Contrary to my original plan of 1 week, I found myself somehow settling down in the village of Soseongri. So began my clumsy, country life. In Spring, the news of Pyeongchang Olympics and the US & N. Korea Summit filled the whole country in the spirit of peace and reunification. The whole country except Soseongri. Thousands of police came to regulate the streets and villagers while American helicopters flew over the village. Normally, it would’ve taken a wild boar atta...more

Contrary to my original plan of 1 week, I found myself somehow settling down in the village of Soseongri. So began my clumsy, country life. In Spring, the news of Pyeongchang Olympics and the US & N. Korea Summit filled the whole country in the spirit of peace and reunification. The whole country except Soseongri. Thousands of police came to regulate the streets and villagers while American helicopters flew over the village. Normally, it would’ve taken a wild boar attack just to get a couple of police to show up. For the ‘Nanas’ of Soseongri like Geunyeon, Soonboon, Sangdol, Gyeongim and Gilnam, their way of life was taken away only to be replaced with anxiety and distress. The overpowering law enforcement doesn’t seem to be leaving anytime soon. In spite of all this, the Nanas still gather in the village hall to play, cook and dine together. I left the village eventually, however, when I returned, Grandpapa Bongjeong handed me a crinkled $50 bill and told me to live well and never do wrong by others.  less