Uncle and I
Chapter 1 —
University Hospital Funeral Hall
The Late: Seo Ha-jin
Mourner: Kim Chul-hwan
Like any funeral hall, this place too was filled with people grieving the one who had passed.
But there was something different here.
Outside the building, fans were gathered in clusters, while reporters stood ready with cameras and microphones, eager to catch even a glimpse of someone connected to the deceased.
“Mr. Go In-hwan! Were you close to Seo Ha-jin? Did he ever say he was having a hard time?”
“Sir! Fans are saying your company handled things too carelessly. What do you think about that?”
“Bring our oppa back! Aaaah!”
“Oppaaa! Huhuhu!”
“Hello, this is ***News’ Kim Ho-jin reporting from the funeral of Seo Ha-jin, member of the group B-One.
After the sudden death of Seo Ha-jin, this place has been chaotic with fans and people from the industry.
It was well known that he had been suffering from depression since the tragic loss of his family a few months ago.
With suspicions that his death was a suicide, many are now questioning whether the agency handled things properly.
The police found no signs of forced entry and have ruled the case a suicide based on evidence at the scene.
There is still no news about a will or note, but we will report again as soon as we have new information.
This has been Kim Ho-jin, ***News.”
Inside the Funeral Hall
“Damn it… this is just too cruel.”
“Hey, keep your voice down,” said Jaewon quietly.
“Hyung, how can I? Hajin, that poor guy… and those damn reporters out there acting like vultures—what’s wrong with them?!”
“I know how you feel,” Jaewon said softly. “But let’s not cause a scene during Hajin’s last farewell. Reporters and people outside are all watching our every move. Let’s stay quiet for him, okay? We can talk later back at the dorm.”
Jaewon, leader of the idol group B-One, tried to calm Hwan down.
The sudden death of their member Ha-jin had shaken them all.
But as the leader, he wanted to make sure Ha-jin’s final journey would be peaceful—without scandal or chaos.
He knew how hard things had been for Ha-jin these past few months—after losing his sister, brother-in-law, and young nephew in a sudden accident.
Everyone had tried their best to support him, but maybe it hadn’t been enough.
Their gentle younger brother had chosen to end his life.
Guilt pressed down on Jaewon’s chest—if only he had done more.
But Ha-jin was gone, and there was no bringing him back.
They had trained together since their teenage years, debuting as idols and surviving the ups and downs of the industry for over ten years.
They weren’t just teammates—they were family.
Now, that family was missing one of its own.
Outside, reporters were swarming like flies around a light.
The members sat silently, heads bowed, tears falling one after another.
Fellow celebrities, staff, and broadcasters came and went, paying their respects.
The members stood beside their manager, greeting each visitor.
“Guys,” said Chul-hwan, the group’s manager, “I’ll take care of things here. You should go rest for a bit. You haven’t eaten or slept all day. If any of you collapse, it’ll be even worse.”
“No, hyung. We’ll stay.”
“Yeah. Ha-jin hated being alone. We’ll stay with him till the end,” Roy said—and then broke into sobs.
Hearing him cry, the others couldn’t hold back either.
Chul-hwan sighed deeply.
He was heartbroken too—but he worried about the boys even more.
Still, if one of them fainted here, it would be serious trouble.
He looked around, spotted someone carrying food, and called out.
“Do-young!”
“Yes, sir?”
The young man, Do-young, quickly came over. He was B-One’s road manager.
“Take the members to the side room and let them rest a bit. Get them something to eat too.”
“Yes, I’ll do that.”
Do-young went to the members. “Hyungs, please rest in the other room. I’ll stay here with the manager.”
“It’s fine, Do-young. We’ll stay here.”
“Hyungs,” he said gently, “if you keep this up, Ha-jin hyung would be sad. Please eat and rest a bit. If you all collapse, Ha-jin won’t be able to rest peacefully.”
His quiet, sincere words worked.
The members finally sighed, got up, and walked into the side room.
Do-young brought them fruit and drinks. “Here. I figured rice would be too hard to eat, so just have this. You still need some strength.”
“Thanks, Do-young.”
“I’m just doing my job,” he said softly.
“Ha-jin really cared about you, you know. You must be hurting too. Sit down and rest for a bit.”
Jaewon handed him a drink.
Do-young accepted it silently and took a sip—knowing that if he didn’t eat, the members wouldn’t either.
Seeing that, the others reluctantly started nibbling too, though tears soon fell down their faces.
