The invitation was for a weekend at a traditional hanok guesthouse in the countryside, sent by Kang Mira. “Just a few close friends,” the message read. “Fresh air, good food, no pressure.” But for Jun, any social gathering was a mission requiring reconnaissance and mental preparation.
The “few close friends” turned out to be Mira and her husband, a gentle-natured university professor named Seong-gi, and two other couples. The air was indeed fresh, scented with pine and the smoky aroma of charcoal from the grill being set up in the courtyard. The pressure, however, was a low hum in Jun’s veins.
He helped Seong-gi with the grill, the familiar, methodical task of managing fire providing a welcome anchor. The professor spoke of his work, of tracing linguistic patterns in ancient texts, his p
