The melodious tones of the wooden string instrument filled the confines of the van as Minji strummed her guitar from the comfort of the passenger seat, her feet casually propped up on the dashboard.
"Why don't you join or start a band, Minji? You've been playing guitar for about 6 years now," Kim Minju, her older sister, inquired, fully aware of Minji's unwavering passion for music. Minji's love for music was evident in her daily routine; she devoted countless hours to practicing her guitar, mastering various songs with dedication and precision. Often, her siblings would join her in impromptu jam sessions, their voices harmonizing in perfect synchronization late into the night. Aware of Minji's talent and the joy she derived from playing, Kim Minju couldn't help but encourage her sister to take the next step and share her musical gifts with a wider audience.
"And plus, you have a really good voice," chimed in Kim Minjeong, the middle child of the Kims, offering her own encouragement to Minji. "Haven't thought of it yet, maybe in Australia I might find one or create one," Minji responded, her gaze returning to her guitar as she contemplated the idea. Lately, she had been delving into the music of one of her all-time favorite artists, Elvis Presley, studying his iconic songs with fervor. Among them was the timeless classic, 'Can't Help Falling in Love,' a melody that resonated deeply with Minji's soul. From her childhood days, Minji had been enamored by Elvis Presley, often mesmerized by his legendary status as the King of Rock. Now, as she immersed herself in his music once more, she couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of admiration and inspiration stirring within her.
Minji often found herself strumming along to Elvis Presley's songs and harmonizing with her grandparents. However, her musical influences extended beyond the King of Rock. Artists like Queen, Air Supply, Starship, NSYNC, APO Hiking Society, and Green Day also held a special place in her heart and musical repertoire. Each of these diverse acts contributed to her love for music and shaped her musical tastes in unique ways.
Minji's appreciation for classic music may seem old-fashioned to some, but to her, it's pure gold—especially in the eyes of her beloved grandparents. They were the ones who instilled in her a love for these timeless tunes, fostering a deep bond through shared musical experiences. Whenever the opportunity arose, Minji delighted her grandparents by serenading them with their favorite songs, a gesture that never failed to bring joy and warmth to their home.
"Are we good to go, my little MJs?" Minji's dad greeted her with a smile as she settled into her seat in his van.
"Yes, Dad." They answered.
"Minji, you gotta keep that guitar and sit at the back with your siblings. Your mom's on the way and we're good to go," her father instructed, prompting Minji to obediently stow her guitar and move to the back seat alongside her siblings.
"Hello, girls! Everything ready?" Their mom greeted cheerfully as she meticulously inspected each piece of luggage inside the van.
"Yes, mom. Everything's ready."
""What about your things? Your snacks? Your bags? Please do check every necessary thing you bought in your bags before we go, and Minji, is your guitar there?" Their mother's tone was tinged with nervousness as she double-checked that everything was in order before their departure. Before their mom could start bombarding them with questions again, their father leaned in and planted a gentle kiss on her lips, a tender gesture to soothe her nerves. "Calm down, Darling, everything's settled. Okay?" he reassured her, his voice filled with warmth and affection.
"Disgusting."
"Right in front of my precious guitar?"
"Please don't do that again in front of us, it's cringe."
The three MJs commented in disgust, their faces contorted into sour expressions, eliciting laughter from their parents in unison.
Their father ignited the engine of the van and began the journey toward the airport. The destination: Melbourne, Australia, where their parents had secured work opportunities. It was a move fueled by their parents' unwavering dedication and sacrifice, as they had worked tirelessly, saving up to ensure their children could be reunited with them. The anticipation of being together again as a family filled the van with a palpable sense of excitement and gratitude for the journey ahead.
"Minji, could you please play us some music to kill this silence?" Minjeong requested, prompting Minji to respond with a nod and a smile. "Sure," she replied. Retrieving her phone from her backpack, Minji navigated to her Spotify playlist filled with old classics. The soft strumming of the guitar emanated from the phone, filling the car with the gentle melody of 'Love Me Tender' by Elvis Presley, setting the perfect backdrop for their time together.
"Man, it's 2024 and you're still obsessed with songs from the '50s," Minjeong complained, expressing her exasperation, while Minji simply gazed back at her sister with a knowing smile.
"But his songs are timeless," Minji interjected with a gentle smile, defending her musical preference. "Elvis Presley will always be the King in music," her father agreed, earning a smirk from his youngest daughter, Minji, who couldn't help but revel in her father's validation of her musical idol.
