MPK Ch 1
by soapaWhat should you do at the wedding of a guy who deliberately stole your friend’s girlfriend and the ex who cheated with him?
The venue was a hotel banquet hall, recently popular among engaged couples. As soon as the elevator doors opened, a chandelier covering the ceiling radiated light.
“…That bastard Kim Jumin, knowing he’d get flak, didn’t he pick a flashy place like this on purpose?”
“As always, he’s still pathetic, then and now. What does that make Jung Hankyung?”
“Exactly… Hey, hey.”
The whispers passing by stopped as they noticed me. A group vaguely retaining their high school appearances moved away with stiff movements. Even after that, glances kept darting toward me, not the wedding couple.
That’s right. In the hand of the friend betrayed by the groom and the ex-boyfriend abandoned by the bride was, astonishingly, a wedding invitation.
If it had been handed to me directly by the couple, I might’ve put on a show of tearing it up. But the invitation had been quietly slipped into my mailbox one day. With a pink heart-shaped Post-it note.
To. Hankyung
Come if you have time. No pressure if you’re busy ^^!
It was a provocation that would make even the Buddha, meditating with clasped fingers, ball up a fist and throw a punch. The feelings of Jung Hankyung, crumpling the invitation and note with a hollow laugh, need no explanation.
And so, on the day of the wedding. I stood in a lobby where dazzling lights shone, floral decorations sparkled brilliantly, elderly guests in elegant hanbok bowed to one another, and the names of my ex-girlfriend and former friend were emblazoned everywhere.
Heading toward the hall indicated on the crumpled invitation, I came upon a table adorned with pristine white wedding photos. At the center of the framed pictures was a card handwritten by the couple.
Kim Jumin ♥ Lee Nahee
On a beautiful autumn day, we become husband and wife.
Like names engraved on each other’s bodies, we will love only one person until the moment we die.
Hah, names engraved on the cheating couple’s bodies? Then the world must be coming to an end.
“Please sign the guestbook.”
A wedding staff member extended a pen to me as I stood still. The guestbook had one empty space left before turning to a new page.
“My handwriting’s bad.”
When I declined, they didn’t insist. The blank was filled with someone else’s name.
As I walked further in, the groom greeting the guests finally appeared. Kim Jumin, shaking hands with a wide grin, jumped as if he’d seen a ghost when he spotted me. I waved the mint-colored invitation lightly. Aware of the surroundings, the corners of Kim Jumin’s mouth twitched upward.
“Jung Hankyung, you came…?”
“Didn’t you send it telling me to come? Thanks for the invite.”
I twisted the end of my words with the resolve to make him squirm before entering the venue. That’s when it happened.
“Jumin, is that a friend? He’s your friend, right?”
“Uh, Mom. Yeah, yeah…”
A woman in elegant hanbok looked at me with a kind smile.
“…Hello, ma’am.”
No matter how much of a scumbag Kim Jumin was, I couldn’t bring myself to make his mother, beaming with joy on her only son’s big day, clutch her neck and faint. That was the last shred of human decency I had left for him.
“I heard the name Jung Hankyung and came over. That name sticks with me. The baseball friend, right?”
“Yes? Oh, yes. In high school…”
“You were doing great things but had to retire after an unfortunate injury, right?”
The phrase “great things” rolled into my mind like a rough pebble. For once, even Kim Jumin dropped his brazen face and glanced at me nervously.
“Haha. It’s been almost ten years, and you still remember. Yes, that’s right.”
“Oh my, oh my. Of course! Meeting a celebrity here! I was so moved watching the news. I told Jumin to treat you well since you were close friends in the same class.”
“I see.”
It seems Kim Jumin never listens to his mother, then or now. I swallowed the words, and my hand was warmly enveloped.
“Really… Thank you so much for staying good friends even after graduation. My son doesn’t have many friends, but the ones he has, he cherishes deeply. Right?”
“Haha…”
“Hey, Mom, stop talking about that.”
