The Beginning

"Congratulations! You're the grand prize winner of our exclusive annual 'Are You Kpop's Biggest Fan' contest! You've won an all-inclusive 7 day/ 7 night trip for two to Seoul, South Korea! Who's your number1 go-to radio station for all of today's hottest hits?!"

"Uuh..umm..K-Fun FM61.3?" I manage to stammer, my phone shaking in my hand. "Awesome!! Stay on the line so we can get your info and give you details on your prize!" I can hear a static click on the other end of the line. I stand there in complete shock, phone in hand while I'm transferred. I submitted my BTS fan video for the contest two weeks ago but I never thought I would win. I never get lucky at winning anything, much less a trip to my dream city. Is this real? Is this seriously happening right now? I hear a woman on the other line explain the trip and other details before exchanging information. Plane tickets for two. . .vacation house. . .tourist pass. I hang up the phone as I try to gather my thoughts. This is happening. This. Is. Really. Happening.

OH MY GOD!

Two, there are two tickets! I instantly think of my best friend of 15 years, Jenn, and call her. After screaming excitedly over the phone for the last hour and 13 minutes, I hang up and flop down on my bed. My flight is in three weeks and this all feels surreal.

**

"Hey, we leave tomorrow and I want to get a new bikini for Seoul. I'm picking you up so be ready. Oh, and no, that purple one piece isn't 'good enough'. Take it out of your bag. I know you packed it. Better yet, throw that shit away. You need a cute little two-piece if you want to bring home a cute boyfriend," Jenn teases as she continues to laugh at her own joke. "Purple swimsuit? I threw that out a while ago!" I frantically search through my suitcase for the purple one-piece. "Mhmm, sure you did, you fucking liar. Be ready, I'll be there in a couple of minutes. Ciao, bitch!" Jenn hangs up and I can't help but laugh at how well she knows me. I can be pretty quiet, a little introverted but Jenn is loud, sociable, and fearless. We balance each other out. Two minutes later, I hear a car horn so I grab my purse and run out the door. We spend the next three hours at the mall shopping, having fitting room montages, and stuffing our faces at the food court. I end up leaving with three new bikinis way smaller than I'm used to (thanks for that, Jenn) and a cute new sundress. Now that I'm set to go, all I have to do is wait to fly out. Just one more day. I barely slept all night, my mind running with excitement. Today will be full of "firsts" for me and I can't wait. The first plane ride, the first time out of my country, the first time taking a trip with my best friend, and I'm taking my dream vacation I have been dreaming of for years! For free! I'm so excited that I jump out of bed at 3 am to get ready; 2 hours ahead of schedule. I go in the bathroom, turn on my playlist and BTS's Fun Boyz instantly starts playing. Singing off-key at the top of my lungs while I shower, I take the extra time to shave, condition, scrub, and dance between. I finally finish, brush my teeth, blow-dry and straighten my hair, and put on a bit of makeup. Choosing to travel comfortably, I throw on my favorite black BTS hoodie, soft black yoga pants, and worn Converse. I still have 30 minutes left before the Lyft driver is set to pick me up first so I recheck my bag and go through my apartment to make sure I haven't left anything important. I get a text alerting me that my driver has arrived, so I grab my bags and go.

"I can't believe we're actually doing this," I blurt out, barely able to control myself. Jenn is curled up in her plane seat next to me, half-asleep and only grunting in response. She's never been a morning person. I spot the two Redbull cans on her tray and wonder how she can still sleep. Already getting bored without company, I put my hood up, put my earphones in, turn on my favorite Kpop playlist and eventually drift off to sleep. "Wake up! Wake up already! You HAVE to see this!" My eyes flutter open, heavy with sleep, and I realize Jenn is shaking me, her green eyes wide open. "Wha-What is it?", I ask as I wipe a bit of drool off the corner of my mouth. She points out the little window and I see it. The sky is filled with beautiful shades of blue, purple, and pink and beneath the plane, I see a massive fluffy cloud, dark charcoal grey in the sky. I see bright white flashes of light, lighting up the sky above the ocean underneath. A lightning storm. The plane is literally flying above a lightning storm and it is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Hypnotizing streaks of light bursting every few seconds. After the plane passes the storm, I check the time, realizing I have no idea how long I slept. "11 hours! I slept 11 hours?!" I gasp. I'm surprised at myself that I slept so long but now I feel energized with excitement again. 11 hours down, 5 more to go until we reach Incheon Airport. The rest of the time is spent sharing my earbuds with Jenn and talking over what places to see and things to do first. Finally, the plane lands, the shaky landing making me nervous before it jolts to a stop at the terminal entrance. Jenn and I grab our bags and head out into the terminal. After collecting our suitcases, we find the exit and walk out into the warm evening sun with big smiles on our faces. Finally. . . Seoul.