#visit gangneung

[peachminze]

🌊went to see the ocean the other day 💙

[jmdbjk]

Bangtan weekly report

I hope everyone is having a great day so far. It's been a busy week/weekend for Bangtan.

Hobi's Hope On The Street album dropped on Friday and I got my ass to Target first thing to get it!

The album is amazing, as I knew it would be. Hobi continues to amaze me. I'm struggling to find the right words to express how I feel about him. As I told my bestie, Hobi is the blood and bones of BTS. Namjoon might be the big brain lyricist, the leader and Yoongi might be the constant melody maker and realist, but Hobi makes the whole thing come alive and beat with movement.

The first two episodes of the HOTS docu-series were also amazing. To hear and see him delving so deeply into the thing that makes him who he is and therefore makes BTS what it is brought tears to my eyes.

The Hope On The Street Pop Up location in Seoul is an overwhelming success as were the parties that Hobi threw for fans in LA, Chicago and NYC.

Items from his Hybe studio are on display at the Seoul pop up event and merch that is available there might be the same that will be available on April 9 on Weverse Shop.

Neuron dance lessons were being conducted today and look like they are being filmed. Maybe they will end up in a future Bangtan Episode! If you'd like to see more of what's inside the pop up, you can view this thread on X.

(image from @ddaisyy94 on X)

Yoongi has entered the Nonsan Training Center, the same one where Namjoon and Tae did their basic training. Yoongi's basic training will last 3 weeks and then he will return to his alternate service assignment. He looks so good! (sarcasm)

And it was mentioned that Jin accompanied Yoongi on this day. Jin wasn't going to let Yoongi enter military basic training without having his only hyung in the group see him off.

Speaking of Jin, his Weverse post for March was 77 DAYS LEFT!

Jimin has made a scholarship available at the Department of Physical Therapy at Dongeui Science University in Busan. According to the information, Jimin made this donation prior to enlisting. Physical therapists are important in his and the members' lives to keep them healthy while performing at such high levels.

Taehyung was spotted at a soccer match in Chuncheon. He was with a group of fellow soldiers in uniform. However, also present were Manager-nim and several recognizable Hybe security guys. Interesting.

Namjoon shared some moments from his weekend with us. I will assume he is taking his proper holiday now that he's past the 100-day mark of enlistment. He visited Sorol Art Museum in Gangneung, he hugged the sky at a beach, smelled the cherry blossoms and was lurking in and about the Hybe building because he saw a banner from Army. It's possible the banner was installed by the owner of a nearby restaurant.

Hiding his beard stubble with hotteok:

Stopping to smell the flowers during his time off:

Hugging the sky at the beach:

And I can't leave my precious Kookie off this week's report. We don't know if he and Jimin have taken the vacation that is due them now that they've also passed the 100-day milestone of their enlistment. They've completed just over 20% of their obligation as of yesterday/today and tomorrow they will be promoted to Private First Class II.

We've seen more pics of Bam than of JK this year.

(photo from @holicare.barf on Instagram)

[voxyldy]

09.20.2023

[INFO]

Kmedia reports on BTS V’s 20 seconds live concert in Gangneung, a surprise guerrilla event

“With this event, you can feel V's sincerity toward his fans”

V actively expressed opinions from the planning to composition stage and prepared content together with the staff. V couldn't hide his excitement when traveling by KTX for a performance at a 'jazz bar' in Gangneung. After arriving at the scene and conducting a thorough preliminary check, including rehearsals, V thought about how he could make a greater impression on the audience and proposed various ideas to complete the event. A variety of people, including students and lovers, visited the jazz bar. They thought it was simply a performance by a 'new singer', but when V suddenly appeared in front of them, they cheered in surprise. V presented a high-quality live performance to the audience, but as originally planned, after 20 seconds, the curtain closed and the music stopped, causing laughter. You can feel V's sincerity toward his fans. He expressed his thoughts about this guerrilla event, saying, "I wanted to try something like this. I want to approach the 'ARMY' in a slightly new way, and I also want to take on a challenge."

Source: Tae Guide

[cherylll0510]

BTS bus station is one of the representations of Street Art in Korea. (assess)

BTS is a popular Korean group that is currently gaining popularity around the world, and as their popularity grows over the years, the locations of their music videos and variety shows are becoming more and more well-known. One of the filming locations was a bus stop on the road of "Heungho Beach" in Munjin-eup, Gangneung North, Gangwon Province, where the group took the cover photo of their album "you never walk alone". After the photo shoot, the bus stop was preserved, so fans from all over the world came to Gangneung to take pictures.

The bus route of the BTS bus stop is the name of all the albums of the group since their debut, which means that this station is a rest stop for the group. They are resting here waiting to go to the next place, to visit the farther road or to get the bigger glory. The hidden meaning of the album "you never walk alone" is a sincere promise to the fans that we are always with each other and we are never alone. The station is also a place for BTS and fans to connect, to feel each other's presence, and to communicate their love for each other in this way. This is also because many fans may not be able to see their idols in person for the rest of their lives due to the distance and different professional environment, which is a way to send their thoughts and love by visiting the places where their idols have been. As a result, the BTS bus station has become an unofficial tourist attraction in Gangneung, Korea, visited by fans from all over the world.

