Nintendo DS...

Released in 2004, it's an old gaming console that's over 20 years old now.

When I went to the Philippines, I dusted off this old thing that had been gathering dust in a corner of my house and took it with me.

When my eyes met the DS in the drawer, it was as if it spoke to me like a person: "It's been a while, Master. Has the time finally come when you need me again? If you just wipe off this dust, I can still run perfectly. Can I experience the exciting world of dreams and adventures like back then? I'm so happy. Please don't leave me in the dark drawer anymore." It felt like it was saying that to me.

With tears in my eyes, I promised myself I would never neglect you again, put it in my bag, and went to the Philippines.

The reason I brought it was simple: the restaurant service in the Philippines is incredibly slow. It takes at least 30 minutes to get your food after ordering, so I thought, "What can I do to kill time?" and decided to bring this. It's also small enough to fit in my pocket...

But there was an unexpected problem. The DS is a mega-bestseller, having sold over 100 million units worldwide. Plus, it's an old model that's over 20 years old... Back then, there was a huge craze for the DS in Korea too. But was it not released in the Philippines? Or do they just not know about it at all?

While eating at SM Mall of Asia and killing time after ordering, I turned on my DS and started playing. Suddenly, I felt self-conscious and looked around. About a dozen kids had gathered around me. Unable to bear the pressure, I put the game console back in my bag, lowered my head, and prayed for the kids to disappear.

Another day, while eating at a canteen above a Jollibee, I made eye contact with the restaurant owner's daughter. Remembering the incident at Mall of Asia, I took out my DS and started playing. The daughter soon approached me to watch. Is she not wary?

You know this?

No.

Why are you looking?

Because it's interesting.

This? You've never seen anything like it?

Uh-huh.

I thought, "Maybe it's because it's a poor country..." Just as I was about to get lost in thought, about ten more kids, who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, gathered around to watch. The pressure suddenly mounted, so I quickly finished my meal, fled to Candipulhas, and then I thought:

Is this really such an amazing thing? Can I become popular just by having this? Am I the main character?

I can buy this for 50,000 won on Karrot Market...

Is that 50,000 won price tag too high a barrier for them?

Maybe it's because they're kids... Let's ask the adults too.

The women were also very amazed.

Well... it's a kaleidoscope, and this is the Philippines.