The next day, I'm seated in a sleek black car, heading to an exclusive restaurant in Gangnam. Seonho's idea, of course. He insists on picking me up, and I don't argue. As we drive, he chats animatedly about his day, filling the car with his easygoing energy.
We pull up to the restaurant, and I instantly recognize it. It's one of those places idols frequent when they want privacy. The kind of place you only get into if you have connections or a hefty bank account. The garden attached to it is famous for its serene beauty, a hidden oasis in the bustling city.
Seonho opens my door and offers his hand. "Ready for some privacy?"
I laugh and take his hand, stepping out of the car. "I didn't take you for someone who frequents places like this."
He grins, leading me inside. "I don't. But I've always wanted to come here with someone special."
We're seated in a secluded corner of the garden, surrounded by lush greenery and blooming flowers. The air is fragrant with the scent of jasmine and roses. It's almost surreal how peaceful it is compared to the chaos outside.
A waiter approaches with menus, and Seonho waves him off with a casual flick of his wrist. "We'll have the chef's special," he says, without even glancing at the menu.
I raise an eyebrow at him once the waiter leaves. "You have an unreasonable amount of confidence that you know what I'll like."
He grins, leaning back in his chair. "Trust me, it's worth it."
As we wait for our food, I can't help but bring up what's been on my mind since he mentioned this place. "You know," I start, swirling my water glass absently, "this place is pretty popular among idols who want to keep their relationships under wraps."
Seonho tilts his head, looking at me with genuine curiosity. "Is it?"
"Yeah," I say slowly, watching his reaction closely. "You've never been here before?"
He shakes his head. "Nope."
That surprises me more than I care to admit. I know he has celebrity exes. He's dated plenty of other idols, though of course I never spoke with them personally.
"Really?" I ask, unable to hide my skepticism.
He nods, his expression earnest. "Really."
"But you've dated other idols before," I point out gently.
He smiles ruefully and shrugs. "Yeah, but I never bring them to the same place twice."
"Why not?" I ask, genuinely curious now.
He leans forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table. "Because I like everyone I date to feel special," he says simply.
His words hang in the air between us, heavy with sincerity. For a moment, I'm at a loss for what to say.
"You mean that?" My voice comes out softer than I intended.
"I do," he replies firmly. "Everyone deserves their own unique experience."
I'm touched by his honesty and the thoughtfulness behind his actions. Men these days seem to make the least amount of effort possible. Dates are practically routine. Rinse and repeat. I'm caught off guard by his thoughtfulness.
Our food arrives then—an array of beautifully plated dishes that look almost too good to eat—and we dig in with gusto.
Seonho charms me a little more than I expected. I lean back in my chair, studying him. "You know, you're full of surprises."
He laughs, the sound warm and genuine. "Can't have all my secrets out there, can I?"
I take a sip of my water, trying to gather my thoughts. "Then what do you do when you're not in the public eye? What does the non-superstar Seonho like?"
He leans back, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Where to start? Uh, I like to read."
"Read?" I echo, surprised. "Read what?"
"Anything and everything," he says with a grin. "But I have a soft spot for classic literature and philosophy. Psychology, history, even the occasional romance."
I raise an eyebrow. "Romance? Really?"
He grins mischievously. "They're full of great tips."
I laugh, but I'm intrigued now more than ever. "Who's your favorite philosopher?"
"Nietzsche," he replies without hesitation. "His ideas about individualism and self-overcoming really resonate with me."
I smile, a little awed. "You're deeper than you let on, Seonho."
He shrugs modestly. "I need to keep my mind busy. One thing about this job is that it makes you restless. Whenever I have downtime now, it makes me anxious."
"I get that," I murmur, my mind racing with new questions. "And is that all?"
He smiles broadly, eyes sparkling. "No, actually, I like to have a lot going on. Recently, I took a few painting classes to work on my basics."
"Painting?" I ask, genuinely surprised again.
"Yeah," he says, looking slightly embarrassed now. "It's a good way to relax and express myself when words don't quite cut it."
"I'd love to see your work sometime," I say earnestly.
"I'd be happy to show you," he replies with a smile.
We continue talking as we eat, the conversation flowing easily between us. I learn that Seonho loves music—not just listening to it, but playing it too.
