#kim hyunsook

[camyfilms]

사내맞선 2022

There are some things that get results with a short amount of time, and other things where you risk the losses and stay in it for the long run. It’s difficult to decide how good or bad something is just by how long it takes.

[daysdraem]

              𓏲  *  (   park   sooyoung   ,   cis   woman   ,   she   /   her   )   ⸺   pictures   of   julia   seoyeon   yang   have   been   showing   up   all   over   my   feed,   and   considering   the   last   time   they   were   #trending,   it   was   due   to   allegedly   sabotaging   a   fellow   content   creator   as a means of   securing   her  place   at   the   top—   i'm   not   likely   to   unfollow   any   time   soon.   with   their   sleek black hair brushing against lithe waist and fabric of cropped self - portrait bouclé - knit cardigan and jacquemus denim skirt showing off the right amount of skin with fendi delfina boots adding height to elegant stature,   i'm   not   surprised   to   hear   that   they   are   a   part   of   the   nouveau   riches   ...

            the   intro   graphic   used   is  from   the   showbiz   baby   template   set,   and   the   divider   used   is   from   the   #kittygirl   template   set,   both   created   by   @strifesource.   the   gifs   of   park   sooyoung   (   joy   )   are   from   keetika,   and   also   provided   by   a   friend   via   a   private   discord   server.   please   do   not   save   /   use   any   gifs   used   without   reblogging   from   keetika,   and   i   will   not   share   the   link   to   the   private   gif   pack.

wealth   has   been   synonymous   with   the   yang   family   since   the   early   1940s,   one   of   the   rare   families   that   managed   to   pull   through   1997   asian   financial   crisis   on   top.   soonsang,   the   family   company,   was   founded   by   yang   hyunsook   in   his   late   20s,   with   the   company   primarily   focused   in   construction   during   that   time.   as   the   years   went   on   and   with   successful   investments   under   his   belt,   hyunsook   expanded   soonsang   into   the   automobile,   real   estate,   hotels,   electronics,   and   more.   with   it's   fast   growing   revenue,   hyunsook   was   able   to   expand   soonsang   into   japan   in   1964.   hyunsook   and   his   wife,   soonja,   had   three   children   together,   and   one   of   those   children   went   on   to   have   first   grandson   (   and   grandchild   )   yang   dongbin.

            born   in   1962,   yang   dongbin   was   cherished   from   the   moment   his   mother's   pregnancy   was   announced.   as   both   the   first   grandchild   and   grandson,   there   were   high   expectations   for   him   to   achieve,   and   he   was   expected   to   live   up   to   every   single   one.   he   married   his   long   term   girlfriend,   kim   sunyoung,   shortly   after   they   graduated   college   together   and   started   their   family   a   few   years   after.   by   this   time,   dongbin   had   started   his   career   as   the   director   of   soonsang   auto.   sunyoung   had   begun   her   career   as   an   art   gallery   director,   and   with   her   father   as   one   of   south   korea's   most   powerful   money   lenders,   this   wasn't   an   impossible   task.

            dongbin   and   sunyoung   have   four   children   together   ,   all   daughters.   the   first   is   yejun   (   b.   1990   ),   followed   by   seoyeon   (   b.   1995   ),   and   twins   named   jiwon   and   jihoon   (   b.   2000   ).   the   yang   girls   were   set   up   for   success   from   the   moment   they   were   born,   never   having   to   struggle   or   keep   their   hands   out   for   long.   much   like   their   parents,   they   were   expected   to   do   great   things,   but   dongbin   didn't   want   his   daughters   to   experience   the   same   pressures   that   he   once   did.   he   wanted   his   daughters   to   be   successful,   but   he   also   wanted   them   to   be   able   to   forge   their   own   paths.

            while   eldest   daughter   yejun   went   on   to   pursue   a   career   with   the   ministry   of   economy   and   finance,   it   was   seoyeon   who   decided   to   pursue   something   more   creative.   after   attending   one   of   the   most   prestigious   boarding   schools   in   geneva,   switzerland,   seoyeon   returned   to   south   korea   and   pursued   higher   education.   while   at   korea   university,   she   majored   in   public   administration,   mostly   to   appease   her   grandparents,   as   they   are   the   type   to   look   down   their   noses   if   she   pursued   a   degree   in   anything   she   couldn't   use   realistically.   seoyeon,   on  the   other   hand,   was   not   interested   in   taking   a   job   at   soonsang   as   she   was   expected   to.   call   her   easily   influenced,   but   seoyeon   decided   to   start   a   youtube   channel   when   she   was   twenty   three,   and   that   was   the   birth   of   juliaseoyang.

            it   takes   a   little   while   for   her   channel   to   take   off,   but   she   gets   both   poasitive   and   negative   attention   when   it   does.   there   are   some   who   love   her   luxurious   content—   they   love   her   expensive   skincare   routine   and   shopping   trips,   and   seeing   what   it's   like   for   the   1%   of   korea.   on   the   other   hand,   she's   bashed   for   showing   off,   criticized   for   showing   how   much   money   she   can   spend   in   a   day   without   thinking   twice.   for   seoyeon,   she   takes   heed   of   both   criticisms   and   praise,   but   views   are   views,   and   seoyeon's   subscribers   increase   day   to   day.   by   the   time   she's   twenty   five,   seoyeon   has   obtained   over   a   million   and   a   half   followers,   which   leads   to   her   deciding   to   move   from   seoul   to   new   york   as   more   opportunities   presented   themselves.

