Seo Haebom

Seo Haebom is one of the lead characters of the Cherry Blossoms After Winter manhwa. Brought into the same household as Jo Taesung, he navigates his changing relationship when he finds himself in the same class as him.

Background
Haebom had a hard childhood, since his mother and father died in an accident. He was taken in by his mom's closest friend, Ha Eunson, who he calls Ahjumma when he was 7. Haebom heard her son Taesung say that he did not want to be brothers. Trembling he wet himself and was upset. Even though he and Taesung were best friends before, after that and living together they grew up not talking to each other much. He is in class 3-1. On his first birthday at his new home Haebom answered that he wanted to eat bread. At a bakery he was told to choose anything he wanted to eat. Seeing a cake with a lot of numbers, Haebom then saw cream bread and equated it with cream cake on account of the first word there.

When marriage was discussed as being between two people who like each other Haebom answered that he did like Taesung.

Appearance
He has messy dark blue hair and light blue eyes that can appear different shades depending on the light. Haebom is about 5'9 feet tall. For clothing he wears his school uniform or his suit.

Personality
Feeling that he is a burden to his family Haebom offers to assist with household tasks and works hard at school to not disappoint Ahjumma and Taesung. This does not mitigate his feeling of being a freeloader in this house. Even as a child he felt bad for taking things away from Taesung, including a toy car that he gave of his own accord. To repay his kindness Haebom avoided getting into trouble to try and lessen what he saw as any damage to him.

Isolating himself he leaves the cafeteria when Taesung enters and also considers it good to be able to hide at home. Haebom does this out of unease that his life at school will be found out. His head hurts after being worried all day long. He frames his experiences as something that he has to hide, and that he cannot get caught. Amenable to a fault Haebom keeps quiet and complies with demands that are an inconvenience to him such as using his own money to buy snacks for bullies like Junseung and Sangwon. With his gentle personality Haebom cannot understand why others like Junseung would say something that would hurt someone's feelings after he disparaged a girl's appearance.

Tending to backtrack when feeling too forward Haebom was happy to enjoy the cake before thinking he said too much. When it was mentioned how he thought Taesung hated him he contemplates how he was too straightforward before speaking that he could understand it from his position. Stunned to see his phone message could be read as ordering Taesung to go to the snack bar Haebom follows up by saying it was a mistake before asking if he wants to go.

He is impressed at a carpark and trees below from the vantage point of a high up building and speaks how it is amazing. Haebom also appears genuinely shocked when Taesung agrees to let him borrow his English textbook.

His anger is reserved for people who speak ill of Taesung. After Junseung questioned whether Taesung was using Haebom for oral pleasure it was the first time Haebom challenged his conduct.

Story
For Seo Haebom's experiences in the Cherry Blossoms After Winter story:

Jo Taesung
As children they were initially friends but naturally drifted apart when they began living together. This was due to Haebom overhearing that Taesung did not want him to be his brother. Additionally the drift was from a fixed idea that he was a burden onto the family which was also instigated in part by Haebom feeling he was taking things away when Taesung shared his toys with him. Presently Haebom avoided Taesung out of concern that the reality of his school life would be discovered. He thought Taesung is not the kind of person that should be compared to him.

Startled to see Taesung join him in the cafeteria Haebom wonders if he is here because of Ahjumma's request or because he realized his situation concerning bullies and done it out of pity. Walking behind him Haebom thinks how Taesung is so tall. He answers that Junseung and Sangwon are his friends. Receiving cake for his birthday Haebom wonders if he should ask Taesung to eat it with him yet thinks how he does not even like sweet food. Haebom further grapples with Taesung thinking he is being too friendly after only eating together at school once. Eating cake together at Taesung's suggestion Haebom notes he has not had much. With his envelope of cash returned by Taesung he then blushes when wished happy birthday. At that point Haebom wondered how long it had been since Taesung even called his name then tells him he is really happy at what he said. It is a new development for him that his answer is accepted when Haebom tells Taesung that Junseung and Sangwon were just joking. Interacting more, whether Taesung is good to him because of Ahjumma or out of pity Haebom chooses not to care because he thought this was his last chance to recover their relationship.

They were still strangers at school which Haebom felt was understandable since it would be difficult for Taesung and his friends. One thing that has changed is them eating together. Asking if this is fine in case Taesung's friends find out, Haebom confirms he himself likes eating with him. With it clear Junseung regards him not as a friend but a lackey Haebom assumes it is over with Taesung and apologizes for lying. Hearing he did nothing wrong, his request for Taesung to not tell Ahjumma is agreed to and Haebom is told he can tell Taesung if he is having a hard time. Contemplating how he thought Taesung hated him all this time Haebom is happy when he talks to him. Since he agreed not to tell Ahjumma he concludes Taesung's actions are not because of her request. Feeling he is not in a position to question his reasons Haebom considers how he does not really know what Taesung is thinking. Asked what his relationship with Taesung is by Junseung he considers friend as a word but wonders if he can say it. Walking back together Haebom asks if Taesung is okay. Asking whether he got into a fight with Junseung he wonders whether Taesung was scared. Haebom thinks he wishes he was as strong as him. Asked to come with him to get a workbook Haebom reacts to Taesung standing close to him.

