For the past week, the temperature’s been gentle. The sun’s out but never too harsh, and there’s a soft breeze even during the day. It makes you want to slow down, take your time walking, maybe even skip the subway and just wander a little longer.

I went to the Han River yesterday evening without much of a plan — just wanted to sit somewhere quiet. The sky hadn’t gone completely dark yet, but people were already spreading out picnic mats, chatting, listening to music, and of course… eating fried chicken. Some were jogging past, others cruising by on skateboards. The wind kept brushing over the water, making tiny ripples that felt like summer was breathing softly.

I grabbed an iced Americano and sat on the steps, sipping slowly and doing absolutely nothing — and it felt like the most luxurious thing. No intense heat, no rushing, no pressure. Just a quiet little pocket of peace that felt like it didn’t belong to any schedule.

If you go, I really recommend ordering some fried chicken and beer while you’re at the river. Sitting in the breeze, biting into hot crispy chicken and washing it down with a cold drink… it reminds you that life doesn’t have to be perfect to feel really, really good.

Summer in Seoul can be sudden and intense, but before it gets there, I want to make the most of days like this — soft, calm, and quietly happy.