Dong-sun and Sun Hee rested under the shade of the parasol while enjoying the view of the clear blue water. They sat comfortably in a folding chair while sipping a glass of ice-cold brew. Sun Hee's dream to be with Dong-sun when he was still inside the comics came true. It was like being with a Kpop idol like Jungkook, and yet she couldn't express the pleasure. She didn't want to appear like a crazy fangirl dying with excitement.
"Miss Cha. Can I ask you a question?"
"Yes."
"Why aren't you looking at me? Am I intimidating?"
She gulped while her eyes were unsettling.
"No. I'm just... overwhelmed. I'm trying to calm down. I feel like I hit the lottery right now," she said. That made him smile.
"What do you like about me?"
"To be honest, the man I like is Dong-sun. But unfortunately, he is a fictional character and I cannot marry him. You look like him from all angles. That's why I like you."
"Oh. Then what do you like about Dong-sun?"
Sun Hee sighed and stared at the waves crashing through the pebbles.
"Dong-sun came from a rich family, but he is the humblest person I know. Even though he was sheltered with love from his parents, he wanted to experience the jobs of the minimum wage earners. When he was in high school, he took different sidelines. He wasn't arrogant or bully in school."
Dong-sun recalled his memories while she was talking. He used to be a part-time waiter, cook, janitor, and street food vendor in his younger years. He had firsthand contact with the harsh realities of life in a lower-class community. The slaps and beatings from his superiors, the unpleasant words from his supervisors—they all stayed with him.
It was then that Eun Ae, the female lead, came to his rescue. She couldn't see why he had to put up with so much when he could just shut the stores down. Not the challenges of being impoverished, but the loss of the one he loves without admitting his feelings sooner was the most agonizing part. It was uttering their vows before she died in his arms.
"It wasn't my money, after all. Because of my parents' affluence, I wanted to work for myself," he said.
"Wow. How did you know his exact line?" she asked.
"Oh. I read the book."
"I feel like I'm hearing it from Dong-sun himself. Gosh. Isn't it like Romeo and Juliet?"
"Yes. I pity Dong-sun. I would hate the author if I were him."
"Same! I cussed at Mee Yoon after finishing the story. She is merciless to the characters." Sun Hee shook her head.
"Since I am not Dong-sun, do you want to get to know me? The real me," he said.
'The person with the freedom to choose who I wanted to become, not the author's puppet.'
"I would love to," she replied.
"Let's go?"
"Where?"
"Back in time." He held her hand, and they ran like children in the wilderness, free from what's holding them back. They were unconsciously smiling from ear to ear as if they were going on a trip no one knows about.
'I am not as popular as Lee Min Ho or Park Seo Jun. But today, I'm going to give you the best fan service in history,' Dong-sun thought.
The man who was tailing them removed his cap in frustration. "Why are they running? Are they having a prenup shoot or something? How dare he hold her hand like that?"
***
Dong-sun and Sun Hee arrived at Jeju Island's "Fairy and Woodcutter Theme Park," which is located near Geomun Oreum. It is a themed exhibition hall that depicts Korea in the 1960s and 1970s. Visitors can explore around 15 displays as they walk through the entryway, including a small reproduction of ancient Seoul Station, a traditional marketplace, an old movie town, and a destitute hillside village.
"Is this why we are wearing vintage clothing?" Sun Hee said. Earlier, Dong-sun led her to a shop that sells ancient outfits and he chose those in between the 1960s and 1970s to match the place they were going.
Sun Hee wore a white dress with a black ribbon around the collar, while Dong-sun wore a dark green vintage-designed tuxedo.
"I told you. We are going back to the past. Let's not think about the present or future. Will you do it with me?" He lent his left arm.
"I won't resist," she said and clang to his arm.
They passed by an old movie theatre, lifelike statues, and several antiques. A few information boards were written in English, but almost everything was in Korean. They took photos of themselves in a bygone era and enjoyed the games they never played before.
It was already 6 in the evening when they strolled outside. Sun Hee walked in slow motion because her feet went numb and she was exhausted. She shivered as the cold crawled up to her spine. Dong-sun gazed at her and stopped.
"Let me give you a ride," he said. Sun Hee looked around. "But we don't have a car."
Dong-sun tapped his shoulder. "On my back." He bent down and offered a piggyback ride. Sun Hee was appalled and frozen in place.
"Faster. It's getting colder," he said.
"Y-yes."
She wrapped her arms around his neck. He could feel the loud pounding of her chest behind him. His warmth was enough for her to be comfortable, but it didn't put her heart at ease. As a Kdrama fan, she has a bucket list of the things she wanted to experience with her Oppa. One of those has been granted that night.
"Are you okay? I'm sorry for tiring you," he said.
"Oppa, I'd rather be exhausted forever this way."
"You can relax. This will take a while."
Sun Hee gazed up at the stars. "I guess I saved the nation in my past life."
"Why do you think so?"
"Because I'm with you."
Dong-sun chuckled. 'She always has something to say.'
"Then what am I in my past life?" he asked.
"You are the king, and I am one of your concubines."
"Why concubine when you can be my queen?"
Sun Hee pressed her lips together and buried her face in his back. His scent made her even more ecstatic and enamored for him.
Dong-sun put her down to gape at the mesmerizing view of the lights on the island. He adored the island's serenity more than the joy of the city. He wore the black long coat she's been holding.
'Men are supposed to put the jacket on a woman's shoulder as an act of tender loving care. Does it mean he doesn't care about me and everything was a show?' Sun Hee thought while scrutinizing him.
Dong-sun held the tip of his coat and opened it.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
He smiled and gave her a back hug, covering her entire body with the coat.
"They call this a confinement hug. It's much better than just wearing a coat. Right?"
Sun Hee was shaking in panic. She was in a state of delirium as her heart rattled. The crackling sound distracted them as they turned their attention to the massive tree behind them. They didn't appear to be alone.