𐙚⋆.˚ from. jihyun ˙⋆✮

She focused on work, and work only. Because she always believed that recognition wasn’t something you could easily ask for. It was something she had to earn. 

And this year, fans could definitely agree that the Home era was definitely the start of her peak. She was finally getting the attention and recognition she deserves. Everyone had their eyes on her. 

Back in the waiting room, some of the members were monitoring their live performance the other day when they suddenly started teasing Jihyun. 

“Yaaah, Jihyunie! Number 1 on the real time trendlist!” Dokyeom, who was currently sitting lazily on the sofa with Mingyu, teased her. 

Mingyu, as if double checking it, immediately turned his head on Dokyeom’s phone and scrolled through the posts. 

“Goddess Jihyun! All-rounder Jihyun! ‘Sorry to the other members but I can’t take my eyes off of her’! “She’s so pretty I feel like there’s always a ray of light around her whenever she’s on the screen’!” Mingyu teased, even changing the pitch of his voice as if imitating the fans. 

Jihyun, who was seated on the make up chair quietly up until now let out an embarrassed laugh as she looked at the members through the mirror. “Ah really.. Can you guys stop reading the comments out loud?” 

“Why? Why are you getting embarrassed? You should be loud and proud! Heck, I’m loud and proud! Everyone! Our Jihyun just hit No. 1 on the trend list! Let’s give her a round of applause!” Dokyeom exclaimed in a playful manner, teasing her further. 

Jihyun couldn’t help but to cover her face in embarrassment, as the members and the staff inside the room started cheering for her. 

The members’ laughter had barely died down when the waiting room door suddenly opened. One of their managers stepped inside with a puzzled expression as he looked at the members who were still cheering for Jihyun. 

“What is happening?” He asked one of the stylists standing by the door. He shook his head and let out a small laugh as she filled him in on what was happening. He let them be for a short second before clapping his hands to get the members attention. 

“Alright, members! Eyes on here for a  second please.”

The noise immediately died down as the members turned their heads towards him. 

“We’re ordering lunch now so it can arrive before the final dry rehearsal later. Think about what you want to eat first so I can check if it’s available.” 

And with that, the chaos that had died down earlier immediately made its comeback. The members immediately discussed among themselves, with Dokyeom and Mingyu even dancing in action as they state in chorus the menu they wanted. 

Meanwhile, Cheol on the other hand, as if his father's instinct is kicking in, immediately turned his attention to Jihyun seeing that she couldn’t join since she was seated in the make up chair. 

“Jihyun-ah, how about you? Is there anything you want?” 

The stylist who was working on her hair stepped out for a while so that the members could discuss by themselves freely. 

Jihyun turned the chair she was sitting at and immediately answered him softly. “I’m okay with anything~ But can you buy me extra kimb—” 

Their manager suddenly cut her off before she was able to say her request. “Oh, right! Jihyun-ssi! There’s no need for you to order. Someone sent this for you.” He said calmly as he handed her a brown paper bag full of food, making both Jihyun and the members look at him confusingly. 

“Huh? For me? I didn’t order anything though?” She said as she stood up to receive the bag from him. 

“Oh.. It wasn’t from delivery. The manager from two rooms away handed it to me, saying that their artist wanted to give it specifically to you.” 

Jihyun stopped mid action to look at him as she shook her head before finally settling down on the chair and opening the bag. Looking more puzzled than excited that someone sent her a gift. If you can even call it that. She thought. 

One by one, Jihyun took everything out of the bag. It contained a lunch box set takeout, a separate container filled with a spicy side dish, and the infamous Inkigayo sandwich. 

The members immediately started reacting as soon as she laid them on the table. 

“OHHHHH! Seems like our Jihyun got the attention of a certain someone~” 

“Yaaaah, our Jihyun is quite popular now! Everyone, we’re witnessing history here~” 

Everyone was still teasing Jihyun when Seungkwan, who had been quietly watching from the side until now, finally stood up and walked over to the table. Curiosity got the better of him as he reached for one of the food containers, carefully inspecting everything the sender had chosen.

He looked at it for a few seconds before letting out a quiet scoff. Shaking his head, he set the container back onto the table with a soft thud, just enough for everyone to notice the faint dissatisfaction on his face.

"Eyy..." he clicked his tongue before looking around at the members. "To whoever sent this, I'm sorry, but you clearly don't know our Jihyun that well."

He lifted the container of spicy stir-fried octopus and held it up for everyone to see. "Look at this. They even sent spicy food."

He let out a small laugh, though there was a hint of disbelief hidden underneath it.

"Sorry, but our kid can't eat spicy food. If she eats this before going on stage, she's going to spend the entire performance hiccuping."

"At least do your research first before trying to impress someone."

Meanwhile, Jihyun, who was still trying to grasp the situation, had her eyes fixed on a certain  item on the table. The sandwich, which from the looks of it, had something stuck in between the wrapper. 

“Hm?” she let out quietly. Her brows furrowed, as she picked it up. 

She opened the wrapper ever so slightly, and pulled the note inserted on it. And yes, her hunch was right. It was one of those notes where other artists slip their number to hit on artists they have a crush on.

The members, who have now opened the food a few moments ago, since they knew she wasn’t going to eat them, all raised their heads when Chan suddenly spoke.

“What is it?” 

"I don't know..." Jihyun murmured absentmindedly, her eyes never leaving the paper. "There was something inside the sandwich..." 

Hello :))  I know you dont know me, and we don’t know each other personally, but I really want to get to know you :)) I think you’re extremely pretty and is exactly my type :)) If you want to know who I am, please contact me here 010-9892-3197

Dokyeom was the first one to react among the members, immediately shooting up from his seat as his eyes widened in shock. “NO WAAY! Yah, Jihyun has a secret admirer!” 

“What does it say?” 

“Let me see!”

“Wah! So this kind of stuff really happens huh?”

Jeonghan, who had been quietly observing the entire situation from the corner of the table, suddenly leaned over and gave Jihoon, who was seated beside him, a subtle nudge with his elbow. Without saying a word, he tilted his chin ever so slightly toward Seungkwan.

Jihoon followed his gaze almost instinctively. Only then did he notice it.

While everyone else was either laughing, teasing Jihyun, or trying to snatch the note from one another, Seungkwan stood quietly off to the side. His expression had remained unusually unreadable ever since the paper was unfolded, though the slight frown on his face and the way his eyes stayed fixed on the note were enough for Jeonghan to know exactly what was going through his mind.

Now, you’re probably wondering why these two are exchanging glances as if they’re having an entire conversation through telepathy. 

Maybe because these two knew something that no one else in that room did. And it’s not as one sided as you think it would.

Out of all the Hyungs, Seungkwan has been the closest to Jeonghan lately. He was also the only one who knew about Seungkwan's feelings.

It wasn't really because Seungkwan had planned on telling him.

Rather, one late night after a schedule, the two had stayed behind with a few bottles of soju and beer, talking about everything and nothing at the same time. Somewhere between stories, laughter, and alcohol-fueled honesty, Seungkwan had unknowingly let it slip.

He liked Jihyun. And for quite some time now.

Jihoon on the other hand, has been Jihyun’s best friend ever since they were trainees. 

He was the first person she turned to whenever she needed advice, whether it was about music, work, or simply life in general. Somehow, he always seemed to know exactly what she needed to hear. 

