*Winner TV’s theme song started playing”

“Guess who’s back?! uriga winner~ hah! Noyana winner da~ we’re bout to put on a show~”

As I was singing along, suddenly I received a call from an unknown number.

“Gah!” I thought. “I supposedly to watch Winner TV smoothly and not being disturbed!”

“Hmph!” I sighed. Took me awhile to answer. I paused my most favorite show on Earth as I answered the phone milliseconds later.

“annyeonghaseyo!” the caller said in an enthusiastic voice.

“errrrr, yes? Annyeong! Who is this?” I shrieked a little inside because I’d never expect to receive a call from a Korean! Keke he could be my bias!

“You just won an exclusive ticket to winner’s showcase in Seoul!”

“Seoul……? Seoul? YOU MEAN SEOUL IN SOUTH KOREA?! But but…….I do not have enough money to spend on flight, hotel and transportation expenses! I could hardly even buy my own food!”

“It is alright! I will pay ALL of your expenses! All you got to do is have fun and enjoy! Your flight will be at 9AM KST tomorrow!”

The anonymous caller ended the call immediately as I was surprised.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!” I screamed. I do not know whether it was a scream of happiness or shocked, as if I am seeing a ghost!

“This…..this is like a dream come true!” I thought. Unwillingly to waste this time, I immediately started to pack my belongings.

“hmmmm, what should I wear for airport fashion tomorrow? Hah!” *few minutes later* “I will just match  a pair of nice jeans with a red leather jacket that mom left a year ago….okay, since I have completed my airport fashion, time to pack in snacks, sanitaries and oh…..!” my packing is done without realizing it was past 12AM already. “gah! I need to wake up early tomorrow and not miss the flight! It is a good thing that I don’t have to bring much money because everything will be sponsored! Keke it feels so good!” so I dozed off to dreamland without worrying about my expenses.

As I arrived at the local airport, not forgetting my passport, I checked in my luggage and showed my boarding pass to the immigration. “I got to travel to Seoul for free for the first time in my life! Keke” as I said to the lady who just stamped my passport. She just smiled and waved as I went into the departure hall.

*ding dong~!*

“Passengers of flight number BB0880 please get ready for your departure. We will depart in the next 10 minutes so do not forget to fasten your seatbelt”

After long hours of flight, I have finally set my foot on my kind of dream world,  Seoul.

I strongly inhaled Seoul’s fresh air with a bright expression. Never in my whole life had I dreamed about coming to Seoul. This is real. I finally felt my dream.

I went through the enormous arrival hall, seeing things like I have never seen before. Consequently saying “annyeonghaseyo” to anyone who put their eyes on me at the airport. I could never be happier than this.

“Miss! Miss! Miss Angela!”

I heard someone calling my name. I started searching for a voice that chants my name. As I was looking around, a well-built body with Korean-mixed-american-face kind of guy approached me.

“errrr yes? Why are you calling me?”

“I have been told to fetch you at Incheon Airport and send you to your designated hotel”

“oh uhm well, how nice! Thank you! Let’s go then!” I answered awkwardly because never in my life I encounter this person.

Upon arriving to my designated hotel, the guy who fetched me at the airport kindly carries my luggage all the way to my hotel room.

“Thank you~” I said. “Are you a bodyguard? You look like one”

“You can say so! But I am only going to work as your designated driver! My boss told me to take care of you”

“haha! Thank you for your kindness! Well, have a nice day ahead! What is your name?”

“Call me Jones! I have to go to work at another location now. Enjoy your stay!”

He left while I immediately ran and jumped onto the comfy hotel bed. I opened the windows and breathe Seoul’s fresh air.

While still being dazzled because I am finally in Seoul, a knocking sound is heard from the door.

“Hello? Who is it?” I sounded a little scared.

“Miss Angela! You just received a letter! Please open the door to retrieve it!”

I opened the door and take my letter. “Hmm who is it from? There is no name”

“I am not sure who he is, but he is handsome and quite tall! He told me to give this to you”

“Oh well, thank you!”

Hmm, I wonder, from who is it from. Handsome? Could he be my bias? Haha! Stop dreaming, Angela.

The letter was beautifully decorated, even carefully sealed with a cute small red ribbon. I untied the ribbon and amazed at the diamond-glitter-like font which says,

“Thanks for coming. Can’t wait to see you at my show. I will be looking for you”

Hmm, the anonymous letter is creepy. Seriously, how does he know that I am here? Is he a stalker?

