The Joseon Prince Went To America And Didn’t Return – 36



< People Investment (4) >

Philip Jason?

Who is that?

“majesty.”

As if trying to clear up that doubt Woo Hyun-sik quickly approached and whispered in a small voice.

“This is Mr. Seo Jae-pil.”

ah….

That first Oriental doctor?

‘Why do you insist on using an English name when you can have a perfectly good Korean name?’

Is this a survival strategy for surviving racial discrimination?

“Professor Seo Jae-pil. Nice to meet you.”

I smiled brightly and asked to shake Seo Jae-pil’s hand.

However Seo Jae-pil just stared at me for a long time his whole body still blank to the point where I felt embarrassed by the hand I held out.

“Please call me Philip Jason your highness.”

Then Seo Jae-pil asked me a polite favor with a rather serious expression.

okay.

If that’s what you want I’ll call you American.

Even in modern times if you change your name isn’t it polite to call someone by their new name?

“I understand Doctor Jason. If that’s what you want then I guess you can call me whatever you want. I’ll be careful from now on.”

When I called his American name Seo Jae-pil finally grabbed my outstretched hand tightly.

uh?

But you know.

The evil force seemed a little… no a little strong.

‘What? Are you trying to have a fight with me?’

As a former lobbyist who has met many people I have encountered many of these types of people.

A typical example is Trump.

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I held Seo Jae-pil’s hand tightly with all my strength knowing that if he looked down on me once he might continue to look down on me.

Damn it hurts so bad.

Do you really have any ill feelings towards me?

‘I want this.’

I don’t know much about Korean history so I feel a bit frustrated.

It doesn’t seem like there’s anything to hold a grudge against.

I quickly scanned Lee Kang’s memories.

‘It’s nothing special but is it because of something other than this body?’

Most of the Korean immigrants who came to America were friendly to me.

However a very small number of people showed a very negative attitude.

I had done nothing wrong and most of it was because of my father Emperor Gojong.

‘I guess that guy Woo-dang (Yoo Gil-jun) didn’t tell me everything when I asked him before.’

This is why hearing information from others is not good.

Because subjective selfishness is involved.

‘Damn I guess I’ll have to come back later and find out what the story is.’

He raised his guard to the max and grabbed Seo Jae-pil’s hand even more tightly.

Okay then.

“100 million.”

Seo Jae-pil groaned softly and was the first to release the strength in his hand.

I offered him a drink slightly pulling back the chair next to me as if nothing had happened.

“Have a seat Dr. Jason. By the way what would you like to drink? Coffee?”

“…Okay. I’ll eat the same thing.”

“Okay.”

I called over the waiter who was serving me and asked for the same coffee I was drinking.

Seo Jae-pil massaged my right hand for a moment then brought the freshly brewed coffee to my nose.

“It smells good.”

“Really? I found this place today. The coffee smells so good I think I’ll be coming here often from now on.”

Seo Jae-pil took a sip of his coffee and then looked at me.

He stares at me so intently that it’s burdensome.

If I hadn’t been aware of the fierceness in those eyes I would have taken a half step back without realizing it.

“This prince.”

“Tell me.”

“How many years have you lived here in the United States?”

At those words I folded my fingers one by one and counted the years since I first came.

“Have you lived there for about 6 years?”

“Six years…..”

“Why do you ask that?”

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“Your Majesty your English pronunciation seems to be much better than I thought… I was curious so I asked.”

Seo Jae-pil’s face changed strangely.

It seemed like something was jealous of me.

“You must have tried very hard. Well it takes effort for anyone to survive among the Americans here. Whether you’re a prince or a commoner.”

My first impression wasn’t very good but I wasn’t an emotionless psychopath.

Seo Jae-pil is considered a representative example of successful immigration to the United States.

But there seemed to be some sad story behind it.

I was about to ask this question personally perhaps out of curiosity.

Just then another member of my group showed up at the cafe.

“No you…. Goo-dang!”

Seo Jae-pil suddenly got up.

After that she ran towards Yu Gil-jun and hugged him tightly.

“It’s been a while. I heard you were with this prince. The rumors were true. So Gudang. How have you been?”

Seo Jae-pil looked very happy.

But Yu Gil-jun had an unpleasant look on his face.

“You’re still the same.”

Seo Jae-pil hesitated for about three seconds and then said the following.

“Huh? What did you say?”

Yu Gil-jun narrowed his eyes and repeated what he had said in ‘Korean’ changing it back to ‘English’.

“I said it was the same.”

“Still the same. The name has changed but I’m still me.”

“That’s not what I meant. Huh- Anyway it’s nice to meet you in a faraway country.”

Yu Gil-jun greeted Seo Jae-pil and then glanced at me.

The look in his eyes is asking why he called Iza here.

“Oh aren’t we going to award scholarships to the first batch of scholarship recipients next week? I’ve called Mr. Philip here to give them some advice then.”

My long-term goal was to get as many Koreans into the medical field as possible.

