Korean

Vice-principal Oh's office in February: the contract ends in February, yes, will you stay with us next year too, I'm planning to stay one more year, good, very good, and the Kims' house, I'm planning to find a flat of my own, where, in Mangwon, by the river.

The kitchen in Mangwon that evening: did you meet the vice-principal today, I've decided to stay one more year, well done, what else have you decided, I've decided to find a flat, a flat, where, by the river, close to here, then on Sundays eat here, of course, every Sunday.

An estate agent's office on the main street in Mangwon, Ji-yeong beside him: what kind of flat are you looking for, a bright flat near the river, how big, a big one or a small one, one room and a big window, there's a quiet flat on the fourth floor, is the subway close, ten minutes on foot, let's see it today.

The fourth floor, the river in the window: here it is, you can see the river, can I open the window, of course you can, how much is the rent, five hundred thousand rent and ten million deposit, can I move in in March, from the first of March, what do you think, I'll take this flat.

Three boxes and a suitcase in Mr. Kim's taxi, Ji-yeong and Mrs. Park on the pavement: is this everything, three boxes and a suitcase, I'll carry the big box, I'll carry the suitcase, I'll do it, I'll help you, I'll bring kimchi on Sunday, thank you, I'll call you, get in, let's go, don't worry, I'll come every Sunday.

The landing of the fourth floor, a plate of rice cakes: hello, I'm Eli from 402, oh the new neighbour, I moved in yesterday, try these rice cakes, I'll try one, thank you, where are you from, from America, I teach English at the middle school, try the bakery on the corner, I'll try it, ask me anything, I'm in 401.

March, the first day of the school year, Vice-principal Oh at the door and a student with a question: the students are waiting, I'm going now, hello everyone, where are you from, from Minneapolis, what are you doing in Korea, I'm teaching English, are you learning Korean too, yes, and I'm living by the river.

The teachers' room and Ji-yeong's invitation: do you like hiking, yes very much, do you have time on Saturday, there's a hiking club, shall we go together, where shall we go, Bukhansan, shall we meet at eight, eight, shall we meet at nine, no, eight, all together, all right, let's go together at eight.

The outdoor shop in Mangwon: what are you looking for, on Saturday I'm going to Bukhansan, then you have to have good boots, two seventy, do I have to have a jacket too, yes, it's cold at the top, poles too, no, not yet, then boots and a jacket, please.

The Bukhansan trail with the club leader and Ji-yeong: are you all right, I'm tired because it's steep, because I'm tired, let's rest here because it's a long way, why do you hike, because the mountains are beautiful, why did you come to Korea, because I like Korean food, then rice balls at the top, let's go.

The summit of Bukhansan with the hiking club, rice balls out of the bags and all Seoul below: we're here, it's the top, the view is beautiful, you can see all Seoul, the wind is cold, have a rice ball, it's delicious, you're fast, no, I'm just hungry, then have one more.

Sunday at the Kims' flat and Min-jun at the door, home on leave, Mrs. Park at the stove: long time no see, you're home, yes on leave for four days, only four days, I missed you, until Wednesday, what do you want to eat, Mum's kimchi stew every day for four days, Eli you eat here too.

The basketball court by the river on Min-jun's leave, and fried chicken after: do you have time now, want to play basketball, sure where, the court by the river, then want to eat chicken after, of course I'll buy, no I'll buy you're my friend, then next time I'll buy, deal, then let's go quickly.

Wednesday morning at the bus terminal, a bag of side dishes and Mrs. Park's eyes: don't forget the side dishes, Mum don't cry, I'm not crying it's the wind, don't play basketball without me, don't worry I'll wait, call on Sunday, don't forget, I won't forget, eat Mum's food for me, bye.

A book launch in a Hongdae bookshop, Ji-yeong brought Eli, and Su-a with the book she translated: long time no see, what are you doing here, I translated this book, congratulations, Su-a's book is popular, are you going to Jinhae to see the blossoms, next Saturday, come along, I'd love to, I'm going to the station tomorrow to buy tickets.