Even eating felt like a sin.
After crying for a long time, exhaustion finally took over, and they fell asleep.
Do-young quietly covered them with blankets, turned off the lights, and stepped out.
“How are they?” asked Chul-hwan.
“They cried themselves to sleep. Couldn’t eat much.”
“…At least they’re resting now,” he murmured. “You okay, Do-young?”
“I’ll be fine. I have to be.”
Chul-hwan gave him a look of pity.
Do-young had been with the team for less than a year. He was an orphan—quick to learn and always hardworking.
Everyone liked him.
The B-One members were known for their good personalities, but still, this kind of work had high turnover. Finding someone dependable like Do-young was rare.
Even the agency hoped he would stay long-term.
The members treated him like a younger brother. Especially Ha-jin—who had lost his parents young and was raised by his sister. He saw something of himself in Do-young.
They’d grown close, like real brothers.
But ten months ago, Ha-jin’s sister, her husband, and their three-year-old son were killed in a car accident caused by a truck driving the wrong way.
Ha-jin had completely broken down. He’d faint, wake up, and faint again.
After the funeral, he shut himself in at home. The depression grew severe.
The members and staff took turns caring for him, but it barely helped.
Do-young stayed by him constantly, trying to comfort him.
After a while, Ha-jin seemed to get a little better.
Everyone felt relieved—except Do-young, who still felt uneasy.
“Do-young, I’m really okay now. You should go back to your normal work.”
“Hyung, my job is to look after you.”
“I know, but you’ve been here day and night. You need to rest too. I’m fine now—go home and sleep for a bit.”
After much persuasion, Do-young finally left for a short rest, with permission from the manager.
He planned to stay nearby until the other members came, but Ha-jin had insisted he go.
That was a mistake.
In the thirty minutes between Do-young leaving and the others arriving—
Ha-jin took his own life.
By the time they found him and called an ambulance, it was already too late.
When Do-young heard the news, he ran to the hospital—but what greeted him was Ha-jin’s lifeless body.
“No… no, this isn’t real. Hyung!! You told me to rest! Why are you lying here like this?! What am I supposed to do now?! It’s my fault… I shouldn’t have left! I should’ve stayed with you… Hyung, please wake up!!”
Do-young collapsed, crying uncontrollably.
The agency staff had to hold him up.
“It’s not your fault, Do-young. We were all careless… it’s all of us, not just you. Don’t blame yourself.”
Later, they all worked together to arrange Ha-jin’s funeral.
Even though Do-young appeared calm, his heart was torn apart.
Ha-jin had been the one who encouraged his dreams, took him to filming sets, and taught him things like an older brother would.
Now, that warmth was gone forever.
When the funeral ended, they brought Ha-jin to the same resting place as his sister’s family.
Everyone went home—but Do-young couldn’t bring himself to leave.
He stood in front of Ha-jin’s smiling photo for a long, long time.
The picture made him look so peaceful, so happy.
“Hyung… rest well beside your family. You won’t be lonely anymore now that you’re together again. Don’t worry about us. I’ll come visit sometimes when I miss you. Until then, be at peace.”
After saying his final goodbye, Do-young finally turned to leave.
He had to live on—because that’s what the living must do.
That’s what Ha-jin had wanted too.
While packing up Ha-jin’s things earlier, he had found a note on the desk:
[I’m sorry, everyone.]
I don’t know what to say, but I’m really sorry.
I know how much you all tried for me—thank you for everything.
To my members, Chul-hwan hyung, Do-young, the company staff, and all the fans…
I’m truly sorry and grateful.
I tried to hold on, but each day became too hard.
Please don’t forgive me for choosing such a cowardly end.
Just… forget me and live happily.
I know it’s selfish to say this as I leave,
but I really want you all to be happy.
Now, I’ll rest beside my family.
Even breathing has become too painful.
I just want to rest.
Please, don’t feel guilty.
Don’t be sad for me.
Just live well.
I’m sorry for leaving you with this memory.
Goodbye.
When Do-young first read it, he broke down crying again.
Later, everyone who read the letter wept—but they promised to honor Ha-jin’s wish by living happily.
Do-young, too, tried to steady his heart and move forward.
After saying goodbye, he stepped out of the memorial building onto the main road.
Suddenly, his vision went white.
‘Why… why am I so dizzy? Maybe because I haven’t slept…’
Before he could take another step, his body swayed and collapsed.
The last thing he saw were people running toward him, shouting in alarm—
and then everything went dark.
