The late summer sun filtered through the blinds of your small apartment, casting golden stripes across the cluttered desk where you sat, scrolling aimlessly through your phone. Life had been a whirlwind lately—work, deadlines, and the constant hum of the city that never seemed to quiet. You sighed, your fingers pausing on a video of BTS performing at their latest concert. Kim Taehyung’s boxy smile flashed across the screen, and for a moment, you let yourself daydream. What would it be like to meet him? To see that smile in person?
A notification pinged, snapping you out of your thoughts. It was a direct message on X, from an account you didn’t recognize. Your brow furrowed as you opened it.
@V_Heart93: Hey, I saw your post about BTS. I’m Kim Taehyung. Want to join me and the guys for a getaway?
You laughed out loud, assuming it was a prank. Bots and fake accounts were common, and you weren’t naive enough to fall for one claiming to be the Kim Taehyung. But curiosity got the better of you, and you clicked on the profile. It had a verified badge, millions of followers, and photos you recognized from Taehyung’s official posts. Your heart skipped a beat.
“No way,” you muttered, typing a cautious reply.
You: Nice try, but I’m not falling for this. Prove it’s really you.
A minute later, your phone buzzed again. This time, it was a voice note. You hesitated, then pressed play. A deep, familiar voice filled your ear, laced with amusement.
“Hi, it’s really me, Taehyung. I saw your X post about ‘In The Soop,’ and I thought you’d like to see it for real. The guys and I are heading there tomorrow. No pressure, but… you in?”
Your jaw dropped. You played the message again, then a third time, just to be sure. It was unmistakably him. The warmth in his tone, the slight teasing lilt—it was Taehyung. But why you? Your X post had been a casual rant about how much you loved the serene vibe of In The Soop, how it felt like a dream escape. Had he really seen it?
Before you could overthink it, you typed back, your fingers trembling.
You: If this is real… I’m in. But I still need proof when we meet.
His reply came almost instantly: Deal. I’ll send you the details. Pack light, it’s gonna be chill.
The next morning, you found yourself at a private airstrip just outside the city, clutching a small duffel bag and questioning your sanity. A sleek black van pulled up, and the door slid open to reveal Taehyung himself, his dark hair tousled under a bucket hat, his eyes crinkling as he waved.
“You made it!” he said, hopping out to help with your bag. Up close, he was even more striking—tall, effortlessly stylish in a loose sweater and jeans, his presence both calming and electrifying.
“I still think this is a fever dream,” you admitted, half-joking.
He chuckled, leading you to the van. “You’ll believe it soon enough. Come on, the guys are waiting.”
Inside the van, the other BTS members greeted you with varying degrees of chaos. Jungkook was sprawled across a seat, playing a game on his phone. Jimin flashed a dazzling smile and offered you a snack. Namjoon, ever the leader, asked if you’d traveled okay. Jin cracked a dad joke that made Yoongi groan from under his hoodie. Hoseok’s energy lit up the space as he asked what music you liked. It was surreal, like stepping into a world you’d only seen through a screen.
As the van rolled toward a private jet, Taehyung leaned closer, his voice low. “I hope you’re ready for this. ‘In The Soop’ is our escape, and we don’t invite just anyone.”
“Why me, though?” you asked, unable to hold back the question.
He shrugged, his gaze softening. “Your post… it felt real. Like you get what that place means to us. I thought you’d fit in.”
Your cheeks warmed, and you nodded, unsure what to say. The jet took off, and soon, the city was far below, replaced by a patchwork of green fields and rivers. The flight was short, landing at a small airstrip surrounded by dense forest. From there, a car took you deeper into the countryside, until you arrived at a sprawling wooden house nestled by a lake.