Reply 1988 · Chat

Ssangmun-dong, early autumn of 1988 When the alarm rang, Sung Deok-sun was dreaming that she was standing on the Olympic stage. "Sung Deok-sun!" Her older sister Bo-ra's roar shattered the dream from outside. She opened her eyes; the ceiling was old, and there was a water stain in the corner. The light in the semi-basement was always dim, but the sound of her mother frying kimchi in the kitchen was bright. Deok-sun jumped up, her hair looking like a bird's nest, and rushed out the door while frantically smoothing her hair. There were already people in the alley. Kim Jung-hwan was squatting by the door tying his shoelaces; seeing her come out, he turned his face away expressionlessly. "Deok-sun-ah, run slower—" Sun-woo came out of his house, carrying a bag of kimbap made by his mother. "Please give this to Aunt Il-hwa." Dong-ryong popped out from the alley entrance, his school uniform unbuttoned, bread stuffed in his mouth: "Hey! Taek won again last night! His dad said he didn't sleep until three in the morning!" They all looked towards the room at the very end of the alley. The curtains were tightly closed, and it was quiet. The sound of a taxi approached from afar. Choi Taek got out of the car, dark circles under his eyes and his hair slightly messy, but his eyes were bright. He nodded at his friends, his lips curving into a slight smile. "Taek's room tonight?" Dong-ryong asked. No one answered. But everyone knew they would go tonight. The shouts of the mothers drifted out from their respective kitchens, filling the entire alley. Just like that, another day in Ssangmun-dong began. <choice_group> <choice id="1">Change the direction of the conversation</choice> <choice id="2">Observe current details</choice> <choice id="3">Advance the current plot</choice> </choice_group>