~*~*~When I NeeD You~*~*~ 3
Next thing I knew, I was pulling out old photo albums. I was hoping to find pictures of me and Hyunn..I mean Kang Ta! I remember seeing some a long time ago. I hoped that I could find it. I was digging through all of it when one of the photo albums fell off the shelf and hit me on the arm. A paper flew out. It was the drawing that Kang Ta gave me. It was so old and wrinkled. I opened up the photo album and began to go back in time...there were a lot of pictures inside. Kang Ta was soo cute! He had this little bowl haircut. I have a picture of him and his square bag that he would carry to school. My favorite one was the one of me and him eating ice cream. Kang Ta has ice cream all over his mouth and chin and down the front of his shirt! He's soo cute! I then started to wonder if Kang Ta remembered me. His mom still remembered me..but did he? It was soo long ago. I don't exactly remember everything either. I couldn't believe that cute, sensitive Hyunny could become the gasoo Kang Ta!

Everyday, I would look up at the poster of Kang Ta and think..I know him! I shared my "jjoo jjoo bbah" with him! I was still in shock. Everytime I would watch gayo videos, I would stare at Kang Ta with curiousity. Did he remember me? When I saw him cry after winning number one on MBC Best 50, it would remind me of when he was little and would start crying whenever I would take his ice cream from him. That was the same sensitive little boy who would start crying when I would squish a bug. He was still the same.

**During Super Elite Modeling Contest**
NEWS!! HOT is coming to the US!! I was soo excited! They were finally coming to LA! Even though it was for the Korean Super Elite Modeling Contest, I couldn't wait to see them..especially Kang Ta. I asked my mom to buy me a ticket..but she told me no. I was like NO?? WHY NO??!?! Didn't she understand that I wanted to see an old friend? But she kept telling me no..I was heart broken.
Lately, ahjuhmah kept calling the house. I wanted to ask her about Kang Ta, but I didn't have the heart to. Everytime she would call, I would strain my ear to hear background noise and possibly hear Kang Ta's voice. I wanted to hear him or at least see him, but I can't because of my mom! GRRRR!
It was the day before the Modeling Contest..Friday, April 18th. I felt like crying. My favorite group was here, and I can't even see them! All my friends from the east coast kept telling me that I was soo lucky to be so close to them..but I wasn't lucky. I couldn't see HOT!
That night, my mom said that a visitor (sohneem) was coming for dinner and to go get ready. I was so mad at her that I didn't listen to her. Who cared about that person? I couldn't see HOT! I was so upset that I didn't go and change out of my sweats.
The doorbell rang, and my mom yelled at me to get it because she was too busy with the cooking. I ran hastily to the door and looked out the window. It was some tall guy..kind of young, with flowers. I said in a deep voice,"Who is it?"
Then he went, "Uhh..neh?"
"Noo goo seh yo(who is it)?"
"Oh..umm...it's Hyunny."
HYUNNY??? Say what? I opened the door quickly and there he was..it was KANG TA! KANG TA at MY house!! He looked so good! So much more beautiful in person. It was like a ray of moon beams was shining on him. It was a dream.
I think I was just standing there and gawking at him a long time because he goes, “Umm can I come in?"
Oh! I jumped out of the way and let him through. Then I saw what I was wearing! YIKES! I told him to sit and yelled at my mom that Hyunny was here! I ran up the stairs and searched for clothes in my room. How come my mom didn't prepare me for this? Then I would have gone and bought something! Gosh! I had NOTHING to wear! I found a simple dress and put it on. Then I noticed that I didn't shave my legs! Eeeks! I found my slacks and white dress top and ran down the stairs. My hair was a mess, but I was able to somehow put it in order. I slowed down and peeked around the corner to look at Kang Ta. He looked soo good! Kang Ta wore khaki slacks with a white shirt and tie...so dressed up for this dinner! I came into the living room, and I guess he saw me come in, so he stood up. I gave a shy smile and sat in the chair farthest from him. I felt soo nervous and uncomfortable. I could tell he was nervous because he kept looking at the ground and fumbling with the flowers he had.
"Oh..Hyunny wat suh(you're here)?" my mom said.
Kang Ta jumped up and in-sahed to her "Ahn nyung ha seh yo!"
"Uh..geu reh (oh..ok) Hyunny manee kut dah (you grew a lot)!"
Kang Ta blushed and smiled. He remembered the flowers and started to get up and walk towards my mom. But he walked passed my mom and handed it to me! I was so shocked. I took it and thanked him. I could feel my blood rushing. My mom told him to go to the table to eat. As he walked passed us, I started mouthing to my mom "Why didn't you tell me?" But she just shrugged and smiled.
