Here is my assignment for the fourth week of the K-pop Academy.
‘3) All Korean men must undertake to years of compulsory military service - even K-pop stars! Write a letter to a Korean star who is currently serving in the Korean military and we’ll post it to them for you!’
So here is my letter to Rain!
‘ 비오빠께..
오빠 지금 너무 바쁘시고, 제가 오빠한테 어쩌면 별로 중요하지 않은 팬일 수도 있지만 저는 런던에서 사는 팬이구요, 꼭 이 편지를 읽으셨으면 좋겠어요. 3년전 한국 음악과 문화에 관심을 갖으면서 오빠의 팬이 됐어요. <풀하우스> 완전 좋아해요! 풀하우스2도 나온다는데, 안 볼거 같아요. 오빠 없이는 똑같지 않으니까요. 저번에 런던 오셨을때 제가 오빠 못봤는데, 제대후에 꼭 다시 와주세요!
아무튼, 잘 지내고 계시길 바래요! 잘 먹고, 건강하시구요! 군대에서 가끔 힘드시면, 오빠를 보고 싶어하는 가족과 친구들과 많은 팬들 생각하셨으면 해요. 군대가 많이 힘드시긴 하겠지만, 또 한국에서 스타로 사는 것에서 떨어져 스트레스가 덜 드는 부분도 있을것 같아요. 거기서 계신 시간 동안 좋게 생각하시구요, 좋은 경험일 거라고 생각해요. 뭘 하시던간에 항상 긍정적인 마인드를 갖으시고, 열심히 하시길 바래요! 그리고 저같은 팬들한테 항상 좋은 영향 주시고요! 군대 맞추시고 빨리 돌아오시는 모습 보고 싶네요! 나라를 뿌듯하게 해주세요! 화이팅!
팬으로부터,
클로이 파블루’
It is roughly translated to…
’Dear Bi Oppa
You are probably very busy right now, and although I am just another insignificant fan from London, I really hope you take the time to read this letter. I have been a big fan of you ever since i became interested in Korean Culture and Music 3 years ago. I really loved ‘Full house’! I heard there is a ‘Full House 2’, but I dont think i’ll watch it because it wont be the same without you. I am also so sad that I missed my chance to meet you when you visited London, please come back here soon when you are discharged from the army!
Anyway, I hope you’ve been well! Please eat a lot and stay healthy! If you find being in the army hard at times, I hope you think of your family, friends and many many fans waiting patiently for your return. It must be a good break from all the stresses of being a star in Korea despite the fact that it is hard work. Cherish the time you spend there, it is probably a very good experience. Whatever you do, keep a positive mind and work as hard as ever! And continue to inspire your fans, like me, to work as hard as you do! I cant wait to see you back from the army! Make your country proud! Fighting!
From your fan,
Chloe Pavlou x’