The late summer sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the cozy Seoul apartment you shared with Jung Hoseok. You were curled up on the couch, a book in hand, but your attention kept drifting to Hoseok, who was pacing the living room, phone in hand, his face lit with that contagious smile of his. Even after six months together, that smile still made your heart skip a beat.
“Okay, jagi,” he said, plopping down beside you, his energy practically vibrating. “I’ve got an idea, and you’re gonna love it.”
You raised an eyebrow, closing your book. “Your ideas are either genius or chaos, Hobi. Which one is this?”
He laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Genius, obviously.” He leaned closer, his voice softening. “You know how the guys and I are heading to ‘In the Soop’ for a week? To relax, film some stuff, just vibe in the countryside?”
You nodded, already dreading the thought of him being gone for a whole week. BTS’s retreats to their “In the Soop” hideaway were sacred—a chance for them to escape the chaos of their schedules and just be themselves. You’d watched their previous seasons, marveling at how peaceful it seemed, but the selfish part of you hated the idea of being apart from Hoseok for so long.
“Well,” he continued, his hand finding yours, “I talked to the guys, and they’re totally cool with it. I want you to come with us.”
Your eyes widened. “What? To ‘In the Soop’? With BTS?”
“Yup!” His grin was practically blinding now. “I don’t want to leave you here for a whole week. And honestly, I think you’d love it. The forest, the lake, the quiet—it’s magical. Plus, you’ll get to see me attempt to cook and probably fail spectacularly.”
You laughed, but your mind was racing. Spending a week with Hoseok and the rest of BTS in such an intimate setting? It was a lot to take in. Sure, you’d met the members before—Hoseok had made sure of that early in your relationship—but this was different. This was their space, their escape. Would you be intruding?
As if reading your mind, Hoseok squeezed your hand. “Hey, don’t overthink it. The guys love you. Namjoon’s already talking about showing you his bonsai collection, and Jimin’s dying to team up with you for board games. It’s gonna be fun.”
You bit your lip, a smile creeping onto your face. “You’re sure I won’t be in the way?”
“In the way?” He scoffed, pulling you into his arms. “Jagi, you’re my home. Having you there will make it perfect.”
A week later, you found yourself in a sleek black van, winding through the lush, green hills of South Korea’s countryside. Hoseok sat beside you, his hand resting casually on your knee, humming softly to a melody only he could hear. In the seats ahead, Taehyung and Jungkook were bickering over who got to control the aux cord, while Yoongi, ever the peacemaker, suggested they just let Jin pick the music. Jin, of course, immediately started belting out a dramatic rendition of “Epiphany,” much to everyone’s amusement.
You couldn’t help but laugh, the nervous flutter in your stomach easing. Hoseok caught your eye and winked, his thumb brushing circles on your knee. “See? Told you it’d be fun.”
The van pulled up to a sprawling, modern cabin nestled among towering pines, with a shimmering lake just beyond. The air smelled of fresh earth and cedar, and the quiet was almost startling after the buzz of Seoul. As you stepped out, Hoseok slung an arm around your shoulders, guiding you toward the entrance where the crew was already setting up cameras.
“Welcome to ‘In the Soop,’” he said, his voice warm with pride. “Our little paradise.”
Inside, the cabin was a perfect blend of rustic and modern—wooden beams, plush furniture, and floor-to-ceiling windows that framed the forest outside. The members scattered to claim their rooms, and Hoseok led you to a cozy bedroom with a view of the lake. “This is ours,” he said, setting your bag down with a grin. “Hope you don’t mind sharing with me.”