✨Toni 💕

eventually, minjun noticed you. he started talking to you. you became friends.

and after one too many drinks on a night out, you ended up sleeping together.

the next morning, he asked if you wanted to try the whole friends-with-benefits thing.

you said yes—obviously.

because you were stupid enough to think it’d turn into something more.

but all your hopes crash down whenever you see someone flirt with him—what’s worse is that he willingly lets them. tonight is one like that. 

giselle, who has been taking note of your expression the whole night nudges you and nods at you asking what happened to which you just shake your head and turn your gaze back to the couple.

giselle lets out a sigh, “you know it’s high time you stop thinking about him and start thinking about you.”

“but i,” you stir your drink with the red straw. “i just like him so much, but he just does not even seem to care about me until he wants to get his dick wet.”

“then make him jealous,” she shrugs. “that seems to be the most proven way to get a guy's attention.”

make him jealous. easier said than done.

how are you supposed to make someone jealous, when you don’t have someone to make him jealous with.

but the k-drama gods somewhat seems to be on your side today. you’re just trying to watch your k-drama in peace on a sketchy website, and suddenly this weird ad pops up.

Rent-a-boyfriend!

at first it seems really sketchy, but curiosity gets the best of you and you click on the ad which redirects you to a new site. the site does not look as sketchy as the ad, you think.

Boyfriend for Hire – Fake It Till You Feel It, the title said. below, you see a slideshow of a few men—highlighted ‘our best’. your eyes pause on one particular slide. 

Yoon Jeonghan.

you scroll down and see reviews: 

“(5/5) Booked him to make my ex jealous—ended up jealous of myself. How is he THIS good at fake eye contact?? I still think about the way he said my name.” ~@overitbutnotreally

“(5/5) He remembered my coffee order after one call. Held my hand like he meant it. My friends still ask about him. I had to pretend I broke it off just to save face.” ~@girlwhocriedfeelings

“(4/5) Flawless acting. Too flawless. Caught feelings. Would sue if I wasn’t also lowkey in love. Docked one star for emotional damage.” ~@chaoticrevengearc

that good? you definitely gotta check it out.

you don’t know how this is supposed to work but you hit on the confirm order button and just hope your money does not go in some scammer’s hands.

_

you look at the message for a good 10 minutes. you didn’t know it would actually work. you shake the thoughts out of your head before typing out a reply.

_

you are 15 minutes late. by the time you reach the cafe you were sure if he would have left. when you reached the cafe, not to lie, you were quite surprised to see him not gone, even more that he looks exactly like the pictures—beautiful. his hair’s a little messy—brown, shoulder-length, soft waves that look like he ran a hand through them on the way here. he’s in a plain white tee layered under a charcoal jacket, one arm draped over the back of the chair, the other around his half melted iced coffee.

“sorry,” you apologize meekly as you stand in front of him.

jeonghan looks up and says your name to confirm your identity. you nod once, reaching out your hand to shake his then slide into the seat across from him. 

you don’t say anything for sometime which forces him to speak out. 

“so… what are you looking for?”

“huh?” you look at him startled by the sudden conversation. 

“i mean you booked me, so i assume you have a motive—making your ex jealous, flexing in front of your friends. in case i’m wrong.”

“the first one.” you respond. “to make my situationship jealous… not ex.”

your voice dips at the end, his presence pressing at the edges of your nerves.

jeonghan nods. 

“so do you have any picture of them? for reference i mean. i can’t just go around making random people jealous, if you know what i mean.” he winks.

you don’t know what he means, still you take out your phone and show him a picture of minjun.

“what’s his name?”

“minjun,” you reply.

jeonghan takes one last sip of his coffee before slapping his hands on his thigh and getting up. 

“so, we’ll start tomorrow? dress pretty. we have somewhere to go.” 

You blink. “Somewhere?”

He leans down just a bit, enough for his voice to drop low—like this is some kind of secret.

“Can’t make someone jealous if they don’t see us.”

And with that, he flashes you a devastating smile, slips his coat over one shoulder, and heads for the door like this is just another day on the job.