            in   the   three   short   years   that   seoyeon   has   been   living   in   new   york,   she   has   gotten   plastered   all   over.   she   faithfully   attends   fashion   month,   sitting   front   row   with   other   celebrities   long   before   she   ever   became   a   brand   ambassador.   she   has   settled   into   life   living   within   new   york,   attempting   to   not   end   up   on   reputation.com,   but   failing   miserably.   

trivia.

she   adopted   the   name   julia   when   she   was   attending   an   international   school.   for   social   media   (   youtube,   tiktok,   instagram   )   julia's   username   is   juliaseoyang.   she   doesn't   mind   if   someone   calls   her   julia,   lia,   or   seoyeon,   but   most   people   know   her   as   julia.

she   was   accepted   into   an   entertainment   company   to   become   an   idol,   but   ultimately   left   the   company   when   her   group   was   skipped   over   for   debut.   she   was   a  trainee   from   the   ages   of   fifteen   to   eighteen.

julia   has   her   name   attached   to   several   brands,   both   in   korea   and   in   the   western   market.   she   was   most   recently   announced   as   a   brand   ambassador   for   tod's,   calvin   klein,   and   for   luxury   skincare   brand   fresh.

her   videos   are   "aesthetic"   in   nature,   but   julia   is   far   removed   from   the   sad   beige   aesthetic!   she   gives   a   lot   of   background   content   when   attending   fashion   month   and   her   day   to   day   life   living   in   new   york.   as   opposed   to   target   runs,   julia   has   saks   runs.   she   posts   outfit   ideas,   hair   tutorials,   and   makeup   content   as   well.

she   doesn't   like   to   cook,   but   when   she   does,   she   loves   to   make   traditional   korean   foods.   despite   growing   up   with   wealth,   if   there   was   one   thing   her   mother   made   sure   of,   it   was   that   she   cooked   meals   for   her   family.   her   favorite   meals   are   jajangmyeon,   ramyeon,   and   bulgogi.   if   asked,   julia   would   cook   for   people   when   coming   by   her   home   or   if   invited   to   a   potluck   /   friendsgiving.

headcanons.

whatever   reputation.com   said   she   did   ...   she   probably   did   it.   spreading   gossip   about   someone?   she   did   it.   talking   shit   about   someone   without   caring   who   may   have   overheard?   she   definitely   did   it.   she's   mean   as   hell   sometimes   (   re:   all   the   time   )   and   she   doesn't   really   care   what   anyone   says   about   her   (   that's   a   lie   considering   her   brand   is   her   ).

she   lives   in   a   beautiful   condo   in   manhattan   (   valued   at   $2.75m   ),   which   she   bought   shortly   after   moving   to   new   york,   but   she   also   kept   the   apartment   that   she   bought   in   seoul.   she   converted   her   spare   bedroom   into   a   massive   closet   (   documenting   the   renovation   on   youtube   of   course   ),   mostly   because   she   hardly   ever   has   guests   over   and   it   made   more   sense   for   her   lifestyle.

she's   more   than   likely   the   one   who   burns   bridges   with   former   friends,   but   somehow   always   has   a   reason   for   doing   so.   she   dislikes   being   told   what   to   do   and   hasn't   shaken   the   desire   for   confrontation.   julia   unfortunately   has   twitter   fingers,   but   she   at   least   provides   receipts   to   back   up   whatever   she   says.   she's   very   shady,   like   real   housewives   kind   of   shady,   but   she   will   do   it   straight   to   someone's   face.   julia   is   known   for   her   resting   bitch   face,   which   is   not   a   façade   to   who   she   really   is.

personality   wise—   she's   known   as   someone   who's   able   to   get   what   she   wants   with   the   point   of   a   finger   or   bat   of   a   lash.   she   has   a   strong   interest   in   people   as   a  whole   regardless   of   their   identifying   gender.   she's   a   jealous   person,   and   doesn't   like   when   someone   she's   interested   in   has   another   person   in   their   ear.   

[asianartsblog]

4 More Days to See Balanced (균형이 잡힌)!

Artist, Hyunsuk Erickson, crochets over hard materials with yarn to build standing structures, which she has named “Thingumabob”. This “Thingumabob” is a product of her cultural hybridity as she grapples with the tension of the synthesis and resistance of both the Korean and American forces that influence her life as she continuously adapts.

View Erickson's work and art by 44 other artists in

Balanced (균형이 잡힌)

2023 Han-Mee Artists Association of Greater Washington, DC Annual Exhibition

June 14 - July 15

Asian Arts Gallery, Center for the Arts, Towson University

1 Fine Arts Drive, Towson, MD 21204

Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 11am- 4pm

Featured Artists:

Clare Jongim Chang * Yunkyoung Cho * Youn Ho Choi * Zechariah Choi * Hyun Chough * Eunmee Chung * Jillian Chung * Hyunsook Erickson* Jihee Hahn * Barbara Han * Mira Jung * Sunhee Kim Jung * Amy Kyungae Kim * Bo Kim * Bok Kim * Eunjeon Kim * Hyun Jung Kim * Irene Myounghee Kim * Jean Jinho Kim * Jinchul Kim * Jung Eun Kim * Myungsook Ryu Kim * Okji Kim * Sumita Kim * Tae Dong Kim-James* Wanjin Kim * Myoung Won Kwon * Eunyoung Leah Lee * Insook Lee * Sunjin Leaa Lee * Choung-Hee Lim * Jeong Sook Oh * Jinsoon Oh * Minsun Oh * Komelia Hongja Okim * Junghwa Kim Paik * Sookkyung Park * Donghyun Rhee* Sunmi Shin * In-soon Smeenk * SuLi * Serena Yeo * Jihee Yi* Sook You * June Yun

Image: Thingumabob Gajok by Hyunsuk Erickson

[asyasahinoglu]

user park_hosan insta update with HwangInYeop

https://www.instagram.com/p/CK5Tl_JsqY9/?igshid=1q2khifoktlrb

(eng trans : https://mobile.twitter.com/forinyeop/status/1357544024953942016 )

[phantombs]

MEET THE PARENTS

HEADCANON: BUILD A BRIEF PROFILE FOR THE MUSE’S PARENTS.

tagged by:  @thecosmicsen: Thanks! I got to brainstorm more backstory for Cường ‘s first-gen status. :’)

tagging: @bloodfcst, @bellecosebabe, @amortean, @khasmc (tony!), @jyargal (kojo!), @polyhymniar (dreamy shaman lady :)), and @fukenzena.

