DATE NO. 7
NAME: Yoon Bumsoo
INTERESTS:
Gymnastics, Physics, Veganism
Parent Occupations:
Korean Astronomy and Space Institute
researcher; Museum curator
BumsOO: Sorry, I usually don’t do this but I have to send this back.
Jisu: Oh, no! What’s wrong with your mac and cheese? Did they not substitute with vegan cheese?
BumsOO: No, they managed to do that. It’s just my food is cold.
Jisu: At least that’s an easy fix. They can reheat it!
BumsOO: You know what they do when you just ask them to reheat it, right? They stick it in the microwave for thirty seconds and wait a bit so you think they properly popped it in the oven or something.
BumsOO: Excuse me. Sir. No, everything’s great. The cashew nut cheese looks like it’d taste great, but my food is cold. Do you see how the cheese has congealed here? And there? I can’t eat this, man. Can I get fresh new plate, please? Hot out of the oven? I don’t want this same plate reheated.
Jisu: So...how long have you been vegan?
BumsOO: Veganism is just something I’ve been trying for the last six months. I consider myself more of a food purist than a vegan.
Jisu: A what?
BumsOO: A food purist.
Jisu: What’s the difference? Veganism seems pretty altruistic in and of itself. I mean, I could never do it, but—
BumsOO: I know vegans who abide by all the rules and don’t eat meat or dairy, but they’re constantly snacking on all this fake sugar, sour candy nonsense.
Jisu: That sounds amazing. Maybe I should become a bad vegan!
BumsOO: It’s not something to joke about. Those vegans are better off reintroducing meat into their system—at least then they’d get some proper protein.
Jisu: Wow, so you’re really into health and diet.
BumsOO: Ever since I started gymnastics as a kid. They go hand in hand.
Jisu: I played softball and volleyball all the way through middle school, but those sports feel like child’s play compared to gymnastics.
BumsOO: I mean, all sports require a certain drive and focus that, let’s be honest, most kids just don’t have or care about.
Jisu: True! It’s a miracle my parents came to all of my games. I can’t imagine how boring it must be.
BumsOO: Which positions did you play?
Jisu: Outfielder in softball, which meant I was never paying any attention to the game. And in volleyball, I was the setter, because what I lack in height, I made up for by getting the ball way up for the strikers. And you? I don’t think I even know the basic terminology for gymnastics.
BumsOO: I still participate, actually. And I do a bit of everything. There’s the floor, the rings, the vault, which is my favorite, the pommel horse—I’m boring you with all my gymnastics talk, aren’t I?
Jisu: Hmm? What, no! Please continue.
BumsOO: Nah, I could see your eyes glaze over. I don’t blame you though. Unless you’re actually competing or tuning in to the Olympics every four years, it’s not that interesting unless you’re actually doing it.
Jisu: To be honest, sports in general aren’t really my thing.
BumsOO: Says the girl who’s participated in not one, but two sports!
Jisu: I know, I know. But it’s not like I was ever any good or super passionate about them. I feel like half the sports or extracurricular activities we all do aren’t even genuine interests. We’re all just forcing ourselves to do everything in the hopes that we can seem a little bit interesting on our college applications.
BumsOO: Finally! Here comes my food. Thank you, sir. Can you hang back while I try a bite? Hmm. Yeah, no, that’s way too salty. Did the chef get upset because I wanted a new batch? Because it’s just too salty now. It tastes deliberately oversalted.
Jisu: Bumsoo, I’m sure it’s fine. It can’t be that bad, right?
BumsOO: Have a bite and tell me yourself. You can’t expect anyone to actually eat this heap of sodium.
Jisu: It’s really not bad! Also, it’s nice and warm like you asked.
BumsOO: No, I’d like to send this back please. And can you just bring over a cup of green tea? That should be simple enough.
Jisu: Bumsoo! I think they really tried their best.
BumsOO: I’m sorry I brought us here. The service used to be so much better—
Jisu: Dude, it’s just mac and cheese.
BumsOO: What?
Jisu: It’s just noodles and cheese—and they had the fancy fake cheese you wanted. It tasted great, which I know because I literally tried it. I don’t see why you had to make such a big deal.
BumsOO: Let me guess. You think I’m super picky and obnoxious because I’m vegan.
Jisu: Not at all. I have friends who are vegan and would love this place. I think you’re just rude.
BumsOO: Excuse me? I think you’re the one being rude.
Jisu: No, I’m being honest.
BumsOO: You know, I’ve been on a bunch of these seons and I’ve never met anyone as disrespectful as you.
Jisu: Disrespectful! You’re one to talk about disrespect.
BumsOO: I’m not going to stand for this. I’m leaving.
Jisu: Go ahead. I’m going to wait for the check and make sure to tip generously.
BumsOO: I can’t believe this.
Jisu: What are you still doing here? Bye!