Chapter 16
THE NEWS ABOUT brYAN’S AND MY “RELATIONSHIP ” makes entertainment headlines and goes viral later that night, and people freak out even more when Minjee’s character makes her first appearance on the show.
New Year’s Eve Surprise! Park Minjee enters Fated Destiny. What does this mean for Bryan and Hana’s new relationship?
Possible cat fight? Love triangle emerges in Fated Destiny !
Which girl will Prince Hyun choose?
I roll my eyes when I see the last headline. Although I’m grateful for the buzz, I kind of really hate what our show has become. From the way people talk about it now, it’s like Fated Destiny is the Korean teen Bachelor .
There’s a knock on my door, and I look up to see Mom and Dad standing in the doorway of my room.
“Hana?” Mom says. “Did you want to join in for New Year’s celebrations?”
“Yes!” I toss my phone onto my bed. No matter what people are saying about the show, I’m definitely not going to let them make me lose sight of what’s really important.
My parents and I usually go to Jongno to see people ring the Bosingak bell at midnight or catch the fireworks at the COEX Center, but this year, we opt to celebrate in our apartment. The last thing I need is more crowds.
With the TV set on the New Year’s countdown at Bosingak Pavilion, my parents and I sit on our couch at twenty minutes before midnight.
Mom mutes the audio of the TV. “While we’re waiting, let’s go around and say our New Year’s resolutions.
” She takes a deep breath and continues, “I’ll start.
Mine is to take some more time for myself.
I have to admit, this year has been really busy for me.
And as much as I love doing everything I do, I’ve been feeling worn down.
Maybe I should work fewer hours and take a traditional Korean instrument class instead?
I’ve always wanted to learn how to play the gayageum. ”
“Umma, please do take some time for yourself,” I say. “You don’t have to work as hard as you did before I got my role in Fated Destiny . I can help pitch in for the bills, too!”
“And let me know if you ever want some more massage vouchers at the Korean spa,” Dad adds. “I can always get you some.”
“Thank you. Both of you are so sweet.” Mom turns to Dad. “What about you, yeobo?”
“I’m hoping to get a raise this year,” he replies without any hesitation. “It’s hard because the company is always trying to push some of the older employees out to make room for the young people, but my supervisor says he’s been really satisfied with my work. So I think that’s a good sign.”
I squeeze Dad’s hands. “I really hope you can get that raise, too.”
“Do you have any resolutions for the new year, Hana?” Mom asks me.
I stare at the still muted TV, watching the smiling faces of everyone gathered at the Pavilion.
Condensation comes out in small puffs from their mouths, and I feel cold just looking at how bundled up they are.
But despite the frigid temperatures, they all look so happy, and the people on-screen excitedly wave their bright white phone lights at the camera.
Even without sound, everyone’s hope for the new year radiates off the TV.
I’d been too busy for the past few months to even think about more than a day at a time, but maybe I should start thinking beyond that.
“I really want to successfully wrap up this show,” I say. “And hopefully finish it with good enough ratings to get new opportunities from it.”
I turn away from the TV to look at my parents.
“And I want to make you and Appa proud. You guys do so much for me. I don’t want all of it to go to waste.”
My parents stare back at me, Mom with her eyebrows raised and Dad with his mouth slightly ajar.
“Honey,” Mom says, “you do know that no matter what happens, we’ll always be proud of you, right?”
“And we definitely don’t think anything you do is a waste,” Dad adds.
I swallow and look down at my feet, suddenly feeling awkward under my parents’ intent gazes. “I know. But I still want to do my best. It’s what you deserve.”
Dad puts a hand on my shoulder while Mom asks, “But how about you , Hana? Are you enjoying the show? Having a lead role like this is what you’ve always wanted, right?”
I glance back at the TV. News announcers are recounting the events of the past year before the big countdown.
“Things are harder than I thought they’d be,” I admit. “And I had to do a lot of things that I didn’t think I’d have to do. If I’m being honest, I feel overwhelmed more often than I have fun.”
“This is your first lead role for a major show,” Mom interjects. “This is huge! It’d be strange if you felt completely at ease. The most you can do is try your best and hopefully also enjoy yourself during the process.”
I look at her, realizing she’s right. Back on the TV, the cameras are showing the Bosingak bell again.
It’s almost midnight, and the mayor, an Olympic athlete, and other notable figures line up to strike the bell.
I unmute the broadcast, smiling at the enthusiastic commentary explaining how the bell gets rung thirty-three times at midnight, just like how it was rung every morning and evening during the Joseon Dynasty.
They tell the story every year, but I never get sick of it.
It feels nice to be part of a tradition that goes back many centuries.
“Okay, then. Scratch my old resolution,” I say. “I want to enjoy whatever time I have left with this show. And try my best.”
On TV, everyone’s excitement reaches a feverish pitch as the ten-second countdown begins.
“Ten! Nine! Eight!”
Mom pulls me in for a hug. “That’s more like it.”
“Seven! Six!”
“Here we go!” Dad says.
My parents and I join in, counting down with the people on TV.
“Five! Four! Three! Two! One! Happy New Year!”
Bong! Bong!
The bell rings, welcoming the new year. I think about our resolutions and hold my parents tight.