contributed by Iyan (email: iyanidris@yahoo.co.uk)

BEFORE HOTELIER: An encounter with a British Frank Shin
I spent 3 years studying in London. Andre, my dormitory manager, is the first handsome guy in London who caught my attention. He was a senior pursuing PhD in Law. We see him as a perfect gentleman, a smart student and a proficient manager. One thing lacking - he is so serious with his work & studies that we didn’t ever see him smile or laugh. Even in his hospitability in welcoming us to his dorm, he only gave us a professional manager grin and nod, assuring us as new residents and that we will be well taken care of.
All the girls in the dorm fell for Andre, including my flat mates, Rachel (who is Irish) and Daphne (who is Greek). I had to admit that I am not exempted. Rachel claimed that she is more compatible with Andre since he is also Irish.
Of course, we discarded her statement. There was a secret bet among the girls in the dorm about who could make him smile first. Although it was interesting, I chose to be his silent admirer. Meanwhile, I was very amused by my flat mates’ efforts.
They could always find good reasons to talk to Andre and even succeeded to make him come up to our flat to check things out (dorm related of course). They made such silly excuses. Sometimes they would even turn off the heater or the temperature control, and then complained that the heater wasn’t working properly etc etc. I felt sorry for Andre. However, we still didn’t see his smile, even when we passed by each other everyday and said "Hi" in the lobby.
During that first year stay in the dorm, I kept my flat mates complying with a timetable of weekly chores. They complained that I am worse than their mothers, but I always argued that it would be more comfortable studying in a clean place. It turned out that there is a good side out of my strictness afterall. One day, Andre turned up in front of our door. We were frozen by this unexpected moment, and couldn’t say a word until he stated his intention of checking out something. Relating his calmness to our shock gesture, I guessed he got used to girls’ reaction like ours.
He checked our boilers when he noticed that our flat was spotless. “This is the cleanest flat in the building. Who started the idea of the timetable in the kitchen?” Rachel and Daphne pointed at me. He then looked at me and said, "I remember you. You were very persistent about not sharing a flat with a guy. I guess you like this one, right? No complaints anymore?” I nodded and shook my head.
He was walking towards the door when suddenly he turned around, gave me a teasing smile and said, “And you followed me to the bus stop on your first day to the university, right? I knew you didn’t understand my instruction. Why didn’t you ask again? I’d be happy to explain it to you or take you there. Take care.”
I think my face at the time was as red as a boiled crab or a Brighton red apple. We couldn’t say a word until he disappeared into the lift. OMG! He knew I followed him. That's so embarrassing, but there was another thing that shocked us more. I got him to smile! I looked at Rachel & Daphne and screamed, "I won the bet!". We spent that night arguing about Andre and the bet. They said Andre’s smile for me didn’t count because I had not taken part in the bet. We were joking and laughing all night. Most of the time, they teased and hated me for being so
lucky.
Later that night, in my room, I remembered his words about rejecting a flat and following him to the university. How could he remember all those? It had been half a year already. Six months ago, when I arrived in London, I went straight from Heathrow Airport to the dorm. Andre showed me a flat (which I rejected) since I would be sharing it with a German guy. Andre didn’t understand why I wanted another flat until I explained it to him from the Asian cultural point of view. Afterwards, he took me to the second flat, and this was the one I wound up sharing the whole year with Rachel and Daphne. We became good friends instantly.
About the fact that he knew I was following him, I didn’t know he was aware of it! Because I had been very careful. It was the first time I went to the university. Since I didn’t know where to catch a bus, I asked Andre. He told me the bus number and gave me direction of where the bus stop is located. However, his Irish accent was difficult for a new student like me. I pretended to understand him anyway. While I was looking for the bus stop, I suddenly saw Andre walking out from the dorm. I followed him from what I thought is a safe distance. Just as I predict, he took the bus to the university. Then I took the next bus. I fell asleep that night with a plan that I would not do anything that embarrassing again. I didn’t expect that something worse was about to happen.
