Letters of Love: To Hee-Jin and Boong-Do

Dearest Hee-Jin,

You go girl!

Out of many K-drama heroines, you are one of the most courageous. Some may call it impulsiveness, shamelessness, or even stupidity, but I call it courage. Not many can do what you do- help a time-traveling Joseon scholar, grab that same man for a kiss and lie that it’s a way to say “goodbye,” and run out of an award ceremony to chase that man who everyone thinks is a dream.

I’m so glad you don’t scream, Hee-Jin, except maybe at innocent taxi drivers. I’m so tired of leading ladies that yell and bicker with their leading men. These ladies let their tempers get the best of them and create more drama. Drama seems to find you because you’re too nice, but you don’t create them.

Thank you for showing us that functional love exists.  If we are to believe other K-dramas, love is only portrayed through bickering and a tug-of-war of feelings. You, however, wear your heart on your sleeve and display it boldly. You don’t hold back your affections because of pride (although you seem to have some useless pride regarding a few written languages). You allow your love to shine and light up the world. How wonderful does the world look to you?

I love how you fight your own battles, not because you want to be a martyr, but because you want to take care of yourself. You want to take responsibility for your own life and I have nothing but respect for that.

Stay strong, Hee-Jin, because it looks like there is some heartache up ahead. I trust in your courage and great capacity for love.

From your admirer,

Joonni

P.S. Is Boong-Do a good kisser? Oh, and where do you get your shoes?

Dearest Boong-Do,

I love you.

That is all.

Okay, I lied. I have so much more to say.

Boong-Do, you are my hero. Your intelligence and capability earn my respect. You traveled 300 years into the future- yet, you didn’t panic. Luck may have been on your side by sending you Hee-Jin and a Chinese language South Korea tour book, but you learned about the modern world mostly by yourself. You even knew when Hee-Jin was lying to you about that “goodbye” ritual and “curry rice.” You even knew how to give yourself a perfect haircut!

You’re also a strong fighter and a gentle lover. You must have nine lives because the number of times you almost died….It would give most people Post Traumatic Stress Disorder but you almost seem to enjoy your frequent brushes with death. I know they bring you to Hee-Jin but I do worry.

Can you always smile? Your smile lights up the world and your eyes express so much. I know you can see Hee-Jin melting in front of your eyes but you haven’t seen the rest of your fans around the world. They lie as goo in front of their computers and only manage to pull themselves together to just watch you smile again.

Do I sound like I want you for myself? If I do, please forgive me. I love you best when you’re with Hee-Jin. I love you best when you smile at her, hold her in your arms, and kiss her. I love you best when you say, “To take real responsibility is to be by your side, always.”

I know you are worried these days because you don’t know during which time you should live in. You have to choose between staying in a place where your life is already laid out in front of you but everyone knows you, or deciding to stay with your love in a world where you have no origins, family, or friends. I can’t give you any advice regarding your decision. You already know that both choices have consequences and unforeseen effects. I know you will choose wisely and live that life with dignity and responsibility.

On a less serious note, do you work out? Because those shoulders…..

From your biggest fan,

Joonni

P.S. Don’t let Hee-Jin see this letter. She’ll probably start to pout and imagine strange things about you.