Over the years, he became one of the very few people she allowed herself to be vulnerable around, making him the person who knew her thoughts almost as well as she knew them herself. 

It was also Jihoon who first noticed the subtle changes in her.

At first, even Jihyun herself couldn't understand what was happening. She couldn’t fathom why she was suddenly feeling all these things.

But for some reason, she was starting to see Seungkwan differently.

Her heart would race ever so slightly over the smallest gestures, and an unfamiliar warmth would settle in her chest whenever he looked after her. They were feelings she had never experienced before.

Feelings she initially brushed off as nothing more than comfort between close friends. 

But no matter how much she tried to dismiss them, they only became harder to ignore.

Eventually, after carrying the confusion by herself for quite some time, she quietly opened up to Jihoon about it. She never directly admitted what those feelings were, nor did she need to. 

Jihoon understood almost immediately. 

More than the feelings themselves, however, what troubled Jihyun the most was the possibility of what they could become. She couldn't help but think about the consequences they might bring.

Not only to herself or Seungkwan, but to the team they had spent years building together. To her, the thought alone was enough to convince herself that those feelings were something she simply wasn't allowed to entertain.

Jihyun, not wanting to make a big deal out of these anymore, suddenly got up from her chair, folded the note a few times, and slipped it into her bag without paying attention. 

“Okaaay, moving on! Yah! Dokyeomie! Don’t eat the kimbap on that, I’ll be eating those later.” She said in a lively tone, attempting to finally change the topic. 

“Let’s decide what to eat for lunch, shall we?” She continued, turning around their manager for a split second with a smile. “Manager-nim is waiting for it.” 

What Jihyun failed to notice was how Seungkwan kept his eyes on her from the side as she slipped that note onto her bag, before sighing and slowly looking away. 

It wasn’t the note itself that unsettled him, honestly. 

But the mere realization that people had started seeing her the same way that he did. 

And for some reason, that thought alone was enough to make him question whether the feelings he was hiding deep down his heart would ever stand a chance. And that maybe, somewhere along the line, someone else would become the person she deserves more than him.

That thought alone was enough to make him wonder if he is slowly running out of time.

From then on for the rest of Home promotions, Seventeen’s waiting room has been filled with gifts, foods, you name it, with a note inside them addressed specifically to Jihyun. 

To the point that their manager had to put a signage on their door that they were not accepting any form of presents for their artist anymore.

As the final stage came to an end for Home promotions, the members waved towards every corner of the stage, making sure to greet as many fans as they could, before bowing as they walked towards the backstage.

Jihyun was the  very last to exit. She stared at the crowd for a very long time, her eyes sparkling, as she smiled at them genuinely, before finally giving a 90 -degree bow. 

The moment they walked past the double door separating the backstage hallway from the dressing rooms, their bright smiles immediately melted into sighs of relief. 

“It’s done! It’s finally done!” Dokyeom exclaimed, while his hands were raised up in the air as they walked towards their dressing room. 

Jeonghan, who was now behind Jihyun, had his hands propped on her shoulders, as he walked like a very tired zombie. “Would you look at that! We survived another promotion!”

As soon as the members entered the dressing room, they were surprised by a pop of cannon confetti, as their staff gave them a round of applause, and congratulated them for another successful promotion. 

Once the cheers mellowed down, the members sat down on the make up chair yet again in order to get their accessories and make up removed. One by one. 

Jihyun, being 14th in the line, went to change into her own clothes first. Right after that, she stepped outside for a while and headed to the cafeteria a floor below to buy a drink for herself. 

Well, she could’ve asked their manager for it, but she chose not to, seeing that they were pretty occupied double checking everything, as they have to make sure that all the members’ mics and ears are packed properly. 

Right after the vending machine dispensed the choice of her drink, Jihyun immediately walked in a fast pace to their dressing room, worried that the members or the managers might look for her. 

She had almost reached their waiting room when the door of a nearby dressing room opened simultaneously, causing both of them to stop in their tracks for a brief moment. 

Instinctively, Jihyun took a small step to her left to make a way for the person coming out. 

“Oh–”

“Oh–” 

The two of them let out at the same time. Standing now in front of her was Cha Eunwoo. 

The two weren't close personally, but Jihyun was aware that some of her members were close to Astro members. Specifically, Mingyu was personally friends with him. 

“Jihyun-ssi! Hello!” Eunwoo greeted her, as they bowed at each other. 

Jihyun bowed back, as she greeted him in response, with a casual but awkward smile.

She was contemplating on whether she can now excuse herself when Eunwoo spoke again. 

“I’ve been watching you guys’ performance these past few weeks,” he said quite slowly, almost as if pondering what to say next to keep the interaction going. 

“And you guys have been doing really well. Especially you..” He said shyly. 

“Oh..” Jihyun let out, her eyes darting back and forth. 

“Thank you..” She answered timidly, fidgeting her hand in a  fist behind her back, a habit she always does whenever she gets nervous or embarrassed. 

“But, I do think I still have a long way to go,” she added. 

“Eyy, I don’t think so. You’ve been shining a lot on this promotion.” 

Jihyun let out an awkward laugh as she rubbed the back of her neck. She was about to answer when someone called her name from the direction of their room at the end of the hallway. 

“Jihyun-ah!” 

The two of them turned their heads towards the direction of the voice. It was Seungkwan peeking by the half-opened door, one hand resting on its framing as he leaned his head out. 

“Hyerim-ssaem is looking for you,” he quickly added. 

“Oh!” Jihyun’s face immediately brightened at that. 

She turned back to Eunwoo with an apologetic smile as he bid him goodbye. “I should probably get going.” 

He simply gave her a small nod. “Of course, go ahead. Congratulations again,” he said with a smile.

The two exchanged a one final bow before Jihun turned around and hurriedly ran towards Seungkwan.

For reasons he couldn't quite explain, Seungkwan's gaze stayed fixed on her as she made her way down the hallway.

The distance between them wasn't far. Yet somehow, in that fleeting moment, everything around him seemed to fade into the background.

He watched the way she smiled as she approached him, the small bounce in her steps, the way she instinctively hurried over the moment she heard him call her name.

He didn’t even realise that she was already standing there, in front of him, until she spoke. 

“Hyerim-ssaem is looking for me? Why?” She asked. Seungkwan didn’t respond for a while, his gaze fixed on her. 

“Kwanie?” 

As if he was brought back to life, Seungkwan blinked rapidly as he turned his gaze somewhere else. “Oh, uhm.. Yeah, I think she has something to say to you. She didn’t elaborate what it was though.”

“Oh, okay!” Jihyun exclaimed happily as she walked past him to look for their performance director. 

Seungkwan remained rooted to his spot long after Jihyun disappeared into their waiting room. 

For some reason, the image of her standing in the hallway with his Eunwoo hyung refused to leave his mind. 

He knew there had been nothing wrong with the interaction—it was simply two colleagues exchanging a few words after wrapping up their promotions. Nothing more. And yet, the strange feeling in his chest lingered longer than he wanted it to. 

The funny thing is, Seungkwan was never the type to hesitate when it comes to things like this. Heck, even during his elementary days, his hobby was confessing directly to the girls he has a crush on. And even during high school, he was quite popular among the girls because of his visuals. 

