Golden Print [EN]: Chapter 272

Professor Yoon Chi-hyung spoke casually, but everyone knew the entrance ceremony speech was very important. It was an event that would significantly shape the new students’ first impression of the school and was directly tied to the department’s external reputation.

Why was this speech so important for the department’s reputation? It was because the congratulatory speech usually featured a successful alumnus sharing their story. The more prominent the alumnus, the more the school’s prestige shone.

For example, if news spread that Woojin gave the speech at K University’s Department of Design, more people would learn that Seo Woojin, the architect and entrepreneur, was an alumnus. So, even though it was impromptu, Professor Yoon Chi-hyung’s decision was well-received. Woojin was at the peak of his success, making it a perfect choice.

Because of this, Woojin quickly had to think about what to say in his speech, which he hadn’t planned. He felt a mix of nerves and excitement.

“Welcome, everyone. I am Seo Woojin, class of 2010, Department of Spatial Design at K University.”

As Woojin stepped onto the platform, the hall was filled with excited chatter. Bright banners hung on the walls, welcoming the new students. Professors in their formal robes smiled warmly, and the new students, looking a mix of nervous and thrilled, filled the seats. Many freshmen were snapping photos and recording videos. The emcee tried to stop them, but Woojin smiled and waved him off.

“It’s alright,” Woojin said.

“Ah, yes. Senior!” the emcee responded.

Woojin took a deep breath and looked around at the audience. ‘To think I’d be standing here… It’s quite moving,’ he thought.

It was the first time in K University’s history that an undergraduate student, who hadn’t even graduated, was the speaker. This made the occasion even more special. Woojin hadn’t brought any notes, but he had spent a lot of time thinking about what to say to the new students who dreamed of becoming designers. He decided to tell his own story.

“Hello everyone, and a big welcome to all of you! You made it! Getting into this school is a huge achievement, and you should all be really proud of yourselves,” Woojin began. His calm voice filled the hall, and the noisy chatter gradually quieted down. The freshmen, excited by his appearance, began to focus on his words. His sincere voice seemed to touch their hearts.

“I also want to thank Professor Yoon Chi-hyung for allowing me, someone who feels inadequate, to stand here today,” Woojin continued calmly. The hall was now completely silent. Even the undergraduate students working as staff were looking at him with sparkling eyes. Usually, the entrance ceremony speech was seen as boring, but today felt different. Woojin was a young designer, not much older than the freshmen. Maybe they thought he would tell an interesting story.

Woojin swallowed hard and spoke again.

“Before standing here, I had a lot of worries,” he said, his voice clear and distinct.

“Did I really deserve to be the speaker at this important event? What kind of stories could I tell these juniors who are just starting their journey as designers?” Every word showed the worry Woojin had felt just moments before.

“This wasn’t because I was being humble about what I’ve achieved,” Woojin explained. He wanted to share his story honestly because he saw his younger self in the faces of the freshmen, taking their first steps towards their dreams.

“Looking back, I was a very lucky person.”

Woojin truly was lucky. He had been given a second chance at life, something no one else in the world had experienced. Of course, he couldn’t share that part of his story, but he planned to be honest about everything else. He wanted to share his unique experiences with his juniors, which he hoped would be meaningful.

“So, instead of giving advice, I’m going to share some stories from the past three years. I don’t know if it will help, but at least it will be interesting.” The story Woojin was about to tell began three years ago.

Woojin’s story became longer than he expected. There wasn’t a set time for the speech, but he had been talking for almost thirty minutes. Yet, no one in the hall was bored or dozing off. It was like a biography. To the freshmen, it was the story of someone they admired.

“Everyone, you know the pork cutlet restaurant near the back gate? WJ Studio’s first office was on the second floor of the building behind it.” When he mentioned starting a company as a freshman and doing architectural model outsourcing, there were exclamations.

“Wow… He founded the company in his first year?” someone whispered.

“No wonder he became so successful,” another student said.

“He’s a true legend,” a third voice added.

The freshmen, who didn’t know Woojin’s full story, were amazed that he had started a business at their age. When he mentioned winning the SPDC Grand Prize as a freshman, everyone envied him. Starting a business seemed like something from another world, but winning the SPDC award was a dream they all shared.

“SPDC gave me so many experiences. It was a chance to bring the architecture from my head into the real world for the first time. It was more valuable than anything else for someone who dreamed of being an architectural designer.” Everyone was fascinated by his relationship with Park Kyung-wan, the managing director of Chunwoong Construction, and the stories about the cast of made their eyes sparkle.

“Do you know where I first met actress Im Su-ha? It was at the Mapo Clio Model House. I was in charge of model outsourcing and interior design, and she was a guest. If I hadn’t met her then, I probably wouldn’t have been on . I told you I was lucky, right?”

“Haha!” the audience laughed.

The story of his collaboration with the Spanish architect Bruno at Wangsimni Parafield was amazing, and when he talked about the international conference at the AA School in England, everyone held their breath.

“What I realized in England was that even famous designers are just like us. They love design, and their architecture is no different from ours.” Of course, he also mentioned his participation in the Seongsu district design and .

However, he didn’t share any negative stories, like what happened with Kim Ki-tae at SPDC or the Architectural Association. The entrance ceremony was a place for positive energy, and he didn’t want to bring up anything negative.

“Thinking about it, I can’t believe all of this happened in three years. Haha,” Woojin said.

Woojin had been listing his stories, but there was a message in them. By the end of his speech, no one thought of him as just a ‘lucky person’. He had done too much to be considered only lucky.

“As I said, I was lucky,” Woojin repeated, his voice a little hoarse.

“But I have more than just luck.” Even though his voice was a little hoarse, every word Woojin spoke landed clearly in the ears of the new students, as if each one was important and meant just for them.

“I always had a dream, and I always challenged myself. It wasn’t a grand dream. I just wanted to do architecture.” Woojin tried to convey what he had felt over the past three years.

“I didn’t have a detailed plan or a perfect future. However, I didn’t lose sight of my dream, and I always tried to move in that direction.” Therefore, his final message was about the regrets he had in his previous life at the age of forty.

“We fear the unknown. But if we don’t challenge ourselves because of that fear, only the expected will happen.” He reflected on his past life, where he couldn’t choose what he wanted because of vague fears.

Even when he first stood on the platform, he didn’t know he would talk about this, but he spoke with passion.

“I hope you will walk confidently towards the path you desire. Don’t hesitate because it’s uncharted. Don’t try to walk a path that no one takes on purpose.” Woojin made eye contact with each of the freshmen.

“However, I hope that path is the one you truly want, whatever it may be.”

With that, Woojin’s speech ended.

“I hope you all find your own path here. Congratulations again, and welcome.”

As Woojin finished, the hall exploded with applause. It was a wave of sound that washed over him, making his ears ring and his heart swell. He felt a sense of relief and deep connection with these new students.