Chereads / IDOL OF MY HEART:The Fame Paradox / Chapter 8 - Beyond the spotlight

Chapter 8 - Beyond the spotlight

Backstage Tour – VIP Experience

The concert had just ended, and while the rest of the fans were still basking in the afterglow of the performance, Yuna and a select few VIPs were being ushered backstage. Her heart pounded as they were led down the narrow corridors where Eclipse had passed just moments before. Every step felt surreal she was walking the same path Kairo had walked, breathing the same air.

Her grip tightened around her VIP pass, her eyes darting around the hallway, taking in every detail. This was her chance, her moment to get even closer to Kairo, the man who had consumed her thoughts for so long.

The group was brought to a stop outside the changing rooms, and the excitement in the air was palpable. One of the staff members smiled warmly as they began explaining the process, the fans hanging on every word. And then, it happened the doors opened, and there stood Eclipse, casually chatting and unwinding after the concert. Kairo was there, towel slung around his neck, his hair damp from the show. He looked even more perfect up close, his presence commanding the room even in his most relaxed state.

Yuna felt her breath catch in her throat. She couldn't believe it. He's right there.

The group was invited to say a quick hello, and Eclipse greeted the fans warmly, offering brief handshakes and smiles. When it was Yuna's turn, her hand trembled slightly as she reached out to shake Kairo's. The moment their hands touched, a surge of electricity shot through her, her mind spinning. Kairo smiled politely, just like he did with every other fan, but to Yuna, it was something more. It had to be. She held on to that handshake a second longer than necessary, feeling like this was a sign something only she could understand.

After the handshake, the group was taken to see more of the backstage area—their costumes, the instruments, and the inner workings of the show but Yuna barely paid attention. Her mind was still on that brief touch, playing it over and over in her head, turning it into something far more meaningful.

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Later, on Yuna's Fake Account

As soon as she got home, Yuna logged into her fake account, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she crafted a post that would have her fellow fans reeling with jealousy.

> "Guys, you won't believe it! I just got back from the VIP backstage tour, and I SHOOK HANDS WITH KAIRO! It was everything I dreamed of and more. He looked right at me, like we had this moment. And the other members? So sweet! Eclipse is just as amazing off-stage as they are on it. 😍 #KairoVIP #Pulse #BestDayEver"

She paused for a moment, then added another line, something to make the post even more intense:

> "I could tell there was something different when he looked at me… like he recognized me from the other fan events. Maybe he knows who I am now…"

The post went live, and immediately, the reactions started pouring in. Comments flooded her feed, filled with envy and admiration. Her story of the handshake and the backstage experience grew with each retelling, each comment amplifying her exaggeration until it became an undeniable truth in her mind.

Yuna's version of the night was now a fantasy, one where Kairo had acknowledged her in a way that no one else could understand. She wasn't just a fan she was something more. And now, everyone believed it.

The concert had barely ended when fans began flooding social media with their experiences, each one eager to share every detail. The fact that Eclipse's world tour kickoff had attracted so many other idols only added to the thrill, and fans couldn't wait to post about their unexpected sightings.

On Twitter, Instagram, and Fan Blogs:

> "OMG, I just saw Kim Yeseo from Lumin in the VIP section!! She looked amazing, and I swear she was watching Kairo the entire time! #KaiSeoForever #Pulse #Lumin"

> "Not only did we get the best PULSE concert EVER, but I also saw SE7EN from Galaxy Boys and Joon from RISING!!! All my faves in one night 😭😭 #KPopLegends #PounderWorldTour"

> "I can't believe I just breathed the same air as Yeseo and PULSE!! Kairo was on fire tonight, but seeing Yeseo in the crowd... my heart!!! #KaiSeo #Lumin #Pulse

> "Was anyone else freaking out when they spotted Yeseo in the crowd? She was vibing hard to Pusle's set, especially when Kairo was on stage 😉 #KaiSeo #PulseConcert"

Instagram Fan Stories featured short clips:

Fans zoomed in on idols like Yeseo, SE7EN, and Joon, each one either enjoying the concert or chatting with others in the VIP area. It was like a mini K-pop convention, with everyone trying to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars outside of their usual performances. The excitement was doubled by the idea of seeing idols as fans themselves.

The tags "KAISEO" and "PULSE" were everywhere, with edits and fancams popping up almost immediately. Fans made quick gifs and videos of their favorite moments from the night, from Pulse's breathtaking performances to the rare sight of multiple groups' members gathered in one place, casually enjoying the night like everyone else.

> "Who else saw Joon from RISING dancing in his seat during 'Midnight Fever'?! So cute! I love that idols are just like us fans. 🥹 #RISING #PulseWorldTour"

Even fans who didn't attend the concert joined the online frenzy, reposting stories, theories, and fancams. The presence of so many idols only added to the magic of the night, and for those who had been lucky enough to attend, it became a badge of honor to have witnessed so many big names in one place.

To Yuna, this was supposed to be Kairo's night ,their night. But with all the noise online, it felt like everyone else was pulling the spotlight away from him. And worse, from her.