American Spring Break Horror Book

chapter ten

South Korea is one of the most homogeneous nations in the world, as its culture, language, and customs are distinct from those of other Asian nations. It was something that attracted the troops. They were all yearning to visit South Korea after reading a lot of data on the internet. The residents of South Korea place a premium on diligence, filial piety, and humility in their daily lives. South Koreans are incredibly proud individuals who take great pleasure in their traditional culture and financial achievement. Certain South Korean etiquette and manners are highly regarded in their culture. For instance, the bow is the primary greeting custom in South Korea. Not only is it a type of greeting, but it is also a symbol of the respect one person shows to another. At the airport, the troops were impressed by the gesture. Uncle Chan Yeol showed Amber Ray and her friends how to practice it. He giggled at how some struggled to do it. However, he didn’t get tired of teaching them the right way.

The information about South Korea’s education system excites the troop. They are pushed to convince their parents to study in South Korea. “There is a possibility of learning here.” Amber Ray tells her friends. “Sure, but can our parents agree to it? “Sandra Roberts interjects. “Let us watch how the stay goes.” Della Roberts argues. “My thoughts, too,” John Paul agrees with Della. After graduating high school, most students apply to and attend colleges around the country. South Korea is in the first quadrant, indicating that the government has a culture with a comparatively wider power distance and a lower individualism. Due to the country's great emphasis on respecting one's elders and superiors, the power distance in South Korea is relatively large. This cultural idea is well ingrained.

Henry Sayo's Narrative

We left the comfort of our hometown of Ohio to begin our adventure to South Korea. This journey allowed us to study and learn about Korean folklore, culture, customs, historical background, and way of life. After the fourteen-hour flight, we arrived in Seoul, South Korea. After waiting for Uncle Chan Yeol and checking into the apartment, we were prepared to tour Korea immediately. As a group, we had already created a bucket list to begin the tours in South Korea. The next day, when Uncle Chan Yeol came, we were ready to get out and learn something. That morning, two friends and I went to a traditional Korean restaurant for breakfast across the road. I was somewhat prepared for the culture shock. It was my first time visiting South Korea and tasting its various cuisines. I have heard many people praise their kinds of food. That gave me reasons to believe and order some. To my surprise, it was the best. I wouldn't hesitate to take pictures of the food and send them on my social media pages. The comments left me speechless. The restaurant provided a variety of Korean dishes, some of which I had never even heard of. Everyday items range from kimchi soup to chicken dung sack supper. We were anticipating a treat.

The trip to South Korea meant a lot to my mindset. I wanted a place away from home for some time. Coming from a polygamous family hasn’t been easy on us. I have watched my mother’s subjection to injustices and unfair treatment by my father and stepmother. Sadly, there is nothing I can do about it. When I informed my mother about my travel plans to South Korea, she supported me with all her strength and agility. My father was against it, not because he wasn’t financially stable, but out of hate. So many times have I asked my mother to leave that marriage, but she declines. Our father hardly visits us but has the guts to control our plans. When my mother told me about it, I almost gave up on my father. He has made me look at life differently due to the mistreatment he offers to our family. My mother has been willing to do something for me for quite some time. The South Korean vacation came in handy as she handily ensured I had traveled with my friends.

I was dramatic back then — and still am — but we've made it work by messaging daily. Just two days apart, being away from my mother, but she’s different. She keeps reminding me how she misses me, and I inform her that the feeling is mutual. I can’t remember the number of video calls we have had. I understand her fears. In the morning, she woke me up to confirm what I was having for breakfast. I bragged about how I would enjoy Korean cuisine; she sure felt jealous. Then came our apartment; my mother couldn’t stop admiring its excellent finishing and modern styles. Nevertheless, she was impressed with my progress with the rest. We promised each other, whenever possible, to keep sending overly informal texts and voice notes on w******p. She was heading to work, but her mind was stuck with me. I was delighted. “I will be at work; you know we aren’t allowed to be on the phone, but don’t hesitate to inform me in case of anything.” She sent the message. The most exciting experience we had the first night was the ability to share our crazy thoughts with ourselves. Boys sleeping in a separate room from girls was great.

After enjoying a sumptuous breakfast, Uncle Chan Yeol informed us that he hadn’t found a designated driver for us. We became sad. However, he offered himself the job. That excited us, and we were over the moon. He was not like an uncle to us but an elder brother. We loved his company. “Uncle Chan, thank you.” Sandra Roberts appreciates him after the announcement. “It is fascinating to have you around all the time.” John Paul adds. “What are your plans for today?” Uncle Chan Yeol asks the troop. They steal glances at each other and share the bucket list with him. Fearfully, they watch him read, awaiting the response. They expected an adverse reaction from him. Strangely, they were holding their breath, hoping Uncle Chan wouldn’t turn down the offer. Visiting haunted places wasn’t an easy choice for them either. “HM!” Uncle Chan Yeol sighs in disbelief. “What do you think is going through his mind?” Laura Martins whispers to Della Roberts. “I think he is shocked by the choice of our visit to South Korea,” Della responds. “I think he is not sure how to turn us down.” Henry Sayo adds, as the three look at him innocently.

