30 december 2020, Dobong, Seoul

It was the first time Chaewol was staying in a jjimjilbang. They stayed three nights in the motel but couldn't afford it anymore. The idea of going to a bathhouse came as the woman occupying the room beside theirs told them she was working there. The woman named Sulli said she could help them sneak in the bathhouse, sleep and eat there for free for two or three nights.

" Why are you helping us?" Jian asked, always suspicious when strangers were too generous.

" I see a lot of myself in you. When I was 12 like you, my step father threw my mother and me out of his house and we had nowhere to go. We were so scared to sleep on the streets. I wish someone would have helped us. I can't do much for you but I can't just watch two young girls and an old woman be homeless and alone in this city. We're in the middle of the winter, it's freezing outside. The boss is never there anyway, he won't notice." 

That's how they ended up in the jjimjilbang. Chaewol saw Halmeoni smile for the first time in days after she had a relaxing time in the hot tub. Jian and Chaewol devoured the bibimbap leftover given by the cook.

The matching clothes everyone wore looked funny but they were having fun in the bathhouse. It was past bedtime but a lot of clients were gathered in the common room to watch a TV music show.

" Come on Chaewolie, we should watch too, it's the KBS song festival ! My favorite groups are going to sing there !" Jian grabbed Chaewol's hand and sat in front of the TV. Halmeoni quietly followed them.

" Look it's Red Velvet's turn!" Jian clapped. Chaewol didn't know who Red Velvet was but she had at least heard the song on the radio. 

" They are really pretty. But why are their skirts so short, it must be uncomfortable? If I become a singer, will I have to wear things like that too?"

Chaewol liked comfy and baggy clothes because she spent most of her free time playing alone or with Hwang Mi outside. She couldn't imagine herself wearing white skirts like this. She would get it dirty and wrinkled in a short time.

" It's to look cute dummy! But you're right, if you don't like it, don't wear it. By the way, don't you want to change your mind about the Melon Music Award tomorrow? It's really dumb to not go! This is your opportunity to shine and sing in front of many people. Not everyone can do that! I would be happy to say my friend Chaewol is the one who's singing on TV. Imagine if your parents see you!" Jian tried to convince her again.

" I don't know...I'm scared." Chaewol replied.

She worked really hard on the song and wanted to sing it, she also wanted to find her parents but she was really scared by everything that happened recently.

What if something goes wrong? What if those mean men come back again? What if she never find her parents? When she left Yangsan, it seemed like a great idea, now she wasn't sure about anything anymore.

Jian turned to her grandmother and they exchanged words with signs language.

" See! Halmeoni too said you should go!" Jian exclaimed a bit too loud.

" Sshhh lower your voice girl, IU is the next to sing, we wanna hear properly." A man behind them told Jian. Chaewol was secretly glad he silenced Jian because she didn't want to talk about that subject, at least not right now.
Jian pouted but she said nothing and looked at the TV like everyone else.

The lights went on and a woman seating in front of a moonlight decor appeared on the TV.

" My bright moon, wherever you are, I hope you can hear me. Tonight I will sing for you Moon Chaewol. " the pretty woman said. 

" Did IU just say your name? Moon Chaewol is not a common name. " Jian looked at her in shock.

" I think so...but why?" She replied

🎶  Dear moon, my moon
Gakkawojiji anh-a
Jaengeol-eum-eulo ttalagado dahji anhneun dalcheoleom  🎶
( Dear moon, my moon
You never come close
Like that moon that I can’t reach
No matter how much I hurry after it)

Chaewol looked back at the TV and was bewitched by the woman's voice and face as she sang. She sounded like an angel who could comfort her in any situation. She felt her heart squeeze painfully when she saw the tears in the woman's eyes.

' Don't cry... please don't cry' Chaewol thought, eyes still fixed on the screen.

The young woman was singing to Chaewol, she was sure of it, the song spoke to her like an old familiar tune. Chaewol used to lull herself to sleep with similar melodies that she often heard again in her dreams. Deep down in her heart, Chaewol knew this woman singing for her was the person she was desperately looking for.

