My Korean Guy II

Chapter Four-The Announcement

I was a bundle of nerves as I picked out the dress I was going to wear to meet Jin Ho's family. Almost eight years ago, I met his father and mother. That was when I found out that he has been betrothed to the daughter of his father's best friend. This time, I will be introduced to them as Jin Ho's yaghonja, his fiancée. I felt the same anxiety I had years ago.

Finally, I chose a knee-length black vintage party swing dress and heels. I was never into heavy make-up so I settled for dab of lip gloss and some hint of a blush.

I made it a point to buy a fruit basket and a Han-U (Korean beef) set as a gift for Jin Ho's parents. I also bought a set of neck ties for his dad since he was celebrating his 60th birthday. Jin Ho said it was not necessary but I insisted.

Jin Ho was waiting for me in the living room, seated on the sofa, reading the newspaper. As I reached the last step, he looked up and smiled.

"Nomu ye bo yo. You look beautiful." He said as he looked at me with affection.

"Thank you." I beamed and blushed. After a year of being together, I still haven't gotten used to Jin Ho's compliments.

"Ready?" He asked as he held my hand. He peered worriedly at my face when he noticed that my hands were icy cold. "Jagi?"

"Don't worry about me. I'll survive this." I squeezed his hand to reassure him.

He lifted my hands, kissed them, and said, "I'll be there for you."

It took about an hour to get to a Park Hyatt Seoul in the Gangnam District. As we got to the parking lot, Jin Ho was already throwing me worried glances.

"LJ! Stop that! You're making me more nervous." I remarked as I playfully slapped his arm.

"Are you? You don't look a bit frazzled, jagi." He teased just to make light of things and perhaps to prepare me for what was about to transpire.

I recently read an article that Korean parents were not fond of their children marrying a waeguk-saram, a foreigner. I was a foreigner in their eyes. I wasn't sure about their reactions because Jin Ho hasn't told them the "good news".

As we entered the banquet hall, about a hundred people were milling about. I suddenly stiffened and Jin Ho must have noticed this because he held my hand even tighter as he led me through the crowd. We reached a group of people seated at the presidential table. I immediately recognized Jin Ho's parents seated at the center. Jin Ho stopped in front of them and bowed. I followed suit.

"Anyeong hassimnikka." We both said.

"Da-eum-eun bumonim imnida. These are my parents." Jin Ho said.

"Juh nun Maya Rivera imnida. Mannaseo bangapseumnida. My name is Maya Rivera. Pleased to meet you."

Jin Ho's dad took a good look at me and was probably thinking where he saw me. His mother's lips curved into a smile and said: "Anjayo. Please sit."

My fiancé smiled encouragingly at me and pulled out a chair for me. Then I remembered the gifts I brought for his family.

"I dangsin-eul wihae imnida. These are for you." I handed Jin Ho's mom the Han-U beef set and fruit basket and the neckties to his dad.

"Seng-il chukahamnida. Happy birthday." I beamed at his dad.

"Thank you. I've met you in the past. You are Jin Ho's teacher, am I correct?" Mr. Lee remarked in English as he accepted my present.

Jin Ho cleared his throat and said: "Abeoji, Maya neun nae yaghonnyeo imnida. Father, Maya is my fiancée."

It took a while for his parents to digest what he said and looked from Jin Ho to me with shocked faces. They were probably used to Jin Ho's obstinate nature but they never expected him to go this far as to marry a foreigner.