MIN, Hanbyul

hanbyul has a warm heart, and it’s quickly obvious he’s pure and loyal. but it’s hidden behind his anxiety, and he can barely get himself to make small talk to a cashier at a store, let alone can he even make eye contact with most of the people he meets. his anxiety dominates him, and even though it’s hard to face, he’s trying to accept the therapy to help him be “more normal,” as he says. even though he’s been suffering because of exposure therapy among other things, he’s slowly learning how to make his way into the world as a grown man, and it’s becoming less frightening to him. he’s managed to make himself talk to people more recently instead of outright ignoring them, and he’s getting less awkward at making small talk, so there are signs the therapy is helping.


hanbyul was born as the second son to two loving parents. he was perfectly healthy and normal. he was promising to be brilliant, a quick thinker, and sociable, though he loved spending time with his older brother, jihan, the most.
however, when hanbyul was three, he contracted meningitis. after a long battle, it came down to his parents trying to face the fact hanbyul wouldn’t make it. so when he came to them a little different, they were just thankful they still had their son. however, hanbyul’s “different” got worse, and his parents began to worry. they took him to many doctors, most of whom insisted he’d grow out of it. by the time HanByul graduated elementary school, he was barely attending classes because he’d have panic attacks simply by being in a classroom. he was home schooled for middle school as his parents tried to get answers. finally, a doctor that had spent time in america suggested they bring him to a therapist, as his symptoms were nearly identical to that of ocd patients.
the stigma of going to a therapist, however, was too much to handle at first. but then hanbyul’s parents realized just how much hanbyul was suffering with the disease, and decided to give it a try, putting their pride behind them. hanbyul benefited from therapy enough to return to public school after he passed the high school entrance exam easily. although his parents received consistent complaints he was not social enough, they were just happy he was managing, for the most part normally, in a public setting.
he didn’t immediately go into college, originally intending to go to the military to fufill the mandatory service, but they dismissed him due to his mental health. hanbyul returned home, helping out around the house but otherwise not doing much. he finally decided to take the college entrance exam at the age of 20, and once again passed with flying colors.
it was only a year later his parents announced they’d be moving to the u.s., and everything that hanbyul had improved on and fixed came crashing down. he barely left the house, let alone could he even go to sleep without nervous ticks or anxiety getting in his way. after losing his wife and child, his brother moved back home, and decided to join the family in going to the u.s, if anything for hanbyul’s benefit.
hanbyul began cognitive therapy about a year after they moved. it’s been tough and tiring on him, but hanbyul doesn't seem to want to give up (at least not once he calms down from the sessions).
he’d been taking online courses at modesto university, working towards his degree, though originally having a bit of trouble since english wasn’t his first language. however, he managed, and in 2014, his parents were practically sobbing as they watched hanbyul present his thesis, in front of people, and he did well, even though he was a nervous wreck before the presentation.
hanbyul, for now, works under his dad in a small office doing general computer work. he was attracted by the ability to listen to music all day and not have to talk to anyone, but occasionally another co-worker will manage to get him to make small talk (though his dad is still trying to get HanByul to introduce himself to his co-worker friends).