XXI. Echoes

“Ennui is the echo in us, of time tearing itself apart.”  ~ Emile M. Cioran

At the Company Party in Osaka, Japan.

 Hae- Jin could see Jun in a separate group some distance from them next to his older brother CEO, Jeong Min. Next to them stood two businessmen. All four were in deep conversation.

The room became quiet as the next VIP’s entering the party were announced at the door. First, they announced, “President Hwang Ae-Ri!” All eyes turned to the door.

Hae- Jin knew she was holding her breath for a minute. A modern-day version of Yeon-Hwa stood at the entrance resplendent in a red dress. Her hair was pulled back. She wore what looked like a diamond necklace and matching dangling earrings. A black bolero jacket that could best be described as sculpted to her body topped her wide skirt. Every inch of her exuded the air of a confident corporate President.

Next to her stood her Vice President, Ji-Yun also looking confident in a black tuxedo.

Hae- Jin could recognized him as the driver of the sportscar they had met. Vice President Ji-Yun seemed to remember her too for as he turned to look around at those joining the party his eyes seemed to fix on her, making Hae -Jin feel self-conscious.

President Hwang noticed the exchange. She had turned and lightly hooked her arm around the Vice-President’s arm to have him escort her into the party, momentarily bringing his attention back to her.

Hae- Jin’s sense of discomfort continued to increase as the party progressed.

She suddenly regretted having eaten the two pieces of sushi on her plate. The food did not seem to agree with her tonight.  She attributed this to her nerves.

Ju Hee and Jeong Ahn were deep into a discussion about traditional versus modern instruments.

Hae -Jin placed one hand lightly on her stomach.

The room seemed suddenly warm. She touched her forehead feeling herself breaking out into a cold sweat.  She would need to step outside for a minute.

“Hae- Jin are you, all right?” Jeong Ahn had asked.

“I think I’ll need to step out just for a minute.  It just feels a bit warm in here with all of these people.” She said to him trying to reassure him with a smile.

“I’ll come with you.” Ju Hee had said to her.

“No don’t Ju Hee. Stay. You both finally will get some time to yourselves. Make the most of it.” Hae -Jin said to her.

“I’ll be right back, go light on that sushi….” she added walking away.

Outside the party room she walked down a long elegant corridor of the hotel. Large crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling making the hall seem imposing and her feel small.

She remembered seeing a small store with necessities for guests in the lobby of the Hotel as they arrived, perhaps she could buy herself some medicine for her upset stomach?

Hae -Jin continued walking trying to locate which of the doors in the hall might be the restroom. She wanted to splash some water on her face. The lights felt very bright, making her shield her eyes. 

She was feeling light headed.

She turned a corner into one of the halls on her left and heard what sounded like an argument taking place. The loudness of the argument made her stop.  She removed her hand shielding her eyes from the bright lights and saw the people standing in the Hall.

President Hwang Ae-Ri stood next to Vice 

President Ji-Yun and another man next to them.

Three men in black suits stood in front of them blocking their way.

Vice President Ji-Yun’s hand seemed to be shielding President Hwang Ae-Ri as his body stood in front of her.

As Hae-Jin’s footsteps came to a stop everyone turned towards her seeing her approach.

A sudden pain in her chest, made Hae-Jin pound her heart lightly with her fist.

Her sudden presence was like a trigger as everything sped up in that moment.

One of the men in suits held a gun pointing it at President Hwang. 

A shot rang out. Followed by a second.

Vice President Ji held his hand to his chest having stepped in front of President Hwang to shield her.

The room started to spin and Hae-Jin had reached towards the column next to her to keep herself steady, knocking a large ceramic vase.  It crashed and shattered onto the floor.

The sound proved enough of a distraction for the man accompanying President Hwang.  He had managed to kick the gun pointed at President Hwang out of reach from the assailant’s hand. The gun slid across the floor triggering a third shot as it landed on the floor.

The tables had turned on the men in black suits. The assailant now knelt on the floor, the kick had dislodged the gun and made him lose his balance. The man next to President Hwang was now the one holding a gun to the man kneeling, it was pointed at his head.

Sounds from the corridor of people approaching made two of the three men blocking the corridor run down the back of the hall towards the emergency exits.

