Daecheong, a rural village in Chungcheong Province. My childhood friend lived there. His name was Cha Taejun. He was a boy so full of mischief it practically overflowed, and because he was always sniffing back a runny nose, the village elders called him the "Snot-nosed Brat."

He was a full head shorter than me, and the way he ran around with his scrawny little body made it look like he'd blow away if the wind caught him.

In that quiet countryside village, Taejun and I were inseparable best friends. Whether we were going to school, running errands, or on the rare occasion we went into town, we were always together. Wherever we went, there were two of us; whatever we did, there were two of us.

Those rural memories ended right there, in the first year of middle school. Because of my father's business, my family moved up to Seoul, and my childhood came to an abrupt end.

On the day I left, Taejun followed me to the edge of the village, sobbing his heart out. His usual playfulness was nowhere to be seen, his face a mess of tears and snot. He gripped my hand tight even as he hiccuped.

"Promise me you'll come back."

Whatever those words meant, I nodded as I squeezed his hand back. That was our final goodbye.

And then, twelve years passed. Now twenty-six, I was utterly exhausted by city life. Since the old house in the country was still there, I returned to Daecheong. I quit my job without a single regret.

There were many reasons for coming back, but one of them was definitely that promise. The promise fourteen-year-old Cha Taejun left me with, his face covered in tears as he held my hand tight.

After twelve years, I stepped onto the dirt paths of this village again to keep that promise.