The sprawling grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace shimmered under the relentless sun. Its distinct shape sat as a historical jewel nestled in the crown of modern Seoul.
Time had slithered to a stop, the buzz of nearby traffic a distant memory outside the palace gates.
I wondered for the hundredth time if it was too late to beg off. Or throw myself down a set of small stairs to get out of it.
Perspiration traced liquid lines down my face in the summer afternoon, while the sweat-drenched prison of pink and yellow hanbok fabric clung to intimate places. I yanked at the garment's bodice. It stuck to my ribs like a Kevlar vest, restricting deep breaths.
What had possessed me to agree to this hell?
Like most introverts, I regretted saying I'd come as the words left my mouth. I wanted to be like other people. I truly did.
As I waited in the boiling sun, I reflected on what led me to say yes to Soo-yeon's invitation to join her and her friends at this historical role-playing event in the first place.
I blame ChatGPT.
I asked it to act as a counsellor and it told me that balancing my studies and working hard to improve my parents and siblings lives was already a lot. What I needed was friends and more support.
I know the app was right because I asked it to give me advice from the most cited peer-reviewed papers the American Psychological Society had on my growing reluctance to leave the house.
I wanted to do things. I really did. My follow-through, though. Good luck.
Besides, I had everything I needed in my seven hundred square foot apartment. Toilet, bed, desk. Music. Good food. Anime posters that looked a whole lot like the boyband that the netizens referred to as Kings. IYKYK.
My computer where I could talk to people if I wanted.
Which, well wasn't a lot these days. These days I gamed, guided noobs through dungeons and snacked. But that's not what brought me here today.
It was Soo-yeon's finger air quotes motivational speech.
"Live a little, Halmeoni," She said.
Right after her eyes narrowed to judgmental slits. Something that happened when she felt I wasn't achieving my full potential. The weight of her gaze flicked over my unhoused look.
Dark blue house shoes, baggy grey sweatpants, loose t-shirt, stopping at the colourful bunny-eared spa headband on my forehead.
I may have come to the technical institute as an exchange student and considered myself lucky to make such a good friend, but now I wasn't so sure.
My limited grasp of Korean included this word, and it alone had goaded me into coming.
A less twenty-something-year-old me compared to a Grandma!? Pfft, I ought to have removed my shoe and hit her, friends or not.
If I were honest, I wasn't as ambitious as my grandma, who sold real estate, offered property management and couriered food because she said it kept her young while earning money.
Instead, the moment I came home, the bra and shoes came off. I'd flick on the television, sit on the couch and eat store-bought food or snacks until I fell asleep in a carb-induced coma.
I was an ambitious, lazy person with zero executive function who had made a wretched friend who had managed to motivate my chubby ass out the front door.
Thus, here I was, in the blistering sun, miserable, sweaty, and too fat for my hanbok, with not even a small treat in sight.
I trudged around the grounds while I waited for her, stopping periodically to rub my swollen ankles and feet, begrudgingly admitting that the palace was as breathtaking as my friend had suggested and as the Google Gods had promised.
The throne room loomed ahead, its majesty pulling me closer despite my discomfort. The intricate carvings, bold colours, and dragon motifs were like something from a storybook or my favourite historical romance TV binge.
As far as my eye could see, lush gardens, ancient pavilions and majestic structures nearly transported me to another era.
Even though I live in Korea now, I still look like a gobsmacked tourist.
What did Soo-yeon call this place again?
Gyeongbokgung Palace. KEYONGGGBOOOK ONG palace. I repeated, trying to say the word correctly in English. I moaned with embarrassment, glad no one could hear my butchered pronunciation. Babies spoke Korean better than I did.
"Gyeong...bok...gung?" I practiced the foreign word, trying to get the pronunciation right. It still felt like a tongue-twister. Two-year-olds definitely spoke Korean better.
I'd have asked someone, but I didn't want them looking at me like yet another foreigner trying to score an Oppa for a date. I wasn't that rude.
My gaze continued to the canopy above the emperor's seat drawn along by an internal compass I couldn't explain.
It was decorated with a script I imagined claimed heaven's authority. To the side, an ornate folding screen embroidered with the sun, moon and five mountainous peaks added privacy.
Symbols of protection, immortality and authority.
Massive wooden pillars, stained in vibrant reds and greens with intricate gold details, forced my gaze upward, where dragons and phoenixes took flight across the ceiling.
I wondered what it would be like to sit atop the elevated stone platform, imagining myself taking the stairs leading up to the regal perch flanked by carved rocks adorned with dragon motifs. The tips of my fingers itched to follow their snouts to their pointy tails.
I shrank back, startled by the sudden appearance of an older, not-so-tall, but very handsome man with a pencil-thin mustache. Judging by his garments, he must be part of our party and playing the king.
So engrossed in gawking at him, I wasn't aware of much else.
"Do you know where you tread, Wanghu Mama?" A deep voice from behind sent my heart into my throat.