President Hwang’s hand had reached towards the man next to her holding the gun as he prepared to shoot. Her hand gently lowering his arm.

The assailant followed the first two men exiting at the end of the hall.

Hae -Jin’s palm lay flat on the cold marble column as she leaned heavily against it. She saw her vision narrow on that hand before the world went dark.

 Later at the Hospital.

The sound of beeping slowly repeating was the first thing Hae-Jin heard.  Even before opening her eyes she recognized the all too familiar sound of a hospital monitor…..  Her eyes opened slowly before the bright light starting flooding in and she had to close her eyes again.

Squinting against the light, she heard someone softly calling her name. “Hae-Jin…. are you awake?”

Slowly she nodded her head. Then, shielding her eyes with her hand tried to open her eyes again. Everything still looked blurry as she tried to focus in on the face next to her.

A moment of confusion filled her…. Wait, why was she in a hospital? 

The memory of her extended stay at the hospital came back.  Was she waking from her comma?

She remembered…… Jun, and they had been at a party…….

Had that all been a dream?  What if Jun wasn’t here and this was all part of her comma induced dream?

The thought was enough to make her panic and try to rise….

Strong arms supported her as she tried to sit up.

“Hae-Jin stop, it’s all right. I’m here. I’m right here.” The sound of his voice was enough to calm her heart again. She relaxed into his arms and let him help her sit up.

“Jun?” She said.

Slowly her eyes adjusted to the light again and his face came into focus.

He sat down next to her on the hospital bed after adjusting her back pillows. She leaned against them and let her eyes slowly drink in every inch of his face. “It wasn’t a dream. He was real, and he was here with her.”

“You gave us all a scare.   We found you in the hall outside.  You fainted.” Jun said to her. 

“We brought you to the hospital for a checkup.  

Ahn said you weren’t feeling well at the party.”

As Jun spoke to her, he pushed a button on her bedside, calling the nurse.

A nurse’s voice came through the speaker letting them know a doctor was on his way.

“We still don’t know what’s wrong Hae- Jin we’re waiting for the doctor to come and tell us.” He added.

“I’m sorry. I should have walked with you Hae Jin.” Ju- Hee said. She stood next to Ahn, both looked worried.

“Nonsense..  I was the one who asked you to stay behind, Ju- Hee.”  Hae-Jin formed her words slowly.

A doctor and a nurse walked in.  The nurse smiled at them and then translated for them into Korean as the doctor addressed them.

“The doctor would like to do more testing Ms. Go Hae -Jin. He is concerned about your heart. He asks if you have felt pressure or discomfort particularly when you are stressed.  Does pounding your chest at those times seem to alleviate the pressure?” The nurse asked.

Hae - Jin stopped for a minute before answering. 

Her eyes had met Jun’s then as memories of the past came back to her. 

For a moment the whole room and everyone in it had faded out of her sight.  All she could think about was Prince Jung and her last moments in Goryeo as she heard almost clearly the words to that last song played for her at Prince Jung’s request. 

That song the singer had explained had won the heart of a King. That heart back then had carried her thru 10 years……Only 10 years.

She turned again to look at Jun, once again she had won his heart. 

It was like hearing echoes from the past again. A past that continued to repeat its patterns. Would this too be a pattern repeated to the point of tedium?

In Defense of Scarlet Heart Ryeo (Moonlover's).....This is an article on the drama written thru fan collaboration, it is not a chapter in the season 2 fanfic.

In Defense of Scarlet Heart Ryeo.

By @Pei, @Anne, @Persian, @Maui (fan collaboration)

Over a year ago Moonlover’s Scarlet Heart Ryeo (MLSHR) aired to disappointing ratings at home.  Worldwide it garnered attention including 2.5 billion watches on China’s Youku.  Setting the drama on dual platforms. Success abroad but low ratings at home.

There are many reasons fans love so much about the story. MLSHR explores what stirs the human heart. It is told in a way that makes you care deeply about its characters.

 Promotional clips showed a light youth flower-boy drama but MLSHR is not just another youth sageuk. 

It is a drama that is brutally honest in the dynamic inside “Goryeo’s” royal family. Intimately told with personal portraits as we explore their relationships.

