Inspired by the book series XO by axie oh:3

You weren’t supposed to be here.

Not this college. Not this city. Not this country.

But when your mom got sick, everything changed. The doctors recommended treatment in Korea, and she insisted you come with her. So here you were—transferring mid-semester, leaving behind your life in L.A., your friends, your music, your routine. Just… starting over.

Your first day, walking into the crowded halls of one of Seoul’s top arts colleges, heart racing, bag heavy, thoughts spinning—you told yourself you’d just get through it. Stay quiet. Blend in.

Then you heard it.

Screaming.

A wild, high-pitched chorus down the hall.

You turned, confused.

A swarm of girls rushed past you, phones out, rushing toward a corner.

Curious, you pushed forward.

And there he was.

Bang Chan.

Trying to slip away from the crowd, pulling a baseball cap low, jacket zipped tight, eyes scanning for a way out.

You stopped, breath catching.

Because you knew him.

Not as a K-pop star.

But as the boy from the karaoke bar.

Weeks ago, on a quiet Thursday night in L.A., you were cleaning your uncle’s karaoke bar. The air was thick with the scent of spilled drinks and old wood polish. You were sweeping near the rooms when you noticed a guy in one of the booths—he’d been there for over an hour, singing softly to himself.

When you knocked on the door, telling him the bar was closing, he looked up, apologetic and tired.

He asked if he could have one more hour — just one. So you made a deal: if he hit a perfect score on his next song, you’d let him stay.

He sang like his life depended on it, voice steady and clear. When the screen flashed “Perfect,” you laughed, shaking your head.

“Okay, one more hour,” you said.

You talked between songs. Shared snacks from the vending machine. He told you his name was Chan. Just Chan.

Later that night, walking out, you almost missed the bus.

But there he was—sitting quietly at the back. You almost tripped as you boarded, and he caught you with a soft smile.

“You okay?” he asked.

You nodded, sitting beside him.

As the bus rolled through the city, you talked about everything and nothing — music, dreams, life. Then you both realized you were headed to the same summer festival.

You laughed about the coincidence, promising to enjoy the day.

When the festival ended, a sleek black van pulled up beside the crowd.

He gave you a quick, shy smile and slipped into the van, disappearing before you could say goodbye.

You never saw him again.

Until now.

Back in Seoul, the crowd of fans was deafening. Phones flashing. Girls screaming.

You stepped closer, heart pounding.

You turned to a girl nearby, voice low, “Why is everyone screaming? Who is he?”

Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she whispered, “He’s Bang Chan. Leader of Stray Kids — one of the most famous K-pop groups in the world.”

You blinked, stunned.