I walked towards the table and saw that Kang Ta was sitting in my usual seat, so I just sat where my dad usually sits which is across from Kang Ta. My mom made "bool go gee," Hyunny's favorite food. I couldn't believe that my mom remembered! I was sitting there thinking of old times. I remembered one time when I was eating "bool go gee" at Hyunny's house, I started choking on a piece. I kept coughing and coughing and finally, Hyunny gave me a strong whack with his small hand on my back and, it flew out. I started to laugh a little.
Kang Ta asked, "What's so funny?" with a concerned look.
"Oh, I was just remembering old times. Remember when I got a piece of "bool go gee" stuck in my throat?"
Kang Ta started to laugh. "Oh yeah! And I whacked you, and it flew in the plant pot!"
We started laughing together. It felt good. We began to eat. It was a good dinner that I was enjoying with my old best friend.



~*~*~When I NeeD You~*~*~ 4
After we were done, Kang Ta got up and offered to do the dishes. Wow, what a gentleman! I got up and told him that it was okay and that I would do them. But he kept on insisting, so he helped clear the table while I started washing the dishes. I was half way through when the phone rang. It was for me. I ran to get it, and when I came back, Kang Ta had on the flowered apron and the gloves and was washing the rest of the dishes! I ran next to him and told him that I would do it, but he wouldn't let me. He gave me a playful shove with his butt and told me to dry the dishes. Wow..what a guy! I couldn't help but laugh at how he looked with the colorful flower printed apron on. He gave me this pouty sad look and looked down at himself and started to laugh too! It was hilarious. We didn't talk much. He just washed while I dried the dishes. But I was standing so close to him. My mind couldn't comprehend that I was standing next to KANG TA...THE KANG TA!! He smelled nice..like men's cologne. I wonder what he wears?
Afterwards, we walked into the livingroom where my mom was reading the newspaper. My mom said that she would go get us something to eat and left us there. I sat next to Kang Ta on the long sofa. I didn't know what to say, so I said,"Umm are you nervous about the concert tomorrow?" I felt so dumb.
"Yes. The hyungs and I and Jae Won are soo nervous! We can't believe that we have fans in the US!"
Then I started on that there were a bunch of girls..including non-Korean who love them. "Yeah, I have friends all over US who love HOT! Some of them aren't even Korean. They really love your music. I even have a friend who is Spanish and is a big fan of HOT."
Kang Ta opened his eyes wide with surprise.
"Really? But why? They don't understand Korean."
"It's the music they love and you guys. It doesn't matter if it's in Korean."
Kang Ta seemed to be so surprised. I guess he had no clue about how big HOT was in the US.
"Hyunny, what time are you guys going to the Shrine Auditorium tomorrow?"
"Around 2 to practice. What time are you going?"
My eyes dropped to the ground. How could I tell him that my stupid mom wouldn't let me go?
"Umm..I'm not going."
"What? Not going?!?! But you have to! I want you to be there for me."
That just broke my heart. I had to be there for Kang Ta..for Hyunny, my old best friend.
"My mom..she won't let me go..."
"Oh that!" Kang Ta smiled. "Your mom used that as an excuse so that you wouldn't go out and buy a ticket!"
I was so confused!
Kang Ta reached for his wallet and opened it. He took out a front row seat ticket!
"Here. This is for you. I wanted to personally give it to you and invite you to the concert."
I took it from him. I couldn't believe it! It was so sweet of Kang Ta to give me a ticket..personally. I couldn't thank him enough.
"Oh Hyunny! Thank you so much! I can't wait to go and see you guys!"
Kang Ta smiled so big. It just melted my heart that he would be so happy about me going to the concert.
My mom came in with a tray full of fruits. What's with Koreans and fruits?!? I was about to poke my fork into the apple as Kang Ta was about to reach for the same apple. We both poked the same apple at the same time! We laughed.
"Hyunny, you can have it. I know how much you love apples."
"No, you have it."
Kang Ta picked it up and put it up to my lips. I took a bite. Then I picked up an apple and shoved it into Kang Ta's mouth!
"Yah~~!" Kang Ta started to laugh. He laughed so hard that the apple fell out of his mouth! That sent me cracking away. It was good to be around Hyunny.
My mom came into the living room and sat with us. She began to ask Kang Ta questions.
"How is your family, Hyunny?"
"They are fine."
"That's good. Wow Hyunny, you grew so much! You're a young man now. A very handsome young man."
Kang Ta blushed. It was so cute how he smiled and looked to the ground.
"Thank you."
"It's getting late. You should go now Hyunny since you have a big day tomorrow."
"Okay."
"Christine, take Hyunny back to the hotel."