You watch him leave, still holding your coffee, not entirely sure what you just signed up for. But your heart’s beating a little too fast.

And your phone pings a second later.

—

to make up for yesterday, you got ready early. 

now you’re standing outside the cafe, pretending to scroll through your phone while double-checking your reflection in the window for the third time.

jeonghan reaches the cafe two minutes after you. when he sees you he lets out a low whistle. 

“ooh, not bad!” he comments, eyeing you head to toe. for some reason the comment offends you a bit, but you don’t show it.

“shall we?” you say, not waiting for his reply before walking into the cafe.

—

jeonghan is not as weird as he seems. even though his little attempts at flirting did not exactly impress you, but he is not that bad either. the “date” went better than expected. 

jeonghan would make silly jokes, compliment you—a lot, even make an effort to learn your preferences. 

“so what is the deal between you and this, minjun guy” he asks.

you remain silent for a while, thinking what to say and what not. “we both go to the same college, same friend circle. things happened and we became friends-with-benefits. but…”

“you started liking him and he does not, so you are trying to make him jealous to invoke feelings in him. am i right or am i right?” 

the way he caught onto things so quickly baffled you. 

receiving no reply from you, he just nods. out of the blue asks you to open your phone and take pictures of him. a few turns into way too many—different angles, slight head tilts, half-smiles. he barely even blinks, adjusting his posture like he’s done this before (he probably has).

Finally, he lets out a satisfied hum and hands your phone back. “Post one. This should keep things interesting for a while.”

you raise a brow. “You’re kind of obsessed with yourself.”

he grins. “no, just committed to the role.”

_

jeonghan offered to drop you home—even though, as it turned out, he didn’t have a car. So the two of you ended up taking the bus.

somewhere between stops and shared earbuds, you played 20 Questions. you get to know he almost became an idol once, before he quit.

jeonghan was… fun. Easy to talk to. mysterious in a way that made you curious instead of cautious.

on the walk from the bus stop, it started to rain—a full downpour.  you both ran the rest of the way to your place, soaked and breathless. it only felt right to invite him in.

He was dripping wet, taxis weren’t showing up, and honestly… you didn’t really want him to leave just yet.

you're in the living room, carefully setting down two cups of green tea on the teapoy. he walks in a moment later–towel slung around his neck, hair still damp and curling at the ends. he settles on the couch without waiting to be told. 

you sit at the opposite end, legs tucked under you, trying not to watch the steam curl from his tea. Or the way he keeps glancing over at you, eyes half-lidded, hair still damp where it touches the nape of his neck. the rest of the night just went by, you talked and laughed. the night stretched on as the rain tapped gently against the windows. warm tea turned cold. his laugh lingered in the room. and somehow, without meaning to, he started to feel familiar. and when it was time for him to go back, you hugged.

—

minjun had viewed your story. almost everyone did. your dms were filled with “who is he”, “why didn’t you tell me about him”, “does he go to our college??”

the following week when you walked into the campus, giselle was already waiting. 

she links her arm with yours the second you step into the courtyard, “you have three seconds to explain or I’m spreading my own rumors.” 

you tell her everything—from the sketchy website to last night on the couch. she gasps after almost every sentence, each one louder than the other.

when you settle into your seats, minjun walks in. you are apprehensive of his reaction to the story. you sit up straighter every time he walks closer. but minjun just looks at you before walking away, sitting three rows away from you. 

a quiet disappointment settles in your chest.

the rest of the lecture you don’t look back nor do you listen to what the professor is saying. 

_

when jeonghan hears this, he doesn’t look surprised. 

“he’ll come around.” that’s all he says.

_

jeonghan comes up with more plans. cooking dates, movie dates, “accidentally” running into minjun when on a date. 

you were pretty sure he was enjoying the drama more than the mission. he even had a color-coded schedule. 

_

date 2: cooking date

the kitchen smells like burnt garlic or whatever jeonghan drops on the stove. you’re not sure what it is—you’re too busy laughing.

jeonghan holds the wooden spatula like a mic, licking a streak of tomato sauce off the edge. “chef’s privilege,” he says.