Comments in dramabeans alone (1,265 for episode 20) show the story engaged viewers into deep analysis.

There are many elements that appeal to different audiences, ages and cultures. There’s romance, history, action, tragedy.  

The cinematography and visuals create dreamlike scenes like live action post cards or paintings brought to life.

  

 The costumes and make-up, artfully done, beautifully produced create screen magic. 

The close ups, at times criticized, but in scenes (Hae-Soo applying makeup for 4^th Prince) they bring intimacy, allowing us to see nuanced gestures.

The panoramic angles inspire the imagination in a way that great art does. This along with an incredible soundtrack makes scenes unforgettable. 

Transporting us to more than grief, or loss. Lady Oh’s death scene suddenly hits you in the gut, as the OST crawls right into your soul.

 Characters in MLSHR are complex, layered, flawed not heroic written with believable struggles in 10 years they experience growth and change.

Character are not written into the story as filler or comedic relief. Their backstory, their small appearance leaves audiences wanting to know more. Cringing at their naivety, their choices, lamenting their fates, surprised as they change over time.

The relationships in MLSHR are explored adding gravitas to the story. These are intimate moments, portraits explored in a rich tapestry due to some brilliant casting choices.

Lee Joon-Gi’s performance as 4^th Prince an actor at the top of his game. What a treat to watch him convey emotion intimately. Some so raw we are left feeling shaken. Watching in full color as he slowly, knowingly swallows poison.   

Through 4^th Prince we explore relationships with his mother Queen Shinmyeongsunseong and brother Prince Yo thru scenes full of complex dark emotions leading us down tunnels of greed and twisted love. 

Tortured souls trapped in their own fears. 4^th Prince’s final goodbye to his mother; raw, visceral, a human longing for unattainable love.

8^th Prince brilliantly cast by Kang Ha Neul, creates perfect tension. One reaching for the light, the other traveling away from it.

Prince Baek-Ah’s innocence more fit to be a revolutionary or socialist. King Mu’s lack of ruthlessness the missing piece to a true enduring monarch. 

Prince Eun, immature and young surprising us with his sacrifices as husband. King Taejo: ambitious, wise, cruel, clever, merciful. All of them flawed. All change paying the price for their choices.

Then there’s romance and possibly the most loved/hated protagonist Hae-Soo played by IU. In defense of her performance, we must consider Lee Joon-Gi . Cast next to him as leading lady is not easy for any actress even experienced beautiful ones. 

Yet IU manages to shine in the beauty department not looking like his noona, and has in addition chemistry with the Prince’s.

The ability to portray young and aged in the second half of the drama allows her to fit the Prince’s different heights, ages, and personalities.

She develops a unique relationship with each one.

4^th Prince and Hae Soo’s relationship isn’t one where he is captured by her beauty, but where time, friendship, circumstances slowly bring hearts at odds together.

When love finds him 4^th Prince falls hard for Hae Soo.

She is flawed, naive and unaware of what love is. 

She finds in him love surpassing all others.

She isn’t perfect, but she compliments him so well.  The Kingmaker, with a compassionate heart who understands the castaway.

Tortured in a cell she waits, he visits. Not asking how she is, but reprimanding her. She wonders what to do with him?

Their conversation is intimate in its silence like watching an old married couple. It is their eyes that convey their hearts.

Hae-Soo’s naivety and choices are difficult to understand. The writers portray a flawed person who makes emotional choices and pays the price. 

We cringe at the brutal honesty and get angry when the price is paid for those choices. Hae-Soo is very human with strengths (the heart that wins a King) and weaknesses (emotional choices). She too grows and changes.

The story has its moments of sheer epic-ness. Including fight scene feeling like a Tarantino movie as Lee Joon-Gi shows off his martial arts single handed against an entire temple of assassin monks with no stuntman.

MLSHR’s strong women include: Princess Yeon-Hwa surviving by aiming to win the game of thrones, Park Son Deok who can outfight and outmaneuver any soldier, Chae Ryung a slave boiling down the essentials to love is stronger.

 There struggles are real, poignant, adding layers, showing love can be multi-faceted. The writers again don’t shy away from showing how their actions have consequences.