"Don't you have any K-pop music in your playlist?" Minjeong asked, curious about her sister's musical preferences beyond the classics.
"No, Ma'am. What is K-pop anyway?" Minji asked, leaving her sisters in shock. "What?" she asked again, noticing their disbelief.
"You don't know K-pop?"
"Minji, you've been missing a lot in your life! How could you not know Kpop?"
"Uh.. no?"
Minju sighed, "K-pop is like the pop music genre, but it originates from Korea, where the artists sing and dance simultaneously."
"How can they sing and dance at the same time? Wouldn't that be a struggle if they dance when they sing?" Minji asked, her curiosity piqued. "Dude, Elvis Presley dances too whenever he performs!" Minjeong argued, prompting realization to dawn on Minji.
"Of course they were trained before their company debuts them," Minju explained, emphasizing the rigorous training process K-pop artists undergo before their debut. Minjeong nodded in agreement, understanding the dedication and preparation required in the K-pop industry. Perplexed, Minji simply responded with a puzzled "huh?" as she processed this new information.
"No more questions, Kim Minji, and give me your goddamn phone," Minjeong ordered, snatching Minji's phone from her hand. "Believe me, their songs are freakin' good!" she declared, determined to introduce her sister to the world of K-pop.
"How the hell is it good if you don't even speak Korean?" Minji questioned, still skeptical about the appeal of K-pop despite her sister's enthusiasm.
"Shush."
"I norae neun it's about you baby."
"Only you."
The song played in the background, its lyrics in a language unfamiliar to Minji, leaving her dumbfounded. She listened intently, trying to decipher the essence of the music.
"Behold, Newjeans! The most famous K-pop girl group around the world!" exclaimed Minjeong, introducing Minji to the renowned K-pop sensation.
"I can't even understand a thing!" Minji complained, feeling frustrated by the language barrier. However, Minjeong simply shushed her, urging her to continue listening. Two of her sisters began singing along with the music, their voices blending harmoniously with the melody, while their youngest sister's head remained filled with confusion. Their parents joined in, enthusiastically jamming along, albeit with the wrong lyrics, until they reached the chorus part.
"Oh, my, oh, my God, yesanghaesseo na I was really hoping that he will come through"
And that's when the one who sang the chorus part caught Minji's attention. The voice was soothing to Minji's ears, and she couldn't help but nod in agreement that the music was indeed good. Now, she found herself unable to get the melody out of her head, the captivating voice lingering in her thoughts long after the song had ended.
"So, what do you think, newbie? It's good, right?" Minju asked, eagerly awaiting Minji's verdict on her first exposure to K-pop.
"Yeah," Minji agreed simply.
"You may not understand some of the lyrics, but I bet the music won't get outta your head. It's addicting," Minjeong replied knowingly, with both of their parents nodding in agreement.
After a few hours of driving, they finally arrived at the airport. They presented their passports and the necessary paperwork to board the plane and were assisted by the flight attendants to their seats on the aircraft.
Minju sat beside her mom, while Minji sat with her dad, and Minjeong was seated behind them. Their baggage was stowed in the compartment overhead, and the Kim Family, exhausted from the long drive, quickly succumbed to sleep as the plane prepared for takeoff.
The family arrived safely at the airport in Australia, where they were guided by the assistance of the flight attendants to retrieve their luggage. Their parents proceeded to handle paperwork at the immigration center, leaving the siblings to wait at the nearby Seven-eleven. Inside, Minjeong rested her head on the table, exhausted from the journey, while Minju passed the time by scrolling through her phone. Meanwhile, Minji scanned the shelves, searching for something refreshing to drink amidst the bustle of the airport.
Unable to decide what to buy, Minji grabbed a Chuckie and Milo with both palms and began to play Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe to make her selection. Suddenly, Minji heard a girl chuckle beside her—a girl in a white oversized shirt and black baggy pants.
"I suggest you take Milo, it's really good, Mate." the stranger said with a friendly smile. Minji chuckled in response and decided to take the stranger's advice, placing the Chuckie back on the shelf.
She looked at the girl beside her, feeling a bit uncertain. "I- uh- thank you?" Minji said tentatively, not accustomed to engaging in conversations with strangers.
The girl gave her a warm smile. "You're welcome, and you are?" she asked, extending a friendly invitation for introductions.
"Kim Minji."
"Pham Hanni."