He is a pretty confident guy when it comes to things like this. 

But for some reason, with Jihyun, it’s different.

For the first time in his life, confidence seemed to lose against fear. 

It wasn't the fear of rejection that stopped him, nor was it the possibility that she simply didn't feel the same. Rather, it was everything that came after. 

One confession had the power to change years of trust, friendship, and the family they had built together. It could either become the beginning of something he had secretly wished for all these years... or the end of the place where he felt most at home. 

Somehow, he could no longer tell which was scarier: continuing to bury these feelings while quietly watching someone else draw closer to her, or risking everything they had for the chance that she might feel the same. 

Meanwhile, the moment Jihyun stepped inside the waiting room, she was welcomed by a  familiar figure seated on the sofa talking with the other members. 

“Hyerim-ssaem,” she said tenderly. 

“Oh! Finally, the star of the day!” The lady exclaimed, making the members smile as well. 

Before Jihyun could answer, Hyerim stood up and closed the distance between them to pull her in a very warm hug. "You've worked hard, my child. You did so well,” she said as she patted Jihyun’s back a few times before letting go. 

The gesture touched Jihyun deeply, leaving her quite emotional but also overjoyed at the same time. 

Because, yes, even though their fans have given her so much love for the past 4 years, sometimes, the public opinion still gets to her. Even though their fans have always talked so highly of her all the time, bragging about her production skills, her outstanding vocals, and even her stamina in performing, for some reason, the general public still can’t the grasp the idea of having a girl member, especially since they have a lot of members to begin with. 

And so far, this era  has finally shattered that ideology. 

“Thank you, Hyerim-ssaem, really. Thank you a lot,” she answered warmly. 

Hyerim crossed her arms before giving her a once-over, clicking her tongue lightly. "I've been watching the monitors since rehearsal this morning. You looked good out there."

She nodded once in satisfaction before adding, "No... scratch that, you've looked good this entire promotion."

Jihyun let out an embarrassed laugh, instinctively rubbing the back of her neck. "Eyy, ssaem! You're making me shy."

"As if." Hyerim scoffed, giving her shoulder a light smack. "You deserve to hear it once in a while."

She then pointed toward the styling chair with a firm look. "Now stop standing around and sit. We still have to take those in-ears off before you start celebrating."

"Yes, ma'am," Jihyun replied playfully, earning another amused scoff from Hyerim as she obediently sat down.

By the time Jihyun finishes returning her accessories and in-ear monitors, the chaotic waiting room has finally settled down as the managers and stylists have finally packed all their belongings and equipment. 

Seeing that everything has finally calmed, Cheol took the opportunity to gather everyone’s attention. 

“Everyone!” He said, clapping his hands. “I know we’ve already said this countless times during this promotion, but I would like  to thank you all for your hard work,” he said confidently. 

He glanced around the room, making sure to include not only the members but every stylist and managers, who had been with them since the early hours of the morning.

"Seriously... thank you for working so hard these past few weeks. We were able to finish this promotion safely because of all of you."

A chorus of quiet applause and appreciative laughter filled the room.

“And as a celebration for another successful promotion, we will be having a team dinner later at 7pm.” 

Shortly afterward, the members then got into their own designated vans and went straight to their dorms to have their well deserved rest for a while before they departed again for the team dinner. 

As the sun finally sets, the members start arriving at the restaurant in small groups, now dressed more casually as they all came from the dorms. 

The restaurant they booked was a place where the members went regularly as it was located just 15 minutes away from broadcasting stations. The owner, who was pretty familiar with the members already, welcomed them with a bright smile as soon as they walked through the doors. 

“Aigoo! Congrats on wrapping up your promotions!” The owner exclaimed excitedly. 

As the time passed, the vibe inside the restaurant was nothing but lively. The staff was grouped into tables with their closest colleagues, while the members were seated in one long table. 

They were about to finish their first batch of meat, when a series of bickering exploded. But then, it was nothing too serious, it's just that some members liked rare meat, and some liked theirs well done. 

“Eyy! Yah! It’s cooked! How much longer do you want to cook it at this point!” Mingyu protested, as he put the meat back on the grill. 

“I’m telling you, it’s not! It’s still bloody on the inside!” Hoshi rebutted, as he returned them back on the grill. “Give it another minute or two!”

“Hyung! What I’m saying is, they’ll become rubber at this point!” 

“Exactly! That’s how Wonwoo likes the—”

“Hey! That’s not it really!” Wonwoo exclaimed immediately, not letting Hoshi finish what he was about to say. “It’s because it tastes fishy if it's not cooked well.” 

Meanwhile, Jihyun was quietly settled well in the seat beside Jihoon and Joshua. As the drinks, which includes sodas, beer, and soju, naturally, Jihyun started helping on passing it to the members. Even helped on opening the soju bottles as the bottle opener was tied on the corner of the table near her. 

“Oh, Jihyunie! You’re drinking today?” Jeonghan, who was seated on the opposite side of Joshua, mentioned

“No, no~ I’m just helping on serving the drinks,” she said softly.  

Not because she couldn't hold her liquor. Although she admittedly wasn't very good at it, because she simply never saw the appeal of drinking, especially during gatherings like these. She found far more joy in watching the people around her loosen up, laugh louder than usual, and tease one another over the smallest things.

Besides, someone had to make sure these twelve grown men made it back to the dorm safely.

"Yah~" Mingyu whined, as he spotted that Jihyun was the only one not drinking.  "You're making us feel bad."

"Yeah," Dokyeom chimed in dramatically. "At least pretend you're drinking with us."

Jihyun only smiled as she reached for her own cup. But it wasn’t alcohol, but rather a can of sprite. "I am drinking."

The entire table burst into laughter. "She really said that with a straight face." Chan shook his head, unable to hold back his grin.

Joshua chuckled beside her before quietly refilling her glass with water instead of alcohol. "Cheers to that!"

As the night went deeper, the members’ conversation has now jumped from one topic to another. One time, some of the members were discussing some ideas for Going Seventeen, and the next, they were reviewing some points, both positive and negative for this era. 

Right then, as if remembering something as they reminisce about all the things that happened during this promotion, Dokyeom finally mentioned the highlight of it all. 

“Oh, right, Jihyunie! Did you find out who sent you those notes?” 

Jihyun sighed at the mention of it. 

Because, honestly, everything was good during this promotion. Everything went smoothly. It's just that, the notes have really bothered her. 

To some people, maybe, something like this may feel nice. Because at some point, it does boost your confidence, and can make you quite happy. 

For her, it did quite the opposite. Yes, at first, it was nice—knowing that someone out there liked her. But as time passed by, for some reason, the notes she received gradually took a darker turn. 

The notes which started as simple admiration and harmless confession, slowly turned into something she couldn't even talk about with her members—afraid that the situation may get worse and might blow up into something that would hurt them. 

She smiled slightly at Dokyeom before shrugging

“No, not really,” she admitted with a small laugh. “I've never contacted any of them. Honestly, wouldn't that be weird? Do they really expect me to contact a person I don't personally know?”

“Then what if they say it to you personally?” Dokyeom asked again, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. “What will you do by then?” 

“Hmmm…” Jihyun hums, pretending to actually think about it. 

She shrugged her shoulders as one corner of her lips went up in a smirk. “Well, I guess we'll find out if that happens,” she said playfully, matching Dokyeom’s tone.