“Uncle Chan.!” Amber Rays calls his name suggestively. “Why are you acting so weird?” Amber Ray questions. “It is nothing to worry about; we may leave.” Uncle Chan informs them. They were shocked by his response. “Are you kidding us?” Sandra Roberts exclaims excitedly. Sandra Roberts moves with speed to hug Chan Yeol. Everyone jumps up, screaming and shouting, ‘hurrah,’ uniformly. “There is a problem, my friends.” Uncle Chan Yeol informs the troop. A moment of silence bestows the car as they look at each other in disbelief. “Not again!” Dhruv Khan complains. “I can’t find the exact location of the hospital.” Uncle Chan Yeol laments. “What the hell?” Damian Pena roars. Everyone turns on their phone's mobile data and goes directly to Google Maps. Indeed, the location can’t be easily found on the internet. They feel terrible. However, Katrina suggests that they seek assistance from the locals around them. “That is a brilliant idea from you." Uncle Chan Yeol praises Katrina for the heads up.

After driving for half an hour, Uncle Chan Yeol stops the car and parks it beside the road. There were several roads around, and it was hard to figure out which led them to Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital. While descending, a young man stops by riding on a motorbike. “Hey, what’s up?” the young man asks them. “Hey, do you know where Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital is?” Amber Ray asks. “Huh!” the young man is surprised by the question. “Why are you surprised?” Henry Sayo interjects angrily. “Who still visits that damn hospital?” He responds as he takes off speedily. The troops are left wondering what will happen to them. There were a few houses around. A few people passed by as well. They had to wait for a long time before another person came along. During this time, they chat and inform their parents about how their stay in South Korea is taking them. Out of the blue, an older man walks toward them. He stops to say a word. He wouldn't hesitate to question what brought them to such a dangerous spot. Strangely, they had reasons to give him. He informed them how the place was deadly. They boldly told him they were ready for anything. Della Roberts looks at them with an evil eye and sulks. The older man shared the horrible news from the abandoned hospital, asking them to leave it, but they couldn’t listen. Before he leaves, Uncle Chan Yeol requests a direction to the hospital. Gladly, he shows them the way.

After walking close to 2KM, they arrive at the hospital. The appearance of the surrounding area shocks them. Fear builds in them. All of them stand from afar, fearing moving closer to it. Sandra Roberts dares them to follow her. They think twice before joining her. They can’t locate the main gate after moving around the hospital. Uncle Chan Yeol finds a tiny space where they can squeeze their bodies. They sneak through the fence and find themselves in the hospital’s compound. While inside the hospital compound, we noticed a rusty padlock on the main gate. The place looked scary: the building was no longer occupied or used. Some iron sheets were falling off the roof. The place wasn’t safe to stay, even for a second. The paintings on the walls were faded with cracks. The grassy field was full of broken wood, branches of trees, and pieces of steel all over the ground. We had to be careful or else be attacked by a venomous snake. Della Roberts questioned why we chose to visit those creepy sites. None of us answered; fear had taken a toll on our minds. The abandoned psychiatric hospital is located in Gyeonggi Province and has existed since 1995 but closed due to ghosts’ presence. Many patients in Gonjiam are said to have died mysteriously. The director was mentally ill; some claim that he held patients hostage and caused their deaths. Inside, the building was very dark, so they used torches to walk around.

“THE GONJIAM PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL IS THE MOST HAUNTED PLACE IN SOUTH KOREA: ARE YOU DARING ENOUGH!” There was writing on the wall that attracted everyone’s attention. The message scared the hell out of us: we were the only ones visiting the place that day. The site looks horrible. We could see hospital beds on the floor with bedding lying on the ground. Some of the window panes were broken with glasses, while a few an intact. We couldn’t imagine that we would spend the holiday day at such an exciting place. The most horrible news about the hospital was the reports of the mysterious deaths and the insane doctors who were as insane as the asylum patients. When the announcement was made public, residents began abandoning the hospital. The hospital was closed down in 1990 after the continuous mysterious death kept recurring. The Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital was the main hospital providing psychiatric services to the general public in Seoul City. It had the best doctors in the region. However, many people never understood how patients got mental problems and how to treat them. They associated it with having spirits. Despite having gone to school to study medicine, doctors began sending away patients claiming they were possessed. Due to the region’s high illiteracy, the public started running away from such patients. The leading cause wasn’t discovered within time. The number of people with mental health issues keeps increasing by the day. Many other patients began forfeiting that hospital for fear of being neglected or chased away. The hospital’s owner became depressed as he experienced losses in his business. He could not take it. He could not stand watching his dire investment washed away due to the doctor’s negligence.

One morning, the owner of the hospital received numerous complaints from neighbors complaining of the stench smell from the hospital. The drainage became terrible. Sadly, no worker was willing to offer services to Gonjiam Psychiatric hospital. It drained the owner’s hospital. He felt miserable. A few months later, there was no water in the hospital as he couldn’t pay bills. It was difficult for the hospital to operate without water. He was contemplating closing the hospital down. However, things became harder and harder; he had to take his life in the hospital. His wife and children searched for him to no avail. They reported the matter to the police, where investigations began immediately, but his body was never found. Strangely. Patients in the hospital started complaining about having met the hospital’s owner in the corridor, but he hardly said a word. That was strange to hear. At that moment, no one imagined that he had committed suicide. He had never expressed any feelings of depression to his close friends and family members. That was ruled out.

As days moved by, many deaths were recorded from Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital. The rumor claimed that someone strangled patients at night. The hospital was later closed after the working condition became unbearable. Everyone feared for their lives and had to seek other means of survival. It was later confirmed that the owner of the hospital’s ghost still haunts the place to date. While walking around the hospital, Damian Pena scares his friends. They run in fear as some fall, hurting themselves. Damian’s voice echoes in the rooms, sounding in astonishing ways. The troop is shocked by the time on the watch: they hadn’t even had lunch. Uncle Chan Yeol requests them to leave the site. They call it a day.