My rescuer – RM (T)
It was a buzz to be out on the streets of South Korea at dinner time, overly warm on this late Summer night. There was noise, people everywhere, smells from the street food and restaurants drifting across my path and everywhere I looked there was something new for me to gape at. This trip had been two years in the planning and once I'd decided to come visit, I'd started weekly lessons so I could at least speak a little basic Korean when I got here. The reality was, my Korean was woefully bad but the people were very gracious and patient when I tried. The last week had been amazing and I had a little over a week to go. The night was balmy so I'd decided to stroll and pick what I wanted to eat for a meal tonight while I explored a part of Seoul I hadn't visited yet.
After a delicious bibimbap meal in a tiny out of the way restaurant, I stepped out again, noticing the sun had dropped a lot while I'd been eating. The streets were a little quieter than an hour earlier and the temperature had dropped a little too, a breeze hitting once in a while helping with the humidity. Wandering for a little longer, I was surprised the shops that were still open so late. They said Seoul was a city that didn't sleep and I was seeing it was true.
I had a pretty good sense of direction, usually but when I looked around, I could tell I had wandered away from the main streets I had been taking. That wouldn't normally be a problem, exploring the side streets is what found some hidden gems but they were much quieter than I liked at this time of night, an almost eerie silence around me apart from the odd loud noise of someone putting out trash or yelling out to another person, shattering the quiet.
Pulling out my phone, I saw there was a small supermarket type store ahead, only a few hundred metres. They'd likely have air conditioning and I could take a moment to get my bearings and plot my way back to my hotel. Thankfully, that walk was quick and I went inside, grateful for the cool air as my hair started to stick against my forehead from the heat and the stress that was beginning to rise.
I searched for a snack, not wanting to leave without buying something and while I did, scrolled my phone to get my sense of direction sorted. I wasn't too far off where I needed to be and with some brisk walking, I could be back to the hotel in just over 10 minutes. Relieved that it wasn't tricky, I walked the aisles, soaking up the cool air before I needed to step out into the humidity again. I accidentally came face to face with a man as I rounded the corner, apologising in Korean to him with a bow as he was in his early 30s and I was trying to remember all the cultural norms and rules. He bowed in return, close enough to smell a slight wave of alcohol coming off his body as I stepped around him and towards the counter to pay.
The attendant was friendly as I practiced my limited Korean on her while I paid and I adjusted my bag, tucking it against myself as I stepped out in the night again. Walking in the direction I knew met the main streets, I kept my pace quick, eager to get back to the brighter lights and bustle of more people. I hadn't been bothered travelling alone but right now, I wished I had some company so I didn't feel vulnerable.
There was a tickling feeling at the back of my neck and I turned my head slightly at the feeling, glancing movement behind me. The man from the store was behind me, not close but I sensed him gaining speed as I continued my steady pace and there was something about it I didn't like. Scouting around me for somewhere to go, I realised it was all closed shops now and the light of the main street was still several hundred metres ahead of me. Walking a little faster, I kept an ear out for his footsteps, trying to work out if he was coming closer. He definitely was.
Damage control flitted through my head, every article I'd read or seen about what to do in a situation like this went past like a very quick movie, even as I walked faster. I didn't have a whistle or anything else to make a loud noise, thinking if I could find a loud sound on my phone it might attract people but not sure if scrolling would distract me too much from being vigilant. And part of me was worried I was overreacting and profiling someone who just happened to be heading in my direction. But I knew you should trust your instincts and mine said to be weary, heart beating quicker.
I could feel him much closer now and had closed the gap to the main street but my heart was beating fast and then I heard 'hey', called out and I almost turned automatically but thought better of it.
"Hey, foreign lady," was called out again but this time, it sounded like he was right on my heels and I flinched, heartbeat so fast now that I felt like my legs were starting to get heavy as I moved forward.
100 metres now until the main street and I wondered if I should run, if my legs would carry me. They felt jittery, moving on auto pilot when I felt him arrive next to me, brushing against my arm.
"Annyeong," he greeted me and I kept looking ahead, not sure if I should be polite or ignore him.
"Did you not hear me? I said hello," he continued in Korean and I kept my pace, the brightly lit street right there in front of me.
