by REERA YOO
It’s a well-known fact that South Korean high school students endure tremendous amounts of stress as they prepare for their College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), a standardized test that plays a crucial role in the college admission process. A few months ago, the Busan Police decided to relieve some of this stress by surprising a class of high school seniors with kind and reassuring words.
On July 29, 100 days prior to the 2015 CSAT, the Busan Police paid a visit to Dadae High School’s third year students under the pretense of giving a safety lecture. In the clip, an officer turns on what at first appears to be an alcohol safety video. However, the video soon reveals itself to be a compilation of warm encouragements from the students’ mothers, who tell their children to not worry too much about the upcoming exam, wishing them happiness.
The students were shocked and touched by their mothers’ words, and many bursted into tears. You can watch the video below, but make sure you have a box of tissues nearby.
Every year, on the day of the national exam, South Korea’s stock markets, public offices and banks open an hour later than usual. Rush-hour schedules for buses and subways are also extended in order to avoid traffic jams on the test day. In addition, family members and younger students often flock outside the test centers to cheer on the examinees.
The 2015 CSAT will take place on Nov. 13. According to Allkpop, the Busan Police published the video along with an article on their Facebook page and wrote, “Good things come and come again. … Now there really isn’t much time left. Hwaiting, Republic of Korea’s examinees!”
