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. :)
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Hope you found the extra cultural notes helpful in understanding the story better!
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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]
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Titles by Nadia Lee
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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
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The Sins Trilogy
Book 1: Sins
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
Book 2: Secrets
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
Book 3: Mercy
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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!