Ch.226Chapter 9. Hey, Ugly Korean (1)

Since coming to this world, if I had to name the three best things about it, I’d definitely put superpowers at the top of the list.

The age of superpowers.

If I were powerless, it would be different, but having awakened to supernatural abilities makes living in this world quite enjoyable.

‘Anyone would think about coming to a world with superpowers at least once.’

And by being able to use a very special ability called the Goblin Club, I can accomplish anything as long as I have enough magical power.

For the second best thing, I would choose my life as a Goblin of the Syndicate.

Though I’ve never experienced the life of a villain before.

And I’ve never executed evildoers in the real world either.

The best part about becoming a third-rate villain goblin is that I’ve been able to date several women as a goblin.

‘In reality, having multiple relationships would get you stabbed, but here it’s somewhat better.’

I’ve been working hard all this time, and as a result, I’ve built close relationships with the chairman, the executives of Yimemangryang, and various heroines at the academy. That’s the second best thing.

Then what’s the third?

Definitely, going abroad.

Specifically, enjoying wealth I couldn’t achieve in reality, based on an economic foundation much more affluent than in the real world.

Although it’s a business trip, boarding a first-class seat on an international flight to Thailand is a novel experience by my pre-possession standards.

‘Frequently traveling abroad like this is all part of the experience.’

Having only flown domestic flights to Jeju Island before, enjoying the services of private jets or first-class on commercial flights feels new every time.

Of course, if you asked whether this is similar to the services enjoyed by the wealthy in the real world, that would be a “world of difference” in another sense.

The privileges enjoyed by the wealthy are similar, but the way those privileges manifest would be completely different from the wealthy in my world.

“There are Korean magazines here.”

“Nowadays, wouldn’t planes need to have Korean magazines?”

Every coin has two sides, and where there’s light, there’s darkness.

“The display still has Korean as the default language.”

“Well, it’s not like we need to change it to English. Korean is the common language after all.”

“……”

Others might not consider this darkness, but for me, it’s something that makes me cringe and feel twisted inside every time I see it.

“Excuse me. What would you like to drink?”

“……”

“Sir?”

“Is that a flight attendant uniform? The design is really nice.”

“Yes, it’s our National Airline uniform. It was personally designed by the renowned Korean designer, Master Park Do-sik.”

Just looking at the flight attendant, while the colors match the airline’s branding, it looks like a hanbok skin for a game character, which gives me chills.

I don’t know much about fashion, but I’m at a loss for words seeing flight attendants in hanbok-style uniforms.

“What drinks do you have?”

“We have sujeonggwa, sikhye, and sungnyung available.”

“……”

“Sir? Is something bothering you…?”

“…I’ll take sujeonggwa. What about you, Hye-ra?”

“I’ll have sikhye, please. Without the rice.”

“Certainly. I’ll prepare that right away.”

Usually in movies, first-class passengers are asked whether they want red or white wine, but here they even have sungnyung ready.

Even though it’s a flight from Korea to Thailand, isn’t sungnyung a bit too much?

‘Even if Joseon had conquered the world, it wouldn’t be this extreme.’

Every time I just breathe and walk around, I feel suffocated by the overwhelming Korean nationalism emanating from everywhere.

It’s like a gestalt collapse.

“Hye-ra.”

“Yes, oppa.”

Qiongqi—now definitely to be called Yoon Hye-ra—lowered her sunglasses and turned to me while flipping through a magazine.

“What is it?”

“I keep wondering, is it appropriate to serve sujeonggwa or sikhye on international flights rather than just domestic ones?”

“Oppa. If a first-class passenger says something like that, the flight attendants will be shocked.”

Yoon Hye-ra winked at me and put her index finger to her lips.

“Saying such things in first class sounds like you’re complaining about poor service quality. Oh, did you want wine instead? Should I order it for you?”

“No, it’s fine. It just feels strange to me. Experiencing Korean culture everywhere we go.”

My whole body trembles and I feel like turning my clothes inside out at the influence of K-culture that has penetrated every corner of the world.

It’s as if Korean culture has been forcibly overlaid where foreign cultures should exist.

“What’s wrong with sikhye and sujeonggwa being served as first-class drinks? They’re not factory-made; they’re beverages created by Korean traditional drink masters.”

Yoon Hye-ra is right.

“Out there, a glass like this would cost at least 30,000 won, wouldn’t it?”

“……”

In this world, sikhye and sujeonggwa have become premium beverages.

In my world, wine aged for over 100 years in French vineyards would naturally be more premium and worth trying, but in this world, it’s sikhye researched for over 50 years by a master in Chungcheong Province that’s considered worth trying, which feels awkward.

“Come to think of it, you seem to have a tendency to criticize Korea. No, sorry. Not criticizing Korea, but you just can’t stand Korean culture being so widespread?”

“…Right. It’s not that I’m criticizing Korea, I just want to experience diverse cultures abroad.”

