In that moment, all your concern was focused on your husband, Choi Seung-hyun, T.O.P to the world, but simply your Seung-hyun at home. Sitting on the living room couch, under the warm, soft glow of the lamp, he held a thick stack of papers between his long fingers: the script for the new season of Squid Game.

His eyes moved across the pages with an intensity that tightened your chest. Every subtle change in his expression, every hint of tension in his jaw.

“Are you okay, Tabi?” you asked softly, stepping close enough that your thigh brushed against his. His brows were furrowed, all his focus swallowed by the script.

He didn’t answer immediately. He only let out a slow, deep sigh, as if trying to silence something inside himself. You knew he had received an offer from the director, but you had no idea what kind of role they would give him certainly not that one.

At last, with a sigh so deep it seemed to empty him completely, he handed you the pages without saying a word.

Your stomach twisted. With anxious fingers, you took the script and began to read. It took less than a minute just a few paragraphs for the reality to hit you like a bucket of cold water.

“This has to be a joke…” you whispered, eyes wide. “They know everything you went through… they know, right?”

The character’s name was Choi Su-bong, nicknamed Thanos, a washed-up rapper addicted to drugs. Clearly, an obvious satire of Seung-hyun’s past.

He said nothing. He only gave a small, tense nod.

It was obvious. They knew. Everyone knew. The scandal involving Seung-hyun’s marijuana use, years ago, spread like wildfire across South Korea. After all, he wasn’t just any idol he was one of the most influential names in rap within K-pop. Public outrage came quickly and mercilessly. The pressure, the shame and the endless criticism affected him deeply. He stepped away from the spotlight and decided to leave the group he had been part of since his teenage years, BIGBANG, distancing himself even from his closest friends.

“Whatever it is,” he finally murmured, his voice low but firm, “I’m going to accept it anyway.” he said, shrugging.

You swallowed hard. Of course you would always support him, unconditionally. But the fear persisted: the fear of seeing him hated again like before. Taking on this role could bring countless consequences. Reliving such a painful chapter of his life could reopen wounds that had barely healed.

“Are you sure?” you whispered. You didn’t even try to hide the tremble in your voice.

“Don’t worry about me, jagi.” His hand slid to your knee, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I really am okay. It’s a good role. And honestly… I’ve been inactive for too long. Coming back like this-” He paused, his lips curling into a small smile. “It’s going to be impactful."