"What instruments do you play?" I ask, genuinely curious.
"A few," he admits modestly. "Piano, guitar, and violin, mainly."
"Jesus," I whistle. "You really do keep busy."
He grins sheepishly. "I've always loved learning new things and pursuing knowledge wherever I can find it."
I'm captivated by this side of him—this intelligent, cultured side. I've never heard this about him. My guess is that he purposefully keeps these parts of his life private.
"You know," I say thoughtfully, setting down my fork, "you're not at all what I expected."
"And what did you expect?" he asks playfully.
I let out a guilty laugh. "I don't know—someone less … complex."
He laughs lightly at that. "For once, I'm glad to disappoint. But I don't blame you for thinking I'm just a pretty face." He winks.
I toss a piece of lettuce at him, smirking.
"Remind me not to feed you any compliments. You're easier to feel comfortable around when you're not larger than life."
***
After lunch, Seonho suggests a walk in the garden attached to the restaurant. The afternoon air is cool and crisp, a welcome change from the stuffy atmosphere inside. The garden is beautifully lit, with soft lights illuminating the path and casting a gentle glow on the flowers and foliage.
Seonho reaches for my hand as we start walking, and I let him take it. His grip is warm and reassuring, sending a pleasant shiver up my spine. We stroll along the winding paths, our footsteps muffled by the soft grass.
"Alright," he says, breaking the comfortable silence, "tell me something about yourself that I wouldn't find on Google."
I laugh softly, thinking for a moment. "Okay. Uh, I have a French Bulldog named Meatball."
"Meatball?" He laughs, his eyes lighting up.
I grin. "You said you have dogs, right?"
"Two corgis—Bori and Dori."
"No way," I say, genuinely surprised but delighted. "Corgis are adorable."
"They are," he agrees, his smile widening. "But they're also a handful. Always full of energy and mischief."
I giggle at that, picturing his corgis causing chaos. "Meatball's the opposite. He's lazy and loves to nap all day."
Seonho laughs, a warm, infectious sound that makes me smile even wider. "Sounds like they'd make an interesting trio."
"We should have a puppy play date," I suggest playfully.
He nods enthusiastically. "Definitely. Bori and Dori could use a new friend to play with."
We continue walking, talking about our dogs, and sharing funny stories about their antics. Seonho tells me about how Bori once got stuck in a bush chasing after a squirrel, and I share how Meatball loves to steal my socks and hide them under the couch.
"You know," Seonho says thoughtfully as we pause by a small pond, watching the koi fish swim lazily beneath the surface, "dogs have this incredible way of making everything better."
I nod in agreement. "They really do. Meatball's like my little best friend. he's there for me when other humans can't be."
He squeezes my hand gently. "It's amazing how much comfort they can bring just by being there."
We stand there for a moment, lost in our thoughts. The afternoon is still and quiet around us, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or chirp of a cricket.
"Do you ever feel like you understand your dog better than most people?" Seonho asks suddenly.
I laugh softly. "All the time. Meatball's uncomplicated. I never have to doubt his loyalty or second guess our bond. It's just easy."
"Same with Bori and Dori," he says with a smile. "They're always happy to see me no matter what kind of day I've had."
We continue walking, our conversation flowing easily between us. Seonho has this effortless charm that puts me at ease, making me forget about everything else for a while.
"In that case," he says after a while, "what's your favorite thing to do with Meatball?"
I think for a moment before answering. "Probably taking him to the park. He loves running around and meeting other dogs."
"Same here," Seonho says with a grin. "Bori and Dori go crazy at the park. They love chasing each other and playing fetch."
We reach a small bench nestled among the trees and sit down, still holding hands. The garden is even more beautiful up close—the flowers are vibrant and fragrant, their colors vivid in the soft light.
"I think they'd get along great," Seonho says after a moment.
"I think so too," I agree with a smile.
We sit there for a while longer, talking about everything and nothing at all. Seonho has this way of making me feel like I'm the only person in the world that matters right now—his attention is focused entirely on me, his eyes never leaving mine.
"Outside of pets," he says eventually, his voice soft and sincere, "what else do you like?"
I hesitate for a moment before answering. It's not often that someone genuinely wants to know more about me beyond what they can find online or in interviews.
