IU POV

Shinrin-Yoku (Japanese)

(n) literally “forest bathing” – a visit to the forest for relaxation and to improve one’s health

“Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinion, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation. And for you to stand up for your own opinion, and I mean a right and just opinion, even if the public does not regard it, does not get it, it matters. It matters because you’re not the most people. You are not other people. You are you, well you were you until your breakdown and depressive sessions in my studio—not saying that everyone should not have depressive episode—but let’s find you in a specific Ji Eun way of finding herself, travel. That I do owe you the pleasure and here’s how I pay it off,” he says while flipping through his passport and entering immigration gate.

We’re both boarding on a plane to Yakushima. Just the two of us. Ji Yong oppa and me.

Yes, you read that right. Few hours ago we were both in his studio, I was slouching on a sofa and he sat next to me on a separate chair before he asked me to go somewhere I want to be. I laughed awkwardly, it made no sense at all to just go. Well, even though I’m a bit of wanderlust myself, this so sudden spontaneous act caught me off guard. Yes, I have a particular place popped in my mind. But still, I couldn’t imagine why he asked me, when we’re both need some kind of ninja power to go somewhere I want.

“To what do I owe the pleasure?” I asked him. He wasn’t answering back then, he answered it just now, in Fukuoka Airport.

“Well, if I should answer, I want to go to Late Muromachi period. To a specific universe of Ghibli. Mononoke Hime no Mori,” I said, not thinking much about actually going there.

“Japan?” he asked.

“Well yeah, you could guess by its name. It’s in a southern part of Japan, Yakushima Island,” I pointed out.

“Princess Mononoke’s forest.”

I puffed out my cheeks and sighed. “Your Japanese is excellent, sir.”

He clicked through his phone, then turned his face to my side, walked over and knelt before me, “Ji Eun-ah, I want to suggest few alternative places, like, Gariwangsan near Pyongchang, you know they had that ancient forest kind of thing, or Gotjawal in Hallasan, Jeju,” he bit his lips and smile, “but Yakushima is only 3 and a half hour from here by plane and in fact, much shorter time than Gariwangsan and obviously more interesting than Jeju, I mean, I just got back from there. So,” said Ji yong Oppa. “Even if I can’t bring you to Late Muromachi period, I can bring you to Mononoke Hime no Mori. Remind me why you’re Ji Eun, the once so longing on travelling.”

“No,” I answered firmly.

“No you’re not longing on travelling or no you won’t go?”

“No I won’t go. It’s too risky. I supposed risky is a strong reason for both of us.”

“What’s the problem?” he asked.

“Can’t you see? Me you on a plane to Japan in midst of everything here about me?”

“That’s part of the problem.”

“What’s the problem?”

“Many. But being a ninja is not something that we are not mastering. Nobody sniffed on us yet—well except our real closest circle.”

“We’ll be safe? Nobody would know us?” I asked, hesitantly.

“I have my way. I am a master on ninja flying to Japan.”

“Ouu well yeah I totally forgot about that, my bad.”

“Don’t try to snap analysis a tad passive-aggressive, just gimme your passport, I’m buying our ticket.”

Yakushima Forest inspired the forest setting in Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke. It took us 3 hours 35 minutes by Korean Air and JAL (Japan Air Commuter) to arrive to Yakushima Airport. When we got there, it is already midnight and we go to a hotel not far from the forest.

“Sleep, Ji Eun-ah,” he says.

“My brain can’t turn off. It’s,” I look at him, “too exciting, too unreal to be true.”

He smiles, probably the sweetest smile I ever seen coming from him. I smiled myself, like a fool.

“I can’t thank you enough, oppa. I’m glad to meet you, as a friend,” I say to him.

“I’m glad to meet you too, Ji Eun-ah.”

When a person can see into your soul, it’s hard. It forces you to be open. Vulnerable. It’s much easier being with someone who’s just more of a casual friend. Ji Yong oppa is exactly like that. Someone who makes my life feels lot easier. It’s been a long day for me, from the middle of Seoul to Yakushima. They said the days are long, but the years are short. It never rings true until now.

“I already checked us a room, so sleep, you don’t have to worry.”

“We’re in the same room, right?” I ask him.

“Yup, I’m never gonna let you sleep alone. I’ve been there, Ji Eun-ah. I’ve seen Daesung. I’ve seen Seunghyun hyung,” he says bitterly.

I gaped my mouth for a moment. I wonder, what is he made of? Bigbang is not without problem, he i