And Seo Jae-pil was the first Asian doctor.

I invited Lee to the scholarship foundation award ceremony because I thought his experience would be helpful.

When I actually met him I felt a little awkward.

“okay….”

Yu Gil-jun bit his lower lip slightly trailing off.

Then he sat in a corner of the cafe and looked at us as if he wanted to just watch without joining in on the conversation.

‘this….’

Oh it’s so uncomfortable.

One guy seems to envy me while at the same time slightly hates me.

Another one seems to have something to say but is hesitating.

‘You can’t avoid it just because it’s uncomfortable.’

Rather I planned to keep Seo Jae-pil close and analyze what was going on.

Because that suits my personality better.

“It’s time to go home. Oh Doctor Jason. Where did you find a place to sleep?”

“I haven’t found it yet.”

“All the hotels around here collapsed in the earthquake. How about staying at my house until the event?”

Seo Jae-pil who had been thinking for a while nodded his head.

“I can’t help it given the circumstances. I will accept the prince’s offer.”

* * *

After that I spent three days with Seo Jae-pil and talked to Yu Gil-jun again thoroughly analyzing him.

In this way we were able to find out what happened between Seo Jae-pil and King Gojong.

‘Tsk tsk. This biological father is of no help whatsoever except for giving me slush funds.’

Seo Jae-pil was a radical reformist who participated in the Gapsin Coup.

However after the regime change failed King Gojong executed Seo Jae-pil’s entire family on charges of treason.

It is said that Seo Jae-pil barely escaped to the United States during that process.

So it’s not favorable to me.

In his heart he quietly resented King Gojong who was the embodiment of desire.

‘Still… I guess you plan on taking special care of your juniors.’

It must be uncomfortable to see me.

If you’re willing to come all the way to San Francisco.

That one thing is certain.

“Ah. Okay everyone please take your seats.”

Officially today was the first scholarship award ceremony for the Synthetic Association Scholarship Foundation.

A total of ten scholarship recipients gathered here including Syngman Rhee who had already been attending college since last year.

“We will now begin the first Synthetic Association Scholarship Foundation Scholarship Award Ceremony. So first of all….”

The person who looked after society was my close friend Kim Kyu-sik who was loved by the overseas Koreans.

He turned his gaze towards me for a moment.

As promised I was going to speak last not first so I just smiled a little.

“Professor Gudang (Yu Gil-jun). I would like to invite Professor Gudang to this place. Professor Gudang who is over there is the first Korean to study abroad in the United States. Everyone please give a round of applause.”

This is the first scholarship award ceremony but it is being held with a small number of participants.

This is because the host city San Francisco was devastated by a major earthquake and many of the Korean residents were busy trying to rebuild their homes.

However despite these dire circumstances a significant number of people attended this award ceremony.

Is that why?

There was thunderous applause.

“Professor Gudang. Please say a few words for the juniors gathered here.”

Yu Gil-jun who had come up to the podium bowed deeply in greeting.

To whom?

Naturally he greeted me who had provided the majority of the scholarships.

“First I would like to express my gratitude to His Majesty the King and the Korean community in America for allowing me to stand here today.”

When my title was announced applause broke out again.

Seo Jae-pil who was watching from the side closed his eyes slightly and made a thoughtful expression.

“The ten juniors who will receive scholarships today. What do you think about their current situation?”

The young man sitting on the far left answered loudly his voice almost hoarse.

“If studying abroad in the U.S. were likened to a long voyage I would say that I have just set sail.”

Yu Gil-jun nodded.

“You could see it that way. But I think differently. Juniors close your eyes. What do you see?”

The scholarship students answered Yu Gil-jun’s question.

“I can’t see anything.”

“It’s dark.”

Yu Gil-jun answered with a sly smile.

“Yes. That is your future. Such a dark future and many difficulties await you.”

Yu Gil-jun went to study abroad in the United States as a child and was subjected to extreme racial discrimination.

Eventually he gave up his degree and returned to his home country and as if sharing his memories from that time Yu Gil-jun warned the scholarship students to prepare themselves mentally.

“…I will end my advice to the seniors who failed here. Please I hope you don’t do something stupid like my weak past self and give up your studies in the middle. I hope all of you juniors can successfully complete your studies.”

After giving his final remarks Yu Gil-jun came down from the podium.

I exchanged glances with Yu Gil-jun and patted his shoulder.

“You gave me honest but difficult advice. I’m sure everyone here understood it. It was really heartfelt advice. Thank you Udang.”

“No Your Majesty. I am honored to be able to help you even in a small way.”

Kim Kyu-sik quickly called the next speaker up to the podium.

“Next the study… Mr. Philip Jason will be speaking.”

Seo Jae-pil confidently climbed up to the podium.

since.

“How are you everyone? This is Dr. Jason. Nice to meet you.”

As was his usual behavior Seo Jae-pil gave his speech in English.

“I am very happy today because as your senior I can give you some useful advice.”

As I listened to Seo Jae-pil’s speech a person’s face came to mind.

