Guess what? I just got back from Seoul! Yup. I actually went to the place featured in my upcoming series. I’ve wanted to go for a while now, but I’m not a frequent traveler, and it’s not exactly around the way. But I enjoyed the trip. Korean Air was the best airlines experience I’ve ever had, and I was super prepared: compression socks, neck pillow, wet wipes, face mist, face towelettes, I was ready!
The food was great, and the skincare is as plentiful as you’d imagine. In Seoul, they give out sheet masks and samples like candy. I drank tea at a traditional Korean tea house, visited a Buddhist Temple and rode the subway to a different neighborhood almost every day. I think it will really add some great color to the work.
Here’s a snippet from my latest WIP. This one picks up where last week’s leaves off. Sinna and Tan are still on their first date, and he’s sharing some of his history. I love this kind of back story in books as long as it moves quickly and easily. It adds depth to the characters, and it helps you understand their motivations later without a lot of exposition.
The picture is of South Korean actor Lee Sang Yoon who I just say in “About Time.” You’re welcome. Let me know what you think!
XOXO,
SS
“He was very well to do, very handsome, a former idol who now owns one of the most successful idol management companies in South Korea. He began to court my mother, but I stuck close because I did not trust him. He could see this, but he just laughed and slapped me on the back and told me I was a good son.
“He told me that he’d assembled the next big international group, that all of the other members were extremely handsome and talented, and that I could slide in without years as a trainee before my debut. He also told me that the contract would not be onerous, that I would be allowed to do other work and would keep a larger percentage of my earnings.
“He spoke to me like an adult, laying out everything and not hesitating to answer my questions. He was also not offended when I said I would have a lawyer look over the contract. In fact, he seemed pleased with me, even proud.
“I asked him if he wanted to marry my mother. He said yes. Then I asked him if he wanted to get rid of me and my brother. He laughed, and told me no. He said he admired my dedication to my family and assured me that my little brother and mother would be safe and well cared for by him.”
‘I do not want your mother to have more children. I have two children of my own from a previous marriage. With you and your brother that makes four; that is enough,’ he told me. ‘I just want her.’ I understood that. My mother is very beautiful and very sweet.
“In hindsight, he was very tolerant. I asked very rude questions about his first marriage and his other sons. But I guess he knew that without my approval he would never get close to my mother.
“After we talked, I asked her if she wanted to marry him. She said yes. ‘He is not your father,’ she told me, sadly. ‘But no man could be, and I would like companionship. I think he will be kind to me and to your brother. I will be lonely once you leave.’”
He smiled gently. “My mother was convinced I would be a big star because I’d started taking more and more trips abroad to work. So, I asked her to wait six months, but not tell him what she was doing. We laughed at our little plan to test his patience and sincerity. And I began my training as an idol.
“Because of his position, I made my debut less than a year later. She married Seong Huo, and she is happy with him. He is a good father to my brother, and my step-siblings are very spoiled, but they’re not bad.
“Our group became successful immediately, just as he predicted. Seong Huo is very skilled at what he’s doing, and my minor fame as an actor helped as did my members’ talent, good looks and charm. There has been no time for romance. When I did meet someone I liked, something always seemed to happen,” he shrugged.
