The wide atrium of Starfield COEX Mall buzzed with the usual Saturday energy. Families trailed after squealing kids, couples drifted hand in hand, and clusters of teenagers crowded escalators with shopping bags dangling from their arms. Joon-ho walked beside Harin, his stride calm, hers a little bouncy—half the time she was turning her head to gawk at window displays.
"Over there!" Harin tugged his sleeve suddenly, pointing across the floor. A bright pastel sign with a chubby cartoon creature stood over a pop-up booth. A few staff in matching aprons were setting up stacks of boxes, a half-open roll-down shutter still covering half the display.
"BboBbo Official Pop-up," the sign read in big bubble letters. The creature—big-eyed, mischievous, half-monster-half-doll—was instantly familiar.
"Oh my god, it's real," Harin breathed, eyes shining. "The BboBbo booth. I thought we'd have to line up for hours."
