Bound for Europe
“Sis.”
“Yeah, little bro.”
Baek Woojin and Baek Woo-hee sat side by side in front of the laptop, tilting their heads this way and that nonstop.
Smooth.
Just like siblings should. Their heads moved in perfect sync—same direction, same angle.
“Isn't planning a trip supposed to be this hard? We're not the weird ones, right…?”
“Who knows. Probably not?!”
Excluding their Thailand trip for drama filming, this was truly their first overseas vacation ever. But they were already hitting roadblocks long before getting to the main planning.
Woojin went without saying, but Woo-hee had only been to Japan last year with their mom on tickets he'd sent. The ultimate travel newbies' worries were deepening on their own.
“Don't you have any places you've always wanted to go?”
“Nah, not really. When would I have ever even thought about traveling?”
“Little bro, no no to that kinda talk. You're breaking your big sis's heart here.”
“You open your mouth and lies just come tumbling out automatically…”
Smack!
“Ow! That hurts!”
“How many times do I gotta tell you? Don't do stuff that gets you smacked!”
“You tease me nonstop, but tell me not to tease back. Isn't that the height of hypocrisy?”
“Whatever, just hurry up and search. How many hours has it been now?”
Despite her grumbling, Woo-hee's eyes were glued back to the laptop. No one was more enthusiastic about scouting her little brother's first trip itinerary than she was.
Soon, she pointed at the screen and continued. “Woojina, this review looks good. Click it.”
“This one?”
“No, not that—the one below!”
The back-smack was already forgotten.
A moment later,
“Phew, too many good spots to choose from now. Right?”
“Yeah, not easy.”
Woojin nodded at his sister's words. The internet overflowed with info. The problem was it was like a bottomless jar—way too much, making it surprisingly tough to narrow down targets.
“How about just China or Japan?”
“Nah. Too close—doesn't feel like a real trip. And…”
“And?”
“Jun-an hyung said to avoid China and Japan if possible. People would spot me right away.”
“Hm, Southeast Asia?”
“Passed Thailand already!”
“South America?”
“Lots of posts saying it's dangerous…”
It turned into a game of twenty questions.
“Then America, go go sing?”
“Ah, no way—America's a hard pass.”
Woojin stated his firm no in a low voice.
“Why!”
“Later for sure! I'll film in Hollywood someday. I want my first step on American soil to be then. Not yet.”
“What am I supposed to do if everywhere else falls through?!”
Woojin, mouse cursor darting across the laptop screen, suddenly let out a “Pfft” at his wide-eyed sister's face and burst into a grin.
“What? Why're you laughing?”
“Nothing, just funny.”
A sudden thought brought a light smile to his lips. New Year had come, so sis was thirty now, and he was twenty-eight. Was it real life that they were struggling this hard over one destination? He hadn't realized they were this clueless. Their twenties' inexperience showing this blatantly was hilariously obvious. What the hell had they even done with their golden youth?
He could say he'd chased his dreams nonstop, but sis had sacrificed even everyday experiences others took for granted, all because of her responsibility as the eldest.
Maybe that's why.
Our sis… gotta take her to all the best spots later.
The thought made his chest ache sweetly. Woojin gazed at her with soft eyes.
Soon, Woo-hee furrowed her brow. “You gonna keep staring with those intense eyes?”
“Just looking. Can't a little bro check out his sis's face?”
“Ugh, come on~! Just be honest, little bro!”
“About what?”
“Say your big sis's beauty left you speechless for a sec. Hehe!”
“……”
Now Woojin's brow furrowed. He stood up wordlessly.
“Where you going mid-look?”
“Bathroom.”
“Suddenly?”
“Yeah. Gotta wash my eyes and ears right now. At least twice, super thorough.”
“……”
“Anyway, I'm out.”
As Woojin grabbed the doorknob without hesitation, “…my dear little bro.”
“……?”
“Come here.”
He sensed scorching killing intent from behind.
“S-Sis. W-Wait a sec…”
“Sure, a sec's fine. Come he~re.”
Woo-hee approached slowly, face the picture of benevolence.
Ah, that face…
The infamous “two masks in one face.” Baek Woo-hee's signature skill(?). Once activated…
“Sis! Sorry, really sorry!”
“Come nicely while I'm asking.”
“Noooo!”
“GET OVER HERE!!!!!”
…getting caught meant death.
Crash, bang, thump.
“Those kids, geez.”
Their mom, watching TV in the living room, smiled and murmured. Wild, clueless, spinning like tops. The siblings' rowdy day rolled on unchanged.
* * *
There was one promise naturally postponed for over a year and a half under the excuse of being busy. Today was the day to finally keep it.
