Haejun & Sae Hoon
Wedding Party
Shoshi Preuss
Maid of Honor
Shoshi and I lived in the same freshman dorm. The best part? We only lived two doors down from each other! Thinking back now, I am so grateful that we did because I did not like 90% of our dorm mates... After that, we went through everything together. From freshmen year to sorority recruitment to relationship problems and so much more in between. Any time I needed someone to talk to, I knew I could always call Shoshi for help. Although 4 years have passed since graduation and we both suck at texting, I still feel like we're only two doors away.
Cindy Chung
Best One
Sometimes a brother, sometimes a sister, sometimes a drinking buddy, sometimes my teacher, all times the one I reach out to. This friendship was tempered while we spent 5 days a week, 12 hours a day in USC together and while we worked through many challenges and celebrations. She knew what I went through and always looked out for me when she had so much on her own plate too. We may be of different gender but the frequency is always in harmony whenever we study, work, complain, and even party. If I were to drink and talk all night till sunrise, Cindy would probably be the one.
Siri Chillara
Matron of Honor
Siri and I met at freshmen year tennis club try-outs. I was so intimidated by her confidence and skills that I immediately shied away. Our paths crossed again when Shoshi decided that we should all be friends. Gradually, the three of us became besties! I always thought that she was too cool for me in so many ways - majoring in Chemical Engineering, working at a farm on the side, going to an internship in Israel. All the while, she still had time for her friends and showed her support when I needed it the most. Even after years of distance after college, I always know I can count on her for honesty, love, and advice.
Ben Shin
Groomsman
To a man, manhood is what defines the person yet it is very difficult to enter. To me, Ben is the partner whom I entered the manhood with. We've been friends since freshman year at the University of Rochester and did lots of fun, dumb, crazy things together to a point that we woke up to see each other in trunks every morning as roommates and ended up in the same major. He's the guy that who knows all my college crushes, who I walked into club for the first time with, who I would get drunk on campus with, and who I would always fly to if I'm called.
Palak Patel
Bridesmaid
I met Palak during freshmen year orientation for student council. I took up some courage to ask her a question after the presentation and then didn't see her again for months. Then in the spring of my freshmen year, I ended up joining the Chi Omega sorority. But little did I know that Palak was in the same sorority! We became an inseparable big and little duo always talking about Korean dramas and K-pop. Palak truly became a big sister I never had and showed me how to become a leader and push through tough times while still having a great time. I can't thank her enough for shaping my young adulthood in college.
HK Choi
Groomsman
They say friendship is the food for your soul. HK is my chef who can fill up my stomach and soul both. Jokes aside, HK has always been my friend who was never a meddler or nosy big voice in my life, but rather surprisingly the biggest supporter and believer. He's that one guy who I can randomly call or text and replies right away and is willing to do anything. The go-to friend that everybody wishes for. Ever since our first encounter in middle school in the Philippines, we've been together in many parts of the world, and it still feels like we are just together in the neighborhood.
Rajpreet Kaur
Bridesmaid
Preet was the first friend I ever made when I moved to Cincinnati for grad school. I remember meeting her for the first time in our quantum physics class and I was incredibly intimidated by her confidence in both herself and physics. I conjured up the courage to ask where she lived, and we happened to live on the same street! We walked home together and since that day we became best friends experiencing ups and downs of life and physics problems together.
Jeff Liu
Groomsman
When I'm stuck with life choices, in need of inspiration, and seeking motivation, there is one person I always reach out to first, Jeff. Ever since we met in Rochester in 2011, Jeff has always been that guy who broke me out of my shell and helped me see the world from a bigger perspective even though he does not seem to realize it. Jeff's boundless chillness and admirable decisiveness really make every moment with him not only precious but also great inspiring memories that I could never forget. Sometimes they are too crazy. Sae Hoon cannot be Sae Hoon right now without Jeff.
Mercede Chenault
Bridesmaid
Mercede and I met at University of Cincinnati tennis club. We instantly became friends when we decided to grab margaritas together. After that, she basically adopted me into her friend group and I can't thank her enough for that. We share love of drinking, dancing out in public, and eating way more than our bodies can handle. Without realizing it, Mercede became one of my best friends. Cincinnati would not have been the same without Mercede.
Taehoon Kim
Groomsman
This is the guy I prayed for when I was five and was gifted by heaven... or the greatest prankster of the world. I asked for the sweetest, kindest, loving, and caring brother and he got all of those traits in a real unexpectable way. Regardless of all the hardships and spankings, I endured as an older brother, this guy is the one who completes the most important day of my life. No matter how far we are apart and how much time we don't get to spend as siblings as normal families do, I know for sure that he loves me, thinks of me, and debates on how to ask me to get him things.