In a parallel universe, Woo Do Hwan is not a South Korean actor but a young man born in North Korea. Do Hwan's life has been a series of escape attempts, survival strategies, and small victories over hardship. Together with his mother, he fled North...
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The cool night air carried a faint scent of rain as Do Hwan pulled the thin blanket tighter around his shoulders. The quiet of the room felt almost suffocating, but he couldn't bring himself to sleep. Beside him, Eo Jun slept soundly, his small chest rising and falling with each breath. His son's peaceful expression softened the sharp lines of Do Hwan's face, etched by years of struggle and uncertainty. The hum of the refrigerator in the tiny apartment punctuated the silence, an odd comfort against the backdrop of a world that had rarely been kind.
Do Hwan sat propped against the headboard, his dark eyes fixed on Eo Jun. Even in sleep, his son seemed vulnerable, his small body curled against the oversized pillows. Eo Jun's cerebral palsy had brought challenges Do Hwan could never have foreseen, but it had also awakened a fierce protectiveness he hadn't known he possessed. He brushed a hand through his own tousled hair, his thoughts drifting back to the park earlier that day—the sound of Eo Jun's delighted laughter as they fed the ducks, his tiny hands clutching bread with determination.
The peace didn't last long.
A faint whimper pulled Do Hwan from his thoughts. He turned sharply toward Eo Jun, who had begun to stir. His little face was pinched in discomfort, his breath hitching in irregular patterns. Panic flooded Do Hwan as he realized what was coming.
"No, no, no, not now," he muttered, scrambling to his feet.
Eo Jun's body stiffened, his small limbs jerking unnaturally. Do Hwan dove for the backpack by the bed, his fingers fumbling with the zipper as he searched for the medication. His heart thundered as he retrieved the small vial and syringe, his hands shaking as he prepared the dose.
Returning to Eo Jun's side, Do Hwan lifted the boy into his arms, cradling him close. "It's okay, baby. I'm here. I've got you."
The seizure continued, Eo Jun's small body wracked with tremors. Do Hwan whispered soothing words in a mixture of Korean and halting French, his voice low and steady even as fear clawed at his chest. He administered the medication swiftly, his practiced movements belying the desperation he felt.
Minutes passed like hours, and finally, Eo Jun's convulsions began to subside. His tiny body went limp, his breaths ragged and shallow. Do Hwan held him tightly, rocking him gently back and forth.
"You're so strong, Eo Jun," Do Hwan murmured, pressing a kiss to his son's damp forehead. "You're my brave boy."
Eo Jun's eyes fluttered open, his gaze unfocused but filled with trust as he looked up at his father. "Appa..." he mumbled, his voice slurred.
"I'm here," Do Hwan replied, his voice thick with emotion. "Always."
The seizure left Eo Jun exhausted, and within moments, he had drifted back to sleep. Do Hwan remained awake, holding his son close and staring out the window at the city lights beyond.
This was their life. A fragile existence built on resilience and love. Each day brought new challenges, but Do Hwan had learned to face them head-on. For Eo Jun, he would endure anything.
When Eo Jun finally drifted into a fragile sleep, Do Hwan held him close, rocking gently back and forth. His heart ached as he stared at the pale complexion of his child. Something wasn't right. This wasn't just another seizure—Eo Jun's lethargy and the tense stiffness of his muscles hadn't eased even after the medication.
~
The next morning, the weak winter sunlight barely filtered through the heavy curtains. Eo Jun lay in his father's lap, his little head cradled against Do Hwan's chest. He was unnaturally still, his face pale and lips slightly tinged with blue. His limbs were stiff, a sign of his muscle tone with having hypertonia.
"Elise!" Do Hwan called out as he packed the diaper bag. The young woman emerged from her room, her hair in a loose braid. She took one look at Eo Jun and frowned.
"What happened? Was it another seizure?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.
"Yes, last night," Do Hwan said, his voice heavy with worry. "He hasn't bounced back like usual. He's too pale. I need to get him to the hospital."
"I'll call a taxi," Elise said without hesitation, reaching for her phone.
Arriving at the hospital, Do Hwan was immediately directed to the pediatric ward. The staff recognized him; his frequent visits with Eo Jun had made them familiar faces. A kind nurse led them to an examination room, and within minutes, a pediatric neurologist entered.
"Mr. Woo, what happened?" The doctor asked as she washed her hands and approached.
Do Hwan explained the events of the night. The doctor listened attentively, nodding as she took notes.
"We'll run some tests and keep Eo Jun under observation," she said. "His cerebral palsy and history of seizures mean we need to be thorough. You did the right thing bringing him in."
As Eo Jun was carefully transferred to a hospital bed, his small hand clinging to Do Hwan's shirt, a pang of helplessness struck him. He sat beside the bed, holding his son's hand as the nurses worked around them, drawing blood and attaching monitors.
"I'm sorry, Eo Jun-ah," he whispered, his voice cracking. "I wish I could take this pain away from you."
Hours passed in a haze of worry and waiting. Do Hwan didn't leave Eo Jun's side, even as fatigue clawed at him. His thoughts drifted to his past, to the mother he had lost, and the unimaginable risks he had taken to get to this moment. Every struggle, every sleepless night, had been worth it to see Eo Jun smile, to hear his laughter, to watch him fight for every milestone.
The doctor returned with test results. "It looks like Eo Jun has a respiratory infection, which likely triggered the seizure. We'll start antibiotics and adjust his seizure medication temporarily. He'll need to stay for a few days, but he's stable."
Relief flooded Do Hwan, and he bowed his head deeply. "Thank you, doctor."
That night, as Eo Jun slept more peacefully under the watchful eyes of the hospital staff, Do Hwan finally allowed himself a moment to breathe. Sitting by the bedside, he leaned forward, resting his head beside his son's face.
"You're so strong, Jun-ah," he murmured. "Stronger than I'll ever be. I'll always fight for you, no matter what. I promise."
In the quiet of the hospital room, Do Hwan found solace in the rhythmic beep of the heart monitor, a reminder that his son's fight was far from over—but neither was his own. Together, they would face whatever challenges came their way. How time had flown but father and son would never give up.
