The 26th Newsletter

Hi there 

This is your A.thentic Jong Hee. 

And this is my 26th Newsletter for you. 

How are you today? 

How’s the weather in your area?

As you may already know, we are experiencing quite chilly weather here in Korea. Recently, the wind has been blowing a lot, making it feel like early winter. The temperature here in Busan ranges from 1-2°C in the morning to around 7-10°C during the day, while in Seoul, it's been as cold as -3°C to -10°C in the morning, and only 3-6°C during the day. However, next week, the weather is expected to warm up a bit.

What's surprising is that, on November 27th, Seoul and the surrounding areas received a massive snowfall 🌨❄️(and they say it’s still snowing today). I heard that it was one of the heaviest snowfalls in 30 years. The problem is, I had no idea it was snowing in Seoul yesterday because here in Busan, not only was there no snow, but there wasn’t even any rain. I only found out about the snow when I read a New York Times article. Today, the weather here in Busan is clear.☀️🌞

When I lived in Seoul, I saw a lot of snow during the winter. However, most people in Seoul don't actually like snow when it comes. Like yesterday, snow can cause accidents on the highways, as there were 53 car accidents. You could also slip and hurt yourself while walking, and the roads often become paralyzed. Moreover, since Seoul is so cold in winter, the snow doesn’t melt easily. So, in places like small alleys behind tall buildings, where sunlight doesn't reach, there are still snow piles that haven’t melted all winter. In short, it's annoying to look at.😒⛄️

I also had a few minor collisions when driving in Seoul during the snow, slipping and bumping into the cars in front of me even though I pressed the brakes. I remember we didn’t get angry and just laughed it off. It happens often because many people forget to prepare their cars with snow tires.☃️❄️

Is snow romantic? To some extent, yes. It’s romantic when young couples are in love. There’s a saying in Korea: “If you see the first snow that year, first love will come true.”💜 Well, I’ve seen the first snow many times, but first love? Not for me! When it snows during a date, it makes it more romantic. But if you break up on a snowy day, it makes it even sadder.

One thing I miss since moving to Busan is that it doesn’t snow here. It’s said that it only snows once every ten years. But I did see some snow here last year, just a little, and I posted it on Instagram. They say it snows often in Jeju, but Busan is oddly snow-free.

And I often crave food like this in this kind of weather. Hot kalguksu (noodle soup) and kimbap (rice rolls) go really well together, and this place really knows how to make these dishes. They’ve been making this dish for over 30 years, and they have many regular customers. As I mentioned in my previous newsletter, when the food is really well-made, I eat it with a sense of gratitude, saying ‘thank you’.🍚🍜

Kimbap is very common in Korea. But there are places that make it really well. Finding such places is key. There are many franchises, but most of them don't taste great. Would a handmade hamburger, made by someone who’s been perfecting it for over 30 years, taste better, or a McDonald’s burger made by a teenage worker? The difference in taste is unmatchable. As I mentioned in my last newsletter, I’m lucky that there’s a place in my neighborhood, featured on national TV, that makes great Korean food. That's where I enjoy Korean meals now. Otherwise, I wouldn't even eat Korean food. Here, a lady who looks like she's in her 70s makes the best kimbap and kalguksu.

Ironically, when I lived in Gangnam, Seoul, I ate more Western food and bread. That’s because there weren’t many places serving good Korean food in Gangnam. The area was filled with cafes and restaurants serving Western cuisine, where well-known chefs created menus. So, I ended up eating more of those types of meals. I’m not sure about the quality of Korean restaurants in Gangnam nowadays.

Lastly, I want to talk about my new album, which will be released at the end of this month, on the 30th. The genre of this album is called “Chillhop,” which is a faster tempo and a bit of jazz influence compared to the ‘Lo-fi Instrumental’ music I’ve made before. I’ve been working on it little by little, but I wasn’t able to fully focus on it due to other albums. However, I hope that these tracks in this genre will accumulate and eventually form a complete album in the future.💽🎹🎵

This is the album jacket, and I’m releasing it here in advance.

This is the link to the album below. If you click here, you’ll be able to listen to it as soon as it’s released on the 30th. Alternatively, you can follow my Spotify artist page below, and you’ll be able to listen to the new album right away.

In this album, I wanted to capture the peaceful imagery of rain falling in the busy city, ☔️expressing snippets of the modern person’s hectic daily life through music. The story attached below is what I imagined while creating the music, where I’ve softened the mood of the urban atmosphere, which could be too bleak, into a lighter tone. I hope you enjoy reading it casually.