The last episode leaves ample room to grow. Why did Ji-Mong leave? What about the King’s daughter? How will he travel to the future?   What happens now?  Open threads needing so much more exploration, leaving us wanting more.

As fans we appreciate the good, the bad and the ugly.  Feeling grateful for the details and quality. 

It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but MLSHR universe found a solid place in many fans hearts. Making it the standard by which they judge other sageuk.

Its real characters continue to haunt us and the yet unexplored storylines. The endless possibilities for the story. These thoughts leave us with no real closure.   

XX. Finding You.

“In the end you don't so much find yourself as you find someone who knows who you are. “          ~Robert Brault

Hae Jin sat on a pillow on the floor wrapped in a soft cotton yakuta. The robes had been provided by the inn and both Jun and she had changed into them after returning from a day of sightseeing.

The mudslide had been cleared and they had arrived late in the evening at the inn in Kawayu Onsen, soaked by the rain, hungry and cold.

This made the Japanese style table in front of them with its smell of shrimp and freshly cooked rice more enticing.

She suddenly felt grateful for the unassuming warmth of the inn they stayed at. It’s family ownership made her feel welcomed. She knew a hotel would have made this trip feel like a business trip rather than a getaway.

 A window overlooked the river. The most prominent feature of the town. The free-flow of its banks was a natural hot spring.

 

Her eyes continued to watch outside the window. Something about running water made her feel calm.  Hae Jin became aware that Jun was watching her.

At moments like these she realized there were many times their communication went beyond words. She could read his eyes. She knew he worried about what had happened as they exited the bus.

He hadn’t said anything about his brother but they both knew a part of their history had come to light with this encounter. The memories of 3^rd Prince and his years as King felt raw and fresh in her mind.

She remembered how back in Goryeo she had felt so glad to see 4^th prince return to the palace. She had felt fortunate just to catch a glimpse of him.

The King had sent 4^th prince away. In those days The King referred to him as nothing but a wolf dog on a leash at his beck and call.  Sadly, she understood who the reason was he accepted that leash keeping him in place. His servitude had been willingly given to keep her safe. She had waited two long years for his return.

That afternoon, they had stood on an open garden in the palace, as the King overlooked them from one of the buildings.  4^th prince had been only steps away from her and she had desperately hoped they had been alone in that garden but instead the King’s eyes and that of his retinue still followed them. 

The King had fired an arrow straight at her.  She had been helpless to do anything but wait for the arrow to hit her like a deer hunted down for game.

4th prince had moved on instinct. He had turned in one fluid motion as his arms wrapped themselves around her circling her away from the arrows path. The arrow had grazed his arm instead of hitting her and landed them both on the ground.

She had laid next to him just a hand’s length away and met his eyes with the realization that once again he had put himself in harms way to save her.

His words to her a few days earlier may have said he wanted to stay away from her, but his actions had spoken louder than those words.

Jun smiled at her reading the memories running thru her mind and the emotions on her face.

They both sat on the floor on opposite sides to the table. She felt so grateful at the miracle of being able to sit and share a meal with him now. They had traveled a long road together from there to here. 

Trying to break the awkwardness they both felt, she picked up her chopsticks and found some beef. This was his favorite. She brought a bite size piece close to his mouth. His eyes continued to follow her. He ate slowly.

After he finished eating, he had looked down, picked up his chopsticks and found some shrimp. It was her favorite. His chopsticks held a small piece close to her mouth.  She smiled at him a little locking her gaze and chewing slowly.

Their eyes spoke what they couldn’t.

They ate in silence almost finishing the whole meal before his words took her by surprise, “This is not the first time I’ve met Yo in modern times, and it won’t be the last.” He said.

“His company is bidding against ours. He was sent as their representative from Seoul. We met at the exchange on Wednesday.  He will be attending tomorrow night’s culture and music event alongside their company’s President.  You should be prepared to see a familiar face in that President.” He finished.

Hae Jin sat quietly trying to come to terms with this announcement. Then asked cautiously as she set her chopsticks down, “Why do I get the feeling this isn’t going to be one of my favorite people from Goryeo? A familiar face?” she added.

“It’s Yeon-Hwa, Queen Daemok.” He answered directly.

