Ep.3 hyekyeong
14 August, 2024
Before the dinner•••
Sensitive - Fragile - Systematic, these keywords came to mind when I thought about Hyekyeong and her deep appreciation for a sense of stability. She gravitates toward her comfort zone, and after spending a considerable amount of time listening to her life stories, I came to understand why stability is so crucial to her. It made me want to create a safe haven for her—a "nest" where she could rest comfortably, no matter where she was. Inspired by this, I crafted candle holders shaped like nests cradling eggs as part of the decor.
From my observations, Hyekyeong has a strong preference for structure and works hard to anticipate and manage the situations she might face. When I think of her, words like simple, clear, and distinct come to mind. Translating these descriptors into colors brought vivid primary shades like red, blue, and yellow to life. In terms of form, straight lines and sharp geometric shapes emerged. Drawing inspiration from these ideas, I incorporated design elements reminiscent of the works of Mondrian and Malevich into the space’s decor.
Designing the menu was straightforward because I know Hyekyeong’s food preferences inside out. I’ve cooked for her countless times, so the challenge lay in creating something surprising enough to delight her.
Hyekyeong enjoys dishes that are basic in concept but exceptional in quality. To start, I sourced fresh rosemary sourdough bread and paired it with homemade garlic and basil butter spreads. Knowing her love for chips—something we’ve shared countless times as a snack or side—I wanted to incorporate them into the menu. This led to the creation of a salad featuring hash browns. Lastly, I prepared a shallot and tomato oil pasta, a dish that uses simple ingredients but elevates their natural flavors to the fullest.
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eat & drink•••
Shallot oil pasta
★ recipe
Crispy smashed potato salad
★ recipe
ROsemary sourdough & Garlic/Basil butter spread
Adaras Lluvia Blanco 2023
La Mancha, Spain
talk•••
"Sol, I'm not kidding—this is the most delicious butter I've ever had."
Thankfully, the food I prepared hit the spot for Hyekyeong. Since we see each other so often, it feels completely natural to dive into casual chit-chat whenever we meet. That day was no exception—we started our conversation by catching up on recent events, as we usually do… and just like that, three hours flew by in our easy banter.
Around the three-hour mark, Hyekyeong said with a laugh, "Is this Tiny Room Supper Club even going the way it’s supposed to? But honestly, we’ve had countless conversations outside of this one, and you already know me so well :)"
I purposely scheduled dinner with Hyekyeong a week before her return to Korea. I wanted this evening to be a chance for us to reminisce and wrap up her two years in London.
Hyekyeong was the first Korean friend I made after arriving in London, back when I was still finding my footing here. Until I met Bo, the guest from a previous episode, she was the only Korean I kept in close touch with.
Let’s take a moment to look back on the history of our friendship.
Over the two years, we laughed and cried together through countless shared experiences: trips, music festivals, DJ parties, picnics, each other’s birthdays, graduation ceremony, and even impromptu hangouts on the streets in Waterloo. For those two years, we were the kind of friends who would come running at the other’s call, no matter what.
Looking back, we arrived in the UK around the same time and went through similar situations. I realize now that times which might have been far more confusing had I been alone, we were able to navigate together. As those chaotic two years passed and we gradually built up our resilience, we reached a point where we could stand on our own—and it was at that very moment that Hyekyeong left. In other words, it was only when my life finally began to stabilize—both socially and professionally—that she returned to Korea.
Thinking about it, I honestly can’t even imagine what those two years would have been like without her.
Hyekyeong reflected beautifully on her two years in London.
“What I realized as I wrapped up my time here is that there were so many moments when I didn’t have the courage to take risks because I was scared or felt insecure, afraid of getting hurt. But because I knew this was the end, my heart felt lighter, and I even hosted my own farewell party. Through that experience, I realized something—not just with S but with other friends too—that I hadn’t made an effort to truly get to know people. I assumed, Oh, they’re that kind of person; they probably wouldn’t want to be close with someone like me. I’d make judgments or snap conclusions like that. I thought we were only at this level, so that’s where I left it, thinking, That’s just how it’ll end. But now, I keep realizing, Oh, I thought we were just at this level, but you weren’t like that. Not at all.
