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go lie in grass with me?

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#Spotify

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I hereby declare that all content utilized on this website and within my account (https://x.com/wiichaewon) does not belong to me personally, but rather serves as part of my portrayal of the character Bambina Mae, utilizing the likeness of Kim Chaewon from LE SSERAFIM. These materials are created solely for roleplaying within the Walker International Institute universe and will not be used in any manner that could harm Chaewon's reputation. Thank you for your attention!

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#Spotify

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Her Story.

Born with the name Kang Bitna, her parents envisioned her sparkling with her own radiance as she grew. But navigating life as a Korean family amidst the sea of white faces in Los Angeles, embarking on a fresh start, well, perhaps Bitna's name would be a bit of a tongue twister.

"How about Bambina? 그녀의 눈은 저 사슴 만화에 나오는 밤비를 닮았다?" her mother proposed, her words echoing with whimsy, while her father nodded in agreement. And so, from the moment she entered the world, she carried with her two names: Kang Bitna, and Bambina Mae-Kang.

Bina had a passion for singing and dancing from a tender age, her parents recounting tales of their daughter swaying to the beat at a mere three years old. They enrolled her in piano lessons, following the familiar path of many Asian parents. While she enjoyed it, she couldn't envision herself pursuing it indefinitely. Thus, she bid adieu to piano once she entered Middle School.

Her melodic voice found its stage at the church several times, earning praise from congregants who marveled at her angelic tones. "Let her audition once she’s older! Look at SNSD now!" one church elder exclaimed, igniting hope in Bina's parents. With smiles, they pledged unwavering support for whatever dreams Bambina held dear, though the realm of K-pop stardom wasn't on the list.

Seeking an outlet for her passion for spirit and dance, Bina gravitated toward cheerleading, drawn to the camaraderie and energy of the team. She scoffed at the portrayal of cheerleaders as vapid mean girls in teen movies, finding her teammates to be vibrant souls who enriched her life, encouraging her to seize every moment.

Bambina is simply a girl craving a life lived to its fullest. Even if it means traversing oceans, turning the page to a new chapter, she embraces the journey with open arms, content with the simple joy of existence.

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- Evelyn Waugh, from Brideshead Revisited (1945)

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Starting Point.

Spring, 2022.

These days, time hasn't been particularly kind to Bambina. Anxiousness threatens to overwhelm her as she incessantly taps the screen of her phone, scrolling through people's Instagram stories. Harvard, Columbia, Yale, UCLA, Northwestern, UPenn, Boston Uni… it seems like everyone from her school has received their acceptance letters and is flaunting them on the platform. Yet Bambina… still nothing. Jealous? Absolutely. Heartbroken? Beyond words.

Bambina wasn't the top student in her class, just average. But she was the captain of her cheerleading team, participated in numerous economics Olympiads, and organized many events. She thought it would be enough.

Bambina blink her eyes fast as there's a knock at her door. "Sweetie, can I come in?" her mom's gentle voice calls out, waiting for a response. "Uh-huh," she half-shouts, allowing the middle-aged woman to enter and sit beside her on the bed.

"아이구… 내 딸… 빛나야…," her mom embraces her, gently patting her head. "I know you're upset. But I hope you don't lose hope, okay?" her mother tells her, tightening the hug. "…but it means…," Bina breaks the hug, trying to hold back tears. "The only hope for me is WII, right? In Seoul…?" she emphasizes the city name, knowing it's a tough decision. "Yeah, Seoul? The city where your dad and I first met," her mother smiles, followed by her daughter's groan, tired of hearing that story.

"Okay, okay. No story-time! But," she playfully hugs her daughter again. "But I can promise you. You'll love the city as your second home. You can also visit your grandparents and our families there more often. And WII is a prestigious private campus there!" she tries to brighten the mood. Bambina decides to just smile; no need to complain or argue at this point.

"So, what time is the admission decision again?" her mother asks. "Um, it should be…," she looks at the clock on the wall, trying to calculate the time difference between Seoul and Los Angeles. "In ten minutes…?" her uncertainty makes the old woman gasp. "WELL what are you waiting for??? Bring your laptop here!!" she tells her daughter, getting excited, the opposite of her daughter's reaction.

It's not that Bambina doesn't want to go to Seoul. It's just… she hates the fact that she'll miss this city, where she was born and raised. She'll miss her parents and baby sister, her friends, her dogs, the places she loves to go… it's hard to leave LA.

Minutes pass, and she keeps refreshing the page, waiting for her application status to update. Then suddenly, a new notification pops up, causing the blood in Bambina's veins to rush. She closes her eyes for a moment, praying for the best result.

"Ready?" her mother asks.

She sighs, shaking her head slightly. "Here we go."

And she clicks.

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And suddenly her screen bursts with confetti and grand orchestral music, as if it's a welcoming anthem.

Her mother screams, ecstatic yet also relieved. She hugs her daughter once more, tighter this time, while Bambina is still processing what's happening.

"OH I NEED TO CALL YOUR FATHER RIGHT NOW!!!" she screams, frantically pressing the screen on her phone to call her husband.

"요보세요? 여보??? 우리 딸이 통과했어! 그녀는 서울에 갈거야! 그녀는 WII에 들어갔다!!!!!!"

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Anna Kamienska, translated by Clare Cavanagh, from A Nest of Quiet: Notebooks

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William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra

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#Spotify

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From the baby days to the gate of her girl-boss day. . .

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Me after putting on my mascara