The streets of Seoul had settled into that quiet hour of evening. A cool breeze drifted through the neon-lit avenues, carrying the scent of rain-soaked pavement, convenience store coffee, and late-night ramen. The glow of countless signs reflected across the glass windows, painting the sidewalks in washes of pink, blue, and white as passing cars disappeared into the endless current of Seoul. Inside the small convenience store in Gangnam, the fluorescent lights hummed softly overhead, a stark contrast to the city’s glittering skyline beyond the windows.