"Artist"

Korean Men - Chapter 2

As you awaken from your nap, a wave of confusion washes over you. For a fleeting moment, you forget where you are—until the realization hits: you're in Korea, thousands of miles from home. Excitement flickers in your chest as you reach for your laptop, fingers dancing across the keys to list tomorrow's adventures. Then, a sharp hunger pang jolts you. Your stomach growls, loud enough to make you laugh. You decide to venture out, stepping into the golden sunlight and letting the cool breeze kiss your skin. Each step toward the restaurant builds your anticipation, your senses alive with the promise of discovery and a delicious meal.

Soon, you spot a sleek black building glinting in the sunlight, its many windows reflecting the vibrant city around you. The moment you step inside, the striking black-and-white interior feels both modern and welcoming, while the windows offer a perfect view of the bustling street. The irresistible aroma of simmering ramen instantly envelops you, making your mouth water. You barely glance at the menu before ordering the cheesy ramen, your pulse quickening in anticipation. When it arrives, you savor every creamy, cheesy bite, devouring your meal in a blissful ten minutes that seem to pass in an instant.

Before returning to your hotel, you visit the nearby Gwangjang market. You enjoy local cuisine and appreciate the vibrant atmosphere, gaining a deeper appreciation for Korean culture

As you leave, you stumble upon a gallery just three blocks away, but it's closed for the day. You make a mental note to visit tomorrow. Feeling tired, you begin to yawn and decide to head back to your hotel, where you order dessert from room service before settling into bed. You're excited about all the exploring you have planned for tomorrow.

The next morning came softly, sunlight filtering through the thin curtains in pale golden lines. You stretched slowly beneath the covers, still half-dreaming of unfamiliar city streets and the excitement that had carried you through yesterday. The air felt cool against your skin when you sat up, and a small flutter of anticipation stirred in your chest — you were really here.

You took your time getting ready, wanting the moment to feel deliberate. You slipped into a black dress that draped just right over your frame, smoothing the fabric with your hands. The material was soft, almost comforting, yet it made you feel confident — grounded. You pulled on your black tights, the slight resistance of the fabric somehow focusing your thoughts, and then stepped into your platform shoes. They gave you a bit of extra height, a subtle lift that felt like a quiet reminder: you were stepping into a new version of yourself.

You paused in front of the mirror for a moment. The reflection staring back at you looked familiar, but there was something different — a spark in your eyes, a quiet thrill in your expression. Maybe it was the city. Maybe it was the feeling of beginning again. Maybe it was simply the knowledge that outside these walls, the world was waiting.

With a small breath — steady, excited, hopeful — you grabbed your bag and headed out, ready to see what the day would bring.

As you walk toward the café, a quiet nervousness settles in your chest. Each step feels both light and uncertain, as if you're moving through someone else's life. The city around you hums with a rhythm you don't quite know yet, and for a moment, you wonder if you belong here at all — if maybe this world is somehow too big, too beautiful, too much for you.

But the morning is breathtaking. The sun spills across your skin like warm silk, gentle and reassuring, as if the day itself is welcoming you. The sky stretches wide and clear above the tall buildings, and their architecture rises in elegant lines — shapes and colors unlike anything you've known. Soft pastels against brushed stone, warm wood against cool metal. Everything feels heightened, vivid, alive.

You slow your pace just a little, taking in the way light glints off windows, the distant chatter of early morning voices, and the faint aroma of roasted coffee drifting toward you. It's like walking through the opening scene of a film — the part where the protagonist begins to realize their life is about to change.