Grocery Jin

Grocery Jin (Part 1)

Imagine this:
You and your family recently migrated to Seoul, South Korea for your studies. Since the haksaeng-deul (students) in Korea are still on a spring break because classes start on the last week of August, your eomma (mom) convinced you to go grocery shopping with her and join her and her new Korean friend in their cooking session this afternoon. Meeting people and learning some Korean recipes wouldn't hurt, you said to yourself.

Because you left the house late, your eomma asks you to help her pick out the ingredients you'll be needing. You walk through an aisle and tiptoe, reaching for the pack of noodles that you need. Unfortunately, your height won't allow you to get it.

Suddenly, a namja (man) in a pink sweater gets behind you, close enough to hug you that you feel his soft hoodie touch your back, and reaches for the product you were aiming for.

"Yogiyo (Here)," he says as he hands you the pack of noodles with a sweet smile.

"Ka-kamsahamnida." (Thank you) you reply in a shaky voice, taking the product from the hand of the charming stranger which makes you blush and makes your heart throb.

He looks at you with a concerned look. Seeing that your face is slowly turning red, he politely asks "Gwenchansumnikka? (Are you alright?)"

He steps forward to check you, but you take a step back. "Gwenchamsumnida.(I'm okay),"

Seconds later, you hear some agassi-deul (young ladies) from behind you talking and snapping photos of the man who just helped you.

"Omona! (Omg!) Is that Jin?"

"Kim Seok Jin? Jinjja?" (Really?)

"Geunyeoneun nuguya?" (Who is she?)

Because you're too occupied with your feelings and thoughts, you ignore the conversation of the ladies behind you.

The namja (man) grabs a product from the aisle, winks and smirks (in your direction) and he heads to the cashier to pay. You faintly hear him greet the woman at the cashier "Joeun haru dweseyo." (Have a nice day). As he disappears into the busy Seoul crowd, you hope that you'll see him again someday.

Around half an hour later, you and your eomma walk out of the grocery store to the sidewalk with the plastic bags containing the ingredients you bought. (research image of korean groceries)

Your mom hails a cab and you both get in. "Ahjussi, ejusoro gajuseyo." (Mister, please take me to this address) you say as you hand him a piece of paper with the address your mom told you to write the other day.

On your way to the location of the address you hear BTS' Butterfly softly start playing through the ajhussi's car's speakers and start humming the song's melody.

Gyeote meomulleojullae
Naege yaksokhaejullae
Son daemyeon naragalkka buseojilkka
Geobna geobna geobna

Finally you get off the cab and hand the ahjussi your payment.

Behind you is a two-storey house with a white, plain wall as its exterior. You press the doorbell saying "Je ireumeun (your name) imnida. Is Mrs. Kim there?"

"Ye, jamkanman." (Wait a moment). A voice of man quickly replies.

Soon the gate of the house opens and a young man wearing a pink sweater with a white apron on top greets you. "Annyeonghaseyo! (Hello!) Come in."

Your mom gets through the gates first leaving you and the man behind.

An onion falls out of the plastic bag you're holding and you kneel, picking it up. The man asks "Oh, we met awhile ago at the grocery store, majayo (right)?"
You look up from the plastic bag you're holding and take a look at the guy who seemed familiar.

"Ne, (Yes)" you enthusiastically reply as you recognize him.

"My name's Jin. What's your name?" he asks, reaching out his hand.

You put back the onion into the bag and say "I'm (insert your name)," as you put your hand on his.

Jin pulls you up quickly from your kneeling position which unexpectedly makes you get close enough to hear each other breathe. "Hi, (insert your name). Bangawoyo. (Nice to meet you)."

Jin helps you carry the groceries and both of you enter the home of the Kim family with wide smiles and blushing cheeks.