Joohyun lets herself in the hall as quietly as she could. She breathed a silent prayer of thanks that she was able to get there before the performances begin.  She knew her husband was already there because his guards were standing at the back. She quickly finds her family – all the way in front – Yonghwa with Aeyah on his lap and Min Sun.

“Sorry I’m late Oppa, Madame.” Joohyun sits and kisses Yonghwa’s cheek. Aeyah transfers to her mother’s lap and they settle to watch Jae’s pre-school class spring performance.

“Omma – is Oppa going to play to piano?” The little girl asks her mother.

“Hush- Aigyah- small voice only.” Joohyun smiles down at the pretty little girl. Aeyah was in her spring coat and dress. It was custom made for her by Christian Dior courtesy of her doting Halmoni.

Joohyun sighs and remembers last February, when her mother in law had breezed into New York on her way to London.  Samonim and Aeyah had visited all the famous ateliers and in the course of 3 weeks – Aeyah got 6 boxes of custom made spring and summer coats from Dior, Chanel and Vera Wang.  Since then the designer coats had withstood ice cream stains, dirt, crayon smudges and orange juice. Yonghwa just smiled when Joohyun complained that Aeyah’s dry cleaning bill was more expensive than the dry cleaning of his suits.

“Omma- is Oppa going to play the piano?” The little girl repeats her question in a whisper much to the amusement of her doting parents and governess. Her mother nods and gives her a kiss.  

“Are you sure the little one can sit still for this?” Yonghwa whispers to his wife. There were 6 other children performing before Jae and his little sister wasn’t known for her patience.

“I’m fairly confident.” She answers. “Oppa – I have to go to Jae after the 3rd performance.”

He nods and gently pats her hand. “He’s nervous of course.”

“Oppa – he’s nervous because you’re here.” Joohyun teases him.

Yonghwa had missed the 1st school performance because of his MBA course but he more than made up for the 2nd one. Joohyun had to smile when she remembers just how much of a stir her husband’s attendance had caused in their son’s school. He came straight from class like he promised her. Joohyun had to finish a project in Queens and would follow. Dressed casually, he came with their bodyguards. He sat in the front row while everyone debated whose brother or uncle he was – when Jae came running out from the stage and into his arms everyone could see how much they resembled each other. When Joohyun came she sat in the back and was amused when the young female teaching assistants speculated on how old Yonghwa was and what was his line of work. The young women agreed that he was someone they would be interested in meeting and dating.  After the performance, Jae introduced his father to his teachers.  The young women were surprised – he was too young to be married, let alone a father of a 5 year old – they speculated on who Jae’s mother was. Her son spotted her at the back and ran up to her, pulling at her hand, taking to where Yonghwa was.  Her husband welcomes her with a kiss and had his arm around her until they left to go home. Later that night, she told her husband that 4 teaching assistants were crushing on him. Yonghwa just laughed and told her that since she’d come to the performance in jeans, a bomber jacket and hi-tops - the head master also asked him how old Joohyun was when she had Jae.

“Buin, I think you need to go and see Jae.” Yonghwa tells her.

Coming back from her reverie, Joohyun nods and makes to hand over Aeyah to her husband.

“Ma-ma can I come with you?”  Aeyah holds on tightly to her mother.

“No, Aigyah, Omma has to go back stage to see your Oppa. Be a good girl and sit with Appa. Omma will be back soon. No crying.” Joohyun tells her little girl whose lower lip had started to tremble. “Jung Aeyah.” With a final stern look at her little girl, Joohyun gives her to Yonghwa.

“Appa – Aeyah wants to go with Ma-ma.” Aeyah’s tears fall.

“Ah- Princess don’t do this. I will have to ask Guard Park to bring you out. You won’t see Oppa’s performance- do you want that?” Yonghwa kisses his little girl’s head and dries her tears with his thumbs. The little girl shakes her head and settles in her father’s arms.

Min Sun was silent all through out.  She only intervened when she felt it was needed. Her charge and his wife were bringing up their children well. Her lovely little girl, Aeyah was wilful but then again it was the same for Yonghwa when he was a child. Her precious Jae was like Joohyun – which was good.

“You did well.” Min Sun whispers to Yonghwa. Her ward only smiles at her over his little girl’s head.

 They watch the performance in relative quiet. Yonghwa had to chuckle when Aeyah would look around first then clap because everyone one else was clapping. She would look up at him and smile like an angel – and he would fall in love all over again with this little human being that was his daughter.

“Appa why is it taking long for Oppa to come out?” Tiny hands hold his face and ask.

“Oppa will be performing after this little girl.” Yonghwa replies.

When Jae comes on stage, Aeyah’s little voice could be heard calling out to him. The audience had to laugh as Jae holds his finger to his mouth signalling her to keep quiet. Yonghwa and Min Sun had to swallow their laughter when Aeyah puts two hands over and vigorously nods her head.

“Did I miss anything?” Joohyun takes her place again.

“I’ll tell you later.” Yonghwa’s eyes were watering with suppressed laughter.

“Good evening everyone.” Jae’s clear high voice was heard. “I am Jung Jae Wah, I am 5 years old and I will be playing Advanced Chopsticks.”

There a murmur of both appreciation and amusement from the audience. Jae was the youngest performer and he had only been taking formal lessons that year.

“I thought you played that when you were 7?” Yonghwa leans over to his wife.

“8 – I played that when I was 8 for my first recital” She whispers back.

Little hands cover their mouths and Aeyah solemnly tells them to listen to her Oppa playing. Min Sun had to bring out her handkerchief and cover her face so she wouldn’t see just how funny they were.

Jae scans the crowd and smiles when his parents wave at him. After bowing to the audience he sits down and starts to play. The audience was prepared for a novice piece because the piano player was only 5 years old. Then they listen in amazement as the piece gradually became more intricate.

Joohyun clasps her hands tightly. Jae had been practicing every day for this. He told her that he didn’t want her and his Appa to hear the piece until his performance.  So every afternoon for the past 3 months, Jae studied piano with Joohyun’s former piano teacher. She didn’t expect much and was very much surprised when Jae was chosen to perform at much bigger venue as his school’s representative.

As the piece became more intricate, Joohyun looks around in search for her piano teacher. She sees him and waves. Mr. David waves right back and holds his thumb up.

“Joohyun-ah you didn’t tell me Jae was this good.” Yonghwa looks at his wife. Jae’s first 2 performances were basic piano pieces that served as accompaniment for his other classmates to sing to. He and Joohyun practiced in the upright piano in their home.

“Oppa he only started formal lessons a few months ago. I only taught him basic.” Joohyun replies.

“Sshh…” Aeyah frowns at her parents. “Oppa is playing.”

When Jae finishes the piece the audience gives him a standing ovation. He becomes a bit flustered and Joohyun had to motion for him to bow and leave the stage.

When the performances ended, all the children that performed were made to come back on stage to make their final bows and to receive flowers from their respective teachers. When Jae’s name came up once again the audience gives him a standing ovation.

Joohyun had to fight back her tears – she was so happy and proud of Jae. As the parents of the children were asked to come up the stage, she feels Yonghwa’s hand take her tightly clasped ones and softly tug her towards the stage.  Yonghwa carries his little girl and guides his tearful wife up the stage.

“Omma – I did well right?” Jae runs to embrace his mother.

Joohyun kneels and embraces her little boy. “You did well Aigyah – so well. Omma and Appa are so proud of you. I wish your grandparents were here to see this.”

“Not to worry – I believe Yooh Moh told one of the guards to video