Man, what a day in Koch-ang! Seriously, I’m still reeling from it. Woke up thinking it’d be just another boring day, but nah, life had other plans.
So, I’m a Mourner, right? Yeah, sounds heavy, but it’s kinda my gig. I roll with the punches, help folks through their grief. But today? Today was a rollercoaster.
First off, I hit up the market on Gwangjang Street. You know, the one with all the food stalls? I was just tryna grab some tteokbokki, my fave. But guess what? The vendor was out! Like, how do you run out of tteokbokki? I was so mad, I could’ve thrown a fit. But I just settled for some kimbap instead. Not the same, but whatever.
Then, I get a call. It’s my buddy, Ji-hoon. He’s like, “Dude, you gotta come to the park!” I’m thinking, “What park?” Turns out, he’s at Hanok Park, the one with all those traditional houses. I rush over, dodging people on the streets. You know how it is in Koch-ang—everyone’s in a hurry, but no one’s really going anywhere.
When I get there, Ji-hoon’s in a full-on panic. He lost his dog, Bobo. I’m like, “Seriously, man? You can’t keep track of a tiny dog?” But I help him look anyway. We’re calling out for Bobo, and I swear, the whole park is staring at us like we’re nuts.
Finally, we find Bobo chillin’ by the river. He’s just sitting there, looking all cute and oblivious. I’m like, “Dude, you scared me!” Ji-hoon’s all relieved, and I’m just happy to see that little furball.
But then, outta nowhere, it starts pouring. I mean, like, monsoon-level rain. We dash for cover under a tree, but it’s not enough. I’m soaked, Ji-hoon’s soaked, and Bobo? He’s just prancing around like he’s in a spa. I’m laughing, but also kinda mad. Why does this always happen to me?
After the rain, we decide to hit up a café on Jeongdong Street. I need a pick-me-up, ya know? We grab some coffee, and I’m trying to dry off. The barista is super chill, and we start chatting. Turns out, she’s from Seoul and moved here for the vibe. I get it. Koch-ang has this weird charm.
But then, I overhear some folks talking about a festival happening later. I’m like, “What festival?” Apparently, it’s the Lantern Festival at the river. I’m intrigued. So, we finish our coffee and head over.
The river’s lit up with all these colorful lanterns. It’s beautiful, man. I forget all the craziness of the day. I’m just standing there, soaking it all in. Ji-hoon’s snapping pics, and I’m trying to look cool, but I’m still drenched.
Then, I see this old lady selling lanterns. She’s got this huge smile, and I can’t help but buy one. It’s a little crooked, but whatever. I write a wish on it—something silly, like “More tteokbokki!” and we set it afloat.
As we watch it drift away, I feel this weird mix of happiness and sadness. It’s like, life’s a mess, but it’s also kinda beautiful, ya know?
By the end of the night, I’m exhausted but happy. Koch-ang, you wild city, you’ve got my heart. I head home, thinking about all the unexpected twists. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.