Pabo

Pabo means “stupid” in Korean. I hear it all the time. The students tease each other, my Korean friends will use it sometimes jokingly, sometimes in earnest.

I had just come home from DongA and I was very excited. I had bought a multi-pack of toothbrushes and there was a game card on the package. I love games. I will enter every sweepstakes that I can get my hands on. And I usually win. Not the Publisher’s Clearing House million dollars type of win, but wins nonetheless. I opened the package of toothbrushes and pulled out the entry form. Oh. It’s all in Korean. Duh. What did I expect. Hmm. But there are pictures of the prizes – a trip to Paris, an electronic thing of some sort, toothbrushes.

I excitedly called Sang Jae. Jobsay-yo… “Hello. Who are youuuuu? Korean girl? Speak English.” What are you doing tonight? “Class, Rori.” When do you finish? “Soon. Why?” I need you to come over and help me with something. It’s very important. “Okay. Later. Bye.”

He arrived a couple of hours later. “What is this so important?” I showed him the package. He stared at me in utter disbelief. I need you to help me with this contest. The entry form is in Korean. Just help me complete it. “Rori. No. Not win. Too many people. No. I will not help.”

I spent the next 20 minutes trying to convince him why he should help me complete the form. I told him about all of the contests I had entered and the prizes I had won. I showed him pictures of the prizes I could win in this contest. I told him he could come to Paris with me. I think, out of sheer desperation to get me to be quiet, he agreed to help me complete the form. Under his breath he muttered, “pa-booooo….”

I sat up straight and stared at him. Ani-o. Nanun pabo-ga ani-ay-yo. He stared back at me in amazement. What? What? “I can’t believe.” What? “You. Your Korean. It’s right. So smart. I will help you now.”

Look out Paris, here I come….