I Look Up as I Walk

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Description

 

To begin is to unknowingly anticipate an end; however, an ending is merely another beginning. 

Two lonely boys, one alley, an ending or a beginning

__________

Some Unknown Alley, Seoul, 1992.

Youngho had always known, he just never really thought about it.

      Minhyung Lee had become a stable feature in his life, almost like a leg on a table. Something that you never really thought about, until it was gone and the table had started shaking, unable to properly support itself.

     And well, to put it blatantly, Youngho's life was shaking. 

 

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Foreword

 

TW: Some mature language, homophobia, use of the f slur

 

Disclaimer: This story is set in Korea and thus observes the 3 year high school system, except for the division of semesters, which, due to lack of proper consideration, will take place from September to January and January to June, following that of Canada. Furthermore, despite researching for the most part, I have taken slight liberties regarding the time period, but feel that they are rather trivial and will not impact the story as a whole. For instance, inspired by the song mentioned below ("Ue o Muite Arukō"), there are several mentioned Japanese motifs.

 

My Inspiration/ Playlist

  • "Ue o Muite Arukō" (上を向いて歩こう, "I Look Up as I Walk", alternatively titled "Sukiyaki") - Kyu Sakamoto

  • Wonder - Shawn Mendes

  • Tilly Birds- คิด(แต่ไหม่)ถึง (Same Page) 

  • This Side of Paradise- Coyote Theory

  • Missing You- The Vamps 

  • Pierce - One Ok Rock 

  • Growing Pains - D&E

HaebaeNCT
02/22/2021 - Hello again, just wanted to promote my new story 'Build Me Up Buttercup'. It's a yuta/mark chaptered story, which will be updated weekly or biweekly. I would appreciate if you could give it a chance, but if not, I understand. Thank you for all the love you have given this story :)

Comments

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Stresswritings_af
#1
Chapter 1: I believe I alr said how pretty this one is. But yet again love :) gujjob
kai_appreciator
#2
Chapter 1: Oh wow. That was beautiful. Really beautiful.

I like everything about it, the way you write and describe, the way the characters are, the processing of the plot.

Their relationships are so easy and hard at the same time. Their struggles are so... alive. Like I teared up at some moments. I hate how this is true. The pressure and fear of disappointing people, this comfort of just going with the flow, but in the end this flow leads you to the dispair.

Masterpiece. Beautiful. 100% enjoyed and would reccomend.

Thank you, author, for these feels! Love it!
Shrysea
#3
Chapter 1: Ahah Lost Pharaoh wrote a bunch of what I wanted to say as well XD.

I loved this story. Very much.

I like the format of short parts and the fact the story is during several years as well. The fact that secondary characters had a impact to the main ones.
I felt many emotions too so well done!!



I was just confuse about his parents' reaction after Yukei's kiss because I thought they were already aware of his uality since he worked very hard at school for them to be proud again of him. Homouality is still a big issue in South Korea and honor of the family is such a big value for them. The way the news are travelling through neighbors is very stressing. Like you are spied everything on everything and they are not ashamed to report it to the family! That’s sick and to think they have Sns has tool with this mindset...buhh



The pressure of getting married and having children is really a burden for their generation. South Korea isn't the same than a century ago they dont need more people, war and diseases aren't killing them so much now. They should change their way of living before having children because they have such a stressful and exhausting life ( like japaneses) so no wonder the last generosity want children when they have barely the time to enjoy their single or even couple life.
Lost_Pharaoh
#4
Chapter 1: Moreover anyone would feel happy and energized after hanging out with Lucas. Omg when you mentioned about Johnny going there until he started working I swear to god I wanted to tear up at this moment. In addition, to have such a monotonous life wouldn't be that boring if you got someone whom you love and who love you in return as well and give you such a warm and comfortable feeling.

Oh no, my heart broke when he abandoned the alleyway.