FATHER; GENERAL INFORMATION.

full name:  Choi Beomseok.

date of birth:  October 7th, 1618.

nationality: Korean-Vietnamese.

occupation:  Cook for a small, humble stop for travelers.

religion:  Confucianism.

orientation:  Heterosexual.

marital status:  Married Seo Gain.

status:  Deceased; passed away from illness, October 1st, 1663.

FATHER; APPEARANCE.

height / weight:  5′9″ or 175 cm /  155lb or 70kg.

hair:  Dark brown.

eyes:  Dark brown.

distinguishing features:  A birthmark in the junction of his right thumb. 

faceclaim:  N/A, though he was broad and strong in his shoulders, dwarfing his wife and larger than Cường with his stronger frame. Additionally, Beomseok was always nicely tanned with his long hours tending to the outdoor stall of his humble, family-owned road-side stop. He was firm but fair; his expression was always composed.

FATHER; BACKGROUND.

hometown: Hanyang (modern day Seoul), born and raised.

current residence:  He fled to Vietnam to escape the Qing invasion of Korea in 1636 and lived in Nha Trang until his death.

financial status: Peasant class. Had very little money.

education level:  He had no formal education.

father:  Choi Minwoo,  founder of the family’s road-side stop  (deceased).

mother:  Kim Yeojin,  housewife  (deceased).

siblings:  Choi Jieun (eldest sister,  deceased),  Choi Soyeon  (older sister, deceased), and Choi Hyorin (younger sister, deceased).

spouse:  Seo Gain  (1636 - 1663).

children:  Choi Cường (April 12, 1639).

MOTHER; GENERAL INFORMATION.

full name:  Seo Gain.

date of birth:  March 23, 1619.

nationality:   Korean-Vietnamese.

occupation:  Waitress/server at the roadside stop; her family was close friends with her husband’s.

religion:  Confucianism.

orientation:  Heterosexual.

marital status:  Married Choi Beomseok till his death and never remarried.

status:  Deceased; passed away from illness in old age September 2, 1693.

MOTHER; APPEARANCE.

height / weight: 5′1″ or 155cm  /  104lb or 47kg.

hair: Black.

eyes:  Dark brown.

distinguishing features:   N/A, however, she was very slight of frame, petite. Her air bled sweet and friendly, and always quick was Gain to laugh and make others smile, lessening the days worries and tensions. She was very well-liked growing up and is one of the few people to make Beomseok soften with smile.

faceclaim:  N/A, though Cường takes after his mother far more than he does his father.

MOTHER; BACKGROUND.

hometown:  Hanyang (modern day Seoul), born and raised.

current residence:  She fled to Vietnam to escape the Qing invasion of Korea in 1636 with her husband, living in Nha Trang until her death.

financial status: Peasant class. Had very little money.

education level:  She had no formal education.

father: Seo Donghyun, blacksmith  (deceased).

mother:  Lee Hyunsook, housewife  (deceased).

spouse:  Choi Beomseok (1636-1663)  and never remarried after his death.

siblings: Seo Daesung (older brother, deceased).

children:  Choi Cường (April 12, 1639).

[yp-ent]

Rain

Chapter 4

Reo’s P.O.V

I slowly open my eyes my vision blurry at first now clearing bit by bit. “Reo, are you awake?” a voice calls out whom I recognize to be Fuyu. I respond with a hum and ask “What happened?”.

“A really old wound opened because of pressure and resulted in heavy blood loss. The cause of sudden opening is still unknown.” The doctor said with a stern expression, “He’ll have to be in the hospital for at least a week. The medications will be given and I would suggest a therapy session after his discharge.”

“Thank you doctor for your help and also to prevent reporters in the hospital.” Fuyu bows as the docyor exits the room. “Reporters?” I ask.

Fuyu switches on the television and changes some channels, all of them showing the same headline, ‘Lime’s upcoming CEO seen taken to the hospital’ and then the screen went black. “You’re all over the news. Everyone’s in the country is talking about your health. And the surprising thing is I found a ‘friend’ of yours.”

“Friend? Even the high school hasn’t started yet.” I say surprised by an appearance of a completely new character. “oh, so you don’t know him, I suppose? Well he just donated you blood or you would have died by now if it wasn’t for him.” I didn’t respond and thought about a complete stranger could give blood to a person. Maybe it was because I’m famous? “I’ll leave now.” I turned my face towards Fuyu and waved her goodbye as she exited the room.

YP Entertainment, Seoul

Third Person P.O.V

A silhouette exited the room slamming the glass door behind him. A girl standing outside follows the man’s big steps. “Hyunsook! Slow down, what happened?”

“If they don’t stop this right now, I’ll have to terminate the contract. Please leave me alone Seri. Just for a while.”

30 minutes earlier

“Oh Zeal, come in please. I was just thinking about you.”

