I don’t how my face looks like now, but judging by the look on Harin’s face, I must look sick. And I am sick. She’s introducing me to the other side of the world that I’ve never interacted with.


    After I regain the power to move, I look at her eagerly indicating for her to continue. “It was a civil war,”. A moment later, with a curious look on my face, she added “A civil war is a war inside a country, a battle caused by something internal to the country.” She dives into a full explanation, drawing me a timeline. “It started on the 25th of June 1950, when the KPA (Korean People’s Army, which had all the requirements for the war, trained by the Soviets and the Chinese Government) invaded Southern Koreans who supported Rhee Syngman (former president of Korea) because they believed him as a ‘bandit traitor’. Their actual goal was to unite the Korean Peninsula under the communist North Korean regime. South Koreans wanted a democratic society on the contrary, which is why the KPA hated them so much. Other countries wanted to help Southern Koreans but couldn’t because the North already stated that they had a clear reason. The fight started on the Ongjin Penisula, and it continued alongside the 38th parallel. The ROK (the Republic of Korea) took serious measures, like destroying the Hankang Bridge, but did not have tanks and artilleries as much as the KPA. Therefore, the army of the United States landed in Korea in early July to aid the ROK. With their help, the war officially reached an end on July 27th, 1953.” She stops suddenly, looking around. “I need some water,” she says, and I bring her a big glass.


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    “Many historians have said,” she barely makes out the words as she was now in tears. “That the KPA’s brutality is justified as a revolution because apparently, it meets many ‘concepts’ of a revolution. They claimed that concepts of ‘power’ and ‘authority’ were visible from the KPA (their military force practically trampled over the peaceful lands) and that a democratic society would make everything better. “A strong ruler who makes every decision is what the people need” Thus the change was inevitable, they said, because nobody should be in support of former President Rhee. I wasn’t surprised when my mom told me that most historians feared the KPA and were threatened to write in their favor.” As she says the last sentence, the director comes inside the room. “Why is Harin crying? I thought I told you to be nice to her! She’s new here!” “No, I-” I falter, looking at Harin for help. “I just got emotional. Yujin was helping me get through it. Now may I be excused? I want to sleep.” And there she goes, melancholy and sad. I expect her to be better by the following morning, except… I feel a chill, though I don’t know why.


    The first thing I do when I wake up the following day is check on Harin. “Harin!”, I shout, “Breakfast is ready!” When I enter the room, the stench of blood penetrates my smelling senses. I am unsure of what this could mean until I see her. Dead. Bloody. Harin.