Unplanned Detour to Jeonju
Still early dawn, before the darkness had fully lifted. I'd arrived about 30 minutes ahead of schedule. I parked in the least conspicuous spot in front of Im Nana's apartment complex. As the rumbling engine quieted, the serene morning atmosphere enveloped the surroundings.
"Did I get here too early...?"
It had only been a week since my usual camping trip, but I'd been buzzing with excitement right up until I fell asleep the night before. Thinking about gazing at the seaside, devouring delicious food, and camping—it was already making me look forward to it.
With the heater on, warm air filled the car just as a familiar figure emerged from the apartment entrance. Im Nana, hurrying out with a massive backpack on her back and pulling a suitcase. She had less makeup than usual, wearing comfy training pants and a puffy padded jacket—it felt a bit unfamiliar.
Beep-. Beep-.
I gave a light honk. The sound came out cuter than expected, and Im Nana walked over to my side.
"Areum! You got here super early?"
"You too, Nana. What if I'd been late—why'd you come out so quick?"
"Hehe, there's a 24-hour café right up front. I was gonna wait there."
I got out and popped the trunk. Im Nana effortlessly lifted the suitcase and loaded it in. Must not be much stuff in there.
I tried to shift the suitcase she'd placed to make room in the trunk. "Hup."
...It didn't budge an inch.
"...Nana, could you push your suitcase a bit further in?"
"Sure!"
She lifted it lightly and slid it inside. Yeah... after this camping trip, I really need to start working out. I can't live like a human jelly forever. I wanna try backpacking someday too.
"Here! This is for you, Areum!"
Im Nana poured steaming coffee from her thermos into my tumbler. The deep, rich aroma tickled my nose.
"Thanks, I'll enjoy it. Was just craving coffee too."
"Hehe, since you're driving, I had to prep something like this."
"It's just the two of us—feels weird taking two cars."
"True. My car's kinda small, tough to fit all the camping gear... Should I upgrade to an SUV?"
"I'd recommend it, but... first, try a few solo camps with that one. Then you'll get a feel for how big a vehicle you need when it's one or two more people."
We stood by the car sipping coffee, chatting idly. Stuff like "I wanna do this on the trip~" or "Check out my new camping gear." Perfect pre-trip banter.
After a few sips, with my body warmed up, we hopped in.
"Hehe. Alright, let's roll!"
I confirmed Im Nana buckled up and pulled out. The familiar punk rock playlist kicked in. Punchy drum beats and crisp guitar riffs filled the car.
"Phew, this music's grown on me now!"
"Suits my taste. Gives that road-trip vibe."
"Yeah, totally! I'm so pumped..."
Im Nana grinned and gazed out the window. Like she said, this vibe had become pretty familiar to me too, before I knew it.
We left Seoul and hit the West Coast Expressway. Friday dawn meant smooth sailing, and as we cruised, Im Nana piped up.
"Y'know, this is my first time to the West Sea? I've seen the East Sea a few times, but weirdly, I've never been to the closer West Coast."
"Really? That's unusual. Most folks from the capital area hit the West Sea first."
"Right? Just never got the chance. Gotta make the most of it this time!"
She clenched her fists with fiery resolve—so Im Nana.
"Oh, hey! Areum, did that photo from last time hit 100k likes yet?"
"Huh? Which photo?"
"What? You already forgot? The ones in that menhera fashion!"
"Gah."
Shit, that one hit 100k? Not impossible with Im Nana's followers, but... way too fast, right?
"Guess you looked too pretty—people reposted it everywhere. Search 'legendary landmine girl' online, and it's topping community posts."
"...Reposting without credit isn't cool."
"Lotsa comments like 'repost away~' though."
"At least tell us where it's going..."
Ugh, even if I'd braced myself... Fame's nice, but not if it's those pics blowing up over my main camping content...
It'd only been a week and change since we took them. 100k already? It's only gonna climb. My channel won't suddenly explode, so isn't this flipping the script?
"Funny part is, everyone thinks you're Japanese?"
"Huh? Why...?"
"Not many Koreans rock that style. And reposters wouldn't caption 'pic from here~' anyway."