After witnessing two children discuss marriage Haebom is mortified to remember that he and Taesung had a similar conversation when they were younger where he confirmed that he liked him. Happy to get a seat while Taesung orders he asks how much the cake is he bought for him to hear it is a treat. Haebom learns that rather than Ahjumma it was Taesung who bought him his birthday cakes. Learning that Taesung never hated him, from the childhood incident where it was the first time Haebom heard Taesung shout he saw it as him saying he did not want them to live together. Consequently Haebom avoided Taesung because he tried not to damage him but did not know this was how Taesung felt. Knocking on his door Haebom divulges that he never hated him and how could he. At school instead of approaching Taesung who is with Inje and Nia he contacts him via phone messages to asks if he wants to go to the snack bar. Haebom is happy to buy him snacks but is aghast at Taesung offering him the one drink he bought since Haebom bought it for him.

When his English textbook is taken by Junseung he appears apprehensive before asking Taesung if he can borrow his in addition to a pen. With the annotations Haebom regards Taesung's textbook as that of a first place student. Defending Taesung from Junseung speaking ill of him, after he is rescued Haebom thanks Taesung for helping him from that predicament. Enjoying cream bread together, when Taesung bites into it and the cream is pushed out Haebom eats from the other end. Realizing the scenario Haebom says sorry but it would just be a waste if the cream spills while thinking he has gone crazy. Haebom notes that Taesung has turned red yet smiles at the awkward situation.

He lives with Taesung in an apartment brought by Ms. Ha. Haebom is currently dating him and is planning to get married to him soon.

Ha Eunson
Taesung's mother, she was close friends with both of Haebom's parents. Haebom usually refers to her as Ms. Ha or Ahjumma. When his well-being is enquired about, Haebom out of habit replies he is okay. He is concerned about Ahjumma finding out about his school life. Believing himself to be an inconvenience to them he cannot have her worry about him. Getting up early to help prepare breakfast, when Haebom is praised for that he feels he got Taesung in trouble. He thanks Ahjumma for the envelope of cash he receives on his nineteenth birthday. When that money is taken by Junseung, he cries and to himself says sorry to her. Haebom considers he will pay her back when he makes money. Regarding how Junseung treats him Haebom acts to keep it a secret from Ahjumma. At some point they did discuss Haebom attending cram school and getting private lessons.

Kim Junseung
Having met him for the first time last year Haebom was bothered by him and Sangwon for reasons unknown to him. Made to run errands for this boy in his class, Haebom rationalizes it as him borrowing money and things from him from time to time without any thoughts on giving them back. He flinches when Junseung raises his hand and acts aggressively at Haebom using his name. Confirming that he has had breakfast when Junseung asks in a friendly manner, Haebom is ordered to return the question. Told to buy it for him and called slow Haebom stands at once to go and get Junseung breakfast. Complying with that he also leaves when ordered to by him. Haebom hands 5,000 Won over when told to. Smacked on the head Haebom thinks how he is in no position to worry about others.

With the money Ahjumma gave to him on his birthday taken Haebom shouts at him to give it back and is punched across the face by him. Regarded as a rich obedient lackey, Haebom is used by Junseung who tries to get into Taesung's good graces by offering to share Haebom as a lackey. When he notices that Taesung confronts him when Haebom is involved he is asked what their relationship is. While he thinks that Taesung is a friend Haebom feels how Junseung would not believe it. Haebom decides that Junseung can hit him all he wants but he cannot give him an answer. When Junseung is angered at Taesung having held him responsible for telling the dean that he and Sangwon were smoking Haebom becomes the target of his ire. With his English textbook and pencil case taken, when Haebom points out Junseung has taken everything he says sorry for talking back. Observing him sleeping in class Haebom notes how Junseung does not even study and wonders why he bothered to borrow his book. When the textbook he borrowed from Taesung has chocolate milk poured over it by Junseung he is also ordered to clean that up and the carton dropped to the floor. After Taesung confronts Junseung on the book Haebom is ordered to come see the latter after school and to not even think about running away. When Junseung asks if Haebom sucked Taesung's thing Haebom is angered. Telling Junseung to not speak ill of Taesung he affirms that the one who is a crazy bastard is Junseung.

Lee Sangwon
Along with Junseung he had his things taken by him and Haebom just wanted to escape from them both this semester. Lying to Taesung that Sangwon and Junseung are his friends Haebom feels if he just lets them do what they want nothing big will ever happen. His and Junseung's influence is pervasive enough that Haebom would not buy snacks for himself since they would take it.

Haebom's Parents Jeonghee
On his birthday Haebom thinks how he misses them more and wonders if they are doing okay. He does not want them to worry about him.