried inside... Huh-huhk."
His mother pounded her chest and burst into tears. Kang Minjae, with his remarkable empathy, was already deeply absorbed in her story.
"Aigoo... You must have been through hell, ma'am."
He handed her tissues from the table and offered words of comfort. His father patted her shoulder as well. She wiped her tears, cleared her throat, and continued.
"One day, I wondered if someone was taking his money, so I deliberately gave him less. He threw a fit demanding more, but I ignored it and gave him just a little... Huh-huhk, huh-huh-huhk."
She had been trying to stay composed, but now she broke down sobbing again. When she could no longer speak, his father stepped in.
"Our son usually lounged around the house in short sleeves and shorts, but suddenly he started wearing long sleeves and pants. His mother checked his arms and legs just in case, and his whole body was covered in bruises."
Kang Minjae scowled at the father's words. Clear evidence of violence. With less pocket money, he had less to give them, and it naturally escalated to beatings.
"Did you take photos of the bruises?"
"...No. He made such a fuss that I barely got a look, but I didn't do anything with it."
That would have been the time to start getting medical certificates. Back then, in 2008, school violence was just occasionally covered in the media—no real solutions. But by 2018, when I lived, it had gained attention, leading to more legal actions. Companies sprang up to protect bullied kids, like so-called 'tattooed uncles' shadowing them to school. And the kind of work Jang Taesik's office did seemed similar...
"Did you find out who was assaulting Jincheol?"
When I asked, his somewhat calmed mother continued.
"He wouldn't say, no matter what. But he used to come home talking about what he did with Hyeokmin, what they ate—now nothing. So I suspect something happened with that Hyeokmin kid."
"That top student from a good family you mentioned?"
Kang Minjae said in surprise. Up to 2008, iljin bullies were mostly poor students from bad homes, neglected by parents, finding fun in tormenting others. Top students, especially seniors prepping for college entrance exams, seemed too busy studying.
"I don't know. Maybe he fell out with Hyeokmin and his whole group. But if I gave pocket money, it got taken; if not, he'd come home beaten... He just clams up and says nothing..."
"He really said nothing at all?"
At my question, the couple looked at me in surprise.
"I think there were signs beforehand. Like hating school or wanting to go back to his old one... Boys that age have strong pride; they won't admit directly they're being mistreated."
"...He did say he hated going to school. But I thought it was just laziness. After he started coming home beaten, I wondered briefly, like you said..."
"Was Jincheol assaulted often?"
His mother paused, lost in thought. It was time to look back. They'd surely puzzled over when the bullying started, why relations soured—but it was all guesswork without his word.
"His leg was broken once."
After a long silence, the father spoke slowly.
"He said it was from soccer."
His mother spoke up, but the father shook his head.
"You never know. He said soccer, but his leg was broken and his face was bruised."
"Hyeokmin and the others brought him to the hospital—what are you saying?"
She scolded her husband, but I agreed with him. If Lee Hyeokmin was the ringleader, he'd meticulously control his school life to maintain his perfect image. Otherwise, how could he stay top student with good teacher reviews? Plus, good family, vice president—popular too. He could've mocked Jincheol so subtly even he didn't realize, then 'rescued' him at the hospital after hurting him. By then, he'd likely gauged Jincheol wouldn't snitch to his mom.
"If visible assaults were that bad, the mental abuse was probably worse. And hiding his body suggests more physical beatings too."
His mother nodded, her gaze shifting naturally to Jang Taesik.
"That's why we hired you to watch him—hoping no trouble on the way to or from school... For a while, with that scary-looking uncle following, it seemed okay, but now he's beaten again!"
"When we first offered a scary-looking bodyguard, didn't Jincheol refuse?"
"...He hesitated a long time, then agreed."
Even while denying beatings, he hadn't refused because the violence was too much for pride alone. But the 'tattooed uncle' couldn't enter school, so who knows what happened inside.
"Jincheol's mom. Our advice as lawyers is to pursue legal punishment for the bullies."
The most realistic way to end it.
"Legal punishment? Is that possible?"
His father asked in shock too. Back then, school violence was kids' squabbles; rarely went legal. Juvenile punishments were mostly for gang fights among iljin or low-level mob recruits.
"Yes. It's fact he was bullied and assaulted at school. But first... Jincheol's own thoughts matter most."
"You said he wants to transfer back?"
His mother nodded at Kang Minjae's question.
"But we can't send him back after just months..."
"We need to check if he wants the perpetrators punished and if there's been mental abuse too."
"...We've asked countless times—no answer. I doubt he'll open up."
She sighed deeply.
"Whether you two want to pursue legal action is key too. Since he's a minor, you'll handle everything."
Kang Minjae hesitated to add more. Even the ever-energetic salesman struggled before pained parents. Prosecuting bullies in court felt alien then.
"We'll discuss with Jincheol's dad at home and decide. And talk to Jincheol..."
"Best not to tell Jincheol yet."
"Why?"
"Just as you're hesitating on legal action, it's distant for a teen too. Tell him after you decide."
Even if parents resolve, weak evidence means poor results. If prime suspect Lee Hyeokmin has stellar school rep and vice president status, school cooperation's unlikely. No need to tell unstable Jincheol early.
"Jincheol won't come home beaten again. Right, President Jang?"
Suddenly addressed differently, Jang Taesik snapped to attention.
"Yes, of course. I'll reprimand my staff. Replace him if you want."
"Replacing might not be good. Jincheol could get anxious with a new one. I know it's uncomfortable, but trust President Jang once more."
I patted Jang Taesik's shoulder. The couple slowly nodded.
"...If the lawyer says so, we'll trust for now."
"Think it over and contact us with your decision."
As the talk wrapped, Kang Minjae handed them his and my business cards.
"I'll walk you to the parking lot."
While Jang Taesik and staff escorted them out, only Kang Minjae and I remained. Normally he'd buzz about a new case from a wealthy client, but now he was somber. After a long silence, he sighed deeply.
"Poor Jincheol."
"At least his parents aren't neglecting him."
"...Yeah. But a top student teachers love doing school violence? It's insane."
"It adds up. The scariest ones are just like that."