DATE NO. 2
NAME: Yu Jinwoo
INTERESTS:
Squash, Young Investor’s Club
Parent Occupations:
Retired surgeon; Cardiologist
JinwOO: What do you think of this place? Great, isn’t it?
Jisu: It’s beautiful! I know hotel lobbies can get fancy, but this might be the fanciest place I’ve gone just to get coffee!
JinwOO: Not just any coffee, Jisu. The coffee beans they use here are overnighted straight from Colombia. Apparently the Park Hyatt is the only other hotel in Seoul that gets them.
Jisu: Oh, wow. Are you really into coffee?
JinwOO: I’m into anything that’s good quality. I don’t know why people would have it any other way, really.
Jisu: I mean, I could think of a few reasons why—like not having the means for the fanciest coffee beans in the world.
JinwOO: Fair, I guess. But you and I—we have the means. Might as well live it up, right?
Jisu: Right...
JinwOO: Are you hungry? Maybe we can get some of those finger sandwiches. I’ll ask for a menu—you ord whatever you want.
Jisu: I’m good with my cappuccino for now. But thanks.
JinwOO: You sure? The caviar spread is pretty good here.
Jisu: No, thanks. I don’t really like caviar anyway.
JinwOO: C’mon. Years down the line, your future grandkids are asking about how you met your husband. High tea at the Shilla Hotel sounds better than coffee at a Starbucks, no?
Jisu: Husband? Grandkids? You’re thinking an awful far lot ahead. Also, wait, does this mean you get caviar on every seon you go on?
JinwOO: I’m not saying that I don’t.
Jisu: Jinwoo, if you have nice things all the time, that kinda takes away from them being nice in the first place. Don’t you think?
JinwOO: If you’re not hungry, we can at least get some biscotti, right?
Jisu: Sure, biscotti is fine. Were you playing tennis before you came here?
JinwOO: Oh, these? These are actually squash rackets. There are a few courts around this neighborhood and I played a game today at the one that they have here.
Jisu: That’s cool—are you part of your school team?
JinwOO: No, no. I don’t play at school. I’m part of this small league. Everyone’s a member of the Apgujeong Social Club. We have matches once a week.
Jisu: Apgujeong Social Club? That’s that all-male club, right? That’s so old-school.
JinwOO: I know, old-school is the best.
Jisu: I meant old-school, like in a stuffy way. You’re participating in a literal boys’ club.
JinwOO: Well, it’s a good way to meet people and network. The person you play squash with might end up being the next president or the wealthiest man in the country.
Jisu: It’s just squash. It’s just a sport. Jinwoo, do you ever do anything for the sake of doing it? And not for any other reason?
JinwOO: Hmm. Probably not, but c’mon. That doesn’t make me a bad person.
Jisu: I never said it did. It’s just that not everything needs to be related to who you are and how much money your family has. Not everything has to be shallow.
JinwOO: Ah, yes. And that must have been exactly what you thought when you got my one-sheet from Ms. Moon, looked at how much my parents earn, where I go to school, and didn’t immediately turn it down and cancel your services with Ms. Moon in the name of “not being shallow.”
Jisu: Hey, that’s not fair. My parents are forcing me to go on these seons.
JinwOO: Forcing you! Wow, I’m so terribly sorry you are being held up against your will to hang out with me. I hope my materialistic tendencies don’t taint your oh-so-altruistic ways.
Jisu: Jinwoo, please. That’s not what I meant.
JinwOO: I’m just teasing you, Jisu. Lighten up! Life’s unfair, which means it’s also very lucky for some—like us.
Jisu: Can we start over?
JinwOO: Yes—hi, my name is Jinwoo. That is a lovely trench coat you have on—I’m assuming it’s Burberry? It goes so well with your boundless humility.
Jisu: Jinwoo!
JinwOO: I’m sorry. I don’t mean to laugh. It’s just too easy to get you riled up. I’ve never met anyone who was so uncomfortable about their money.
Jisu: It’s not that I’m uncomfortable with it. I just think it’s silly to spend all your money on stuff that screams “I have money!” One day you might end up with nothing but those worthless things.
JinwOO: Well, if you’re spending your money right on things that are actually nice, it’s not worthless. You know, Birkins are supposed to be an excellent investment?
Jisu: I did hear that...
JinwOO: I bet if a guy gave you a Birkin, you’d melt. And you’d bring it everywhere. And whenever anyone complimented you on it, you’d say, “Oh, this? My boyfriend got it for me,” because let’s be honest, that is next-level social currency.
Jisu: Actually, I don’t even really like Birkins. They’re so stiff and boring-looking. I think I’m more of a shapeless-tote-bag kinda gal.
JinwOO: Really? I thought all girls liked Birkins.
Jisu: Not all girls are the same, Jinwoo.
JinwOO: Of course. I don’t mean to generalize. To each his own, I guess.
Jisu: Yes, to each his own.