"The Transformation of Brad Thompson: From Small Town Boy to Korean Salon Owner"

1. Brad Thompson, a 12-year-old boy, had just moved to a new town in the late 2010s, specifically 2018.
2. He was born on May 5, 2006.
3. At 4 feet, 9 inches tall, he was a bit below average for his age.
4. Brad weighed 80 pounds, giving him a skinny frame.
5. His brown mop of hair often fell into his blue eyes, and he had to constantly sweep it aside.
6. Being white and hailing from Kansas, Brad felt out of place in this new state.
7. Brad's young mother, Sarah Thompson, was only 25 years old.
8. Born on December 21, 1993, she had Brad when she was just 13.
9. Sarah stood at 5 feet, 5 inches, a bit taller than her son.
10. She weighed 120 pounds.
11. Her shoulder-length blonde hair was always neatly pinned up, and her green eyes always had a tired, yet nurturing look.
12. With her angular cheeks and a heart-shaped face, it wasn't hard to tell she was Brad's mother.
13. Today was a special day for Brad. He was going to the salon alone for the first time.
14. His mother had given him permission, partially because he begged her, and partially because she wanted to finish her errands.
15. Brad was excited but nervous because he wanted to impress a girl named Lisa Parker.
16. Lisa, like Brad, was 12 years old but younger due to her birthday.
17. She was born on November 30, 2006.
18. She stood at 4 feet, 8 inches tall, making her slightly shorter than Brad.
19. Lisa's slender frame weighed around 75 pounds.
20. Her long chestnut hair flowed like a river and framed her bright hazel eyes.
21. Brad couldn't stop thinking about her ever since he saw her at the school library.
22. He wanted to look good for her, so he decided a professional haircut would be just the thing.
23. Brad walked to the nearest salon, “Kim’s Kuts,” an establishment he had never been to before.
24. His mother had told him that the woman who ran the place was a little old but very kind.
25. As Brad pushed the door open, the bells above jingled lightly.
26. The salon was empty except for a lone Korean woman busying herself with sweeping the floor.
27. Her name was Min-Ji Kim, and she was 55 years old.
28. Born on March 12, 1963, she had lived through decades of changes.
29. Though she was 55, Min-Ji stood at a diminutive 4 feet, 6 inches tall.
30. Her weight was around 95 pounds, giving her a petite stature.
31. She had short, dark hair styled in a bobo haircut, a popular look among older Korean women.
32. Her piercing black eyes noticed Brad as he entered.
33. Min-Ji was wearing a short blouse with an intricate floral pattern, accompanied by a knee-length A-line skirt that matched perfectly.
34. Her platform sandals added a couple of inches to her height, but she still remained shorter than Brad.
35. Her nails were painted a soft lavender, giving her a delicate appearance.
36. Min-Ji wore several pieces of jewelry, each with a story of its own.
37. 1. A wedding ring (1990) given by her late husband on their wedding day.
38. 2. A delicate anklet (1993) bought during a trip to Jeju Island.
39. 3. A jade bracelet (2001) from her sister for her recovery after a hospital stay.
40. 4. A pair of pearl earrings (1998) gifted by her mother on her birthday.
41. 5. A gold locket (2005) with pictures of her children, gifted by her son.
42. 6. A silver ring (2010) she bought for herself after opening the salon.
43. 7. A garnet brooch (2012) found at a flea market, which she admired for its vintage charm.
44. 8. A set of bangles (2015) from her daughter for Mother’s Day.
45. 9. An ornate hairpin (2017), a Christmas gift from a close friend.
46. 10. A sapphire pendant (2018) that she received from a loyal customer as a thank-you gift.
47. Min-Ji glanced up and smiled warmly at Brad.
48. "You wait, I go get somesing for haircut," she said in very broken English, before thumping out of the room.
49. The room grew silent, and Brad found himself alone.
50. He began to feel antsy, deciding he needed to pee before his haircut.
51. Kicking off his shoes and socks under the chair, Brad glanced down the hallway.
52. He held his head high, imagining Lisa's radiant smile as he walked to the restroom.
53. That’s when he tripped, sending him sprawling onto the floor.
54. Disoriented, Brad looked down and to his surprise, found himself wearing Min-Ji’s platform sandals.
55. He had no intention of wearing these bulky, uncomfortable, and girly shoes.
56. With a disgusted sigh, he kicked them off forcefully.
57. Suddenly, an unsettling sensation gripped his feet.
58. He stared in horror as his feet began to crack, the skin aging and changing tone.
59. Nail polish appeared on his toes, matching Min-Ji’s lavender.
60. "Mommy!" he cried out in panic, "I don't wanna be a girl!"
61. It didn't matter how loudly he screamed; the transformation continued.
62. His hair shortened and turned dark, adopting the same bobo style Min-Ji had.
63. His skin tone shifted, taking on an age-worn appearance.
64. His height shrank until he was the same height as Min-Ji.
65. His voice changed, higher-pitched and accented.
66. Language skills shifted, as he began to lose his natural English.
67. Memories of being Brad began to fade until only Min-Ji’s life experiences remained.
68. He grabbed the short dark hair, squeezed his eyes shut, crying in Korean, "나 무서워, 엄마가 보고 싶어요!" (I'm scared and I want mommy).
69. The boy who was Brad opened her eyes, now wholly Min-Ji Kim.
70. Min-Ji looked around her salon, taking a deep breath and smiling.
71. "I live in Seoul, from many year ago," she said in very broken English.