Woke up freshly and to a growling stomach so I decided to go outside and search for a Korean cuisine restaurant.

I walked leisurely at the streets of Myeongdong while in search for a Korean food. A dobokki stall at the side of the street attracts me. I immediately approach the seller and have a taste of a delicious Korean snack. BIGBANG’s Blues started playing in one of the CD stores. The song really suits with the weather. It is chilly during the night time.

Finally, I have found a nice restaurant to enjoy my dinner. “Choi’s grill” Quite a name.

I took a seat and strips of samgyupsal(Korean beef), cabbage leaves, a bowl of rice and kimchi started coming to my table altogether. I grilled the strips of Korean beef on the griller provided. Wrapping lettuce leaves with beef and rice inside, I have never had a simple food as delicious as this before.

Safely arrived at my hotel room once again. Looking outside the windows and kept on thinking who on Earth invited me to Winner’s showcase? Who set this whole trip up? Who sent the anonymous letter? Who is the guy that stared at me through the glass? I totally have no idea on what’s going on.

I do not want to over think anymore. The importing thing is, I am in Seoul and I love my life right now.

*ring ring~!*

The room’s telephone is ringing. I picked it up.

“annyeonghaseyo! Have you safely arrived to your hotel? Do you like it? I booked a nice hotel just for you, hah!”

It’s that enthusiastic voice again that disrupts me from watching Winner TV.

“Err yes, I do like it! Thank you so much! May I know who you are?!”

“Do not forget to go to SBS tomorrow and attend Winner’s showcase! You are specially assigned to a VIP seat. Be on time or else your precious seat will be taken!”

He hangs up immediately after that.

Huh, seriously. Not answering my question and immediately hangs up. What a mischievous guy.

*ring ring~!*

The room’s telephone is ringing again. Seriously? Early in the morning?

I answered with a sleepy voice, “hello~ who is it?” *yawns*

“wakey wakey, Angel! Go take your shower now and don’t forget to be in SBS on time! Remember, or else your VIP seat will be taken! I will assign Jones to pick you up at your hotel and drive you there”

He hangs up immediately again.

Oh, God. Seriously I need to know who that guy is so that I can scold him. So playful.

Immediately I get up from my bed, took a shower, decide which winter clothes to wear and I am all set to go to SBS. I went down to the lobby and Jones waited outside the hotel as he is instructed to.

“Jones oppa, mysterious things were happening to me yesterday” I kind of a bit hesitated to tell what’s going on so I went straight to my question, “what’s your boss’s name?”

“Hmm! It is a secret my lady. If you want to know, just wait for the next hours once you arrive at SBS”

Oh, okay. I am just going to wait while praying nothing mysterious is going to happen today.

Arriving at Seoul Broadcasting Station, I am very pleased to finally visit this place. Thanks to the anonymous inviter, I get to be in a place where idols are often seen!

I entered through the sliding doors of SBS. A huge poster of K-dramas such as The Heirs is hanging above my head. I am amazed as I look through the K-drama posters one by one. About to spaz a little bit about my favorite actor then suddenly……

“Miss Angela! Miss Angela!”

OH. MY. GOD.

OH. MY. GOD.

I CANT SEEM TO STOP EXCLAMING OH MY GOD.

Winner is rehearsing “Go Up” on the stage for their showcase later on.

OH. MY. GOD.

I cannot believe my eyes. Handsome guys from Winner are right in front of my eyes. I took a deep breath and tried to adjust to reality. This is real. I only have been watching them through screen and now they are right 10m in front of me. I tried to calm down but my inner fan girl feels is acting up. I need to calm down.

There are many other fans that came early to watch the rehearsal. They all are shouting and screaming while I spaz quietly, probably because I came alone and have no accompany.

“Hello everyone!”

Gasp. It is leader Kang Seung Yoon’s voice.

“We are rehearsing for our first showcase right now and do not leave the venue before the showcase finished! Understand?! We will show our fullest potential during our performance later and I hope the fans will enjoy it! Please keep on supporting us Winner!”

Wow. I am still dazzled. I am finally hearing his voice, LIVE. He is my favorite member in Winner. His tall figure, cute cheeks, charming smile and his delightful voice captivates me.

Minutes passed by and Winner’s first showcase is finally airing. I get to seat at the best VIP seat as assigned, right in front of the stage, in the middle where I get to see them up close.

