“It also means they’re here.” She squeals, creating high-pitched sound I swear could break glass.
“In Texas?” I ask, shocked.
“No,” she huffs. “I wish. Right now, it’s limited to the big cities like New York City, Los Angeles.” She pouts. “Even Atlanta, Georgia.” She pulls up an ad. “They’re currently filming the second season and collecting contestants for a competition they’re going to be running.”
I skim the ad. “Wait. They’re competing for a spot on the show?”
“And a meet and greet with the cast. The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve. That has to be the gift of a lifetime.”
I’m intrigued. “How are they picking the contestants?”
“I’ve seen the highlights from other cities. It’s an interview process, sort of like American Idol. They’re coming to Austin this weekend. I was tempted to ask if I could go just to see the others compete.” Sighing, she plops back against the couch cushions. “It’s going to be epic, I’m sure.”
“You’re not going to enter?” I ask, shocked.
She scowls. “Dad would never let me miss a week of school to compete, and I’m sure the show will be filmed in LA or something like that.”
“What do you think they’ll have people do to win?”
“Probably answer questions about the show and actors. If it’s anything like the Korean variety shows, it’s going to be a wild ride.”
“Why?” I swallow hard, knowing I’m already committed to trying out. After the year she has had, she deserves this.
“Because the games are wild. Here, let me show you.”
My eyes must be the size of dinner plates after watching the variety shows. The contests feel like something off Fear Factor or the old show MXC.
“Wow. That’s intense.” Images of giant fake boulders mowing people down flash in my mind.
“I know.”
I study her face. “I guess we should get started.”
“With what?” She furrows her brows.
“Filling my head with K-Drama information, so I can place in the contest.”
“What?” Her dark brown eyes gleam with hope.
“You want to meet Yoon Kim, right?”
“Yes.” She rises onto her knees. “Hartley, if you can pull this off, you’ll be a legend. Seriously, all I want for Christmas is Yoon. There’s no other gifts that can measure up.”
“I won’t promise you I can get him, but I’ll try my best.” She tackles me in a hug, and I hold her close, praying to the powers above for a guide to helping her start to heal. If this is the path, I’ll happily forge forward.
“We have to give you a crash course. Think of it as K-Dramas for beginners.” Jerking back, she casts the video from her computer to the television. “Sit back, relax, and be ready to soak everything up like a sponge.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I salute. I watch as a website appears on the screen. “To fully understand and appreciate K-Drama, there are a few things you need to know about the culture. Like their social structure and some of the phrases you’ll hear frequently.”
“What do you mean by social structure?”
“They show their elders respect and rarely call them by their first name. So, whoever is born first is referred to by the name oopa, which means older brother for a female, or unnie, which is older sister for a woman. For a male, noona means older sister, and hyung means older brother. It’s a sign of respect.”
“That’s a lot to keep straight.”
“Oh, yes.” She nods happily. “Which makes for some humorous situations in the shows.”
“What if you’re the same age? Do you have to ask them when their birthday is?”