#1
Standing before the mirror, Do-hyeon straightened the collar of his shirt, slipped on his tie, and carefully tightened the knot. The crisp suit still felt unfamiliar. He turned from side to side, studying his reflection, then opened his mouth wide, as if trying to release the tension building inside him.
Today was the day of his job interview. Since graduating from college, Do-hyeon had applied to numerous companies, only to face rejection time and again. Not long ago, he had submitted his résumé to a medical device company—one well regarded in the industry, with working conditions that appealed to him. Wanting this opportunity more than ever, he had been overjoyed to learn that he had passed the initial screening.
As he stepped out of the house, Do-hyeon opened his notebook. He reread the interview questions he had practiced until they were second nature, along with his notes on industry trends. Then, as the bright sunlight poured down, he lifted his head. The sky was a clear blue, and a gentle breeze brushed his forehead. Do-hyeon took out his phone and made a call.
“Grandma! I’m heading to the job interview today.”
“My dear, you’ve worked so hard to get this far.”
“When I pass and get my first paycheck, I’ll buy you those rice cakes you love.”
“That sounds wonderful. Don’t worry—just go and do your best. Grandma’s cheering you on.”
Do-hyeon ended the call. Hearing his grandmother’s encouragement seemed to calm his heart and fill him with renewed strength.
Just as he stepped out of the narrow alley and onto the main road, a sharp, acrid smell hit his nose. Up ahead, several people stood frozen in front of a house engulfed in flames, shifting anxiously from foot to foot. Instinctively, Do-hyeon ran toward them. At that moment, a woman burst out of the burning house, barefoot, clutching a small child in her arms.
“Please help! My mother-in-law is still inside!”
The woman cried out in desperation, but the bystanders could only look on helplessly, none daring to step forward. Do-hyeon glanced at his wristwatch and seemed to hesitate for a moment. Then he quickly set his bag down and asked the woman,
“Where is she?”
“In the room across from the front entrance.”
Do-hyeon covered his nose and mouth with a handkerchief. Without another moment’s hesitation, he rushed into the house.
#2
“I don’t even know how to begin thanking you. I’m truly grateful.”
The woman bowed repeatedly toward Do-hyeon who was lying on the hospital bed.
“It’s really nothing,” he replied gently. “Is your mother-in-law all right?”
“Yes—thanks to you. The doctor said it could have been dangerous if she’d inhaled even a little more of the toxic fumes.”
“That must have been terrifying. I’m so relieved she’s safe.”
“I can never repay what you’ve done, but I’d like to offer something, at least. May I have your contact information?”
“Oh, no—please,” he said. “I only did what anyone would have done.”
As she held out her phone, Do-hyeon lightly raised his hand to stop her. Just then, a doctor approached, and the woman stepped aside.
“How are you feeling now? Is the coughing any better?”
“Yes. Much better.”
“That’s good to hear. Inhaling hot smoke during a fire can cause burns to the airways. Fortunately, your chest X-ray shows no abnormalities. Since your coughing has nearly stopped, you’re free to go. Still, if you notice any discomfort in your throat or lungs, please return to the hospital immediately.”
Closing the chart, the doctor gave him a thumbs-up as Do-hyeon rose to his feet.
“I heard you carried the elderly woman out of the burning house. That was no small feat.”
“Oh, no,” Do-hyeon replied, waving his hand. “I just did what anyone would have done.”
He glanced at the clock on the emergency room wall. His interview time had long since passed. As he brushed the soot off his suit, the doctor asked,
“Heading to work? You really should take it easy and rest at home today.”
With an awkward smile, Do-hyeon scratched the back of his head.
“Actually, I was on my way to a job interview.”
“Oh my,” the doctor said. “Then it’s the company’s loss for missing out on someone like you. Which company was it?”
“XX Medical.”
“Really? We use many of their products here at our hospital. It’s a shame you had to miss the opportunity.”
“As long as the elderly woman is safe, that’s enough for me.”
Do-hyeon thought of his grandmother’s voice, the way she had promised to cheer him on. He knew that if she heard what had happened today, she would tell him he had done well.
#3
Do-hyeon lifted his gaze from the laptop screen. After scanning job postings on a recruitment website, he rubbed his stiff neck and stretched. Just then, his phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Yes, hello. This is the HR department at XX Medical. May I speak with Mr. Lee Do-hyeon?”
Do-hyeon instinctively straightened up.
“Would you be able to come in for an interview today?”
“Pardon me? Yes—yes, I can.”
Startled by the unexpected call, Do-hyeon quickly got ready and rushed out of the house.
“Mr. Lee, please come in.”
Taking a deep breath, Do-hyeon stepped into the interview room, where three interviewers were waiting. The one seated in the center—who had a calm, approachable expression—opened the conversation.
“Mr. Lee, it’s nice to meet you. You weren’t able to attend your previous interview. May we ask what happened?”
Swallowing hard, Do-hyeon began to speak.
“On my way to the interview, I came across a house fire. I was told there was an elderly woman still inside, so I went in to help her, which caused me to miss the interview.”
“I see,” the interviewer said thoughtfully. “Running into a burning building is no small decision. What made you choose to act?”
A female interviewer with short hair adjusted her glasses and looked at him closely.
“There wasn’t time to think,” Do-hyeon replied. “But in that moment, my grandmother came to mind. She raised me when I was young.”
“You must have realized that helping her would likely mean missing the interview,” another interviewer said.
“Yes,” Do-hyeon answered calmly. “Of course, the interview was important—my future depended on it. But I couldn’t turn away from someone whose life was in immediate danger.”
The interview continued with several more questions, and Do-hyeon answered each one earnestly. At last, the interviewer seated in the center set down his pen and exchanged a glance with the other two. When they both nodded, he spoke again, his expression gentle.
“Actually, I have a close acquaintance, a doctor, at the hospital where you were treated. He contacted me that day.”
Do-hyeon’s eyes widened in surprise.
“After hearing about you, we convened the hiring committee,” the interviewer continued. “Helping someone in danger is never an easy choice. It’s even harder when it involves personal risk and requires setting aside something important to you. We felt the way you put another person’s safety first aligns closely with our company’s values. That’s why we decided to give you this interview opportunity.”
When the interview ended, Do-hyeon stepped out through the company’s front doors, his stride light.
When you do good, good finds its way back to you.
He smiled softly as his grandmother’s familiar words came to mind. Thinking he should visit the doctor to thank him in person, he walked on—then suddenly stopped and turned around.
The company building stood tall behind him, its broad glass windows reflecting the sky and drifting clouds, glowing in the sunlight. Having been given a second chance, Do-hyeon promised himself that if he were hired, he would work with sincerity and dedication. Bathed in the warm light, his face shone with quiet hope.
7