Hearing her name Hae Jin realized she wasn’t prepared at all for the emotions that name stirred in her.

She turned her eyes away towards the window trying to gain some calm from the river once again.

Seeing her concern, Jun had stood and walked to her side, sitting close to her. He had taken her hand wrapping it in his and saying,” Your hand is cold, I have the perfect solution to warming up after the rain.”

He had stood then his eyes asking her to follow him.

They had walked outside to a secluded area in the river surrounded by trees. Jun held a small shovel in his hands.

They stood in the same slippers and robes provided by the inn in which they had eaten dinner.

 “This is a tradition, from what the inn keepers explained.” He said, then taking the shovel he took his slippers off, walked to the water and started digging a small pool for them out of the river’s loose pebbles.

  

The sight of Jun digging in a robe under moonlight suddenly made her spirits lighten up again.

“You know Jun, for being a prince, then a King and now a top executive, we always seem to find ourselves in the oddest places doing the oddest things together.” Hae Jin had said to him.

Her words made him stop digging for a moment. 

He stood looking around them.  At that moment as if on cue an owl hooted making them both look at each other and laugh.

Then he eyed her slowly from the bottom of her slippers to the top of her head saying, “If it keeps you from worrying unnecessarily and serves as true distraction for both of us, I don’t see the harm.” He said as his eyes traveled to the shovel in his hands.

 “No matter where we go the past seems intent on reappearing. I am no expert in reincarnation. I’ll leave that to the monks, but it seems clear at this point that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. “He had paused for a moment before continuing,

“I had no control over how I took over Jeong Jun’s body as a child. I was able to grow up in this world.  I can now understand some of what you must have felt in Goryeo. I’ve had time to adapt to this new life. However, you were thrown into the life of an adult and expected to carry thru that life having no prior knowledge of what happened.” 

Their eyes met as he said this. Then he added,  

“Hae Jin I don’t regret having prior knowledge that you would travel to Goryeo on that dock. I am in the modern world now, I knew what that eclipse would do after the accident and what it meant for you and all of us.

You asked me as we descended the mountain at Haeinsa if stopping you from traveling to Goryeo would have stopped all the suffering that followed?” silence had followed before he said,

“I don’t know…. I did not choose to be born a prince, to be cast away by my family at Shinju…. but I chose you.” In a softer voice he had said,” I found you. We are here.”

“Whatever the changes around us, one thing will not change Hae Jin. In Goryeo, in this life or all the ones that follow. I will continue to find you my Soo-yah because you are all I need to find me.”

Hae Jin stood quietly listening to his words, letting them slowly sink into her heart. The way these moments between them always did.

Sometime later, she stood watching Jun and said, “Jun, are you trying to dig us a pool to soak in or a small lake?”

Instead of answering her, he stopped and pushed the shovel into the pebbled ground walking towards her. He put his hands on her shoulders, 

“Only a pool fit for a King and his Queen will do.

Now the trick is to get warm water from the river’s hot spring and mix it with enough chilly water to make it comfortable. I want you to soak and relax not cook in this pool Hae Jin. “His eyes suddenly changed on her again as he explained this.

At times she realized no matter how long they knew each other he still could take her by surprise repeatedly. She tried to read his mood and wondered then if she’d ever really know him well enough to fully understand him?

Seeing his eyes again she had almost been afraid to ask but also knew she had too. He had baited her perfectly into this corner, “What about our swimming suits?” she asked.

An almost triumphant look came over him as if he had been waiting for her to ask. Fully aware it had taken her this long to figure it out.  He answered in a matter of fact way, “The innkeeper explained this tradition very well to me Hae Jin. Swimming suits…. are optional.” He said.

Looking at him she understood a challenge when she heard one.

“Don’t worry Hae Jin. The innkeeper provided us with towels.” Jun added preparing to enter the pool.

Hae Jin looked at the pebbled ground around their pool. Two white washcloths lay on the ground.

The next evening, Jun sat next to Hae Jin holding her hand in the back of the car as they waited to enter the company’s party.

Hae Jin wore a long black dress. Jun wore a tuxedo.

