Pretty in Pink ~ San

Chapter 10

The evening turns to night and San would like to take me back to his hometown of Namhae, South Gyeongsan-do, to celebrate our anniversary this whole week. He is proud to be the first idol from South Gyeongsan-do, and represents his province well. San thinks, after a whole year of dating, that it is about time that I get to meet his parents. I've been anticipating this day ever since we started dating. San's parents will surely intimidate me at first, but I know I'll warm up to them.

We arrive in Namhae after taking the bullet train down. San shows me around a bit before taking me to his parents' house. We arrive at the Choi household and I'm as nervous as ever. I don't know what they're going to think of me, a foreigner, starving actress in Korea. Most actresses like me either make it or break it, going home or making it big. I'm lucky enough to get the latter of that. I'm pretty lucky to get a lead role in my drama, Love in Focus. I bet San will show me off by showing his parents clips of my most notable moments so far. To that, I'll continue to cringe at myself. I'll never get used to it.

San's parents welcome his son back into their home after so long.
"눅구요?" Namji asked(His mother)
"저는 희정입니다. 만나서 반가워요." I said(I'm Heejung. Nice to meet you)
"아, 한국말 할 줄 아세요?" Jongchul asked(Oh, she speaks Korean)
"네, 마자요." I said(Right)
"신기한나다." Namji said(Interesting/Amazing)
"감사합나다." I said(Thank you)
"태권도장에 데리고 갈까요?" Jongchul asked(Shall we take her to the Taekwondo dojang?)
"네? 도장에. 워에요?" I asked(Huh? Dojang. What is that?)
"It's the Korean dojo, used for martial art training halls." San explained.
"Ohh~" I said, 네! 가자! 오, 미안해요. 갈래요."(Yes! Let's go! Oh, sorry. I'm coming with)
"Haha, you're so cute." Namji said.
I was sneezing a little bit because of Byul, their family cat, but since it is a Siamese cat, my allergies are slightly more mild than to other cats. I still have worse allergies to cats than dogs, so it is good we're leaving the house now.

We go to Namji's dojang/school. When we walk in, San is so happy to get me all dressed up in my Taekwondo uniform, called dobok(도복을 핟더). Once I am fitted to a dobok, I come out of the dressing room and greet Mr. Choi. San whispers to me how I should greet my instructor, who in this case, is Namji, or Mr. Choi. I shout my greeting to him and he nods with approval. Now, I will learn the basics of taekwondo. Some include, but not limited to the following:
•Straight Punch
•Low Block
•Front Kick
•Knife Hand Strike
•Back Fist Strike
•Inside Block
•Side Kick
•Hand-blade/Double Forearm Block
•Face Block
•Round Kick
I am the least flexible and athletic person I know. I've had to strengthen up as of recently. I actually started eating much healthier after I moved to Korea, and now, I'm down to my ideal weight. Where I wanted to be was; 130-135lbs(58.9-61.2kg), but now, since dieting a lot and working out, I got down to 110lbs(49.9kg). I am quite satisfied and proud if myself.

All of that besides, I still need to learn how to be flexible. San makes me so jealous because his body can go way beyond what a male body should go. I knew guys in high school who could do the splits, but San, he's on another level. He is patient with me, though. Mr. Choi is more strict on me since he is the real teacher, but San is nice. I guess that makes the difference between my boyfriend and my teacher. After about 5 hours of training and learning how to do taekwondo, I quite enjoy it. It calms my mind, like when I'm doing exercise. I see why San loves it now.

I am getting tired and quite hungry now, so I would like to go out for some food right about now. San's family treats me to dinner at their place. I warned San that I have allergies to cats and he's taken note of it. He knows, so we won't take long. Namji is the sweetest women ever, and so she cooks a quick meal, which is rare to come across in Korean homes. Usually, it takes hours or even weeks to prepare some home meals in Korea. I truly appreciate her effort to get me in and out of their house as quickly as possible so my allergies don't bother me much. They care about me as I'm their own daughter, which is so, so sweet.

Mrs. Choi prepares some kimchi, previously prepared, bulgogi, samyeopsal, kimbap, kimchi pancake, tteokobbi, etc. I indulge myself in the many side dishes and main dish that Jongchul serves us. In the meanwhile, San finished quite quickly, and invites his sister, Haneul, to come home. He has someone really special he wants her to meet. In a heartbeat, Haneul came here. She rings the doorbell and Namji answers the door. She allows Haneul to come in and I greet her like I did with Namji and Jongchul. Haneul is so happy to meet me. To see San so happy with someone whom he loves. Haneul is just as pretty as San. She is just like the girl version of San. Strong jaw, tall, and the cutest dimples when she smiles. They could be twins, but I know that Haneul is the older one and San is the baby.

After meeting with Haneul, San takes me back to a nearby hotel. To my shock, it is a love hotel. Whatever San is planning, I am now most comfortable with him. I am now okay with whatever he has planned for tonight. . . I'll spare the details for those more innocent minds ;)