" Mommy..." She whispered, lips quivering and eyes full of tears.

The song ended, the light switched off and Chaewol shook her head: where did her mother go? Why wasn't she on the screen anymore? Is she leaving again? No, please, no. Where could she find her?

Jian looked at her as if she grew another head. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish.

" But that's IU, how could she be your mother? " Jian mumbled

That was a good question but Chaewol couldn't describe what she felt and knew with words.

" I just know... do you believe me ?"
She really needed Jian's help to find her mother. 

Jian's eyes were stuck on Chaewol's for long minutes, as if she was searching for something.

" Ok, it's a crazy thought but why not. Let's say she's your mom, what do we do now?"

Chaewol sighed in relief upon hearing Jian's words.

" I don't know" she answered truthfully. She really had no idea about the next steps to get to her mother.

" Let's watch the rest of the ceremony for more clues, ok Chaewolie?"

She only nodded and her attention was back again on the TV. She didn't know the group's names but was familiar with some songs she heard constantly on the radio. Then the presentator said something about Gocheok Sky Dome.

Jian asked around them if someone knew the location of Gocheok Sky Dome. A man who was a taxi driver told them it was obviously in Gocheok-dong, one hour and half away by bus or one hour by car from where they were in Dobong-gu.

Jian explained the situation to her grandmother through hand signs. Chaewol had a hard time keeping up with the rapid movements.

There were loud clapping and screams suddenly on the TV and Chaewol looked  to see what it was about.

" It's BTS! I love them!" A young woman yelled behind them

" Everyone loves BTS" Jian said, rolling her eyes

" Oh that's Mr Jungkook !! I didn't know he was in a boygroup. He just told me he was a singer."  Chaewol pointed at the young man whom she recognized instantly. He was singing and dancing with 6 other men. 

At least she knew the chorus of this one. It was great that Dynamite was one of his song. He really looked cool on the stage. She remembered what he said about enjoying the feelings of being on a stage and singing for those we love.

" Wait! You talked to BTS's Jungkook?"

" Yes, he helped me repeat Knees when I was at Big Hit's office." Chaewol shrugged

" That's super awesome!" Jian declared

The song ended and the camera showed all the artists standing on the same stage. Chaewol gasped when her mother appeared on the screen again. She smiled, sang a little bit and was standing next to Mr Jungkook. Chaewol just couldn't look away from them and got frustrated when the camera focused on the others singers.

She thankfully saw Mr Jungkook again at the moment the group received an award. 

" Chaewol-ah, I really hope you can hear this message. I don't know exactly what you might be going through right now. There are a lot of things I want to apologize for, but just know that your parents love you and they are looking for you, waiting for you here tonight and tomorrow. If you can't come, at least please go to the nearest police station. A lot of good people are working hard to bring you back home safely. I know you might be scared but remember what I said : don't let anything or anyone stand in front of your dreams."

Chaewol just looked at Jian, still confused. He said her parents were looking and waiting for her. They loved her. Why did he want to apologize to her? Wait...does this mean...?

Her tiny heart was beating erratically. Did she finally find her parents?

Her suspicions were confirmed when Mr Jungkook went back to stand next to her mother and they exchanged words and touches. Just like she imagined her parents would do.

" Mommy, Daddy" she mumbled in disbelief. She found them, her dream came true.

" Chaewolie, we need to get you there now! They are waiting for you! "

Jian talked to Sulli and the young woman gave them enough money to take a taxi.

" Good luck!" Sulli waved as Jian, Chaewol and Halmeoni entered in the taxi and took the road that will hopefully lead them to Chaewol's parents.

Seoul looked less scary under the fullmoon and the bright neon lights in the streets and the buildings.

She thought about her parents words:
' My bright moon, wherever you are, I hope you can hear me.'

' Just know that your parents love you and they are looking for you, waiting for you here tonight and tomorrow.'

" Mommy, Daddy, please wait for me" she prayed to the bright moon.