Okay. Thank you so much for reading 🌹

I’ll see you next time

Have a good day and night 💜

Warm Regards

A.thentic Jong Hee 

…………………………………………………………………………………………

#1. Rainy City

Story by A.thentic Jong Hee

“If it rains next week, let’s meet again then.”

What the…! What does that even mean?

Oddly enough, it’s raining again today, exactly a week later. The time is 4:20 PM now. As I walk through the increasingly heavy rain, my shoes are starting to get wet. But why on earth did I wear dress shoes today? I knew it was going to rain. A pair of dark sneakers or Converse would’ve sufficed. What was I expecting?

My bag, weighed down with my laptop, feels even heavier today. Carrying an umbrella while walking only makes it worse. I’m worried my bag might get soaked, but honestly, I’m more concerned about the shoes. Then again, they’re not mine. My younger sister will probably lose it. “Did you wear my shoes?” I’ll just clean them up, put them back, and feign innocence if she complains. She always looks down on me for being a freelancer, so let her deal with it for once.

Strangely, Gangnam Boulevard is packed with people today despite the rain. Some must be leaving work early, while others, like me—half-unemployed, half-freelancers—are roaming around.

As I turn past a Starbucks and enter a small alley, I notice that the dessert café under construction has finally been revealed. The interior walls are painted a peculiar mint green, while the doors and window frames are hot pink. “Hmm, not bad,” I think, mentally applauding their boldness as I walk by. “Just wait until it opens. My friends and I will evaluate it thoroughly,” I muse to myself, half joking but half serious.

If the café owner happens to be a charming, single guy, I’d tell him not to worry. “We’re quite generous with our ratings for handsome business owners. But don’t get too flattered if we call you ‘good-looking.’ Once word gets out that you’re a single, attractive café owner, we’ll practically go into surveillance mode. If you secretly have a girlfriend or bring women here for flirty meet-ups, we’ll start reviewing every menu item with ruthless precision. That might be terrifying, you know. We’ve got a pretty solid online influence going. My Instagram following barely scrapes past a thousand, but my friend has over 100K, you know? Of course she is showing a lot of skin, but don’t underestimate her effort. But if you ignore my friend's efforts, you're in big trouble. Do you know how much effort she puts in, how much she works out, and how many surgeries she..! —oh wait, no, let’s not go there.

Laughing to myself over such silly thoughts, I soon arrived at my regular café. I exchanged a quick glance of recognition with the staff before heading up to the second floor and scanning for a seat. Unfortunately, my usual spot by the window was already taken. “Darn it,” I muttered to myself. I reluctantly settled for a wall-side seat just in front of the window. From there, I could still see outside and keep an eye on the café interior.

This second floor is quite spacious, with people here and there working on laptops or chatting. Despite that, there’s always an air of openness and calm. That’s why I frequent this place—to tuck myself into a hidden corner where I can’t easily be seen. If, by chance, another guy came up to me with a “Sorry to bother you” and slipped me a napkin reading “You’re so beautiful, can I get your number?” I’d have no choice but to find a new café again.

I don’t have time—or the mental energy—for dating right now. Especially not for shallow men who ask for my number after seeing me once in a café. But last week, that guy didn’t even ask for my number. Instead, he left me with strange words. Seriously, what the heck?

Last week, I had been racing against a tight deadline to submit a revised project proposal to the company. Overwhelmed with work, I didn’t want to stay cooped up at home, so I came to this café. Like many freelancers, I can’t help but feel isolated working at home or in a tiny office. Even after breaking away from a corporate job, staying home too long makes me lazy—or worse, depressed.

Once, after days of being holed up, I caught a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirror. I looked like a lunatic—my hair, my face, everything. That’s when I decided to put on light makeup, choose simple yet nerdy clothes, and head out. A bustling café like this, with a warm hum of people, helps stave off loneliness. And there’s also an unexpected sense of tension and energy from working around others—so long as no men bother me.

I mean, didn’t I quit my job and declare independence because I was sick of relationships and work drama? Sure, breaking up with him left a scar, but I wonder... is he doing well now?

Last week, I put off writing a proposal until the deadline was near. Feeling rushed, I headed to this café. It was a chilly autumn day with rain falling, making me crave a warm coffee. On the way, I thought, ‘I don’t want to work. I’d rather call my friend Jeongyeon and chat over coffee all day while watching the rain.'  That was the mood of the day.

I settled on the second floor, opened my laptop, and got to work. I don’t even remember if the coffee was good; I was too stressed to savor it. Next to me, a man in a crisp white shirt was working diligently on his laptop. Looking at him, I thought, ‘He should’ve done it earlier, too.’

