"Not far removed from karma (업), inyeon can be used to explain how relationships form or are given from heaven. The same yeon (緣) from inyeon is found in the Korean saying, cheon-saeng-yeon-bun, or “a match made in heaven”. Inyeon is not unique to Korea, a Chinese proverb claims that if destined, people will meet even if they are thousands of miles apart." -- Sarah A. Son (Lecturer in Korean Studies, University of Sheffield)

Heo Yeong-hwan pulled up in front of the ER. Before the car had fully stopped, Minjin rushed inside. Her eyes darted frantically around the room as she searched for her brother. In her desperate haste, she yanked back every curtain and muttered quick apologies. She didn’t stop until she finally reached Tae-sung’s bed.

Tae-sung lay unconscious on the hospital bed with his face pale and motionless. Kim Bon-hwa stood beside him, her eyes swollen from crying. On the other side of the bed, Park Micha sat hunched over, tears streaming down her face as she clutched Tae-sung’s hand tightly.

“Oppa! What happened?” Minjin gasped as she hurried to his side.

Kim Bon-hwa struggled to keep her tears in check as she answered, “He suddenly collapsed after coming home from work.”

Minjin was so focused on Tae-sung that she didn’t initially notice the man standing beside her in a white lab coat. He remained silent, his expression carefully neutral as he observed her reaction.

“What’s wrong with Oppa?” Minjin asked, her voice quivering.

Kim Bon-hwa glanced toward the man in the lab coat. “Minjun-shi tried to explain, but I didn’t quite understand.”

Following her gaze, Minjin turned and was met with the sight of Minjun standing right beside her. A flicker of shock crossed her face, but she quickly masked it.

“Are you Oppa’s doctor?” she asked in a casual tone.

“Ne,” Minjun responded politely.

“What’s wrong with him?” she pressed.

“He’s been coming to see me since last year,” Minjun explained, maintaining his formal tone.

“Why? What’s the problem?” Minjin asked, her concern deepening.

Minjun remained composed as he answered, “He has a brain condition called hydrocephalus.”

Minjin frowned. “What’s that?”

“It’s a buildup of fluid in the brain. The excess fluid increases pressure, which can lead to brain damage. If left untreated, it can be fatal.”

Minjin’s face paled. “What needs to be done?”

“Surgery is necessary,” Minjun stated firmly.

“Are you performing the surgery?” she asked.

“Yes, I will,” he replied, his voice calm yet resolute.

Just then, the curtain was abruptly pulled back. Heo Yeong-hwan came onto the scene with his face etched with concern. But the moment his eyes landed on Minjun in his white coat, his expression shifted to surprise.

He turned to Minjin. “What happened?”

Minjin quickly explained the situation. Minjun remained composed, but a flicker of discomfort passed through his eyes at the sight of Heo Yeong-hwan.

Minjin turned back to Minjun. “What’s the survival rate during and after the surgery?”

Minjun answered carefully, “Unlike most procedures, where the highest risk occurs during the operation, complications in this case tend to arise afterward. Common risks include obstruction, infection, and over-drainage of cerebrospinal fluid.”

“How much will the surgery cost?” Kim Bon-hwa asked hesitantly.

“The estimation will be 16 million won,” Minjun replied.

Kim Bon-hwa’s eyes widened in shock. “16 million won?!”

Minjin was equally stunned.

A tense silence hung in the air for a moment until Minjin broke it as she spoke with determination. “Don’t worry, unnie, I’ll take care of it.”

Kim Bon-hwa looked at her skeptically. “How? Where will you get 16 million won?”

“There are ways,” Minjin reassured her.

Minjun gave a small nod. “If you’re sure, I’ll need you to sign a waiver and consent form.”

“Okay, just give us some time,” Minjin replied firmly.

But Minjin's eyes suddenly widened when it struck her that Minjun had been addressing her with formalities while she had spoken to him casually.

Minjun turned to the nurse beside him. “Assist them with his confinement. Inform the head nurse to notify me once everything is processed.”

The nurse bowed. “Ne, Kang-seongsaengnim.”

Minjun then turned to Minjin and Kim Bon-hwa. “I’ll check on him later once his admission is complete. For now, I need to go.”

Minjin responded formally this time. She bowed slightly. “Araseyo. Gamsahamnida, seonsaengnim.”

Kim Bon-hwa followed suit, bowing and thanking Minjun.

Minjun gave a small bow before he left them. However, Heo Yeong-hwan lowered his head to hide his smirk. He also noticed how Minjun spoke with formalities with Minjin. Heo Yeong-hwan then turned to observe Minjin. She seemed unbothered while she focused on the urgent situation.

"Despite wearing a white lab coat, trash will always stink," he muttered under his breath. 

###

That evening, Minjun received a call from Bang Eun-kyung.

"Minjun-ah, how about dinner and some drinks tonight?" Bang Eun-kyung suggested cheerfully.

Minjun agreed, and they met at a cozy restaurant known for its samgyetang.

The fragrant chicken soup steamed in front of them as they sat across from each other. Their conversation started lightly, moving effortlessly from work to updates on their lives. Bang Eun-kyung animatedly shared stories about his day, including some amusing anecdotes about his cases.

