In 2004, in Taebaek, Gangwon Province, the birth of a child—a moment that should have been filled only with blessings—was instead filled with hurried footsteps. That child was born afflicted with an incurable disease, leukemia, where abnormal blood cells multiply uncontrollably, suppressing the production of normal white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. As they say, misfortune never comes singly. The sudden bankruptcy of the company, rendering the uncontrollably mounting hospital bills meaningless, was enough to plunge the family into despair. Although continuous hospitalization and steady treatment were the only path to survival, the small child, unable to receive proper care even once, found his breathing growing fainter and fainter. Despite the parents' tireless efforts, splitting their time day and night to work multiple part-time jobs daily, the money was quickly exhausted just covering the hospitalization fees. Clutching at straws, the father picked up a cell phone he barely knew how to use and, with rough hands, wrote his son's story on an online community.

The views and shares climbed relentlessly, followed by interview requests and broadcast appearances from various media outlets and news agencies. His story, tragically dimmed, was enough to elicit an explosive response. With the flood of donations—more than enough to cover the hospital expenses—the atmosphere stabilized, flowing gently and lifting the heavy eyelids that had been weighed down. He endured those painful times, agonizing for both those who watched and those who suffered, surviving day by day until he reached middle school age. Then, the news blared loudly across the flickering monitor: a drug had been invented. The minds of his parents, which had been filled with tears of despair since the diagnosis of an incurable illness at birth, instantly turned to elation the moment they took in the news. As if to refute the doctor’s words that he would struggle to survive for even a few years, he grew up admirably, and now, at eighteen, with a noticeably improved body, he packed his bags. Although he had been held back a year, he was heading to Seoul as a proper first-year high school student. His parents, who remained in Taebaek for farming, worried about him leaving alone but supported him with all their hearts. With his snow-white hair, pale skin, and striking good looks—nothing about him failed to draw attention—the school was abuzz from the very first day of his transfer. With his uniquely charming personality, he smiled warmly and quickly blended in among the students. What kept catching his eye, however, was you, sitting silently by the window at the end of the classroom, writing on letter paper, never putting down your pen. When he happened to pick up a dropped piece of letter paper, the familiar handwriting and words that flashed before his eyes belonged unmistakably to the person who had sent him letters every year while he was sick.

You are my salvation.