“Oh, this kid. I’m just happy. What does Hankyung do now?”
“Jung Hankyung works in physical labor! He was always athletic in high school, so that’s what he’s good at.”
No, this bastard, even when I’m trying to let it slide.
“I work for a security company. It’s a foreign firm, so the benefits are good. I got housing near the Gangnam headquarters, and Jumin used to drop by all the time.”
And my girlfriend, who grumbled, “Why does Oppa’s friend keep coming over?” ended up catching his eye.
“Oh? So you were the friend who kept letting him crash! I asked if he was being too much of a burden, and he said you earn way more, so you didn’t mind… Hankyung, you must be doing well.”
“There are others too! You’re mixing it up with another friend. I know plenty of people who make good money!”
He’s trying hard, so hard. Kim Jumin’s ears and neck, uncovered by makeup, turned bright red.
“I do okay, but it’s not worth bragging about. Jumin spoke well of me.”
“Oh, the more I see you, the more polite you seem… and so very handsome… Being at a friend’s wedding, doesn’t it make you think about marriage? If you don’t have a girlfriend right now…”
“Mom! Go check on Uncle’s family over there. Hankyung’ll feel awkward if you keep talking!”
“Why? He’s friendly and listens to this lady’s chatter. Alright, alright.”
Pushed by her son, the mother finally walked away. Left alone, Kim Jumin scrunched his face as if pinching his brow and nose together.
“Jung Hankyung. Why the hell are you here?”
“Why the hell did you have the nerve to send me an invitation? You’re the one who made this a scene I couldn’t just ignore, aren’t you?”
“I didn’t send it. Nahee insisted on inviting you… Damn it, I didn’t think you’d actually show up…!”
“What reason do I have not to come? I didn’t do anything to hang my head over. Oh, by the way, where do I put the congratulatory money? I’m torn since I know both the groom and bride so well.”
His body trembled with rage. Then, letting out a sharp breath, he forced a smile.
“I knew you’d pull this, so I came prepared. Guys, over here! Here! Hurry up! You promised!”
Wondering what he was up to, I heard multiple footsteps approaching from behind.
“Dude, Kim Jumin, are you joking? We only agreed to this because we were supposed to apologize to Hankyung…”
“Whatever, the ceremony’s starting soon, and you’re just gonna leave Jung Hankyung like this?!”
“Ugh…”
After an exasperated sigh, two arms landed heavily on my shoulders.
“Hey! My buddy Hankyung, good to see you! How long’s it been?”
“You handsome bastard, show your face more often. What’s keeping you so busy?”
Suddenly wrapping me up were old classmates, their foreheads wider and faces fleshed out with age, from the days we roamed convenience stores and PC bangs together. Three more joined in, surrounding me and pulling me away from Kim Jumin.
“Come on, let’s go catch up over there. The buffet at a fancy hotel like this is killer.”
“Man, they’ve got a chocolate fountain, a barbecue fire show, and all kinds of beer. Let’s pig out!”
“What’s with you guys? Let go!”
No matter how I resisted, there was no way I could hold off five guys dragging one person. Blocked on all sides, I was forcibly moved to a corner. Other guests seemed to think it was just the groom’s close friends messing around.
The guys propped me against a wall and formed a barricade around me. I crossed my arms and scanned their faces.
“What’s this, you bastards? You’re taking that jerk’s side here?”
“Hey, Hankyung. What do you take us for? Everyone knows Kim Jumin’s a crazy scumbag.”
“Junsoo here grabbed him by the collar, asking how he could do this to you.”
The shortest and roughest-looking of the group, Choi Junsoo, snorted, “I was gonna hold a ghost wedding for him.”
“Do you know why we’re here? That idiot suddenly sent you an invitation too. We were worried you’d lose it and wreck the wedding. So we came to hold you back. If I did something like that, it’d just end up as a YouTube video, but you… you’ve got, ugh… different circumstances.”