[whalelotofstudy]

2022/12/18

Part one of my weekend photos! Saw the fritz hansen exhibition at seoul station, it was super cool to see korean traditional woodwork and embroidary on fritz hansen furnitures. I also went to Gangneung during the weekends. The weather was chilly but it was nice to be near the sea. + visited a huge bookstore there and fell in love with its sci fi collection & bought a mystery novel - the cover is 100% bi aesthetic

[thequeenofsheba-blog]

Seoul Write-Up: Travel outside of Seoul to

We did a road trip from Seoul to other parts of the country, and back. Here are the places we stopped along the way and our observations:

ROAD TRIP

Sokcho/Seoraksan- we slept at the Lotte resort in Sokcho, and from there did two days of hiking trails in Seoraksan national park. It was truly stunning- I recommend the Guemganggul cave temple trail (about 2.5 hrs) and the Ulsanbawi trail (about 3 hrs). It’s worth a meal in Sokcho’s food market (get crab, and squid sundae) and a meal at Sindasin in Abai village, the North Korean refugee enclave- get the cold buckwheat noodles. 

From there we drove to Ojukheon, a lovely and grand home of a family of great national import. It is just outside of Gangneung, and in  Gangneung it’s well worth having breakfast/lunch at  Geumhak kalguksu- get the spicy noodles and the rice and bean sprout bowl, both are delicious. 

From there we drove to Dosan Seowon, a gorgeous Confucian school on a lake- this place is well worth the detour

Then we went to Hahoe folk village, which is also lovely. Though it’s a quick walk around the village, with the shuttle back and forth, the whole thing takes a while. And it’s worth doing the mask museum at the parking lot as well. 

From there we pressed on to Gyeongju. After 2 days there we drove on to Jeonju to eat bibimbap at Hangugjip, the restaurant allegedly making the best bibimbap in the country. It is absolutely delicious, especially the dolsot bibimbap. 

Then we drove to the fortress in Gongju, which is not worth visiting at all in my view

From there we went to Magok-sa, which is a lovely temple complex and well worth the detour on the way back to Seoul.

Here are some tips for Gyeongju:

GYEONGJU

Overall, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend making the trip to Gyeongju unless you are doing a road trip through the country like we did. The museum is amazing for the Silla gold but the sites are not as impressive as one might expect. 

Sites

In addition to all the main sites in town, it’s very worth it to drive to Bulguk-sa, and up to Seokguram grotto, and then to Golgul-sa and make sure to be there at 3pm for their sunmudo demonstration (every day except Monday/tuesday). 

Restaurants

Yosukgung 1779- absolutely fantastic. Get their homemade 1779 rice wine, and add to the set menu the beef tartar. Stunning space, delicious meal.

Oncheon Jib- very tasty sukiyaki. The beef isn’t the best, but the quality of the veggies are great. 쿠우동 Udon- the udon noodles here are legit. Great texture

Soha Salt bakery- very, very tasty salt bread here, it’s a chain with branches also in Seoul. 

[byun-sangwoo]

This is Gangneung port.

I was visiting there for presenting a Forest Management System.

[introdcungkculture]

5 Famous Coffee Cafe Streets In Korea

Let me introduce five famous coffee cafe streets that Koreans often visit all over the country.

The size of the Korean coffee market is large enough to be estimated at about 7.9 trillion won as of 2023, making it a significant industry in Korea. As a result, there are several cafe streets in Korea that can be enjoyed as a tourist attraction. Here are five of the most representative ones. 1) Gangneung Cafe Street, Gangwon-do Gangneung Cafe Street is a cafe street located on Anmok Beach in…

[charlse0729]

NEW year's trip to welcom the 2024 new year, Republic of korea's KTX-Eum Gangneung and Andong multimodal trian commemorative trip and Danyang Danuria Aquarium visit

New Year's trip to welcome the 2024 New Year, Republic of Korea's KTX Ieum Gangneung and Andong multimodal train commemorative trip and Danyang Danuria Aquarium visit [2024.01.01] Did you spend 2023 happily and healthily? Now, 2024, the Year of the Dragon, has arrived!!! I hope that the new year of 2024 will be filled with health and happiness, and I wish you a happy new year!! To commemorate…

[tagytravelkorea]

Exploring Korea Private Tours- A Journey Through Most Famous Places

Looking for Korea private tours? Find a trustworthy and reputable Korea tour company for the best yet customized private tours. Expert companies offer private and customized korea tours to meet your demand.

Exploring South Korea- Presenting Its Iconic Destinations:

South Korea is a captivating blend of tradition and modernity. South Korea tours offer several iconic destinations that cater to diverse interests. There are wide arrays of attractions that will give you a memorable experience.

Seoul: This is the place where the Past and Present Converge. Seoul is the Capital of South Korea and a melting pot of ancient palaces and advanced technology. You can explore the splendor of Gyeongbokgung Palace, stroll through the charming Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong, witness Cheonggyecheon Stream & Gwanghwamun Square, N Seoul Tower, Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain and Hongdae area.

