Ocean Wide

1. Blind Date

Son Ye Jin

"I promise you, he's a catch! You're gonna regret it if you don't say yes to this." I turn away from the make up artist to look at my best friend, Lee Min Jung, and her intention of setting up a blind date for me.

"And you said he was with someone the last time you wanted me to meet him." I quirk my eyebrow.

"I know. They broke up earlier this month. Come on, while you're in the city. Who knows where your next runway show." Min Jung tries to sell her idea once again. This is not the first time.

I huff tiredly. "The last two dates you set me up, I was stuck with dinner and a circling talk for almost two hours. Just set up a coffee date or something. That way I can slip out once the coffee run out if he turns out to be boring."

Min Jung laughs. "Trust me, he's not boring. He's so lovable in our industry. It's just... he's not so lucky with love."

Love. Who is lucky enough to find it? I certainly am not one of them.

I was in an on-off relationship - high profile one that Dispatch couldn't seem to get over - with NC Dino Ace, Kim Nam Gil for the last five years, and where did I end up?

In a box full of our memories that I sent him before his departure to United States. He was offered an eight years contract with Los Angeles Angels, one of baseball team in Major League Baseball, and didn't talk about it with me. At all.

Not one of my friend supported our relationship, yet, for him I always made excuses. But he didn't talk to me about his contract? That was clear that he didn't count me in any of his future plan. It was hurt I never knew before.

I didn't have time for his apologies, I was so busy with my works. When I said we were in high profile relationship, I was the high profiler here. NC Dino ace wouldn't even make to Dispatch page if it wasn't for me.

Son Ye Jin, the first ever Supermodel from South Korea.

I was fully booked for several luxury brand pictorial shoots, walking the runway in every Fashion Week there were, and being the muse of several high-end fashion brands. I didn't have time to rest, let alone thinking about someone who didn't think about me.

"Do you have time this Friday? He has day off from his shooting." Min Jung's voice brings me back to today.

"Fine. Just let me know when and where to go." Min Jung comes up from behind and softly massages my shoulder.

"I feel good about this. You may be surprised with how compatible you are with him." She says confidently.

"Don't get your hopes up too much, Min Jung-ah. Not all of us lucky enough to meet our own Lee Byung Hoon, Chungmuro Actor extraordinaire. Even you guys needed two chances, what are the odds for me to meet the love of my life on a blind date?"

"Life is mystery, Ye Jin-ah. Sometimes, you just take the leap. Have fun on Friday, okay? Give him a chance and tell me all about it!" She waves her goodbye.

"Min Jung-ah, who am I meeting on Friday?"

"His stage name is Hyun Bin."

"Wait... Hyun Bin? THE HYUN BIN?"

"Yes, the Hyun Bin." Min Jung winks at me and leaves me with my own thought.

Hyun Bin. One of the most famous name in entertainment industry.

I type his name on the internet browser. Let's do some stalking.

***

When Friday comes, I am running late for blind date number 3 this month. I have a fitting with a brand and it ran longer than I anticipated. I've told Min Jung to tell the actor that I'm gonna be late. An hour maximum.