23. My Car Era

Initially, father started the farm with 300 chicken and bee hives. He decided to expand his chicken farm. He sold ‘slab’ house and the farm in Gu Pa Bal, and bought larger piece of land in Byeok Je. He built a house and large warehouses across the street for chicken farm. Byeok Je, then, was countryside and there were fields and farms around.

 

There was Korean military base not far from our place. We could hear military songs every morning and evening. In 60-70’s, national security was the priority of the nation. The main road to Seoul was called “Unification Road.” There were man-made overpasses filled with explosives on main roads. In case the war broke out, they would blow them up and the debris would stall the enemy tanks to advance. We often heard military vehicles and tanks moving at night. North Korea often sent small armed military troops to attacked facilities. 

 

Father survived two wars, Pacific War and Korean War, and knew the misery of the war. He wanted to move his family to the safety and decided to move to the United States. He often said he had two reasons; (1) I, with the disability, would not have any chance of a decent life in Korea, and (2) he did not want my brother to serve required military service for Korean army. 

 

It was not easy for my brother and sisters to go to schools in Seoul from Byeok Je. They had to take two buses. 

 

Running a large-scale chicken farm was not easy. At the news of poultry disease in the area, they had to vaccinate the chicken quickly. Sometimes, my parents spent the whole night with the workers. Prices of chicken and eggs often moved up and down. 

 

In 70’s, rich Koreans had their own cars and enjoyed driving to the suburbs. Further in the road from our house, there was a restaurant called “Always Spring Farm,” and they were doing well. 

 

Father built a building facing the road and opened a café. He sold pastries bought from the bakery, coffee, and teas on week-ends. Soon, he added chicken porridge mother made on the menu. He saw the potential of the eatery. He opened Korean BBQ house, “Byeok Je Kal Bi,” and closed his chicken farm.

 

Our house became rooms for the restaurant, and he built a separate building with 3 bedrooms and a bathroom for us to live. 

 

He wanted to offer over-night lodging similar to the rental cabin popular in Korea now. Some customers inquired about spending the night. My mother objected to this idea. These couples coming in the cars seemed to have affairs. Mother thought that was immoral and not good for the kids, us. 

 

If mother allowed father to expand his business idea of the lodging, they would have made lots of money. Father could have bought more land and built more cabins or even condos. 

 

Byeok Je Kal Bi was located on large parcel of land. There were green lawn, trees, and flowers. Several TV stations came and filmed there. They made music videos and filmed TV dramas. 

 

Father’s cousins often came and brought street rumors. President Park was a womanizer and female singers and actresses were brought to his residence. A lady was killed by her brother. She was known to be a mistress of the prime minister, but she was actually President’s woman. Decades later, it was proven she was the prime minister's mistress. 

 

Opposing politician, Dae Jung Kim, once came to Byeok Je Kal Bi. Twenty some years later, he finally became the President. Father said Korean CIA came and talked to him several time after Kim’s visit. They wanted to know what they discussed.