Jeju Island- This volcanic island is Nature's Paradise.  It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a natural wonderland that boasts striking landscapes and unique geological formations. Witness the majesty of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, Eco land, explores the Songaksan trail, Seongeup Folk Village, Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff and so on. With its pristine beaches, lush countryside, tea field & Museum and delightful local culture, Jeju Island is a haven for nature enthusiasts.

Gyeongju- It is a historic city, often referred to as the "museum without walls. The city is bestowed with outstanding relics, including the serene Bulguksa Temple and the Seokguram Grotto. In addition, stroll through the vast Tumuli Park which has more than 20 large and small tombs from the Shilla period.

Busan- This is the place where urban energy meets coastal charm. It is the second-largest city in South Korea that boasts an energetic atmosphere complemented by striking coastal views. Whether you are seeking to relax on Haeundae Beach, taste delectable seafood at the bustling Jagalchi Fish Market, or explore the iconic Busan Tower-Busan has something for everyone. Experience the cultural attractions and natural beauty of this destination.

Suwon- It is known as the Fortress City and this city is distinguished by its impressive Hwaseong Fortress. This UNESCO-listed site boasts impressive walls, watchtowers and gateways that offer an appealing glimpse into Korea's architectural prowess.

Incheon- This city is the gateway to South Korea and the entry point for many international travelers. From Sorae Ecological Park, Sora Pogu Port, Songdo Central Park, G-tower, Canal Walk and NC CUBE shopping center and Hyundai Premium Outlet Songdo.

Pyeongchang- For winter sports enthusiasts, Pyeongchang is a dream destination. It offers world-class skiing and snowboarding opportunities at the Alpensia Resort. You can also enjoy the stunning beaches and mountains near Gangneung City and so on.

Undoubtedly, South Korea boasts several renowned destinations that ensure an appealing merge of historical significance, natural beauty and modern liveliness. And a professional Korea tour company can make your journey memorable. You can access the best and most customized South Korea tour guide package that meets your expectations and budget range.

This is where we come in. As a leading and experienced tour operator, we can ensure amazing and stress-free Korea private tours. Visit https://www.tagytravelkorea.com/ today!

[howwelldoyouknowyourmoon]

More information at the link in Korean here:  http://m.churchheresy.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1309

Edited machine translation which will have errors.

Home News Interview

Abandoned ‘Unification Church’ churches neglected as monstrosities everywhere… [Meanwhile Hak Ja Han] the religious leader is building a ‘royal palace’

Article approval 2023.04.12 18:20:46

–▶ Japanese wives who were followers came to Korea… The life path that is hard to turn back, even showing tears

▲ Family Federation for World Peace and Unification Geumgwa Family Church

There are abandoned and neglected churches of the Heavenly Parent Holy Church and the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (aka Unification Church) in the metropolitan area and other parts of the province.

Somewhere in the province, an abandoned Unification Church church is located in the middle of the road in front of the village, raising the eyebrows of passers-by. Residents were dissatisfied with the hideous abandoned houses. There, Unification Church books, photos, and household items have been left unattended for over 20 years, full of dust, and grass is overgrown in the front yard. The red symbol of the Unification Church in the shape of the Japanese flag is displayed high on the façade. When strangers come and visit, residents think they are here to buy the empty building and welcome it. The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification Geumgwa Family Church, located in Sunchang, North Jeolla Province, has been abandoned for 20 years.

▲ The signboard of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification Geumgwa Family Church

Writer: Since when did this place become a wasteland? Resident A: It's been 20 years. The building is old, so the floor and the hall are all collapsing. Writer: Were there many people in the past? Resident A: A lot. He used to be the richest man in town. However, the man (the Unification Church pastor) left the house, and his sons and 7 brothers all died, and his wife also died, and it has been more than 20 years since anyone is here. Writer: It doesn't look good if you leave it like that. Resident A: It's scary in the evening. (The windows and doors are all torn and tattered, and I left the door open for those who come to buy it, but there are bookshelves and household items inside, but there is a lot of dust.) Resident B: In the past, many Japanese wives lived in every neighborhood. We had a mass wedding 20 to 30 years ago, and now the children are young adults in their 20s and 30s. There are more Japanese wives in Sunchang-myeon. The Ganggyeong Unification Church Family Church in Hwangsan-ri, Ganggyeong-eup, Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province has been empty for 30 years. The church was built here in 1980, but the second generation is in a working a short distance, but the church is not functioning.

▲ Family Federation for World Peace and Unification Ganggyeong Family Church… Not in operation

Author: Since when has it been empty? Village Mayor: It's been about 30 years. There are no Unification Church members. Writer: Who knows about it? Village head: The Unification Church Foundation is big… The people who used to attend here went elsewhere and haven't come back since. There are places like this that have been neglected for decades in Gangwon-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the buildings of the Unification Church were built in a triangular style in the shape of a capital letter A in English (A frame). In the late 1970s and early 1980s, about 30 locations nationwide (Seongnam, Daejeon, Seocheon, Seosan, Taean, Geumsan, Nonsan, Ganggyeong, Yeongdong, Eumseong, Chungcheongbuk-do), Jeonnam Hwasun, Gokseong, Jeonbuk Imsil, Namwon, Geumgwa, Jeokseong, Gangwon Gangneung, Hoengseong, Sokcho, Donghae, Gyeongnam Geoje, Jinhae, Goseong, Geochang, Gyeongbuk Gyeongsan, Yeongju, Uljin, Yeongcheon, Gimcheon, Andong… etc. ) were built in the same shape. While promoting anti-communism with the support of the government, the church expanded throughout the country. Among the members, there were cases where believers died of old age and left the churches which fell into disrepair due to the second generation giving up their faith, and also there are empty buildings when congregations merged with other locations. A church located in Gyeonggi-do used to be active with a signboard that read, “Marriage Counseling Center.” There, men met Japanese wives who were followers who came to Korea through the mass weddings.

