Ignite the Soul Chapter 03 (Early Preview) (Patreon)

Updated 8/17/25

Chapter 03: First Impressions

The perks of being in one of the most popular K-pop groups in the world included a black SUV with tinted windows parked just outside the terminal. They could have hired a chauffeur, but driving themselves was more liberating, and it meant fewer eyes watching when they didn’t want them.

The SUV wasn’t anything flashy compared to the Fenton Assault Vehicle back home, which suited Danny and Jazz just fine. 

Jazz claimed the front passenger seat without hesitation, wanting a clear view of the city.

After loading everything in without trouble, Danny was about to take a window seat in the back when Zoey patted the space beside her. Mira was already sliding in from the opposite side, which left him in the middle.

Once Rumi pulled out of the airport parking structure, they eased into the highway with the rest of Seoul's traffic. Skyscrapers and neon signs flashed past, mingled with the smell of street food drifting through vents from vendors below.

Mira nudged him with an amused grin. “Hope you’re ready for the authentic Korean Experience. YouTube videos don’t count.”

Danny smiled. “Guess I’ll find out. Though I doubt anything online could beat the actual thing.”

Zoey pulled up her notes on her phone. “I’ve already got a list of things for us to do. You don’t have to be anywhere important right away, do you?”

“What time’s hotel check-in?” Rumi asked, eyes on the road.

Jazz tapped at her phone. “Not until tonight. No rush.”

“Perfect,” Rumi said. “Then you’re getting a proper welcome tour.”

Danny leaned forward. “If you’re serious, we’re definitely up for it. Just hope we’re not keeping you from anything.”

Mira rolled her eyes. “We’re on break right now. We don’t have to worry about anything except maybe some PR stuff.”

Danny grinned. “Alright then. Let’s do this.”

Zoey grinned. "Yes! Finally!"

Mira stretched in her seat. "Let’s hit the easy stuff first. We gotta keep you guys wanting more!"

For the next few hours, Rumi took them to some of the nearby landmarks. Considering that Danny and Jazz hadn’t eaten anything on the plane and just slept the entire time. Huntr/x knew the perfect place for a substitute breakfast. 

Myeong-dong

When they got to Myeong-dong, the sidewalks were packed. Signs advertised all sorts of products. 

Danny immediately noticed Huntrix’s recent album being played at a storefront. Down the block, the air was thick with the scent of street food.

Danny was certainly his father’s son because he was immediately entranced by sizzling meat and deep-fried snacks at the vendor stalls.”I don’t know what to try first. We still have lunch later.” Danny looked around with wide eyes at the number of food carts.

"I can't believe how many people are out this early." Jazz checked her phone. "It's only 8 AM."

Danny's stomach growled audibly. "Sorry. The plane food looked questionable, so we skipped it."

"Good call," Mira said. "Airport food is terrible everywhere, well, except for us because of private chefs and our private jet.” 

Jazz adjusted her glasses and pulled out her phone. "I made a list of traditional Korean street foods we should try."

Rumi laughed and gently pushed Jazz's phone down. "Put that away. You're with locals now."

"Trust us," Mira added with a confident smile. "We'll give you the authentic experience." Zoey watched Danny scan the various stalls, slightly overwhelmed. She remembered how he used to get that same look when new menu items were introduced. "Start with something simple and familiar," 

Rumi was already gravitating toward a cart selling what looked like small round pancakes. "Hotteok! Perfect for sharing." The vendor pressed the dough flat on the griddle and filled it with a mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts. 

Zoey guided him toward the same stall with a griddle. “You have to try this. It’s a classic for a reason.”

The smell alone made Danny's expression brighten. "This smells like a cinnamon roll." On her suggestion, Danny bought a hotteok. The first bite made him close his eyes briefly in appreciation. "Now we're talking," he said, accepting the paper wrapper. 

It was warm and chewy, the inside filled with a sticky brown sugar syrup and crunchy nuts. “Hell, yeah… I don’t want to spoil my appetite, but I could totally binge them like Oreos.” He immediately bought another one, offering a bite to Jazz. "Jazz, you have to try this."

Jazz took a bite of his hotteok and nodded enthusiastically. "Oh wow. Dad would love this. We need to tryout this recipe at home. It doesn’t seem too difficult to make."

Zoey then pointed to a cart with golden-brown items sizzling on a flat griddle. "Now let’s try something different. This is Pajeon. It has scallions."

"Alright," Danny said.

The vendor smiled at their group and began ladling batter onto the griddle. The sizzle of fresh herbs filled the air.

Rumi pointed toward another stall further down the street. "Tteokbokki next. You have to try it."

They came to a stall with large metal pots of bubbling red sauce. The vendor stirred thick rice cakes coated in red sauce.

Danny accepted a cup and took a bite. His face immediately flushed red. "Water," he gasped, fanning his mouth. "Water please."

Mira handed him a bottle while trying to suppress her laughter. "Maybe I should have warned you. It's pretty spicy."

"Pretty spicy?" Danny gulped down half the bottle as he low-key channeled his ice core to his tongue.

Jazz took a more measured approach, sampling a small piece. "The heat builds gradually. What gives it that unique taste?"

"Gochujang," Rumi explained. "Korean red pepper paste. It's in a lot of our food."

Zoey watched Danny with amusement. "You always were a wimp with spicy food."

"I am not," Danny protested, though his watering eyes betrayed him.

They soon stopped at a stall selling long, spiral-cut potatoes on sticks.

"Tornado potatoes. Much better for your American palate," Mira mocked.

