In modern society, the moments of complete disconnection from the internet are likely when Wi-Fi fails, inside an elevator, or while boarding a flight. Among these, the time spent traveling by plane represents the longest period of disconnection. Even though recent advances in communication technology have made in-flight internet possible, for me, this time remains the most inconvenient yet, paradoxically, the most liberating. Especially the 10-hour-plus long-haul flight between Incheon and San Francisco felt like a precious gift, allowing me to calmly organize recent events and reflect inwardly. Returning to Silicon Valley in July 2022, having first visited with entrepreneurs in January 2016, brought profoundly fresh emotions. While the COVID-19 pandemic certainly limited overseas travel, what made this trip especially meaningful for me was being able to depart in good health, with everything restored. It was a journey filled with joy, not a trip burdened by performance pressure to report back to headquarters, but a lighthearted journey to attend Agora’s All-Hands Meeting.

This trip allowed me to meet Agora colleagues in person whom I’d only collaborated with online for the past year and a half. Visiting client companies while communicating solely through video calls finally felt consolidated through face-to-face interaction. It was like scattered puzzle pieces fitting together, and I sensed our relationship evolving beyond work into a human bond. It was a great pleasure discovering each person’s unique aura, personality, and human charm – qualities impossible to grasp through video calls or emails. Amusingly, we were also surprised to see our colleagues’ actual builds and heights, which were hard to gauge on video screens. One female colleague I frequently spoke with felt like a close junior colleague, despite being over ten years younger. The co-founder, though petite, was remarkably confident and charismatic.

After the official schedule, I reunited with key figures in Silicon Valley. I met with venture capitalists and founders to announce my return to the IT industry, sharing my personal business experiences and development process while naturally catching up on industry trends. I strengthened connections by hiking in Rancho San Antonio Park in Los Altos and visiting stunning mansions in Emerald Hills. I also visited a futsal field where the daughter of an LA-based side dish delivery startup founder was playing. Listening to his past struggles, I cautiously shared my own experiences. I was reminded that even socially successful individuals face worries and difficulties no different from anyone else. Conversations during hikes with a prominent investor couple also stand out. They shared vivid local social realities, from discrimination against Asian Americans to worsening homelessness and drug addiction in San Francisco despite massive financial investments.

On the day of my return, I belatedly learned I needed a negative COVID test result to board, leading to a minor incident where I was denied boarding at the airport. Though flustered, this meant I could stay an extra night at the home of an Onnuri Church deacon and attend Sunday worship. Reuniting with fellow believers after years apart, we greeted each other warmly as if we’d seen each other yesterday, feeling the close-knit bond of family. Though the church had moved locations twice and the congregation had dwindled somewhat, to me it still felt like a warm hometown. Especially meeting the brothers and sisters with whom I had shared meals and prayers weekly for over a year was the greatest gift this trip gave me.

As I jot down memories of driving along Highway 280 at sunset, I reflect on the pastor’s Sunday sermon about ‘Chronos’ and ‘Kairos’ time. Beyond the mere passage of physical time (Chronos), I have carefully stored the memories of this visit to America in the drawer of God’s time (Kairos), time imbued with eternal meaning.