▲ Japanese wives who came to Korea 30 years ago through mass wedding ceremonies

Writer: How difficult was it to live in Korea? How long since you have you been in Japan? (As soon as we sat facing each other, she wiped away tears. It seems like she had a lot of sorrow. She kept crying during the conversation.) Japanese believer 1: It's been about 30 years. I came here when I was young. Writer: Were you both young when you came here? Japanese believers 1 and 2: Hahaha, yeah Writer: Did you two come here after a mass wedding? Japanese believer 1: Yes. It was very difficult at first. The culture is different, we don't communicate, but now the kids are all grown up. Writer: How many Unification Church members are there in Korea? Japanese believer 1: About 20,000. Japan has more. Writer: (Unification Church) Is that enough, including company employees and school students? Japanese believer 1: Yes, that's about it. Writer: The triangular shape [A frame] of the building is unique. Japanese believer 1: In the 1970s, many of these buildings were built in the same way throughout the country. Writer: Wasn't it difficult to live in Korea? Japanese believer 1: It was very difficult. I have overcome through my faith. Because I came despite the opposition of my Japanese family, it was difficult to go back even if it was difficult. I was told to come, but since I have another family here, I couldn't go. I would have gone alone. Writer: How old are you? Japanese believer 1: I was born in 1964. Writer: How many Japanese people are here? Japanese believer 1: There are about 25 of them. So, if you have any difficulties, you talk to them. Writer: It is possible to live well in Japan, but it is not easy to come to a foreign country and live like this because of your faith. Was it worth risking and dedicating your life to this? Japanese student 1: I didn't know it would be this hard. If I knew it would be this hard, I wouldn't have come. But it will work out. I have overcome by faith. It really wasn't easy. Writer: Have you ever been confused? Japanese believer 1: (After the death of Sun Myung Moon) There were times when I was very confused. Been doing it for over 30 years. Now, even if I go to Japan, I have nowhere to go, and at this age, I go to Japan and do something. I would have gone if I had been alone, but I have another family here. If it's because of my faith, I can do it even when I go to Japan… Married life wasn't easy either. Without faith, it would have been difficult to overcome. Writer: Don't you look back once in a while? Whether this is the right path or not. Japanese believer 1: I even looked back once, of course. What am I doing like this, wondering if I'm really okay… It's been 30 years since I came to Korea through a Unification Church mass wedding ceremony. It's really not that simple to risk your life on one faith and come to another country. I've been through a lot of confusion. But, it's bleak and sad. Religion makes life like this too.

▲ Family Federation for World Peace and Unification Jeokseong Family Church… Not in operation

▲ Family Federation for World Peace and Unification Gokseong Family Church… in operation

The Unification Church once had a membership of up to 300,000, but in the early 2000s, 430 churches across the country were merged into about 200 by city, county, and district.

Since then, as church power has weakened, the number of vacant churches is increasing, and it seems that there are less than 30 churches nationwide that are currently operating properly. In the midst of this, Hak Ja Han is building Cheonwon Palace (Cheonji Seonhak) in Songsan-ri, Seorak-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, in order to record her own life story. The peace movement and vision of Sun Myung Moon and Hak Ja Han are called exhibition halls and museums. Until the day before completion, it advertises that each family should make a special donation of 1 million won.

The area has already become a Unification Church complex, but building another royal palace seems like a bluff or a trick to collect offerings. I feel sorry for the believers who have been used like that throughout their lives. I hope you can discern so that the damage does not continue any longer.

Oh Myeong-ok omyk7789@daum.net

[Some official UC sources revealed there were never more than about 16,000 members in Korea. PR around the time of Sun Myung Moon's so-called Autobiography increased interest in the UC. However, the publisher was later jailed for fraud over the number of books sold and related manipulations. The UC was always reviled by all the major denominations in Korea. Moon's pikareum sex rituals were well known in Korea.]

related articles:

Disclosure of the list of politicians who testify to the ‘Unification Church’… The victims are still ‘proof of filial piety’

Unification Church’s face madness, ‘Chairman of Jeunggyeong General Assembly’… ‘Unification Church Collaborator’ Pastor Lee Jong-taek

“Women need to be beaten by men”… The ‘Unification Church’ True Family Movement that encourages domestic violence

Japan enforces the ‘Unification Church Victims Relief Act’… Expecting effectiveness in relieving and preventing damage from malicious and large donations

Unification Church encourages members to join the ‘People’s Power’ party… “The number of people needs to be filled”

“The Unification Church faith cannot be inherited unconditionally by the second generation”… Japan expands application of the Unification Church Victim Relief Act

68-year-old 'Unification Church', unfinished 'Doctrinal Controversy'… Is it Sun Myung Moon? Is it Hak Ja Han?

