I opened a book while waiting for the results.
The exam is over, but the results aren’t in yet. Just as Jiwoo opens a book to catch up on studying, their phone buzzes again.
Jiwoo is waiting for exam results and opens a book to catch up on studying. Haewol looks with them at the crossroads that emerge in the waiting.
After the exam, Jiwoo stacks the books they’ve put off studying on their desk while waiting for the results. When a friend from their academy shares news of passing and asks what they’ll study next, Jiwoo swallows the words they haven’t figured out yet. In the counseling room, Haewol sets waiting for the results and continuing to learn side by side, without tying them together. The story pauses at the moment when Jiwoo still hasn’t chosen an answer.
When studying falls behind as you wait for results
When you set waiting for results and continuing to learn side by side, the choices you can see now may look a little different.
What studying do you find yourself putting off most while waiting for results?
The moment the phone buzzed just as the book opened stayed with me. It felt like waiting and learning had overlapped before I had to choose one or the other. If you’re going through something similar, tell us your story, too.
Scenes
- 01 · The blank space on the desk The textbook left unopened — The exam is over, but the results aren’t in yet. Jiwoo lays out the textbooks they’ve fallen behind on and looks at the first page.
- 02 · News of passing A friend passes — Mina, a friend from the academy, sends news that she passed and asks when Jiwoo will start studying for the next exam. Jiwoo reads the message on the phone lying on top of the book. Mina: I passed! When are you starting to study for the next exam, Jiwoo?
- 03 · Two kinds of waiting Words set side by side — Jiwoo says that while waiting for the results, the studying they’ve fallen behind on keeps piling up. Haewol writes ‘results’ and ‘studying’ side by side on the paper. Jiwoo: The studying I’ve fallen behind on keeps piling up while I wait for the results. Haewol: Jiwoo, I’d like to put both paths on the same page. Waiting for the results and continuing to study don’t necessarily have to wait for one to end before the other can begin.
- 04 · The words left unsaid Words not chosen yet — Two words sit side by side on the paper. Jiwoo looks at them, then presses their lips together again. Haewol: Of those two, which one comes to mind first today?
Stories by Haewol
- Haewol
- Thinking about a new customer base wakes me before dawn.
- Even after the funeral, I’m still unsure whether to leave the group or stay.
- Sitting in the parked car, I try not to call Mom first.
- In the hospital waiting room, she imagines welcoming new customers.
- Even while shopping, I can't bring myself to say it.
- By the rainy window, I’m unsure whether we should manage our money together.
- Even while folding laundry, I weigh whether to go into business with someone or go it alone.
- When I’m alone in my room, I wonder if it’s okay to rest today.