Chapter 15: Arriving in Hanam-dong

As Professor Park heard Professor Lee, he complied, giving some tasks to his students and coming out. Seeing Soo-jin and no one else with Professor Lee, he thought, So this is the person who wants to see me, and spoke with a smile, easing Soo-jin's tension.

"So, this is the pretty girl who wants to see me. Tell me, what's the matter, young lady?"

Seeing Professor Park approachable and not getting angry for disturbing him, she calmed down, but there was still a slight worry for Joon-ho on her face as she spoke.

"Hello, Professor. Nice to meet you. I am Kim Soo-jin from the film club. Kim Joon-ho, my partner in the club, hasn't shown up for the past two days and hasn't come today as well. Do you happen to know where he is, or did he come to class today?"

Hearing Soo-jin, Professor Lee interjected, grabbing Soo-jin's hand with a crying expression as he spoke.

"Did Joon-ho not come to the club? Is he leaving the club? What happened to him? Why is he leaving?"

Amidst Professor Lee's rambling, Professor Park spoke in a worried voice.

"Uh, Joon-ho, right? Kim Joon-ho, right? He hasn't come to class for the past two days, and even today, he didn't show up."

"Do you happen to know why he isn't coming to class?"

"No, I tried to dial his number, but it's not connecting."

As Soo-jin heard Professor Park, she got even more worried, thinking about what might have happened to Joon-ho. She asked, "Did you try to dial his parents' numbers?"

"There were no parents' numbers filled out on his paper, only his number."

While Soo-jin was worried about Joon-ho after hearing that, a voice filled with hope sounded beside her. Both Professor Park and Soo-jin looked towards Professor Lee, who, coughing, spoke.

"There is only one way to know about Kim Joon-ho. Someone needs to visit his house and find out what happened."

As Professor Lee spoke, a new hope arose in Soo-jin's heart. While giving a thumbs up to Professor Lee in her head, she asked Professor Park, "Can you please give me the address of Kim Joon-ho's apartment? I would like to visit him to check up on what happened and why he isn't coming to university."

Professor Park, hearing Soo-jin, hesitated slightly because students' personal information can't be given to someone else. While hesitating, he heard Soo-jin speak once more.

"After all, the university cannot sit still after knowing its student is missing. What if he never reached home after leaving the university? The university's reputation will definitely be damaged if this incident spreads. What if he's kidnapped or held hostage somewhere? Are you going to—"

Professor Park, thinking What the heck is this girl thinking? What kidnapping? What reputation? placed his hand on his forehead and replied, cutting Soo-jin off from her nonsense.

"Stop it! I will give you his address. Just don't speak anymore."

Soo-jin, with a happy expression, rejoicing in her victory, happily trailed behind Professor Lee and Professor Park. As they arrived at the staff room, Professor Park started to look for Joon-ho's paper, removing some files from his desk drawers.

After some moments, as she was looking out the window at the crows standing on poles, bored, Professor Park called her name.

"Kim Soo-jin, here, take this. You can note down his address and give it back to me." As Soo-jin started to note down his address, she was astonished after seeing Hanam-dong district. Hanam-dong is the most affluent and influential area of Seoul, where only the wealthy and powerful live. Looking back and remembering Joon-ho's shabby clothes, she had never thought he lived in the richest area of Seoul.

After noting down Joon-ho's address, she thanked both professors and started to head towards his apartment, thinking, Is this address real? Because with his clothes, he never looked like he would be living in this area. Anyway, the truth will be revealed after I arrive there.

After reaching near the Hanam-dong area, walking the familiar path—familiar because she also lived near this area, outside the area of truly rich villas that can only be owned by power, not just money—she recalled her father's long-time wish to live properly in these villas and be recognized as a truly wealthy family in both name and status.

But this dream of his is still a dream. Arriving at the gates of Hanam-dong, she was stopped by their security guards as one of them spoke to her.

"Miss, who do you want to visit here? Only those who own the villas and those who are invited by the owner can enter. Let me check if you are on the invite list. It will take only a few moments. Please follow me."

As Soo-jin followed the security guards, she was anxious because no one had invited her, and she was coming unannounced. Arriving at the desk, when the security guard asked her name for the second time, she spoke.

"Um, Kim Soo-jin. I am not invited. I came here looking for a friend. He hasn't been coming to university for three days, so after finding his address, I came here."

Hearing her, the security guard's face became difficult as he said, "We cannot let anyone inside who is not invited. If you know the host, please call him to pick you up."

As she heard these words, she had no idea what to say anymore because there was no one in Joon-ho's family that she knew, nor did any of them know her. Disappointment was vivid on her face. With a last hope, she asked once more.

"Is there any other way to go inside? You see, I don't know his parents, only him, and neither do they know me. Is there any other way to contact him?"

"We can call for you if you would like to speak to them. If they recognize you, you can go in."

After hearing the security guard, her hopes increased. Thinking if she could contact Joon-ho and know if he was all right, then this trip might be worthwhile, even if she was unable to meet him.