I finally made it to Chejudo, Korea. I didn’t know
where to look for Ji Won so anywhere was fine. I was never
a lucky person. I couldn’t find any signs of Ji Won
there so I traveled to Inchun City.
My search for Ji Won continued for another year. During
that time I had traveled to many cities like Guam, Pusan,
etc. It must have been a gift from God because one day my
search was over…
November 21, 1998
I had just finish my overtime shift at the Nam Hotel. It
was pretty ironic because my whole family spent their lives
working for hotels and here is the biggest one in all of
Seoul with our family name. I went into the worker’s
lounge to take a break and pour myself some tea. I sat down
and read the headlines.
‘Sechskies are to open a conference broadcasting
live on Channel 6 today’
I rolled my eyes. Not them again. They were the notorious
mafia lead by Matthew Eun. I shuddered. I can’t believe
the leader has the same last name as my beloved Ji Won.
Actually 6kies was composed of 6 leaders. They committed
a lot of crimes and were always challenging the authorities.
They had a lot of power and no one could take their pictures
without their consent but a lot of people know what they
look like. I didn’t care. I was too busy looking for
Ji Won to notice them.
A worker with me named So Kyung Hee came in. “Hey,”
she said, patting me lightly on the knee. “On break?”
I took a sip and nodded. “Me too,” she said
smiling.
I smiled back at her. Kyung Hee was actually one of the
nicest people at the hotel. Most of them were cold and just
worried about how much tips they can get.
Kyung Hee picked up the TV remote and turned to Channel
6. “Hey Mina, there’s supposed to be showing
6kies today. Wonder what they look like.”
I nodded and watched with her. When the clock struck 9,
I felt my heart had stopped and it was not from my heart
failure either. I stared at the face that was giving a cocky
smile to the camera. Ji Won. Slowly the camera pulled out
revealing the other 5 members.
I recognized Sung Hoon. He and Ji Won looked completely
different but I still recognized them. Ji Won had his hair
dyed completely blonde while Sung Hoon’s was streaked.
Kyung Hee and I watched them in silence as they began to
talk. Ji Won and the others introduced themselves. Then
the camera showed directly at Ji Won.
To most people he would look like an evil gang leader but
in my eyes he was a beautiful angel. If it was ever possible,
Ji Won was even finer than before.
“Mina, are you okay?” asked Kyung Hee, as she
waved a hand in front of my face.
“Huh?” I asked looking at her. “Oh, I’m
fine. Just listening to what they have to say.”
I pointed to Ji Won on the screen. “Who is he?”
“That’s Matthew Eun,” she answered me.
I stared at Ji Won some more. He had changed his name and
so did Sung Hoon. No wonder I couldn’t find them.
Kyung Hee caught me staring so she smiled at me. “The
leader is cute huh?”
I blushed. “Yeah.” “Too bad in real life
he’s such a jerk.”
“He is not!” I yelled at her.
Kyung Hee scooted her seat back in shock. I apologized right
away. “Sorry Kyung Hee, I didn’t mean to yell
at you.”
She had a confused look on her face but she said, “Uh,
it’s okay Mina.”
I pulled a finger to my lips. “Shh…let’s
listen to what they have to say…”
Ji Won began talking.
“This is Sechkies speaking to all you losers out there
watching us. We just want to say that we’re open to
hire new ‘employees’. We usually travel around
to our many hotels but you’ll find us if you have
the right connections. Also a word to the police of Korea.
Why are you picking on us?“ Ji Won asked sarcastically.
“We’re good, law-abiding citizens.”
Ji Won folded his hands together and gave a little bow.
Then all of the Sechskies leaders started laughing.
“Oh my gosh! Look at him!” yelled Kyung Hee
and pointed to Sung Hoon on the T.V. screen. “Look
at that stupid smile and that perverted laugh. Kekeke…”
Kyung Hee made a poor impression of Sung Hoon’s laugh
and it made me laugh. ‘Geez’, I thought. ‘Sung
Hoon would kill her if he knew she made fun of his trademark
smile’.
The show ended a little too soon for me but Ji Won did say
he was visiting many hotels and mine is the biggest one.
He has to come here. I went back to work and waited for
him to come.
