Day 9 – Solo Korea Car Camping Trip: Pohang → Yeongdeok

2021.06.01(Tue)

Spring seemed to have found its way into my solo trip as well.

Running out of daily essentials, I stopped by a Homeplus in Pohang.I promised myself I’d only grab what I really needed and head out quickly, but the moment I spotted the salmon neatly placed in the seafood section… my eyes lit up.

Yes, it’s true—I’m absolutely crazy about salmon.If I had to choose my two favorite foods in the world, they’d be salmon sashimi and cake.

To digress a little, I’ve had this silly fantasy about cake since I was a kid. You know how in movies, robbers storm into a bank with nothing but a gun and a bag, demanding all the cash? Well, in my fantasy, I walk into a bakery armed with nothing but a spoon, and I scoop just one bite out of every cake in the display case before making a quick escape. That dream still lives on today… though I doubt it’ll ever come true.

Back to reality—I grabbed the salmon without hesitation, fully prepared to survive on bread for the next few days. But hey, it’s salmon, so it’s worth it.

After picking up the rest of the essentials, I hit the road toward Yeongdeok. With the salmon riding safely in the passenger seat, even the drive itself felt more beautiful. Spending money really does make a trip feel more exciting.

Ah, the power of capitalism.

It didn’t feel right to be the only one indulging on this trip, so I decided to treat my faithful companion, Tongtong(my car) to a feast of its own. For the first time in a while, I filled its belly all the way up to full.

Thanks for carrying me all this way. I’ll be counting on you for the rest of the journey too!

Today’s destination was Goraebul Beach in Yeongdeok.

Among all the beaches I’ve seen so far on this trip, this one was by far the largest in scale. The waves were so strong that when I tried to dip my feet in, I nearly lost my balance and almost got swept away.

But no time to waste on the ocean just yet—my salmon feast was waiting. I quickly set up a little table, and once again, had my meal with an ocean view while watching a movie.

As expected, salmon never disappoints. With the salty scent of the sea in the air, it tasted even more divine—probably the happiest moment of the trip so far, with my cheeks practically hurting from smiling.

After finishing what doubled as both lunch and dinner, I finally stepped outside again. Sitting on a mat, listening to music flowing from my Bluetooth speaker, I let myself drift endlessly into thought as I watched the ocean.

For me, music is something I simply cannot live without. There’s never a silent moment—I always have something playing, as if to fill the air.

That’s why music isn’t just a melody to me; it’s more like a music box that holds my memories. Each song carries a piece of my past, and since my memory isn’t exactly the best, I often rely on music to recall moments I never want to forget.

Out of all my countless playlists, there’s one that means the most to me. Around the beginning of last year, when I was going through one of the hardest times in my life, these songs were what gave me strength. For a while afterward, I couldn’t listen to them all the way through—whenever I tried, the memories of that painful period came flooding back, and I would turn them off before the end. I always thought, “The day I can finally listen to these songs to the very end will be the day I’ve healed.”

Maybe it sounds a little dramatic to say this about music, but to me, it really is something more than just sound.

Thankfully, as time passed, I did start to heal, and now I can listen to those songs without feeling crushed. Whenever I hear them, I’m reminded of how far I’ve come—of the girl who once struggled, and of the stronger person I’ve become since then.

And so, sitting by the sea, I let the entire playlist play from start to finish, gazing endlessly at the waves as if each note carried me back and forward in time.

To those weighed down by the busyness of everyday life, always staring at the ground—lift your gaze once in a while. Look up at the sky. There is always something quietly watching over us, a silent reminder that we are not alone. So take heart, and keep going.

As always, the day came to an end. And with that, I wrapped up yet another day of my journey—ordinary, simple, and thankfully, without trouble.

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8. Family is another form of ‘me.

: Would I even exist as who I am today if it weren’t for my family?

Among all the things I am grateful for, I realize the greatest blessing of all has always been my family.

I grew up with my mom, dad, and older brother in a home free of serious conflict, surrounded by warmth and love. As the youngest daughter, I was showered with affection and attention, and I can’t help but see it as the greatest luck of my life.

Even in moments when the whole world seemed to turn its back on me, I always had my family—the strongest refuge I could ask for. Whenever life felt too heavy, just thinking of them gave me strength to endure. Yet, as I grew older and busier pouring my time into myself and others, I often found myself neglecting them, and for that, I feel nothing but regret.

I’ve never been a parent myself, so I can’t fully grasp the depth of maternal or paternal love. Still, whenever I feel the boundless care my parents give—sacrificing themselves for me—I am both deeply moved and left wondering if I could ever do the same.

Then I remembered something my late grandmother once said.

Every holiday, our family would prepare rituals to honor our ancestors. One day, she told us:“Don’t bother with lavish offerings after I’m gone. Instead, bring me a simple glass of water while I’m still alive.”

It struck me like a lightning bolt. What’s the point of regrets after the train has already left the station?

So tonight, I promised myself: to say “I love you” more often, to spend more time with my family, and to create precious memories while I still can.

I love you. Thank you—always.

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