“…”
“We’re worried you’ll regret doing something stupid over this…”
His voice softened, and the others started glancing at me nervously. The heavy atmosphere sapped my fighting spirit. I weakly shoved the shoulder blocking my way.
“I get what you’re saying, so back off. It’s hot.”
“Oh, Hankyung’s hot? Wanna grab some cold water?”
“I still can’t believe it. How do you go from Jung Hankyung to Kim Jumin? Like… why? What’d she see in him?”
“I overheard the bride’s friends earlier. They said the boyfriend she posted on Insta looks way different.”
“Hey, Hankyung. Don’t even sweat it anymore. They both know better than anyone what it means to get married after cheating. You think their marriage will go smoothly?”
“Stop trying to comfort me. If they go through all this and still can’t make it work, that’d make me look like the idiot. Tell them to live happily ever after.”
Truth be told, I’d already made peace with it before showing up here with my head held high. I didn’t exactly have a laundry list of things I did right by my ex to justify jumping around screaming about injustice. And seeing them get married six months after locking eyes, it feels like they were the ones meant to be.
Live well, live well. That sentiment was as genuine as any other guest’s. Though I did smudge the groom’s brow makeup a bit before the ceremony—betraying a friendship ought to come with at least that much of a price, no? As I brushed off the hands patting my shoulders and back, calling me a real man, an announcement came through.
The ceremony will begin shortly. Dear guests, please take your seats.
“Guess it’s time already.”
“What do you wanna do? Head out and grab a drink? There’s plenty of spots nearby.”
“…”
The people lingering in the lobby started moving toward the ceremony hall one by one. Beyond the large doors, I could see a floral arch and a pristine white carpet. The chairs lining the wedding aisle were steadily filling with excited guests. I haven’t been to many weddings, but I could tell this one had a lot of care put into it.
“Nah, um… since we’re here, let’s see it through.”
“Yeah? Cool with that?”
“If you’re okay with it, sounds good.”
“Looks like all the seats are taken. Should we just stand in the back?”
“Yeah, a bunch of guys blocking the view wouldn’t be great.”
My friends and I took a spot in a corner of the hall. I hung back even further. I had nothing to be ashamed of, but I didn’t exactly want to put my face on display either.
The ceremony began. After the officiant’s greeting and the mothers of both families lighting the ceremonial candles, Kim Jumin marched in stiffly like a robot. The officiant kept the mood light and cheerful, and I clapped halfheartedly from time to time.
Next, the star of the day, the bride, Lee Nahee, will make her entrance. Dear guests, please welcome the beautiful bride with a big round of applause.
The entrance music flowed through the speakers. I turned my head toward where the bride would appear.
Across the wedding aisle, my eyes locked with a man standing in a spot mirroring mine.
…Hm?
He was noticeably taller than those around him. Dressed in a dark gray suit, he stood with his arms crossed, gazing at the stage instead of clapping. Even with all the lights focused on the opposite side of the room, his pale skin stood out starkly.
Before I could get a good look at his face, the radiant bride passed between us. The veil trailing behind her obscured the other side. By the time Lee Nahee had moved further forward, the man was gone.
“Jung Hankyung, what’s up? Someone you know over there?”
“Nah…”
Definitely a stranger. Yet that brief encounter lingered in my mind. What was that? Some celebrity I saw at a job site maybe? Doesn’t ring any bells…
“Nahee! We’re bound by an invisible name! I’ll make you happy for life!”
Meanwhile, Kim Jumin, declaring so loudly the room echoed, began singing a song he’d prepared himself. It didn’t seem to be part of the planned program, as Lee Nahee looked startled before wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Watching them cry and embrace after his passionate performance felt like eating a stew reheated five times—my insides soured.
Names. The so-called “name phenomenon” created an era that pitied those who didn’t understand the beauty of love. A mysterious syndrome where the name of the person you love appears on your body—how romantic is that? In a harsh world, this romantic phenomenon spread a yearning for love across generations.