‘Unification Church’ Hak Ja Han, Gambling at ‘Casino’ in Las Vegas, USA… Noisy in Japan

Cohesion between Gapyeong-gun and ‘Unification Church’… until establishment of ‘Pyeonghwa-ro’ as an honorary road

At the current Unification Church training center, “They say they are chasing out Satan, and they are beaten up for money.”

How much to solve ancestor resentment, how much to remove evil spirits… ‘Unification Church’, offer it over and over again!

The Unification Church, it will be difficult to maintain the status quo… Pastor from the 7th South side speaks passionately for 30 minutes during the phone call

The Unification Church is still ‘forced to donate’… Demands a large amount of construction funds from believers around the world

The property taken by the 3rd son of the Unification Church, for how long?

“I got married from Japan”… The lives of female believers whose lives are held hostage by the Unification Church faith

Unification Church Sun Myung Moon’s self-proclaimed Second Coming Lord ‘euthanasia’ case… not guilty of defamation

Regarding the Unification Church incident, an interview with Religion and Truth reporter Oh Myung-ok on Yomiuri TV and TBS in Japan

The Unification Church sells the Yongsan World Headquarters Church!… after profiting 100 billion won in real estate

8,000 couples at a Unification Church mass wedding ceremony? The numbers are inflated

_____________________________________

Sun Myung Moon found guilty in 1955; started two year jail sentence

Why did a Japanese Moon church member kill her Korean husband?

Japanese woman recruited by the Moon church and sold to a Korean farmer

Japanese member, Ms. U, was married to a Korean man who beat her

Japanese member, Ms. K, was forced to marry Korean man she did not like

Atsuko Kumon Hong “suicide / murder” at Cheongpyeong 2013

6,500 Japanese women missing from Moon mass weddings

“Apology marriages” made by Japanese UC members to Korean men

Suicide of Japanese ‘Moon money mule’ in Uruguay. Mother of three children

Moon’s theology for his pikareum sex rituals with all the 36 wives

Pak Chung-hwa interviewed about Moon’s “SEX relays”

Shamanism is at the heart of Sun Myung Moon’s church

Sun Myung Moon – Emperor, and God

The Moons’ God is not the God of Judeo-Christianity

How “God’s Day” was established by Sun Myung Moon in 1968

The Moon church is unequivocally not Christian

Sun Myung Moon’s theology used to control members

Ewha Womans University sex scandal as told in the 1955 newspapers

[travelwithtanisha]

South Korea is a sophisticated, interesting, and thrilling location with the kindest people on the planet. South Korea, known for its music bands, skincare, and modernity, attracts travelers from all over the world who come to enjoy the wonderful nightlife and gorgeous vistas.

[shoeboxphotographs]

Sans Titre Gangneung, South Korea (Leica X Vario / Type 107) http://shoeboxphotographs.tumblr.com

[bestattractionsinseoulcapital]

[Gangneung Travel] Gangneung Healthy Healing Tour

[Gangneung Travel] Gangneung Healthy Healing Tour

Gangneung Healthy Healing Tour

Gangneung Healthy Healing Road Tour

Gangneung, which is located along the Sea of ​​the East Sea, is a gorgeous blue sea and beautiful beach. JungDongjin is still a favorite spot for shooting Korean Drama and a famous spot for sunrise.

There are many things to do in gangneung that can overlook the waters like Gyeongpoho Lake, Jeongdo…

[byneddiedingo]

On the Beach at Night Alone (Hong Sang-soo, 2017) Cast: Kim Min-hee, Seo Young-hwa, Jeong Jae-yeong, Mun Seong-kun, Kwon Hae-hyo, Song Seon-mi, Ahn Jae-hong. Screenplay: Hong Sang-soo. Cinematography: Kim Hyung-ku, Park Hong-yeol. Film editing: Hahm Sung-won. On the Beach at Night Alone is narratively simple: An actress recovering from an affair with her married director that caused a scandal goes to visit a friend in Hamburg, Germany, and then returns to the city of Gangneung in Korea, where she visits more friends and, over many cups of soju, reflects on her life and affairs. But though the film is mostly talk about love and sex and other matters of relationship, it's larded with puzzles and arresting details, including two (or possibly three) endings. The first section of the film concludes on a beach in Hamburg, where the camera pans away from the actress, Young-hee (played by Kim Min-hee), standing alone, and looks at her friends walking away. Then the camera pans back but Young-hee is gone, and when the camera pans farther, we see Young-hee being carried off, slung over the shoulder of a man. We don't know who the man is, but she and her friend had earlier been accosted by a man wanting to know the time of day; when they don't reply, he walks off in disgust. And later, walking through the park, they spot the man again and run away. Is Young-hee's apparent abductor the same man? We get no answer, and the screen turns black before the second part, in Korea, begins with Young-hee sitting in a movie theater, lingering for a while after the lights come up and the theater empties. After meeting with some friends, she moves into a hotel that overlooks the sea. On the balcony outside, a man seems to be washing the windows of her room, but he has no soap or water or sponge or squeegee, and keeps "washing" the same spots over and over. Neither she nor her friends seem to notice this man, who also appears later, again simply standing unnoticed on the balcony. Later, when her friends leave, she goes out to the beach where she lies down and falls asleep. She is wakened by a man who turns out to be a member of a film crew working with the director with whom she had the affair. Eventually, she meets the director again and they have a conversation at the dinner table, where he gives her a book that seems to have a special significance for them. But there's a cut and we see Young-hee again lying on the beach, where she is again awakened by a man who, as in the previous awakening scene, tells her it's dangerous. This time, she tells the man that she was just dreaming, walks off alone, and the film ends. How to assimilate these eccentric, enigmatic moments into the film as a whole, with its extended dialogues about relationships? Because of its talk about sex and love, On the Beach at Night Alone has been likened to Éric Rohmer's "Six Moral Tales" films and to Richard Linklater's Jesse and Céline trilogy. But it reminds me more of the skewed reality of Michelangelo Antonioni's films, such as L'Avventura (1960), which never answers the questions about Anna's disappearance, or Blow-Up (1966), which never solves the central murder, if there was indeed one. Is the mysterious man who carries off Young-hee or the one who lingers on her balcony just a projection of her frustrations? Or are we misguided in even asking such questions?

