Defective Banana - Chapter 24
From the living room, Donghee raised her voice loud enough for her son to hear.
“Didn’t you tell me before that Director Hong didn’t have a girlfriend? I clearly remember you saying that! Just to be sure, why don’t you give him a call now?”
Kang Seohyuk avoided Kim Yeosa’s pointed stare and even turned his back to her, sinking deeper into the couch like he hadn’t heard a thing.
“I’m telling you, he’s taken. Hitting on someone who’s already in a relationship? That’s seriously rude. Nope.”
To block out the conversation entirely, he held a magazine right up to his face and began flipping through it like he was deeply engrossed.
Donghee pouted, lifting one corner of her lip in annoyance.
“Wow, I can’t even ask? You’re so uptight. And don’t you have work today? Why are you lounging around?”
“I’m on vacation for a few days. I’ll be here.”
He said it loud enough that Ara, who was standing by the kitchen table, would hear too—almost like he wanted her to know his schedule. As he peeked over the top of his magazine to sneak a glance at her, Donghee suddenly clapped her hands.
“Oh my, perfect timing! Seohyuk, why don’t you come to Jeonju with me tomorrow?”
“Jeonju? What for?”
“One of my friends’ daughters is having a traditional Korean wedding there.”
Before she could even finish her sentence, Seohyuk cut in flatly, not even looking up from his magazine.
“I’m not going.”
“Why not? You’ve met this auntie a few times. Aren’t you on vacation?”
“Kim Yeosa, me going would be a total buzzkill for the bride and groom.”
“What are you talking about? My friend’s daughter is a huge fan of yours!”
“I’m good. I’m planning to chill at home. You go ahead and have a safe trip, Kim Yeosa.”
Wanting to end the conversation, Seohyuk closed the magazine and stood up from the sofa. He glanced once at Ara, then headed to his room and quietly closed the door behind him.
Donghee grumbled in his direction.
“Honestly, I only have one kid, and he can’t even do me this one favor. He’s not even working! How hard is it to take a quick trip? That ungrateful brat.”
But as soon as her eyes landed on Ara, still standing by the kitchen, Donghee’s expression changed entirely. A wide, sugary smile spread across her face.
“Ara! Will you come with me instead? We can sightsee a little and get some fresh air!”
“Jeonju, huh… I’ve never been, so I kind of want to go at least once.”
Ara had promised herself she’d start enjoying life more. Maybe this was a good chance to make some memories with her neighbor.
“What time would we leave?”
“The ceremony’s at noon, so we should probably head out by 8:30. But wait—really? You’ll come with me?”
“Mm… sure. Let’s go.”
As soon as Ara agreed, Donghee bolted out of the kitchen and latched onto her, bouncing like a kid.
“Ahhh! For real? You’re really coming with me?”
“Yes, yes—now let go of me a little…”
“Ara, you’re the best! I love you!”
She hugged Ara tight and started rubbing her cheek against hers. And then, Seohyuk opened his door again and casually walked toward the kitchen to get a drink of water. After taking a sip, he spoke like it was no big deal.
“So, what time are we leaving tomorrow?”
“What? You said you weren’t coming.”
“Well, I’m feeling kind of uneasy about sending Kim Yeosa all that way by herself.”
“I won’t be alone. Ara’s coming with me!”
Seohyuk glanced at Donghee, then calmly offered, “Hmm. Then the three of us should just go together. I’ll play chauffeur for the day.”
With that, he set down his glass like he was doing them both a favor and wandered back to his room.
Donghee and Ara exchanged a look and shrugged at the same time, then burst out laughing. What a guy.
That night, Seohyuk got a barrage of texts from Ara.
[Have you lost your mind? Why did you say you’re coming too?]
[Tell her you’re not going!]
[Why aren’t you answering?]
[Do you want to get yelled at??]
But Seohyuk, lying in bed, just smiled at his phone. The thought of spending the day in Jeonju with her made it impossible not to smile.
***
The next morning, Seohyuk stepped out into the hallway looking sharp in a clean-cut suit. Donghee followed, graceful and neatly dressed. Across the hall, the front door creaked open, and Ara stepped out in heels that clicked across the floor.
She wore a black dress with a brown blazer draped over her shoulders. Her makeup was subtle but noticeable—more than usual—and though she wasn’t overly dolled up, her aura felt totally different. Confident. Sexy, even.
