BIFF Square was the official hub of the Busan International Film Festival, though it only saw red carpets and celebrities for about two weeks each October. The rest of the year, it belonged entirely to the crowds.
As Haneul stepped into the bustling square, he immediately felt the energy of the people. The shouts of food vendors selling hotteok, the sizzle of oil from fried snacks, the constant flow of tourists weaving between stalls. Faded film murals and handprint plaques of actors lined the streets, reminders of its glamorous side, but the real show for Haneul was the chaos of everyday life he was seeing now. Students clustered around tteokbokki stands, aunties haggling over accessories, and the occasional street performer drawing crowds.
"Where do you all want to eat?" Soojin asked. "Don't worry about the cost, just pick anywhere you like."
"Why don't we try different stalls?" Robin suggested. "That way we can sample more kinds of food."