However, as the meal progressed, Minjun grew noticeably distracted. Bang Eun-kyung observed how he was barely touching his food.

"Is everything alright, Minjun-ah?" he asked.

Minjun hesitated, taking a deep breath before finally speaking. "It’s about Tae-sung-hyung... and Minjin-ah."

Bang Eun-kyung's eyes widened in surprise. "Minjin is really back?"

"Yeah. Hyung told me she's been with him. But..." Minjun trailed off.

"What is it?" Bang Eun-kyung prompted.

Minjun's voice remained steady. "Hyung was admitted to the hospital today. It’s severe, and he needs surgery."

Bang Eun-kyung’s expression shifted to shock. “How is he now?”

“He’s stable, but the surgery needs to happen soon. I’ll be the one performing it,” Minjun replied.

Bang Eun-kyung nodded solemnly. "And Minjin-ah? How is she handling it?"

Minjun hesitated again, his gaze dropping to his bowl. “She’s… worried, of course. She only found out about his condition today.”

"It must be difficult for you to see her again under these circumstances," Bang Eun-kyung remarked.

Minjun gave a slight nod. "I never imagined we'd cross paths again like this."

Bang Eun-kyung exhaled, studying Minjun carefully. “How do you feel after seeing her?”

Minjun smiled faintly and turned to him. “I think I’m fine.”

"Should we tell Deji-noona about Minjin-ah?" Bang Eun-kyung asked.

"It's up to you," Minjun answered plainly, then returned to his meal.

"I’ll let everyone know in our group chat," Bang Eun-kyung decided. He picked up his phone and typed out a message:

Hey everyone, I have some news—it’s up to you whether it’s good or bad. Minjin is back, but Tae-sung-hyung is hospitalized and in critical condition.

After sending the message, he placed his phone back on the table and glanced at Minjun, observing him closely.

"So, how's life, Minjun-ah?" he suddenly asked, returning to his meal.

Minjun sighed heavily as he focused on his food. "The usual."

Bang Eun-kyung let out a small chuckle. "Ever since we became adults, our lives have become so monotonous."

Minjun forced a smile. "Everyone's busy. The last time we all saw our friends was back in December on my birthday."

Bang Eun-kyung nodded with a faint smile. "Yeah. These days, we only get together when there’s something to celebrate. This pattern started when we all went off to different colleges. I used to think that becoming an adult meant having more freedom and fewer burdens." He chuckled lightly. "But now that I am one, I think I’ve just become more existential."

Minjun offered a small smile but didn’t respond, continuing his meal in silence.

Bang Eun-kyung observed him before shifting the topic. "You know, my colleagues have been commenting on how much more muscular I got during our military service two years ago," he said, flexing his arm and rolling up his sleeve.

Minjun finally chuckled, looking at him. "Nado. A few nurses and colleagues have mentioned it too, although I’m always wearing a white coat."

Bang Eun-kyung leaned in with a teasing grin. "I bet a lot of women can’t help but stare at you even more now that you look so masculine."

Minjun simply smiled at him before turning the conversation around. "And you? Are you not interested in dating again?"

Bang Eun-kyung sighed. "My mother keeps pestering me to get married because she wants grandchildren. But I can’t just date any woman and immediately ask if she wants kids."

Minjun chuckled. "Our generation struggles with relationships. For many, marriage has become optional."

Bang Eun-kyung nodded. "It’s because we grew up in a time when toxic behaviors were normalized. Now that we're more aware and educated, some of us realize that marriage and relationships aren’t a necessity anymore."

Minjun sighed. "Millennials and Gen Z are all exhausted, stressed, and financially unstable. When we were kids, we were pressured to study harder. Now, we’re pressured to work harder to support ourselves and our parents. The toxicity never disappeared—it just evolved."

After a moment of silence, Bang Eun-kyung asked, "Anyway, Minjun-ah, how are things between you and Song Hyein?"

Minjun sighed again before looking at him. "We’re friends."

"Can you really be friends with your ex?" Bang Eun-kyung raised an eyebrow.

Minjun let out a small chuckle. "We’ve managed so far."

"And Han Aera?"

Minjun smirked and turned to him. "You know too much about me."

"I’m just concerned about you, Minjun-ah."

Minjun offered a faint smile. "Aera and I are on good terms. She’s married now."

Bang Eun-kyung smiled. "Well, at least she found someone who truly loves her."

Minjun’s smile became genuine. "Yeah, nado."

However, Bang Eun-kyung’s expression suddenly turned mischievous, and Minjun noticed.

"What?" Minjun asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You’ve managed to maintain good relationships with your past. But what about Minjin-ah? Do you think you can be friends with her too?" Bang Eun-kyung asked with a teasing grin.

Minjun’s eyes widened in mild disbelief before he chuckled. "Why are you bringing her up now?"

Bang Eun-kyung grinned. "I guess that means you can’t." He shook his head as he returned to his meal. "Anyway, I guess she hasn’t aged a bit. She even dyed her hair blue."

Minjun smirked under his breath and resumed eating. "She also has a tattoo on her forearm."

That caught Bang Eun-kyung’s attention again. "Really? She may have been influenced by men around her who  have tattoos, like Tae-sung-hyung and her... ex."

Minjun smirked slightly as he continued eating and did not respond.