The K-Pop Dream

After rounding up everyone into their respective vehicles.

Yoo-ah, and Won alight with me, arguing that its more comfortable than driving with their managers while Hyun-joong sits in the co-pilot seat.

The other members of his group have left already in his agency's luxury van.

I once more get questioned how I can afford this nice of a car, but I just laugh it off as Hyun-joong attributes it to me coming from an affluent background.

'Well, he is not wrong'

Upon arrival at a three storied eatery building in Gangnam, we are ushered into the VIP room of the main restaurant on the top floor.

Jung Sikdang, a groundbreaking, iconic Korean restaurant for a variety of reasons.

It opened in 2009 and has received two Michelin stars. It also consistently finds itself ranked as one of the best restaurants in Asia.

These awards are certainly deserved, but they are especially significant to Koreans: With the Korean obsession over international rankings (whether in education, sports or economic measures), this restaurant's international acclaim has restored some level of pride around hansik, or traditional cuisine.

But traditional it is not: Jung Sikdang dubs its cuisine \"new Korean,\" blending Korean ingredients with Western culinary techniques and presentation (head chef Yim Jung-sik graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in NYC and worked in both NYC and Spain).

For a fine dining restaurant, prices are considered value for its buck when compared to its equivalent in America, European or Singapore.

A/N: I promise this is not a sponsor! But its not that I wouldn't mind. Hit me up

Since the menu comes in a 5 course set, I order for everyone. This comes out to about 200,000 won ($200) per person and about 2 million won in total.

Sitting at a long refectory table that seats 10.

Only 8 seats are however filled.

I sit in the middle and am flanked by Yoo-ah and Won who seem to be undergoing a territorial battle.

Hyun-joong sits across from us with the other three girl group members and certain managers scattered around.

While, waiting for our dishes to be served, I order the only two bottles of Chateu Margaux on hand for us to drink.

The waiter kindly suggests the less expensive option of just getting a wine pairing instead, but I push for the bottles saying,

\"This is the first time I get to eat with SNSD, it should be celebrated\"

The waiter is a bit reserved at first but I say, \"Tell Jung-sik hyung. That Dylan is here. He will tell you what to do\"

The young waiter politely hurries off to speak to the boss.

\"Dylan, how did you get us in here?\" Soo asks, looking around the fancy venue

'To be honest, I own 40% of the establishment. One of my many investments.'

'I actually own an interest in a lot of the upcoming restaurants in Seoul, how else will I find places private enough to take my little rabbit out for when we are truly famous.'

\"I know the owner\" I say, veiling a hidden meaning.

\"Wow, so you actually have friends Dylan-ah?\" Yoo-ah teases

\"It's quality over quantity, my dear\" I answer

Idle chit chat and small talk takes place before the food arrives.

First out of the kitchen is banchan-inspired appetizers that will steal ones heart away.

They are cute little items of mini-rice 'bowls', egg pudding with asparagus, smoked salmon with kimchi, smoked beef sticks encapsulates some of Korea's iconic dishes. They are absolute pieces of art and I may even consider it too pretty eat.

The regret at destroying this masterpiece is however soon forgotten, as a storm of chopsticks begin the clash with the food in front of them.

\"So fanta-bulous!\" Tiff exclaims in a typical Californian white girl voice as she bites into the meal.

\"Faarn tar bu lous\" Uri mocks, which deservedly earns her a scowl.

Yoo-ah does a little dance, which looks like a mixture of prayer and an inflatable tube man one would see outside a car rental place.

While Won herself exclaimed in delight softly next to me, \"Hmmmm\"

And that was only the start.

Several dishes later, with all of them being considered remarkable, with some in my opinion being faultless.

What was Hyun-joong's expression you ask? I don't know. I wasn't really paying attention.

One of the most interesting, parts of the meal was the shocking shape of the Dolhareubang (stone statue) dessert. You may find this 'stone grandpa' figure familiar, especially if you have been to Jeju Island. It is said to symbolize fertility?? (Never-mind if it looks like a male anatomical part. Oopsie.)

Nonetheless it is a piece of art – green tea mousse and peanut ganche, smothered in black sesame butter and served with black sesame sponge cake and milk sherbet. Still, it didn't taste bad at all.

After having our fill, the waiter returns with the check.

But before I can reach over to pay with my card. Hyun-joong takes the moment to show off to Won

\"Dylan. Let Hyung get it. Its not that expensive, it should only be about 2 million won\" he laughs as he stops me for saying anything as he hands his card to the waiter.

I smile, thinking of the surprise in store.

\"It's least I can do after you introduced me to this nice of a place. Its not that great, but the food was palatable\" he says before continuing on his boasting escapade, \"I usually only visit these quint exclusive French restaurants, I never have Korean cuisine anymore. It's just not as sophisticated\"

\"Won-ah (he calls for her attention), Do you like European, next time, I have to show you this restaurant I know. Its an absolute....\"

Before he can finish, the waiter returns with his card and whispers something into his ears

Maintaining his smile, he tells the waiter , \"Run it again there must be a problem\"

The young waiter responds this time, load enough for the rest of us to hear, \"Sir, I have already tried thrice, it hasn't worked once\"

Taking this as my cue, I speak up and ask \"Is there a problem?\"

Hyun-joong tries to deny anything, \"No no no, its just a misunderstanding. His saying my card doesn't work.\"

I reach into my pocket and take out my wallet, handing over my card \" Use mine then, there might just be an error on your bank's side \"

The waiter obliges despite Hyun-joongs opposition.

A few seconds later he returns with my card and a receipt. Smilingly I look at the bill and nod my head.

I take out a 10 million won bankers check and hand it to the server as extra gratuity.

Since this is an American influenced restaurant and its customer base is mostly foreign nationals, they are much more willing to accept tips than in other Korean establishments (The culture of tipping is not really a prevalent in this part of the world)

Counting the amount of zeroes, \"Ah... that's too much sir..\" The young waiter tries to push my hands away but I stuff it into his hands force-ably.

\"Please, its not even 10% of the meal costs\" I force it back into his hands \"and besides you deserve it\"

Hyun-joong looks shocked at the amount I'm casually handing over to a waiter, actually everyone in the room looks visibly surprised (that's if you exclude Yoo-ah and Wwon who have grown accustomed to such habits)

Suddenly, and unexepectedly, Hyun-joong demands to see the receipt and I offer it over obediently.

After his eyes look at the final figure on the paper, they dilate quite noticeably.

He rubs them ferociously as if to make sure his not experiencing some hallucination.

\"Dylan, is this really right?\" He asks

\"Should be\"

*BANG*

\"Are you sure?\" He checks again

I nod my head in confirmation once more.

*BANG BANG*

\"200 million won..\" He says.. \"Are you telling me you just spent 200 million won on this!\" He says loudly

\"It's just 200 million, hyung.\"

*BANG BANG BANG*

And with that final acknowledgment, I see the color visibly drain from his face.