The guy in the back over there is eating a snack and smiling.

The face of Max the youngest of the three Irish brothers flashed through my mind.

‘In a way you could say that he’s stubborn. If you look at him he says what he wants to say without worrying about what other people think.’

He still spoke English.

At an event hosted by the Korean community scholarship foundation.

“…because I can give you some helpful advice.”

Thanks to this Kim Kyu-sik was standing next to Seo Jae-pil a little ways away interpreting his words.

It was a truly ridiculous sight.

“You have come to this land to learn new knowledge. In addition… I understand that many of you intend to settle here and start a new life. Isn’t that right?”

“That’s right Doctor.”

“We will definitely succeed here.”

All of the international students who received the scholarships were able to speak English to some extent.

That is why Kim Kyu-sik responded to Seo Jae-pil’s words before he could translate them.

“That’s a good mindset.”

Seo Jae-pil seemed slightly encouraged by his juniors’ enthusiastic reactions.

He smiled like a father for a long time as if he was looking at his sons.

“Then let me get straight to the point and give you a word of advice.”

Seo Jae-pil’s face hardens.

I guess he’s thinking of giving bitter advice like Yu Gil-jun.

“Once you come to America you must forget everything about the past. Now you must think of yourself as an American. And think of everything in an American way.”

huh?

I tilted my head wondering if I had misheard.

Kim Kyu-sik who was interpreting looked at Seo Jae-pil with a dumbfounded expression and then resumed interpreting.

“Now that you’re in America forget all your past bad habits. You’ve come to America. You have to think like a local to understand the locals.”

Perhaps conscious of the public Kim Kyu-sik translated Seo Jae-pil’s words with a slightly different nuance.

Seo Jae-pil glanced at Kim Kyu-sik.

‘Look at that guy. He looks like he can speak Korean… but he’s pretending not to.’

In fact Seo Jae-pil was only saying the right things.

It is true that in order for international students to adapt to life in the United States they must assimilate into the local culture.

But the nuances that came out of his mouth very subtly bothered me.

‘When I was a student and later worked as a lobbyist… I always saw bananas causing trouble.’

A group of people who look Asian but act like Westerners.

They call them bananas.

‘Korean Americans have no choice but to choose between two options.’

America is a multi-ethnic country but surprisingly people stick together.

White people with white people.

Black people with black people.

Asians are Asians.

‘One is for overseas Koreans to stick together. The other is for them to act like white people.’

It’s not that Seo Jae-pil’s advice was wrong.

The survival method he speaks of is one of the survival methods of minority groups that has been passed down from generation to generation.

But it is also true that it is inconvenient.

This was especially true when we consider that the place where he was giving his speech was where the Korean community was gathered.

But Seo Jae-pil paid no attention and continued to say what he wanted to say.

“Does anyone here eat breakfast?”

Flash-

The scholarship students standing behind raise their hands.

Unlike modern times Joseon people in this era were very active in answering such open-ended questions.

“I don’t eat. I’m embarrassed to say that I sleep in a lot in the mornings…”

When a scholarship student said in a crawling ant-like voice that he did not eat breakfast Seo Jae-pil clicked his tongue.

“Well… nutritionally speaking you should definitely eat breakfast. That way your mind will work more quickly.”

“I will take your advice to heart.”

“Ah… the topic of conversation has strayed a bit. What I want to say to my juniors is this. Instead of Korean food like rice and meat soup eat bread with butter. First change your eating habits to local food. After that change your clothes and hobbies to be like the locals. You have to completely change your way of thinking to survive. This is not a monarchy in the United States. In a democratic society you have to act on your own.”

That’s all correct.

It’s strangely annoying.

Most people don’t know that and seem to think that I’m just giving advice as a senior who has studied abroad.

As someone who pays close attention to every word I felt something strange.

“If you have any advice for me in the future I will be there for you at any time. Just contact me. I will be there at any time.”

Seo Jae-pil’s long speech has ended.

Everyone stands up and claps their hands.

By the way….

Why has that guy Seungman Lee been staring at me all this time?

“Your Majesty the King. Please give your final advice to the scholarship students.”

When Seo Jae-pil sat down I suddenly stood up.

Then unlike before the atmosphere began to heat up even more.

“Your Majesty the King!”

“May you live long and prosper!”

The whole area became noisy.

Kim Kyu-sik worked hard to keep this quiet.

“Ah… Before we begin let me briefly tell you the story that will run through the topic I’m going to talk about today.”

As I stood on the podium it became as quiet as a mouse.

I guess everyone is here to listen to what I have to say.

‘Look carefully Seo Jae-pil.’

I don’t know why you accepted my invitation.

It won’t be easy if you keep harboring vain thoughts.

“The ten scholarship students here.”

I met their eyes and said what I had been keeping in my mind.

It was the exact opposite of what Seo Jae-pil had just said.

“Please do not forget your roots. You are the sons of Joseon. No matter how hard you try this fact will never change.”

< People Investment (4) > End