lost and found | park jihoon

01 : The Mix-Up

Chapter 01 : The Mix-Up

Jihoon, who has only been in Seoul for a week, decided that navigating the city with a mix of excitement and nervousness is the best play for his first weekend away from college. His camera was a constant companion, recording his journey as he explored the vibrant city. He had moved from Busan to pursue his dream of getting into a prestigious medical school- in hopes of becoming a surgeon. 

"Hi," His roommate, Junkyu, greeted him upon entering the room. Jihoon only nodded and showed a slight smile.

Despite living in a relatively small space for about a week now, the pair is still evidently awkward. Although Junkyu has made many attempts to break the ice, Jihoon seemingly wants to keep it frozen by repeatedly shutting him down and on the fourth day, Junkyu just decided to give it up and accepted that his roommate might be an alien who didn't speak the language of humans.

Jihoon had always thought that the saying "No man is an island" was stupid. He liked being an island. It gave him peace. He never wanted a roommate, but the pay from being a freelance photographer and the limited allowance his dad is able to send him required a someone to split the pay for the apartment. He hoped and prayed that his roommate would be quiet and like to keep to themselves; but with his luck, he got the complete opposite. A walking megaphone, he would call Junkyu, in his head.

"Do you like mobile games?" Junkyu broke the silence, deciding that getting Jihoon out of his shell would be his life mission.

"You asked that already on the first day."

"Did I? What did you say?"

"I said no?"

"Well it's been six days since I asked that. Do you still not like mobile games?"

Jihoon closed his eyes momentarily and breathed. "I'm going out."

"Where to? Can I come with?" Junkyu shot up from his bed and smiled widely at Jihoon.

"You also asked that on the first day. Do you remember what I said?"

"You said no?"

Jihoon imitated Junkyu's wide smile and made his way out of the room and out the apartment before Junkyu had the chance to respond.

Jihoon's day started later than usual. He took the opportunity to sleep in given that there was no classes today. The sun was high up in the sky and it's somewhat warmer than usual in Seoul. Being a newbie to the busy streets of the city and not being the one that likes to step out of his comfort zone, Jihoon found comfort in a nearby restaurant that he would go to every single afternoon to slurp on his favorite Ramen. The prices were incredibly low for the taste and Jihoon just finds himself coming back everyday.

Jihoon set up his camera at a cozy restaurant while he waits for his noodles. He spoke to the lens with a gentle smile. "Hi, mom. It's your lovely son, Jihoon." He acted cute for the camera despite cringing, a complete contrast from his demeanor with Junkyu.

"I've decided that starting from today, I'll make a video documentation about my life in Seoul to show you for your birthday. I know it's a bit too far out but I wanted to bring home something when I come back during the winter break. I've been eating at this restaurant for about a week now and before scolding me about spending my money, I promise you that this is much cheaper than cooking." He chuckled. "Plus it reminds me of those noodles you used to make me in middle school when you would wake me up in the morning for school only to find out classes has been cancelled due to heavy rains. Precious moments like that."

Jihoon paused, feeling a lump in his throat as he tried to fight back his tears. "Anyway mom, The school is great. You would not believe it. I hope you're doing well at home with dad. Don't worry about me, and focus on healing. When I come home, you better be as healthy as a horse,"

"Here's your food, sir." A server abruptly entered the scene. "Anything else I can get you?"

"No, I'm good. Thanks," He flashed a timid smile.

As soon as the food arrived, Jihoon couldn't wait a second and started chowing down. It's been his go to meal for the last couple of days but it always blew his mind. The taste was so good he forgot that the camera was still rolling. He finished his meal quite quickly and headed to the bathroom, leaving the camera on his table.

---

Ella adjusted her camera, capturing the vibrant energy of Seoul's streets. "Alright, guys! We're on our way to this amazing restaurant that everyone's been talking about. Let's see if it lives up to the hype!" She enthusiastically says to the camera. "My friend here recommended it to me, and the time has come for me to decide whether it's the truth, or just mere exaggeration!"

"It's me, I'm the friend!" Her friend, Dain, waved to the camera; full of energy and excitement. "I would like to give my regards to Ella's 10 subscribers!" She teased.

"Hey!" Ella jokingly slapped Dain's arm. "What do you mean 10?!"

"Right, I'm sorry," Dain showed a mischievous grin. "One of them is me, so it's actually just 9 if you think about it,"

"Whatever, dude!" Ella rolled her eyes at her friend who only giggled at the sight. "Let's take a cab. I'm dying. You said it was only gonna be a 5 minute walk,"

"Dude, it's only been 3 minutes."

"Are you serious?!" Ella said in disbelief and Dain nodded, laughing. "Well are we almost there?"

"Maybe if you stopped yapping and saved your breath you wouldn't be one second away from passing out,"

"I'm telling you, Song Dain, this better better be worth it,"

After a few minutes of bickering and laughing at each other's dumb jokes, the two friends finally arrived at the restaurant known for its famously cheap but amazing Ramen. Ella and Dain entered, excited for their food adventure. "This place is supposed to have the best noodles in town!" Ella exclaimed, her camera rolling as they looked for a table. "Look everyone, it's jam packed with people!"

"Pst, lower your voice" Dain nudged her. "You're embarrassing me and my whole bloodline"

"Hey to make it big, you have to be shameless"

"To make it big, you have to know how to tie your shoelaces. Did you seriously walk with your shoelaces untied?"

Ella darted her gaze at her shoes, "Oh shoot, they must've become undone while walking. Wait up"

"Well don't tie them now! We're about to lose the only table left"

"Go sit down! I'll be quick"

She quickly set her camera down on the table closest to her where Jihoon was sitting while she knelt to fix them. In her rush, she inadvertently grabbed Jihoon's camera instead of her own when she stood up. Oblivious to the switch, Ella headed to a table at the far end of the restaurant where Dain was already settled in.