She knew she was feeling nervous about this event. She reminded herself that she had already navigated court intrigue in a royal household. A company party should be no different. She felt grateful that Jun had prepared her ahead of time for unexpected surprises.

“I will be busy tonight meeting with our business partners.  You should stay close to Ju Hee and Jeong Ahn. The meetings could go late into the night Hae Jin. Feel free to leave earlier with Ju Hee and Ahn in the company car if you need to. I will meet you at the inn.” He said to her.

“I will wait for you Jun. We can leave together.” She said.

Jun had squeezed her hand one last time before the driver opened the door for them.

Jeong Ahn’s concert had just ended. Hae Jin sat next to Ju Hee on her left side Jun sat next to her on her right.

Watching Ahn performing Hae Jin thought about how most days she could see parts of her old friend in Ahn, but today the differences between Ahn and Prince Baek-Ah had seemed to vanish as she listened to him playing.  She could almost imagine his royal clothes on and his long hair again when she listened to his music.

Ju Hee spoke to her in a soft voice after the concert, “There are times when he plays like tonight that I feel like I’ve known Ahn for a long time. As if I’m listening to a very old soul emerging when he plays. Other times, his playfulness reminds me he is like a small child at heart.  He can play sad songs that make me feel regret too... It’s as if the more I find Ahn, I find me ….” Ju Hee had paused for a minute in deep thought, then she had added quickly and in a lighter tone,” I suppose a good artist can communicate emotions without words.”

“It’s hard to separate the person from the artist Ju Hee. It was a beautiful concert.” Hae Jin had said.

Afterwards they both stood by a buffet table waiting for Ahn to join them.

Hae Jin could see Jun in a separate group some distance from them next to his older brother CEO, Jeong Min. Next to them stood two businessmen. 

All four were in deep conversation.

The room became quiet as the next VIP’s entering the party were announced at the door. First, they announced, “President Hwang Ae-Ri!” All eyes turned to the door.

XIX.The Red Thread

"...the gods tie .. the pinky fingers of those who find each other in life. Legend has it that the two-people connected by this thread will have an important story, regardless of the time, place or circumstances. The red string might get tangled, contracted or stretched, as surely often happens, but it can never break." The Legend of the Red Thread.


Hae Jin stood in line by the counter of the airport café waiting to pay for her water bottle. Her hands gripped the chilly bottle a little too tightly to calm her nerves. That morning Jun had sent a company car from Nabi enterprises to pick her up from her apartment. Her luggage was already checked in and on its way to Osaka, Japan. She heard announcements over the speakers for flights arriving and leaving.

Jun had traveled ahead of her and spent the whole week already in Osaka, negotiating a contract at the exchange.

Today was already Friday, he had asked her to join him over a long 4-day weekend for a quiet getaway. They would be staying at a hot spring inn south of Osaka and spending some time over the weekend sightseeing.

This would be her first trip to Japan. Fortunately, she wouldn't be traveling alone.

She looked around trying to spot Jeong Ahn and Ju Hee. They had said they would meet her at the café.

She looked at her cellphone and checked her messages. They were late.

She heard an incoming text, as she took a sip of her water. It was from Jeong Ahn, and read,

"Meet me by the Korean Air main entrance. I've been delayed." After reading it she headed for their meeting gate.

She heard the commotion before she saw it. Loud excited voices, and then as she turned a corner arriving at the entrance she saw it.

Fans surrounded Jeong Ahn. His tall frame stood in the middle as he signed autographs and posed for pictures.

He saw her approaching and smiled apologetically at her.

Fan girls, ahjumma's and an odd assortment of older and younger men and women turned to pin their eyes on her. Feeling self conscious she suddenly wished she had a pair of those sunglasses celebrities wore.

Behind Jeong Ahn and his fans stood his manager and Ju Hee next to him.

Ju Hee, seeing her smiled. Hae Jin smiled back at her and approached her.

Jeong Ahn had a scheduled concert, over the weekend, in Osaka.

He had spoken to his manager to arrange everything for a business/pleasure getaway weekend, so they could travel together.

"I wasn't expecting this." Go Hae Jin said to Ju Hee as she approached her .

