The weekend arrived, and on Saturday, Ketto and his group went to Hangang River Park as planned. That morning, Ketto's mother was busy preparing an elaborate breakfast. She boiled eggs, stir-fried rice noodles, made a pot of porridge, and steamed corn and sweet potatoes. She finished by frying a few omelets. She also prepared side dishes like kimchi and sweet and sour radishes. Her goal was to make a breakfast that was both abundant and impressive, like the kind one might find at a high-end buffet.
Ketto's mother was an excellent cook, and her specialty was fried rice noodles. For this dish, she prepared a wide array of ingredients, including meats such as shrimp, fish balls, sausage, and belly pork, as well as vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, spinach, carrots, bell peppers, and eggs. The exact quantities depended on how many people she was serving.
Her process was meticulous. First, she would chop the meat into small, uniform pieces and slice the vegetables into long strips. She would start cooking by frying the eggs and setting them aside in a bowl. Next, she stir-fried the meat over high heat until it was perfectly cooked, then added the sliced vegetables to the pan. Once everything was nearly ready, she added the pre-boiled rice noodles, which had gone from dry, stiff, and brittle to soft, to the wok. She combined all the ingredients for a final stir-fry. Just before taking the dish off the heat, she generously scattered chopped green onions over the surface. Finally, she would carry the wok to the kitchen table and serve her waiting family.
After enjoying a hearty breakfast, Ketto said goodbye to his mother and left the house. He planned to take a public bus and then transfer to the metro. While waiting for the bus, he listened to music. If a song really resonated with him, he would play it on repeat. It was a sunny but chilly Saturday, and he found himself humming along to the rhythm, clearly in a good mood.
After getting off the bus, he texted the group to let them know he was on his way. The replies showed that everyone else was also heading out. Addy had eaten breakfast at a convenience store, and Lisa had bought food from a street vendor famous for its morning menu.
Addy was the first to reach the meeting point since he lived closest to the station. He was followed by Lily and Lisa. Meanwhile, Ketto, who was still transferring between trains, received a message saying that almost everyone had arrived. This made him anxious because he was nervous and hated the idea of being the last one. He repeatedly checked the schedule for the next express train and calculated the time before sending a final ETA to the group. He was so meticulous! The others told him to take his time, assuring him that it was no big deal if he was late.
The train was fast and got him to his destination right on schedule. After tapping his transport card on the gate to pay the fare and stepping out, he saw his friends waiting for him, smiling and calling out to welcome him. About five minutes after he arrived, Joe showed up too. Once everyone was gathered, they walked together toward Hangang River Park to begin their day of celebration and fun.
Numerous booths lined the pathways at Hangang River Park, and the aisles were bustling with people. The vendors were diverse. Some sold street food and local specialties—the kind you might find in a food court, but at more affordable prices. These are often referred to as "popular food items" online. They were delicious, but because they were so common, they lacked a unique character. To find something unique, you had to seek out the booths that catered to your specific tastes.
Other vendors sold small devices, toys, and gadgets primarily targeting children under 16. Nowadays, however, it's not uncommon to see teenagers and adults buying them on a whim. Some booth owners hosted events where customers could play games for a chance to win a big or mystery prize. This tactic undoubtedly sparked people's interest and curiosity. Many were happy to spend a little extra to participate in these activities, drawn in by the pure fun of it. Even for those just watching, seeing people compete in these games was a joyful experience.
As time passed, more and more people gathered from all directions, filling the field with laughter and excitement. The atmosphere was lively and full of energy. People smiled as they wandered between the booths that lined the pavement on either side of the field. Ketto, who had never attended this event before, was curious. Despite it being a local tradition held every year at the same time, he had never attended—partly because of the distance and partly because no one ever mentioned it when he was in middle school.
More than that, Ketto had always preferred staying home. He liked the peace and quiet and the feeling of recharging in solitude. He considered himself a "homebody"—someone who found comfort in his own space rather than in crowds or socializing. But today, for whatever reason, he had decided to step out and see what all the fuss was about.