The ticket counter at Seoul Station, the clerk formal, Su-a beside Eli: two tickets to Changwon, the seven o'clock train, how long does it take to Changwon, about three hours, what time does it arrive, at ten, and from Changwon to Jinhae, twenty minutes by bus, window seats please, have a good trip.

The stream in Jinhae under the cherry blossoms, and a passer-by with Eli's phone: look, the blossoms, it's like snow, really pretty, you look happy, you look happy too, shall I take a photo of you two, yes please, closer, one two three, you look good together.

The food stalls along the stream in Jinhae, fish cakes, rice cakes and shaved ice, and the crowd: hot fish cakes, two fish cakes please, it's crowded but fun, crowded but pretty, here you are, three thousand won, spicy but delicious, shall we have shaved ice too, strawberry, it's cold but yes, then let's go and buy shaved ice.

The waiting room at Changwon station in the evening, the last train at nine: are you all right, I'm a little tired, since the train is at nine let's rest, since it's cold shall we have coffee, good, I'll buy, since you're staying one more year, yes what is it, since the blossoms bloom every spring, then every spring let's see them together.

The teachers' room on the Monday after Jinhae, and Ji-yeong's question: how was Jinhae, the blossoms were beautiful, and Su-a, I think I like Su-a, I think she likes you too, really, how do you know, she called me last night, then I think I'll call her today.

The landing of the fourth floor in July, two wet umbrellas: it's raining again, when does the rainy season end, the end of July, when it rains like this the river path closes, then when it rains I can't run, when I'm bored I watch films, when it rains I read and then I cook, when you're bored knock on my door, I have tea.

The teachers' room before the summer holidays, Vice-principal Oh at Eli's desk: what are you doing in the holidays, before the holidays the exams, and after the exams, after the exams end I'm going to Busan, come back before the term starts, I will, and before you go give me the grades, I'll give them tomorrow.

The river park at Mangwon at sunset, bikes for hire and fried chicken on the grass: shall we rent bikes, let's ride while watching the sunset, after that chicken by the river, let's eat while watching the river, let's talk while eating, are you coming to Busan, yes with Ji-yeong for five days, when it's hot let's swim in the sea, and rest while watching the sea.

Carriage five of the morning train to Busan, three seats and Ji-yeong with the tickets: this is carriage five right, seats three four and five, it's hot in Busan right, very hot and the sea is warm, we're going to the beach first right, yes Haeundae, you can swim right, of course I can.

Haeundae beach, a parasol and the sea: the sea, let's go in, do you know how to swim, yes I know how, Minnesota has many lakes, I don't know how to swim, then I'll teach you, do you know how to surf, no I don't know how, then let's learn together.

A stall at the Jagalchi fish market in Busan, the stallholder and Ji-yeong ordering: come in, fresh fish, that looks delicious, grilled fish for three, this one it's big, that'll be a lot, will you have raw fish too, do you eat raw fish, I'll try it, it looks fresh, then raw fish too, let's sit here.

A cafe at Gwangalli with the bridge lit over the water, Su-a and Eli at the window: the bridge is beautiful, I'm glad we came, I'm glad too thanks to you, are you busy these days, I'm sorry I'm always busy, don't be sorry, I'm happy I met you, I'm happy I'm here with you, then next summer let's come again.

Sunday lunch back at the Kims' table in Mangwon, Mrs. Park asking about Busan and Mr. Kim asking bluntly: how was Busan, it was hot and the sea was warm, what did you eat, we ate raw fish and it was delicious, and Su-a, she was busy but she came, so you two, yes we're seeing each other, I told you, bring her next Sunday.

The hiking club on the Bukhansan trail on a summer evening, the club leader and Ji-yeong: what do you like doing in summer, I like swimming and hiking in the evening, I like eating after hiking, everyone likes eating, what do you like doing leader, walking slowly and taking photos, and in autumn, hiking when the leaves turn, then let's come again in autumn.

The Kims' table at the end of August, Grandma on the phone from Jeonju with Chuseok coming: hello, is Eli there, yes Mother he's here, come to Jeonju for Chuseok, may I really come, of course come, may I bring someone, who, Su-a my girlfriend, bring her, I'll make rice cakes.