Min-su's Destiny

In a hanok house in the North of Songak Mountain, there was a noble family celebrating the first birthday of their only daughter, named Min-su.

In front of their daughter were five objects, as they were partaking in a tradition called Doljabi. In Doljabi, the child is placed in front of various objects and asked to choose one or two items, each representing a certain aspect of the child's future in terms of a career or way of life.

"Min-su darling, come, come choose your future," said the father.

Min-su stepped forward and picked an object among the money, bow and arrow, box of needles, brush and paper, and lastly, a small hanbok like the ones that the queen wears. Smiling from ear to ear, both parents were proud and breathed a sigh of relief, as their daughter chose something very much suitable for her.

A year and two decades passed. Min-su grew to be a fine lady, with a small doll-like face and porcelain skin. One afternoon, past three o'clock, Min-su stared into space through the window. Suddenly, her best friend Iseul appeared in front of her. Used to such surprises, she just smiled at him. "Why is your face like that?" asked Iseul. "I am also wondering why my face is so beautiful," she answered proudly. Iseul rolled his eyes and flicked Min-su's forehead.

"Ouch!" she winced while holding her forehead. "I was just thinking about something," she added. "And what is it?" he asked. "I literally have nothing right now; I'm concerned about where I'll get food for tomorrow and the next day. It's really hard to be poor," she sighed. "If only I could follow my parents wherever they are now, I've done it," she continued. "Your parents are both dead, silly," Iseul chuckled. "My poor friend, literally poor. I pity you, so why not just come with me?" he said with a mocking face. "To where?" she asked. "To somewhere we could earn money," he replied.

Iseul, a fine man working as a helper for a merchant, had been Min-su's best friend since they were young. They witnessed each other grow, and every inch of their secrets and whereabouts was known to one another.

One day, Iseul, working near the palace, heard about a job position. "The palace is looking for a helper in the cooking area," he heard. As Min-su was a good cook, inheriting the skill from her mother, Iseul told her about it. She refused initially, as she didn't like the idea of asking her best friend for assistance. She was ashamed because he had already helped her so much.

"Min-su, this is the last time I will be giving you help. Please accept it and help yourself. Look at you, how thin you are. This is not good for you; you might get sick. Besides, it's a one-in-a-million chance for you, so try it because you might get lucky this time. We only meet once in a while; I don't want to see you in a worse state next time. Do you want to see my handsome face cry, Min-su?" he said jokingly, but at the same time, seriously persuading Min-su about the job. Eventually, she was persuaded by her best friend.

A week later, Min-su started her journey towards the South, where the palace was located. Her friend Iseul had gone there earlier because he still had work to do. While walking, she held a map drawn by Iseul in her right hand and a small chest her parents left her in her left hand. Suddenly, an old man appeared on her right side, and he said, "The five are coming on your way," before continuing his walk. Min-su was scared and confused, wondering what the old man meant. As an unlucky girl, she hoped that these five meant something that would change her life for good.

Days passed, and Min-su seemed to forget her journey towards the south, as Yong, the warrior from the Goguryeo Dynasty, trained her extensively in archery. Gradually, Min-su became skilled with the bow and arrow, unknowingly fulfilling her destiny. Meanwhile, Yong, clueless about his purpose, continued guiding her.

One day, Min-su felt something was missing in her final blow with the arrow. She looked around and found Yong nowhere to be seen. She went around the village, and still, no traces of Yong. When she was worn out, she sat in an old chair.

"I am clueless, I am hungry, I am alone," she cried. "I am here; you did a great job, Min-su. My task was done, so I am leaving. Please take care of yourself and use what I taught you for your own good. Goodbye," Yong's final words made her cry.

Min-su continued her journey to the palace. However, she stopped at a small hanok village, and there she encountered a ghostly warrior named Yong. He explained that the village was abandoned, and all its inhabitants, including him, had been killed.

Yong, realizing Min-su's unique status, revealed that he had been given a task by the guardian. His mission was to guide and help Min-su as part of her late father's third wish. The guardian confirmed Min-su's destiny when the bow and arrow lit up and told Yong to teach her how to use them. The objects given to her parents during Doljabi were meant to assist her in her journey.

As Yong trained Min-su, the two developed a strong bond. Days passed, and Min-su forgot about her journey to the palace. When she finally mastered the bow and arrow, Yong vanished. Before disappearing completely, he assured her to wait, as enlightenment would come.

