Chapter 1- This Isn't a Fairy Tale
My legal name is Danielle Fox. However, I prefer to go by Dani. I grew up in the United States, but my mom always had a love for Korea. She was fascinated by the food, culture, and the language. My father had also started learning Korean on a dare in college which is how my parents met. Because of them, I grew up learning Korean and continued to study and speak the language after graduation. I’m a published poetry author. As poetry has lost most of its significance in modern society, I don’t make much off my writing. Which is why I’m applying for MS Studios. I have a passion for writing and love everything about South Korea. I want to combine the two by working at MS Studios as a script translator. It would be an honor to work for such an esteemed company. Thank you for your time in considering my application.
I reread my cover letter and the rest of my resume over and over again before finally pressing send. I sat nervously looking at the screen, fear permeating that I forgot something or could’ve written a section better.
Defeatedly, I sat back with a sigh. It doesn’t matter now. All I can do is wait. And the best way to wait is to get out of the hotel and do something. I open a tab in my internet and research “top places to visit in Seoul, South Korea”. I scroll through different options before settling on visiting the Gyeongbokgung Palace. Being a Korean drama guru, especially in regards to historical dramas, I was intrigued to see the palaces featured in the dramas. I grabbed my practically empty wallet and phone, patted myself down to ensure I have my keys, then headed out.
Once I stepped outside the hotel, I put in the address. It’s almost an hour walk away but I decide to walk anyways. It’ll keep me busy instead of worrying over finding a job. I moved here on a whim in the hopes of doing something more with myself than unsuccessfully writing poetry a handful of people read.
I joyfully take in the sights of Seoul, South Korea. The buildings, food, people, everything was as I imagined it would be. Despite my anxiety over my jobless status, I was overcome with peace as I continued my walk towards the palace. For a moment, I wanted to pretend I was Cinderella heading to the ball to meet her Prince Charming.
As I passed an advertisement sign, I couldn’t help stopping and smiling at the image. My imaginary Prince Charming, Park Chanyeol. My ultimate bias and member of EXO. His face appears as tall as me in a blown-up advertisement for cologne. His dimples easily distinguishable due to the size. Without fail, every time I see his smile, I feel a necessity to smile as well. I’m not naïve enough to fully believe I could ever end up with such a man, but I do allow myself the occasional fantasy of meeting him and falling in love. What else is a single girl supposed to do?
I shook my head and continued walking. Now my mind is plagued by past relationships, putting a damper on my mood. You know when a person says “It’s not you, it’s me” when ending a relationship and it just sounds like an excuse? Well, looking back at my past relationships and how they never lasted long, I can easily say it wasn’t them, but me. I guess I struggled with the notion that a man could like me for me. He could look at me and have one of those “love at first sight” moments. I’m not ugly. At least, I don’t think I am. My problem is I don’t try. I am either too busy or too lazy to try to make myself gorgeous that I’m closer to a plain pretty.
At long last, I made it to the palace. I gingerly walked in, a little embarrassed to be there alone. I took note most people are dressed in hanbok. I desperately would like to wear one, see if it would change my plain disposition to something more. However, the little funds I had in my account needed to survive until I landed a job. Until that happens, I must use my overactive imagination. Shouldn’t be too difficult.
I began to imagine myself dressed in a beautifully designed hanbok, one the princess or the queen would wear. Bright colors and intricate designs. I admired the ladies walking by in there’s and appreciating the uniforms of the men. The more I wandered around the palace the more I notice the hanboks became simpler and more uniform. The women were all dressed in what appeared to be Joseon Era servant or handmaiden clothes. The men were all in scholarly apparel or guard uniforms.
I couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable at the gradual change. It also appeared the palace itself was going back in time. The more I walked the newer it appeared. An anxiety formed as I realized how alone I was in an unfamiliar place.
Did they restore parts of the palace to look newer?I wondered to myself, trying to reassure myself everything was ok.
My anxiety spiked again as my once light clothing felt heavier than before. Afraid to peek right away, I scurried into a deserted looking section to take assessment. I took a deep breath, my heart pounding, glanced down at my clothing, then proceeded to cover my mouth to prevent a scream.