But I still couldn’t grasp such fervent emotions for someone. Was my heart too small to believe I could love another for a lifetime?
So I understood why Lee Nahee was drawn to Kim Jumin, who she clung to like her life depended on it. I wasn’t guilty of anything, but I wasn’t exactly a saint of a boyfriend either. Even if it hadn’t been Kim Jumin, Lee Nahee and I probably wouldn’t have made it to marriage.
Leaving my friends, caught up in the tearful performance, I quietly shifted toward the exit. From a distance, Kim Jumin and Lee Nahee looked blissfully happy. Taking in their ring exchange as my final memory, I was about to slip out of the ceremony hall.
Oh, there you are.
The man I’d seen across the aisle was leaning against the doorway. Now that I think about it, he was too far to see clearly earlier…
An actual celebrity?
Even from a distance, he’d caught my eye, but up close, his appearance was even more striking. Even I, who occasionally saw actors or idols because of my job, couldn’t help but be impressed, so it was no surprise that glances kept drifting his way.
They say a woman showing up to a wedding in a white dress is considered a nuisance guest. Even though this man was dressed appropriately, he deserved the same label. Kim Jumin’s painstakingly polished look for the day was reduced to a squid in an instant.
One good thing about coming to this wedding: my eyes got a real treat. I realized the awe of encountering an unreal beauty transcends gender.
As I kept observing, the vibe he gave off seemed slightly different from a celebrity’s. Something… hard to explain…
“Hey, Jung Hankyung. Wondered where you went.”
“Trying to sneak off? It’s almost over, so hang in there. They’ll march out soon.”
Two friends approached, grabbing my arms. Hearing the commotion, the man glanced my way. The way his eyelashes shifted felt like feathers catching the breeze.
“…Whoa, is he a celebrity? What’s with that face? Feels like I’ve seen him on TV.”
As soon as we moved away from the man, my friend whispered. Guess everyone thinks the same. I nodded in agreement.
And now, the bride and groom will walk toward their new life together. Please give them your generous applause and cheers. Bride and groom, march!
The final part of the ceremony arrived. Countless lenses followed the couple’s steps, capturing their semicircular march. The man by the door stepped back from the wedding aisle.
“Excuse me, just a sec…”
If we passed like this, I’d keep thinking about him. As if hearing my call, he finally turned to me.
But then, I sensed something odd on the wedding aisle. I caught Lee Nahee, covering her mouth, looking directly at me.
Oh…!
Her face seemed to carry a sigh of lament. Then she turned her sad eyes toward Kim Jumin, leaning into him. Kim Jumin looked at me next.
Oh…!
What the hell?
The same expression. Then Kim Jumin wrapped an arm around Lee Nahee’s shoulder. Only then did I realize my pose—arm outstretched longingly toward the aisle—could easily be misinterpreted.
No, that’s not it!
I mouthed the words emphatically. But their eyes only grew sadder.
“Hey, what…!”
“Hankyung, what’s wrong?”
“No, damn it. Right now—”
“Hey, hey, hey. There are people around, don’t curse. What’s up with them? Still upset?”
That’s when it happened.
With his arm around Lee Nahee, Kim Jumin raised one corner of his mouth. As if saying, “I lost, but I fought well. And I’m the winner.”
“…That deserves at least a little cursing.”
And now, the couple will exchange vows of love before all of you, our dear guests.
Ugh…
Kim Jumin and Lee Nahee now gazed at each other with those sad, tender eyes. While my head burned hotter than their newlywed affection, running out now would cement the misunderstanding, leaving me stuck in limbo.
The absurdity of the situation had me so pissed off my neck felt like it was on fire. Tugging at my tie and unbuttoning my shirt, I noticed—
“…Huh?”
The skin on my neck, touched by my hand, felt like it was actually burning. It was too intense to just be from anger. Did I suddenly catch some disease?
