The Quiet Loneliness of Cities
There is a certain kind of loneliness that only appears in large cities at night. Not the dramatic loneliness of movies or novels, but something quieter and more difficult to explain. A feeling that settles over you while walking home beneath neon lights after the coffee shops begin closing and the last tired commuters disappear into subway stations. I have felt that loneliness many times in Korea over the years, especially during long walks through the city after spending hours writing alone. Yet strangely enough, I have also found comfort in those same moments. One of the first things I noticed after coming to Korea was how alive the cities remained late into the night. In America, many towns seemed to shut down early. Streets emptied. Stores closed. Darkness settled over everything. But in Korea, there was always movement somewhere. Convenience stores glowing at midnight. Restaurants still filled with conversation. Buses rumbling through wet streets. Students studying late in c...
