You Are My Hope

In Search of Swan Love

Now, in this seventh life, Hyesoo felt the weight of countless pasts upon her shoulders, yet the spark of hope flickered within her. She was determined not to let the final chance slip through her fingers like grains of sand. In the vibrant city of Gwangju, she sought solace not just in her dreams but in the promise of the present. 

Hyesoo had lived six lives, each filled with whispers of love that eluded her. In her past incarnations, she was a philosopher, a warrior, a healer, a wanderer, a painter, and a musician. Each life, she had sought the elusive true love that could break the curse laid upon her when she dismissed the power of swan love—the love between two soulmates meant to be together, eternally entwined like the majestic creatures themselves.

Years ago, she stood in a moonlit forest, entranced by an ancient magician. He waved his wand and created a beautiful scene of two swans gliding on a still lake, their necks intertwined in an eternal embrace. Hyesoo, young and stubborn, scoffed and said, "Love is just a fleeting ember." The magician looked at her with disappointment and replied, "You will learn the true nature of love through many lifetimes until you believe."

That moment cast a curse on her. She would live multiple lives, always searching for a love as strong as the swan's. Each time, she ended up heartbroken, haunted by connections that faded away before they could become real.

Gwangju was a busy city full of life. Among the crowd was Jung Ho-seok, known as J-Hope. He was the friendly CEO of DreamWorks Co., a tech company that grew from startup to a well- known business. J-Hope was loved by his employees for his kindness and genuine care. He treated everyone like family and believed that success would follow when people cared for each other. He remembered little details about his employees and held weekly coffee breaks to make everyone feel valued.

One rainy afternoon, J-Hope found himself standing in line at his favorite coffee shop, the rhythm of the downpour creating a soothing backdrop. As he reached into his purse to retrieve his wallet, his card slipped from his fingers, skidding across the tiled floor. Before he could react, a hand darted down to pick it up, and he looked up to see a girl with a beautiful smile illuminating the dim café.

"Here you go!" she chirped, handing him his card.

"Thank you!" J-Hope replied, feeling an unexpected warmth infect his soul.

Months later, J-Hope sat in his office, engrossed in a busy day at DreamWorks, when he was handed a stack of resumes for a new position. 

As he sifted through the papers, scanning for potential candidates, he came across a resume that felt oddly familiar.  The name printed at the top of the resume was Hyesoo Lee, accompanied by a photo that made his pulse quicken.

"Who is this?" he asked his assistant, barely masking his intrigue.

"Her name is Hyesoo. She graduated from SNU University with honors and has experience in both marketing and communications. Everyone who's worked with her has praised her creativity and passion," his assistant replied, but J-Hope barely heard the words. His mind spiraled, captivated by the image before him.

Was this the woman who had picked up his card that rainy day? The memory fluttered back to him, unbidden. The memories of their brief encounter at the coffee shop came rushing back like the currents of the Han River; her radiant smile, the gentle kindness in her demeanor—they had left an indelible mark on him. 

Driven by an impulse, J-Hope arranged for Hyesoo to come in for an interview.

When she walked into the office, Hyesoo was the epitome of grace and confidence. 

"Ms. Lee, thank you for coming in today," Jhope greeted, standing up and extending his hand.

"It's my pleasure, Mr. Jung," Hyesoo replied, shaking his hand firmly. Her touch sent a jolt of energy through him. 

The interview flowed effortlessly—a seamless exchange of ideas and aspirations.

"Hyesoo, I must say, your vision for marketing aligns perfectly with our goals at DreamWorks. The creative concepts you proposed are innovative and fresh," J-Hope commented, leaning forward. 

"I'd like you to join our team as an Event Manager," he said, excitedly. "We're planning various events, including product launches and community outreach programs, and I think your creativity would be a huge asset."   

"Thank you so much, Mr. Jung! I'm incredibly excited about the prospect of working with DreamWorks," Hyesoo replied, her heart racing. 

"You can start working from tomorrow,  and we have a team meeting next week where everyone shares their ideas for upcoming projects. I'd love for you to present yours," he said, gesturing toward the resumes piled on his desk. "We're all about innovation here." 

 "I'd be more than happy to," Hyesoo responded, her enthusiasm bubbling over. "I have some concepts I can't wait to share."

After the interview ended, Hyesoo stepped out of J-Hope's office, her heart racing with both excitement and disbelief. She walked to her car, her mind buzzing with the possibilities of this new path.

Wanting to take a moment to breathe, she drove to a nearby garden that always brought her peace. The bright greens and the sound of the small waterfalls felt soothing. She parked, stepped out, and wandered along the winding paths, enjoying the cool mist on her skin and the sweet smells of blooming flowers.

She saw families laughing, friends chatting, and couples walking together. It reminded her of the connections she had missed in her past lives. She found a quiet bench by a small waterfall and sat down, watching the water dance over the rocks. It was calming, just like her thoughts.

"Maybe in this life, things will be different," she whispered to herself, hopeful yet cautious. She closed her eyes and allowed the sound of the water to lull her as she sank deeper into her thoughts. 

On her way home, Hyesoo decided to stop at a convenience store. After picking out her snacks, she went to the cashier, who smiled at her warmly. "You look happy today!" she said as she rang up Hyesoo's items.

"I just had a great interview," Hyesoo replied, a smile spreading across her face.

"That's wonderful! I can tell you're going places," the cashier said as she handed Hyesoo the receipt.

"Thank you! I hope so," Hyesoo said, her heart full of optimism.

As Hyesoo left the convenience store with her snacks, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and saw a message from her sister, Suji: "Where are you? You said you'd be home!"

Hyesoo arrived home, excited about her interview, but her mood changed when she stepped inside. The living room was a mess, and she immediately heard her sister Suji crying.

"Suji?" Hyesoo called, sensing something was wrong.

On the floor, Suji was surrounded by used tissues and empty soju bottles, tears streaming down her face. "He broke up with me!" Suji sobbed.