I spun around and instantly regretted the ninety degree bow I found myself folded into. A habit I'd learned from the movies. Moron, I whispered to myself.
"How could I, unless guided by one of knowledge?" My gaze darted upward, as I brought myself up, glimpsing a stern gaze under the brim of a yugeon hat.
Soo-yeon had drilled the finer points of cultural etiquette into me. Not everyone deserved such a deep bow.
Still, I was kind of glad I had.
His bearing was regal, his presence commanding, as though he were authentic royalty instead of someone playing dress-up.
The wide brim of his black hat raised, head tilting to allow his chilly gaze to meet mine.
I blinked twice. His eyes were unlike anything I'd ever seen.
My eyes traced dual strings of jade beads (gatkeun) attached to his hat. Hadn't I read somewhere that the beads of their hats told of their rank? Whoever this cosplayer was, his outfit was on point.
The corners of his mouth drew downward, his piercing gaze unwavering. "Be sure to follow all the rules. There is no place for the careless. Nor any excuse for ignorance."
Before I could respond, the unmistakable sounds of a struggle erupted outside the throne room. Shouts, scuffles, and Soo-yeon's unmistakable voice rang out.
"Jug-eullae!?"
I laughed despite myself. I learned that phrase right away. "Do you want to die!?"
"Stay here." The man with the sophisticated hat ordered. His authoritative tone squelched argument.
I stared after his back, obeying as though it were second nature before wondering who he imagined himself to be to order me around.
I inched closer to the doorway until I saw Soo-yeon squaring off with a man, her face red with indignation.
She stood at the center of the chaos, fists clenched, face flushed with outrage.
She was speaking Korean faster and sharper than I'd ever heard.
A man dressed as a royal guard received the brunt of it.
Knowing Soo-yeon, she was probably giving him a verbal beating.
Their argument was drawing a crowd, clearly signalling something had gone wrong.
"That's ridiculous. I didn't cheat. Nun-chi eop-da!" She switched into English for half a second, before speaking Korean again.
Judging by her wild demeanour, this wasn't part of the script.
"Soo-yeon," I called out. She glanced my way, an expression of relief mixed with exasperation.
"This is why I haven't been able to meet you." She pointed an accusatory finger at the guard, looking ready to smack him. "This ba-bo says I've broken the rules, but I haven't and didn't."
The guard, a burly man with a scowl etched deeply into his features, held her phone aloft as if it were contraband and stepped forward as if to invite a tussle.
"This is supposed to be an authentic experience." He growled, waving her smartphone around for all to see. "You're ruining it for everyone."
"Oh, please. It's the iPhone 15 ProMax, practically an antique.* It works like it belongs in the Joseon Dynasty," Soo-yeon countered with an unexpected jump, trying to snatch the phone from the guard's grip.
My eyes widened. She was usually a stickler for the rules, but she also had a mischievous side. I rushed to her, hoping to defuse the situation. "Please, everyone. I'm sure it's a mistake." I appealed, looking for sympathy in frowning faces.
The crowd's murmurs matched the weight of their judgmental stares. If we didn't resolve this quickly, who knows how far they'd go? She'd told me about some of their other meet-ups.
My friend could spend a day in the stocks, face a caning or worse in her eyes, not be allowed to return.
"What is the meaning of this commotion?"
The man who played the king appeared, his voice echoed with the authority of his role. "I need not remind you we are guests in the palace."
Immediately, the crowd quieted and fell into order. Soo-yeon studied the ground intently.
A red flush crept up the guard's face. "This girl has a modern device." The guard rushed to the king's position and held out the phone with as much grace as one of the palace eunuchs.
The king took the phone, his expression curious as he inspected it. To our surprise, he turned to Soo-yeon with a calm expression."Did you bring this intentionally?"
"I've been using it to locate my friend. We're allowed to use it if new participants join us." She looked to me, then glared at the guard.
My words came out in a rush. "I kept sending her texts about where to meet. She was so excited to bring me today, " I trailed off, knowing how forgetful my friend could be.
The king pinned me with a look, probably trying to recall if he'd seen me before. "You're new to our activity?"
My face, now four shades of red, confirmed it. "Yes, this is my first time."
The would-be king studied us for a moment before sharing his judgment. "Very well. We can overlook it this time, so long as it stays put away. Let's not ruin the day's enjoyment."
A collective sigh swept through the crowd and us. The king's fair assessment of the situation eased the tension. Slowly, people began to disperse, returning to their respective roles.
I smiled, feeling a strange sense of accomplishment. Maybe this live-action role-play thing isn't so bad after all. I was actually worried the king was going to toss us out.
Soo-yeon grabbed my sleeve as everyone dispersed. "I'm sorry, but I have a scene in the kitchen that calls for four people. The area is so tight, and there's no room to watch. Do you think you'll be okay alone for just a bit longer?"
My thoughts on the man with the strong chin, "Yes, I met another player outside the chamber a few sections away. I'll start there."
"Good luck!" Soo-yeon called with a cheerful wave as she hurtled toward the kitchen.