nightlife in seoul: unhinged serenity

solo travel diaries about connections with vampires and soul-seekers, the courage it takes to be seen, and the story of the strangers who gave me a new name.

Hello everyone, this time this article introduces past solo travel stories. It's part of the more lengthy and personal experiences articles. You can read this one entirely for free by activating a 7-day trial.

March 2023.
Seoul always has a weird effect on me.
The first time I went there, I was working as a model and had been committed to not drinking any alcohol for a few years already. But then, I landed in Seoul for my birthday, and my principles regarding alcohol disappeared instantly. I acted out of character. I saw something new emerging from within. Some cities awaken something in us: I was suddenly chaotic and carefree. It was three years ago, and yet, this time, the feeling was the same.

I went abroad 
alone once again
and this time 
in all the madness of this hectic life.
it felt like I discovered a new me

I am not suited for nightlife:
I handle it too well.

First night in Seoul.
It's Thursday, midnight. The club is empty.
Lights reflecting on the disco ball, me obsessing over the red lights behind the door. I’m dancing aimlessly.

I’m getting to know a new friend. I feel like we’ve known each other for a long time, maybe from a past life. Since I moved abroad, this “deja-vu” effect happens a lot when meeting new people. Leaving the club, we ran into a friend of this very new friend, at 1 a.m. somewhere on the street. We entered a 24/7 open restaurant, meeting three Frenchies and a model. I could tell before she said it. She had this aura, a kind of overbearing yet uncertain confidence about them. Trying to look for signs in our gaze. A performance only exists if someone's watching. They always do that, unconsciously. I always see it.

We’re not ordering anything. leaving the place. entering another club. going downstairs. red lights again. darkness. loud music. someone staring at us at the bar. At that exact moment, I thought I was surrounded by vampires, and maybe I was. What hadn't occurred to me was the fact that I could actually be one of them. I just didn't know it yet.

4:30 am. Going home.
”when in Rome, do as Romans do.”
I see. This is how it’s gonna be then.