“you didn’t even cook!” you swat him away with a dishtowel. jeonghan just shrugs.

eventually, after the smoke alarm chirps once (just once—thankfully), you both surrender and order takeout.

the stove’s a mess. your hands are stained with something red. you’re sitting on the kitchen floor, backs against the cabinets, passing a bottle of wine between you. there are half-chopped onions on the counter. a single mushroom rolled under the fridge. jeonghan raises his glass, eyes crinkling at the corners.

“we might be the only ones who can burn pasta,” you laugh while having a sip of the wine. jeonghan chuckles.

“to our Michelin-star relationship,” he says, you laugh and clink your glass against his.

_

date 3: movie date

about a week later, jeonghan asks you to come see a movie with him. he shows up with three flavours of popcorn and a slushie that’s the size of your head.

the seats were terrible. jeonghan claims it to be a part of authentic experience.

he talks through the trailers. Comments on the font choices. Tries to predict the plot three minutes into the movie loud enough to get a few shushes.

“That guy’s definitely the villain.”

“He just offered someone a tissue," you retort.

“Exactly. Emotional manipulation.”

he steals your drink halfway through and makes a show of using your straw. “Indirect kiss. Wow. You move fast.”

You hit him. He laughed.

jeonghan insists on walking you back after the movie.

“They should’ve kissed and detonated the building together,” he says, as if that was a normal takeaway.

you stare. “That’s what you got from that movie?”

“Explosive romance. Iconic.”

at your door, he lingered.“hey! i’ll text you about our next date.”

_

jeonghan would text you almost everyday now—with silly things, a pic of pigeons romancing and captions ~you and him one day;), silly memes, and at times his photos captioned ~aren’t you glad i’m your boyfriend ;p

_

you don’t understand why shops insist on changing layouts every week. your favourite choco cereal used to sit comfortably in the middle row. but now? top shelf.

you curse your ancestors for giving you such a tragically short height. 

after a few unsuccessful jumps and increasingly dramatic stretches, you start to consider giving up entirely. but like some saviour a hand reaches from behind taking the box and hands it to you.

as you lift your head to thank the person, you are met with a smirking jeonghan.

“what are you doing here?” you whisper-shout.

“what do you mean? now i can’t even go shopping in my neighbourhood?” he asks, raising his eyebrows.

you just shake your head and start walking away with your cart. 

“seriously though,” he says, glancing into your basket, “this is your grocery list? you planning to live off cereal and frozen dumplings?”

“it’s called survival.”

“it’s called malnutrition.” he starts tossing in things from the shelf. “here. you need greens. fiber.”

before you can argue, a voice interrupts.

“oh! you two look so cute together.”

you turn. it’s an older woman from your neighborhood. 

“young love is so sweet,” she says, smiling between you and jeonghan.

you open your mouth to correct her, but–

“we try,” jeonghan says, sliding his arm around your shoulders like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

you freeze.

“she makes me eat spinach, and i make her watch bad action movies. it works.”

you blink up at him.

he’s not even looking at you—he’s too busy smiling politely at the woman like he didn’t just say that with his whole chest.

she chuckles and gives you a little nod of approval before walking off.

you elbow him the second she’s gone.

“what was that?”

“i don’t know,” he says, casually picking up your cereal box again. “publicity. practice. fun.” then, grinning–

“you blushed, by the way.”

“did not.”

“did too.”

date 4: movie date 2.0

jeonghan plans another date. he just asks you to choose your favourite movie and put a few pillows on the couch.

it’s 8pm when he comes to your house, with 2 packets of potato chips, burgers, and a mcflurry.

“for you,” he says, nudging the ice cream toward you first. “because you’ve been insufferable lately and i thought sugar might help.”

you take it anyway. “you’re so annoying.”

“but charming,” he adds, walking in like he lives there. “you forgot to say charming.”

you both settle yourselves on the couch and start to eat. 

the movie starts. you try to focus—but it’s hard when he’s next to you, talking to the screen, reacting way too dramatically, offering you fries without looking. 

you don’t like how comfortable this feels, how easy this feels.

when he goes back he hugs you, you don’t.

