July, 2010

Park Jade took hesitant steps off the train’s platform, dragging her old suitcase behind her. The guitar case on her back made her petite size even more apparent. She was 19 and had just arrived in Seoul to finish college. Feelings of intimidation and anxiousness suddenly hit her as she gazed upon the bustling city—this was a major contrast from her tiny village where everyone knew her name.

“Jade! Over here!” She was jolted from her worried thoughts by a middle-aged woman waving enthusiastically at her. A huge grin of recognition spread across Jade’s face as she ambled toward Lee Han Bi, her mother’s close friend. Although this woman was older and more tired looking than the vibrant young woman Jade had seen in old pictures, her beauty was still apparent through her sparkling eyes and warm smile.

“Welcome to Seoul! I’m so glad your umma agreed to let you come live with me while you’re studying here. Goodness, you are her spitting image…and I hope just as mischievous,” Han Bi said with a wink. Jade couldn’t help but giggle at the mental image of her stoic mother goofing around. She breathed a sigh of relief as the two women linked arms and made their way to Han Bi’s home.

Han Bi’s house was small but accommodating. Flowers lined the window sills. Jade could hear a sweet singing voice coming through the open window, along with the wafting scent of rice cooking. Upon entering the house, a girl who looked a few years younger than Jade immediately bounced out from the kitchen and locked Han Bi in a tight embrace.

“Umma you’re hoooome!”

“Ji Eun-ah…can’t…breathe…hckk” Han Bi’s limbs sprawled comically in an effort to fight off her daughter’s loving death grip.

Jade laughed as she looked at mother and daughter who seemed so close to each other. It made her miss her own mom. A lump of sadness formed in the pit of her stomach when she realized that she hadn’t been embraced that warmly in a long time. Finally, Ji Eun released her hold on Han Bi. She turned to greet Jade with a bright smile before attacking her with an equally exuberant hug. Jade beamed as she regained her balance and returned the embrace. She felt like she was already at home.

----

After weeks of job searching, today was Jade’s first day of work. She was determined not to be a financial burden on Han Bi and Ji Eun, whom she grew to like more and more each day.

It was 10am, but the bar didn’t open until noon. Jade gazed up at the swanky bar. She furrowed her eyebrows. How would a country bumpkin like her adjust to such a high class place? The only reason she even landed a job here was because Han Bi had been friends with the owner before he became successful. She steeled herself and took several bold steps forward, ready to conquer the world when BAM! She crumpled onto the ground. A smudge on the pristine, polished glass was the only indication that Jade had just walked straight into a glass door.

“ shiiiit!” Jade spazzed out on the ground while cradling her head, although her pride was more hurt than her body. She bolted up and twisted her head side to side to check if there had been any witnesses. The coast seemed clear, so she sprinted like a newborn deer up to the glass door and started rubbing furiously at the smudge. She heard uproarious laughter from behind her. She turned to see a boy her age grinning at her. What’s worse was that he was in-fricking-credibly attractive.

“People usually use their hands to open a door, not their faces,” he teased.

Jade smiled sheepishly then managed to sputter out, “I…have…. very…..powerful face….” He walked toward her and in a panic, she yanked open the door and held it for him. Bowing deeply, she said in a small voice, “After you, sir.”

He laughed again and passed through the door, disappearing into the dimly lit area inside. Jade facepalmed. She facepalmed so hard you could get fingerprints off her frontal lobe. Good first impressions were clearly not her strength. She let a few seconds pass before finally going in. The interior was even more elegant than the outside, with small crystal chandeliers dotting the ceiling, leather couches and booths around the periphery of the room, and sleek black oak tables  arranged in the center dining area. The bar counter was at the back, where the floor was elevated at a slight incline. Jade could see several doors which led to additional VIP rooms or noraebang. She looked around for her new boss.  She spotted a huge teddy bear of a man coming toward her, smiling so big that his eyes had disappeared into crescent moon creases.

“You must be the new girl! I’m the owner, Kang Ho Dong.”

Jade bowed deeply. “Nice to meet you, Ahjusshi! I’ll definitely work hard.”

Ho Dong chortled heartily, insisting, “No no! Don’t call me Ahjusshi, it makes me feel old. Call me Oppa since I’m still young and handsome!” He posed a hand to frame his “handsome” face before letting out another infectious laugh.

Jade couldn’t help but laugh along. If it had been any other middle age man telling her to call him Oppa, she would have recoiled in disgust. But there was something so likeable about Ho Dong that she happily obliged.

Ho Dong introduced Jade to her new workers, most of whom were kitchen staff since there were only a handful of servers. He showed her around the place, which was a high end venue frequented by affluent businessmen and the occasional Korean celebrity. Everyone seemed so friendly, except for one person.

“Jade, meet Jung Min Sook. She’s the head chef and has been working here for over 10 years.”

Jade bowed and smiled, “Nice to meet you.”The only response from Min Sook was a cold gaze followed by a curt nod. Min Sook swiftly walked through the double swinging doors to the kitchen area.

Ho Dong sympathetically patted Jade’s shoulder. “Don’t mind her. She’s like that to all the young female employees. It’s strange though…she’s nice to the male employees. I bet she’s a cougar!”  Jade smiled at Ho Dong’s comforting words and went to the employee lounge to change into the uniform he had handed her: a knee-length black pencil skirt, a white short-sleeve button up blouse, and a plain, black apron. She pulled her wavy hair into a messy bun.

Since the bar hadn’t opened yet, her first task was to set all the tables and chairs. She had been instructed to wait for a coworker to arrive who would train her. She wasn’t too keen on relying on others. Instead, she decided to take initiative and went to fetch the silverware from the storage room first. It was locked and there appeared to be no one inside to let her in.

“Hello! Is there anyone there?” No response. She would just have to wait for her coworker to show up. With a sigh, Jade paced in front of the door impatiently. For some reason, she thought now would be the best time to practice her impression of a robot. “Beep boop beep.” A malfunctioning robot. “Beep bop beep boop bip” along with flailing robot arms.

She was getting ready for her finale as a robot powering down when she heard a familiar warm laugh. It was the handsome boy from before.

“You know, it’s a common misconception that robots make noises. Besides, what kind of lame robot says beep boop?” He smiled teasingly.

Exasperated, Jade put her hands defiantly on her hips and said, “What are you, the president of robots?” Jade regretted her weak comeback the second it left her lips.

“Nah, I’m just the vice president. Obviously, you’re the president of robots.” Said the boy. He laughed and extended his hand. “I’m Lee Jonghyun.”