Inside the KTX train heading to Cheongju, leaving the bustling city of Seoul behind. Since big cities simply do not allow me much free time, I scour the map like a last-minute student cramming for an exam, trying to figure out how to enjoy a one-day train journey. As I save potential destinations one by one on my smartphone map, I realize that most of them are located in the old downtown area. Alright, then let's head there for a walk.

As I entered 'Capture (@capture_kr),' a cafe and select shop that opens quite early among the places I looked up, Jamiroquai's 'Picture of My Life' started playing—a song that always feels ahead of its time, no matter when I listen to it. Here, you can enjoy simple desserts along with coffee brewed from Fritz beans, and then head down to the basement to browse fashion items and home goods that reflect a consistent, unchanging taste. Since the owner runs the place almost entirely on their own, you don't feel self-conscious trying on multiple outfits, and the discounts are quite substantial. If you usually enjoy the 'Amekaji' style— American casual referred to in a Japanese style or reinterpreted— you can find some great clothes here. Personally, I often add Amekaji items to casual outfits to create a look of 'off-key neatness,' so I rummaged through the hangers quite carefully.

If you want to browse more fashion items, you can simply knock on the door of 'Good Luck Store (@goodluckstore_official)' located in the same alley. The selection is diverse, ranging from street-style brands like 'POP TRADING COMPANY', 'SUNLOVE', and 'SCI-FI FANTASY' to futuristic fashion brands like 'Somewhere Outside' and 'OJOS' that capture both techwear functionality and design . Since my facial features aren't particularly striking, I tend to wear multiple pieces when choosing subculture-based fashion items; however, this time, I felt I had worn too much—even to myself—so I discreetly took photos of just the clothes I liked. Because items of this style are flashy in themselves, it is one of my few fashion principles not to buy them immediately if I cannot figure out how to match them with the clothes I already own.

As I look for clothes that might go well with my outfit, it suddenly occurs to me that people's attire is quite different from that of Seoul. Most shops deal in vintage or Americana fashion, and I have never once seen passersby dressed in the trendy balletcore style that incorporates ballet wear into everyday clothes , or the active yet comfortable look based on running or athleisure sportswear . It feels as though they prefer easy-to-style outfits made with clothes they already own, rather than perfectly coordinated matching sets. Seeing that knitting shops where people invest time and effort to create items that fit them perfectly are still scattered throughout the alleys, it seems this is a way of life that locals have maintained for a long time.

I feel like I’ve had enough of looking at clothes, so let’s go check out the crafts. It would be no exaggeration to say that I came to Cheongju specifically to visit 'Sido Archive (@sidoarchive) .' The owner, who used to run a small home decor shop in a secluded alley in Yeonhui-dong, Seoul, renovated an old, modernized Hanok with her husband and now introduces new artists and crafts in the form of sales exhibitions every month. Since it opened this past August, it is truly a place known only to those in the know. Seeing me drenched in sweat from the muggy weather, the owner seemed concerned; she offered me a refreshing cup of tea and immediately went to lower the air conditioner. Only after cooling down for a moment did the artworks catch my eye. 'Nuwoljaeun' (鏤月裁雲). Just like the exhibition title, which speaks of the aesthetic beauty of a leisurely floating moon and clouds, the displayed pieces seem to have brought nature right before my eyes through meticulous craftsmanship. How beautiful they look, bathed in the sunlight streaming through the 'D'-shaped courtyard.

Not wanting to return to Seoul with heavy hands after a lighthearted trip, I carefully selected a piece worth purchasing. What moved me was ceramic artist Kim Mi-kyung. For 30 years, she has been creating ceramics under the name "Grain of Sand," embodying fragments of the sea. With the hope that more people would use her crafts in their daily lives, she sells her pieces at a low price relative to her experience and the intricacy of her work . While the bowl resembling a large-mouthed seashell was both useful and beautiful, I felt that the artist's generous spirit was already worth the price, so I decided to bring her piece home.

'Multi Peach , ' a specialty cafe recommended by the owner of Sido Archive; 'Awe Workroom,' which cultivates only thin-stemmed plants; 'Hakcheontang,' impressive for its primal design by architect Kim Soo-geun ; and 'Old Music,' a music listening room boasting over 20,000 LPs . It was only after visiting a few more places like these that my one-day trip to Cheongju came to an end.

As I board the train bound for Seoul and unravel the handful of memories I had held from Cheongju, I realize that the tastes of the places and people I encountered are distinct. Could it be that these tastes were naturally formed as I increased the density of my life by spending more time looking inward than at my surroundings? It was a journey that posed a question to me, knowing that I must once again busily observe the world upon reaching my final destination.

Kim Yeram

A person who speaks and writes about space and life. Worked as a space specialist reporter at [Journal Name] and is currently working as a content director at the experience curation channel 'BLIMP'. These days, is looking for stories by observing the repetitive behaviors of the public.