OH NO. ing hate that Mark’s parents had to found out like this. At this moment the only person whom I thought could protect Mark was Johnny. Also I can clearly understand Johnny’s outburst and it is such a sad thing that many parents are still with that ed up mindset in our day and age.


I am not crying, I swear I am not crying.
That was just so beautiful author and like I had guess,
THIS IS A MASTERPIECE.
Lost_Pharaoh
#5
Chapter 1: This alleyway is like their safe haven.
Somewhere they could just be with each other, enjoying small talks or just the comfortable silence between them. Somewhere they can be together and just enjoy those peaceful moments where they could be themselves away for the eyes of society and away from all the problems of their life. I love that.

The way he confessed his feelings, I found it quite adorable and that was such a Mark thing to do. Maybe Johnny was confused about his own feelings and was scared it might hurt Mark.
Lost_Pharaoh
#6
Chapter 1: Oh how did I not even think of that to be the reason he might be getting bullied. Then that would be sad to be happy and found such warmth in a person but in the end they might leave you because of what you are. But I also believe that as a friend they should accept you as long as you don't force yourself on them. Oh my freaking God. I didn't expect such a response from Johnny but I am loving it. I am adoring how you make their relationship like between each other, that is quite adorable because although they might not accept the feelings between each other, the warmth that they give and receive, that is already enough.
Lost_Pharaoh
#7
Chapter 1: that was supposed to be the first comment XD.

Another amazing story from an amazing Author, I am so excited to see another one of your masterpieces. This is an interesting pairing because as for me I usually see them to be more like siblings relationships but I am quite curious about how it will turn out especially because of the time period it is happening. Hmmm bullies at this time always got me curious, many things evolve for the better but for bullies, it seemed that they evolved and turned for the worst. Ohh well I was expecting a sweet Johnny boy but that is so much better than expected.

Once again I would have to bow down to the way you write and use your words. It is just the beginning but I am already sure that it will be a wonderful work of art as usual.
Lost_Pharaoh
#8
Chapter 1: I mean just like Mark I would be quite happy to witness such a sight and to make that person laugh, I would be more glad about it. This can create a closer bond between those people. What the , in all honesty I hate it when parents do not try to understand their child and they even dare to think that they know everything about them when they barely know that they are mostly the reason to why they cry themselves to sleep at night. No child should have such parents. I swear, if I ever have children I would never let them go through what I had gone through, I would give them all the love and care in the world. It would be a failure as a parent to be the cause of their sadness.

Another thing, many children who are open minded at such a young age don't want to have such a boring and monotonous routine like what Johnny had mentioned. To be honest, that is much scarier than anything. I am glad to see how you portray that thought, I honestly got chills when thinking about it. The last sentence oh my god I am so happy he found someone like that for him.

Somehow the way Mark tried to smoke seems like a metaphor of something but I didn't quite catch it xd.
Lost_Pharaoh
#9
Chapter 1: Also I bet the one getting bullied might be Mark XD. Woah oh my! Oh my! This Johnny seemed to be quite ferocious. It scared me but at the same time, he looked quite hot like that. The way you described his action was already foreshadowing his hot and angry demeanor. That was a perfect illustration, nice job author.

Along the way, bullies are always the worst. I feel so bad for that poor kid. I can see what Johnny is trying to do but still, he doesn't need to be so damn rude like that. That was such an interesting manner the way that they meet. Omg are you seriously kidding me? That must be fate due to how they keep meeting like that. Moreover, these bullies need to seriously stop this . I hope karma bite their hard.

Okay I adore how Mark called himself son of a in that manner. Also I mean why would you even bully Mark. I wouldn't even dare to hit him even with a flower, that’s how precious of a boy he is to me. I mean, in all honesty, hanging around with someone while being comfortable with the quietness and peaceful atmosphere that surrounded is quite nice and that can show how much you feel comfortable and trust the person. Once again, you are amazing at such portrayal author.