South Korea
“Ysa! Oh my god! Where the hell---“.
Uh oh. I put the phone away from my ears. I’m sure this would be a long scolding from my mother.
“Hehehe. Mom I’ll be fine. I’ll be really quick and I’ll be back in a week.”
“You could have told us beforehand! Your father is worried. He might have chased your flight now if not for an emergency meeting he had just now!”
“Aiya. Mom,just trust me. I’m with Lily and Chandrie anyway. We also have our instructors with us so it’s safe. This would be good for my school records too if I win in the competition. Plus, this is a one-time opportunity to participate since I’m graduating this year.” I pouted.
“Okay,child. But, remember to take care of yourself. It’s cold in South Korea. Have you packed enough clothes? Jackets? Thick clothes?”
“Stop worrying,Ma. I’ve prepared for everything already.”Yes,I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. How can I not be ready.I smiled when I thought of something.
My mom finally said goodbye. Not long after I received a message from her.
'You can check this address. Your aunt lives here and you can ask her if you need anything. I've already contacted her.'
I smiled. Growing up with loving parents, I have always been lucky. Added that I am the youngest in the family, I can’t blame if they worry too much about me. I have two older brothers and both of them are already working. I’m also in my last year in college but my family treats me like a little princess.
Our plane landed smoothly at Seoul International Airport. I looked at the time. It was 8pm KST.
“Sasaaaa. I’m so excited. I can feel it he is so near meeee!” Lily squealed in a lowkey voice. I smiled too.
“Whatever girls. I am so hungry to even think of Sehun right now.”
“Well then, you can go ahead and eat! We’ll go directly to SM Entertainment Building!” Lily declared with passion in her eyes.
I flicked her forehead.“We are here for the competition. Stop dreaming,okay.”
Lily, Chandrie and I are certified kpop fangirls. This is also the reason why we clicked at first. Lily is a fan of Red Velvet and NCT while Chandrie is a loyal Exo-L and Blink.
And I? I’m a multifandom fan but my superior group is Stray Kids from JYP Entertainment and also NCT and Aespa from SM Entertainment.
“Hmm. We’ll be lucky enough if we have some spare time before going home. We could try the coffeeshop at their company building.Maybe we’ll have a chance to see them in person for an autograph!” Chandrie’s eyes widen.
“If not, it’s fine.We are also not lacking in Ads and poster. We can see them everywhere.” I laughed and pointed at a nearby ad poster in the airport hallway. I stopped Lily’s hand before she could go over there.
“Hey, control yourself. We are about to go to the hotel now. We also should prepare for tomorrow.”
Lily just smiled sheepishly and nodded. The car arrived. Since we have 20 people with us we took 4 cars. The university arranged for this trip so we didn’t have to worry for anything.
When we arrived to the hotel,we are all shocked. The university is too generous this time. This is atleast a 3-star hotel! Everyone was in awe of the expensive hotel. We are sitting at the lounge and we can see some korean actors or even kpop idols passing by!
Our instructor went to the front desk.
I was busy with my phone. My mom texted me asking if we have arrived. Suddenly, the instructor called my attention. I went with her to talk with the manager.
“Hello,Miss Mondejar! I’m Mr. Kim Dohyun, the manager of this hotel. I would like to ask if you would occupy the Presidential suite?”
My instructor gasped beside me and I’m also confused. I frowned.
“We are informed of your arrival hours ago and the CEO of Hyatt Hotel asked us to give you the best accomodation.” The manager said with a kind smile.
I smiled awkwardly.“Uhmm. I don’t uhh I think I’m gonna have the same room as them. We all came together for the competition. I think it’s better if I share the room with my friends so we can prepare and practice together.”
The manager insisted and in the end, we end up having the VIP rooms. He even left me a card to personally contact him if we need anything else in the future. The three of us occupied one room. We all settled down first and went down to have dinner.
We went down and before we could choosw for a place to eat, an attendant led us to a fine dining restaurant. It was weird though. The waitress told us we could order anything and that it was on the house.
My phone ringed. I excuse myself and went to the powder room.