[blackswan18]

Too Good To Be True - Ch. 32 | kth(m)

Summary: Kim Taehyung is a world famous idol in the hit K-pop group, BTS, and you are his personal stylist. Per your contract with Big Hit, he is absolutely, 100% off-limits, and yet, you are completely and hopelessly in love with him. You’ve spent years trying to shove your feelings down, but it’s getting harder and harder to ignore and hide them, especially considering the way Tae always treats you. He’s affectionate and protective and sometimes outright flirtatious, but that’s how he is with everyone, right? Confused, frustrated, and lovesick, you find yourself wondering if it might finally be worth risking your career and your heart to find out.

pairing: Taehyung x reader

genre: Idol! au, fluff, angst, eventual smut, friends to lovers, slow burn

rating: 18+

word count: 3.0k

warnings: cursing

⇤ previous || next ⇥ || masterlist

Chapter 32: Lost And Found

After leaving Tae’s, you drove straight to your older sister Jia’s apartment, not even bothering to text or call her ahead of time. She lived in Gangneung, a city on the coast about two and half hours east of Seoul. When she opened the door to find you standing on her front step, tears streaming down your face, she didn’t even bat an eye. She just stepped forward, wrapped you in a hug, and told you ‘It’s going to be OK’.

Your first instinct had been to drive home to Busan, but at the last second you decided against it. If you showed up there randomly after having visited just two weeks ago, your Dad would have immediately known something was up. As much as you loved him, and as close as the two of you were, you weren’t sure you were ready to explain everything to him.

You had never specifically talked to your dad about your feelings for Tae, but you got the sense he might already know there was something going on between you two. The first time you visited him after coming home from your last trip to America, he had asked if you ever found out who sent you those dark chocolate-covered strawberries on Valentine’s Day. At first you deflected the question, and pretended like you had no idea, but eventually you told him that you thought it might have been Tae. You tried not to seem too hopeful or excited when you said it, but the knowing look your dad gave you made it pretty clear he saw right through your nonchalance. He didn’t call you out, though, he just smiled and said, ‘Whoever it was must care a lot about you’.

The memory of those dark chocolate-covered strawberries, and the ones Tae made himself just last weekend, were two in an infinite list of memories that began weighing heavily on your mind as you drove east: the song, him protecting you from Hyun, your night in the studio, the music box, him sticking up for you to Mrs. Choi, that evening on the beach, how respectful and generous he was when you were intimate, him giving you the bed the night of The Grammys, the Tatas, all the tender kisses he’d given you over the last month.

The more you thought about everything, the more unlikely it seemed that the kind, sweet man you had come to know and trust and love over the last three years was the fake Kim Taehyung and that the selfish, cruel one you thought you heard in the kitchen this morning was the real one. Things just didn’t add up, but the panic-stricken version of yourself from earlier in the day unfortunately hadn’t been able to see that.

About halfway through the drive you had a revelation so horrifying that you had to pull over to let yourself fully comprehend it:

What if he was talking about someone else?

A half hour later, just as you were about to get off at your sister’s exit, another alarming thought entered your mind:

I doubted him like this once before and was completely wrong

When you pulled into your sister’s driveway, and took out your phone to check the messages you had received while you were driving, your regret and guilt only grew.

[Taehyung 1:34 PM] Jagi, can I please come pick you up and take you home?

[Taehyung 1:36 PM] I never should have let you leave. If you’re sick I need to take care of you. I need to make you tea and feed you soup and bring you extra blankets and give you medicine so you can get better soon.

[Taehyung 1:40 PM] I know you’re worried about getting me sick, and I appreciate so much that you are so thoughtful and so selfless, but taking care of you and making sure you’re healthy and safe and happy is my priority.

[Taehyung 1:45 PM] I don’t want you to ever think that my job with BTS is more important than you. You will always come first, Jagi.

