Shocking Reunion at Bapsang
I was at a complete loss for words.
The moment I announced my return to America, the South Korean government officials were overjoyed beyond words.
It was like they'd just had a nagging tooth pulled.
To match my departure, they even upgraded my flight to first class at the government level.
I'd originally booked business class with my own money, but they insisted on the upgrade.
This wasn't hospitality—it was a silent plea for me to get out of there as fast as possible.
"Well, it's free, so might as well enjoy it."
Incheon International Airport departure hall.
We had our tearful family farewell, lugging mountains of luggage.
"Ji-hoon, make sure you eat properly over there!"
"Lily, if you feel sick at all, call right away!"
Mom clung to Lily and wouldn't let go.
Most of the luggage explosion was thanks to Lily's new clothes.
There aren't great shopping spots in Berkeley, after all.
While we were in Korea, Mom and Jimin had taken Lily on a shopping spree, scooping up all sorts of pretty outfits.
"Dad, let me cover this."
"Nonsense! Can't I buy clothes for my daughter-in-law?"
Even when I offered my card, Dad stubbornly used his own.
Stoic as ever, but he was dying to spoil Lily and show it somehow.
Her suitcase was practically bursting at the seams.
"Lily, feeling sad to leave the family?"
Even after check-in, settling into the lounge, Lily looked pretty empty.
After nearly a month surrounded by the lively family showering her with love, being just the two of us again must have left a big void.
"Yeah... Honey, let's come back to Korea often. We made such great memories."
"Yeah... Let's do that."
Lily's first trip abroad.
Glad she enjoyed it.
For me, now that the charges were dropped, coming back to Korea was no issue. I figured quarterly visits at least.
I looked at Lily.
She was a far cry from when we'd first arrived.
Her hair was styled in a sleek Korean salon look, and she wore a chic tweed jacket that any trendy twenty-something Korean woman might sport.
"Let's go."
We boarded the plane.
Sinking into the plush first-class seat finally eased the tension, letting real worries flood in.
Is the restaurant running okay?
Dong-hyun was probably handling things fine without me, but a month away as the owner? No way I wasn't worried.
Any business hiccups? Expansion on track?
And the upcoming charity event prep.
Mountains of stuff to tackle the second I got back.
"Whew."
I asked the flight attendant for orange juice and gazed out the window.
I hadn't told Dong-hyun I was coming back to the States.
Wanted to surprise him.
We'd left early morning, so factoring time zones, it'd be evening when we hit San Francisco.
Right around Bapsang closing time.
Popping in while he was wrapping up? Priceless.
Sipping the juice, I recalled yesterday's call with the U.S. government official.
"Hoon, when are you coming back to the US?"
"In a couple days."
"Oh, thank God!"
He let out a huge sigh of relief.
Public opinion back home was getting ugly, he said.
Since I hadn't returned yet, some were raging: "Is the Korean government still holding Ji-hoon?" "Why isn't our government rescuing its citizen?"
My homecoming was the only card to calm the storm.
"I'll give you a call when you arrive."
"Sure, sounds good."
Man, life is unpredictable.
Me, who fled to America post-divorce like a runaway, now a big shot both governments were counting down to welcome back.
"Lily, you gonna sleep okay?"
"Huh? Honey, I'll watch a movie and crash. They say Korean movies are fun."
Lily was already glued to the screen.
"Alright. I'll nod off first then?"
"Yeah~ Sweet dreams, honey."
The plane roared down the runway and lifted into the sky.
About an hour in.
The gentle hum like floating on clouds brought a wave of exhaustion.
I slipped on the eye mask and reclined the seat.
Next time I opened my eyes, it'd be America again.
Drifting off.
I plunged into deep sleep.
San Francisco International Airport gate.
Whoosh—
The automatic doors slid open, and California's signature dry air hit us.
I threw my chest out and breathed it deep into my lungs.
"Ahh... Mmm, smells like America."
A bit different from Korea's air.
A mix of faint exhaust, coffee, and that free-spirited vibe. Familiar after a month away.
"Honey, we're here!"
Lily beamed, pushing the cart beside me.
Relief washed over her face too.
Korea was fun, but there's no place like home.
"Yeah. We're really back."
I pushed the towering cart of suitcases toward the exit.
Heading to the Uber pickup.
The airport bustled as usual, but the vibe felt off.
People glancing my way.
What? Something on my clothes?
Just comfy hoodie and jeans—no reason to stand out.
Then.
"Excuse me? Are you Mr. Kim by any chance?"
A middle-aged white guy passing by approached cautiously.
"Uh, yeah. That's me."
His face lit up, grabbing my hand for a shake.
"Oh my God! It really is you!"
"......?"
"Welcome back! You have no idea how worried we were."
