Pop & Seoul

Chapter One

Daegu International Airport

It's nine thirty in the morning, and the massive airport of Daegu is already alive with travelers here and there. All bustling about and running around. I myself am running around; arms dragged down by my suitcase, hand bag, and my traveling backpack. I make my way through a long corridor labelled Check-In. As I walk through the other end I see multiple lines. People anxiously wait to be called up. Exhausted children cling to their parents and hang off of large suitcases, whining. With a roll of my eyes and an exasperated huff, I quickly find the line I need to be in and wait impatiently. My heart is beating rapidly and my stomach is in knots. This is my first time traveling alone. In an attempt to calm myself, I pull out my phone from my sweater pocket and scroll through my friends' Instagram posts. Most of my friends had moved with their families to study abroad in Seoul. Since then we began talking less and less, but since I'm moving there now to live with my aunt, uncle and older cousin Dohyun, we might be able to catch up with one another. Although, my closest friend; Joon Haneul and I still talk as much as we can. She also moved away to Seoul but no matter what, we always video chat. I look up from my phone and realize the line is moving slowly. I quickly shut down my phone and shuffle my things forward. More travellers join the line behind me. I sigh solemnly. In my peripheral vision I can clearly see, (and hear) a child throwing a terrible tantrum. Irritated, I shove my headphones into my ears and blast music. Jeez, what an annoying little brat!

As the line continues to snake its way to the front, I feel closer to my family in Seoul. The flight is about an hour anyways, there's nothing to freak out about. You'll be there before you know it Aera. Feeling a bit more reassured I finally make my way to the front of the line. A senior woman in a sharp uniform flashes me a quick smile.

"Good morning," she greets me cheerfully, "passport please."

I dig through my back pocket, retrieving my passport. How can someone be so happy in the morning? I hand it over to her, smiling slightly. With a practiced smile she takes it from my hand and runs it through the computer on her desk.

"Here you are," she says once she's done scanning my passport. I take it from her and quickly slip it back into my pocket.

"Please put your luggage on the scale," she instructs.

With a huff I pick up my suitcase and place it on the large scale. A number appears on the screen above it a few seconds later identifying how much it weighs. It's under the weight limit. Thank god! She punches the number into the computer and I watch as my suitcase is taken away on the conveyer belt.

"Next bag please," she tells me.

I swing my backpack off my back and place it on the scale. Once again a number appears on the screen. After it's weight is identified she hands it back to me. Finally, as she requests, I place my handbag on the scale and watch the number. Yes! All under the weight limit. She flashes me a quick smile as she hands me my boarding pass. Excitement now surges through my veins as I gladly take it from her hand.

"We wish you a safe trip!" she exclaims, sending me off.

With a little skip I'm roaming about the airport. This really is all so thrilling and new. I've never been this giddy before, but it's a nice feeling. A happy feeling. As I make my way over to security I take in the sights around me. Stores and stands filled with trinkets and little charms, fast food, books and magazines. Foreigners coming to Korea for; what it seems like, the first time. Planes flying in and out. People rushing around everywhere! I smile happily to myself. As I continue walking I can now see the the corridor that reads Security. I walk towards it a little hurriedly. Once again there are many lines of people, so I quickly walk towards the shortest one I can find, standing there once more, waiting.