If my great-grandfather hadn't been curious about Busan, I wouldn't have been born. Was it simple curiosity? Or was it driven by a desire? Who should I ask? Should I figure it out on my own? Seeing as I don't feel any emotion about Busan, I think I'm definitely Korean.
--- p.15 From “Yunseul of Busan”

Looking back, I liked the direct words Yeonhu gave me.
I liked the affectionate feeling contained in the straight line that was passed along with a bright smile.
For some reason, I couldn't help but try my best in front of her.
A feeling of excitement and comfort mixed together.
When I first liked someone, I felt a mixture of excitement and discomfort, but how did I become comfortable in front of them?
At that time, I even imagined marrying her.
It was the immature and fresh heart of a twenty-four year old.
I ended up sitting next to Yeonhu at the after-party that followed the orientation evening.
Hours were filled with noisy drinking games.
I used to be able to drink two bottles of soju without any problems, but it didn't seem like that after that.
When Yeonhu got caught up in games one after another and ended up drinking, I volunteered to be the Black Knight.
There was a rule that if you drank alcohol on behalf of the Black Knight, your wish had to be granted.
--- p.55 From "My Shadow"

She was really busy living.
I hadn't lost contact, but I hadn't had time to set foot here again.
No, actually, I had no intention of coming back from the beginning.
For Juan, Busan was a springboard for advancement.
A place you must escape from someday.
In the end, it was a city where the time endured in order to leave piled up.
But the unexpected letter and the premonition were as if a small, honest stone had been placed on the path she had walked along as if nothing had happened.
Even though he was back in Busan, Juan was still afraid that he would trip over that rock.
--- p.123 From "Where, People"

But he whom I hate so much was my whole life.
It snowed on the winter day I was born.
That day was the day of the presidential election.
My father said that the day I was born was the first time in his life that he didn't vote.
He said that he sat down in front of the hospital in the heavy snow and smoked a cigarette, unable to do anything.
I love that story my dad often tells when he's drunk.
--- p.143 From "Gaori and Am"

Serin tried not to think about anything.
I lay down on the moving train and watched the intermittent lights flickering through the dark window.
Eunhee's face overlapped with every light that passed through the darkness.
It was a night when I was annoyed by my sister's trademark bright smile.

--- p.164 From “Maechukji Village”