After the day Andre came by to check our boilers, Rachel and Daphne still teased me a lot. I guessed they were just jealous, but I asked them not to tell other girls in the dorm that the bet was broken. Let them think that the bet was still on. Rachel and Daphne agreed. However, I changed a bit since then. Andre gave me a more contented campus life and I look at him with more interest, even still in silence.
One day, I passed by his office in the dorm lobby after school. I saw Andre was working seriously on his computer, sometimes answering the phone calls. I pushed the lift button and took out my flat key. While waiting for the lift, I was still so engrossed with Andre that I didn’t notice that the door lift was opened. A big guy came out of the lift in a hurry and accidentally knocked me over. I lost my balance and the keys were thrown and slipped through the gap between the lift and the floor. The keys fell under the lift. OMG! I panicked!! The big guy apologized and explained that he was late for his class. Then he called for Andre.
Andre came running and enquired abt the situation. Other students approached usÿ. OMG, it was so embarrassing. What should I do? He would think I was the clumsiest girl he ever met. From the look on his face, I knew it was not a good sign. He was mumbling, more like talking to himself, “How on earth am I going to get the keys out of there? They will have to disband the lift in order to get under it. Jesus Christ!”
Can you imagine how I felt listening to his words? I could never forget that embarrassing moment. I prefer to disappear into the deepest part of earth than looking into his eyes. Then he turned at me and said, “I may not be able to get the keys out today. The repair guys will come tomorrow. I’ll give you a spare key to enter your flat and room.” I nodded quietly.
I went up to my flat and relate the story to Rachel and Daphne. They were shocked. I felt like crying. I was really embarrassed and felt so stupid. They tried to cheer me up. Daphne boiled some water to make me some hot coco. Rachel offered to cook lamb chop. I knew she was trying hard to comfort me because lamb chop was a special dish on Saturday in Irish custom, and that was not a Saturday. I refused politely because I wasn’t hungry because of the incident. Of course, I didn’t tell her that the other reason was I couldn’t stand the smell of lamb meat, even Daphne put on a disagreeing face and prepare to open all windows like what she do every Saturday. Rachel was disappointed. To console her, I asked for some pasta (the only simple cooking Rachel is good at).
Two hours later, we were still talking about the incident in the kitchen after dinner. Someone knocked our door. Surprisingly, it was Andre. He said that he managed to get the lift repair guy to come by immediately since he said it was an emergency.
Andre said, “Hi. Here are your keys. Please be careful next time. May I have my set back?” I gave him back his keys, and before he left, I said, “Andre, thank you. I’m sorry for the trouble I caused you. It was an accident." Then he said again, “I know. Don’t worry about it." He game me his dashing smile and went into the lift.
Rachel and Daphne were standing behind me the whole time. They were shocked. OMG! Andre didn’t get mad at all. Instead, he tried hard to solve the problem instantaneously. We jumped and laughed happily. They said that they couldn’t think of a better way to catch his attention than what I just did. They even accused me of doing that stupid thing on purpose. Of course not, why would I make a fool of myself in front of him? I wanted him to think of me as a clever girl, not a dumb and clumsy girl.
We talked and laughed all night. But I told them not to spread around gossip, because if other girls found out about it, it would be embarrassing since he only smiled. It is not something like he love me or even to that. There was nothing to brag about. Rachel and Daphne agreed, but they were so happy witnessing Andre's smile. He looked very charismatic and soooooo handsome.
From the girls’ chat, Andre remained a mysterious, serious guy, with no smile, cold and is always strict with the university dorm rules. Students who were appointed as dorm managers get free room and board, but they must deal with all kinds of problems from hundreds of students living in the dormitory. With Andre’s good managerial skills, previous students’ respect and recommendation, the university had appointed him as our dorm manager two years in a row. No student ever got appointed twice, and Andre was famous amongst other dorm managers. When I moved in, it was his second year as dorm manager.
However, the next months were our busiest time with assignments, exams etc. I heard Andre gave away the manager position to other PhD student, because he was facing final exam, and he needed to concentrate in his final year. We didn’t hear about him ever since. Andre, the dorm manager, his image and smile remain to stay in my heart & memory.

