Defective Banana - Chapter 25

As soon as Baek Ara said she didn’t have a boyfriend, Donghee’s friend lit up and began scanning the room.

“Oh my gosh, that’s perfect! Hold on a second. Where did my eldest nephew go? Where’d that kid disappear to?”

“Um… why are you asking?”

“No, I mean—I’m not just saying this because he’s my nephew, but he works at a big company in Seoul, and he’s really a good guy. You live in Seoul too, right?”

“Yes, but… really, I’m okay. I don’t need to be introduced to anyone, so please don’t worry.”

Ara turned her down with a polite smile, but Donghee’s friend didn’t let up.

“Oh come on, it’s not some big formal introduction. Just swap numbers and get to know each other. If it clicks, maybe meet up. That’s all.”

Isn’t that… literally an introduction? Ara blinked in confusion, unsure how to respond.

Just then, Seohyuk appeared from behind, smoothly stepping in front of her and taking the woman’s hand before she could say anything else.

“Hello, I think we’ve met a few times when I was a kid. You haven’t changed a bit.”

“Oh my! Do you remember me? Wait, are you saying you remember me?”

Startled, she slipped into casual speech for a moment, but then quickly corrected herself, remembering just who Kang Seohyuk was—a top star.

“Please speak comfortably. You’re my mom’s friend, after all.”

“Well… if you say so…”

“Congratulations on your daughter’s wedding. The traditional ceremony was absolutely beautiful.”

He bowed politely, full of sincerity. Donghee’s friend looked at him fondly, patting his hand with a smile.

“Oh, thank you for saying that. I can’t believe someone as important as you came all this way. I’m really grateful.”

“Of course. I wouldn’t have missed it.”

“My goodness. You say that like it’s nothing, but it means so much. How did you grow up so well?”

Having already revealed his identity, Seohyuk took off his mask and flashed a dazzling smile.

After the warm greetings, everyone settled around the table and began the reception meal.

Soon, the bride and groom, having just finished the paebaek ritual, came out and bowed to the guests one by one, expressing their gratitude.
TL/N:* a traditional Korean wedding ritual that takes place after the main wedding ceremony. Typically in private, with just the newlyweds and the groom’s family. It’s a formal way for the bride to pay her respects to her new in-laws and receive words of blessing in return.

“Thank you. We’ll live happily.”

Seohyuk sat beside Ara and tried to eat, but he barely got a few bites in before being swarmed by fans asking for autographs. He couldn’t bring himself to turn them down, so he smiled and signed politely.

He wasn’t the kind of celebrity who appeared on variety shows or did flashy TV gigs—his presence was usually limited to films and commercials—so everyone at the wedding was buzzing and eager to get a moment with him.

And then—it happened.

Word had apparently reached the bride that Kang Seohyuk was in the building. She suddenly abandoned her new husband and came running, her hanbok skirt fluttering dramatically.

“Oh my God! Seohyuk oppa!”

Her voice rang out high and loud, catching everyone’s attention as she dashed toward him. The groom, looking frazzled, chased after her.

“Seohyuk oppa! Oh my God! I can’t believe you came to my wedding! I’m dying! Eeeek!”

Tears welled up in her eyes as she started bawling right then and there.

Everyone turned to stare, while Seohyuk stood frozen, his lips twitching into an awkward smile.

“Uh… bride, please calm down…”

“Don’t you remember me, oppa? I came to your house when I was little with my mom! Waaahhh.”

“Ah… did you? I, uh… don’t really remember…”

Seohyuk looked completely cornered, but before things could get any worse, the groom stepped in, offering his wife a handkerchief and then pulling out a fat permanent marker from… somewhere. His cheeks flushed bright red.

“Hello, Mr. Kang Seohyuk! I’m a longtime, devoted fan of yours!”

Startled by the groom’s booming voice, Seohyuk blinked in surprise.

“Oh, uh, hello.”

“I’m sorry to interrupt your meal, but… would you mind signing something for me? Just once?”

The bride, now quietly dabbing at her tears, seemed to forget her momentary meltdown. The groom, meanwhile, was beaming like a kid meeting his idol.

“We actually met through the Kang Shimjang fan club. Without you, this marriage might never have happened. So really, thank you—thank you for helping me meet such a wonderful woman!”

Seohyuk glanced between the two, a smile slowly spreading across his face as he accepted the marker.

“That’s such a cool story. Congratulations on your marriage!”

“Oh wow! This is such an honor! You can sign right here, nice and big!”

The groom spun around, clutching the front of his hanbok tightly and proudly presenting his broad back.

“Go ahead and scribble your heart out, hyungnim!”

Apparently, he was quoting from a gangster film Seohyuk had done years ago—his first major supporting role as the boss’s right-hand man. Most people only mentioned his leading roles, so this genuinely touched him.

“With pleasure!”

Grinning, Seohyuk took the marker and signed his name in huge, confident strokes across the groom’s back. Then he posed with the newlyweds, arms linked with both of them, all three of them flashing bright smiles for the camera.

The couple even declared that they’d hang the photo in a huge frame on their living room wall instead of their actual wedding picture.

Finally, after all the chaos, Seohyuk made it back to his seat and let out a deep sigh of relief.

“Whew…”

Chuckling to himself, he grabbed the glass in front of him and downed it in one gulp—only to cough violently a second later as the sharp burn of alcohol hit his throat.

That was definitely not water. He slammed the glass down, choking.

Seeing this, Ara dropped her grapes and quickly handed him a new glass.

“Oh no—that was soju…”

Wiping his mouth with a tissue, Seohyuk rasped.

“Why was there soju in a water glass?”

“Ah… one of the older ladies poured it for me earlier. I totally forgot about it. Are you okay?”

Seohyuk ran a hand through his hair, looking slightly exasperated.

“I’m okay, but… well, I guess now I’ve had a drink. Which means you’re going to have to drive us back.”

Unfortunately, Donghee had already been drinking for a while, so that left only Ara as the designated driver.

But Ara gave him an awkward smile and lowered her voice.

“Uh… actually, I drank too.”

“What? When?”

“Earlier. I had two shots when your mom’s friend poured them for me. Then someone else poured another… and that’s the one you drank.”

“Oh!”

“And… she told me we should just stay the night. Apparently, the inn isn’t taking other guests today, so there are a bunch of empty rooms. She said they even have extra clothes if we need them. So… what do you want to do? Should we just stay over?”

Seohyuk paused, glancing around, then leaned in and murmured with a smile.

“I’d love to. More time with you? Sounds perfect.”

Ara rolled her eyes with a small laugh, whispering back.

“Don’t act all couple-y. People will notice.”