She crossed her legs and leaned back, setting the can of soda she was drinking down on the table. 

“If they have the confidence to do so, then maybe I’ll reconsider,” she added while slightly tilting her head. 

But deep inside her, she knows damn well that she doesn’t mean it—she mainly said it just to go along with Dokyeom’s teasing. First, she’s not at all interested in entertaining any of them. Her priority right now is working on her career and nothing else. And besides, she already liked someone else.

Their table immediately erupted into chaos after hearing what she said. 

“OHHHHH!” 

“YAH! DID YOU GUYS HEARD THAT!” 

“OUR CHILD IS ALL GROWN UP NOW!!” 

“I CAN’T BELIEVE WE’RE HEARING THIS NOW.” 

Yet, for some reason, it was as if Jihyun couldn’t hear the cheers all around her. Rather, as if instinctively, her gaze drifted to Seungkwan.

Unlike everyone else who was laughing and joining in on the teasing, he remained unusually quiet, absentmindedly turning his glass between his fingers before taking another sip. His eyes stayed fixed on the table as he casually reached for another piece of meat, never once looking in her direction. It was almost as if the conversation hadn't interested him at all. 

It was as if he really didn’t care at all. Jihyun thought. 

She immediately shifted her gaze somewhere else. Anywhere but him. And couldn’t help but sigh. 

Honestly, she wasn’t really sure why she was feeling this way. She is clearly upset how it looks like he doesn’t seem to care at all. But then, if it was the exact opposite, and he was actually acting this way because the mere thought of her entertaining someone  else bothered him—she knew herself well enough to know that she wasn't ready to handle it. 

She had spent years convincing herself that her career would always come first. There were still countless dreams she wanted to accomplish and goals she had yet to reach. As much as she hated to admit it, she wasn't ready to let anything—nor anyone—shake the path she had worked so hard to build. 

So for now, she chose to leave things exactly as they were. Whether she was simply overthinking everything or not, she knew one thing for certain. She wasn't ready to look for an answer yet. 

The dinner carried on for another hour or so. As the members ran out for topics to talk about, and as the alcohol slowly started kicking in, they naturally transitioned to playing alcohol games. 

That was when finally, the members’ energy finally started decreasing. After a few rounds of hongsam game, bunny bunny, and 365 game, some were already knocked out, and sleeping on the table—and would definitely need some help in order for them to be able to go home safely, some were just scrolling through their phones, and the others were just finishing the last few pieces of barbeque on their table. 

“Wah… Oh god, I’m so full,” Mingyu expressed, leaning back dramatically as he pats his stomach. “I don’t think I can move anymore.” 

Wonwoo looked up for a second, but resumed immediately on the game he was playing on his phone, “What do you mean? Didn’t you say that 30 minutes ago too?”

“Right? Hyung, you even finished the last 2 servings I ordered.” Chan said, supporting Wonwoo. 

Jihyun briefly glanced at the time displayed on her phone before excusing herself to freshen up. When she returned a few minutes later, she quietly leaned toward Jihoon, who was still absentmindedly scrolling through his phone. 

"I think I'll head home first."

Jihoon looked up almost immediately before giving her a small nod. "Alright. Text us when you get back."

Jihyun smiled before turning to Joshua beside him. "I'll get going now, oppa. I'll see you at the dorm later."

Joshua returned her smile just as warmly. "Okay. Get home safely."

After saying goodbye to the two of them, Jihyun adjusted the strap of her bag over her shoulder and walked toward the opposite end of the room, where Seungcheol was still chatting with a few members and staff.

The moment he noticed her approaching, he immediately opened both of his arms dramatically before she could even say a word.

"Oh, yah~ You're heading home first?"

Jihyun simply hummed in agreement. 

Seungcheol nodded knowingly before asking, "Are you just taking a taxi home? Or should I ask one of the drivers to take you?"

Jihyun immediately shook her head. "No, it's okay. Everyone's already had such a long day. I'll just grab a taxi."

"Are you sure?" He asked once more.

"Mhm."

After studying her for a brief second, Seungcheol finally nodded. "Alright then. Stay safe, okay? And send the taxi's plate number to the group chat once you get in."

"I will."

Satisfied with her answer, Seungcheol smiled before gently patting the top of her head.

"Good. Get home safely."

Jihyun returned the smile before giving him a small nod. "I will, oppa."

She then bowed politely toward the remaining staff and members inside the room. "Good night, everyone. Thank you for your hard work," she said, before walking away. 

But what Jihyun failed to notice was that Seungkwan's gaze had been lingering on her ever since the conversation took a turn earlier. His shoulders seemed heavier than usual, and the brightness that was almost always present in his eyes had quietly faded, replaced by a sadness he couldn't quite hide.

Ever since Dokyeom brought up the topic of Jihyun's suitors, it felt as though Seungkwan had been trapped in a battle with his own thoughts. Hearing her answer only gave life to the fear he had spent so long convincing himself wasn't real.

The fear that one day, she would slowly drift away from him; not because she wanted to, but because he had been too much of a coward to face his own feelings and tell her the truth. That someday, they might no longer share the same circle, no longer create new memories together, until all he had left were the old ones he desperately tried to hold onto.

Yet confessing frightened him just as much.

What if the feelings he had carefully hidden for years ended up destroying the very friendship he treasured most? What if, in reaching for something more, he lost the one thing he already had?

The past four years they had spent together were far too precious to gamble away. Every laugh, every late-night conversation, every ordinary moment they shared meant more to him than she would ever know. He wouldn't trade those memories for anything.

Perhaps... perhaps the kinder choice was to bury these feelings where no one—including Jihyun—would ever find them. Maybe being her friend was enough. Maybe it had to be enough.

Even if it meant standing on the sidelines someday, forcing a smile as he watched her choose someone else.

By the time the clock struck midnight, the private room that had been filled with the loud voices of the members and staff finally went noticeably quieter. 

One by one, the members had called it a night and started heading back to the dorms. Most of the staff have also already left, leaving only a few people behind. 

The only members left in the private room were Cheol, Hoshi, Mingyu, and surprisingly, Seungkwan. 

Several empty bottles now occupied the center of the table, along with a few forgotten side dishes that no one had bothered to finish.

Seungcheol, who had just emptied the last of his glass, let out a long groan as he stretched both arms over his head before setting the large glass of water back onto the table with a soft thud.

“Ahhh.. I think that’s enough, we should call it a night,” he said as he put on the jacket that was hanging on the back of his seat. He then nodded to the members, as if instructing them to stand up so that they could leave already. 

Hoshi clapped his hand once, “Okay! Let’s head home now, everyone!”, he said in his now raspy voice from all the playing and drinking they did. “If we stay any longer, we’re definitely going to regret it tomorrow.” 

“Hyung, I’ve been regretting it ever since when we decided to go for our fifth bottle.” Mingyu muttered as he slowly stood up, earning a laugh from the other two. 

As the three of them stood up and were about to head out, they quickly noticed that Seungkwan was not following them. Instead, he remained seated exactly where he was, staring quietly into his currently half-filled glass. 

“Kwan-ah,” Cheol said, calling his attention. “Let’s go now,” 

Seungkwan looked up, realizing just now that he was the only one sitting on their table. “Oh… Hyung, you guys can go ahead first. I’ll stay here for a little while. I’ll just call a cab later..”