Zeal enters the room and stands behind the table with a label stating ‘Kim Minsoo, CEO’. He bows to the person sitting in front of him.

“Please sit down Zeal. Its about your next comeback.” Minsoo says as Zeal sits down. “You know you got so much praise for your recent debut stage and suddenly another comeback would be too early. Am I right?”

“Yes, sir” Zeal says. “But you know we have to prepare these early. And you have to do a lot more stages for now and I always want something special for each stage. After all you are the new star of our agency.”

“Sir please get to the point. What do you want me to do?” Zeal asks with a stern expression

“How do I put this?” Minsoo says with a fake sigh. “We want you to get involved in a scandal just after the completion of your debut. Like a drug or uh..sexual harrassment scandal, huh?”

Zeal scowls and says, “I won’t do anything like that. I can’t let my reputation be at stake.”

“Please listen to me once-“ “I said I won’t do anything like this. Never.”Zeal shouts and slams his hands on the table while standing.

“I’m sorry, I’ll leave now.”Zeal stomps out of the office leaving the CEO expressionless.

Incheon Airport, Seoul

Zoe’s P.O.V

I walk through the tiled floor of the airport after lobby picking up my luggage from the belt.I have reached Seoul where I’ve got accepted in a really prestigious high school. I spot some paparazzi following me but quickly turn and go inside the restroom.

Third person P.O.V

“The girl looks so familiar..She looks like the one I saw on TV.” Some old women behind Zoe mutter. “Oops, I have recognized” Zoe says to herself. She puts on some makeup and then wears a black mask and a beautiful scarf. She moves out.

She walks towards the exit leaving behind the whispers and the shattering noises made by the cameras. As she exits the airport she puts on her hat. She spots some fan girls.

She goes to a depressed reporter and asks, “What is happening here?” The reporter looks towards her lifelessly and replies, “Lime’s CEO will be releasing an official statement here and as usual I won’t get the chance to interview. Sad life of a low budget reporter.”

Zoe quickly slides as she observes some reporters looking at her. It was quite easy to escape as 90% of the crowd was for Lime. Winds start blowing and the weather suddenly starts to turn. Her hat blows and falls down. She picks it up and notices a man holding a placard with her name written on it. She walks towards the car.

Reo’s P.O.V

While sitting in the car I see a girl bending down to pick up her hat and recognize her immediately. 

”Zoe. Isn’t her brother the one who donated me blood.”

•••

[A/N]

hehehehe

[unistella-nail]

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이번엔 @burberry 의 새로바뀐 패턴이 너무 귀여워서 💕 역시 가을하면 체크 페크하면 #버버리 😘 #VogueXUnistellaHotNails #unistella #burberrynail (✍🏻Ina Kong 📹Insok Kim 💅🏻@nail_unistella ✋🏻Hyunsook Choi)

[theycallme-tunathot]

Homecoming

Pairing: Kim Namjoon x Reader Rating: PG-13 Synopsis: After being away from old friends for a while, you move back to Busan. You foolishly assume things are the same after you receive an invite from your oldest friend. Author’s Note: Okay, this is mighty short, but I like it. I also wanna say, I’m considering a second part. If you read this and think I should do a second part, let me know! PLEASE! Alright, enjoy this little vignette okay? Gif credit is here.

"Aren't you glad you invited me?"

"You're late."

I rolled my eyes, unable to shield the smirk that grew with every passing second. I didn't bother to turn around though. I only stood there, back facing the door, listening to the footsteps that only drew closer and then the sound of fabric rustling as the new visitor leaned against the door.

"Didn't think you noticed," I replied, voice light and flippant, just the way I wanted it.

Air rushed out from behind me as it became apparent the comment seemed ridiculous. "How could I not?"

Slowly I turned to face Namjoon, wondering if he would leave the question to be rhetorical or if he was actually expecting me to say something. My eyes focused with steady precision as I waited in silence.

When I realized we were just standing there, staring at each other, both waiting for the other to speak, I looked away. I still couldn't wipe that grin off of my face either.

"Thanks for inviting me," I said, leaning back. I could feel my back resting against the metal railing and I hoped no one else was noticing this conversation.  

"Are you kidding me? How could I not invite you?"

I shrugged. "Simple, you don't invite me."

He only laughed, closing his eyes and shaking his head. "Don't be such a smart ass."

"Then don't be such a dumb ass."

Pointing a finger at me, eyebrows raised, he puffed his chest out playfully. "I'm nowhere near drunk enough to hear this kind of disrespect in my own home."

"I really wish you would learn how to flirt," I replied, crossing my arms around my chest. "It would make these snappy repartees far more interesting."

"Fuck, you're a beast," he said, before taking a generous sip of his beer.   

I only smiled back.

"Is this how it'll be all evening?"

I tilted my head to the side. "Depends on how I feel in the next hour...and whether or not tequila is in that equation."

"Good thing I've got plenty of tequila stocked up for tonight.”

“Brilliant.”

A warm, soft breeze wafted over our small bubble on this empty balcony and I could almost sense just how insular this exchange was. Whatever we said in this moment in time was just between us. No one from the party inside would or could stop to notice something as visually boring as Namjoon and I talking with a couple of feet-worth of space between us. If only they knew the energy between us at this point was mildly palpable.

Pink tongue glazed over a full bottom lip and I couldn't bring myself to notice much of anything else. It was Namjoon's calling card of sorts. He did it a lot and while most disagreed on what it meant, I couldn't help but ignore the urge to figure it out. The urge I couldn't ignore was the need to stare intently anytime he did it in my presence.

