The Story of Geochang High School feat. Senior Kang Dong-won

I came to visit my alma mater, Geochang High School, for the first time in almost 20 years, taking advantage of the summer vacation(?).

Unfortunately, since it happened to be the short school-break period, I couldn’t meet any of the younger students. Fortunately, one of the teachers on duty gave me a tour, which I was very grateful for.

The famous Ten Commandments for Choosing a Career

The “Ten Commandments for Choosing a Career” that made me think deeply about my future during my school days. If I had seriously followed these commandments, I might be a drummer by now haha.

I’ve grown to like drums!

The chairs have changed too.

They even added wonderful volleyball and basketball courts haha.

I’m suddenly remembering how we would all shout “Eossieoya!” on the sports field...

And, speaking of our Geochang High School’s pride, senior Kang Dong-won, let me share a little story...

Kang Dong-won’s graduation photo

There was already a rumor that, when I was a high school student playing soccer on that field, a fan club from the neighboring Geochang Girls’ High School would come over to cheer for him haha. He graduated the year I entered the school, so unfortunately I never got to see him in person.

Geochang High School allowed students to choose their own hairstyles and wear casual clothes even 26 years ago. I was one of those people who left Changwon and came all the way to Geochang because I wanted to grow my hair out haha.

I remember being Class 3, Grade 3, Student No. 27... That was a full 23 years ago. In our day, the humanities classes were Classes 1 and 2, while the science classes were Classes 3 and 4. I wonder if it’s still the same now? haha

During my senior year, I usually studied until 2 or 3 a.m., so I remember being so sleepy during daytime classes that I would often stand at the back and listen to class like this.

For some reason, it feels like that fan has been in the same spot for over 20 years haha.

It looks like Class 3, Grade 3 won the school arts festival! haha We poured out sweat and tears for that arts festival...

So students aren’t allowed to use their phones during evening self-study anymore! Still, if you get stuck, it would probably be faster to ask an AI haha.

It seems that the daily schedule has hardly changed from then to now.

But wait, they still have the “Red Line” these days!! LOL Even back then, the student council designated zones where we could walk around in our indoor shoes haha.

There are dress guidelines for the girls too!

Geochang High School Library

Oh, the library has become so much nicer! An epoxy floor, no less haha.

Is this a place where you lie down and read? haha

Back in our day, the girls’ dormitory was on the second floor of the cafeteria... Now they have a separate, beautiful dormitory! Even back then, the dorm supervisor said the girls’ rooms were much messier than the boys’ rooms... Somehow, I feel like that may still be the case haha.

A beautiful garden has appeared where we used to pull weeds from the vegetable garden every summer!

No crown without a cross.

The alumni association created this beautiful garden in 2020. Principal Jeon Yeong-chang, another legend of Geochang High School...

This embarrassed student, who has lived so completely opposite to the teacher’s teachings, bows his head for a moment...

My heart still feels like that immature high school boy who enthusiastically played the drums, but in just two years, my daughter will be a high school student herself haha.

Still, when I look back on my life, I think those three years may have been the happiest and most carefree of all haha.

#StudyingWasTheEasiest #GeochangHighSchool #KangDongwon