Reunited with My Ex-Boyfriend on an Idol Survival Show - Chapter 1

Reunited with My Ex-Boyfriend on an Idol Survival Show

Chapter 1

SYNOPSIS AND CHARACTER INFO - READ HERE

On a dark winter night at the apartment playground near home.

On Seha, perched on a swing, scanned the figure running toward him.

As the person drew closer, they smoothly lowered their mask, revealing a sharp yet youthful face: Ryu Dohyuk, Seha's younger boyfriend.

"...You're late."

"I'm sorry. The filming got delayed..."

Dohyuk was an actor watched closely by the entire nation.

He had followed the classic path to becoming a major star, starting at the age of eight. As a result, even before turning eighteen, he already boasted a solid filmography and widespread fame.

'Unlike Dohyuk, I...'

On Seha. A trainee idol, still awaiting his debut even as he approached twenty.

Seha had started dating Dohyuk, a junior from his high school, after Dohyuk confessed his feelings. But Seha always felt Dohyuk was out of his league.

Even now, the contrast was stark. Seha had just been harshly reprimanded by the director before the debut group was formed, while Dohyuk was enjoying a glamorous life.

"Dohyuk."

"Why are you out here without gloves on such a cold day? Your hands are freezing."

Ryu Dohyuk crouched down, his large frame folding awkwardly. He lowered himself to Seha's eye level as Seha sat on the swing, then pulled a hand warmer from his padded jacket pocket and pressed it into Seha's hand with a bright smile.

Seha's heart felt like it was about to shatter at that smile, knowing the words he was about to say would inevitably ruin it.

Taking a deep breath, Seha barely managed to force out the single sentence he prepared.

"...Let's stop it here."

Contrary to his worries, Ryu Dohyuk's expression remained calm. In fact, he didn't seem to have fully grasped the meaning of Seha's words yet.

"Hyung, what do you mean?"

"I want to debut."

"So?"

"The director said I have to cut ties with everyone if I want to be in the debut group. It's a condition. You know how strict our company's rules are..."

Seha was a long-term trainee at ON Entertainment, a major entertainment agency.

Having memorized ON Entertainment's internal regulations better than Seha himself during their relationship, Dohyuk finally understood the meaning behind Seha's words: "Let's stop it here."

"...Is this your choice, Hyung?" Dohyuk asked calmly, his eyes already reddening. "I can just wait, you know."

"Why would someone like you wait for me?"

Seha shook his head firmly. He couldn't make Ryu Dohyuk wait. No, he couldn't even wish for such a thing. His lover's future was too bright to ask him to wait indefinitely.

"You should live your own life."

"Then what about us?"

"Just... if we ever meet again at the top..."

"......"

"Let's just say hello then, okay?"

The moment those words left his lips, a coldness spread across Ryu Dohyuk's tearful face.

"...What's the point of saying hello after we've broken up? Even if you wrote a script like that, people would call it delusional and trash it behind your back."

Dohyuk spat out the words in a voice so icy it could freeze the air around them, even considering the winter chill. His body trembled pitifully.

"Listen carefully, On Seha."

"Dohyuk-ah, calm down..."

"If you end things here, you'll never see me again."

"......"

"Even if you do, we'll be strangers. Do you understand?"

Seha didn't bother replying. He believed his resigned expression alone would convey his sincerity to Dohyuk—his genuine intention to let go of their relationship.

As expected.

"...I'll be going now."

Straightening from his crouched position, Ryu Dohyuk walked toward the parked SUV without looking back.

Seha stared blankly at Dohyuk's retreating figure, tears dripping silently from his eyes.

'This is enough. This is all I need...'

Having relinquished his most precious thing at the end of that year, On Seha fled toward his dreams. That's how his first love ended.

─────────

To cut to the chase, his debut was canceled twice.

The debut group formed after his breakup with Dohyuk was eliminated during the final evaluation due to a mismatch in concept. The subsequent group was scrapped when it got caught up in internal politics following the appointment of a new director.

"Director, you called for me?"

Seha entered the consultation room at the director's call. As he sat down as instructed, his eyes fell on the proposal lying on the table.

Knet Idol Debut Survival Program Proposal...

ON Entertainment was currently selecting trainees to send to Knet's upcoming idol debut survival program.

Perhaps this could be his chance to participate. Just as that thought crossed his mind, the director, as if reading his thoughts, gave him an awkward look.

"Seha, you've been dropped from the debut group. It's Director Choi's order, so there's nothing I can do."

Director Choi of ON Entertainment. The man who stole Seha's second chance at debut and replaced him with his own nephew.

"Then why did you call me in...?"

"You've held on for a long time, Seha. It's time for you to leave the company now."

It was a sudden notice of dismissal. Seha had vaguely imagined this day might come, but he never dreamed it would be today.

"And make sure you apply as an independent trainee. You have the talent."