“But every time you go abroad, you freak out when you see something Korean.”

“That’s exactly my point. I can experience Korean things plenty within Korea, so why do I need to see Korean things when I go abroad?”

The flourishing of traditional culture?

That’s fine.

But when I see Korean bull fighting in Valencia’s bullring in Spain, or people shooting arrows with traditional Korean bows instead of compound bows at Olympic stadiums, I often can’t bear it.

“I think moderation is best, don’t you think it’s too excessive? Not everything Korean is necessarily good.”

“Of course, the most Korean thing is the most global thing, right?”

“That phrase sounds deeply moving but makes me sad.”

Are you watching, Mr. Bong?

Your words are being used with a completely different meaning in this world.

Behold, the Joseonification of the entire world.

‘Is this even traveling abroad?’

I hate you.

Author.

It’s good that Korean things have been spread throughout the world, but the culture of this world has become too Korean.

Like Japanese maid cafes having gisaeng instead of maids.

Or military cosplayers in Europe dressing as the Gwanghwamun honor guard.

Or foreign workers on Brazilian sugarcane plantations wearing sobok (white Korean mourning clothes) while working.

Or concert venues where EDM should be playing having the clang of kkwaenggwari (Korean gong) instead.

“Your drinks are served.”

“Thank y—”

A world where first-class drink accompaniments are not macadamia nuts or macarons, but bite-sized rice cakes and yakgwa.

I curse you.

Author.

“……”

“A-are you dissatisfied with something, sir?”

“No, it’s just that I eat a lot of yakgwa and rice cakes. Do you happen to have chocolate or simple cookies?”

“Oh, yes! I’ll replace them right away! And for you, ma’am…?”

“I like these.”

The flight attendant, looking pale, hurriedly gathered the yakgwa and left.

“Hye-ra, did I seem like a difficult customer?”

“What’s wrong with asking for a change in first-class service?”

“True. It’s not like I asked them to cook ramen or anything.”

“…? Shouldn’t they make ramen if asked?”

“……”

Is that so?

Is ramen not an unreasonable request?

I thought ramen would be a bit much even for first class, but apparently it’s quite a popular item.

“Real troublemakers are something else entirely.”

Yoon Hye-ra giggled and took out her smartphone.

“We’ll be arriving soon. When we arrive, oppa, don’t stray far from me. Got it?”

“…That should be my line.”

“You’re in more danger than I am.”

“Sir? Here’s your chocolate. Would you like me to unwrap it for you?”

“No, you don’t need to go that far. Thank you.”

“Oh, yes! Please call me if you need anything!”

“…Hmm.”

Yoon Hye-ra shot a slightly murderous glance at the flight attendant.

Then she opened the paper wrapper of the chocolate I was about to unwrap.

“Look at this.”

“……”

“The nerve.”

Whoosh.

Although fire is strictly prohibited on aircraft, Yoon Hye-ra created a small flame to disintegrate the paper without others noticing.

“Oppa. Do you know what Korean newlyweds need to be most careful about in Phuket?”

“…Human trafficking?”

“Not just any human trafficking. It’s not the fear of having organs harvested through human trafficking, but something else being harvested that’s most frightening in this world.”

Yoon Hye-ra pointed her finger downward.

“Taking your seed.”

“……”

“The most common crime Koreans face outside Korea is exactly that crime. Especially men.”

That’s right.

In this world.

Limited to Koreans traveling abroad, it has become a world where men are in more danger than women.

Why?

Obviously, because Korean seed has a higher probability of producing children with superpowers.

* * *

We arrived at Phuket Airport.

As soon as we arrived, Yoon Hye-ra briefly left to handle Syndicate business, and I stayed put, fiddling with my smartphone while waiting for her to return.

-You just told me not to stray far from you.

-You’re not going to follow me into the ladies’ room, are you?

-True. I’ll wait. I’ll hold your handbag and luggage outside, so go ahead.

Yoon Hye-ra headed to the bathroom, but not to use the toilet or fix her makeup.

Her purpose for going to the bathroom was to disguise herself…

“…Huh?”

“Excuse me.”

Someone approached me.

“Are you traveling alone?”

Familiar Korean language.

But the accent is slightly unfamiliar, definitely a foreigner’s pronunciation.

“…Who are you?”

In front of me were two women.

Both looked Korean, or rather, half-Korean.

What’s peculiar is that they’re wearing clothes similar to Academy uniforms.

“We’re travel guides, oppa.”

“We help travelers from Korea.”

They’re Kosians.

Mixed-race people born between Koreans and various Asian ethnicities.

…Born after the great cataclysm, by Ugly Koreans, by human’s vile desires—”mixed-blood” births.

While exceptions exist, if 90% of a classification fits a description, it’s fair to say “most.”

Currently.

Worldwide, since year 00.

The number of Korean mixed-race children born over 25 years.

Official count, approximately 50 million.