The spot was a fancy restaurant in Apgujeong, close to home, but Woojin had no choice but to drive even that short distance. Jun-an hyung had nagged him repeatedly after that airport hassle once.
“Still, March's flower-snow cold makes hiding my face easy. Silver lining.”
Destination arrived.
After parking, Woojin cautiously scanned around before entering the restaurant. In the reserved room,
“Actor-nim, over here!”
A woman who'd arrived first shot up and greeted him warmly. She was Park Mi-young, S Company's marketing team leader and operator of the “Gallery Palm – Baek Woojin Gallery.”
Woojin removed his mask. His bright smile shone through.
He spoke first. “Team leader-nim, long time no see! I should've come early and waited—sorry.”
“No no. I just got here too, for real!”
Courteous greetings and gestures flew back and forth. They sat facing each other.
“How've you been?”
“Great. And you, actor-nim?”
“Me too. It's been over a year since I said I'd treat you properly for helping at the airport back then.”
“Right?! Time flies.”
“Should've done it sooner. I'm ashamed.”
“Aigoo, don't say that! I'm just grateful you remembered and invited me.”
Food came quick. Throughout the meal, everyday chit-chat typical between actor and fan flowed.
In the midst, Park Mi-young caught Woojin subtly rubbing his waist and shoulders and asked carefully. “Actor-nim, you okay? Somewhere hurt?”
“Pardon?”
“You keep touching your shoulder and waist. Worried you got injured.”
“Ah, no injury.”
“Then?”
“Just got my joints twisted hard by sis yesterday for messing around. Pretty sure I was on death's door…”
“Puhaha!”
Woojin's banter was the total opposite of his serious interview vibe. Park Mi-young clutched her stomach, laughing nonstop.
“Oh dear… how'd that even happen?”
“Work wrapped, so I thought solo trip. Never traveled much, so clueless. Planned with sis and… disaster.”
The scary afterimage of Baek Woo-hee. Woojin shook his head.
Park Mi-young smiled. “You say that, but you two seem super close.”
“Haha, you think?”
“If you haven't decided, want some help?”
“Really?”
“Of course! They call me ‘business trip master’ at work. Traveled tons, racked up miles—solo trips galore.”
Unexpected help from an unlikely source again. Park Mi-young shared travel hacks and her faves.
Topic shifted to trips. They talked for ages.
Eventually, “Europe route like this seems best!”
“Thanks, team leader-nim. Made it easy.”
“This little? Hohoho!”
Thus, first trip route settled on Europe. ‘London, Paris, Cannes, Venice, etc.’
Theme, naturally: ‘The meccas of theater, musicals, and film.’
In the end, back to acting.
* * *
He'd wanted family for his first overseas trip, but solo it was. Sis couldn't take long vacation for her company's new project. Mom couldn't leave for days with her snack bar expansion under construction.
“Sorry, Mom. Me alone having fun.”
“No, son. We'll go together next time. Go have a blast, no worries. See lots, take pics.”
“Don't follow strangers offering candy!”
“Do I look like the type to fall for food like you, sis?”
“Expectin' souvenirs~”
“Knew that was your angle…”
Late March, Sunday morning. Woojin headed to Incheon Airport with mom and sis seeing him off.
First, exchanged won for euros and pounds at the currency exchange. Prepared international driver's license just in case. Passport, cards, cash tucked deep in his bag's wallet pouch.
Rattle.
Hat low, minimizing suitcase noise, he checked in quietly and proceeded. Counter staff, security, immigration—spotters startled but he smiled silently. They sensibly kept quiet.
“Loving your acting.”
“Fan here—have a great trip!”
They whispered support. “Thanks. Have a good day.”
Thus, smooth to the gate.
“Korean Air flight to London, boarding now.”
Sipping coffee leisurely, departure time hit fast. Woojin stood at first-class entrance.
Lee Kang-sik sunbaenim's Thailand flight first-class tales! Wonder if it matched—thrilling moment.
Alright, let's see.
Just before entering via first-class aisle,
Smooth.
“……?”
The flight attendant's eyes widened. Then, “……!”
Recognizing him, even bigger. Brief silence, then “Pfft!”
She tried holding it but burst laughing. “Please wear your shoes, sir.”
She corrected his cute mistake in a shaky voice.
Ah…
“Saw online—Europe flights first class, board barefoot.”
“Nonsense. Who you calling dumb? I've flown before?”
“For real, dude. First class has carpet floors—barefoot's etiquette. Don't believe me, wear 'em then~”
Baek Woo-hee's words flashed by.
Shoes back on, Woojin bolted inside.
“Deeeus bless, veeekuheuh.”
He vowed. No souvenirs for Baek Woo-hee, no matter what.