Cheol had already noticed earlier that Seungkwan was not his usual self. Figuring out that he might just want to have time for  himself for a while, Cheol studied him for a brief moment before saying, “Okay then, but don’t get home too late, okay?”

“Yes, hyung,” Seungkwan answered flatly. 

Cheol then nodded at Mingyu and Hoshi, who was hesitant at leaving Seungkwan alone, as if reassuring them that it was okay. After that, they headed out of the private room, and just decided to book a driver through the app since they were all drunk. 

Almost a good 30 minutes have passed ever since all the members went home, and at this point Seungkwan was already at his limits, and is already at the level where he might make mistakes any moment. 

He had another bottle or two since the members left, and well, it’s not going really well. 

He might not remember this when he wakes up, but he has been looking at Jihyun’s photos on his phone since earlier—candid photos of her just smiling, eating cutely, and even pictures of her in the display monitor during their jacket photoshoot a month ago. 

Everything had been fine up until this point, to be honest. That was until his fingers instinctively found Jihyun's contact, going back and forth between typing and deleting the very words he had been holding back for so long. 

Afterall, they do say that a person’s drunk words are his unsaid sober thoughts. 

Did you get home saf… /delete

Jihyun-ah.. /delete

I… /delete

Can i ask you something… / delete

Can i tell you something… / delete

I’m trying… I’m really trying…. / delete

Jihyun-ah… / delete

I think i really lik…..

That was the words he was able to type before slightly passing out on the table. His head was throbbing so bad that he just laid his head, waiting for it to subside down. 

Just a minute. He thought. 

He was planning on sobering himself with a lot of water so that he can finally head home, when the owner of the restaurant entered the room a few minutes later—-which Seungkwan didn’t even notice at all. 

He had remembered that one customer was still occupying the room after all the others had left. At first, he simply intended to remind him that the restaurant would be closing soon.

"Excuse me, sir?" he called politely from the doorway. "We're just letting you know that we'll be closing in about twenty minutes."

However, there was no response. Thinking that Seungkwan just didn’t hear him, he decided to step inside already.

Only then did he notice Seungkwan completely slumped over the table, one arm still resting beside his phone while several empty bottles sat scattered around him.

The owner hesitated for a moment before approaching carefully.

"Sir?"

He gently patted Seungkwan’s shoulder, hoping that would wake him up, “Excuse me, sir? Do you have someone to call?”

Still no response. 

This time, the owner decided to give his shoulder a slightly firmer shake. “If not, then we can help call a taxi for you.”

Seungkwan stirred slightly, but still didn’t respond to the owner’s question. 

The owner immediately withdrew his hand, a worried look crossing his face. He stepped outside the room for a brief moment and quietly called one of his employees over.

"I don't think he's waking up," he said in a hushed voice. "Could you bring me a glass of water?"

The employee nodded and hurried off.

Meanwhile, the owner returned to the room once more, determined to wake the young man before the restaurant officially closed.

"Sir, can you hear me?"

Nothing.

Not even the slightest movement.

The owner let out a small sigh before instinctively glancing around the table, wondering if there was anyone he could contact.

That was when he noticed Seungkwan’s phone, still unlocked lying beside his arm. The unset message he was typing earlier was still there. 

The owner stared at it for a brief moment, contemplating if he should do it or not, before finally reaching for the phone. 

Upon seeing the unsent message, he figured that it might be one of his members. Grabbing this opportunity, he immediately clicked the call button. 

Back in the dorms, other members were just preparing to go to bed. Meanwhile, Jihyun, who arrived almost 3 hours ago, has already washed up and has changed into her sleeping clothes. 

She was comfortably laying in bed, as she continued reading the novel where she left off last night. 

Halfway through the chapter, drowsiness began to creep in. She slipped her bookmark between the pages and shifted into a more comfortable position, ready to call it a night—when suddenly, her phone rang. 

Good thing was, she hasn't turned her do not disturb mode on yet. Seungkwan was calling her. 

She tilted her head slightly, confused as to why he was calling this late—because she knows that the members have arrived at the dorms already when she asked Jeonghan earlier. 

“Hello? Oppa?” She said confusedly as soon as she picked up the phone. 

But to her surprise, it wasn’t Seungkwan that was on the other side of the phone. 

“Hello? Aigoo.. I’m so sorry for calling you this late. I’m the owner of **** Restaurant. By any chance, is this a member of Seventeen?” 

“Uh… yes, that’s right. Is something wrong? How are you calling through this number?” Jihyun answered politely. 

“Ah, it’s just that… Seungkwan-ssi’s phone was turned on and your messages happened to be opened, so I gave you a call… Seems like he drank a bit too much. If possible, would you be able to come pick him up?” 

“Oh… okay.. Can you guys wait a moment? I’ll head over there as soon as possible.” 

The owner immediately agreed. 

Upon hanging up the call, Jihyun immediately got out of bed and changed her clothes to anything decent her hand could reach. She didn’t even bother to fix her hair and just tied them up on a messy bun. 

Before going out, she tried to knock on another members’ unit, checking if someone was still awake, but just immediately gave up when no one answered—-”ah, they’re probably all already knocked down at this hour,” she thought. 

She hurried downstairs from their apartment. Before hailing a taxi, she stopped by the convenience store at the foot of the apartment complex to buy a one-liter bottle of water and a hangover relief drink.

Once done, she ran towards the main entrance and quickly hailed a taxi. “To *** Restaurant, please.” 

“I’m really sorry, but can we go a little bit faster?” 

The whole time she was inside the cab, Jihyun doesn’t know why but it feels like her insides were going crazy. Her heartbeat was beating at an extreme rate, and she was fidgeting her hands like crazy. 

As soon as she arrived at the restaurant where their team dinner was conducted just a few hours ago, she was immediately greeted by the staff. 

“Where is he?” She said in a hurry. The staff immediately directed her to the private room they were in earlier. 

Upon entering, that’s when she finally saw Seungkwan. “Oh thank god… It’s not as bad as I thought.” 

Unlike earlier when the owner first saw him, Seungkwan is now awake and was sitting on the chair properly, waiting for her. Seems like the owner stayed with him the whole time, and even gave him water to sober up himself. 

As soon as Jihyun entered the room, Seungwan’s eyes immediately found her. And just like that, it seems like all the alcohol on his system immediately evaporated. 

When he woke up earlier, the owner informed him that they already called his member to pick him up. But he did not expect that it would be her. 

“Kwan-ah..” She called him, almost whining. 

As if her feet had its own mind, she strided quickly to where he was seated. Upon sitting, her hand reached his forehead, checking if his temperature was okay. 

“Why…” Seungkwan murmured, his voice still husky. His expression softened as soon as he looked closely at Jihyun. “Did you run all the way from the dorms? Why did you come outside? It’s too late already.”

“For someone who got drunk and needs my help, you do have a lot so say huh.” Jihyun said playfully, but his expression stayed the same as he continuously stared at her. 

She opened the hangover relief drink she bought earlier and handed it to him. 

“Drink this. Do not leave a single drop,” she said with a warning look, “I’m watching you.” 

Once Jihyun was satisfied that he was doing a little better and could manage on his own, she packed up his belongings before helping him to his feet. Together, they left the restaurant.

