Chapter 61 (1) - The Mysterious Art Museum

Chapter 61 (1) - The Mysterious Art Museum

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Ikseon-dong, Jongno.

It's been a long time since I've been here.

Back when I used to earn my living by painting portraits every day, the pretty streets that seemed like unreachable stars now catch my eye anew.

The ceiling painting of the theater is in its final stages.

After completing the painting, the finishing work involves filling in very small gaps with paint. The thick outer lines are already done, so there's nothing more for me to oversee.

Heeding Youngju's advice to go out and get some fresh air, I stepped out of the hotel and instinctively headed towards Jongno. As much as I love walking, trekking from Hannam-dong to Jongno is too much. I'm not a scholar from the Joseon era on my way to take an exam, and there's no way I, a modern person, would walk for hours.

I was about to take a taxi, but my old habit of saving made me choose the bus instead. I got off near Nakwon Arcade.

I glanced in the direction of the art museum, but decided to first take a tour around Ikseon-dong before heading there. I made my way to a cafe I could never afford to visit back in my portrait-painting days. It's a place where, on weekends, a long line wraps around the entire cafe.

I've never been inside, but from watching it for a long time, I know that on weekdays, you can enter without much wait.

The pretty entrance of the cafe.

I've passed by it hundreds of times, but entering now feels awkward. My pockets are full, but my mind still seems stuck in the past, feeling like I don't belong here.

I entered the cafe hesitantly, almost stumbling.

It's a busy place, so the staff doesn't greet the customers. I prefer it that way. I wish nobody would pay any attention to me. Approaching the counter, the employee, who seemed to have sold their ability to greet, asked me directly.

How many are you?

Just me.

Yes, please take a seat at a 2-person table, not the 4-person ones.

I looked around the cafe.

Why make such a fuss when there are no other customers? All the good spots are 4-person tables.

I'll move if other customers come.

Of course, this isnt to condemn everyone who comes to a beautiful cafe with good people to have a pleasant time. What I detested was the act of dressing up a squalid reality for a photo, to boast about it.

Needing a break from a squalid reality? For some animals, that squalor might be their entire world.

That's what I thought.

Others might have called the basement room I lived in a dump, but for me, it was my only sweet home where I could stretch out and rest comfortably.

I'm not ashamed of it.

Not in the past, not now.

What does it matter if I live in a dump, as long as I'm happy?

Rather than repeating hopeless escapism, it's better to live in a hopeful squalor.

I wandered around Ikseon-dong, tasting things I had longed for when my pockets were empty.

A cream bread for 6,000 won.

Sure, it was filled with black sesame cream and was really delicious. But 6,000 won for it?

A simple Korean-style doughnut sold in a traditional Korean house.

I had always wanted to try their dried persimmon doughnut.

It was as good as I had hoped. Really good.

But a baby fist-sized doughnut for 4,000 won.

It's gone in just one bite.

I went into a place to try brunch for the first time: fried eggs, bacon, pastrami sandwich, all for 16,500 won. I just stood up and left.

I can't tell if I'm too cautious or these things are abnormally expensive, but I just can't bring myself to buy them. Seriously, a sandwich more expensive than pork belly? Are they sane?

Maybe someday, if I'm in love and want to treat my beloved, but not alone. Not worth the money. Instead of swearing off such places, I'll save it for later.

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