72. "I grow up with big family, all very nice."
73. "I like eat kimchi-jjigae," she continued, mispronouncing her words.
74. "My country have beautiful place called Jeju, very nice."
75. "I have many friend, we go to tea house every Sunday."
76. "Seoul have beautiful palace, Gyeongbokgung, very old."
77. "I learn cut hair from my mother, she very good at it."
78. "I marry my husband in spring, cherry blossom everywhere."
79. "We have two children, son and daughter, both very smart."
80. "In Korea, celebration very big, Chuseok, like Thanksgiving."
81. "New Year in Korea very special, traditional clothes worn."
82. "I love music from K-pop, very young and lively."
83. "My family always support me, even when I move here."
84. "I miss my home sometimes, but this place very good too."
85. "I make many new friends, customers very kind."
86. "I keep myself busy, work very important."
87. "I always remember my husband, he very special to me."
88. "Cooking always my hobby, it relax me."
89. "I thankful for my life, even the hard time."
90. She decided that today, she'd clean the counter.
91. As she was reaching for the cleaning supplies, she noticed they were too high up for her to reach.
92. "Aigoo, I too short," she laughed in broken English.
93. She decided to put on her jewelry, a daily ritual that made her feel complete.
94. She started with her wedding ring, feeling the smooth metal as she slid it onto her finger.
95. Next, she put on her delicate anklet, feeling a nostalgic tug at her heart.
96. The jade bracelet came next, its cool surface soothing her skin.
97. She placed the pearl earrings in her earlobes carefully.
98. She fastened the gold locket around her neck, the pictures inside always a comfort.
99. The silver ring followed, a reminder of her achievement in opening the salon.
100. The garnet brooch was fixed onto her blouse, adding a touch of elegance.
101. She bunched a pair of bangles around her wrist, their jingling sound harmonious.
102. Her ornate hairpin was placed carefully into her hair.
103. Finally, she fastened her sapphire pendant around her neck.
104. Moving with grace, Min-Ji picked up her platform sandals.
105. She walked over to a chair and sat down.
106. She began putting on the first sandal.
107. First, she laid the sandal flat on the floor.
108. She then slipped her foot into it, aligning her toes perfectly.
109. Using one hand, she held the strap in place.
110. With her other hand, she pulled the strap over her heel.
111. She adjusted the buckle, making sure it was comfortably tight.
112. After a small wiggle, she felt the fit was right.
113. She stood up to test the first sandal, and it felt perfect.
114. Now, she began putting on the second sandal.
115. She laid the sandal flat just as she did with the first.
116. Hesitantly, she slipped her foot into the sandal.
117. Again, she aligned her toes with the sandal’s base.
118. Using one hand, she held the strap.
119. She tried pulling the strap over her heel but struggled.
120. Taking a deep breath, she adjusted her position.
121. She tried again, pulling the strap a bit harder.
122. This time, the strap slipped a bit more easily.
123. She adjusted the placement of her foot inside.
124. Using two hands now, she tugged the strap.
125. She managed to pull the strap into place.
126. She buckled the strap, feeling a bit more comfortable this time.
127. Again, she wiggled her foot, making sure the fit was snug.
128. She did a quick walk in the sandal to test its fit.
129. Satisfied, she stood back up.
130. With her sandals firmly in place, she went to grab the item she needed.
131. Now that she could reach, she grabbed it with ease.
132. Back in the main salon area, she continued cleaning, her past life as Brad fading into oblivion.
133. Just then, a female customer walked in.
134. Min-Ji quickly swept up, her movements swift and efficient.
135. She speed-walked over to the customer and greeted her warmly.
136. "Annyeonghaseyo, what you want with hair today?" she asked in her broken English with an accent.
137. The customer smiled, feeling welcomed despite the language barrier.
138. The customer explained that she wanted a medium-length cut with soft layers.
139. Min-Ji listened attentively, nodding in understanding.
140. She led the customer to a chair.
141. Gently, she placed a cape around the customer’s shoulders.
142. Min-Ji picked up her scissors, expertly positioning them.
143. As she began the haircut, her movements were fluid and precise.
144. She sectioned the hair with deft fingers, ensuring even layers.
145. Each snip of the scissors fell in melodic rhythm.
146. The customer glanced at her reflection, satisfied with each progressing change.
147. Min-Ji trimmed the ends with care, making sure everything was even.
148. She took a step back, evaluating her work with a critical eye.
149. Satisfied, she grabbed a hairdryer to give the hairstyle one final perfect touch.
150. She dried and styled the hair with practiced expertise, adding volume and shine.
151. As the session came to an end, she removed the cape with a flourish.
152. The customer got up and checked her appearance in the mirror, beaming with happiness.
153. "Thank you, Min-Ji. It looks wonderful," the customer said, tipping generously.
154. Min-Ji bowed gratefully, her heart warming at the compliment.
155. "Kamsahamnida. Come again," she said cheerfully in her broken English.
156. As the customer left, Min-Ji felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
157. She looked around her clean, orderly salon, pride swelling in her chest.
158. Thoughts of Brad never even crossed her mind; she was solely Min-Ji Kim.
159. As the doorbell jingled again, signaling another customer, Min-Ji readied herself.
160. With a deep breath and a genuine smile, she continued her day, running her cherished salon.

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