She thanked the owner and the staff before finally stepping outside.

On their way home, the both of them were so quiet that the only thing you would be able to hear was the sound of the cab’s heater as well as the honking cars on the road. 

As they finally reached their apartment complex, the driver dropped them off at the main entrance only as only registered vehicles can automatically enter.

Well, technically, the cab could’ve been allowed inside the  complex, they just need the resident’s authorization—which would require Jihyun’s and Seungkwan’s ID so that the security could log the car’s entry on the records.

Not wanting to go through all that hassle, the two simply just got out of the taxi and chose to walk to the building where their dorm was located. 

At this point, Seungkwan was now fully sober—or at least, that’s what he felt like—and is completely aware of what was happening. 

He is sober, but it seems like the side effects of alcohol were still in his system. For some reason, he’s feeling this surge of confidence as he looks at Jihyun who was walking a few steps ahead of him. 

It was as if everything that happened for the past 3 weeks of their promotion came rushing down at him again. 

“Why is it that they can do it and I can’t?”

“Even those who didn't know her personally had the guts to confess. So why can’t I?”

“What’s holding me back?”

He thought, as if all his worries earlier all evaporated with the alcohol he drank earlier. 

The two of them continued walking quietly toward their apartment building. It was the middle of the night, and they were the only two wandering around the complex. The only sounds were their footsteps and the chirping of crickets somewhere in the bushes—when Seungkwan suddenly spoke softly. 

“Jihyun-ah…,” he said softly, almost a whisper. 

She instinctively turned her head towards him, “Hmmm?” She answered, eyebrows slightly raising. 

Seungkwan let out a slight sigh before speaking again. “Can… can we walk a little slower?” 

She blinked at his unexpected request, but eventually nodded, and walked back a little to match his pace. 

A minute passed again, but neither of them was talking. The silence didn’t feel awkward or anything, but for some reason, it felt kind of heavy. 

And Jihyun felt it too. That feeling of something was about to happen. 

“Has our building always been this far from the entrance? ” She thought.

After several more steps, Seungkwan spoke again. 

“You really shouldn’t have come.” 

“What do you mean?”

“It’s late,” he said quietly, his eyes remaining on the path in front of them. “It’s already late and you came out all by yourself in the middle of the night. What if something happened to you?” 

Jihyun sighed as her shoulders went down a little. “Well, who else is supposed to come, huh? The others were probably asleep,” she said, her voice rising, nagging at him. 

You wouldn’t even think he was older than her by a year. 

“And besides.. What, am I supposed to just leave you behind?”

That was when Seungkwan looked at her briefly, smiling at her softly. “Thank you,” he said in almost a whisper. 

The two continued walking side by side beneath the dim streetlights, each quietly occupied by thoughts they couldn't bring themselves to say aloud.

After what felt like an eternity, the silhouette of their apartment building finally came into view. Jihyun instinctively began picking up her pace, completely unaware that with every step she took, Seungkwan felt the courage he had painstakingly gathered, beginning to slip away once again.

It felt as though time itself had suddenly started running against him.

Before he could lose his nerve for the second time that night, he quietly called her name.

“Jihyun-ah!”

Jihyun stopped in her tracks before slowly turning around to face him.

“I… There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you.”

She quietly walked back toward him, stopping a few steps away as if instinctively giving him the space he needed. Under the dim glow of the streetlights, she simply stood there, patiently waiting for him to continue.

Seungkwan, however, couldn't bring himself to speak.

He drew in a deep breath before letting it out slowly, his gaze fixed somewhere on the pavement beneath them. Several seconds passed, yet not a single word left his lips. It looked as though he was having one last conversation with himself.

His fingers unconsciously intertwined before separating again, fidgeting restlessly at his sides. He closed his eyes for the briefest moment, inhaled once more, and when he finally looked back at her, there was a quiet determination behind the nervousness in his eyes.

“I…” he began softly. “I like you.” The words left his lips almost like a whisper.

Everything around them seemed to fall silent.

Jihyun remained frozen where she stood, her eyes widening ever so slightly as she stared back at him, completely caught off guard. Meanwhile, Seungkwan found himself instinctively searching her expression, almost desperately trying to understand what she was thinking as his fingers continued fidgeting uncontrollably by his side.

“Oppa, I–” She had barely managed to find her voice when Seungkwan spoke again.

“I liked you... For quite some time now.”

A quiet sigh escaped him as his gaze slowly fell back to the ground, as though finally admitting those words had lifted something unbearably heavy from his shoulders.

“It's okay! It's not that I'm saying this because I want any answers from you. It's just that, I might really regret it later on.”

Another silence settled between them.

After standing there for another few moments, he looked up at her once more and offered the same gentle smile she had seen countless times before—warm, familiar, and comforting, as though he hadn't just confessed the feelings he had spent years trying to keep to himself.

“That’s all.” A small, awkward laugh escaped him.

“Let’s go inside now. It’s getting late.”

Without waiting for her response, Seungkwan simply turned around and briskly made his way toward the apartment lobby, leaving Jihyun standing alone beneath the streetlights, still trying to process everything that had happened in the span of only a few minutes.

This was what she had feared all along. The possibility she had desperately hoped would never become reality was now standing right in front of her, and she wasn't ready to face it. 

It wasn’t because she didn’t like him, no, not at all. Heck the boy she likes also has feelings for her. Others would have been screaming in happiness by now. But not her. 

Yes, she likes him. 

Perhaps far more than she had ever allowed herself to admit. Somewhere between the countless schedules, late-night practices, shared meals, and ordinary conversations over the past four years, Seungkwan had quietly become someone irreplaceable to her. Long before tonight, her heart had already learned to look for him without her even realizing it.

If only that was enough.

Because as much as she wanted to say yes, there was another dream she had been holding onto for even longer. She had spent years convincing herself that her career would always come first, that there were still countless stages she wanted to stand on, goals she wanted to accomplish, and dreams she refused to abandon before she could allow someone else in her life

The cruelest part was that she wanted to accept him.

She wanted to tell him not to walk away.

She wanted to stop him before he disappeared into the lobby and simply say, “Me too.”

God… She wanted to.

So much that her chest physically ached.

But wanting something and being ready for it were two completely different things.

The moment she accepted his feelings, everything would change. No matter how much the two of them tried to pretend otherwise, things between them would never be as simple as they had always been. And she couldn't stop herself from wondering how it may affect the members. The career spent years on building. 

This industry wasn't at all forgiving or matters like this. It's never going to be easy. 

She wasn't afraid of loving Seungkwan.

She was afraid that saying yes before she was ready might cost them both far more than either of them ever intended to lose.

They finally part ways on the elevator. Seungkwan’s dorm was located on the floor below hers. He looked at her hesitantly, before forcing a warm smile, “I’ll get going now.”

Jihyun stayed silent the whole time. But right after the doors of the elevator closed, the tears she was holding back finally fell. 

Because deep inside her, at this time, there was only one answer. Even though she knows so well that it would ruin her. But, to her, it seems like the right thing to do. 

The elevator finally reached her floor, but she didn't move. She simply stood there, her eyes fixed on nothing in particular, before finally stepping out. 

It was as if she was contemplating if she could actually do it—if she had the heart to do it—knowing that the very thing would hurt the both of them. 