Through the window, I noticed a man rushing into the café without an umbrella. He looked perfectly fine and neat, so I wondered why he didn’t have one, but I quickly dismissed the thought and returned to my work.

After some time, I heard a crinkling sound—the man next to me was unwrapping a sandwich. He must’ve ordered it with his coffee and was now eating it while working. I felt annoyed and envious, thinking, ‘Of all times to eat that, right next to me when I’m already hungry…' But I pushed through, trying to focus.

Suddenly, I heard, 

"Would you like to share this sandwich?" 

I turned to the man in the white shirt, who looked equally surprised, mouth full of sandwich, as if he hadn’t spoken. Confused, I returned to my laptop, but the voice came again.

"Would you like to have the sandwich with me?"

I turned toward the voice and saw a man smiling at me—the same one who’d run into the café earlier without an umbrella. He said, 

"I ordered a sandwich, but it’s too much for me. Would you like to share it?"

Looking closer, I saw the sandwich in front of him. The sandwich looked really big and appeared incredibly delicious. The large roll bread was filled with vegetables, cheese, and a white meat patty that looked like healthy chicken breast, topped with yellowish vegetables resembling pumpkin, all nicely mixed with lettuce. I knew right away, within a second of seeing it, that it looked incredibly delicious. It was nothing compared to the weak sandwich the guy in the white shirt (the loser) ordered. And then there was the man himself—kind eyes behind dark-rimmed glasses, a neat sweater, and an air of elegance, despite his slightly disheveled hair from the rain.

I hesitated, answering, 

“Well..."

I replied. Normally, when men approach me because of my appearance, I wouldn’t say a word, but I actually answered this time. And what’s more, I already gave an answer filled of positive intent -“Well”, instead of saying "Sorry, but…”

“I’ll bring you a plate and fork,” 

the man said. Then he quickly went downstairs and came back with a large empty plate and utensils.

“Come over here,” he said, gesturing to the chair across from him.

“Ah… it’s fine,” 

I said, but I was already lifting my hips and heading over in that direction. I thought to myself, 

‘This wasn’t part of the plan…’

When I sat across from him, he said, 

“I just washed my hands.” 

Then, he carefully cut the large sandwich in half with a knife and placed one of the halves on the plate, offering it to me.

“Go ahead and eat. Oh, you should get your coffee too,” he said.

“Okay,” 

With a quick “Yes,” I suddenly got up, pushing my hips forward.

But inside, I thought, ‘Oops! I should’ve said I’m going to eat at my own seat, you fool. Why did I just say 'Yes'? I’m going to bring my coffee and eat at that spot? Why do I like this so much, you fool?’ But by then, it was too late. I had already gone back to my seat, left my laptop and things behind, and was now carrying just my coffee to his table.

As I sat down, I thought to myself. It wasn’t the sandwich I was interested in. I was curious about this man.

“Please, have a bite. I’m hungry, but this is way too much,” he said, then took a big bite of the sandwich himself.

I thought, ‘Wow, he looks so cool even eating a sandwich.’ But why did the guy in the white shirt next to me look so pathetic? Wait, did he see me staring at that guy’s sandwich? That would be so embarrassing...

“Go ahead and try it. It’s really good. They say it’s the signature sandwich here,” he said.

“Okay, I’ll eat it,” 

I replied, taking a knife and fork to begin disassembling the sandwich. I was turning it into an open sandwich. There was no way I could just bite into the sandwich in front of such a nice man.

Carefully, I took a piece of the sandwich with a fork and put it in my mouth. And it was delicious. I thought to myself, ‘Wow, this guy knows what he’s talking about.’

“Are you here alone?” he asked between bites.

“Yes,” 

I replied without hesitation. Normally, when men ask me this, I don’t like it, but today it didn’t bother me at all. I realized it depends on who asks.

“I love sandwiches. I prefer them over rice. So, if there’s a good place, I’ll go, but I don’t go to places where you have to stand in line. I’m not that obsessed,” he said.

I nodded and agreed, thinking, ‘That’s not really me.’ Then, I looked back at the guy in the white shirt, who was still struggling with his sandwich. ‘That concentration, it’s something to learn from,’ I thought. But I was hungry too, and I wanted to eat without pretending. I couldn’t understand why I was being so modest.

“Do you come here often?” 

I finally asked a question.

“Sometimes. I was passing by, hungry, and didn’t have an umbrella, so I came in to escape the rain and get some coffee,” 

he replied.

“Ah, I see,” 

I said, and he smiled at me again. There wasn’t much conversation, but it felt comfortable, which was surprising.

“What do you do for work?” 

I asked again. I never ask this question first, so I was taken aback.

“Oh, me?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“I work in the film industry. I write and plan things,” 

he said.

