The second I step inside Gimhae, I realize I’ve made a terrible mistake. It’s not an airport anymore, it’s a human aquarium.
Every direction looks like a Black Friday sale for airplane seats.
I have never seen Gimhae airport like this!
I thought arriving early would save me. Instead, I’ve joined what feels like the mass evacuation of Busan.
Originally my flight was at 16:30 So I arrived 20 minutes earlier like I m use to do when I go to Seoul .
Since I bought this ticket at the last moment, I wasnt able to select a seat on the korean air app so I was told to meet someone at the counter .
I move through the terminal like a salmon who never signed up for upstream season.
However the korean air agent explained me that its too late to board the flight.
Too bad because it was really hard to find just ONE ticket on this day of national holiday.
Luckily after a few minutes the staff found me a seat on the next flight !
When the boarding pass finally prints, I feel like I’ve survived a minor war.
The line behind me sighs in unison. I’m the Chuseok villain now.
Chaos continues. It’s not security it’s a ritual of humiliation.
I forget my belt. The detector beeps. The officer gestures like he’s done with my species.
The guy behind me is breathing so close I could feel his holiday spirit enter my soul.
Gate 37 looks like a shelter for people who’ve lost faith in public transport.
I find a seat between a snoring man and a kid eating chips directly into my ear.
I look outside at the planes taxiing and pretend I’m a main character. I’m not. I’m a side quest no one accepted.
This is the flight I missed
This is my flight…
Then I see her a girl near the window, earbuds in, hair tucked behind her ear. She’s either the love of my life or just someone with great posture.
The announcement plays, and people move like it’s a race for free organs (very common here. many people think it happens only in China , India but Korea is good at that too)
I smile at the flight attendant like a man who believes in love again. She scans my ticket without looking up. Belief cancelled.
The aisle is narrow, my bag hits three people, and I whisper “sorry” like a prayer.
Exit row seat. legroom is great.
Seems like KE staff has decided to park all the foreigners.
Next to me, an american couple is sitting on my left
The karen sitting next to me seems perfectly at ease, almost unaware of the world around her. Her foot catches my attention not in a casual way, but like it’s inviting admiration, delicate and graceful. The kind of foot that makes you pause, almost wanting to send a message just to acknowledge its beauty, lingering in your mind longer than it should. There’s something intoxicating in the simplicity of it, and I can’t help but be drawn, quietly mesmerized by the elegance in such a small detail.
The engines roar and I suddenly remember I haven’t achieved anything meaningful this year. Perfect time for reflection.
The plane tilts and Busan shrinks beneath me. So does my sense of self-worth.
I glance toward the girl from the gate. She’s two rows ahead. She’ll never know how many romantic monologues I’ve had about her already.
View from the restroom where I should belong. I want to hide here forever
The cabin lights dim. I stare out the window like I’m auditioning for a breakup scene.
For 25 minutes, I pretend this flight means something more than just getting to Jeju.
Everyone scrolls their phones. I scroll through regrets.
The flight attendant rolls the cart by. I sit straighter like she might mistake me for someone attractive. She doesn’t.
The Karen next to me asks for a soda and quickly returns it because its "too sweet".
Everyone scrolls their phones. I scroll through regrets.
The seatbelt sign turns on, and everyone acts like it’s their cue for spiritual rebirth.
Jeju appears below soft light, calm sea, peace I don’t deserve.
The pilot lands smooth. I briefly consider clapping, but I already look pathetic enough.
The aisle becomes a human river.
I let people pass. It’s not grace it’s resignation.
They have no respect about the security rules
I stand up, hit my head on the overhead bin, and immediately pretend it didn’t happen.
Outside the aircraft, Jeju smells like sea and new beginnings.
I know I’ll ruin both.
Hello Jeju
Yeah this airport is a hot mess.. Jeju is a destination where the airport completely fails to show how beautiful the island really is.
Easily one of the most disappointing airport in Asia.
