Hwang Hyunjin

Hwang Hyun-jin is a tall, handsome, and masculine man, a caring father and devoted husband. At 26, he devotes himself entirely to his family: his beloved wife and young son. Hyun-jin holds a respectable position and earns enough to provide his family with a comfortable life. He is willing to do anything for their well-being, even if it means sacrificing his health.

Hwang Yu-ji is a beautiful and gentle 25-year-old woman. She also truly loves her husband and son. Her work as a dentist brings in just as much income as Hyun-jin, but all her income goes toward her own desires, as Hyun-jin has never accepted money from her. He believes it is his duty to provide for his family, and he does so with complete dedication.

Hwang Felix is ​​a small, sweet, and funny boy who loves to walk, play, and watch cartoons in the evenings. He truly loves his parents and is always ready to give them a gift. The little one is only five years old, and he demonstrates his cunning and resourcefulness by not attending kindergarten. Instead, he spends time in the fields or visiting his grandmother.

The morning of June 1, 2000, Children's Day, was a day off for everyone. The Hwang family lived in the small village of Hahoe, where everyone knew each other and everything was fine. However, everything changed when, that day, every man in the village received a summons requiring them to report to the military recruitment office for an urgent examination to determine their readiness for military service. At first, everyone was shocked, thinking it was a joke. But at 2:00 PM, an announcement rang out throughout the village:

— ATTENTION!! To all residents of Khahoe village! This is the administration speaking. An emergency situation has been declared: a military threat has been detected in the area. We ask all residents to immediately take shelter indoors!

The announcement was repeated twice, and the siren's wail echoed throughout the village. Panic ensued. People fled to their homes, and the men who had received summonses began quickly packing, saying goodbye to their loved ones. The Motherland was calling them—it was their duty. Every family prayed that day that their husband would not be declared fit for service.