The director had been one of the few adults who had watched over Seha since he joined the company. She handed him the project proposal.

"I've even written down Producer Im Hanseo's number. Contact him directly if you want to audition."

"......"

"You're from the ON debut group, and I've already told them you're a main vocalist. Don't worry."

The director's face was clouded with guilt as she apologized for not being able to do more. Seha forced back tears and gathered his documents.

Having endured years as a trainee, he had witnessed countless fellow trainees being cut. He knew all too well that clinging on now wouldn't change the decision to release him.

It's been seven years.

His life at ON Entertainment, where he had spent his entire adolescence, was now over. Seha immediately packed his belongings and left the company building.

The dream that seemed so close when he parted ways with Dohyuk now felt impossibly distant.

─────────

A few weeks later, at the Knet-produced set for the [ Reloading Project ], today marked the official first day of filming.

Seha arrived early at the set and stepped inside. The producer and staff he'd met during two pre-production meetings were bustling around the set.

"Trainees, check your entrance order here!"

Seha squeezed into the crowd of trainees to check his number.

41. With 44 trainees starting the Reloading Project, Seha would be entering almost last.

Led by assistant staff, the trainees swarmed in. Judging by their appearance, it didn't look like the work of amateurs. Their agency had likely sent them to a salon for professional hair and makeup.

Seha waited his turn in the area designated for trainees numbered 38 through 44. He had no idea what was happening inside the filming studio; he could only silently recite the song lyrics he had practiced so diligently.

"Trainee No. 41, please prepare to enter."

Seha jumped to his feet at the call. The waiting area for trainees about to enter was lined with mirrors. He swallowed nervously and smoothed his hair.

"Trainee No. 41, On Seha!"

Ah, it's finally my turn. Seha clenched his fist tightly and stepped into the studio. After bowing to the judges and fellow trainees, he found an empty seat and sat down.

"Hyung! Seha hyung!"

Someone called out to Seha from the diagonal seat behind him. He reflexively turned his head and saw three younger trainees from ON Entertainment sitting together: Hyun Sion, Park Yusin, and Lee Daeon.

"...Long time no see," Seha said.

"We didn't know you were participating too, hyung! After you left..." Yusin began, but Hyun Sion quickly slapped the youngest's hand to silence him. It's not like it's a secret that I was eliminated, Seha thought. It's fine to talk about it.

Noticing Seha's discomfort, Sion spoke up. "We missed you."

His words were brief but sincere. Suddenly, the emotions from when he'd been eliminated surged back, and Seha ducked his head instead of replying.

"All 44 trainees have now taken their positions."

As the trainees settled into their seats, an announcement played over the speakers. A large monitor lit up, displaying a single question:

[ Who is the face of Reloading Project? ]

"Trainees...?"

"The fans?"

"The center?"

Answers erupted from all corners of the room. Satisfied with the response, the screen switched to the next slide:

[ The face of Reloading Project, the voice of the viewers, the mentor of the participants! ]

[ The one who embodies all these roles is... ]

"...The host?" Seha muttered. Before he could dwell on it, the screen flashed to the next image:

[ The program's host, the assistant! ]

[ Guess his identity! ]

A video began playing immediately. It featured interviews with entertainment industry veterans introducing the host, whose name was bleeped out.

- How would you describe (***)?

- Well, does it even need an explanation? Just looking at his acting skills makes you envious? No, maybe it's his enviable face? Or his enviable youth?

"It's Senior Shin Yeohye!"

- He's a kind, gentle, and an obedient junior. Despite his young age, every project he's worked on is flawless. He keeps his personal and professional lives separate, and there's never any drama.

"Wow, Senior Kim Taein!"

"You're so handsome!"

- Honestly, he's even better-looking than me.

The interview even included Jeong Hyeonshin, often called Korea's most handsome man. With all the interviewees being top stars, the set buzzed with excitement. Only Seha's face remained pale.

Shin Yeohye, Kim Taein, Jeong Hyeonshin...

Seha realized what they all had in common. Could it be? No way, that can't be right. He bit his lip, desperately suppressing the suspicion that had just surfaced in his mind. The screen flashed.

[ Revealing it now! ]

The trainees erupted in cheers as a man emerged from the shadows.

His tall, lean frame was perfectly complemented by the tailored suit. Even a single strand of his jet-black hair lay neatly in place.

He strode to the center of the set and slowly raised the microphone.

"Greetings. I'm your host, spokesperson, and your mentor assistant..."

He lifted his head, his gaze sweeping across the trainees before settling on one person: Seha.

His exotic amber eyes seemed to pierce through Seha. The moment their eyes met, Seha recognized his true identity.

"I'm actor Ryu Dohyuk."

He's currently one of South Korea's top-tier male actors in their twenties and...

Seha's first love, whom he had mercilessly abandoned at the end of his nineteenth year.