[Jan 2020] Day 12: Saying Goodbye to Korea and My Incheon Airport Experience

After an unforgettable 12 days, it was time for me to get back to reality and say goodbye to Korea. My great Inspirit friend spent the morning with me before I had to go to the airport. We went to the Woollim Building; I wanted to see if the new banners for Golden Child's Without You would be up by now, but they were still the Re-boot ones. And of course for the third time I forgot to try and look for the new Woollim building that's nearby.

Next I walked by 3GO Cafe. Someday I'd like to attend a cup sleeve event, hopefully at this cafe!

I wanted to go to Infinite's favorite restaurant back in the day once again to have the kimchi stew I always crave so much, but unfortunately they were closed.

My friend suggested that we go to Mangwon Market, because there's a restaurant there where Myungsoo ate at before. On the way to the market, I saw a health store with an Ateen for I-pace ad!

Once we reached Mangwon Market, it was still a bit early so many of the stalls haven't opened yet, including the one where Myungsoo ate at. We ate at a restaurant in the market that was already opened. We made our order at this touch screen kiosk and paid through there, but then the chef ended up asking what we had selected anyways.

Afterwards my friend and I parted as I got ready to go to the airport. The last time I saw her was 6 years ago, I wonder when the next time I'll see her again...

I took a taxi to Incheon Airport. I had 2 large check-ins, 1 small carry-on, and 1 backpack, and was worried how I'd lug so much from the taxi to the airline check-in counter. Once I got off the taxi, I saw a whole bunch of people across the street directly in front of one of the airport entrances, and figured they were all waiting to cross the street to leave the airport. I stacked my luggage and rolled them to the crosswalk, and with how organized the city is where they indicate you to cross the street on the right side like how cars drive on the right. Then suddenly all those people waiting to cross the street? They all had DSLRs pointed to my right and snapping photos like crazy. I looked over and saw a female celebrity walking toward me. Trying to avoid being in paparazzi photos and to give her space, I tried scooting my stacked luggage to the left side of the crosswalk but my classic oblivious self ended up knocking them down in front of everyone...I finally recovered and then she was suddenly standing just a few feet from me.

We then crossed the street where she stood in front of the entrance as the mob gathered around her. She posed a few times. Other travelers paid her no attention and walked through the mob and behind her to get to the airport. I waited until she finished posing, then went on my way to the check-in counter.

Throughout this whole experience, I felt so guilty for what felt like invading her space, though everything was just coincidence. But after talking it out with my support system, I realized that just because she had celebrity status didn't mean that she owned the crosswalk, and even more so I gave her space.

Then I searched on Twitter who this celebrity was (as I legit only know Woollim idols), and found out she's Rosé from Blackpink. Hmm definitely a big deal! I didn't think I'd end my trip like this.

Inside one of the airport stores, there were a couple copies of the Ateen 2 Photo Essay Book for sale!

I took Korean Air back to the US, and unlike the flight going to Korea where I spoke all in English, this time was much different! I sat on the aisle next to 2 Korean women, and they'd speak to me in Korean when they needed to get up. I also spoke to them in Korean asking about the headphone jack (though I know I botched the honorifics...). And for both meals, the flight attendant listed out all the options and drinks in Korean. Though I didn't fully understand the descriptions, I was able to understand the keywords and chose the Korean dish option both times. I'm naturally shy and to communicate in a foreign language on top of that, I was really proud of myself.

On the plane I also watched "The Host", a movie with the same director and lead actor as "Parasite" about a man-made monster in the Han River. I'm so glad I saw this movie at the end of my trip, or else I'd be a bit scared going to the Han River!

To reflect, this has definitely been one of my best trips (along with KCON18NY). Seeing Golden Child live has been my motivation for a long time, along with travelling to Korea again, but after graduating from college it was hard to find the right timing to take time off. And finally for Golden Child's first concert, I was able to embark on this solo adventure. I had a lot of stress and anxiety over this trip (as I'm naturally a super anxious person), but I'm really grateful how Kpop (specifically Woollim artists) has continually pushed me out of my comfort zone and grow to be more independent and adventurous. My schedule over these 12 days also worked out really well, where I had a packed Woollim-focused agenda and covered almost everything I had wanted to visit, including places outside of Seoul. And lastly, I'm grateful the timing worked out and I am safely back at home, since the virus was just starting to break out in Korea during the tail end of my trip. That being said, I don't know when the next time anyone can see their idols live again, so I'll deeply treasure all the precious memories I created from this trip. I even created a photo essay book documenting my trip~