The novel writing is still happening, albeit a little bit slower than anticipated thanks to a number of matters. It’s not easy balancing life from the physical to the mental and beyond.
In any case, I decided to do a bit of writing on another important character in my book and thought I’d share a bit of it with you.
How does it read?
Feel free to write me here in comments or on Instagram or email! I look forward to hearing from you.
~ OSH 📖☀️❤️
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South Korea – 1970s
Roy Cook had been assigned as the US Ambassador to South Korea for the past five years. After serving in the Air Force during the Korean War, he had decided he wanted to be a part of the rebuilding of what his country had participated in dividing. Although he believed that the North and Kim Jong-il were wrong, he had not completely agreed with the US and Russia splitting the Land of the Morning Calm into two. To assuage some of his guilt in being a part of the division, he got involved in diplomatic relations and worked hard to get his placement as ambassador in Seoul.
Through his role, Cook had built relationships with the chaebol families who had the means and methods for rebuilding the South. He also had become involved in the rapidly growing industry of overseas adoptions for the increasing number of children, who were abandoned or relinquished, born out of the results of war and poverty. He had convinced himself that he was saving lives and helping the next generation of Korean children have a better start than they might have in the country he felt somewhat responsible for weakening their potential for great futures.
“Mr. Cook, it is great to see you again.” Mr. Suga held out his hand in greeting. Cook shook it with a smile and returned the salutation.
“It’s always an honor to meet with you, Suga-sang-sa-nim.” Over the past five years, Cook had made an effort to learn some of the Korean manners and titles as he had seen how it helped relationships form stronger bonds.
Suga smiled in return at the use of the polite title, and gestured for Cook to have a seat.
As Cook sat, a young assistant entered with tea and placed a cup in front of him and her boss. With a head tilt, he thanked the assistant with a ‘kamsahamnida’. She bowed slightly and quickly retreated from the room closing the door quietly behind her.
“So, Mr. Suga, how have you been?” Cook inquired after a quick sip of the hot barley tea.
“Well, business is good, thank you. We are signing a contract with Lee Construction to build new offices in the Gangnam district to house the headquarters for Hyundai and Samsung, which – as you know – are expanding thanks to renewed contracts for factories and showrooms in the US.”
Cook nodded. He felt pleased that his efforts to promote economic and industrial growth was starting to pay off. “Yes, I am very happy to hear this.”
Suga nodded, but the expression on his face did not match the happy news.
Cook noticed, “Is there something wrong with the contract? Do you need me to speak to the US contracting companies?”
Suga, smiled at the Western way of getting straight to the point, but quickly shook his head, “Oh, no, it’s nothing like Mr. Cook. Everything is progressing smoothly. I’m afraid that there is another matter that I have asked you here for. Only, it’s a rather delicate situation and one where I’m not sure the office is the best place to discuss it.”
“Oh, I see…” Cook was somewhat surprised, though his training kept him from letting on as he knew to wait for Suga to continue. Waiting and listening were skills that made him good at his job.
“I’d like to extend an invite to you for dinner at my home tomorrow evening. My wife and I would like to…uh…ask your advice on a personal matter with you, and think that it would be easier to do so away from a professional setting, if you know what I mean?” Suga tried to express his point.
Intrigued, as it was not often that South Koreans invited outsiders into their homes, Cook was keen to learn more as he had no idea what sort of personal matter he would be able to help with. Still,
“Well, I must say, it would be an honor to visit your home Mr. Suga. I may have to rearrange a meeting or two tomorrow, but I will have my assistant confirm with yours by the end of the day.”
Visibly relieved by the acceptance of his invitation, Suga smiled broadly, “That is wonderful. I shall await news on that.”
Sensing that it would be further ease Suga, Cook changed the subject back to business, “So, tell me more about these plans with Lee Construction.”