_

you are at your locker when minjun comes at you.

“you said you were not dating.” he barks.

“what?” you ask confused.

“that dude. is he your boyfriend? you weren’t dating anyone like—two days ago.”

“yeah, it just happened! also, why do you care?” you ask, arms crossing instinctively. “we had a pact, remember? when either of us found someone we actually liked, this–”

you motion between you and him, “-would end.”

he goes quiet.

giselle, who has been a witness to everything you, speaks. “do you want us to give you a minute? i can pretend to look at gum or something.”

you almost snort. but your eyes don’t leave minjun.“you made it clear you didn’t want anything serious,” you say. “and i found someone who does.”

you don’t wait to hear his reply and leave with giselle.

_

you’re sitting with jeonghan on a bench at the park, legs barely brushing, the wind playing with your hair.

“the plan’s working,” you say, laughing lightly. “minjun texted me. says he wants to work things out.”

you glance over at him. “you’re free now.”

he doesn’t laugh.

a beat passes before he speaks. “how are we going to end things?” he asks, eyes still on the sky. “he thinks we’re dating.”

you pause. “we hang out at a bar on weekends,” you say slowly. “we could go, make it a show. fight. break up in front of him.”

jeonghan just nods.

_

the bar is packed—dim lights, loud music, chatter buzzing all around you.

you and jeonghan sit in the corner booth, just close enough for it to look intimate. you can feel the weight of minjun’s gaze from across the room. he’s watching.

jeonghan leans in, voice low. “you sure about this?”

you nod, even though your chest feels tight. “let’s make it ugly.”

he exhales, then straightens in his seat. and just loud enough, “you’re unbelievable, you know that?” he snaps.

you blink, caught off guard by how sharp his voice actually is.

“what?” you whisper.

“you dragged me into this whole mess, and now you’re backing out like none of it mattered.”

you raise your eyebrows. “backing out?”

“don’t act like you don’t know,” he says, louder now. a few heads turn.

“you’ve been weird since he texted you. what, you want to run back to him?”

“don’t do this,” you say, voice softer now. “not here.”

he stands. “you want to go back to a guy who never chose you the first time? be my guest.”

you flinch.

he looks down at you one last time, then turns and walks out without another word.

your heart pounds. the booth feels too big now. too quiet.

a moment later, minjun slips into jeonghan’s seat.

“so… that was intense.”

you don’t respond.

he leans in.

“look,” he begins, softer now. “i mean it. i want to try again. properly, this time. if you’ll let me.”

you look at him. his face, his hands, the way he’s looking at you like he means it.

and then you think about jeonghan.

the grocery store. the movie nights. the way he holds your wrist instead of your hand when you're anxious. how none of it ever felt fake.

you shake your head. “i’m sorry.”

before he can say anything else, you get up and run.

_

you catch him just outside the bar, half a block away. he’s walking fast, like he doesn’t want to give himself time to think.

“jeonghan!”

he stops, turns, surprised.

“why are you here?” he asks. “where’s minjun?”

you jog the last few steps to reach him, out of breath. “i said no.”

“what?”

“to him. he asked me to come back. i said no.”

he blinks. “oh.”

you look at him. the stupid hair falling into his eyes. the way his jacket’s slightly off his shoulder. the face you’ve been seeing almost every day, for all the wrong reasons—and somehow, now, all you can think is i want more time with you.

“you,” you say. quietly.

“i want you.”

for a second, he just stands there. “are you saying this because–”

“no,” you say. “i’m saying this because every part of pretending with you felt more real than anything i ever had with him.”

he smiles, small and real. “good.”

he steps closer.

“because i like you too.”

and then, finally, he reaches for your hand. he leans in, and his lips find yours—soft, easy, like he’s been waiting to do it.

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Attending Physician: Dr. Xu Minghao Patients: Dr. Lee Chan & You Observations:

Symptoms of mutual but unspoken affection persist.

Prolonged eye contact during case discussions, lasting an unnecessary yet telling 3-5 seconds.