"Hello," I replied, eyes fixed ahead but hoping that was enough and that he was just being friendly. Knowing he wasn't.
"You'll come with me?" He asked, walking far too close.
Opting for firm but polite I answered. "Aniyo, gamsahabnida."
"You'll come with me," he said again, this time not a question and we hit the main street together a few people on the streets around us.
I breathed a little easier as I stopped and turned to him. "I said no."
He frowned and reached for my elbow as I pulled away from him. "Hajima," I said firmly and stepped away, wanting to reach the more crowded part of the street but at least grateful there were lights around. He followed, grabbing my arm again and holding tight. This time when I tried to shake him off, he just held tighter and started trying to pull me back towards the side street. Anchoring my feet, I looked around, wondering why the people kept walking past. Couldn't they see I needed help?
"Hajima, aniyo, hajima," I said loudly, reaching to try and take his hand off my arm, struggling to not be dragged along with him. The heat felt oppressive, his touch on my body made me feel sick and I could feel tears starting to well up as panic began to set in.
And then a hand was on top of ours, holding me in place. "Sir, don't do that," and I looked up into some eyes that seemed familiar, a mask covering his face as he helped remove the hand from my arm. As he carefully pushed the man away from me, he spoke again.
"It's best you leave now," and the man looked my rescuer up and down before grunting as he turned to stumble back towards the side road and away.
My breathing escalated as I felt a panic attack starting, adrenaline still going crazy and I turned to say thank you, incredibly grateful to be away from the man following me, trying to get my breathing under control. "Gamsamhabnida," I managed to get out until the heat and stress overtook me and I started to see stars. Just before I blacked out, starting to fall, he quickly reached out for me, saying, 'miss, miss are you OK', the last word I heard was a loud' Ssi-bal' as I fell into his arms and then I was gone.
My brain was pounding when I opened my eyes, my head laying against something soft and I heard two voices quietly in the background as I attempted to sit up.
"Oh, she's waking. Do you think she should move yet," one was asking the other.
"Miss, are you OK?"
My head still felt like it was swimming a little but I sat up slowly, taking in my surroundings. I was sitting on a bench not too far from where I had blacked out and I realised my head was cushioned by a sweatshirt. Two men were crouched next to me and I shook my head to try and clear the fog as I blinked a few times.
"Gamsahabnida," I said quietly.
"Do you speak English," my rescuer asked equally softly.
"Yes, I do. Thank you for back there, he had been following for a while and I was starting to get worried. You saved me."
He seemed embarrassed although his face was covered so I couldn't see for sure if he was shy at my words but he looked down before answering. "Ah, no, no, he shouldn't have touched you like that or at all."
"Will you be OK now," the other man asked, both of them standing in front of me as I looked up at them.
"Yes, there are lots of people around, I'll be fine. Thank you again." I bowed my head in gratitude while I still calmed my breathing down. It was not how I thought my evening would go and now I just wanted to get back to the hotel.
"OK, well, take care," my rescuer said and his voice definitely sounded familiar too as well as his eyes.
"Thank you, I'm going back to the hotel now, I think I need some rest after that."
"Good idea," he acknowledged and they both bowed a little as they started to walk away.
I sat there for a moment longer, taking some deep breaths before I stood up, making sure I still had everything I was carrying before I fainted. That made me feel a little embarrassed, having never passed out before. Wiping my hand across my forehead, it came away damp and the humidity in the air was still causing me to feel uncomfortable. Now all I wanted was to climb into the hotel shower and wash away the heat and the anxiety I felt from my encounter.
As I went to walk away, I noticed the sweatshirt I had been resting on was still on the bench where it had been left. Picking it up, I looked around, the two men nowhere in sight. Did I take it with me or leave it on the bench in case they came back? It was a brand I recognised, worth a bit of money and no doubt would be missed. Checking the neck in case a name was written in it, I laughed. Even if I had a name, which there wasn't one, I wouldn't even know how to go about returning it. Was it the kind of thing you took to a police station in Korea? I was still debating what the right thing to do was when I heard a voice.
"Oh thank you, I thought it might be gone by now. I'm pretty clumsy and forgetful."
My rescuer stood in front of me, his friend a little way off, waiting.
