Farewell to Jo Hyun Jae: Seeing him off to join the army (Part 1)

2008.8.4 (Monday)

Greencup and I met up at Seoul's Incheon Airport, she having arrived from Taipei and I from Beijing. We were here just two weeks ago (to attend JHJ's fan meeting), so we were like two oldtimers, heading straight for the airport bus to our hotel.

After we checked in, we went to buy JHJ souvenirs. The young man in the shop recognized us at once from last time. (We were big spenders!) We splurged again this time. (There were so many JHJ goodies!) He was obviously impressed, because when he escorted us out of his shop, he kept shouting: "Jo Hyun-Jae! Jo Hyun-Jae! Jo Hyun-Jae!" He was so loud; the whole street heard him! It was hilarious! Spending several hundred thousand (Korean Won) to have JHJ's name trumpeted like that on a busy Myung-Dong neighbourhood was definitely worth it. The young man's parting words to us were: "Come again and ask for Myung-Dong Jo Hyun-Jae." (meaning himself!)

We then went to another shop which was cleaned out by JHJ's Japanese fans on July 19 -- they bought everything in sight! This time the shop had new merchandise -- lots of new JHJ souvenirs, even posters of the Thailand and Korea fan meetings (the latter took place just a fortnight ago!) Of course we had to empty our pocketbooks again. I wonder whether the manufacturers of these souvenirs pay for using JHJ's likeness. Does JHJ profit from our buying his souvenirs? I certainly hope he does.

I had used up most of the Korean Won I had with me and needed to change some money (to buy more JHJ photo albums for JHJChina tomorrow.) When we were not looking for them, we saw lots of signs of money-changers. Now when we wanted to find one, we could not, even after walking around in circles in Myung-Dong. Finally Greencup said: "Why don't we ask a policeman?" "A policeman?" "Yes, we just passed one." I looked around and saw a tall figure in a dark blue uniform. I ran after him and asked: "Do you speak English?" (He wasn't bad-looking from the front either.) To my surprise he said "Yes", so I asked him where I could find a money-changer. He opened his mouth to reply, thought better of it, and just said: "Follow me." (which Greencup said was the most comforting thing she heard all day.) We followed him for about five minutes until we came to a big sign that said MONEY EXCHANGE. The owner came to the door to welcome us, evidently very impressed we were introduced by a policeman. I had no doubt she gave me a good rate (she wouldn't dare cheat us!)

After refilling our ammunition, we had to "cure" our poor stomachs which were rumbling. We had not eaten since breakfast on the plane and it was now 5 p.m. Tomorrow would be a full and busy day for us, so as soon as we saw a sign that said (in Chinese characters): SAMGYETANG (meaning "chicken soup with ginseng"), we both said at the same time: "That's it!" It was an upstairs restaurant and its name was BAEK-JE! (JHJ's Prince's country in "Seo Dong Yo" -- what a coincidence!) It advertised itself as having been established for 40 years. We were so famished we ordered the most expensive thing on the menu -- "Double-boiled black chicken soup with ginseng" for KW20,000 (each). We felt much better after replenishing our energy, but we decided to retire early.

Going to bed early did not mean going to sleep. Greencup had received a phone call from JHJChina telling her about the message JHJ left for his fans on the eve of his departure for the army. We both felt like crying, and Greencup let me in on a secret -- she did not cry when her son entered the army and now she was near tears when JHJ was going into the army. I said we should not feel sad because JHJ was doing his duty to his country and would no doubt emerge in two years a stronger and wiser person. At 12 midnight I said: "No more talking. We have to rest. Tomorrow is going to be a long day." But did we stop? Who could stop talking about JHJ with a fellow fan?

(TO BE CONTINUED)

(Originally published on johyunjaeChina)