As if already decided, she rushingly clicked the down button of the elevator, preventing it from closing on her. 

She quickly got inside and clicked the floor below hers. 

Once the door opened, she ran towards the unit where Seungkwan was. 

She stopped in front of their door for a while, until finally, her hand, still trembling, rang the bell. Her breathing grew uneven as she waited for someone to answer the door. 

It took a few seconds before she heard footsteps echoing inside the unit. 

Seungkwan, upon hearing the bell rang, immediately checked on the intercom who it was. 

“Jihyun-ie?” He thought, not expecting to see her again. He immediately opened the door and stepped outside. 

His eyes instinctively searched her face, immediately noticing the redness around her eyes and the way she struggled to catch her breath, as though she had run all the way there without stopping.

Concern quickly replaced the surprise on his face.

"Oh, Jihyun-ah, why?" he asked, taking a small step forward. "Are you okay?"

She couldn't answer him immediately. Her vision blurred once more as tears threatened to spill from her eyes again. She quickly looked away, taking several deep breaths in an attempt to steady herself before forcing herself to meet his gaze again.

"Kwan-ah..."

The nickname she calls him whenever she teases him, playfully pretending the one-year age gap between them didn't exist.

Yet somehow, hearing it now felt completely different. It carried a weight neither of them had ever felt before.

She lowered her head for a brief moment, tightly clenching the sleeve of her hoodie before finally forcing the words out.

“I… I’m sorry,” she said, her voice shaking.

"...but I'm going to pretend I didn't hear what you said tonight."

She paused only long enough to wipe the tears that had begun streaming down her cheeks.

"This didn't happen… I know that's unfair, and I know I'm being selfish for saying this. But I don’t think I’m ready to process any of these yet." Her voice cracked despite her best efforts to stay composed.

"There are still so many things I want to accomplish, Oppa, and I don't think I'm ready to carry something this important while I'm still chasing those dreams."

She swallowed hard before continuing.

"I'm scared that if I answer you now, I'll only end up hurting you even more. I don't want to accept your feelings when I know I can't give you the certainty you deserve."

Another tear slipped down her cheek.

"So..." She forced a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Please.. Let's pretend tonight never happened."

Seungkwan remained silent for what felt like an eternity.

He lowered his gaze for a brief moment before letting out a slow, quiet breath, almost as if he had been carrying the weight of that answer long before she had spoken it aloud. When he finally looked back at her, the sadness in his eyes was still there, but it was accompanied by the same warm smile she had grown so familiar with over the years.

"Alright then." There was no disappointment in his voice. No bitterness, or any attempt to change her mind.

It was simply the quiet acceptance of someone who had already prepared himself for every possible answer the moment he decided to confess.

He gently nodded to himself before speaking again, "Good night, Jihyun-ah."

Without waiting for another word, Seungkwan quietly stepped backward into the dorm. He offered her one last small smile before slowly closing the door between them, leaving Jihyun standing alone in the silent hallway, her tears continuing to fall as she stared at the door long after it had already closed.

Because, if letting her go was the only way to bring her at ease, then Seungkwan can bear the pain himself. After all, Jihyun will always come first for him. Even if it meant smiling through the very thing that would eventually ruin him.

【 all rights reserved — © 𝐉𝐈𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐍-𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐄 2026 】

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HOWEVER— for some reason, that admiration seems like it vanishes in to thin air whenever the camera starts rolling for Going Seventeen filming. Much to Carats' amusement, the two develop an almost cat-and-dog dynamic, constantly bickering and finding new ways to annoy each other throughout every game. One of the biggest reasons behind this is Hoshi's endless habit of teasing Seungkwan. Whenever the two begin their usual arguments, Jihyun is almost always seen holding Seungkwan back while repeatedly telling him to calm down. Ironically, the moment Seungkwan finally settles down, Jihyun somehow ends up marching over to Hoshi herself to get revenge on his behalf, usually by exposing him during games, sabotaging his plans, or throwing a perfectly timed remark that leaves the members bursting into laughter. The members have even joked that Hoshi's real battle doesn't begin until Seungkwan stops arguing, because that's when Jihyun quietly takes over. Despite their endless back-and-forth, everyone knows the playful fights never go beyond variety content. Behind the cameras, Hoshi remains one of the people Jihyun respects the most.

With JUN ▸ MyangMyangz [ 먕먕즈 ]

Jihyun’s relationship with Jun is basically built off of her unwavering support for him. Among all the members, Jihyun has always expressed how proud she was of Jun as his schedules sometimes get really hectic when he has to juggle activities for both Korea and China. She has mentioned multiple times that one thing she loves about their team is how every member is able to continue their own individual passion while still being a member of the group, , and Jun has always been one of the people who embodies that the most in her eyes. Watching him work tirelessly across different countries and languages has only deepened her respect for him over the years, making her one of his biggest supporters both on and off camera. 

Because of this, some Carats have joked that Jihyun could simply pass as Jun’s unofficial public relations manager. Whenever Jun announces a new project, may that be a new drama, movie, or music release, you can always expect Jihyun to be one of the first members to promote it through Weverse, Instagram, or even lives. Carats often says that if Jun has a new project coming out, Jihyun somehow becomes even more excited than Jun himself.

With THE8 ▸ jihao [ 명현즈 ]

It is quite known in caratland that Hao has helped Jihyun heal and understand herself better throughout the years. Jihyun has always been known for setting dangerously  high standards and expectation for herself—everything for her has to be perfect. It;s as if she’s not letting herself have any mistake or else everything will fall apart. Because of that, he became one of the people who taught Jihyun how to slow down and breathe amidst Seventeen’s busy and demanding schedules. At some point in 2022, they finally had the time to have a very serious talk over some tea, and that’s where he directly said to her that her worth is never defined by how much she accomplished or how perfect her works are. And definitely, the era from 2020-2022 was the time the two got closer to each other. Rather than trying to solve her problems for her, Minghao simply stayed beside her, encouraging her to rest when she needed to, appreciate the present instead of constantly worrying about the future, and find happiness outside of work. Because of this, she often describes him as someone who helped keep her grounded whenever she felt like she was losing herself. 

Ironically, that same calm and composed duo completely falls apart whenever Hoshi enters the picture. Known among Carats as the founding members of Seventeen's unofficial "Anti Horanghae Club," Minghao and Jihyun have made it their personal mission to humble Hoshi whenever he becomes a little too confident, especially during Going Seventeen. Whether it's immediately questioning his self-proclaimed tiger identity, exposing his overly dramatic antics during games, or responding to yet another "Horanghae" with synchronized looks of complete disbelief, the two have become one of Hoshi's greatest natural enemies (in a playful way).

With DINO ▸ makdongz [ 막동즈 ]

It is undeniable that among all the members, Chan and Jihyun’s relationship screams the most sibling-like; maybe because the two are both 99 liners, making them connect on a deeper level. However, it is also a known fact that during Jihyun’s early trainee days, Chan and Seungkwan used to call her noona before eventually discovering that Seungkwan was older than her, and she’s the same age as Chan. While the revelation shocked the two, Chan later mentioned in a variety show  that despite being only months older than her, Jihyun somehow feels like an older sibling to him because of her mature attitude and personality. As the two youngest members of Seventeen, they naturally understood the unique pressures that came with being the maknaes of such a large group, eventually becoming each other's quiet support system over the years. Their support for one another extends far beyond group activities as well. Whenever either of them releases a solo project, fans have come to expect the other to immediately promote it on Weverse or Instagram—sometimes joking that the two are faster than Pledis' own social media team. During Dino's participation in the Esports World Cup opening performance, Jihyun even surprised Carats by going live solely to watch his stage performance in real time, enthusiastically reacting to every performance and continuously praising him throughout the broadcast. Fans later joked that if there was ever a president of the Lee Chan Supporters Association, Kang Jihyun had already secured the position years ago. 