[Taehyung 2:03 PM] I realize you’re probably asleep right now, but please call me when you wake up so I can come get you.

As you sat there, reading and rereading his loving messages, you felt an awful, terrible sinking feeling in your stomach. What if you had gotten it wrong? What if he truly was talking about someone else and it was all just a big misunderstanding?

As soon as you got inside you spilled the whole story to Jia, right up to and including the awful events from earlier that day. When she, the same woman who had once called Tae ‘The biggest fucking idiot to walk the Earth’, said that you might have overreacted and jumped to conclusions, you knew you had just made the biggest mistake of your life.

You felt your heart shattering into a million pieces for the second time today, but this time the pain was infinitely worse. You had to tell him, had to come clean, but you didn't know what to say. You didn’t know how to even begin to apologize for the awful things you’d let yourself believe about him, for how terribly you’d treated him that morning.

Jia encouraged you to call him and just try to explain everything, but you honestly didn’t know if you could get the words out. This felt like a conversation you should have in person, but you were unfortunately now hours away from him. You knew you couldn’t ignore him forever, though, so you finally called him to at least apologize for lying and leaving.

“Hi, Jagi,” he said after answering right away.

“Hi, Tae,” you said, your voice immediately breaking when you said his name.

“Jagi, why are you crying?” he said in alarm. “Do you feel that sick?”

You took a couple deep breaths before you finally felt calm enough to speak.

“I-I’m not sick,” you replied shamefully. “I lied and said I was, but I’m not.”

“You were right. I was upset about something,” you said shakily. “But I was wrong about it and made a big mistake.”

“I just wanted to say I’m sorry for lying and leaving,” you said through a sob. “I’m so sorry for everything.”

“Jagi, it’s OK,” he said soothingly. “Whatever it is we can talk about it.”

“I don’t think I can talk about it now,” you said honestly as the shame continued to build inside you.

“I’ll come home tomorrow and we can talk then,” you added with a sniffle.

“I just needed you to know I’m so sorry and I appreciate everything you do for me,” you then added as more tears poured down your face. “You’re so good to me and I don’t deserve you.”

“Don’t say that, Jagi,” he said, sounding genuinely hurt that you would even say such a thing.

“Please let me come take you home now,” he then pleaded. “I hate that you’re so upset and I’m not with you.”

“I just...I can’t come home yet,” you said, feeling guiltier by the second with how kind and understanding he was being.

Every sweet, gentle word he said now only made it all the more obvious just how ridiculous it had been for you to think those terrible things about him. Overcome with a new wave of shame and regret, you began to cry even harder.

“I-I have to go now,” you said almost incoherently. “I promise we’ll talk tomorrow.”

“I’m sorry again, Tae,” you finally said before ending the call.

