Here and Now: Hyojeong Diaries

Chapter 9

"Thank you eomeoni abeonim.  I hope to see you again soon."  Sejeong said as she bowed to Hyoseop's parents.  His parents then approached Sejeong to give her a big group hug.

"And it was so great meeting both of you!"  Sejeong said as she hugged Hyoseop's sister and her husband.  "Congratulations again!  I feel sad that I wasn't able to attend your wedding - you look really beautiful in the wedding video."

"No worries at all.  I am just glad we were able to get together after the wedding.  By the way, you caught my wedding bouquet.  So technically it may not be long until it's your turn!"  Hyoseop's sister joked as she winked at Hyoseop.   

"You mean you handed her the bouquet in a box, after the wedding."  Hyoseop said.

"Come on Paul.  That's just a minor technicality."  Hyoseop's sister said.

"Let me help carry your luggage out."  Hyoseop's brother said, "No need for goodbyes between us, as we'll probably see each other back in Korea in a few weeks."

"That's right."  Sejeong said, bowing to everyone again, "Thank you for all the gifts, I didn't expect to come here with a small carry-on and return with a full-size luggage."

"You and your family couriered so many gifts to us back home.  That was really thoughtful of you."  Hyoseop's mom said. 

Hyoseop and Sejeong got into the car, as he set the GPS to the San Francisco Airport. Sejeong lowered the car window as she waved goodbye to the group standing outside the house.

"You know, my parents already have a new nickname for you.  They call you a ray of sunshine."  Hyoseop said.

"Really?  Oh I'm glad we got along so well.  I had a really great time with them these past few days."

"My parents may come to Asia to visit us again in a couple of months."

"I should free up my schedule when they come.  Let me know which days they are coming, ok?"

Hyoseop nodded as he flashed a smile at her.  

Out of Sejeong's many qualities, one quality that Hyoseop found especially attractive, was how much she loves her family and respects her elders.  About seven years ago, she had made her mark through the song "Flower Way" which spoke to her love and respect for her mother.  This song was Hyoseop's favorite song back then, and is still one of his favorite songs today.

"I have a nickname for you too."  He said.

"What is it?"

"Pauljjak."  

"Haha!  Yes, we came up with that together didn't we.  Yes, I admit it, I am a Pauljjak."  Sejeong said.

* * *

Hyoseop recalled that night when he and Sejeong came up with his fandom nickname, Pauljjak.

It was around May, right after Sejeong had finished filming her drama and was going full speed preparing for her comeback.

Hyoseop took advantage of one evening when he didn't have a filming schedule to have dinner at her place.  He knew that she was going through a very stressful time.  She was pulling her hair out dealing with the logistics for her upcoming album and planning for a series of concerts across eleven cities in the Fall.

"There is still so much to do.  And it's frustrating because I can't officially tell Sesangs (Sejeong's fans) what I have been working on until the end of July!"

"Yes you were never great at keeping secrets.  That's what I love about you.  You're an open book, the same inside and out."  Hyoseop said.

"Sometimes I worry Sesangs will forget about me when I have these long periods of inactivity.  No one has any idea that I have been working hard for the past year planning for this."