Dr. Lee instinctively prepares coffee for you without being asked, despite denying any special treatment.

Notable verbal deflection whenever questioned about their relationship.

Displays of concern disguised as professional courtesy (e.g., Dr. Lee personally ensuring you eat, rest, and do not collapse mid-rounds).

Recommended course of action: One of them should just confess already, for the sake of department-wide sanity.

Resident Physician: Dr. Wen Junhui Patients: Dr. Lee Chan & You Observations:

Case of Chronic Emotional Avoidance detected.

You express concern for Dr. Lee’s well-being through passive-aggressive texts about eating habits.

Dr. Lee responds with deadpan humor, but follows every "I'm fine" with immediate compliance to your requests.

They speak in a shorthand no one else understands. Attempted to decipher once— resulted in a headache.

Dr. Lee shows clear signs of prioritizing your needs over his own, despite claiming you are “just a colleague” (False. You are the colleague).

Prognosis: Terminal pining. Unlikely to resolve without external intervention.

Chief Resident: Dr. Kwon Soonyoung Patients: Dr. Lee Chan & You Observations:

Patient zero (Dr. Lee) exhibits severe Protective Instincts toward you. Symptoms include unsolicited coffee deliveries, offering rides home, and giving up his only break to check on your patients.

You pretend not to notice, but also texts him first for help, second opinions, and snacks.

High likelihood of unconscious hand brushes.

Their "professional discussions" sound suspiciously like flirting in medical terminology.

Peer review suggests that every attending and resident has already placed bets on how long this will last.

Urgent recommendation: Immediate intervention required before the entire hospital loses its patience.

Final Diagnosis: Two highly competent doctors suffering from acute emotional repression, ongoing for years. Treatment options include forced confrontation or accidental confession under duress (i.e., a high-stakes surgery, excessive caffeine consumption, or a department-wide drinking session where Dr. Lee Chan can finally admit he has loved you from the moment he met you).

Reason/s for visiting Jeju Island (Choose all that apply) Required

▢ Work ▢ Leisure ▢ Visiting family ▢ Considering moving to Jeju ☑ Other: soul-searching

Specific Jeju Island landmarks that you want to visit (Choose all that apply) Required

☑ Outdoor attractions ☑ Museums ☑ Amusement parks ☑ Beaches ☑ Historical places ☑ Other: preferably lesser known places as well; the type that you can't find on online listicles, etc.

Is there anything you want Seungkwan to know?

i'll be holding you to your tagline of falling in love with jeju. :) see you soon, boo seungkwan

🍊 ꗃ @yourusername day one. — Jeju-do, South Korea 🗨 3 ♡ 5

@yourfriend Replying to yourusername 🫶 @yourfriend2 Replying to yourusername Enjoy your #eatpraylove/#livelaughlove trip, my dear!!!

@yourfriend3 Replying to yourusername saw this & thought of u. may it carry u through this tough time :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knWJuGaFkHY&ab_channel=RecordingAcademy%2FGRAMMYs

🍊 ꗃ @yourusername final day. — Jeju-do, South Korea 🗨 1 ♡ 6

@yourfriend3 Replying to yourusername <3 + did you find what u were looking for? (:

@yourusername Replying to yourfriend3 (:

< See all things to do in Jeju Island

Tangerine Tours with Certified Jeju Island Tour Guide, Boo Seungkwan By Boo Seungkwan ★★★★★ 1,713 reviews | Recommended by 99% of travelers ⓘ From KRW50,000 per adult

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Reviews ↓ Q&A

You ★★★★★ Dec-Jan 2025

I fell in love.

there's no better tour guide that you'll find in the entirety of jeju. it's more than enthusiasm; seungkwan is so full of love. love for his island, yes, but also its people. for life in general, really. i came to Jeju lost— in all sense of word— and seungkwan felt a lot like a homecoming. i would've stayed much longer if i could've. true to his tagline, seungkwan will have you falling for jeju. cannot recommend tangerine tours enough.

From: Boo Seungkwan <[email protected]> To: You <[email protected]> Date: January 16, 2025 Subject: RE: Your TripAdvisor review