Attack on the Pin-Up Boys

Two Neulparan High School students Kibum and Donghae discuss the recent string of attacks targeting the flower boys at neighboring high schools. The conversation frames the mystery and foreshadows their later involvement in investigating the cases.

On 14 February, Sungmin from Garam High School was attacked on his way home from school. A bag of feces was thrown at his face, drawing public attention to the pattern of assaults.

On 14 March, Hangeng, a basketball star from Geosang High School, was attacked in the same manner. The incident reinforced the sense that a serial attacker was on the loose and noticing patterns.

On 14 April, Kim Yesung, vocalist of a rock band from Nadam High School, was targeted in the attacks. The string of assaults kept the mystery alive and the public curious about the perpetrator.

Kibum concludes that the next victim will be from their own school and writes about the forecast on his blog. He suggests three possible targets—Siwon, Heechul, or Kangin—and frames his prediction as a way to explain the rising attention.

Mainstream media dubs the case Attack on the Pin-up Boys, causing the victims’ popularity to surge. Sungmin becomes a model and signs a contract, while Yesung releases a solo album. Heechul and Kangin attempt to boost their own popularity by posting attractive pictures on their blogs.

On 14 May, students are restless, anticipating the next attack as Kibum and Donghae are stuck in an extra class for a poor class score. Donghae slips out to continue the investigation while the rest of the class remains behind.

The next morning, Kibum learns that Siwon claimed to have been attacked the day before. After investigating, Kibum concludes that the claim was staged and the attack was faked.

Heechul and Kangin persist with their campaigns to attract attention, hoping to be chosen as the next vulnerable target. They continue to populate their blogs with attention-grabbing posts.

Donghae tells Heechul that the attacker is likely to strike near the garbage dumping ground between 9 and 10 pm. Heechul goes to the location and runs into Kangin, revealing that they both shared the same idea.

Meanwhile, Donghae, tailing Kibum, accuses Kibum of being the culprit. Kibum admits fault, but Donghae proposes an alternative plan instead of exposing him, adding strain to their investigation.

The next day, Donghae becomes the newest and final victim of the serial attacks. His sudden notoriety among students marks the end of the immediate wave of incidents.

Interest in the case fades after a few months with no new incidents. The coverage dwindles and the mystery gradually becomes a memory for students and the media.

Donghae asks Kibum where he obtained the faeces, but Kibum refuses to answer. This keeps a layer of mystery around Kibum’s role in the events.