Knowing I have to leave soon makes me so sad because my time here has been so meaningful, but I don’t regret any of it. Sure, I wish I had more time, but if I think about it the other way around—if I’d had infinite time—I don’t think I would have felt these emotions or recognized how precious this all is. That thought makes me grateful. If there were no end, I probably wouldn’t have made an effort to get closer to people, thinking, Yeah, we’re fine as we are, and just stayed in place. So I’m truly thankful.
Still, out of my two years in London, the most vivid and meaningful moments were the times spent with you and Bo.”
She continued, “What I’m grateful for with Bo is that I used to live my life in a very structured, rigid way, always seeking environments that were already put together. I thought, I absolutely need this one thing; without it, it’s impossible. But with Bo, I often found myself in situations where things weren’t ideal. I’d think, How can we eat like this? How can we sleep like this? It constantly challenged me. But when I look back, everything worked out. None of it was a big deal. It made me realize, Why was I so fixated on this? Why did I insist that things had to be this way? I came to understand that the life I had been chasing was shaped by my own rigid beliefs.
Being around Bo helped me break free from those fixed ideas. In Korea, I never had the kind of environment that challenged me like that. Bo, though, has different standards—or sometimes no standards at all. Situations I’d find intolerable didn’t bother her at all, so when I was with her, I’d think, Well, maybe it’s fine, and I’d start to feel okay, too. Gradually, I felt my boundaries expand. Situations where I used to think, This has to be a certain way, started to fall away. I realized, Oh, this works too, over and over again. And, surprisingly, I often ended up preferring it. I learned that I didn’t need to stick to all these self-imposed rules. By letting go of them, I opened myself up to so many more possibilities.”
She smiled and added, “The difference between you and Bo is so clear. Sol, you’re like the filling in a pastry puff—you make my heart feel full, complete. Bo, on the other hand, is like someone who shows me that the shape of the puff itself can change. She’d say, You can be a triangle, a star, or a circle! I used to think, No, I can only be a circle. But you’d tell me, It’s okay to be whatever you decide, and make me feel full and confident. Meanwhile, Bo would say, Why not try being a triangle or a star? and I’d think, Really? Should I give it a go? Then I’d try, and it would actually work.
This repeated over and over. So, even though your roles are so different, you both helped me tremendously. If I’d only known you, I wouldn’t have realized I could take on different shapes. And if I’d only known Bo, I might’ve recognized the possibilities but lacked the confidence or assurance to embrace them. Together, though, it’s been perfect. I’ve always felt this way, but it’s the first time I’m putting it into words.”
As Hyekyeong spoke about her two years in London, she frequently expressed gratitude. “I’m so thankful you did that. I’m truly grateful. I can’t thank you enough.” Her thanks were always directed at her friends.
Listening to her, I was struck by the profound beauty of friendship—the way these connections shape and uplift us in meaningful ways.
Hyekyeong. "I don’t know, maybe it’s just me, but when I was younger, I’d wonder, What will I be like in 10 years? In 5 years? Back then, I thought things would become clearer as I got older, like life would fall into place more. But honestly, the older I get, the more uncertain the future seems. When I was younger, I’d think, Oh, I’ll probably be doing this or that by then. But now? I genuinely have no idea where I’ll be in two years. Will I be married? Have kids? Start a business? Work at a company? What country will I even be in? I’ve realized that it’s only gotten more unpredictable. Before coming to London, my life had a certain pattern, a limited scope. I didn’t even imagine living abroad as an option."
Sol. "Exactly. The range of possibilities you consider has expanded so much. That’s why I hope, even when you go back to Korea, you keep holding onto that sense of openness to all these options."
As of December, the time of writing, Hyekyeong has already decided to move abroad again, only a few months after returning to Korea in August. In our recent phone call, she shared more specific plans, aiming to leave the country next year.
I’m reminded of the Hyekyeong I first met in 2022. Having been by her side for these past two years, I can confidently say that her growth has been dazzlingly beautiful.
after the dinner•••
"Thank you for filling my time and myself with so much today ❤︎ Good times ahead! -Yves, Yvie, 이부-"
사랑하는 혜경 언니에게,
런던의 조용한 저녁, 언니의 포스팅을 작성하던 중 우연히 틀어놓은 플레이리스트에서 한 곡이 흘러나왔어요. 귀를 사로잡는 멜로디에 저도 모르게 타이핑을 멈추고, 그 노래에 온전히 빠져들었답니다.
