Recently I learned how much happiness Italian gelato brings, as a result of which I made it a habit to visit a gelato shop to eat a cup of gelato. Today I visited the one I had visited two days ago. I saw a lady standing before the rounding container partitioned for gelati with different flavors and a lady sitting on a long chair who apparently just dug in colorful lumps of gelato in corn. I assumed the latter lady was a customer but when I entered the shop it turned out that she was another salesclerk. It was rainy today and there was no other customer than me, which was unlike the crowdedness I had witnessed in the same place two days before. I ordered and received a cup of gelato with combination of chocolate and milk flavors, and then sat on the other end of the long chair than she had sat on. The lady who dealt with my order came beside the lady eating the gelato in corn and talked to me, asking in Italian where I am from and if I am on a vacation. I answered that I’m from South Korea and I’m a student here. Then, hearing my answer, she began to search for the national anthem of Korea by her cell phone, found it and played it back! How surreal it was that the national anthem of Korea filled the tiny Italian gelato shop with the two Italian ladies and me! But, what happened next was even more surprising. After the anthem finished, I heard sound which I was sure I was familiar with from her cell phone. When the introduction was over, I noticed… that it was “The Boys” by Girls’ Generation! The two ladies were slightly moving their bodies and humming in accordance with the cool and beautiful melody by the famous K-POP idol group while I hadn’t got what I should’ve done with the cup of gelato in my hand. One of them asked me if I could dance. Although I answered I couldn’t, I was feeling the situation nicer and nicer and at last tried to imitate some parts of the choreography and song, which I had known through the YouTube PV. In fact, it was only recently that I had got to know and like the song, which made me consider that it was such a fortunate opportunity to enjoy! When “The Boys” finished, I stood up out of the chair and said “I’m going” and tried to make greetings. Then, another song began. It was “Oh!” by Girls’ Generation again! I happened to know the song too. I had no hesitation in abandoning the idea to leave immediately and ended up in humming and dancing standing up in turn with them in accordance with “Oh!”, the very cute girlish hit song. Fortunately, I could partly remember the Korean version lyrics and choreography, though I had no choice but to cheat them by using the Japanese version lyrics for some parts. In addition, while we were playing the song, they kindly even gave me a spoon of gelato with a strawberry flavor. When the final part was performed successfully that way, one of them said “Bravo!” and I said “Bravissimo!”. I really enjoyed the unexpected event and felt so happy.
    What should be noted is that the two simpatico ladies were supposed to BE ON DUTY (職務中) throughout the time they shared with me, a customer, when no other customers showed up till the end. It was such a fantastic and amusing experience that I could never have in Japan, which feels fairly common in Italy. A gelato shop easily changed into a music hall. I said “I’ll come again” twice, and finally left the shop. The gelato was as delicious as ever, although it clearly failed to be the main point of the visit this time! I’d dance and sing better next time! I will make frequentation to you for three years of my study here anyway~~♡

Girls' Generation 소녀시대 'The Boys' MV (KOR Ver.)

GIRLS`GENERATION 少女時代_Oh!_Music Video