I know this is a stupid question to most people. But before I go on, I want to confess that I am a shy person and all experiences (whether they be lunches, 'dates', and my one relationship) happened because the girl would be very brave and upfront but still kind.
I was raised in Britain but am of Asian descent, and my only relationship was with another Asian girl but from the USA I met on a programme. She initiated and asked me out, otherwise I would probably still have never had a girlfriend. It didn't work out sadly, but I wish her the very best sincerely.
So onto the main topic- I recently settled in Seoul, Korea and I attend a small local church where I made some friends near my age (I am almost 20) and I can understand and speak some Korean. My two best friends in Korea are two of the nicest guy and girl you could ever meet. Yoon and Hana So kind and humble, even the Minister's wife said they are two of the kindest people from the kindest of Korean families which take in disabled and abandoned children.
The girl Hana was kind enough to ask me if I wanted to hang out with her next week the first day we met at Church, so we will probably be visiting one of the palaces in Seoul. A date? Or just a friendly meeting? She said I was 'chae misso' which means 'fun' in Korean I think?
Even though Hana and I share some things in common and are the same age... I was felt attracted to her friend Gyuri instead. Whilst Hana and I were talking a lot at Church lunch, Gyuri was sitting at another table herself having idle chitchat with the younger children at Church. Gyuri seemed very beautiful, and to me gave off the 'hard to ask out' and 'unapproachable' kinda vibe. She seemed quite ostentatious and well dressed for a regular Church girl (earrings, and dyed and styled hair unlike all the other church girls).
Gyuri speaks reasonabe English since she spent a year abroad in Australia. I didn't really speak to her even after a small social gathering after church but according to my guy friend Yoon, Gyuri said 'bye' to me... though I didn't notice it?! Ahhh..
So I spent some more time with Yoon hanging out this week and he seems to know Gyuri reasonably well. She is two years older than me (making her 21 or 22) but despite having that 'cool girl' look, she apparently is very timid and shy according to Yoon?! I was shocked... Since her physical appearance and style seemed to totally opposite to what Yoon said about her. So apparently Gyuri was very timid/shy since young and has been attending that church with Yoon and Hana for around 10 years or more. She currently has not got a boyfriend.
So now I'm meeting up with my friend Hana for a small 'date' or 'hanging out' (I don't know) probably touring around historic sites in Seoul soon... and whilst I don't want to hurt her feelings I would like to eventually ask her if it's ok to introduce me to Gyuri her friend. I don't really know how a lot of dating works in general, especially not in Korea where the custom seems slightly (but importantly) different to how it is in the West.
I just don't want to get it wrong, and don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. I am very interested in Gyuri, I just feel something and being friends for the time being would be great!
Any advice on this situation? And dating/asking out Korean girls in general? It seems that the very forward/direct approach in the West doesn't come across as gentlemanly in Korean culture?
General advice would be great too!
Thanks!