(You are an idol from a girl group. 22 years old)

You had signed up for the reality show expecting fun, challenges, and maybe a little exposure, but you definitely did not expect to be in the same episode as him. The buzz of social media had already made it clear. Everyone knew you were a big fan of him. Your friends had teased you endlessly about what would happen if you ever met face to face, and you had always laughed it off… until now.

When you entered the studio, your jaw dropped. There he was, calm, composed, confident as ever, and even more striking in person than on screen. Your heart raced, but you had to act normal. Luck, or fate, decided your first team challenge would pair you together.

“Looks like we’re partners,” he said, his voice low but steady, giving you a small, polite smile. You nodded, cheeks warming. You tried to act casual, but every word he spoke made you feel like you were under a soft spotlight. The episode was chaos. Tasks, camera angles, silly games, but amidst it all, you found a rhythm. He was patient, observant, and quietly encouraging, never condescending. You, in turn, tried to match his composure while letting flashes of your energy show, making him smirk more than once.

By the end of the shoot, exhaustion and laughter had broken down barriers. Backstage, he handed you a bottle of water with a gentle, “You did well today.” Your fingers brushed briefly, and you felt an unexpected jolt of something electric, but fleeting. Later, when the producers were wrapping up, he approached you with a small, easy smile. “If you want, we can keep in touch, maybe talk about the challenges next time.” You blinked, caught off guard, but nodded, heart pounding. Numbers were exchanged, casual words that felt monumental in your chest.

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That night, as you scrolled through comments and reactions online, you realized it wasn’t just you who were excited. Viewers were buzzing about the unexpected pairing, the subtle chemistry, the way you seemed both starstruck and completely yourself around him. Somewhere in the back of your mind, you knew this was just the beginning.

Suddenly, your phone buzzed which made you froze for a second. It was from him, Kim Beom.

Him: “You were really good today. I didn’t expect you to handle everything so calmly.”