39 JAPAN

Seoulful Stopover: A Short Trip Full of Surprises

My final destination was somewhere else, but our journey began in Seoul, Korea.

The moment we arrived, something felt different. The city seemed quieter than I remembered. Fewer people, calmer streets… I couldn’t help but wonder if it was due to the current situation. Either way, it gave the city a slightly different, almost softer atmosphere.

We headed straight to Gangnam—my favorite area to stay. It’s lively, but somehow still calm enough to feel comfortable. After a short uphill walk in the summer heat (a workout before the actual workout), we dropped our luggage at the hotel and did what felt like the most logical thing to do:

Go get Korean fried chicken.

Every time I come to Korea, I’m reminded of one universal truth:
Korean chicken is the best in the world. No debate.

After check-in, we took a quick nap (which turned into a slightly longer nap), and ended up being late for our dinner with a Korean friend. Thankfully, he’s incredibly kind and understanding—crisis avoided.

He took us to a fancy Korean BBQ restaurant, and it was amazing. What made it even better was our multilingual conversation—switching between Japanese, English, and Korean mid-sentence like it was completely normal.

After dinner, we explored Gangnam at night: arcade games, claw machines (which I am the king), and coin karaoke.

And this is where things got interesting.

At the karaoke, we discovered a countdown system. If you don’t select a song within a certain time, one song disappears. Yes, disappears. Like a life in a video game.

We were shocked.

Coin karaoke, for those unfamiliar, is simple: insert money (around 1,000 won per song), enter a room, and sing your heart out. But the pressure? Unexpected.

On our way back, our friend shared something that really caught my attention. Some beauty salons open as late as 11 PM or even later. My friend explained that they cater to women working “night jobs”—helping them get ready before “work”. He also mentioned that many of them keep pet dogs because of loneliness.

I found this fascinating and honestly something I’d like to explore more—especially whether similar trends exist in Japan.

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Day 2: Fitness, Chicken… and Culture Shock (Again)

The next morning, we… workout—because yes, we are those people.

And naturally…
We went for chicken again.

At this point, it’s no longer a preference. It’s a lifestyle.

Later, we stopped by a café in Apgujeong (Twosome Place), and that’s where we experienced our second cultural surprise.

We ordered via a kiosk. While we were deciding—probably taking about 10 seconds to choose the size—the screen suddenly asked:

“Would you like to extend your time?”

We looked at each other like,
“Can we… just have a moment to think?”

Between the karaoke countdown and the coffee time limit, I started questioning everything.

Why is there a timer on decisions?
Why can’t we take our time?

Of course, I’m familiar with Korea’s “ppalli-ppalli” (hurry-hurry) culture. I’ve visited many times, speak Korean, and have Korean friends. But somehow, this time it felt more noticeable.

Maybe it’s because I’ve changed.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve started to value slower moments—having the time to think, to pause, to just exist without pressure. Perhaps that’s why this contrast stood out more than ever.

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A Short Stay, A Lasting Impression

We only spent two days in Seoul as a stopover, but it was full of memorable moments, unexpected realizations, and, of course, a lot of chicken.

Even a short trip can remind you how different—and interesting—the world can be.

And sometimes, it also tells you something new about yourself.