"Well," I start slowly, "I love dancing—obviously—I trained professionally and went to dance school until I was signed to my first label, so that's a big part of my life. But when it's just me and I have a moment to focus on other things I like to find things that make me look forward to the next day. I have a lot of houseplants."
Seonho tips his head to one side and squints at me playfully. "Houseplants?"
"My apartment kind of resembles a jungle right now," I say with a grin.
He laughs warmly at that. "I somehow didn't expect that. I thought you were going to say you go to the gym or something. That's such a quirky hobby to have."
"It really isn't," I laugh too, feeling more relaxed than I have in ages. "I just like having life in my living space."
As we sit there talking about our favorite foods and hobbies, I realize just how captivated I am by Seonho's charisma and genuine interest in getting to know me better.
He's not superficial at all—he's someone who makes me feel seen and appreciated for who I am beyond my public persona.
Seonho's phone buzzes, interrupting our conversation. He pulls it out, glances at the screen, and his face falls. "It's my manager," he says, sighing. "I have to cut our date short."
I pout dramatically, trying to hide my disappointment. "What happened to all that begging you promised to do? We didn't even make it to a private room this time."
He laughs, slipping his phone back into his pocket. "Trust me, I know. I promise I'll be back to fulfill that need."
"Promises, promises," I tease, though my heart flutters at his words.
He leans in closer, eyes twinkling with mischief. "I mean it. And I have new places I want to take you if you'll go with me."
I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? What kind of places?"
"Secret," he whispers conspiratorially. "But you'll love them."
I can't help but smile at his enthusiasm. "Alright, you've got me curious. I'll hold you to that."
Seonho grins and stands up, offering me his hand. "Deal." He pulls out his phone again and orders a rideshare car for me.
As we walk back toward the entrance of the garden, he keeps a careful eye on our surroundings. The last thing either of us needs is a nosy paparazzo snapping photos of us together.
The car arrives quickly, and Seonho opens the door for me like a true gentleman. Before I can step inside, he glances around one more time to make sure no one's watching.
Then, in one swift motion, he leans down and kisses me softly on the lips.
It's quick—just a fleeting brush of warmth—but it sends a jolt of electricity through my entire body. Butterflies explode in my stomach, and for a moment, everything else fades away.
When he pulls back, there's a playful glint in his eyes. "Until next time," he murmurs.
I nod, trying to hide my giddy smile as I slide into the car. "Until next time."
The door closes behind me, and as the car pulls away from the curb, I glance back at him through the rearview mirror.
Seonho stands there watching until I'm out of sight, a small smile playing on his lips.
The ride home is quiet, giving me time to replay the evening in my mind. Despite having to cut our date short, Seonho's promise lingers in my thoughts.
I'm genuinely looking forward to whatever he has planned next.
When I finally reach my apartment and step inside, Meatball greets me with enthusiastic barks and wiggles.
"Hey there," I say softly, bending down to give him a scratch behind the ears. "Missed me?"
He responds with an excited snort and jumps up onto my lap when I sit on the couch.
As Meatball settles down beside me, I pull out my phone and scroll through my messages absentmindedly. My thoughts keep drifting back to Seonho—the way he looked at me when he promised more dates and how that quick kiss left me wanting more.
I don't want to get ahead of myself, but this feels like it could be something. Maybe it's just fun, maybe that's alright, but I don't want to stop yet.
***
A few weeks slip by, a blur of laughter and stolen kisses. Seonho and I have been on several dates, each one more intoxicating than the last. His presence is magnetic, drawing me in with every flirtatious grin and deep, meaningful conversation. I find myself thinking about him constantly, the butterflies in my stomach refusing to settle.
One evening, as I'm lounging on my couch with Meatball snuggled beside me, my phone rings. I glance at the screen and freeze. Jaewook's name flashes up, and my heart does a little flip. I thought I'd moved past him, but seeing his name brings a rush of emotions.
I hesitate with my hand over the phone. It's been weeks since I heard from him. At this point, I was sure he was just ghosting me. I should just ignore it, but my self-restraint is non-existent. I have to know.
"Hello?" My voice wavers slightly as I answer.