Continuing her journey, Min-su found herself at the palace entrance gate. Before entering, she checked the map Iseul had given her and located the meeting place. At exactly 10 in the evening, Iseul finally arrived.

"How are you? It's been so long," he uttered with a gloomy face. "I am sorry it took me a month to meet you; there's so much that has happened to me. I don't know where to start. And, I'm sure someone has already got the job at the palace," she said, laughing. Iseul was silent. "What's wrong? Aren't you happy to see me?" she questioned him.

"I know everything," Min-su looked at him. "What do you mean?" She was confused.

"I know everything that happened to you from the start; I knew those ghosts you met. I am also one of them, just a little different. I got a very special task: to take care of you for ten years, not just ten days. I know that you are confused, but I will explain everything to you, okay?" Min-su nodded while tears formed in her eyes. When you were born, you almost died, but your father couldn't accept it, so he prayed. The guardian between the living and the dead fortunately heard it and answered his prayers. However, his life was the compensation. Thus, your father left you early. But your father couldn't take it either, so he asked for another two wishes from the guardian. It was to be with you for at least three  years and let you learn things that could protect you from harm, sickness, illiteracy, and poverty as he was no longer around, and no one would teach you these things. In order to grant your father's last wish, the guardian sent us to you—people who died from different dynasties with specialized skills. I am a merchant from the Parhae Dynasty; I died in an accident while going on a trip for trade. As you can see, I am the one who helps you in your daily life and expenses. I hope I've really become helpful to you. Also, your mother knows nothing about this," he stated with a heavy heart.

"So you're saying you're going to leave me as well? What joke is this, Iseul?" she cried her heart out. Iseul hugged her and said, "Stop crying; you knew that this is for your own good, right?" She nodded.

"When will I see you again?" He shook his head, making Min-su cry more.

This time, the money from the small box lit up and went directly towards Iseul. "Now is the time; please be strong again, Min-su; you're not going to be alone. Remember that you still have the last item," he smiled and hugged her for the last time until he disappeared completely.

Min-su couldn't take the sadness and screamed at the top of her lungs. However, as she screamed, someone fell from a tree because he was surprised. The man groaned from the pain. Min-su quickly ran towards him. "Are you okay?" she asked. "Of course not," he said. "Do you know who I am?" he asked while slowly standing up. "Of course... not," she answered looking away.

The man was disappointed, "I am the crown prince," he proudly said.

Min-su looked at him from head to toe, realizing that the man was wearing an extravagant robe embroidered with a dragon design. Min-su apologized to the prince very quickly, but the prince just laughed at her and said that he was just kidding and he's fine.

"Why are you here alone, and why did you scream so loudly like you're in pain? I almost got a heart attack while sleeping." Min-su then remembered what happened before that and started crying again. The prince didn't know what to do, so he just gave her a piece of cloth and told her that he could listen to her story.

Min-su didn't hesitate to tell the prince what happened to her from the start until what happened earlier, even if she knew that the prince wouldn't believe her. After she told him what happened, the prince just kindly nodded as if he understood and believed all that she said. She was about to apologize, when all of a sudden the last item from the small chest lit up and went outside facing her, the small hanbok, just like what princesses and queens wear, went inside her instead of going to other people's bodies.

Both of them were shocked. Unexpectedly, Min-su remembered what her mother told her: "You know what, my daughter, you're father and I were very happy when you chose that hanbok; that time I believe that someday you're going to make or design these kinds of clothing, but you're father insisted that you will become a princess or a queen." Realizing what happened and the prince in front of her, she thinks that her father might be right.

However, she also got scared that the prince might vanish too if they will be together. From that sudden realization she quickly gathered her things and ran away from the prince. But he stopped her. "I felt that too, so please don't run away," he uttered.

From then on, the two could not be separated. The prince told about them first to her father, the king. Then, the king asked the Buddhist, who was the mentor of the king, about them. The Buddhist then said, "Give them the blessings."

The two were so happy about it. Five years later, the couple walked near a lake while holding hands, reminiscing. "Haneul, your name means sky or heaven; remember that time you fell from the tree, I thought you literally came from the sky. Your name really suits you," Min-su said. "Min-su, don't forget that your name means gentle or beautiful; it suits you better, my love," he stated.

"Now, our little Min-su will soon be given a name that will suit his/her beautiful soul just like his/her mother," he added, giving Min-su a kiss on the forehead.

The End