Despite often acting all mature, cool, and dependable, the members have once mentioned that Chan and Jihyun will always be the team’s precious maknaes. One of the moments Carats often look back on was that moment in In The SOOP wherein Chan, Jihyun and Seungkwan were having a deep conversation, where in Seungkwan opened up about something the older members have realized among themselves. He admitted that the hyungs had recently realized they hadn't noticed just how much Dino and Jihyun had grown up over the years because the two rarely acted like the youngest members anymore. Instead, they had become people the others naturally relied on. Seungkwan confessed that he wished they would let themselves lean on the members more often. That they didn’t always have to carry themselves so maturely, because no one would ever scold them for acting like the babies of the team. The conversation left all three emotional, becoming one of the moments that best captured the unique bond shared by Seventeen's youngest line. To this day, Carats often say that while Dino and Jihyun may have grown into dependable adults, they'll always be "Chan and Jihyun" to the twelve members who watched them grow up. 

【 all rights reserved — © 𝐉𝐈𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐍-𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐄 2026 】

╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ for taglist: feel free to comment or message me 🦫

╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ requests: always open .ᐟ

⤷ hyuniverse: SHE'S BACK IN THE STUDIO I CAN FEEL IT

⤷ Canadian_carat17: the piano is her friend,,, but its DEFINITELY not ours

⤷ yoonzvt: im having highs and lows flashbacks oh gOD didnt she mentioned that started as a piano melody first?????

⤷ jihyunkkung99: her and that damn piano means its the ned for us yall that album is gonna hurt

⤷ KJH1trutherr: EVERYONE STAY CALM THIS MIGHT BE KJH1

⤷ boosgf: HELPP is this an inside joke within the members?? HAHAHAHHAHAH

⤷ moonlitcaratzone: mother is about to hurt us and who am i to complain

⤷ doremizenthusiast: its the fact that my playlist of songs jihyun composed with the piano melody first is something that i listen to if i seriously want a good cry

⤷ kwanjjiagenda: LOOLL seungkwan's comment 😭😭😭

⤷ caratland_police: Congrats on the contract renewal my love!!! (now please dont write a song that makes me question my life pls LOLL 😂😭)

⤷ JOLO_waitingroom: KJH!.... I know you're in there....

⤷ miffyplanet: GIRL GIVE US THAT ALBUM NOW PLEASE IM ON MY KNEES

【 all rights reserved — © 𝐉𝐈𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐍-𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐄 2026 】

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╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ requests: always open .ᐟ

Seungcheol knows Jihyun so well that he knows she rarely voices her own struggles. This is why he developed a habit of paying attention to the little things instead. He is often one of the first to notice whenever she starts overworking herself again or something is weighing her mind, immediately checking on her through the simplest questions rather than forcing her to open up. Carats frequently joke that while Seungcheol may be Seventeen's dependable leader, the moment it comes to Jihyun, he somehow transforms into an overly protective father who simply wants to make sure his youngest daughter is always safe. 

With WONWOO ▸ jiwonz [ 지원즈 ]

Jihyun and Wonwoo’s dynamics are often described by fans as ‘comfort in silence’. Whenever the members get too loud and chaotic for Jihyun to keep up to, you will always find her sitting beside Wonwoo [see Going Seventeen EP. 109 - Grrreuk kak kak TTT #1]. Whether they’re just sitting beside each other during long flights or in the waiting room, or just simply accompanying each other during exhausting schedules, the two have a natural way of making each other feel comforted.

The two also share the same hobbies. They both love reading books, hence they often recommend each other titles they think the other person would enjoy–which is also why fans have spotted the two of them reading the same book. They also both have interest in computer games. Although Jihyun doesn’t play often since most of her time is spent in the studio doing revisions, when she does, she always plays with Wonwoo. And surprisingly, although both of them appear more reserved, Jihyun is someone Wonwoo surprisingly talks to quite often—not about work, but instead mostly about books, games, or even photography. The members have mentioned more than once that whenever Jihyun and Wonwoo are left alone together, they rarely look awkward despite speaking very little, often sitting side by side while quietly doing their own things.

With MINGYU ▸ daengnyangies [ 댕냥이들 ]

Jihyun and Mingyu’s dynamics are often referred to by the fans as “the golden retriever and the black cat”. While Mingyu is naturally loud, friendly, and expressive, Jihyun on the other hand is calm, reserved, and soft-spoken, making their personalities complement each other surprisingly well. Despite their differences in personality, the two both have an interest in cooking and taking care of other people; which is why when Seventeen used to live together, the two had the habit of exchanging meals they made with each other since they live in separate units. 

During Inside Seventeen and other behind the scene contents, fans have also noticed that Mingyu somehow always ends up taking care of Jihyun in the smallest ways—whether it's carrying her bag without saying anything, or instinctively handing her the things she needs before she even asks. Because of this, Carats often joke that Mingyu has an "older brother mode" that automatically activates whenever Jihyun is around. Although Mingyu is usually the one looking after Jihyun, she has also become one of the few members who can effortlessly calm him down whenever he becomes overly flustered or worked up. During one episode of Going Seventeen: Don't Lie, fans couldn't help but notice how Mingyu's frustration gradually built up after Hoshi repeatedly accused him of being the mafia despite having no evidence. While the rest of the members burst into laughter at the ongoing chaos, Jihyun quietly reached over to pat Mingyu's arm while telling him to calm down, causing him to immediately let out a sigh before laughing at himself moments later. Since then, fans have pointed out that whenever Mingyu begins rambling too quickly or gets overly passionate during discussions, Jihyun instinctively becomes the one to ground him with just a few simple words.

With VERNON ▸ oddballz [ 오볼즈 ]

Jihyun and Vernon's relationship is often described by fans as "the duo that somehow speaks the same language." Although the two have completely different personalities on the surface, they surprisingly understand each other's train of thought better than most people. Since both of them enjoy exploring different genres of music, films, and literature, they often find themselves exchanging recommendations whenever they discover something interesting. Because Vernon and Seungkwan have always been inseparable, Jihyun naturally became part of their small circle over the years, with the three frequently spending time together after schedules. Fans have even joked that if Seungkwan can't be found in the dorm, there's a ninety percent chance he's either with Vernon, Jihyun—or both. 

One of the members' favorite things to witness is Vernon saying something so unbelievably random that the entire room falls silent, only for Jihyun to casually respond as if it made complete sense. This often leaves the rest of Seventeen staring at the two in complete confusion before bursting into laughter moments later. During interviews and behind-the-scenes content, the members have pointed out more than once that Jihyun somehow understands Vernon's "4D logic" without needing any explanation, making them one of the most unexpectedly synchronized duos in the group. Carats affectionately joke that Vernon and Jihyun operate on the same frequency while everyone else is simply trying to catch up. 

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