"I saw you had left it but I didn't know how to get it back to you." Handing it to him he thanked me with a bow, taking the sweatshirt from my hand and tucking it into the satchel he had slung over his body.
"You seem much better now," he commented as I started walking down the road towards the hotel. It was the same direction his friend was standing and we all fell into step together.
"I feel a little shaky but it's only a short way to the hotel."
"Would you like us to walk you back there," he asked, looking to his friend who nodded.
"Oh, it's OK, there are lots of people around. I feel more comfortable now. But thank you." I smiled up at him, his height towering above me. I wish I could place who he was but he had a mask on for a reason and I didn't think it was for his health. He was someone who wanted to remain private and I could grant him that, after all, he'd saved me.
"How about we walk the way we are all going together until our paths have to leave each other?"
I nodded, grateful he'd come up with a chance to have some company for just a little longer as I was still feeling jittery. "That sounds nice, thank you."
As we walked, we made small talk. "What country are you visiting from?"
"From New Zealand. I'm here on holiday for 18 days."
"Oh, New Zealand? I studied there for a while and I've been back once with work."
"Your English is great," I answered, meaning it. "And I do love my country, I'm glad you were able to see it."
His friend was silent as we walked, bulkier than my rescuer and a little intimidating and I glanced at him a few times.
"He doesn't speak much English," my rescuer said, following my eyes.
I just smiled because I knew that he was there maybe as a friend but also to do his job. And that was to keep him safe. I'd worked out who he was as soon as my rescuer said he'd studied in New Zealand, watching Bon Voyage 4 coming back to me. But I didn't ask him his name or give him mine. I wanted to give him this anonymity.
We reached a crossroads and I indicated right. "I'm heading this way, it's only another few minutes walking so I'll be fine."
The bodyguard bowed and went to go left and Namjoon stopped him. "We're also going right," he answered and I went to speak to say again that I was fine but his eyes, sweet above the top of his mask bored into mine, telling me not to comment. So, as we headed towards my hotel I didn't mention it, still processing my whole night.
"Are you travelling with friends or alone," he asked, glancing at my hand and obviously, accurately, determining that I wasn't married or at least I didn't wear a wedding ring.
"By myself."
He raised his eyebrows and I wondered if he thought, since he'd rescued me, whether I was woefully ill equipped for travelling alone.
"I've done quite a few trips by myself. Tonight was stupid, I should've made sure it wasn't dark or watched more carefully where I was walking."
He didn't comment on the fact I was alone or the fact I'd said I was stupid. He just gave me a gentle look and somehow I felt like I'd been absolved, calming in just being around him.
"Are you off to eat now," I asked, trying to think of something to talk about, wanting to anchor some memories to this moment for me.
"We are. Meeting some friends," he said. "Have you eaten," and for a moment, I thought he might be inviting me to join them.
"I had some amazing bibimbap. Loving trying all the food here," I answered and he nodded.
"Do you have plans to go other places apart from Seoul?"
"I spent a few days in Busan and I have a few small tours booked to some of the historical sites here plus some free days to add extra things in as I discover them."
"I recommend the art museums, there are lots of them to choose from for one of your free days."
"I know you do," I replied and his eyes flicked straight to mine and I raised mine, acknowledging that I knew who he was. "I might add those to my list of things to do," and we slowed as I pointed to the hotel I was staying in.
"Thank you so much for walking me all the way here, I know you were heading the other way."
He looked a little embarrassed at being caught, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ah, well, that's OK. After what happened, I didn't want you to walk feeling unsafe in my country."
"For saving me, I will always be grateful. Hangsang," I said, throwing in a word from my limited Korean vocabulary.
He smiled. "Cute and you're welcome. Please enjoy your time here in Korea. I wish we had a concert or something you could go to but it's been a while since we had one and well, you know we're not all here right now."
"I'll still be here in two years," I answered. "well, not here," I pointed, indicting Korea with a laugh, putting my hand to my heart instead. "You know what I mean," I said, frustrated at my clumsy words but he just smiled kindly.
"I do and we are all thankful for the support."
"Always," I said, this time in English. "Now, enjoy your important business."
He laughed and bowed his head. "Thank you, ah, I missed your name?"
"It's Marley," I answered, feeling jittery that he'd wanted to know who I was.
