Kim Ha-Na wished Ji-Yoon a nice day and left for her job at "Hyundai Department Store's 'Myeong-dong Mode' where she work as an assistant manager.
Ji-Yoon settled onto the sofa, scrolling through her phone's calendar.
"October 30, 2024... Five years now... since Min-Soo and I started dating," she thought, a warm smile spreading across her face.
She imagined Lee Min-Soo's handsome face, his bright smile, and captivating eyes. They had been apart for three years, and Ji-Yoon couldn't wait to reunite.
"What should I get him?" Ji-Yoon pondered, tapping her chin.
She dialed Min-Soo's number, but it went straight to voicemail.
"Maybe he's not back in Korea yet," Ji-Yoon assumed.
Curious, Ji-Yoon retrieved her diary from five years ago.
As she flipped through the pages, memories flooded back.
"Our first meeting... Our first date... My world," Ji-Yoon muttered, lost in nostalgia.
She snapped back to reality, realizing she needed to prepare for Min-Soo's return.
Ji-Yoon checked the kitchen but found they were out of kimchi and other essentials.
She grabbed her handbag and headed out to the grocery store.
"Time to shop!" Ji-Yoon exclaimed, excitement building.
Ji-Yoon skipped into the grocery store, humming a happy tune. She grabbed a cart and began collecting ingredients for a special Korean dinner.
"Min-Soo loves Bibimbap!" she exclaimed, picking up a basket of fresh vegetables.
She carefully selected the finest ingredients:
- Succulent beef for Bulgogi
- Crisp lettuce for wrapping
- Plump, juicy kimchi
- Fragrant sesame oil
- Soft, fluffy rice
As she wandered the aisles, Ji-Yoon's mind wandered to Min-Soo.
"Three long years... He's finally coming home," she thought, her heart swelling.
Ji-Yoon imagined Min-Soo's bright smile, his eyes sparkling as he took his first bite.
"Ah! I need some Makgeolli (Korean rice wine) to toast our reunion!" she exclaimed.
She added a bottle to her cart, along with traditional Korean side dishes:
- Japchae (stir-fried glass noodles)
- Gyeran-jjim (steamed eggs)
- Oi Muchim (cucumber salad)
At the checkout, Ji-Yoon beamed at the cashier.
"Today's a special day! My boyfriend's coming home after three years," she shared.
The cashier smiled. "Congratulations! You must be thrilled."
Ji-Yoon nodded enthusiastically. "I've missed him so much!"
With her ingredients in hand, Ji-Yoon hurried home to prepare a memorable dinner.
Upon arriving, she burst into song:
"Min-Soo's coming home, Min-Soo's coming home..."
As she unpacked the groceries, Ji-Yoon's excitement grew.
"Tonight will be perfect!"
Ji-Yoon's hands moved swiftly as she finished preparing the Bibimbap, Bulgogi, and Japchae. She couldn't wait to see Min-Soo's face light up when he tasted her cooking.
She dialed his number again, and this time, it rang. Her heart skipped a beat.
"Maybe he's finally back!" Ji-Yoon exclaimed.
But just as she was about to speak, the line went dead.
"Huh? Did he hang up?"
Ji-Yoon wondered if Min-Soo had indeed returned. She couldn't shake off the excitement.
"I'll take the food to the airport!" Ji-Yoon decided, packing the dishes into containers.
She glanced at her wristwatch - 1 PM.
"Perfect timing!" Ji-Yoon grabbed her bag and rushed out the door.
At Incheon International Airport, Ji-Yoon joined the throngs of people waiting for their loved ones. She stood nervously, scanning the arrivals gate.
"Where is he?" Ji-Yoon muttered, checking her watch every few minutes.
As the hours ticked by - 2 PM, 3 PM, 4 PM - Ji-Yoon's enthusiasm began to wane.
"Has his plane not arrived?" she wondered, worry creeping into her voice.
The crowds thinned, and the waiting area emptied. Ji-Yoon's eyes searched for Min-Soo's familiar face, but he was nowhere to be found.
Defeated, Ji-Yoon turned to leave.
"Maybe I missed him?" she thought, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes.
As she walked away from the airport, Ji-Yoon's phone remained silent.
"Where are you, Min-Soo?" she whispered, her heart heavy with disappointment.
Ji-Yoon hailed a cab outside Incheon International Airport, directing the driver to her apartment in Seoul's vibrant Hongdae district.
As they drove through the bustling city, Ji-Yoon's phone rang, breaking the silence.
"Hello, lover girl!" Ha-Na's cheerful voice shouted from the other end.
Ji-Yoon's response was muted, her disappointment still fresh.
"Hey, did you meet him?" Ha-Na asked, concern creeping into her tone.
"No... Maybe I missed him," Ji-Yoon said, her voice barely above a whisper. "He's not picking up my calls. Do you think he's coming back tomorrow, not today? Maybe I was mistaken?"
Almost teary, Ji-Yoon's words trembled.
Ha-Na swiftly changed the subject. "Don't worry, I'll close up early and come home. We'll celebrate your five-year anniversary together!"
Ji-Yoon forced a smile. "It's not like you're my boyfriend."
Ha-Na chuckled, relieved she'd lifted Ji-Yoon's mood.
Just then, Ha Na spotted someone familiar.
"Ji Yoon-ah, hold on, don't hang up," she said, her curiosity piqued.
"What is it?" Ji Yoon asked.
Ha Na's eyes widened as she confirmed the person's identity.
"Lee Min-Soo!" she exclaimed, her heart racing.
"I'll call you back, friend. Guess who I just saw?" Ha Na said, hanging up.
Ji-Yoon was left wondering, "Who?"
Meanwhile, Ha Na watched as Min-Soo, holding hands with a stunning fair-skinned woman, Choi Yoon-Ah, approached Ha-Na's boutique.
The sales personnel greeted them warmly, unaware of Ha Na's shock.
Ha-Na, now standing behind the counter, stared in confusion.
"What's going on here?" she thought, her eyes fixed on Min-Soo and Yoon-Ah.