Danny rolled his eyes. “Oh, ha ha.”

The vendor handed them each a stick of fried potato, dusted with different seasonings. Danny opted for cheese powder, while Jazz chose the garlic version.

"Now this I can get behind," Danny said between bites. "A really big potato chip."

The pajeon vendor called out that their order was ready. Zoey paid and carried the plate-sized pancake to a small standing table nearby. Steam rose from the golden surface dotted with green scallions.

"Family style," Rumi said, producing chopsticks from seemingly nowhere and breaking off a piece. "Try it while it's hot."

Danny managed the chopsticks better than Zoey expected, though he still held them a bit stiffly. The pajeon disappeared quickly between the five of them, Jazz declaring it "like a hash brown and an omelet."

"That's surprisingly accurate," Mira said, laughing.

They moved through the market slowly, stopping at stalls that caught their attention. Rumi insisted they try bungeoppang, fish-shaped pastries filled with sweet red bean paste, from a cart.

Danny recognized the shape from a few anime he watched. "I always wondered. Why do they make it into fish?" 

"Why not?" Rumi countered.

Danny shrugged and took a bite, and hummed at the taste. "The outside is good. The inside is..."

"An acquired taste," Jazz continued eating hers.

"Red bean paste isn't for everyone," Zoey said.

They ended up getting Korean fried chicken pieces that disappeared almost instantly. 

Mira returned to the group, holding up a plastic bag loaded with packaged snacks. “Honey butter almonds, anyone? Or spicy chips?” she asked, grinning. “Don’t ask how much I spent.”

Well, the bag was the first thing the Fenton children brought home from their trip, unless they ended up eating it all first.

By the time they'd worked their way through most of the market, Danny and Jazz were both looking significantly more awake and energetic despite having eaten relatively small portions.

"Thanks," he said quietly. "For all of this. I know you could have just met us at the hotel."

"Where would be the fun in that?"

As they reached the end of the food stall, Street vendors gave way to glass storefronts displaying the latest Korean fashion trends. Danny noticed the girls' expressions regarding the fashion aspect of the district. ‘Oh, no…’

"This is where the real fun begins." Rumi practically bounced toward a clothing store.

Jazz looked around at the displays with interest. "The styles are so different from what's popular back home."

"That's the point," Mira said. "Korean fashion is like three seasons ahead of everyone else."

Danny seemed less enthusiastic about the shift in activities, but he followed along gamely as Rumi pushed through the doors of the first boutique.

"[Just browsing]," Zoey called to the shop attendant in Korean. "We should try some things on."

"You guys go ahead," Danny said, settling onto a bench near the dressing rooms. "I'll just wait here."

"Same," Jazz agreed, though her eyes kept wandering to a display of handbags.

The three girls scattered immediately. Zoey found herself drawn to a soft pink sweater that, although she didn't need it, would complement her skin tone nicely.

"Zoey, try this." Mira tossed a denim jacket with embroidered flowers along the sleeves.

"Only if you try this." Zoey held up a black dress with an asymmetrical hem.

Rumi had already disappeared into a dressing room with an armful of her own choices of clothing.

Twenty minutes later, they emerged in a variety of outfits. Rumi went first in a lavender cardigan over a white pleated skirt.

"Nice," Danny said automatically as he actually started going through a rack. This was the norm when he went shopping with his mom or Jazz.

"Just nice?" Rumi pouted, spinning to show off the full effect.

This got Danny to look up properly. "Kinda elegant, actually. The color is really good on you."

Jazz nodded. “It really comes together well.”

Rumi beamed and bounced back toward the dressing room, apparently satisfied.

Mira came out next wearing a black dress, which hugged her figure perfectly. "Thoughts?" she asked, striking a pose.

Danny had to stamp out the first few thoughts that popped into his head. Even Jazz wsas caught off guard by it.

Seeing his initial silence brought a grin to Mira’s face. 

“You… will be catching a lot of attention with that.”

“So, you like it?” Her grin grew wider.

Danny coughed into his hand when he felt that he was starting to stare. “I don’t… dislike it.”

Satisfied, Mira laughed before heading back to change. “Whatever you say…”

Then Zoey emerged wearing the pink sweater paired with high-waisted jeans and the embroidered denim jacket. She'd left the jacket open and pushed the sleeves up slightly.

Danny's phone nearly slipped slightly in his hands. "Wow. That's... that suits you."

Zoey felt warmth spread across her cheeks, but tried to play it off. "The jacket's not too much?"

"No, it's great. The whole thing matches."

She caught how Danny held his gaze for a few moments longer than necessary.

The fashion show continued for another round, with each girl trying progressively bolder combinations. The siblings' compliments became more detailed and specific, and Zoey found herself changing clothes just to see Dany’s reaction.

After the third store, the girls insisted on getting Jazz stuff. "This is ridiculous," she protested. "You don't need to buy me anything."

"It's not about need," Mira explained patiently. "We want to buy you things."

"Besides," Zoey added, "consider it belated gifts for all the Christmases and Birthdays I missed."

They'd found Jazz a whole new wardrobe with blazers, high-waisted pants, and several tops.

"Danny, tell your sister she looks amazing," Rumi commanded as Jazz modeled a camel-colored coat.

"She does look good in it," Danny agreed. "Jazz, you should get that coat. The color is really good with your hair."

Jazz turned to check herself in the mirror again. "It is nice..."

"See? Your brother has excellent taste," Zoey said.

"Now it's your turn," Mira announced, focusing on Danny with the intensity of a hunter.