DATE NO. 15
NAME: Kang William
INTERESTS:
Acting, Political Studies
DISLIKES:
Pork, Superhero Movies, Dentist Appointments
WILLIAM: So wait, you’re like from Korea?
Jisu: Yup! I moved from Seoul a few months ago. I transferred over to Wick-Helmering.
WILLIAM: Oh, word. I know a few people who go to Wick. Do you like it there?
Jisu: I do, actually! I mean, I miss home like crazy. But I also really like San Francisco. Were you born and raised here?
WILLIAM: Yeah, my grandparents were the ones who immigrated here. So I’m second generation.
Jisu: And they somehow have you going on seons?
WILLIAM: Ah well, my grandmother is very traditional and stubborn. No one can cross Halmoni.
Jisu: This place is really cool. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a skate park.
WILLIAM: There’s gotta be a few cool spots around Seoul. I bet there’s a whole underground group of Korean skaters. Have you never skateboarded?
Jisu: No, I’m scared I’d just fall and break an arm or something.
WILLIAM: I’ve broken my left arm. Twice. Also have some not-so-pretty scars.
Jisu: Hmm, you’re really selling me on this whole skateboarding thing.
WILLIAM: As long as you’re not trying difficult tricks, there’s usually no broken limbs. Here, just try standing on my board.
Jisu: Like this? Ah, I’m going to fall. Both legs?
WILLIAM: Yeah, both legs. You got it. Half of skateboarding is just standing and balancing on the board.
Jisu: So, how soon until I can skate on that ramp?
WILLIAM: Listen, I’ve been skating since I was ten and I’m still intimidated by that ramp.
Jisu: I’m really glad we didn’t meet at a boring coffee shop like Ms. Moon would’ve wanted.
WILLIAM: I didn’t realize I could take things into my own hands until this one girl I met decided we should go to Alcatraz for our first date.
Jisu: That’s...an interesting choice. How did that go?
WILLIAM: It wasn’t that bad actually. The worst part was that there were a bunch of tourists. She lived in the Bay Area her whole life and never did any of the tourist stuff, so I guess she wanted to cross it off her list.
Jisu: Prison. How romantic.
WILLIAM: Yeahhhh. That was the first and only date we had.
Jisu: So, how are college apps going for you? Do you know what you wanna do?
WILLIAM: Oh, I’m not going to college. I know. Shocking, right? Technically, I am—there’s no way Ms. Moon would keep me on as a client if I wasn’t. But the plan is to get into college, wherever my parents want me to go, and then move down to LA.
Jisu: What’s in LA?
WILLIAM: Hollywood. I want to be an actor.
Jisu: That’s cool! One of my best friends in Korea wants to be a pop star and she’s basically been training since she was nine. I think it’s really cool that you’re going for it.
WILLIAM: Yeah, it’s not going to be easy, for sure. But it’s what I want to do. I just need to make sure everything is figured out. What do you want to do?
Jisu: Well... I really like photography but not enough to dive headfirst and go to an art school. But the plan is to figure it out once I get into college.
WILLIAM: Photography. Interesting! But like career-wise, you don’t know what you want to do?
Jisu: I mean, those two things aren’t mutually exclusive.
WILLIAM: Yeah, but that’s gotta be a hard way to make a living. Freelancing and all that.
Jisu: Said the actor. With zero credits to his name.
WILLIAM: Hey, I’ve done a bunch of plays.
Jisu: It doesn’t count if they were high school productions.
WILLIAM: Okay, fine. Fair. I’ve just always seen myself as the artsy half of a couple. You know? I’m sure that’s what you see for yourself, too.
Jisu: No, not really.
WILLIAM: Come on. No one can be a truly happy, successful artist if they can’t work on their craft full-time.
Jisu: No artist can be truly happy unless they have a partner to bankroll their creative pursuits? Is that what you’re saying?
WILLIAM: No! Well, not really. Obviously the basis of a relationship should be that two people like each other—
Jisu: But it doesn’t hurt if the person you’re seeing can pay your rent.
WILLIAM: You’re assuming that I’ll never make it big.
Jisu: You’re very optimistic!
WILLIAM: Not too optimistic though—I’m also practical and realistic. Isn’t that what everyone else does when they go on these seons?
Jisu: I...guess.
WILLIAM: I’ve upset you.
Jisu: No, it’s fine. We’re both just too artsy to be compatible or something, I guess.
WILLIAM: You think I could act in Korea? If it doesn’t work out for me here? Or maybe I’m not Korean enough.
Jisu: No, I think you’d be just fine! You’re a good-looking dude and that’ll work in whatever country you try to act in.