A Symbol of Love | Rosé X Reader

01 - Welcome to Seoul

I stared at the e-mail on my computer screen with an open mouth. I couldn't believe what I was reading. "Congratulations, you have been accepted to Seoul National University..." I read out loud, still in awe.

"Daaaaad!" I screamed and ran out of my room. "Dad, you won't believe what just happened!"

"Woah calm down sweetheart. What is it?" He asked, as he stopped me from crashing into the next wall from running that fast.

"Remember when I said, I wanted to apply to a Korean university for my semesters abroad? Guess what! I got accepted into Seoul National University!", I squealed in joy and jumped up and down.

"Oh my god, that's amazing! Your mother would be so proud..." Dad said while tearing up.

Wait... before we move on, I should introduce myself. I'm Y/N, 23 years old from (y/country). I'm a fifth semester university student and I study English to become a teacher. My university has a special program with which you can study in a foreign country for one or two semesters. Since I'm half Korean, I wanted to study in Korea to get to know the Korean culture. My Korean mom used to teach me when I was little, but she died when I was 7 years old. Since then, I stopped speaking Korean or learning anything about the culture. And I wanted to change that. For my mom.

"What are we waiting for? We must book your flight and start packing! The next semester starts in only a few weeks!" Dad exclaimed happily. I followed him to my room, where he opened a new tab to look up the flight schedules of the nearest airport.

"By the way, will you be able to manage on your own? How is your Korean? I haven't heard you speak for years." He asked and I had to gulp down my saliva.

"It's pretty rusty, but I'm sure I will find the way to my dorm alone. And I will relearn the language either way while I'm there." I said, fake confidently. I was so afraid of getting lost. But I didn't want to appear weak in front of my dad.

We looked up where my dorm room was located and then when the next flight to Seoul would take off. "How about the one on Friday? You will have enough time to say goodbye to everyone and pack your stuff in peace. Additionally, you won't have to get up that early." Dad said and I agreed. So, he bought my ticket and I started to write a list, what I should bring to Korea. Since I applied to stay for two semesters, I would stay there for a whole year.

I took out my phone and started Spotify. Dad and I should have some music playing while we're working. I shuffled my playlist and "Fantastic Baby" by BIGBANG came on. Dad started to laugh. He knew that I only got into KPOP recently and that I only listened to rather old songs from BIGBANG, 2NE1, Girls Generation or f(x).

"You know, most of the bands you're listening to are either on hiatus or have disbanded. You won't be able to go to one of their concerts while you're in Korea. Maybe you should try to get into the newer groups." Dad said mockingly and I just rolled my eyes.

I was about to get into the newer generations, or however the time periods in kpop were called, when I was ready to move on. But for now I was happy with my hits from 2012.

"Why don't you try to listen to BTS or Blackpink? They're all over the news recently." Dad suggested. "I don't want to listen to groups, just because they're popular. Don't rush me, I'll listen to them eventually." I answered a little annoyed.

The days went by and it was Friday. The day of my departure to Korea has come. Most of my stuff was already on its way to my new dorm, the only things left were me and my last suitcase.

Dad and I walked to the gate. I had mixed feelings. On the one hand, I really wanted to go to the country my mom was from and learn about the culture. On the other hand, I didn't want to leave my dad, who would be alone for a year. I was the only thing he had left since mom died.

"Don't worry about me." Dad said as if he could read my mind. "I'll be fine. It will only be for one year. Just call me occasionally and I won't be lonely." He said with a reassuring smile.

He hugged me one last time before I had to board the plane. "I'll miss you, dad." I said, tearing up a little. "I'll miss you too, my little squirrel."

The flight was long. I used most of the time to sleep, but during my awake time I tried to find some places in Seoul for sightseeing. There were some parks near my dorm and apparently a famous entertainment company too. I looked it up and it was YG Entertainment. "Ohh, Bigbang and 2NE1 were under that label..." I mumbled to myself while looking at the picture of the building.

The plane landed and I got to the main hall of the airport. "Holy sh*t..." I thought as I looked around the massive airport. I walked outside and tried to call an uber. Which was way harder than I thought because my Korean was way worse than I thought.

"S-sangam-dong?" I stuttered, only being able to pronounce the district. But it seemed to be enough, the driver nodded his head, signalling me to get in. I watched the city and surroundings while we drove to my future neighbourhood, overly impressed of the view. Since I didn't specify where I needed to go, the driver just dropped me off on the main street. I had to walk the rest. It was tough to find the right way, but after some time I finally managed to find the apartment complex.

I got up to the 4th floor and rang the doorbell. A cute girl with blonde hair and blue eyes opened the door. She wasn't Korean. "Uhm, my name is Y/N..." I began shyly, but she interrupted me by clapping her hands. "Oh, you're our last roommate! Come in, come in! My name is Sophie, it's so nice to meet you!" She dragged me into the dorm and closed the door behind me. Meanwhile, a young man approached us. He looked a little more Asian to me. "Hello, my name is Ryuji! Nice to meet you." They showed me my room, so I could put away my stuff. After that, I joined them in the tiny living room to get to know them.

Both were English majors as well, Ryuji was from Japan and Sophie from England. They came for almost the same reason as me, to study abroad. After some time talking, I decided I wanted to walk around a nearby park that I found on google maps during the flight. Sophie gave me a key to the dorm, and I headed off on my own.

So this is it. My first day in Seoul.