‘Oh annyeonghaseyo!’ Shin Hye loved Miss Han. She was always so perky and cheerful. It made coming to the dean’s office less daunting for the theatre and film majors. She was already in her mid-thirties, but her bright appearance made her look so much younger than she was.
‘I heard rumors you were going back to school but I didn’t believe it at first since most of your friends extended their leave,’ she motioned for Shin Hye to sit.
‘Ah yeah, I talked to some of them and they’re quite busy with work.’
The lady furrowed her brows and gave her an amused smile. ‘But aren’t you the busiest of all of them? You’re everywhere these days. Everywhere I turn and there’s a billboard of you! And can I just say, you’ve become a lot prettier.’
She blushed and looked down. ‘Aniyo.’
‘The dean isn’t here, but he told me that you’ll be coming in today,’ she turned to a pile of folders and sifted through them. She grabbed one and handed it to Shin Hye. ‘I know you’re a busy girl so I’ve prepared your schedule for you. Most of your classes are crammed in certain days so you’ll have a few days off per week to accommodate your work schedules.’
Shin Hye was wide-eyed. ‘Cheongmalyo? Thank you so much,’ she bowed as she took the folder from her. She looked through her schedule excitedly, glad that she didn’t have to talk to her professors about her work commitments. ‘This is really nice of you, Miss Han. I really appreciate it.’ She smiled widely.
‘Well, it wasn’t that difficult, since most of your classes this semester are confined in the theatre and film department. And it helps that your professors love you. I don’t know how you maintain your high grades and still be this popular.’
Shin Hye giggled. ‘I’ll have to treat you to coffee or dinner sometime, Miss Han.’
‘No need for that honey. I’m just doing my job,’ she waved her hand. ‘Keunde... there is one thing I’d like to ask, if you don’t mind.’
‘Anything,’ Shin Hye looked at her expectantly.
She bent down and lowered her voice. ‘Is Lee Min Ho really that handsome in person?’
Shin Hye laughed out loud, surprising Miss Han. When her laughter subsided, she turned to her with a huge smile. ‘However good-looking you think he is on TV, he’s ten times that in person.’
‘Omona! Chincha?’
‘Absolutely. He’s even more handsome than Won Bin sunbae in my opinion. Sometimes I wonder if he’s real because his face is out of this world. And when you look into his eyes,’ she paused, and gestured to her stomach, ‘...you’ll feel your insides melting. I had a hard time filming with him because of that. I couldn’t keep a straight face most of the time.’
At this point, Miss Han rested her head on her palm as she listened. ‘Aigoo. You’re so lucky, Shin Hye-ssi!’
‘And I’ll let you in on a little secret,’ Shin Hye continued. ‘He’s also one of the kindest men you’ll ever meet. It’s true. He isn’t like those other popular celebrities who just party and meet girls all the time. He’s a gentleman, and he’s very sweet.’
‘Omoooo, if only I didn’t have a boyfriend...’
Shin Hye laughed. ‘Do you want me to introduce you to him? We’re quite close.’
‘Cham! Didn’t you have a dating scandal with him?’ She asked with a curious expression. But she looked like she regretted it immediately because she turned away.
Shin Hye looked down, too, embarrassed. ‘Aniyo, we just have uhh... an oppa-dongsaeng relationship.’
‘Sorry if I sound too nosey,’ she apologized. ‘It’s just that you two would look good together. I watched your drama well.’
Shin Hye blushed and thanked her again for everything. As soon as she stood up to leave, she saw a number of students crowded by the door. They all looked at her, wide-eyed, and started buzzing among each other. Shin Hye figured they must be freshmen. She walked up to them and gave them a wave. ‘Annyeong!’
Some of them squealed, and the others fumbled for their phones to take pictures.
‘Ya, ya, ya! Is it your first time seeing a celebrity, huh? That’s your sunbae, greet her respectfully!’ Miss Han yelled from her desk.
‘Annyeonghaseyo, sunbae!’ They all gave her a low bow