He waited a beat, before deciding to pick up the conversation. “It's good to have you back from London.”

At first, I silently nodded at his recognition of my permanent relocation. “It's good to be back,” I said, repressing the thought to tack on “for now.”

“Have you got your living situation settled yet?”

Looking back at the sprawling urban jungle, twinkling in warm neon light, I shook my head. “I'm living with my dad for the next two weeks while I settle my apartment situation.”

“How's he doing?”

“Fine.”

“Good.”

“And your mom?”

“Busy being my mom.”

That was enough to break the awkward tension that built up over the course of a few seconds. Mentioning London might've sounded so innocuous to an outsider, but both Namjoon and I knew that moving back to Busan was neither optional nor without its discomfort.

His genuine smile was enough to put me at ease, even if the mention of London made me momentarily think of the one section of my ring finger without a tan, pale in comparison with the other fingers on my hand.

I blinked a couple of times to bring myself to the very moment in front of me. I was talking to Kim Namjoon, the ex-boyfriend who shouldn't still be my friend but somehow is still cordial with me. I was at his party. Maybe it was time that I rejoined everyone else.

“Everyone missed you.”

Namjoon had uttered the words before I even had a chance to lift my finger and mention the party going on behind him.

“No they didn't.”

“Swear to god,” he said, his arms raised by his head. “Jieun even took the time to write you a song…on her ukulele.”

I snorted out a laugh, shielding my face behind my hand. “Oh god, tell me she's at least gotten better.”

Namjoon laughed from his gut, the brightness in his smile reaching his eyes, “What do you think?”

There was something completely therapeutic about the conversation transporting between us. It was so easy and there was something that felt like a time that I thought Namjoon and I would never be able to get back to.  At least not after he begged me to stay in New York and not accept that marriage proposal.

In a rush to keep the upbeat turn in our conversation, I bit my lip as I pointed to the sliding glass door.  

“Ten dollars says Jin won't figure out how to open that door,” I said.

The tall and lanky host turned to see my view of our mutual friend, Jin, drunkenly staring at the door knob to the bathroom.

“I'll give you an extra $30 if he ever realizes that isn't a bathroom.”

“You're on.”

“I'm back to illegal gambling at my house again. What a typical Sunday that used to be.”

"Aren't you glad you invited me?"

Two hours later, I was several strawberry mango margaritas in, made by a new addition to the usual pack of friends. Her name was Nari, with vibrant auburn hair and a weird knack for mentioning she had an obsession with cardigans. She was as sweet as the margaritas she made and I couldn't help but quickly bond with her.

By this point I was too buzzed to worry about answering the staggered questions of how it felt to be back and found a way to ignore the steady stream of concerned glances Namjoon sprinkled through the party as I interacted with the old group of friends.

At the moment, Nari was trying to coax stories about our high school and college days.

“Okay so I know how Namjoon met Jieun, Hoseok, Hyunsook and Jin. How did he meet you? How did you get into the pack?” she asked, turning her hazel eyes toward me.

Everyone seemed quiet for a moment as they looked at me, waiting to see how I reacted.

“She was the original,” Namjoon aided, trying to encourage me to answer appropriately.

Taking a sizable sip of my margarita, I nodded, pointing limply at my longest-lasting friend.

“I met him in high school,” I replied. “Back when he didn't have friends.”

I cupped my free hand around my mouth as I leaned forward to pretend to whisper to her. I heard warm laughs around the room as Nari laughed along, shaking her head.   

“How'd you meet in high school?” she pressed, hungry for details.

Part of me was ready to divulge that information, completely fine with letting my tequila tongue go, but I wasn't nearly drunk enough to travel down that avenue of memories.

Jin awkwardly grunted in the silence when no one rushed to reply to the question. Probably because it was directed to me more than anyone else.

As I sipped down more alcohol, I sighed. “Let’s just put it like this: I provided a service that he desperately needed in high school.”

Nari gave me an awkward stare and for a moment I could clearly see her working out the meaning of my drunkenly vague statement. So instead of just explaining what I said, my mind convinced me she understood and I kept going.

"I mean, clearly he was looking for a ride with someone a little more experienced than that girl Becky Stinton, and I was just the girl, wasn't I Joon?"

Everyone seemed to stare in such an odd way, like what I was saying was weird or maybe too inappropriate for the setting. In my drunken state none of these looks quite registered. And Nari?  She was staring at Namjoon in confusion.

"I typically charged for my services, but...Joon was a bit of an exception to the rule you know?" I continued, clearly ignoring the tension that was building across the room.

Namjoon cleared his throat as he shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Jin was camped out in front of the same door I observed him at hours ago, still trying to get in to figure out how to turn the door handle.  Jieun was wearing an expression that begged to be anywhere but here and Nari only stared between Namjoon and I.

My index finger traced the lip of the margarita glass as I shrugged. "All I'm saying is that we met because of my service, we remained friends despite it you know?"

"So what you're saying is you and Namjoon used to sleep together?"

I laughed loudly. My mind began to review the last few statements I made and immediately, I caught on to what happened. Shaking my head, I held my free hand up. "No, I've never slept with Joon," I said with ease, laughing a bit as I looked over at him. "Not for lack of trying though, am I right ladies?"

I could feel Hyungsook's stare on me, but I wasn't sure what she was trying to convey with her look. Namjoon wasn't laughing either, which was strange because it used to always be the running joke between us. In the year that we dated and all the years that we knew each other not once had we slept together. Which seems like more of a fucking mistake on my part than anything else.

"We used to carpool in high school," Namjoon provided, looking at Nari as he addressed her.