Hmm... my photo, but they don't recognize me? Kinda sucks in its own way. Being recognized is stressful, but mistaken for someone else? Nah. Now I get why that modern idiom "do as I say, not as I do" exists.
"Ah! Sea's in sight!"
"You'll see it plenty driving down the highway. The sunlight reflecting off it's gorgeous."
"West Coast means killer seafood, right? Clams for dinner?"
Not scenery, but food talk... Wait, clams? I thought dinner was meat?
"Clams? Grandpa's slaughtering a whole pig for dinner."
"Gasp. A whole pig?!"
Im Nana's voice was laced with shock. Wait, no— I heard a subtle gulp.
This girl's not shocked; she's hyped, right?
"No way he'd really do a whole pig, cost and all... Just think epic meat party."
"...Slurp. Can't wait... wanna eat now..."
Watching her drool in anticipation made me crave that BBQ too. I picked up speed a bit.
Then, my phone on the mount started vibrating.
Bzzz-. Bzzz-.
Hm, who? Weekend morning call... Boss?
I glanced at the caller ID.
"Areum, call from Grandpa!"
"Probably checking when we're arriving. Nana, hit accept and switch to speaker?"
"Got it!"
Im Nana tapped my phone, connecting the call with Grandpa.
"Hello? Grandpa?"
"Whoa there, my little darlin'. You on the way now?"
"Yeah, with my friend. Should hit around lunchtime."
"Aigoo, what a pickle... It's 2 nights 3 days, right? Sorry 'bout this, but could y'all hang nearby today and come tomorrow 'stead?"
Grandpa's voice dripped with apology. Im Nana's face next to me stiffened a bit too.
"What? Something wrong?"
I asked worriedly, and Grandpa's sigh-filled reply came.
"Neighbor old timer fell off a ladder pickin' persimmons. Twisted somethin' bad, and I'm the only one 'round with a rig that can move quick... Gotta hustle over, but no tellin' when I'll be back."
"Ouch, sounds serious. You should head there ASAP."
"Yup. Sorry to cramp your first trip together~"
"No worries. We were camping tomorrow anyway. Just a day early. Don't overdo it, Grandpa."
Grandpa said he'd handle it and hung up.
This was unexpected...
"You heard? Yeah... neighbor got hurt, so today's off the table."
"It's fine, not too bad, right? Grandpa must've been shocked."
Im Nana was thrown off too, but her thoughtful response warmed me.
"No prob! So, where to?"
"Hm, was gonna camp near Mokpo, but... how 'bout we exit here and camp central instead?"
Im Nana seemed eager to roll with it. Yeah. Better to embrace surprises like this than gripe—make new plans and enjoy.
I fired up the map app, checked our spot, and scanned options.
"Around here... Gunsan?"
"Gunsan? Yes! Love me some fermented crab!"
Her eyes sparkled. Fermented crab fan, huh? That chewy, salty goodness is total rice thief.
"Or a bit further to Imsil?"
"Imsil? Yes! Cheese party!"
Hm, cheese too.
"Or swing to Buan..."
"Iksan? Yes! Iksan sweet potatoes are famous—roast 'em over campfire, delish!"
...What doesn't she like? Zero hesitation—she rattles off local specialties for every spot.
How food-obsessed do you gotta be to know all that offhand?
"...Let's just hit biggest spot, Jeonju."
"Jeonju?! Bibimbap time! Yes, let's go!"
Im Nana lit up like Jeonju was the plan all along. I'd clocked the gulps every 10 seconds, but damn, she's dead serious about food.
"Jeonju it is? Lunch there, camp nearby."
"Yup! Gotta ask the boss for Jeonju eats!"
"Boss knows that stuff?"
"Duh. Worked broadcasting forever—knows all the local gems."
Oho... Makes sense. Long broadcast career means lotsa on-location shoots. Doesn't seem desk-only; probably field vet.
Unplanned Jeonju run, but Im Nana's face showed excitement, not disappointment.
"Floor it! Gotta smash all Jeonju's food spots!"
"...Save room for dinner."
"Obviously, no sweat!"
Bit uneasy... Eh, if she stuffs and skips dinner, it'll be a trip memory too.
Wonder what we'll have for dinner, though?