Fourth Year (1)

“Sigh... how did it come to this?”

I let out a deep sigh as I climbed onto the main auditorium podium.

Beside me stood Baek Eun-seo in a white coat, looking flushed, and on the other side Fellow Lee Minjae wore a proud smile.

"Merit Award. Emergency Medicine clinical instructor Lee Minjae, third-year resident Han Hyeonjae, second-year resident Baek Eun-seo. The above individuals, through their unwavering professionalism and spirit of sacrifice, have raised the honor of our hospital…"

The hospital director's voice as he personally read the plaque rang through the microphone and across the entire auditorium.

…

Once the plaque presentation ended, it was time to stand side by side with the director for the commemorative photo.

A hospital PR staffer stationed in the very front row of the auditorium shouted as he hefted a cannon-sized camera.

"Okay, everyone look at the camera! Smile! Smile!"

I forced the muscles in my face into the best dead-eyed grin I could manage, a perfect blend of capitalism and social survival...