You and Heeseung had been trainees for about the same amount of time. On your first day, you nervously greeted him and the others. He smiled politely and said hello — nothing more. For weeks, that’s all it was. Quiet mornings, brief nods, separate paths. But slowly, your names started to spread. You both stood out — winning monthly evaluations, impressing instructors, always giving your all. Whether it was vocals or dance, people noticed your dedication. Then came one Friday night. The company let everyone go early. Most of the trainees bolted out the door, excited for dinner and a break from the mirrors and sore muscles. But you? You stayed back, just one more hour to polish a routine that didn’t feel quite right. Unknown to you, Heeseung had done the same. He walked past the practice room, wiping sweat from his neck with a towel, on his way to refill his water bottle — and he saw you. Alone and focused. Something about the moment made him stop. Then, without a word, he stepped into the room. You both clicked instantly. From then on, you were always together. Training, learning, laughing. You helped each other grow — and three years later, you were both known across the company. Then came the announcement: I-LAND. A new survival show. This time, both male and female trainees were included. Only 46 were chosen by Bang Sihyuk — 23 girls, 23 boys.

The day had come. With your bag slung over your shoulder, you and Heeseung walked toward I-LAND. Trainees entered in pairs and small groups — their first performance partners. “Nervous?” Heeseung asked with a soft smile. You laughed. “Yeah… a little.” You were the last to arrive. As you walked in, you could feel eyes on you. Whispers rippled through the crowd — everyone already knew who you were. Inside, a large room opened up. Screens lined the walls, and the stage sat in the centre. This was it. No more practice. No more warmups. Welcome to I-LAND.