Here and Now: Hyojeong Diaries

Chapter 13

Sejeong marveled at the iconic skyline of Victoria Harbour from her floor to ceiling window at the Peninsula hotel.  The night view in front of her was spectacular.  The lights of the buildings and skyscrapers glowed in various colors, covering the entire spectrum of the rainbow.  She took a sip of her champagne while browsing her phone for updates. 

She had just successfully wrapped up her concert in Hong Kong.   It was a huge success and her fans were more enthusiastic than she had imagined.  Everyone praised her for yet another flawless performance.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door, followed by the sound of a text notification on her phone.

I'm here.  Open the door.

Sejeong quietly opened the door and Hyoseop quickly walked inside.  He had arrived to Hong Kong the day prior and had been busy doing interviews with the local media.

A luxury Swiss watch brand had invited Hyoseop and Sejeong to attend their promotional event the next day. Although Sejeong was originally planning to leave for Manila that afternoon, she had agreed to attend the event immediately before hopping on her flight.

"I asked my assistant to get us some late night snacks."  He said, putting down two large bags on the table, "The PR rep said this restaurant has the most authentic Korean food in all of China, and has the highest rating."

 He took out at least five boxes of food, including dakdoritang (spicy chicken and potato stew), galbi jjim (korean short ribs), japchae (korean glass noodles), namul (korean salad) and songpyeon (rice cakes with sweet filling).

Sejeong gave him a hug.  Her mouth was salivating at the sight of the food, "Wow, this all looks so delicious.  I know we talked a lot about how we would celebrate Chuseok, but isn't this too much food for just two people?  How can we possibly finish this?"  She laughed, "Also, this is really going to mess up my diet."

"You don't need to go on a diet.  You are beautiful just the way you are, Sejeongie.  Plus, I like it when you have chubby cheeks."  He gently pinched her cheeks as she began munching on the songpyeon.  "And our dancers in the next room will be glad to finish our leftovers, don't you worry."

"You don't understand because you are tall.  When you are my height, every pound shows up on camera.  I wish I was five inches taller."

"Your height is perfect if you ask me.  Where would I rest my chin if you were five inches taller?" He said as he rested his chin on top of her head.

*   *   *

Back in Korea, the reporter who had snapped photos of Hyoseop and Sejeong at the Gimje Horizon Festival had just finished adding watermarks to the photos.

"Hey boss, I'm ready to upload the pictures."  He said to his supervisor.

"OK, let's wait and upload them tomorrow at noon.  Make sure you email the photos to their agencies at the same time and ask for their response."

"Will do."  He replied.

*  *  *

The next day, Sejeong and Hyoseop arrived at the luxury watch flagship store in Tsim Sha Tsui.  There was a very large crowd of people surrounding the store, stretching a few blocks around the area.

Sejeong was looking radiant as usual.  She was wearing a pewter grey strapless maxi dress, with a Bulgari diamond necklace and matching diamond earrings.  Her long dark hair perfectly framed her face as her eyes sparkled in front of the cameras.  Hyoseop was also looking dapper in a pastel blue suit, white button down shirt and matching pants.  His hair had gotten longer and was parted slightly in the middle to expose part of his forehead.  The two of them looked like characters straight out of an anime.