AFTER HOTELIER: Became a fanatic collector
Back home from UK, I didn’t know when the K-Drama fever began to spread...

My first & second K-Drama
A friend lent me ‘Autumn Tale, which was my first K-Drama. It was too sad and tragic for me, but all of lead casts were good looking and songs are beautiful. Second K-Drama was‘All About Eve’. K-Drama began to get my attention. ‘All About Eve’ had an interesting story line, good looking casts & .. shooting location in London attracted me the most.

My third K-Drama
I began to feel addicted to K-Drama and asked my friend to lend me another set. She mentioned several names, but recommended ‘Hotelier’. I didn’t want it, because I thought it was called ‘Hotel Liar’. What kind of drama that tells lies and using it as its title? I certainly wanted other drama, but she insisted. As there is no other choice.. OK, ‘Hotel Liar’ it isÿÿ When the VCD was in my hand, there was no Episode 1 & 2.
I called my friend in anger,”How can I watch a drama series from the middle to the end and have to start from the beginning again? And heyÿthis is not ‘Hotel Liar’, it’s ‘Hotelier’. You pronounced it wrongly”. My friend apologized and promised to locate the 1st & 2nd episode from previous borrower. So, I watched Hotelier from Episode 3 - when Jin-yeong was deserted by Han Tae-jun and hitchhiked Frank’s Limo to LA.
Watching from Episode 3, of course, a lot of questions emerged in my mind. Who is this woman? She’s not so prettyÿ but wow..the man in the Limo with sunglasses is handsome. Who is he? Who is the man in the red Cadillac? How?ÿWhy? ÿhmmm must be in Episode 1 or 2ÿthen another Who is this?ÿ OhÿI got it..it’s about Hotel as workplace and all problems around it. Ah..yes, Hotelier means Hotel Staff something like thatÿ
I finished watching from Episode 3-20 in less than 2 days. I didn’t miss a single scene because every time I did something or went somewhere, I paused or stopped and re-winded a little. After watching it for the first timeÿ I let out a big sighÿ Every aspect of this particular drama: the setting, the casts, the script, the story line, the director, the acting skills and how they interacted ÿ only one word could describe them allÿPERFECTÿ
The love story between Frank Shin & Jin-yeong is beautiful and logical. Logical means it is acceptable, makes sense and close to reality. It showed the process of Jin-yeong’s change of heart from Han Tae-jun to Frank. Even though it was Tae-jun who was inJin-yeong’s heart initally. Later, with Frank’s love, sincere heart, perfect timing and method, he won Jin-yeong’s heart. Han Tae-jun made a choice of dedicating his life to the hotel. Perfect drama doesn’t mean one must end up with the first love. People do change and must make a choice for a better future, whether it’s in life or love.
Only by watching it twice (still minus Episode 1 & 2), I’ve already got a list and a table of favourite scenes mapping. I also wrote my own ‘Hotelier’ synopsis. I re-watched it from Episode 3 to 20 and repeated the favourite scenes before returning it to my friend. I asked my friend to buy one set of Hotelier VCD for me, and finally I watched the Episode 1 & 2. ‘Hotelier’ was my first set of K-Drama in my collection. After re-watching it again and again, the set got a lot of scratches on them, so I bought another set of ‘Hotelier’ VCD.

Other K-Dramas
The K-Drama addiction continued. After ‘Hotelier’, I’ve watched many K-Dramas, but none of them came even near to the perfectness of ‘Hotelier’. My admiration for Bae Yong-joon was not there when I watched ‘Winter Sonata’. Other K-Dramas that were worth collecting were ‘All About Eve’ & ‘Medical Brother’, both starred by Jang Dong-gun.

Became a Hotelier-related collector
My ‘Hotelier’ fever didn’t stop there. When I found there was VCD of ‘Director’s Cut & NG of Winter Sonata’, my instincts started working. There must be one on ‘Hotelier’. The hunting began and contacts were promptly made. Local VCD stores, distributor companies of K-Drama, friends, patients, Korean people that I accidentally met etc. Spreading the contacts, browsing webs through search engines, found some Hotelier-related websites, sending email to MBC and many people in Hotelier websites.
Having a huge collection of pictures, 2 sets of VCD and OST CD didn’t satisfy me. I still wanted the making of ‘Hotelier’, and all the pictures of behind-the-scene that showed that the making of ‘Hotelier’ video clip. Finally I crashed into Hotelier2002 website, and found what I have been looking for. Someone who was recommended by the webmaster to help me with my search had become my daily contact for half a year with nothing else to talk about except Hotelier-related movie clips, flashes, music videos etc. It has been almost a year and we’re still hunting some movie clips from all Hotelier webs available and made a very long list.
The Hotelier2002 webmaster had an opinion about me being as a fanatic Hotelier-related material collector:
"ÿ a collector... an expert who know what is around for hotelier materialsÿfor that, there is not a lot to choose fromÿ we decided to go for the crazy one... maybe Iyan is more crazy than I realized...”
Well, I’m considered to be 'crazier' in collecting Hotelier-related materials than others. The truth is, I am never a collector of anything, until I met ‘Hotelier’.

Andre & me VERSUS Frank Shin & Jin-yeong
Franks Shin is good looking and serious about his work, but he never smiled except whenever he is with Jin-yeong. While Jin-yeong is kind-hearted, dedicated to hotel work, but also clumsy.
Looking back now, recalling the moments I met Andre, the dorm manager, in the UK. There was some resemblance between Frank-Jin-yeong and Andre-me. I think Andre is a "Frank Shin" type of guy. He had a very serious look, good looking, and he never smiled while he was dealing with work related matters. However, he smiled at me twice when I did embarrassing and clumsy things.
When Andre managed to get my keys out from under the lift and returned them to me, he held the keys up to me just like the way Frank Shin held the keys, dangling them, showing Jin-yeong that she had forgotten to take the keys from him after he opened the door. Of course Andre didn’t attempt to kiss me like Frank did to Jin Yeong.
The difference between Frank-Jin-yeong and Andre-me is - there is a real love relationship between Frank-Jin-yeong, but with Andre and me, Andre only smiled at me. That’s it. There was no special relationship between us, just normal conversations between a manager who got amused with one of his dorm resident’s clumsiness. However, I still remember his image and dashing smiles for me.
I understand now why I fell in love with Frank Shin when I first watched ‘Hotelier’. I felt like I met someone like him before. The image of Andre is still with me, and he only smiled at me like the way Frank only smiled to Jin-yeong. Andre is my Frank Shin. He is a "British Frank Shin".