This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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September 2024; Goyang City.
Kang Yujin, sat at her desk, phone unplugged, and stared at the Museum ticket on her screen. The Seoul Museum beckoned, but she hesitated, fearing the memories she'd tried to bury. Years of convincing herself it was all imagination might be undone by the truth.
As the clock ticked on, she felt time slipping away, knowing she couldn't avoid the past forever. She needed to face it, find him, and break the karmic cycle that bound them.
With resolve, she took her bag and keys, and drove to the museum in Hanyang, yes, it was called Hanyang before they started to call it Seoul.
After the tragic end of her family, Hanyang became her new home. They changed her name and gave her a new identity, from the prominent clan of Kang in Kaesong to the ordinary family of Soh in Hanyang, Kang Seo-yeon was renamed Soh Yujin.
They treated her well, thanks to her father, she benefited from his benevolence and her new family accepted her with grace. They maintained her new identity and officially adopted her when she turned 14, her adopted mother rejoiced as she finally gained a daughter, she trained her well, after 4 years, the once humble inn grew and became well known to everyone.
As the memories continued to flood her mind, she pulled over in front of a cafe. Heena, her friend, had already ordered snacks and was waiting for her, she waved at her and apologized for being late.
"Took you long enough - the cake's almost gone now."
"You and your sweet tooth, it's fine you can have the rest.", then she took the ice latte that Heena bought for her, "Thanks." Then she watched as her friend quickly finished the cake, "You don't really have to rush."
Heena replied, "No, no.. let's go!" Then they stood up and left the cafe. "I'm glad that you agreed to visit the museum with me, I really need to finish my research about Yookcho street and I'm embarrassed to go by myself". Heena was a history major in Hanyang University, they met when she attended a Cultural Conference few years ago.
"You don't have to be embarrassed, you're here for researched, that's a great purpose". They arrived at the museum, the front desk officer check their tickets and let them in. "Be proud Professor."
Her friend blushed after she encouraged her, Heena was smart, she just needed a little push.
"Ok!" Heena fix her eyeglasses, "I'm going now!" Then she walked swiftly and the glass door slid open automatically.
Jung Heena really looked like the little friend she once had. Because her Adopted Parents only had three sons, when they saw a child sitting outside one winter night, only wearing thin garments and without overcoat, they didn't hesitate and took her in. The local physician was called, turned out the poor child passed out because of cold and hunger.
Life was difficult, but compared to those days when common people in some rural areas would be found dead on the street or at home because of lack of shelter, health care and forced labor, life in this new era was a bit better.
That poor child becomes her tail, following her wherever she goes, even after she becomes a young lady she still follows her around. She mourned for her death longer than everyone else, and after hundreds of years she still caught up with her.
"Yujin! What are you doing over there? Come on, I'll show you something!" Heena grabbed her hand, then they entered the exhibit of Old Yookcho street, "Look!"
There was an animated presentation that tells the stories of the commuters to government offices.
As she immersed herself in the presentation in front of her, Yujin recalls the first time she visited Yookcho Street, the very first time she saw Gwanghwamun Gate - and him, standing outside it."
To be continued...
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