His booming voice drew every eye around.
Murmurs erupted.
"He's back from Korea!"
A young couple passing by, airport staff, even the cop on duty.
They stopped, waving or thumbs-upping me.
"Glad you're safe, Kim!"
"Welcome back to America!"
I was stunned.
Handcuffed like a criminal at the Korean airport.
Stepping into America? Hero's welcome.
The stark contrast had me chuckling in disbelief.
"Thank you. Thanks, everyone."
I waved sheepishly.
Lily hooked her arm in mine, puffing up with pride.
Even waiting for the car, folks came up for handshakes and photos.
That's when it hit me.
Ah, I'm really back on my home turf.
The country that treats me like a hero.
"Car's here. Let's go, Lily."
Loading the black SUV, I glanced at the darkening sky.
Alright, time to hit the restaurant?
We Ubered home first.
Thought about going straight to Bapsang, but the luggage said no.
Plus, Lily looked wiped from the long flight.
To get to the store anyway, I'd need to grab the car from home.
Luckily, the driver helped unload.
Keying in the door lock, the quiet, musty scent of our month-empty house greeted us.
"Haa... Home really is the best."
I hauled the suitcases in and started unpacking.
The family home in Korea was nice, but my own place? Unmatched comfort.
Lily peeked into the master bedroom and grinned.
"Okay, let's unpack first."
I stood and unzipped the two biggest ones.
Piles of vacuum-packed clothes burst out.
All Lily's, courtesy of Mom's mall and outlet marathon.
Lily dove in eagerly, no trace of fatigue.
"Hang this here, drawer for that one..."
She hummed, darting between closet and drawers.
Life returned to her pale face.
I helped hang her coats.
"Wonder if we'll ever wear these in California."
"Why not? San Francisco winters are chilly. Perfect then!"
"Yeah, yeah."
We finished the unpacking war.
Stowing empty suitcases, an hour had flown by.
"Phew. All done."
I wiped sweat, chugging water from the fridge.
Lily admired the organized closet contentedly.
"Be back soon."
Heading to the flagship store, I said goodbye to Lily.
She rushed to the door for a quick peck, eyeing my hand.
"Yeah. Gift for Dong-hyun?"
The shopping bag in my grip.
Figured the guy living solo could use some traditional soju for a drink.
"Yep. He held down the fort while I was gone. Gonna hand this over and catch up."
"Yeah! He must've worked hard. Have fun, honey~"
Lily grinned wide, adding,
"I'll shower and wait up!"
Hmm.
Signal received.
I gave her butt a playful pat and headed out.
Driving to the flagship.
Familiar Berkeley night streets scrolled by.
Suddenly, the airport scene replayed.
People recognizing me, cheering.
I'd felt it in Korea too—Americans genuinely liked me.
My grip tightened on the wheel.
Truth is... if not for the school lunch hero buzz...
Could I have stirred that storm in Korea and walked away clean?
Doubt it.
Might've rotted in jail unjustly.
Now I got why people obsess over "honor."
Reputation.
Prestige.
Felt it in my bones how much power they pack, how they shield you.
Even the U.S. government moved, Korea bent the knee—all because of American public opinion backing me.
Right.
I resolved inwardly.
Money? Enough for Lily and me to live happily—plenty already overflowing.
From now on, beyond cash: become someone people love.
Human nature's simple.
Good, admirable folks? You wanna help 'em, get close.
"Good people attract good people" ain't wrong.
I vowed to be thoroughly "good."
That goodness, that fame.
When crisis hits again someday, it'd be my strongest shield.
Stidy thoughts, the familiar sign came into view.
Bapsang
My store, still brightly lit.
I parked, grabbed the bag.
Checked the time.
Staff long gone.
Dong-hyun solo, tallying sales, prepping tomorrow's orders. Bet on it.
Good job, buddy.
Month away—bet he'd be thrilled to see me.
Storefront.
CLOSED
The sign swung shut.
Imagining Dong-hyun's shocked face after a month, I grinned and flung the door open.
"Hey, buddy! I'm ba...ck?"
"......???"
Speechless.
The scene before me was anything but a touching reunion.
Dong-hyun on the counter stool.
And straddling him, a blonde beauty devouring him with kisses like she was eating him alive.
"......"
Brain freeze.
No, what the fuck?
Why's she getting all the love?
"......!"
My voice jolted them; they leaped apart like electrocuted.
"Wha—?!"
Dong-hyun's face beet red, fumbling his clothes, fake-coughing.
"Ahem... uh... give a heads-up next time."
"......"
Seeing him too embarrassed to meet my eyes, I could only chuckle dryly.
No... what the hell happened in that month?
Thus, Dong-hyun and I reunited.
Intensely, to say the least.