Point of View: JinjuI'm back in South Korea after a year.I was given an opportunity to come back to South Korea by my agency. After arriving at Incheon International Airport, I traveled to Gwangju on my own. Manager Song was shocked that I arrived five days earlier than he expected. I told him that I was going to visit Gwangju before going back to Seoul. He said a bunch of things before hanging up.I'm on a bus traveling to Gwangju. A lot of things happened after a year. I was actively promoting in China, and now I'm in South Korea to start fresh. A year ago I was nobody; a year ago I was working behind the scenes on songs for different successful groups; a year ago I was in Gwangju saying goodbye to my normal and undisturbed life; and a year ago I met Kim Dal Hee, the man in Wisteria Trail.A female student who was riding the same bus I was on approached me."Excuse me, are you Jinju? The Chinese singer of drama, my idol life?" The student asked."Yes." I smiled at her."Can I have an autograph and picture with you?""Sure, no problem." I signed and took a picture with her. After she left, I put on my mask, cap, and earphones, played Nabi Aeri songs in a shuffle, and then pretended to be sleeping.This is what I signed up for a year ago. The piece of paper who took my privacy and freedom in an instant. The contract dictated what to do, where to go, who to be friends with, who to stay away from, how to act in front of the media and everyone, and kept me from any sort of relationship.Do I regret it? Sometimes I regret it. Who would not want to walk normally in a street full of people without thinking of getting noticed and attracting attention? Who would not want to go out with their male friends without causing a scandal the next day?Those are the things I have to give up for a piece of paper.The paper that changed my life completely.My friends asked me, Why did I sign up for it? Why live that life? Why would you give up your freedom? Do you want to become famous?There were a lot of questions that even I could not answer, or because I wanted to prove that person wrong.I arrived in Gwangju later that afternoon, checked into my hotel room, and then went straight to Wisteria Trail.I was walking on the same trail a year ago, and a lot of changes were made to the trail. Before, there were a lot of vendors on one side; now you can only see them near the entrance of the trail, leaving the rest of the trail spacious.But some things did not change. People who are dating are here to make a wish. A year ago, I made the same wish and hung it on the big tree. I want to know if it's still there. I walked towards the tree and saw loads and loads of wishes. Likewise, I chuckled. Never mind, I'll just leave it untouched.I went to the booth to get the wishing kit set. As soon as I arrive at the booth, the old lady from a year ago is still the one giving out the kits."Hi, can I have one set of wishing kits?" The old lady looked at me."You came back." How the hell did she recognize me? "You were here last year at the same time with a man, and now you're alone?" She handed me the kit. "That man also came back a week ago. He actually wished again.""He came back. Auntie, how come you recognized me with all this mask and cap on me?""Lady, only a few people who wished to return to this place returned, and how can I forget you after you cried a lot that day?" I was puzzled; a fraction of the moment when I came here was gone for a specific reason."Auntie, I don't remember crying on that visit," I quickly answered."Probably it's a memory you don't want to remember." She smiled sadly. "Go on, make your wish."She doesn't make sense; I can't remember crying at this place at all. I was told by manager Song that it might not be important that I forget it. I wish to regain that memory.I was writing my wish once again when I saw a familiar scene. A boy kneeled down in front of a girl and offered her a ring. The girl said yes. Another couple's success is another couple's failure. There are a lot of people in the world who would want to share their lives with someone, and then there are these people who have been hurt, cheated on, and left behind. I was one of them; I was one of those people who had been left out.I rarely remember places and people in my life, but now South Korea has given me two things to remember: Kim Dal Hee and the Wisteria Trail.I snapped some pictures and went to grab something to eat. I was at a barbecue restaurant when my phone rang, and I immediately answered it."Hello.""Ya! You are supposed to call me when you arrive!" Minho screamed on the other line. Yes, Minho of Nabi Aeri called me. "You know that I have spare time.""Like we won't see each other in a few days. There's a thing called me time." I pop some pork belly wrapped in lettuce into my mouth."Yeah, I know, but you see, you're my responsibility when you're here in Korea.""Let's just pretend not to know each other on the day I arrive there.""You want me to deny knowing my cousin?" He screamed like a girl and threw tantrums like a kid."Yes, I came back for work, not vacation. I don't want to feel awkward when I see you with group members." Yes, he is my cousin—well, my only cousin."Look who's talking the last time you were here; you're a radio show MC turned demo guide maker, and now you're returning as Jinju, the famous star of My Idol Life." I laughed at him; he is kind of normal. For starters, Minho is 3 years older than me.When we were kids, Minho often said we would have entertainment careers and be rivals on the field. When he was 17, he was scouted by entertainment agency personnel and trained for 4 years until he made his debut as one of the vocalists of Nabi Aeri. Shortly after his debut, I was cast in a radio show, making me the youngest MC in that generation. I was called Molan."Wow, I have an avid fan here in Korea. Care to tell more?" I teased him."Seriously, Jinju, where are you now?""I'm in Gwangju." I heard him sighed on the other end. "I will be fine.""Are you sure? You know I can come there and accompany you.""And have you told me what to do? No, thank you. I prefer to be alone, ha ha ha.""Fine, but call me when you're in Seoul, okay? You're staying with me no more, buts.""Got it. Just don't let anyone know you're my cousin.""Yes, of course you are making your debut here; better start clean. I've got to go see you in a few days." He hung up before I could say goodbye; that man really has no manners.After I finished my meal, I went around the town to buy some native delicacies I'm going to take home. From wine to medicinal herbs to souvenir items, I was like a tourist.I'm back in my hotel room. I went out to the terrace and sat on the chair. I pulled out my phone to call."Hello," said the person on the other line."Xian, I'm here in Korea." I said it silently. Xian is the closest friend I have in the industry. He is an actor, singer, and label CEO of a China-based entertainment agency."Are you alright?""I feel lost for the first time.""You know I'm here for you, right?" I can sense his worries all the way from China."I know, I just felt like I left China so suddenly.""Talk about a sudden escape. Jinju, you know, you don't belong here in China; you will always find your way home, and that's where you are." He assured me."I know, I know, but I wish you were here.""Minho is there; once I get everything sorted out here, I will take the first flight out of Korea and go straight to you.""Promise me, you will come.""I will; it's late; take a rest already. Let's talk in the morning." I said my goodbyes and hung up.Xian was there when I was lost in China; he was there during the toughest time of my life. He was greatly affected by my absence in the Chinese entertainment industry; he is my wingman from the bottom up. Xian will always be my number one supporter and protector.