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Ian's plane touched down on the bustling tarmac of Incheon International Airport, marking his long-awaited arrival in Korea.
As he stepped off the aircraft, he could immediately sense the vibrant energy that permeated the air. The sound of excited chatter in a language he was still unfamiliar with surrounded him, adding to the sense of intrigue that filled his heart.
With wide eyes and a heart full of anticipation, Ian made his way through the airport, passing by travellers from all walks of life.
"Korea must be as beautiful as how people show it to be," Ian heard someone say while walking through the aisle towards the exit of the airport.
The vibrant colours and traditional attire worn by some caught his attention, hinting at the rich cultural tapestry that awaited him in this new land.
But more than that, he wanted to talk to Mark Hamill and bring him back to Los Angeles when the time was right.
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As he ventured into the city, Ian found himself immersed in the sights and sounds of Korean culture.
And he had an entire week before his meeting was scheduled with Mark. Thus, in the cover of meeting Mark, Ian got his chance to explore Korea.
The bustling streets were lined with vibrant shops and market stalls, each offering a tantalising array of traditional delicacies and colourful trinkets.
The aroma of sizzling street food wafted through the air, teasing his senses and enticing him to indulge in the culinary wonders of this captivating country.
Ian couldn't help but notice the deep-rooted respect for tradition that seemed to permeate every aspect of Korean life.
From the graceful bows exchanged between locals to the meticulously crafted hanbok garments proudly worn on special occasions, the reverence for heritage was palpable.
He marvelled at the seamless blend of old and new, as ancient palaces stood tall amidst the towering skyscrapers of the modern cityscape.
The harmonious coexistence of tradition and innovation was a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the Korean people.
Ian soon discovered the warmth and hospitality of the locals, who welcomed him with open arms and kind smiles. Their genuine curiosity and eagerness to share their culture made him feel instantly at home, despite being in a foreign land.
As he immersed himself in Korean culture, Ian realised that beneath the surface of this dynamic nation lay a profound sense of community and togetherness.
From the lively street festivals where people danced to the rhythm of traditional music, to the tranquil temples where prayers were offered in quiet contemplation, the spirit of unity and connectedness was ever-present.
With each passing day, Ian's appreciation for Korea grew, as did his desire to honour and embrace its rich cultural heritage.
His translator, Ji-Hyun looked at him as he curiously looked at the art that was in a local gallery.
He hadn't realised how long the history of Koreans went.
"This truly is something to look at, isn't it?" Ian asked as he looked at one after another.
Ji-Hyun nodded.
"Yes, sir. I can already say how invested you are in the culture for the past five days. Look at that one painting, it says a woman in the sun."
Ian looked at what Hyun showed.
Needless to say, he found what Hyun saw in it.
"Can we purchase it?" Ian questioned, wanting to take back a souvenir.
Hyun gave a knowing smile and showed him towards the counter.
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Two days later, Ian and Hyun were in the lobby, waiting for his appointment with Mark Hamill.
"Can you ask how long it will take? It's already been thirty minutes," Ian said as he sat longer than he needed to.
Hyun quickly nodded and walked up to the reception.
"Makkeu Haemil-eul mannagi-kkaji eolmana geollilkkayo?"
The woman in front of him looked at him and checked the coordinates. "Gidarige haeseo joesonghamnida. Hajiman geuneun ije eonjedeun dochakhal geosimnida. Seutyudioe ttareumyeon geuneun seutyudioreul nawassdago hamnida."
Ian looked Hyun's way and recognized the nod of 'he-will-be-here-soon.'
He was more than thrilled to meet Mark Hamill as he knew that his opportunity for him could basically make his career for the rest of his life.
And more than that, the long time he had awaited ever since meeting him for the first time was here.
Hyun took the seat beside Ian.
"He should be here any mo-"
Before Hyun could complete his sentence, Mark Hamill walked in with his glory.
"Mr. Renner-"
Mark's voice came out surprised.
And he was surprised. The surprise was due to how Ian wanted to keep the entire visit anonymous—he used Hyun's name for all the bookings.
"Mark, how good to see you again," Ian stood up immediately and walked towards Mark.
"How have you been, and why are you- Mr. Renner, you took me completely by surprise," Mark said as he shook Ian's hand.
Ian nodded. "I have been good. Thanks, how about you? You're into voice acting now?" he questioned.
The question was in Ian's mind ever since he found out that Mark Hamill was doing a gig in Korea in voice acting. It was for a famous studio. Considering they wanted the voice and a character of a famous character in their series who was also an American, they had presented it to Mark.
The rumours were that Mark accepted it without a second thought.
Ian contemplated and questioned why Mark would do something like that. Was his career not going well, or was it any other problem? Or was it simply about how good the opportunity was?
"Well, Ian. The opportunity was something I thought would never come to me, and more than that, I had some things that I wanted to run away from," Mark said and smiled.
Ian knew that he was having trouble with something.
"Would you mind if we take it to my place?" Ian asked.
Mark shrugged. "Sure, ugh. Why did you come all the way in search of me?" he asked, feeding his curiosity.
"I might also have something that you wouldn't want to run away from," Ian confidently said and looked at Mark with determined eyes.
Mark couldn't help the smile that crept onto his face.
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