A Piece Of Korea

“I am getting the case of nerves,” Karen admitted with a wry smile, as we ate breakfast. “Would you mind if I disappeared the rest of the day to practice?”

“I don’t mind. Just find me for your performance.”

“Deal.”

That was how I found myself in library, reading a random novel I picked off the shelf.

“Excuse me?” I looked up to see a man with chin-length hair. His face was very feminine, striking me as intriguing. “Are you Korean?” He asked in a Korean accent.

“Yes.”

“Ah, good!”  He brought up this book. “Digestion, I do not understand the word. Do you know what it means?”

I thanked my lucky stars that my mother had made me fluent in Korean, as I translated the word.

“Ah, thank you so much! Digestion, such weird sound.”

“Heechul, what have you been doing?” A hook nosed guy came over, his kind eyes in a slight glare. “You do not interrupt kind strangers in the library?” He said in broken English.

“Ooh, what has Kim Heechul done this time?” A burly man with twinkling eyes came to stand beside him.

“I had a question, hyung!” Heechul answered in Korean. “This kind man over here gave me the answer.” He turned to me, and bowed. “Kansaminda! I am Kim Heechul.”

I bowed in return. “I am Kim Jongwoon. Are you guys from Korea?”

“Nei! We are exchange students at Columbia. Let me introduce my classmates. This is Kim Jungsu, but he goes by Leeteuk. This is Kim Youngwoon, but he goes by Kangin.”

“Annyeonghaseo!” Leetuek bowed. “I am in a program in Juillard’s with Heechul and Kangin, though Kangin is very busy with his wrestling.”

“I am,” Kangin said with a smile. “However, I was very successful back home, so maybe I’ll succeed here as a wrestler and a singer!”

“That means I’m the only one to keep an eye on this rascal,” Leeteuk said, giving Heechul a noogie.

“Hyung, stop it!” Heechul protested.

I laughed. “I’m glad you find New York pretty pleasing.”

“So, are you also from Korea?”

I shook my head. “I do visit often though to see family.”

“Ahh! Well, if you ever come to Seoul during the summer, you might see us! It is a small world after all, no?”

I laughed. “It is a small world.” My phone beeped. It was Karen. I stood up. “I’m sorry, I must go. I have an important concert to attend.”

“What concert?” Heechul asked, lighting up.

“It is my friend’s concert. She won a contest and will be performing.”

“Is her name…hyung, what was her name?”

“K…k…Karen!”

“Yes her name is Karen.”

The three laughed. “What coincidence!” Kangin replied. “We are going to that concert too. It is known all over Juillard’s.”

“I’m sure she’ll be honored to know that.”

“Yes, but isn’t the concert at 7?” Leeteuk frowned. “Did we get the times wrong?”

“No, it’s just that my friend has to get there early, and I’m escorting her.”

“Ah, I see! Take care Jongwoon!”

“Nice meeting you!”

“Thank you for helping me with the word digestion!”

I smile and shook my head as I made my exit. What if my parents had stayed in Korea, would they have been my Donghae and Shindong? Perhaps. But who knew what could happen with what ifs?

*

So, it’s fairly obvious now that all thirteen members are going to show up. Hopefully. Let’s see, I have Yesung, Eunhyuk, Donghae and Shindong (They need to make an appearance later on -.-), Ryeowook, Kangin, Leeteuk, and Heechul… That leaves me five left, right? Hangeng, Kibum, Siwon, Sungmin, and … Kyuhyun! Can’t forget him. ^_^

Also, I’m going to switching to Karen’s POV in the next chapter. ^_^