"His mom paid me good money to make sure he got to school."

The uncomfortable tension only seemingly increased as everyone avoided Nari's look and she wore an expression that was somewhere between disbelief and hurt. I wasn't sure why she felt hurt by the vague statements.   

"Nari," Namjoon began, leaning forward and extending his arm. But before his hand could grab for her hand, she was out of her seat on the couch and looking at everyone before excusing herself. I listened in a haze as her heels beat against the wooden floorboards before looking to everyone else.

He wasted no time rising out of his seat as well and following after her, throwing me a look that I didn't quite see as he moved too fast.

When a closing door seemed to echo across the room, my eyes shot to Hyungsook and Jieun who were trying really hard to seem interested in their phones.

"What the fuck was that about?" I asked, setting down my margarita. Perhaps it was time for me to switch to water.

When no one answered me, I found myself frustrated.

"Hey, I'm talking to you guys," I said, throwing a ridiculously small decorative pillow at Hyungsook.  When it hit her in the face, she glanced up momentarily before pretending like her phone vibrated in her hand again. "Did I say something wrong?"

I sighed, beginning to feel the tension of the room again. Was this what it felt like the whole time I was explaining how I met Namjoon? Was it honestly this uncomfortable? And why was everybody unwilling to explain what just happened? I mean, this isn't my first time being drunk in front of them, yet all of them were acting like this was. None of it was making sense.

Without any discussion, I stood from place in a dining room chair and grabbed the half-full margarita glass. It was probably best I put this in the kitchen and start washing the glass out. It wasn't like I planned on drinking after the awkwardness of this situation. As I excused myself, Jin grunted as I passed him and, probably more frustratingly, Hoseok gave me an apologetic smile.

Once in the kitchen, I stared at the food platters Namjoon had out. A vegetable tray with hummus in the middle. Tiny finger sandwiches filled with turkey, ham and chicken salad. Bowls of chips sat atop the counter, each corresponding to the color of the bag they came out of. The glasses were arranged so that they were lined up by volume, the margarita glasses nearest the sink and coincidentally the biggest.   

This all seemed...organized. Extremely organized.

Nothing against my high school friend, but Joon was never this organized. The guy couldn't even give you a proper schedule of what he did from day to day, but he could coordinate bowl colors for chips? And lay out his glassware based on volume? It was just weird and strange and suddenly, I felt like maybe I'd been away too long. People change and that wasn't a secret. But how much had Namjoon really changed in almost two years?

"I'm sorry about tonight," Hoseok said, his voice carrying over from the fridge.

I looked up and shook my head, grabbing my margarita glass and chucking its contents down the drain. Turning my attention back to the sink, I turned on the water faucet.

"It's not that big a deal. I just got a little too buzzed and I guess I said something wrong that offended Nari."

"You didn't say anything offensive, not really at least," he said, approaching me and leaning against the island. I didn't look at him even though he was staring at me.   

Hoseok was a college friend. After Namjoon and I moved from our hometown to Busan for university, it seemed like the whole world opened up. We were both bright-eyed, bushy tailed and eager to explore everything life was willing to offer. Hoseok was Namjoon's roommate, something that seemed like a mistake the usually hermit-like Namjoon. Hoseok was loud, friendly, energetic. He was a lot like me all that time ago. We forged a good friendship during those college years but after the breakup with Namjoon, I was too ashamed to reach out to Hoseok.

"Nari is Namjoon's girlfriend."

Between the feeling of going deaf and losing all function in my fingers, I could pinpoint the very moment that Hoseok's words settled into my bones. A chill ran over me as I tried my hardest to keep my appearance as level and calm as possible. But how could I achieve that when it felt like I just took a roundhouse kick to stomach.   

So, he had moved on.   

I should've seen this coming, even when he invited me here tonight through a convoluted message through my dad. I should've known that things weren't the same, no matter how much Namjoon sold that on the balcony. And while every selfish bone in my body was indignant how this fact wasn't made explicitly clear before I began interacting with her but also upset that he had finally moved past our relationship, I knew this was a good thing. Namjoon was a good guy with a good heart. He already wasted too much of it on me in that yearlong relationship that I never really deserved. It was good that he found someone worthy of offering his heart to. But none of that took away the sting of opening old wounds.

Shutting the water off, not bothering to look down and check to see if the margarita glass was completely cleaned or not, I set it, lip down on a drying rack to the right of the sink and grabbed a towel to dry my hands off.

"You really didn't know did you?" Hoseok asked, the tone of curiosity hard to miss in his voice. His deep sigh was only followed by an apology. "I thought Joon would've said something, especially since you were coming back so soo--"

I didn't let him finish. My heels clicked against the wood floors as I returned to the entry hallway to grab my keys and cellphone. I didn't want to spend another moment in this apartment if I could help it.   

"You're leaving already?" I heard from beside me as I waited long enough to turn on my cellphone.

I didn't bother to look up from my cellphone. "It's getting late."

"Oh."

My eyes cut to the side, seeing Namjoon standing there. He looked stiff and robotic, unsure of how to say goodbye. He looked guilty and maybe in some way he should feel that way. But I knew deep down, he had no reason to feel responsible for telling me about his new girlfriend. We were just friends in the end and nowhere in that level of relationship did it state he owed me that explanation.

In the moment, I decided it'd be best to look at him one last time. I knew we'd see each other again and there wasn't a single doubt in my mind about this. Brown eyes bore holes into me as I glanced over his arms, the two that used to hold me close whenever I felt too overwhelmed. The lips that would softly place a kiss against my cheek when tears were the only way I could speak. The nose that would nudge my own all those years ago when kissing seemed like the only thing we ever did when we were alone in my dorm room.