In the elevator, Seohyuk stood to her left and couldn’t stop sneaking glances at her.
Her lightly made-up face, the soft pink of her lips—they kept drawing his gaze. The diamond necklace sparkling between her collarbones gave him a strange sense of pride.
Aside from the necklace, she didn’t wear any other jewelry. No earrings, no rings, no bracelets. Next time, I’ll get her the rest, he thought. I want to wrap her entire body in accessories I’ve picked out for her.
Wearing a faint smile, Seohyuk reached out and gently brushed her hand. Startled, Ara immediately slapped it away and gave him a sharp side-eye.
In the parking lot, Donghee insisted on driving her own car. She’d been to Jeonju before, she said—she had to drive. Seohyuk agreed without fuss.
Ara climbed into the front seat, and Seohyuk quietly slid into the back. From his spot behind the driver’s seat, he kept sneaking glances at Ara from the diagonal, admiring her like she was a painting.
He pulled out his phone and started texting her:
[Why do you look so pretty today?]
[Ugh, I’m getting nervous other guys will start hovering.]
[Should I give you a mask? I brought a few, just in case.]
Ara read the texts—but didn’t reply. It was payback for his silence the night before.
***
After about three hours on the road, they reached the edge of Jeonju’s Hanok Village. The parking area was already packed.
Apparently, the groom ran a large traditional guesthouse in the area, so the wedding was being held right there—Korean-style.
Before getting out of the car, Donghee and Ara checked their reflections in their mirrors and grabbed their bags. Seohyuk pulled out a mask from his jacket pocket and slipped it on.
The three walked through the wide wooden gate of the guesthouse, where congratulatory flower stands lined the entrance.
Inside, the grassy courtyard had been transformed into a modern yet elegant wedding space. Round tables covered in pink flowers and draped in white linen filled the yard. In front of the main hanok, the ceremonial platform was decorated in rich reds and blues.
Korean traditional music played softly from the speakers—a fusion style that felt modern but still steeped in tradition. The harmony of hanbok-clad guests, the beautiful setting, and the music all blended together in a charming, nostalgic way.
Ara had only been to one wedding like this before, back when her old art gallery manager got married. Seeing a full traditional Korean ceremony in person like this was stunning and emotionally moving.
The early autumn sun was warm, Donghee’s bright smile as she greeted old friends was heartwarming, and the affectionate glance Seohyuk kept giving her from the side—well, that made Ara smile too, before she even realized she was doing it.
The ceremony soon began. As the music changed, both sets of parents stepped forward to offer their greetings.
Then, accompanied by applause, two palanquins appeared from the back. From the right, the groom stepped out in his blue robe; from the left, the bride in her vibrant red hanbok.
The couple stood face to face, bowing gracefully. The way two families came together through love and respect—it was honestly beautiful.
As the wedding neared its end and the congratulatory song echoed across the venue, Donghee’s friends realized her son Kang Seohyuk was there.
“Oh my god! Seohyuk! Kang Seohyuk, the actor!”
“I can’t believe you’re here! What a surprise!”
One by one, her friends gathered around him, excitedly chattering.
Ara quietly backed away and kept her distance as more people swarmed over. The buzz of “Kang Seohyuk” had clearly spread. Now a full-on crowd had surrounded him.
He had no choice but to start signing autographs—on clothes, bags, even scrap paper.
“This visit is top secret, okay?” he reminded them with a smile as he scribbled his name.
“Yes! Oh my god, thank you!”
It felt like a fan meet-and-greet, just happening to be held in a traditional hanok.
Ara, watching from afar, spotted Donghee scanning the crowd for her. She waved slightly, and Donghee rushed over.
“Oh! Girls, this is Baek Ara, the neighbor I told you about. Say hello!”
“Hi. Nice to meet you.”
“Oh my, she’s absolutely gorgeous.”
“She really is. So charming. And I heard you’re not married yet?”
One of the women, likely from the bride’s side, asked while straightening her corsage.
“No, not yet,” Ara answered politely.
“What about a boyfriend? Do you have one?”
Well, she did—but at the moment, he was across the yard, swarmed by fans.
With a small smile, Ara replied calmly.
“Nope. No boyfriend.”