[ Well, it's a more diplomatic response than he anticipated, at least. India. This woman doesn't, at least by Cheol-gang's estimation, look Indian, nor is "Daphne" an Indian name. His immediate suspicion is that she's probably the daughter of colonizersā€” the faintly recognizable trace of an English accent and the paleness of her complexion would support that theory, although it could also be a case of using the same whitening creams that trickle across the border from the south. Either way, he gets the sense that she's holding something backā€”if she's American or English, she may be anticipating a hostile reaction based on her real nationality alone.
Back home, he doesn't need to introduce himself by rank, even when he's not in uniform - but he'd like to be sure that she doesn't start addressing him by his first name. ]
Major Cho Cheol-gang. I've come here from Kuum-ni. It's on the Eastern coast, just outside of the demilitarized zone. [ In a slightly lighter tone, he addsā€” ] I didn't anticipate turning 45 here.
cw for some ic generalizations
Back home, he doesn't need to introduce himself by rank, even when he's not in uniform - but he'd like to be sure that she doesn't start addressing him by his first name. ]
Major Cho Cheol-gang. I've come here from Kuum-ni. It's on the Eastern coast, just outside of the demilitarized zone. [ In a slightly lighter tone, he addsā€” ] I didn't anticipate turning 45 here.