"Oh Marley, pretty. No more walking in the dark by yourself OK?"
"Yes sir," I replied with a smirk and his eyes lit up, cheeks rising under the mask.
"Stay safe," he said firmly, holding my eyes for a moment and then they stepped away, blending into the crowds of people still out at this time of night.
When I got into my hotel room, I tossed my things on the bed and flopped down on it. I couldn't believe I had been harassed and then rescued, especially by Kim Namjoon. It was a little much to handle really and I needed a shower. With the water washing over me, I could think about my night and also feel less sticky from the heat that had been left on my body. As the water hit my skin, body wash clearing away the sheen of sweat from the stress of the night, I just stood there. And laughed, my voice echoing around the shower cubicle. I had nothing to prove it had happened, no photos or videos. Just the small memories of relief I'd felt when he'd removed the hand from my arm and the quiet, simple conversation which had calmed me as we'd walked. But that was enough and as I dried myself and climbed into bed, I felt better than I thought I could after my small ordeal.
The phone rang at 10am. It hadn't woken me but I had slept longer than I normally would and laid in bed thinking. The tour I had booked today didn't meet until 1pm so I was resting a little before I went shopping on the way to my meeting point. "Yeoboseyo," I answered.
"Miss, we have an envelope at reception we think is for you. It is addressed to Marley from New Zealand? Would you like us to bring it up to you?"
I sat up, confused. I didn't know anyone here, was this part of the hotel package I bought? "Of course, thank you," I answered, hanging up and slipping on some clothes. I'm sure the hotel staff saw people in all kinds of undress but it felt like, here in Korea, I should be more respectful than to answer the door in my short PJs. When the knock came, I took the envelope with a bow, reading my name on the front in scrawled letters. Slipping my finger under the flap, I pulled out a sheet of paper, some more things falling from the envelope as I did.
Grabbing the loose papers from the ground, I saw that they were tickets and my eyes scanned the note that accompanied them.
"In case you decide to go to some museums, these are ones I love. I sent two in case there is someone you want to take. I wish it could've been me to give you a tour but like you said, I have important business. Enjoy. NJ"
Checking the tickets over, my heartbeat raised a little as I saw there were three different places and double passes to all of them. Clutching them to my chest, I fell back on the bed, giggling a little erratically. Last night had been a nightmare for a few moments in time but the outcome, meeting someone I admired, cancelled that out. I didn't know who I'd take or if I could pay it forward by giving a ticket away when I got to the exhibitions but the options were there. Part of me wished that the planets aligned and I could've gone with him instead but I wasn't stupid, despite my slipping up last night and walking the wrong streets. He was the kind of celebrity that was so famous, he barely could breathe without something being written about him so staying low key was important. He couldn't be seen with me even if he remotely wanted to.
As I looked at the tickets again, sitting on the bed to google what they were and fit them into my schedule, I looked more closely. Etched into the bottom of one of them was a date and time, clearly handwritten. It was two days from now and I realised I already had something booked that day. Had he written the date and time so he could be there or was that a recommendation of the best time to go? Was I really thinking that he could be interested in meeting me for a trip around an art museum? I could dream though, right?
Quickly bringing up my schedule, I looked at the ticket noting the afternoon time, going to the tour website to see if I could move my tour to the morning. It took half an hour and the use of a translator app but I managed to move it, relieved as I clicked the final button and received the updated schedule. I'd turn up at the art exhibition at the time written on the ticket and see what happened. I had hope that it would be worth the time to change my original schedule over, born of watching too many kdramas but I was getting ahead of myself, one day at a time.
Two afternoons later, I'd spent the morning wandering around Deoksugung Palace, the peaceful feeling still radiating from me as I got off at the stop closest to the art exhibition. I didn't know what to expect but the tickets I had been given were firmly grasped in my hand and I walked up to the entrance, glancing side to side as I did, looking and hoping. The tall figure was leaning on a pillar near the entrance, looking down at his phone but unmistakable as my rescuer, Namjoon. When he looked up and saw me approaching, he walked towards me, pulling down his mask briefly so I could see the smile on his face and mine was huge in return before he pulled it up again, hiding his face, arriving in front of me as I looked up at him.
Maybe I'd get my personal tour after all.