“Whose bestfriend of yours is it this time,Dad?” I rolled my eyes and chuckled.
“You! It is for your safety okay. That hotel is better than any other hotel near your competition. It is safer and convenient.” I heard him sighed.
“Thank you, Dad. You don’t have to worry about everything. I can handle myself and a presidential suite is really too much! Other people would think I’m the owner’s daughter or something?” I jokingly said.
“Okay,just be safe on your stay there. You can go to your Aunt if you need anything. She’s familiar with Seoul more than anyone. I have to go,Ysabelle.”
“Bye,Dad. Take care!” I walked out and return to our table. Just in time, the table were filled with food. We all ate happily while listening to the musicians playing in the stage.
It was still early when we finished dinner. The instructors went back to the rooms early but they allowed us to shop for anything we need since there is a mall on the first floor.
What do you expect? The VIP rooms have room service but they are all the same food. My schoolmates are more interested in Korean convenience store foods and snacks. They were really popular. Some are shopping for clothes and things they will bring back home as gifts and souvenirs.
The three of us decided to stroll around. We first stopped at Etude House, a korean store of beauty products. Next is Nature Republic. This time, my two girls went crazy.
“Oh my God! It’s NCT! NCT! That’s my Jaemin and Jisung right there. My babiessss.” Lily almost hugged to death the poor standee.
“Ysa, let’s get away from her. I don’t know a crazy friend like her.” Chandrie faced-palmed.
“Let her be. Hahaha.” I scanned the placed and I didn’t found the one I’m looking for.
“I’ll just go at the other store. I’ll see you outside this store later. Seems like you’ll take time here anyway.” They nodded and off I go.
I walked a few distance and wasn’t disappointed. I saw a hallway full of video ads. Most of them are videos of famous kpop idols endorsing high end brands of bags, shoes and cosmetics. Some are recently released music videos of kpop groups.
Stray Kids everywhere all around the world! Stray Kids whooo!
I instantly smiled when I heard the familiar tagline of my favorite kpop group. A music video of their recent track ‘Butterfly’ is playing on the big LED screen.
They all looked so good! Oh my god! Felix with a silver hair is so breathtaking! And Hyunjin’s hair is back to black too,awesome! I.N. too,with a red hair this time, as always the cutest member for me. Changbin and Han still raps so good like they always do. Seungmin and Chan? They are amazing vocalists!
I smiled looking the whole time like an idiot in front of a big screen. It’s so overwhelming. The thought of being in the same country and possibly the same city as them at the moment is crazily exciting. How I wished to run into them here!
I was busy thinking of scenarios where I could get atleast an autograph from my idols when a person running bumped into me. We both fell on the ground. I stood up first and helped her up.
“Are you okay?” It was a petite korean girl. She has a beautiful face with soft features but I notice some bruises on her left cheek.
“Gwaenchanh-a-yo?” (Are you okay?) I asked her again in korean.
“I--I’m okay!” She replied but her voice trembled. I’m surprised she replied me in fluent english. She looks scared though.
A hand suddenly grabbed the girl violently as if dragging her. I didn’t think a second before grabbing the boy’s hand and twisting his arm. He yelped in pain and let go of the girl’s arm.
“Help! Security!” Thankfully, the mall guard is passing by and heard my call for help.“This person seems to have bad intentions to my friend. Please turn him over to the police.” I said.
The guard dragged the boy away. I knew that bullying has been frequent in South Korea but I didn’t know they would even go further doing it in public!
“You look young. You shouldn’t be going around this late at night. Where do you live?” I asked her while I’m texting in our three-person group chat.
You can go back first in our room. Don’t wait for me. I’ll be quick guys.
“Hello?” I dialed the manager’s number. This card was actually handy.“Mr. Kim I need to trouble you for something.”
After five minutes, Mr. Kim finally arrived. He smiled at me.
“Mr. Kim, can you help me send this lady home? She is my friend. I’m worried of her safety. I can’t help her since I’m not yet familiar with the place here.”
“No problem,Miss Mondejar.”
“Wait.” I took off my coat and wore it on her. “Take care on your way.”
I smiled and turned around. Tomorrow is a long day.
