Jo Hyun Jae

For Marise (I hasten to add.)

On the back JHJ writes: To. MARISE. (and in Korean) Congratulations on your marriage!!  and signs his name and 10.12 (2010 Dec.)  He actually uses honourifics (敬語) – the respectful form of writing!

First of all, click on this link to find out who Marise is:

http://jo-hyun-jae.com/2010/12/29/for-someone-special-4/

Yesterday was a cold dreary day in this northern metropolis.  After lunch I went grocery shopping, and I was all loaded when I opened the letter box to find a solitary item, something light in a Hallmark envelope – a late Christmas card, I thought.

In the elevator I looked at the post office mark and I saw “Korea Post”.  Could it be?!!!!!  As soon as I entered my apartment, I dropped the bags* and opened the envelope.  The scream I emitted had my husband shoot out of the study like a rocket – he must have thought I was having a heart attack!  (* Later I found out I’d broken a couple of eggs – small price to pay.)

What I saw is what is posted above.  JHJ actually delivered!!!!!  Thank you SO MUCH!  Oh, we love you to death, JHJ!!!!!

What happened was this — At the beginning of December 2010 I mailed one of our regular “Miss you” cards to JHJ.  At the last minute I inserted a sheet of paper on which I wrote in English to tell him the fan from Canada, Marise, who presented our bouquet to him at his discharge on June 19, 2010, was getting married on December 29.  Could he send her an autographed photo as a wedding present?

I didn’t have any high hopes.  I didn’t know if the letter would actually reach JHJ (perhaps SNH screens his fan mail.)  Even though he says he reads all his fan mail, I doubt he would at this unhappy time in his life (and I don’t blame him.)  And why should he bother with this ajuma who keeps sending him cards and letters and never asks anything for herself?

December 29 came and went.  I thought to myself: “Good thing I never told anyone about my request.  It was presumptuous of me, and I don’t want anyone to think JHJ does not care about his fans.”

He does!  He does!  He really cares about his fans!  The autographed photo was posted on December 23, 2010 from Seoul, and normally it only takes about 4 – 5 days to reach my city.  The delay is probably due to the high volume of Christmas mail.

Marise, please contact us to claim your wedding present from JHJ. 

I’m keeping the envelope – after all, it’s got my name and address on it.

Now why didn’t I tell JHJ I was getting married?  Does he do birthdays, I wonder?  5555

P.S.  After I’d taken above photos with my idiot-proof camera, it was late afternoon.  The sky was even darker; perhaps it would snow tomorrow.  But to me it was as if the whole world was bathed in sunlight and warmth.  Our utmost gratitude, JHJ!  You have made at least two people very happy! (though one doesn’t know it yet – presumably still on her honeymoon.)  You have this wonderful gift to make people happy.  We hope you will be very happy too, forever and ever.