Ju Hee said to Hae Jin,"As a musician with two solo albums out, his fan base isn't huge, but he does have determined followers. Jeong Ahn plays mainly ballads, and traditional Korean songs. He prefers playing traditional and classical instruments. His concerts tend to be small and personable.

Oftentimes he plays at universities for students and professors of classical Korean music." Then, she had added, "I try to stay out of it, and stay in the fans good graces. Loving Jeong Ahn means accepting his music and lifestyle too. I'm just grateful he isn't a well-known idol. His hectic traveling schedule is already stressful at times." She said.

Some time later, all three sat next to each other in first class. Hae Jin had never flown first class. Jeong Ahn on the other hand mastered airports and traveling like a complete pro. His schedule kept him busy shuttling from airport to airport. His manager sat behind them. They only had a short flight, under 2 hours to travel from Seoul to Osaka.

As the flight attendant came to check on them, Jeong Ahn said to her, "Best thing about first class…. even this early in the morning. It's okay to order wine." Then he pushed his seat back and prepared to nap.

That afternoon they arrived at the hot springs in Kawayu Onsen the town was south of Osaka and was surrounded by trees: cedars, maples and cypress. The natural setting offered a tranquil and peaceful setting . They had checked into their rooms and she now sat in her room overlooking the garden.

The pamphlet she had picked up at the airport said this time April/May was when visitors came to see the cherry blossoms.

The area was also renowned for it's shrines. The shrine of Hongu was only 7 kilometers from the inn they stayed in.

She finished reading about the sights and decided to go for walk with her camera. Jun had called her at the airport, when they arrived in Japan. He would be meeting them for dinner after his meetings.

Dinner had been simply served food with what tasted like homecooking. They had all eaten too much.

After dinner they sat soaking in the hot springs. Hae Jin sat next to Ju Hee a small wall separated the men's hot spring.

Ju and Ahn soaked on the other side of the partition wall. Hae Jin and Ju Hee could over hear their conversation in the lady's hot spring. A bamboo tray floated between them holding a bottle of sake and cups. A small waterfall filled the space with the sounds of running water.

"How did the meeting go Hyung?" Jeong Ahn asked.

"As well as can be expected. We managed to trade…. The biggest meeting happened on Wednesday and we put in our bid. The competing bid was aggressive and very competitive. They really are looking to win over this contract." Then Jun added,

"They sent their own representative from Seoul. The results of the bidding will be announced after the weekend. All we can do for now is wait. We believe our offer will be more attractive and win. I called our CEO , Jeong Min to report on the outcome of the meetings."

"Hopefully we can earn favor so we will be hosting a cultural event tomorrow night on traditional music entitled The voices of the people thru Asian cultures. Your performance tomorrow night Ahn will hopefully make our offer more attractive adding the cultural component. Some of the companies we are bidding against are not Asian. We hope this will serve as a subtle reminder of the importance of dealing with like-minded partners. Our CEO will attend as well as several critical VIP''s." Jun finished, then they heard heavy splashing.

"Enough about work Ahn. What about you? I heard you and Ju Hee won't be heading to the altar soon." Jun said, they could hear them splashing water at each other.

"You know Hyung what's wrong with all play and no responsibilities, marriage means lots of work too Let's play, and play some more….and you know you can never have enough of that." Jeon Ahn said nonchalantly,

Then he added in a loud voice," My heart keeps breaking. She keeps turning me down. If I didn't love my Ju Hee as much as I do… Even the fans follow me to the airport. She tells me she doesn't want to be on their bad side as the girlfriend that stole their star away from them, but I say to them love me, love my Ju Hee." Those were his last words as Ju pushed his head under the water. He came up for air spluttering.

"I can hear that Ahn!" Ju Hee yelled at him. Her voice sounded angry but Hae Jin could see a big grin as she winked at Hae Jin pouring them both one more cup of sake.

The next morning, they all boarded a tour bus to visit Hongu shrine. A cheerful lady served as their tour guide. She stood at the front of the bus speaking to them through her microphone about the sites they would visit over the weekend. The lady translated from Japanese into Korean for all the tourists on the bus.

"Tomorrow we will board a boat through the Kumano-gawa river where we will arrive at the Hayatama grand shrine. Along the way we can admire the rock formations along the valley walls. At Hayatama there is a massive Asian bayberry tree believed to be eight centuries old. Placing one of its oval leaves in your wallet is said to ensure you will never run short of money."

