"Back in the spotlight" Kim Juhoon x Reader
SYN. What happens when two childhood model friends are reunited after debuting under the same label?
.✦ ݁˖ Childhood friends → lovers trope. Contains: ILLIT, CORTIS, romance, mentions of ' R U NEXT '
A/N. I'm so excited about this layout guys🥹🥹 please lmk what you guys think about it!!
悲しみも（悲しみも）追い越していく— ILLIT, Sunday morning ☁️
Before they were idols. Before the screaming crowds, sold-out arenas, fancams, and endless schedules… they were simply two children standing in front of cameras much bigger than themselves.
Y/N had been six years old when she first met Kim Juhoon.
She remembered hiding behind her mother’s leg inside a brightly lit photography studio, intimidated by the dozens of staff members running around with clothing racks and camera equipment. The commercial was for a children’s clothing brand, and every child looked perfectly confident except for her.
Then a boy with fluffy dark brown hair walked over, carrying two juice boxes.
“You look scared,” he said matter-of-factly.
He held one juice box toward her.
“My mom says juice makes scary things less scary.”
She giggled before accepting it.
From that moment on, they became inseparable.
Over the next several years, the modeling industry practically considered them a package deal.
Whenever one booked a commercial, there was a decent chance the other would too.
Children’s clothing brands.
School supply advertisements.
Back-to-school campaigns.
Even family-themed advertisements where they’d pretend to be siblings or best friends.
The photographers adored them because they never had to fake chemistry.
Whenever the cameras started rolling, they naturally laughed together.
They naturally teased each other.
They naturally held hands while running through parks.
Because none of it was acting.
The adults would often lose sight of them only to find them building blanket forts under clothing racks, racing around studios, or splitting snacks during breaks.
“You stole my gummy bears.”
“I’ll buy you more when we’re adults.”
“You don’t even have money.”
Juhoon held out his pinky.
Y/N smiled before hooking hers around his.
Neither of them knew just how important that promise would become.
By the time they were eleven, both had become recognizable child models throughout Korea.
People constantly commented online.
“They’re so cute together.”
“They’re basically twins.”
“Please keep casting them together!”
Their parents even became close friends because of how often the children worked together.
Birthdays were spent together.
Weekend amusement park trips.
One year, Juhoon had even shown up at Y/N’s house in the pouring rain because she’d gotten sick and had to miss a commercial.
He’d stood outside holding a terribly wrapped gift.
“So you don’t fall behind.”
“But I brought chocolate.”
“…Okay, you’re forgiven.”
As they grew older, the jobs slowly changed.
Instead of colorful toy advertisements, they started doing more fashion campaigns.
People constantly complimented how naturally they posed together.
“Pretend you’re laughing.”
The photographers never had to tell them twice.
When they were thirteen, everything changed.
Y/N had quietly begun training under HYBE.
Modeling schedules became less frequent.
Dance lessons replaced weekend photoshoots.
Vocal training replaced acting classes.
She became busier than she’d ever imagined.
“You haven’t answered my texts.”
She nodded apologetically.
“What are you even practicing?”
“I promised I wouldn’t tell anyone.”
Juhoon pouted dramatically.
“You tell me everything.”
He sighed before handing her a canned coffee.
“I could never stay mad at you.”
HYBE announces new girl group survival show: R U Next?
Contestant lineup revealed tomorrow.
Juhoon didn’t think much of it.
He opened the contestant photos.
Smiling nervously at the camera.
He stared at the screen for several seconds before grabbing his phone.
Finally she answered after practice.
“You seriously joined a survival show?”
“When were you planning to tell me?”
“You disappeared for months.”
“You skipped my birthday.”
He leaned back in his chair.
“…I’ve never been more tired.”
“…That’s not what I asked.”
Y/N immediately started crying.
“I thought you’d be angry.”
She laughed through tears.
The next several months were brutal.
Y/N lived almost entirely inside the R U Next? practice rooms.
Juhoon watched every episode.
Even when she didn’t know.
Whenever Y/N ranked high, he’d grin proudly.
Whenever she cried after evaluations, he’d feel his chest tighten.
He wanted to text her constantly.
But he knew she was busy.
Juhoon sat in front of the television alone.
His leg bounced uncontrollably.
When Y/N’s name was announced as a debut member—
His parents laughed as he practically celebrated harder than anyone.
Y/N debuted as a member of ILLIT.
Everything became different.
Schedules became impossible.
International promotions.
The occasional text became monthly texts.
Not because either of them wanted to stop talking.
Life simply moved faster than either could keep up with.
Y/N became one of fifth-generation K-pop’s brightest stars.
Magazine covers returned.
Juhoon watched from afar.
His own dream finally came true.
The news spread quickly across social media.
One person nearly dropped her phone inside HYBE’s practice room.
Y/N stared at the announcement.
The teaser photo showed a familiar smile.
The same one she’d known since childhood.
The same boy who used to bring her juice boxes.
The same boy who promised to buy her gummy bears one day.
She smiled without realizing it.
A few weeks later, fate finally decided enough time had passed.
The backstage hallways buzzed with idols moving between waiting rooms, managers shouting schedules, and camera crews weaving through the crowded corridors.
ILLIT had just finished rehearsing for their comeback stage. Y/N walked down the hallway with the other members, absentmindedly reading something on her phone while her manager explained the day’s schedule.
“After pre-recording, you’ll have—”
Not until she heard a laugh.
One she’d recognize anywhere.
Her head lifted automatically.
At the opposite end of the hallway, another group rounded the corner.
Managers surrounding them.
Stylists adjusting jackets.
One of them looked up at the exact same moment.
Juhoon’s conversation with Martin died mid-sentence.
Y/N completely forgot what her manager had been saying.
For a second, the noisy hallway seemed to disappear.
All they could see was each other.
She noticed he’d grown taller.
His features had become sharper, more mature, but his eyes were exactly the same as the ones she’d known when they were children.
Juhoon noticed that Y/N looked nothing like the little girl who used to steal his gummy bears. She stood with the quiet confidence of someone who had earned her place on countless stages, yet when she looked at him, the same warmth he’d remembered flickered across her face.
“…Juhoon?” she whispered.
He blinked once, almost like he couldn’t believe she was actually standing there.
Neither of them cared that dozens of staff members were walking past.
Neither of them cared that other idols had started glancing over curiously.
They were finally standing face-to-face again.
Despite everything that had changed…
Seeing each other still felt exactly like coming home.