The boys appeared on the stage with full of energy.  They are performing “Go Up” once the show started. I am singing along with them and admiring their handsome faces at the same time. After performing, they introduced themselves one by one. One member came in in front, introducing himself as Winner’s leader, Kang Seung Yoon. He is more attractive in real life. While saying his introduction, his tall figure reminds me of someone who stared at me outside Choi’s Grill. He lowered his gaze at me and smiled. W….what? Did he just smile at me? Hm, I could be mistaken with someone. Who knows he is smiling to the person seating behind me.

Done with introductions, their showcase is followed by “Just Another Boy” performance. Yeay! My second favorite song.

Jones being my designated driver, waited for me outside SBS. I went into the car and take a look at the beautiful bouquet I just received. This is the second thing I received from an anonymous. Can mysterious things stop happening to me?

As I am looking through the bouquet, I found a note attached behind it which says, “Thanks for coming! I hope you enjoyed our showcase. It was great to see you”

Huh? Our? Could it be from one of the members just now? I must be dreaming. And “great to see you”? Yes, I must be dreaming. There’s no way that Winner recognizes me. I am just an ordinary-kind-of lucky international fangirl that gets all free expenses paid for my stay in Seoul.

“Jones, I am hungry”

It is 1PM KST and I finally arrived at Choi’s Grills, again. I purposely coming here for the second time because I want to find out whether someone has been following me or not.

I ordered like the ones I ate last time, samgyupsal, lettuce leaves, a bowl of rice and kimchi along with an ice cold matcha(green tea) drink. As I indulged myself in eating, I look around my surroundings whether the unclear tall figure will appear again, but he is not there. I let out a sigh of relief but this thought never disappears in my mind, what is happening to me? Why do weird things keep on happening to me?

Trying to ignore the unwanted thoughts, I decided to have a walk at a nearby snow festival.  The festival’s name is carved on a large block of ice in front of their entrance,  “Welcome to Namsangol Ice Carving Festival” I guess this festival is only grandly open during winter season. I went into one of the ice carving booths. It amazed me that we can even carve on a block of ice! Couples surrounding me carved their partner’s name and smiled and laughed happily. When am I going to have that kind of happy relationship with someone?

“Excuse me Miss, would you like to do ice carving?” one of the workers in the booth asked. It took me awhile to answer.

“Hmm alright! Where can I do it?”

“Good! On which shape do you want to carve? We have circle, square and even a heart shape! We have various kinds of shape to choose from!”

Wow, this ice carving thing sure is interesting. “I decided to go with the circle one”

“Okay Miss! Please wait for awhile while me prepare the carving tools for you”

As soon as I received the carving tools, the lady worker gave me a circle shaped ice. I thought, “a circle circulates forever, for eternity, there’s nothing can stop a circle from circulating”

I decided to carve my parents name onto the circle. My love for both my mom and dad goes on forever, like a circle. I miss them. It already has been a year since their decease.

I carved my parents’ name while sobbing. I tried not to cry but the tears can’t seem to stop falling. “Mom and dad, I am finally in Seoul, yes, my dream vacation. Wish I could go with both of you here. I miss you” I said those in my heart as I am done with my carvings, leaving my eyes red.

Looking at the beautiful heart shaped ice block, I wonder if I can write someone else’s name on it. But I hesitated. There’s obviously no one who I shared my world with at the moment.

The day is turning dark as the sun sets. It is time to go back to the hotel and rest. That’s enough grief and happy moments for today.

Riding inside the car with Jones and thinking it is a pity that I didn’t carve anything on the heart shaped ice block. Oh well, maybe soon, when I found someone that I am spending my life with.

As soon as I get back to my room, I changed my clothes because the shower water is too cold. The temperature during night time is -2 degrees in Seoul. Glad that I packed thick clothes and extra socks.

I lay my head on the bed without worrying about coldness. As soon as I closed my eyes, the room’s telephone rings again.

*ring ring~!*

“Hello?” I answered calmly.

“Annyeong, Angel! Would you like to meet at Namsangol Ice carving festival tomorrow? I will wait for you there” it’s that enthusiastic voice again….

Before I could say anything, he immediately hangs up, as usual.

Tired from wrapping up the day and without thinking too much, I only thought that, “finally, I get to know who is owner of the voice that makes me surprised and annoyed”