Graduation day from junior high school was the most unforgettable moment of my life. Days before the ceremony, I constantly reminded my parents not to get their hopes up. I wasn’t sure if I had done well in my final exams. My friends seemed so confident about their answers, discussing them with ease after the tests. I felt inferior and told my parents that if I didn’t rank at least fifth, there was no hope for me.

When the ranking announcement started, I braced myself for disappointment. As the fifth place was announced, my name wasn’t there. I stopped paying attention and began chatting with my friends, fearing how my parents would react. I was convinced they would compare me to my sister and feel let down by my performance.

Suddenly, my friends started shouting, “Chel, Chel! You got first place!” I froze, unable to believe what they were saying. My heart raced as I turned my eyes toward the big screen. There it was—my name at the very top. My hands went cold, and I felt a wave of disbelief. Slowly, I stood up and walked toward the stage, still doubting if this was real.

When I reached the stage, my homeroom teacher congratulated me with a warm handshake. In that moment, it finally sunk in—it wasn’t a dream. I had really achieved first place. The pride and joy I felt were overwhelming.

This moment meant so much to me because it was a dream I had carried since elementary school. Back then, I always wished to make my parents proud by becoming a top student, but I never succeeded. In middle school, I resolved to work harder, and finally, I accomplished it. This experience taught me the value of perseverance and became the most memorable moment of my life.

In my opinion, South Korea’s hoesik (after-work bonding ritual) has both good and bad sides. It’s nice because it helps people get closer to their coworkers. When you eat or drink together, you can talk more freely, even with your boss. This can make the workplace feel friendlier and less formal. Some people even say it helps them work better as a team.

But at the same time, I think hoesik can be really stressful. Not everyone wants to stay out late drinking or has the energy to hang out after work. A lot of employees feel like they have no choice but to join because they don’t want to upset their boss or seem rude. Plus, drinking too much can make people tired or unhealthy, which isn’t good for anyone.