No matter what happened on that balcony tonight, this was living proof that we would never have what we did two years ago. And somehow that alone was enough to make me want to cry. The feeling of my eyes drying out, the lump swelling and squeezing against my vocal chords all made it nearly impossible for me to remain under his stare. I just needed to leave.

When he moved to hug me, I decided that was my out. Maneuvering just enough, he missed me by inches as my hand grasped the brass doorknob. As I twisted it, pulling the door open, I looked back only to throw out the most disingenuous statement I could think of.

"I'll catch up with you later."

[popgirlnyc]

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Impractical but riveting. Repost @voguekorea ・・・ “#VogueHotNails (✍🏻Ina Kong 📹Insok Kim 💅🏻@nail_unistella 🖐🏼Hyunsook Choi ✂️Jiwon Ko) _ Are you worried about #blingbling and #three-dimensional nail art that you can not wash your hands? Then the #snapbutton #nail is the answer! Also, you can #change your #design anytime! #Vogue #VogueKorea”

[doyoufashion-blog]

#VogueHotNails 반짝반짝 크리스마스가 3일 앞으로 다가왔습니다🎅🏼 아주 특별한 네일 디자인을 찾고 있다면 이런 건 어때요? LED 조명을 장착한 크리스마스 네일! 인조 네일 팁을 거꾸로 붙인 다음 크리스탈 파츠로 트리 디테일을 만들고, 손톱 끝쪽에 구멍을 뚫어 LED 파츠를 꽂으면 완성!🌲유니크하죠? 💚 (✍🏻Ina Kong 📹Insok Kim 💅🏻Eunkyung Park(@nail_unistella) ✋🏻Hyunsook Choi ✂️Jiwon Ko) _

[musdopopasiatico]

Chilling Romance

Título: 오싹한 연애

Título en ingles: Chilling Romance.

Título español: Un Romance Escalofriante

Fecha…

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[asianartsblog]

"The dinosaurs in my painting recall what was once the mightiest creatures on earth, reduced to extinction. They urge us to take better care of our planet or otherwise risk a similar fate - while reminding us that it is not too late." 

--June Yun, artist  

View Yun's work and art by 44 other artists in   

Balanced (균형이 잡힌) 2023 Han-Mee Artists Association of Greater Washington, DC Annual Exhibition June 14 - July 15 Asian Arts Gallery, Center for the Arts, Towson University 1 Fine Arts Drive, Towson, MD 21204 Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 11am- 4pm

Balancing each other’s differences and achieving synergy is important in both creative arts and our daily lives. However, attaining and sustaining a balanced life is difficult in a constantly changing world which requires us to constantly adapt to new conflicts, concerns, and environments. In particular, the unexpected COVID-19 global pandemic made worries about reality and an uncertain future a regular part of our daily lives and thoughts. Just like finding our direction amid a foggy reality, creative activities are like taking a long journey toward an unknown destination. Each of the works presented in this exhibition shows unique and inventive approaches to realizing balance and synergy.

Featured Artists:

Clare Jongim Chang * Yunkyoung Cho * Youn Ho Choi * Zechariah Choi * Hyun Chough * Eunmee Chung* Jillian Chung * Hyunsook Erickson* Jihee Hahn * Barbara Han * Mira Jung * Sunhee Kim Jung * Amy Kyungae Kim * Bo Kim * Bok Kim * Eunjeon Kim * Hyun Jung Kim * Irene Myounghee Kim * Jean Jinho Kim * Jinchul Kim * Jung Eun Kim * Myungsook Ryu Kim * Okji Kim * Sumita Kim * Tae Dong Kim-James* Wanjin Kim * Myoung Won Kwon * Eunyoung Leah Lee * Insook Lee * Sunjin Leaa Lee * Choung-Hee Lim * Jeong Sook Oh * Jinsoon Oh * Minsun Oh * Komelia Hongja Okim * Junghwa Kim Paik * Sookkyung Park * Donghyun Rhee* Sunmi Shin * In-soon Smeenk * SuLi * Serena Yeo * Jihee Yi * Sook You * June Yun

Image: A Message in a Bottle - LOVE by June Yun

[asianartsblog]

"...colorful flower petals...represent the hope and dreams of childhood and help viewers remember and imagine forgotten memories through the celebration of flowers."

--Eunmee Chung artist

View Chung's work and art by 44 other artists in

Balanced (균형이 잡힌)

2023 Han-Mee Artists Association of Greater Washington, DC Annual Exhibition

June 14 - July 15

Asian Arts Gallery, Center for the Arts, Towson University

1 Fine Arts Drive, Towson, MD 21204

Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 11am- 4pm

(Closed Tuesday, July 4)

Balancing each other’s differences and achieving synergy is important in both creative arts and our daily lives. However, attaining and sustaining a balanced life is difficult in a constantly changing world which requires us to constantly adapt to new conflicts, concerns, and environments. In particular, the unexpected COVID-19 global pandemic made worries about reality and an uncertain future a regular part of our daily lives and thoughts. Just like finding our direction amid a foggy reality, creative activities are like taking a long journey toward an unknown destination. Each of the works presented in this exhibition shows unique and inventive approaches to realizing balance and synergy.