일본어로 된 노랫말이라 내용을 알아듣지는 못했지만, 이상하게 마음 깊은 곳을 건드리며 따뜻하면서도 살짝 아린 감정을 불러일으키더라고요. 나중에 이 노래의 제목과 가사, 그리고 배경 이야기를 찾아보고 나서야 왜 그렇게 마음에 와닿았는지 알 수 있었어요.
이 노래의 제목은 "아카 톰보" (빨간 잠자리)예요. 일본의 가을을 대표하는 빨간 잠자리는 순간의 아름다움과 덧없음을 상징한다고 해요. 이 노래는 황혼 속 빨간 잠자리를 보며 어린 시절과 소중했던 시간들을 떠올리는 이야기인데, 단순히 아름다운 추억만이 아니라 지나가버린 시간에 대한 그리움과 쓸쓸함이 고스란히 담겨 있더라고요.
가사에는 어린 동생을 업고 있던 순간이나 멀리 떠나버린 언니를 회상하는 장면들이 나오는데, 가족에 대한 따뜻한 유대와 잃어버린 시간에 대한 아련함이 느껴졌어요. 무엇보다 빨간 잠자리가 그 모든 순간들에 상징처럼 나타난다는 점이 참 인상 깊었어요.
언니와 함께했던 런던에서의 2년은 제게 그런 시간이었어요. 함께 길을 걸으며 나눈 이야기들, 아무렇지 않게 웃었던 순간들, 그리고 서로 의지하며 보낸 시간들이 너무나 소중하게 다가와요. 그래서인지 이 노래를 들을 때, 언니와의 추억이 빨간 잠자리처럼 떠올라서 마음이 뭉클해졌던 것 같아요. 떠나간 언니가 그리워서 슬프면서도, 우리가 함께했던 시간이 아름다워서 기쁜 감정이 동시에 밀려오는 그런 묘한 느낌이었어요.
언니도 이 노래를 꼭 한 번 들어봐줬으면 좋겠어요. 언니라면 어떤 장면이 떠오를지, 또 어떤 감정이 들지 정말 궁금해요.
사랑해요.
런던에서,
솔
Dear Hyekyeong,
On a quiet evening here in London, while I was working on your post, a song unexpectedly began to play from the playlist I had on. The melody was so captivating that I found myself stopping everything and just listening, completely swept away by it.
Even though the lyrics were in Japanese and I couldn’t understand them, something about the song touched me deeply, evoking a warm and slightly bittersweet feeling in my heart. After looking up the title, lyrics, and the story behind the song, I finally understood why it resonated with me so much.
The song is called "Aka Tombo" (Red Dragonfly). In Japan, the red dragonfly is a symbol of autumn and represents the fleeting beauty of life. The song tells the story of remembering childhood and precious moments while watching the red dragonfly at twilight. It’s not just about beautiful memories, but also the longing for and sadness about time that’s passed.
In the lyrics, there are beautiful moments, like carrying a younger sibling on your back or reminiscing about an older sister who’s far away. These images speak to the warmth of family bonds and the bittersweet longing for lost time. What really struck me was how the red dragonfly symbolizes those fleeting moments, making everything feel even more precious.
The two years I spent with you in London felt just like that for me. The conversations we shared while walking together, the moments when we laughed so easily, and the quiet comfort of being there for each other—those times are so dear to me. So, when I listened to this song, memories of you and our time together flew into my heart like a red dragonfly, and I couldn’t help but feel a little emotional. I miss you so much, and while there’s sadness in being apart, there’s also so much joy because our time together was so beautiful. It’s a feeling that’s both sad and happy at the same time, and it’s a little overwhelming.
I really hope you’ll listen to this song. I’m so curious to know what it makes you feel and what memories it brings up for you.
I love you so much.
From London,
Sol
Red Dragonfly
I saw a red dragonfly
Resting at twilight.
Was it a memory from that distant day,
When I was just a child?
I carried my baby brother,
Strapped upon my back.
We watched the sunset together,
In those days of innocence.
Where is the girl,
Who once spun silken threads?
She left for far-off lands,
Before she turned fifteen.
Dreaming of those days long gone,
I gaze at the evening sky.
The red dragonfly is still,
A messenger from the past.
