The Billionaire and the Runaway Bride

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The Billionaire and the Runaway Bride Page 37

by Nadia Lee


  Note 3: The Primary Residence

  The primary residence is generally where the parents live with their older son and his family. Other children (younger sons and daughters) live there as well until marriage. Yuna moves out earlier, however. This is allowed / acceptable in modern times.

  Note 4: Banchan

  Banchan is a side dish often served with Korean meals, which come with steamed rice, at least one soup and one type of kimchi and some banchan dishes.

  Banchan can be vegetarian or non-vegetarian. In general, banchan dishes are time-consuming to make. These days, many people buy pre-made banchan from stores.

  In Korean table d’hote, you get 3, 5, 7, 9, or 12 banchans (or cheop) in addition to the soup and kimchi. There is no grilling at the table, like Korean barbecue. This is what Yuna and Declan have when he decides to take her out for Korean food.

  An interesting trivia for you:

  During the last dynasty, Korean kings were served 9 or 12 banchans. Because the attendants and so on ate what he couldn’t eat, the royal kitchen prepared a huge quantity of everything.

  However, when a king was upset with his officials or if there was a famine, he’d order the royal kitchen to prepare only banchans, or even nothing but rice and water (or porridge).

  Since nobody in the palace could eat better than the king, all the officials, the queen, the concubines, attendants and guards had to eat whatever gruel(?) was the royal choice.

  Note 5: Taegyo

  Taegyo is the belief that a pregnant woman should only be exposed to—and have—lovely and moral thoughts, lovely and pure words and things to ensure the best outcome for the baby in her womb.

  Swearing, drinking, smoking, stress, shock, anger, etc. are all considered terrible for taegyo. It’s a staple in Korean romance for a woman to lose her baby due to poor taegyo (mainly from shock and extreme stress).

  Note 6: Food as Gifts

  In Korea, people often give food as gifts. For example, when you visit somebody, you bring a basket of fruit. And the food isn’t limited to just fruit. It can be fish (which made my editors go, “huh?”) and meat. When you’re giving food as a gift, you have to buy the highest grade items. Otherwise, it’s an insult.

  Note 7: The In-Law Conflict

  The in-law conflict can be significant in Korean marriage. It’s usually between a woman and her husband’s mother and/or a woman and her husband’s sister(s). It can be so bad that some married couples divorce over it.

  It can be rather ridiculous and petty because some of the ones you see in popular dramas and books go something like this (Thankfully, I myself have never experienced in-law drama, but I heard it does happen from many people):

  Scenario 1:

  MIL: Did you have breakfast? (meaning: Did you make my son breakfast?)

  DIL: No.

  MIL: (scolds for neglecting the husband and being lazy)

  MIL: Did you have breakfast? (meaning: Did you make my son breakfast?)

  DIL: Yes.

  MIL: What did you make?

  DIL: (lists what she made)

  MIL: My son doesn’t like that kind of stuff. OR It isn’t easy to make them right. (meaning: You did it wrong) OR It’s so bad for you to eat that kind of stuff so early in the morning.

  Scenario 2:

  MIL: Do you know X?

  DIL: Yes.

  MIL: Are you trying to brag how smart you are? Wow.

  MIL: Do you know X?

  DIL: No.

  MIL: How ignorant are you?

  The in-law conflict is so bad that there is a word called Si-World to refer to it. (Si = in-laws on your husband’s side)

  Usually, it isn’t too terrible if the husband and the father-in-law side with the daughter-in-law to prevent the abuse. Unfortunately, not all husbands and fathers-in-law want to get involved.

  (But to be honest, with or without intervention, I don’t see Yuna suffering from any nonsense like this, do you?)

  Note 8: Makjang drama

  The makjang drama is a form of Korean drama that features the following tropes: the secret behind somebody important’s birth, adultery, extreme in-law conflict, love triangle, immoral/ depraved characters and so on.

  Basically, it’s what Koreans consider things you watch while you swear furiously at the screen the entire time but can’t turn away from. Think of it as a kind of outrage porn.

  Note 9: RidiBooks

  It’s one of the most popular e-book stores in Korea for romance novels. They sell both serials and novels. This is also where Yuna buys Korean romance novels.

  (And yes, it’s also where I buy Korean romance novels when I want to read something different.)

  Note 10: The Peerless Man

  It’s what Koreans call a “keyword” or trope. It refers to a man who has a very big you-know-what and the most incredible bedroom technique and stamina. His wealth and status have no bearing on this point.

  I’ve never, ever seen a Korean romance novel without this particular trope. And when I asked on a Korean romance fan site, nobody could come up with one, either.

  Note 11: Anju

  Koreans like to have some snacks / food when they drink. It can be very simple like nuts or dried calamari or bland soup or it can be fancy and expensive like sashimi. It’s completely case-by-case and depends on your budget.

  Note 12: Aga

  It’s one of many possible endearments fathers- and mothers-in-law call their daughters-in-law. It’s an affectionate term, and usually shows a good relationship.