I jumped up when she said my name. I ran upstairs to get my jacket and keys. I didn't know how I could drive with Kang Ta in the car. I was so nervous and excited. I can finally be alone and talk with him.

~*~*~When I NeeD You~*~*~ 5
I ran down the stairs and got directions from my mom. Then I went out the door with Kang Ta behind me.
"Ga-jah (Let's go) Hyunny yah!"
I unlocked the door and got in. Kang Ta was outside on the other door. He didn't seem to want to come in! Was he afraid of my driving? Then he bent down and knocked on the window. I turned to him.
"SeJin! Aren't you going to let me in? It's cold out here!"
Oh duh! I unlocked the doors, and he came in.
"Me ahn Hyunny!"
"Chi~! You just wanted me to freeze out there!"
"Aigo..you are still a little baby!" I laughed. Kang Ta laughed too.
I started the engine and drove towards the freeway.
"So, how do you like America so far?"
"Umm..I don't know yet. I was so excited to come here, but it's kind of like Korea. I haven't gone anywhere yet."
We passed by a 31 Baskin Robins, so I pulled in.
"Let's eat some ice cream! American ice cream!"
We got out of the car and went in. Since Kang Ta had never seen so many flavors in his life, he kept taking samples from the lady. Finally, he settled on strawberry cheesecake ice cream. I got my usual mint n chip. We both got ours in a cone.
Kang Ta was licking away at his ice cream like a little kid. He eyed my ice cream.
"Can I taste some of yours?"
I handed him mine, and he opened his mouth wide. He took a huge chunk out of it!
"HYUNNY! That's not fair! Give me yours!"
So I took his and took a huge chunk of it. We both had ice cream headaches and started to laugh.
"C'mon! Let's go now."
I unlocked the doors, and we got in. As we were driving, I started to feel sneaky. While Kang Ta was was licking the ice cream, I slammed on the brakes. The ice cream smooshed into his face and got all over his mouth.
"Yah~!"
I started to laugh so hard. Kang Ta started laughing, too. His face reminded me of the picture taken of him when he was small and eating ice cream. It was like going back in time.
"Sorry Hyunny. But I couldn't help myself."
"It's okay. Next time becareful! Geesh SeJin..now it's all over my face!"
"Gosh..be a baby!"
We laughed. I turned on the cd player.
"What do you want to listen to?"
"Oh, it doesn't matter."
I turned on HOT's Candy. It was my favorite song. I hoped that Kang Ta didn't mind since he had to sing it so many times on gayo videos.
"Here Hyunny, you can practice for tomorrow!"
I smiled and started to sing along.
"Sha sheel eun oh neul nuh wah yeh.."
"Man nam eul jung lee ha go sheepuh," Kang Ta finished off.
Throughout the whole song, we started to have a contest on who could sing louder. I rolled down the windows, and we sang our lungs out. People in the other cars must've thought we were crazy. It was so funny. Then I turned to track number 5..Neh ga pee ryo hal deh. That song was the song I loved the most especially because Kang Ta sang practially the whole thing. Kang Ta started to sing along with it.
"Nan molat suh..geu ruh keh..jal apuh het deun.."
It was so beautiful. I just wanted to stop the car right then and there and just listen to his beautiful voice. Tears sprang to my eyes. Gosh he sings so beautifully. But it came to an end.
"Did you like it?"
"Gosh Hyunny! You sing soo well! You have to promise to sing to me when I ask you to okay?"
"Okay..yak-sok(promise)."
It was about 9:30pm when we reached the Radisson Hotel. Kang Ta told me to park, so I can go up and meet the other members.
"Are you sure it's ok? What if your managers get mad?"
"It's ok! You're my friend. If they get mad, then too bad!"
We got out of the car and walked toward the hotel. Inside the lobby were a couple of girls..fans since they had I love HOT signs with them. But they were asleep on the couch. I guess they were waiting for HOT to come down. We walked quietly passed them towards the elevators. We went up, practically to the top. As we got out, I saw a HUGE bodyguard in the hallway. Kang Ta walked passed him, but he stopped me.
"Umm where do you think you are going?"
"Oh, I'm with Kang Ta."
The bodyguard looked at my suspiciously. Since Kang Ta didn't know any English and how to explain to him that I was his friend, he grabbed my hand and dragged me into his room. I just looked helplessly at the bodyguard. I went in and sat on a chair. Kang Ta went rummaging through his suitcase and took out a shirt and jeans.
"I'll be back. I want to change out of these clothes."
While he was gone, I began to think..think about Kang Ta. I couldn't believe that I was at THE hotel that HOT was staying at! I think I was really deep in thought because I jumped out of my seat when the connecting door opened.