“Wow, that’s impressive,” 

I replied. I couldn’t believe I was the one who said it first. I had even asked him what he did for work.

“By the way, is it good?” 

he asked. He wasn’t asking about me but about the sandwich.

‘What? This guy..’

 I thought, confused.

“Yes, it’s delicious,” 

I replied brightly. ‘Is this what happened to me? All the men I’ve turned away before, was it because of the sandwich? No, that’s not it… right?’

“It’s nice to see the rain outside from here, isn’t it?” 

the man suddenly said.

‘What’s going on? He doesn’t seem curious about me at all. He must be more interested in the rain outside,’ I thought. But strangely, his attitude made me feel at ease.

“When it rains in this city, it shows a different side. All the passing cars and people feel like they are absorbed by the rain. I like that,” 

the man said, smiling at me. I looked outside as he spoke. The cars passing by, people walking with umbrellas. I had always seen them as just busy, rushing against time, but now I realized they could look different.

“I’m full. Did you eat enough? Aren’t you still hungry?” 

he asked.

“Yes. I ate a lot too. I’m full,” 

I answered, but in my mind, I thought, ‘Lie. I need to eat more, but I couldn’t because I was pretending to be ladylike in front of him.’

“What were you doing? You seem really busy,” 

the man asked.

“Oh, just... a little. But it’s fine,” 

I replied.

“How old are you?” 

he suddenly asked. Asking a woman her age first?

“I’m in my late 20s,” I replied.

“Ah, I see,” he said, smiling. 

“How about you?” I thought it was my turn, so I asked.

“I think I’m about 10 years older than you,” he said.

“Ah, I see. So, are you single... or...?” I asked.

“Yes, I’m single,” he answered.

“Okay…”

 I nodded. Meanwhile, the guy sitting next to me had closed his laptop, packed up, and was leaving the café.

‘Did he come here just to eat?’

 I wondered.

“Well, I guess you’ll be busy, so I’ll let you work. It was really nice to have lunch with you,” the man said.

“No, thank you. I ate well thanks to you,” 

I replied, standing up.

“Alright...” 

I said goodbye and started to head back to my seat when I heard his voice again.

“Next week…”

“Yes?”

“If it rains next week, should we meet here again?”

“What? Next week? If it rains on Thursday next week... you want to meet again?”

“Yes,” 

he replied, smiling. I stood there, dumbfounded, when he added,

“I just thought it would feel really nice to see you, looking beautiful, again here when it rains.”

“Ah...” 

I didn’t know how to respond, so I just stood there until I returned to my seat.

He opened his laptop again and started working hard. After a while, he got up and left. As he passed by, our eyes met, and he nodded politely.

That was the story of last week. Next week is today, I thought. And strangely, it was raining again today.

I opened my laptop and, while catching up on some work, I found myself unconsciously looking around the café. After a while, I thought, ‘He’s probably just an ordinary guy,’ and tried to focus back on my tasks. 

There was a lot of work to do. But soon after, I heard the noisy voices of a man and woman coming up the stairs. I thought to myself, ‘There are plenty of people like them, so I won’t pay attention,’ but when I saw the guy from last week walk up with a coffee tray, I realized it was him. And he was with a woman. What was so fun that they were laughing so loudly? Why was he talking so loudly? I was relieved that he didn’t notice me and saw them sit down at a table across the room.

In that moment, I thought, ‘What is this? Why is he really here? And after saying, ‘Let’s meet again on a rainy day,’ he shows up with a woman? Ugh, how annoying’. I tried to ignore them and focus on my work, but I couldn’t help it. I started getting so distracted. If I tried to leave the café now, I felt like he would recognize me. I had specifically sat at a window seat, but if he paid attention, he would see me here.

‘Just focus on your work. What does it matter?’ I tried to concentrate on my laptop, but it was impossible. After a while, I thought, ‘Forget it, let’s go somewhere else,’ and packed up my things. I left my seat and returned the coffee tray, taking my remaining coffee with me. I was going to switch to a takeout cup since I didn’t want to waste the coffee. The man might have seen me, but I wasn’t concerned. He probably wouldn’t recognize me. Still, I could feel his eyes on me when I started heading toward the stairs. "What’s that?" I thought, trying to ignore it as I kept moving forward.  And I thought to myself, it’s probably still raining heavily outside.

<The End... or perhaps, to be continued>

P.S. Just for reference, the story about sharing the sandwich is a real episode from my life. It’s from when I was living in Seoul as a single person. (The conversation we had back then was similar to what I’m describing now.) We weren’t dating, just friends. In fact, I met her again at the same café a week later. 😉