——
Kim Sook-Ja greeted their guest with a formal bow and quietly led Ambassador Cook to the outer rooms where they would be hosting him for dinner. She had been told to treat him with the respect one might give to a royal family visit. While she did not know the details of why she had been preparing all day for a special meal usually saved for parties or extremely respected individuals, she had a sense that it had to do with ChoHee’s condition.
“Please make yourself comfortable here, sir. The master and mistress of the house will be here shortly and I will return with the beverages and simple snacks.” Again, she bowed before disappearing quietly down the hallway.
Roy Cook looked around the room knowing that this was probably as far into the Suga home as he was going to get. Just passing through the house gates was a privilege for an outsider, so he took in the Buddhist altar in the far corner of the room where images of what he assumed were Suga ancestors were hung. He noted the high quality of the silk fabric on the cushions and the ornate carvings that decorated the table at which he suspected they would be sitting and eating in accordance with Korean tradition. Although he had met Mr. Suga a few times at business meetings and discussions on the Suga Corporations role in supporting the expansion of industries in the US markets, he did not know Suga well. In fact, Cook always found it difficult to say that he knew any of the Koreans well. Even though they appeared emotional and direct in their communications, he had learned that there was still a reserved side that most Koreans kept for only their inner circle of family and friends.
This was all the more reason he felt intrigued by a sudden invite to the family home. Cook had never met Mrs. Suga as most Korean women were not participatory in business. Traditions were slow to change in the East. After all, it was still somewhat new in the US to see the rise of women in business or outside of the home.
Just as he was admiring a wall hanging with a calligraphed poem, he heard the sliding doors open. Mr. Suga entered dressed as usual in a well-tailored business suit. Then, behind him, a woman of elegance and air of dignity entered dressed in a beautiful dark pink hanbok and white jeogori. As the men shook hands in greeting, Mrs. Suga bowed ever so slightly and slowly that the movement was hardly noticeable.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Suga. I’ve been enjoying working with your husband and can see that his success must start with his lovely home.”
Acknowledging her appreciation for his comment, Suga Min-Ji smiled and quietly replied, “Thank you, Ambassador Cook. You are too kind. Please forgive me, but my English is not so good, so I will let my husband speak much.”
“Your English sounds just fine to me. Please don’t be shy on my account.” Cook smiled appreciating the effort being made for him.
“She is very humble, my wife has very good English skills and she is never shy to speak her mind.” Suga laughed as Cook nodded in understanding.
“Please”, Min-Ji gestured for everyone to sit, ignoring her husband’s comment, as Kim Sook-Ja entered with an ornate silver tray ladened with soju bottles, cups, and small plates of food customary of Korean meals. Everyone sat at the table where the silver chopsticks and spoons had been placed as the soju cups were generously filled and passed around.
“Welcome to our home. Thank you for rearranging to come at such a short notice. Kompei!” Suga raised his soju cup with the others and the men drained their cups while Min-Ji respectfully sipped hers while turning away as was customary of the youngest member of a group to do in a toast.
After placing his cup down, and Kim Sook-Ja quickly refilled, Cook answered the toast with “and, thank you for inviting me into your home. It’s a treat to see a Korean home as you can imagine that we are not always welcomed beyond the outer gates.”
The Sugas looked at each other knowing that this was true. Many Korean families were, on the surface, glad to have the white-man’s presence and support in helping the South to prosper, but they had not forgotten the price they have had to pay in the division of their country and families. Therefore, they kept their guard up and would rarely consider letting the foreign powers into their homes.
“Well, this is a special circumstance, indeed Ambassador Cook.” With a quick glance at his wife and the smallest nod in agreement, Suga began his explanation.
“We want to cut to the chase, Ambassador, and not waste time as I’m sure you can appreciate. However, we must request your utmost discretion with what we share. In return, we need to know what your terms will be to ensure what we ask of you never goes outside of these gates.” Both of the Sugas looked at him with stoic faces, but pleading eyes.
Unsure of what could possibly make them say such curious words, Cook measured his response.