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It was a sunny day in Seoul, when a family of three prepared themselves for a birthday party. The two-storey apartment that fits Vincenzo’s office, a master bedroom, a room for Hye-jin and an Italian inspired kitchen is the place where they are right now.
“Eomma ,” a 5 year old Hye-jin called out. “Are we going to Geumga Plaza right now?”
Chayoung’s lips twitched with an amusing smile, “Ne, Hye-jin ah . Papa is just finishing a business call and the car will be ready anytime soon.”
A little later Vincenzo emerged from his work office, fixing his polo shirt.
“Chayoung-ah, Hye-jin ah , let’s go. Papa’s work call is done.”
And the family of three leaves the house with several gifts placed on Chayoung’s wrists.
Dal-rae turns seven. An enormous party was held at Larry’s dance studio — with Chef Toto's “fake” Italian cuisine of course.
Everything was set into a joyous mood and almost every child (which were most of Dal-Rae’s classmates in elementary) were cheering and clapping in joy. Not to mention the loot bags that were waiting to be received by squealing kids.
Then several games were played. Including the infamous game “Bring me”.
“Bring me…. A diamond earring!” the host announced.
A ton of guests moved ridiculously fast, asking for women like their mothers; an earring.
“ Eomma, y-y-your earring!”, Hye-Jin stuttered.
“Here love,” Chayoung enthusiastically said, unfastening the piece of jewelry from her ear.
But Hye-jin sadly failed from running towards the birthday host and getting a loot bag as a prize.
After a few tries, even the one where they asked for a hundred thousand won. Hye-jin fails miserably.
“Bring me… THE MOST HANDSOME FATHER HERE AT GEUMGA PLAZA!”
Several men were pulled by their sons and daughters towards the host.
Vincenzo was NOT exempted.
“Papa!,” the Italian man was about to shake his head when Hye-jin pulled him even harder.
“Hye-jin ah, I’ll buy you loot bags. What do you want, a Louis Vitton, Chanel or Dior? Just don’t pull me there,” he muttered exasperatedly.
“Ani Papa. I want that loot bag”
“I’ll buy you hundred of that after the party-”
“ Vincenzo-gah , give your daughter a chance. Come on,” Chayoung gave him a quick kiss on his cheeks. “You’ll just stand in front, jagiya .”
“But-”
“Papa, please.” Hye-jin pouted.
“Alright,” Vincenzo sighed heavily.
Four fathers, including Vincenzo, the other is Cheolwook (Dalrae’s father) and two more stood in front of the stage with the words Happy 7th Birthday, Dalrae, engraved on its wall.
“We have four fathers in front, everybody,” at the host’s announcement the crowd cheered.
It made Vincenzo more embarrassed for himself.
“Tell us your name,” the man started. “And your wish for Dal Rae.”
One by one, the fathers introduced their names and their wishes for the birthday girl. Last but definitely not the least was Vincenzo.
“Next we have mister?”
“Cassano.”
“Cassano,” he hummed. “An Italian eh?”
“ Ah ne. Annyeonghaseyo, I’m Vincenzo Cassano and my wish for my goddaughter is a successful life and more birthdays to come,” the former mafia boss smiled.
“But wait, there’s more,” the host smiled slyly.
Dio Mio, Vincenzo cursed inaudibly.
“It’s no challenge for our four fathers without a dance showdown!”
Vincenzo caught the sight of his wife chuckling. As well as the other several Geumga tenants with Hanseo occasionally taking pictures of him.
“The four of them will dance to the song…. BOOM BOOM BY MOMOLAND!”
For the nth time Vincenzo cursed, the crowd cheered heavily.
The men in front took turns until it was FINALLY Vincenzo’s turn.
“Sam, i, il. Music please.”
Give it to you, my nunnunnunnunnunnun nunbich
Ssod-ajineun my teoteoteoteoteoteo teochi
Vincenzo has a recollection of the dance steps and the music itself because of Hye-jin and his wife’s k-pop addiction.
Then he started to sway his hips, too embarrassed to even look at the people.
Nonetheless, the crowd went on cheering him.
Hanappun-in my leobleobleobleobleob, my lover
Nae meolibuteo ppumppum
Nae balkkeutkkaji ppumppum ppumppum eo!
“Go Vincenzo woohoo!”
“That’s our cornsalad!”
"If only your enemies could see this."
“Papa you’re doing great!”
“Jagiya, sway your hands and hips a little more.”
Just feel it, ppumppum
Ne ap-eseo nan ppumppum
Nege julge ppumppum ppumppum eo! (Yeah, ppumppum)
The song ended with Vincenzo’s cheeks reddened.
A small voting session happened. And to no surprise, Hye-jin’s father won.
It was fortunate for the girl to use her father’s (rather poor) dancing skills to win a party loot bag.
Although at the end of the party, Vincenzo muttered an Italian phrase to his daughter, “Non farmi mai ballare davanti a tante persone, Veronica Cassano. A meno che tu non voglia un grande parco giochi per Natale.”
(Never let me dance in front of a lot of people, Veronica Cassano. Unless you don't want a big playground for Christmas)
Veronica Cassano a.k.a Park Hye-Jin smiled at his father widely, “Sì papà. È una promessa.”
(Yes papa. It’s a promise)