Featured Artists:

Clare Jongim Chang * Yunkyoung Cho * Youn Ho Choi * Zechariah Choi * Hyun Chough * Eunmee Chung* Jillian Chung * Hyunsook Erickson* Jihee Hahn * Barbara Han * Mira Jung * Sunhee Kim Jung * Amy Kyungae Kim * Bo Kim * Bok Kim * Eunjeon Kim * Hyun Jung Kim * Irene Myounghee Kim * Jean Jinho Kim * Jinchul Kim * Jung Eun Kim * Myungsook Ryu Kim * Okji Kim * Sumita Kim * Tae Dong Kim-James* Wanjin Kim * Myoung Won Kwon * Eunyoung Leah Lee * Insook Lee * Sunjin Leaa Lee * Choung-Hee Lim * Jeong Sook Oh * Jinsoon Oh * Minsun Oh * Komelia Hongja Okim * Junghwa Kim Paik * Sookkyung Park * Donghyun Rhee* Sunmi Shin * In-soon Smeenk * SuLi * Serena Yeo * Jihee Yi* Sook You * June Yun

Image: Beo-Seon Story (Winter) by Eunmee Chung

[asianartsblog]

"I want anyone standing in front of my Mirrorscape to dream and wish for their tomorrows!!!"--Komelia Hongja Okim, artist 

View Okim's work and art by 44 other artists in Balanced (균형이 잡힌)

2023 Han-Mee Artists Association of Greater Washington, DC Annual Exhibition

June 14 - July 15

Asian Arts Gallery, Center for the Arts, Towson University

1 Fine Arts Drive, Towson, MD 21204

Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 11am- 4pm 

(Closed Tuesday, July 4)

Balancing each other’s differences and achieving synergy is important in both creative arts and our daily lives. However, attaining and sustaining a balanced life is difficult in a constantly changing world which requires us to constantly adapt to new conflicts, concerns, and environments. In particular, the unexpected COVID-19 global pandemic made worries about reality and an uncertain future a regular part of our daily lives and thoughts. Just like finding our direction amid a foggy reality, creative activities are like taking a long journey toward an unknown destination. Each of the works presented in this exhibition shows unique and inventive approaches to realizing balance and synergy.

Featured Artists:

Clare Jongim Chang * Yunkyoung Cho * Youn Ho Choi *Zechariah Choi * Hyun Chough * Eunmee Chung* Jillian Chung * Hyunsook Erickson* Jihee Hahn * Barbara Han * Mira Jung * Sunhee Kim Jung * Amy Kyungae Kim * Bo Kim * Bok Kim * Eunjeon Kim * Hyun Jung Kim * Irene Myounghee Kim * Jean Jinho Kim * Jinchul Kim * Jung Eun Kim * Myungsook Ryu Kim* Okji Kim * Sumita Kim * Tae Dong Kim-James* Wanjin Kim * Myoung Won Kwon * Eunyoung Leah Lee * Insook Lee * Sunjin Leaa Lee * Choung-Hee Lim * Jeong Sook Oh * Jinsoon Oh * Minsun Oh * Komelia Hongja Okim * Junghwa Kim Paik  Sookkyung Park * Donghyun Rhee* Sunmi Shin * In-soon Smeenk * SuLi * Serena Yeo * Jihee Yi* Sook You * June Yun

Image:Conversations in a Green Forest by Komelia Hongja Okim

[asianartsblog]

Balanced (균형이 잡힌) 2023 Han-Mee Artists Association of Greater Washington, DC Annual Exhibition June 14 - July 15 Opening Reception:  Wednesday, June 14, 5pm Asian Arts Gallery, Center for the Arts, Towson University 1 Fine Arts Drive, Towson, MD 21204 Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 11am- 4pm (Closed Tuesday, July 4)

Balancing each other’s differences and achieving synergy is important in both creative arts and our daily lives. However, attaining and sustaining a balanced life is difficult in a constantly changing world which requires us to constantly adapt to new conflicts, concerns, and environments. In particular, the unexpected COVID-19 global pandemic made worries about reality and an uncertain future a regular part of our daily lives and thoughts. Just like finding our direction amid a foggy reality, creative activities are like taking a long journey toward an unknown destination. Each of the works presented in this exhibition shows unique and inventive approaches to realizing balance and synergy.

Featured Artists:

Clare Jongim Chang * Yunkyoung Cho * Youn Ho Choi * Zechariah Choi * Hyun Chough * Eunmee Chung* Jillian Chung * Hyunsook Erickson* Jihee Hahn * Barbara Han * Mira Jung * Sunhee Kim Jung * Amy Kyungae Kim * Bo Kim * Bok Kim * Eunjeon Kim * Hyun Jung Kim * Irene Myounghee Kim * Jean Jinho Kim * Jinchul Kim * Jung Eun Kim * Myungsook Ryu Kim * Okji Kim * Sumita Kim * Tae Dong Kim-James* Wanjin Kim * Myoung Won Kwon * Eunyoung Leah Lee * Insook Lee * Sunjin Leaa Lee * Choung-Hee Lim * Jeong Sook Oh * Jinsoon Oh * Minsun Oh * Komelia Hongja Okim * Junghwa Kim Paik * Sookkyung Park * Donghyun Rhee* Sunmi Shin * In-soon Smeenk * SuLi * Serena Yeo * Jihee Yi* Sook You * June Yun

Images clockwise: Summer Prelude 2 by Jung Eun Kim, Earth and My Life II (Yellow) by Jeong Sook Oh, Rebirth by Wanjin Kim, A Message in a Bottle - LOVE by June Yun.

[unistella-nail]

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#uni_tutorial ✖️@voguekorea #graffitinail (✍🏻Ina Kong 📹Insok Kim 💅🏻@nail_unistella 🖐🏼Hyunsook Choi) _ Use art markers to complete an easy and unique graffiti nails look for the festival season. #Vogue #Unistella