The Kpop Otaku's Dream 110 What Is Love?

I lowered the van's window as we hit the road The crisp sea breeze gently tussled my hair in the dim, morning sun. Whatever remnant of the earlier jet lag there was, it all seemed to melt away. In the tranquil weather, the morning wind briefly welcomes me. Inhaling, I take in all that South Korea's "Island of the G.o.ds" has to offer. Staring out of the window, the first glimpse of Jeju City emerged into view.

The s.h.i.+ning sun seemingly awakens the colors of the island. The natural greens and vivid blues native to the island easily consumed my view. The colors easy to spot amongst the other colorful, yet worn out buildings by the sea. In this moment, it was simple to see and understand that—of all the beautiful places in the world—nothing would surpa.s.s the sweet and pleasant landscapes in the morning Jeju Island has to offer.

"Dylan, we are here." Yuri-noona's voice chimed through the vehicle.

Nodding my head, I acknowledge the words. I proceed to stretch myself from my stiffness before I finally depart from the van and come face-to-face with the tall building of the next location we will be staying in.

Thankfully, the check-in process in the lobby was a fast and painless procedure and in less than forty minutes after landing, I was standing in an Executive Double room with an ocean view—all the way here on the 18th floor. I enjoyed the gorgeous views the Yellow Sea provided to me

The Executive Double room is equipped with modern amenities and some contemporary decor. Overall, the room offered a very comfortable atmosphere. The big screen TV provided good entertainment, but not as good as the sunsets you could watch over a bottle of wine beside the window. There was also complimentary bottled waters, coffee and tea, as well as free internet connection that made the room all the more convenient for me.

Before I can properly rest on the bed, I am dragged out of the s.p.a.cious room and into a considerably darker one;filled with cameras and Jeong-Ah noona sitting in the front and center.

"Hey, Dylan. Welcome to Jeju Island." She announces with a perky att.i.tude.

"Um, hi there. I take it this is the initial interview?"

"What makes you say that?" She asks with a sarcastic tone.

"Well, why are there cameras in this room?" I point out the obvious, "And the fact that the room is dark and lights dimmed out, my dear PD-nim."

"How astute of you to notice that, you really live up to SNU's reputation." She replied with a sardonic grin.

"Can we get this thing on the road?" I press for her to begin the filming.

"Quite eager to meet your future bride are you?" She states.

I ignore the question with a roll of my eyes.

She quirks an eyebrow and signals to the camera crew, "Okay, guys! Let's begin rolling! In 3, 2 and 1!"

"Introduce yourself, please."

"Annyeonghaseyo, I am the 21-year-old Dylan Park. I'm also an actor. Nice to meet you!" I introduce myself, facing the camera with a smile plastered on my face.

"Have you dated before?" She asks me.

"Uh... anyone my age would have some experience right?"

"Then, when was your last relations.h.i.+p?"

"It was about a year ago." (It's still ongoing, but she doesn't have to know, right?)

She pulls out a challenging look and asks me: "Have you ever kissed your girlfriend?"

"Oh," I put on a befuddled look for the show "that's a personal question. But all I can say is that I'm a very healthy and young man."

"Is that so? What do you think of love, Dylan-ssi?"

Straightening my back, I try to compose my thoughts before I answer more to myself than the PD.

'What is love to me?'

I've never given it much thought. Before I met Irene, I'd probably say something cheesy, like 'Love is the most spectacular, indescribable, deep, euphoric feeling you have for someone.' But, while that's true it's not quite right.

Love can be selfish. Love... can hurt. Love is so much more than just jelly tots and gumdrops.

"Love is giving someone the power to destroy you, and hoping, no, trusting them not to."

"Uh," I pause in contemplation "it's like a two-sided coin: It can strengthen or stifle; expand or enfeeble; perfect or pauperize. When love is returned, we are taken to new, unseen heights, where it delights, invigorated and beautifies. When love is spurned, we feel crippled, disconsolate and bereaved.

Love, to me. We all think about it, sing about it, dream about it, lose sleep worrying about it. When we don't have it, we search for it; when we discover it, we don't know what to do with it; and when we have it, we fear losing it.

It is a constant source of pleasure and pain. But... we can't predict which it will be from one moment to the next.

It is a short word, easy to spell, difficult to define and impossible to live without."

"Those are some interesting thoughts from a young man." The PD says after I finish my elaboration.

"I read a lot." I answer matter-of-factly.

"Earlier, you were given a photo of your bride, what do you think about her?" She asks me once again.

I laugh, "You mean that childhood picture? Of a family; the two daughters and their parents?"

She nods at my words.

"Well, firstly; they look very happy and, secondly; the girls were lucky to have such parents. They definitely have superior genes." I answer truthfully, "I must admit my future father and mother-in-law are pretty good-looking."

"How obsequious of you," Jeong-ah replies,"it's a very smart move."

"I know, right?" I wink at the camera's and makefinger hearts.

"So, that's all the questions I have for you. I've made you wait long enough." She hands me a red envelope and I receive it with a mutter of thanks.

Opening it, I take out the card and read aloud, "Your bride is somewhat coveted by many. Wary of wasting her time, she's laid out a challenge: Answer her three riddles and she will be yours. Do you dare to take up this stand?"

"Is she Turandot?" I ask offhandedly.

"P—pardon?"

"The opera of 'Turandot' that tells the story of an Asian princess who many men wish to marry. However, if they wish to become her suitor, they must answer three riddles correctly. Failure to do so leads to death. No man can answer the three riddles correct until Calaf appears. Does she want me to be her Calaf?" I ask

"'Does that mean you take up the challenge? It should be easy since you already know the story, then."

"That's not completely accurate." I say, "I may know the questions, but I don't know her answers. The three riddles of Turandot has more than one correct answer. Before I take up the attempt, can I ask one question?"

"Of course."

"When you asked her "What is love?"— how did she respond?"