Together [You & I]

148 | Doljanchi

Shimwoo Hotel, Seoul

Today was the day where the couple was going to be celebrating Hyun Jae's first birthday. IN Korean culture, the first birthday is one of the most important celebrations in their life, also known as a Doljanchi.

*Dol 돌 means birthday and janchi 잔치 means banquet or feast, so technically doljanchi means birthday party

The restaurant in the Shimwoo Hotel was booked out and decked out for the celebrating as well as their guests. Seokhoon and Rona didn't want to invite too many people. They had to make sure that the media did not interrupt their celebration. Seokhoon wanted to make sure that his son was not taken by a stranger. Security was tightened at the hotel and only those who received a written invitation were allowed to enter the party.

The restaurant was decked out with simple decorations, at the very front of the restaurant was a long table filled with traditional decoration and food for that dojanchi. Rona and Seokhoon were dressed in a simple but elegant hanbok. They were greeting the guests as they came in one by one, Hyun Jae was in Seokhoon's arms, smiling.

Looks like someone is in a very good mood today. Yoonhee commented. Rona and Seokhoon were relieved that so far Hyun Jae was on his best behaviour. He slept well last night and was not making much of a fuss. At around 11am, all the invited guests were seated and Seokhoon and Rona were standing at the front of the restaurant.

They thanked all the guests for making time to come to Hyun Jae's celebration. Now came the most exciting part of the Dojianchi, the doljabi, 돌잡이. The doljabi is a fortune telling game where the parents lay out several symbolic items such as books, money and threads. Whichever item the baby picks first predicts what type of person the baby will be when they grow up. This of course was naturally all in the name of fun and entertainment rather than really believing this is what would be Hyun Jae's fate.

On the large table, there was a small table placed that was filled with all the different symbolic items that Hyun Jae could choose from, there were traditional items like thread, money, brush to more modern items like a football toy ball, microphone, stethoscope and more. The couple wanted to make the entire celebration more inclusive, so they created a raffle event for the Dojabi, guests were asked to choose what item they thought Hyun Jae would choose. Those who had guessed correctly will receive a small prize from the couple.

Now was the time, Seokhoon placed Hyun Jae on the table as he stared at the table. Even though Seokhoon and Rona were okay with any item that Hyun Jae chose, Seokhoon was secretly hoping that Hyun Jae would pick up the football toy, while Rona wanted him to pick up the pencil or paintbrush.

Hyun Jae stared at the table for some time, before he stretched out his hand to grab something on the table. Seokhoon and Rona were waiting for baited breath, until they both cheered. Hyun Jae had reached out to grab the paintbrush. Their immediate family stood up and clapped as well. Hyun Jae was so shocked by the cheers that he dropped the paintbrush on the table. He looked back to the table of items and reached out his tiny hands to grab the football toy as well. Seokhoon and Rona laughed, it looks like Hyun Jae picked two items for his dojiabi. Rona picked up Hyun Jae who was now holding a paintbrush in one hand and the football toy in another.

Looks like we may have a future athlete or artist on our hand.

Well whatever he wishes to be, we will definitely support his dream.

Think we should send him to classes already.

Haha, you, he only just started walking and you are already planning on sending him to classes.

You can never start too young.

You are incorrigible. Seokhoon laughed at his wife's words, he kissed Hyun Jae on the cheek and Rona.