Son Chooses a College of Education Even After Getting Into Medical School; His Parents Trusted Him Without Question [Warm Stories]

[Financial News]"I am confident that I can become a good teacher."A test-taker who was accepted to medical school, a College of Korean Medicine, and a College of Pharmacy but still chose a college of education is drawing public attention.

According to Facebook on the 26th, 19-year-old Yoo Ha-jin, a graduate of Byeongjeom High School in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi Province, chose a college of education this year even after being accepted to medical school, a College of Korean Medicine, and a College of Pharmacy. In the 2026 university admissions early decision round, he was admitted to Hanyang University College of Medicine, the College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, and the College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, but decided to attend the Department of Korean Language Education, Seoul National University.
Explaining why he turned away from a path many envy and chose a college of education instead, Yoo said, "Among my six early admission applications, I originally planned to apply only to the Department of Korean Language Education, Seoul National University," and added, "I applied to medical school, a College of Korean Medicine, and a College of Pharmacy because my school recommended it and I wanted to confirm how far my academic performance could take me."
He went on, "I have liked speaking and teaching since I was young," adding, "I believe any work done for people has value."
Yoo began dreaming of becoming a teacher in the upper grades of elementary school. He recalled, "In sixth grade, I had a teacher who recognized each student's individual talents and helped me keep a 'practice notebook' where I could write storylines for my novels. In high school, I had another teacher who never gave up on any student, regardless of grades. Those teachers were the starting point of my dream," he said, expressing his gratitude.

Emphasizing his passion for teaching, Yoo stated, "If I had not been accepted to the Department of Korean Language Education, Seoul National University, I would have reapplied or even retaken the college entrance exam to try again." When he told his parents he would choose the path of a teacher instead of becoming a doctor, they trusted their son without any words of objection.
Im Tae-hee, Superintendent of the Gyeonggido Office of Education, who shared the details of his conversation with Yoo on his Facebook account, said, "When Yoo chose to become a teacher instead of a doctor, his parents trusted him without showing even a hint of displeasure. And even amid the flood of reactions after the article was published, Ha-jin was able to remain steadfast because he had long built up a conviction about being a teacher as a calling rather than just a job." Im added, "As superintendent, I will do my utmost so that one day he can say he is truly glad he became a teacher, and so that he can prove that his choice was not wrong."
sms@fnnews.com Seong Min-seo Reporter