  Note 13: Taemong

  It’s literally a dream you have when you’re either pregnant or about to be pregnant. It’s almost always about something auspicious like dragons, peaches, girin (Korean griffin), tigers, the sun / moon, silver blades, lightning, phoenixes and so on.

  I have no clue how many people really have the dream. But it’s a staple in Korean dramas and novels that people have this dream. Furthermore, some historical records reference taemong. For example, there was a famous Korean general named Kim Yushin. His father dreamed that two stars came to him, and his mother dreamed that a boy in golden armor rode a cloud and came to her.

  Bonus Note 14! Nothing to do with Korea, but… The Very Bossy Engagement

  If you’ve been reading my books for a while, you might’ve recognized this title. It’s actually a romance novel written by Emily, the heroine from Flirting with the Rock Star Next Door [US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia]. Check it out if you want to read her story. :)

  ——

  Hope you found the extra cultural notes helpful in understanding the story better!

  In case you missed it earlier, if you’d like a special bonus epilogue featuring more of Yuna and Declan, join my VIP List at http://www.nadialee.net/vip to get an exclusive launch-week epilogue. You’ll also receive other extras, sneak peeks, new book announcements, sales information and more!

  Now that you are finished with The Billionaire and the Runaway Bride, you might be thinking, Hey, I really want to know more about Yuna’s awesome friends!

  Then check out the following stories (in chronological order):

  Ryder and Paige:

  A Hollywood Deal [US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia]

  A Hollywood Bride [US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia]

  Ivy and Tony:

  Sins [US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia]

  Secrets [US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia]

  Mercy [US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia]

  Court and Pascal:

  Stealing the Bride [US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia]

  Nate and Evie:

  Marrying My Billionaire Boss [US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia]

  Kim and Wyatt:

  Faking It with the Frenemy [US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia]

  Edgar and Jo:

  Marrying My Billionaire Hookup [US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia]

  If you loved The Billionaire and the Runaway Bride, can you leave a short review on Amazon? It can help other readers discover and e
njoy the book as well! Thank you!

  Want to stalk me and see what I’m up to next? Find me at:

  Website: nadialee.net

  VIP List (newsletter): nadialee.net/vip

  VIP Hangout (reader group): facebook.com/groups/nadialee

  Facebook: facebook.com/nadialeewrites

  Instagram: instagram.com/nadialeewrites

  Titles by Nadia Lee

  If you want to receive notices about my latest books, please join my VIP List at www.nadialee.net/vip!

  ——

  Standalone Titles

  The Billionaire and the Runaway Bride

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Flirting with the Rock Star Next Door

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Mister Fake Fiancé

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Marrying My Billionaire Hookup

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Faking It with the Frenemy

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Marrying My Billionaire Boss

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Stealing the Bride

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  ——

  The Sins Trilogy

  Book 1: Sins

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Book 2: Secrets

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Book 3: Mercy

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  ——

  The Billionaire’s Claim Duet

  Book 1: Obsession

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Book 2: Redemption

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  ——

  Sweet Darlings Inc. Series

  Book 1: That Man Next Door

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Book 2: That Sexy Stranger

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Book 3: That Wild Player

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  ——

  Billionaires’ Brides of Convenience Series

  Book 1: A Hollywood Deal

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Book 2: A Hollywood Bride

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Book 3: An Improper Deal

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Book 4: An Improper Bride

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Book 5: An Improper Ever After

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Book 6: An Unlikely Deal

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Book 7: An Unlikely Bride

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Book 8: A Final Deal

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  ——

  The Pryce Family Series

  Book 1: The Billionaire’s Counterfeit Girlfriend

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Book 2: The Billionaire’s Inconvenient Obsession

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Book 3: The Billionaire’s Secret Wife

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Book 4: The Billionaire’s Forgotten Fiancée

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Book 5: The Billionaire’s Forbidden Desire

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Book 6: The Billionaire’s Holiday Bride

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  ——

  Seduced by the Billionaire Series

  Book 1: The Billionaire’s Revenge

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Book 2: The Billionaire’s Pursuit

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Book 3: The Billionaire’s Baby

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Book 3.5: The Millionaire’s Crush

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Book 4: The Billionaire’s Secret

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  Book 5: The Billionaire’s Scandal

  US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia

  ——

  If you want to receive notices about my latest books, please join my VIP List at www.nadialee.net/vip!

  About Nadia Lee

  New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Nadia Lee writes sexy, emotional contemporary romance. Born with a love for excellent food, travel and adventure, she has lived in four different countries, kissed stingrays, been bitten by a shark, ridden an elephant and petted tigers.

  Currently, she shares a condo overlooking a small river and sakura trees in Japan with her husband and son. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading books by her favorite authors or planning another trip.

  To learn more about Nadia and her projects, please visit www.nadialee.net. To receive news about Nadia’s upcoming releases, sales and promotions, giveaways, exclusive epilogues, bonus scenes and more, join her VIP List at www.nadialee.net/vip!

 

 

 


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