"Iseul," Jaewook's voice is warm and familiar. "I'm so sorry for disappearing. I was filming in a remote location and had no cell service."
His words tumble out in a rush, filled with genuine regret. I feel like the air leaves my lungs. From anyone else I wouldn't believe him, but from the impression I got, I just don't think Jaewook would lie.
"Oh. I see … I understand," I reply cautiously. "It happens."
That explains a lot. This is pretty much exactly what my friends said had happened, only I assumed the worst. I feel both a little relieved that his silence wasn't because of something I did and also a little conflicted.
"I really want to see you again," he continues, his tone earnest. "I haven't stopped thinking about you."
A pang of guilt twists in my chest. Seonho's face flashes in my mind, his playful smirk and kind eyes. But hearing Jaewook's voice stirs something inside me that I can't ignore.
I want to say yes instinctively. I'm surprised to find that I want to see Jaewook very badly. I don't know what that says about me when I've been basically occupied full-time with Seonho.
Seonho's more than enough man to keep me busy right now. I shouldn't want to see anyone else. But I do.
"I … I have to think about it," I say slowly, unsure of what to do. "My schedule's kind of crazy at the moment. I don't know when I'll have time to go out."
For a brief moment, I consider telling him the truth, telling him about Seonho. The problem is, Seonho and I aren't official. We haven't yet had the conversation about being exclusive and honestly, I haven't really felt the need to. We're enjoying our time together and it's uncomplicated. I don't really want to get into the nitty-gritty of what a committed relationship between us would look like, if that could even work.
Seonho's a scandal-free idol, a national icon. He's practically god-like in the eyes of the Korean public. I shudder to think of the shitstorm that would occur if his name was even brought up in connection with mine. The kind of abuse I would immediately get online and in the tabloids. It's actually terrifying.
I like Seonho, but I also like the quiet, casual thing we have. Not even my close friends like Ara and Haein know I've been seeing him, so it's not like I could tell a mostly stranger like Jaewook. I could just tell Jaewook I'm seeing someone and leave Seonho's name out of it.
But I don't want to. For some reason, telling him I'm in a relationship doesn't feel right. it feels too definitive, like I'm off-limits. And I'm not, not really. I'm not ruling out the possibility of having something with Jaewook now that he's clarified that he didn't just leave me on read.
Jaewook is silent for a moment before he speaks again, softer this time. "I get it. And I'm really sorry for leaving you hanging like that."
"It's okay," I murmur, though my mind is anything but settled.
Jaewook sighs. "I was in the middle of filming another drama when I found out I'd gotten a part I'd auditioned for months ago out of the blue with a much bigger director and cast. I had to drop everything and fly out the next morning to Fiji."
"Fiji?" I repeat, awed. "Wow. Must be some production budget."
"Yeah." Jaewook laughs self-consciously. "It was a little crazy. I was going to check in with you as soon as I got in and settled, but then I had to catch up on the script and I found out only after I landed that where we were staying was basically the middle of the ocean. I didn't even have wifi."
"Sounds like you've had an interesting few weeks," I muse, mystified.
"Well, in any case. I wouldn't blame you for thinking I was ghosting you or something. I understand completely if you've got something else going on or moved on to someone else."
"I … No, it's not that," I insist. Even though it kind of is. "I'm just … you know how it is. There's always a lot going on and it sounds like you're busy, too. I just think maybe I should consider whether I even want to start anything right now."
Jaewook sounds as if he's thinking that over. "You're right, of course. I just wanted to offer, no pressure. Because I do want to see you again."
A small smile slips onto my face. "Well, thank you, for the offer and for clearing that up so I don't have to wonder. I'll think about it."
Jaewook lets out a breath. "Okay. I can live with that. I should let you go then."
I bite my lip before responding. "Sure. But Jaewook?"
"Yeah?"
"I want to see you again, too. I like you. I just need to be sure."
There's a soft sound, and I can almost picture his soft smile.
"Then I'll wait. Till later, Iseul."
As soon as the call ends, I let out a long sigh and sink back into the couch. Meatball nudges my hand with his nose, sensing my unease.
"What do you think, Meatball?" I ask him softly. "What should I do?"
He responds with a snort and licks my hand affectionately. Not exactly helpful advice, but it's comforting, nonetheless.