At that you turned off your phone, went into the guest bedroom, and cried yourself to sleep wondering how you were ever going to gather up the courage to go home and tell him the truth.

~~~

You woke sometime later to the sound of a soft knock on the bedroom door. Glancing at your phone on the nightstand, you saw it was almost 7:00 PM and realized you had been asleep for over three hours. Given the exhausting day you’d had, it honestly wasn’t all that surprising you’d slept so long.

“Come in,” you mumbled from beneath the blankets after you heard another knock.

“Someone is here to see you,” Jia said quietly.

Thinking there was only one person who she could possibly be referring to, you waited to hear the voice of your younger sister, Nari, but it surprisingly never came.

“Hi Jagi,” a familiar deep voice called out instead.

Your heart momentarily stopped.

“Tae?” you replied shakily as you lifted your head up to look at him, unwilling to let yourself believe he was actually there unless you saw him with your own two eyes.

“It’s me,” he said softly as he came and sat down on the edge of the bed.

It was him. He was really there. You were lost, but he had come and found you. You had no idea how, but you didn’t care. You were so happy and relieved to see him that tears welled up in your eyes.

“Can I lay down with you?” he asked gently.

“Of course,” you replied, hating that he felt like he had to ask because of how you had treated him this morning, how you had pushed him away.

He took off his jacket, lifted up the covers, and laid down next to you so he was facing you. He kept a bit of space between you two, but he reached out and took your hand. After bringing it to his lips and giving it a gentle kiss, he laid it back down on the bed. For a few minutes he didn’t say anything, he just rubbed your thumb with his and stared into your eyes longingly.

“Did you hear me talking on the phone this morning?” he asked quietly.

You nodded and there was another silence before he spoke again.

“Did you think I was talking about you?” he then asked in a softer, almost fearful voice.

You nodded your head again as a few tears finally escaped.

“Oh, Jagi,” he whispered as he squeezed your hand, the pain in his voice unmistakable. “I’m so sorry.”

“I was talking about Jisoo, ” he admitted sorrowfully. “Jungkook called and asked if she was the woman I have been secretly dating.”

“I guess he has seen me talking to her recently around Big Hit which is why he thought she might be my new girlfriend,” he then added.

You did not realize Tae had been talking to Jisoo again and the confusion must have shown on your face because he immediately continued.

“I want to re-record ‘Sweet Night’ with someone else on backing vocals,” he explained. “I wrote that song for you and it just feels all wrong having her on it after everything she did and how awful she’s always been to you.”

“But, because she unfortunately did get credited, I need her permission to change it,” he went on frustratedly. “So I have been sucking up to her and jumping through all her hoops to get her to agree.”

“I didn’t say anything about it because I wanted it to be a surprise,” he then said. “You’ve never asked to listen to the actual song and I couldn’t help but wonder if it was because she is on it.”

He was right. You loved when he sang ‘Sweet Night’ for you, but you purposefully had never asked to hear the actual recorded version. Obviously, you would have listened to it once it was released, but you knew it would always be somewhat tainted because Jisoo was on it and therefore weren’t all that excited to hear it.

“Everything makes so much sense now,” you said quietly as a wave of embarrassment washed over you.

Someone asking about Jisoo was completely logical given how much time they had spent together and how hard she pushed their public image when they first recorded the song. You honestly could not believe that you hadn’t immediately thought of her as the person he was likely talking about.

“Jagi, I know what I said must have been really hurtful at the time, but why didn’t you just talk to me?” he asked a few moments later.

“I-I don’t know,” you replied, reaching up to wipe away a few more tears that had trickled out. “I just panicked.”

“I was just so overwhelmed it was hard to think straight,” you then admitted with a sniffle.

He was quiet then for a couple minutes and you could tell that he was thinking deeply about something. By the time he spoke again, he wore an extremely pained expression that made your heart absolutely ache.

“When I said I wanted something, and you thought I was talking about you, did you think…,” he started before his voice broke and he had to take a moment to collect himself. “Did you think I only wanted you for your body?”

You didn’t respond, but from the look on your face he must have known he guessed correctly. Upon realizing this, upon realizing you legitimately thought he was just using you for sexual pleasure, the first few tears began rolling down his face.

“Jagi, it breaks my heart that you thought I would do that to you,” he said in the saddest, smallest voice you’ve ever heard. “That I would disrespect you and hurt you like that.”

“I’m so sorry,” you whispered as tears started pouring down your cheeks.  

As you looked at him, and saw his beautiful features twisted into an expression of such agony, an overwhelming amount of shame and regret crashed down upon you. All you could think was that he’s never going to want to be with you now. Not after this. Not when he sees that you’re more trouble than you’re worth. He was nothing but wonderful to you, literally gave you everything, and you repaid him by jumping to conclusions and assuming the absolute worst of him.

“I’m sorry for everything,” you said before a great heaving sob finally left you.

Unable to face him any longer, unable to continue staring at the wreckage that you caused, you flipped over and turned away from him. You were sure that any second now he was going to get up and leave. He was going to tell you he wanted you out of his life for good and you wouldn’t even blame him for it. All of this was your fault. You ruined it. You had everything you ever wanted, but you ruined it with your insecurity.

You realized at once that the pain you felt this morning when your own heart was broken was nothing in comparison to the pain of knowing you had broken the heart of the person you loved most. Doubting him like this, and letting yourself believe he could be so cruel, was by far the worst thing you’d ever done in your entire life and you honestly didn’t know how you were ever going to recover from it.

You suddenly felt like you couldn’t breathe, like the room was spinning and you were falling and you couldn’t breathe, but then Tae’s arms were wrapping around you and pulling you close. Back in his warm embrace, where you had come to feel so safe and secure, you finally started to calm down. The weight on your chest lifted and you began breathing, slow, deep, steady breaths.

You were OK. He wasn’t leaving. He hadn’t given up on you.

“Jagi, it’s OK,” he said gently as he hugged you tighter. “I know you were just hurt and scared.”

“It was my fault to begin with,” he added guiltily. “I should have realized how that would have sounded to you and been more careful.”

“I’m sorry that this is all so hard,” he then said after a minute. “Having a secret relationship, all the hiding and the lying. I know it makes it so much harder to trust and feel OK about everything.”

“I know we can do it, though,” he went on hopefully. “We just need to always be honest with each other.”

“No more secrets, OK?” he added finally.

“No more secrets,” you repeated as you snuggled deeper into his embrace.

The two of you laid there like that for a while, both emotionally and physically exhausted after the incredibly trying day you’d had. After a bit Tae began humming softly in your ear, knowing it always helped calm you down, but eventually he stopped. You thought perhaps he might have fallen asleep, but then he stirred and broke the silence.

“I love you,” he said quietly as he pressed a gentle kiss to your shoulder.

I love you

Of all the ways you imagined him saying those three words to you for the first time, you’d never imagined it would happen like this. You thought he would say it during a moment that was perfect and idyllic, not after this whole mess where you had made a huge mistake and deeply hurt him. You realized, though, that him choosing to say them now was so much more romantic and meaningful than what you had imagined. He was telling you that he loved you even at your worst, insecurities and imperfections and all.

You turned in his arms to face him and found him looking at you with a hesitant smile.

“I love you, too,” you told him before gently kissing the tip of his nose.

“I have loved you for three years,” you then admitted shyly.

“What a coincidence,” he said as his little smile grew into a big grin. “I have loved you for three years.”

When he kissed you then, slowly and tenderly, like he had done so many times before, you found yourself in a state of utter bliss knowing with absolute certainty what he was telling you every time his lips brushed yours.

I love you. I love you. I love you.

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