Hae Jin sat next to Ju Hee for the first leg of the trip.
"I'm surprised Ju agreed to go on a tour bus instead of driving." 

Hae Jin said to her.

"It was Ahn's manager who arranged this tour. Ahn thought it would let everyone enjoy the trip so no one needed to focus on the road." Ju Hee added.

The tour guide continued to speak. She now spoke about the myths and legends of Japan, her words suddenly captured Hae Jin's attention. She read an excerpt from a book that explained the legend of the red string.

"… human relations are predestined by a red string that the gods tie to the pinky fingers of those who find each other in life. Legend has it that the two-people connected by this thread will have an important story, regardless of the time, place or circumstances. The red string might get tangled, contracted or stretched, as surely often happens, but it can never break.

The myth of the red string is a way to understand our itinerary of encounters as a predetermined plot where couples' relationships, the intimate brushes against someone, and all the little stories we crisscross with others are neither random triumphs nor accidents, but part of a scarlet tapestry whose threads were given to us when we were born but which we knit ourselves."

As the lady continued speaking Hae Jin was silent, mesmerized by the legend. 

It explained so much of the questions that constantly plagued her. It was as if in listening to this legend maybe the encounters in her life could make some sense after all.

She wondered if Jun and her had such a string tied to each other.

Had the encounters in her life truly been part of a scarlet tapestry as was mentioned in the legend?

Was her story part of a predestined and perfect path, with a scarlet string attached connecting her to all the destinations in her life?

Could all those encounters not be accidents but designs in her journey?

As she sat pondering the ramifications a sense of peace fell over her. She was suddenly very glad she had signed up for this trip.

Late in the afternoon they finished their visit to the shrine, as rain started to fall. They had heard from the tour guide that rain and weather patterns could be unpredictable in this region.

They headed back to the tour bus taking their seats.

Everyone felt tired after a long day exploring the shrine grounds. 

As they headed down the mountain pass the swerving bus made her drowsy and she lay her head on Jun's shoulder.

The bus turned down the narrow pass as rain continued to pour.

A speeding sports car suddenly swerved from behind the bus, passing on its right.

The bus driver managed to avoid the vehicle seconds before a mudslide on the left side of the mountain side crumbled onto the vehicle. A river of mud descending on the mountain side pushed the vehicle and its driver towards the side cliff, precariously close to being thrown down the cliff side.

The bus driver managed to keep his steering wheel from spinning out of his control as the mud slide hit the front wheels of the bus.
The bus slid partly as most of the mud avoided the second half of the bus.

The vehicle stayed at a complete stop having partly slid into the middle of the street.

The sudden stop made Hae Jin wake up.

Screaming inside the bus stopped as the bus did too.

The driver stood from his seat. He managed to open the door to the bus asking the passengers to please exit calmly.

Hae Jin's heart was pounding as Jun held her hand urging her towards the front of the bus. "Hae Jin, let's go." He said to her.
It was dark outside as they exited the bus. Ahn and Ju Hee stood next to them.

Passengers stood around the bus dialing their cellphones. The four of them huddled together.

"We were extremely lucky to have only slid half way down the road, especially as we are so close to those cliffs." Ahn had said.

Turning to see the cliff, they spotted the sports car.

The bus driver had spoken with the police. Mud blocked the road up from the town.

He then addressed the passengers asking for their help to help the passenger inside the sports car.

The bus driver walked to the sport car. Jun and Ahn followed him helping the driver exit the vehicle.

The man driving the sports car had walked away from his car slowly with tentative steps heading towards Hae Jin and Ju Hee.

His hand had gone to his head as he stood just a few steps from them.

Then he looked at Hae Jin and reached his arm out towards her a moment before he collapsed.

Ju Hee and her tried to catch his fall.

Half of him had landed crushing Ju Hee as he lay on the ground.

Hae Jin had caught the top half of his body and his head now lay on her lap. She had stretched her hands out instinctively last minute as she tried to catch it before it hit concrete.

He opened his eyes. She recognized those eyes.

It was 3rd. Prince, Prince Yo.