Three years abroad, the thing I miss the most is the smells

Anonymous · 2026-03-30T02:46:52+00:00

I've been out of Korea for more than three years now, and at first I thought I was just homesick because I was so caught up in the sophisticated cityscapes and new foods, but it hit me in the most unexpected places.The other day I was walking down the street and I caught a very familiar smell. It was like the smell of a slightly dank subway station, or the smell of dirt just before it rains.Suddenly, the alleyway in front of my house in Korea was replaying in my head... and my nose wrinkled.It's

It’s already been over three years since I left Korea. At first, I was so distracted by the sophisticated cityscapes and new foods that I thought homesickness was something that only happened to other people. But then, I broke down in the most unexpected place.

The other day, as I was walking down the street, I caught a very familiar scent coming from somewhere. It was a mix of the slightly musty smell of a subway station and the earthy scent of soil right before it rains. In that moment, the alleyway in front of my house back in Korea suddenly unfolded in my mind... and it really tugged at my heartstrings.

Isn't it funny? I find myself missing the smells of ordinary, everyday life more than the glamorous landmarks or popular restaurants. The people here are friendly and the scenery is beautiful, but sometimes I miss the humid summer night air from back home—when I used to drink canned beer with a friend in front of a Korean convenience store—so deeply it hurts. Is there anyone else out there like me? ✈️

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