“Urk?”
My head snapped back as if someone had yanked my chin. In that direction was the man who’d stolen my attention multiple times today.
At that moment, I was certain he was looking at me too.
“Argh!”
A scream I couldn’t hold back burst from my mouth.
A sudden, piercing pain shot through my entire body. If I hadn’t reflexively grabbed my neck, the shock spreading to my fingertips and toes would’ve left me clueless about where it hurt.
“Ugh, what the hell…!”
The initial jolt faded, but my gripped neck still burned like it was being seared. But I had no time to check the pain. My gaze was locked elsewhere, unmoving.
Just as I clutched my neck, that man was gripping the back of his left hand.
A faint light leaked through his fingers. I felt a small glow near my face too, along with the heat.
“Jung Hankyung… you, you…”
“Is that… the name phenomenon? Holy crap, that’s insane!”
“Jung Hankyung, hey, Hankyung!”
“…”
Thump, thump, thump.
This place, this situation, and everyone around me vanished from my mind. Only one thought remained. I took a step toward him.
I have to get to that person.
Now.
I strode forward, my legs stretching out. The surrounding noise scattered like sand before reaching my ears.
Before I knew it, I was right in front of him. What hit me was the desperate thirst of finding a glass of water after running under the blazing sun for hours.
My senses, honed in on him, caught a faint whiff of cologne. Then my vision went dark. The heat raging inside me transferred to where our lips met. What invaded my mouth next returned an equal, no, even hotter sensation.
The act, with no room for breath, felt less like a kiss and more like fierce predation. Our tongues tangled aggressively, pressed so close it hurt my ribs. My fingertips, gripping the wall, turned white from the force.
How long was it before coherent thought returned?
The fragmented sounds painted a vivid picture of the catastrophe. The stranger and I had completely stolen the bride and groom’s kiss moment.
In my restored vision, long lashes and chestnut eyes wavered aimlessly.
As I parted my lips, wet with mingled saliva, he covered his mouth with the back of his hand. Breathing heavily, he muttered through furrowed brows.
“…Take responsibility.”
💎
Woo Baekyeon
Three characters reflected in the selfie-mode camera. I steadied my breath and lowered my gaze to my left neck again.
Woo, Baek, Yeon. The neat handwriting remained unchanged no matter how many times I checked.
Touching it, it felt like smooth skin. Pinching and stretching, the letters stretched with it, staying intact on the reddened flesh.
“Ha…”
A name was engraved.
The supposed one-of-a-kind proof of love, with the name of a stranger I met today.
Does this make sense? Aren’t there fewer than 200 name couples in the whole country? A miraculously rare phenomenon, they say. Is this allowed?
Maybe it’s just a hallucination on my old, contract-free phone. Asking someone if there’s really a name on my neck felt impossible.
The security guards standing at ease on either side of my chair had faces far too solemn.
Where the hell am I…
After sharing an intense kiss with a stranger at the wedding, I was whisked away by men in black suits. Taken via a hidden hotel elevator, I arrived at a private office with a clear view of Seoul’s skyline. Judging by the high floor and vast space, it likely belonged to someone of very high rank.
The sole entrance clicked shut right after I entered and remained firmly closed. For 30 minutes, I sat sweating in an unfamiliar place.
“Um, excuse me. How long—”
“Please wait a moment.”
“…Okay.”
I tried talking to the guards, but only robotic responses came back. I usually felt a camaraderie with fellow security personnel, but today, there was only heavy pressure.
How much more time passed in silence? The locked door finally opened.
A secretary entered first. Behind him, holding the door, was the man in question, Woo Baekyeon. In brighter light, his hair was a lighter brown than it seemed at the venue, and his red lips stood out like cherries on his pale skin. The texture had felt like warm, ripened fruit too. No, now’s not the time for thoughts like that.
Woo Baekyeon. No matter how I racked my memory, he was a stranger. If I’d met a face like that even once, I wouldn’t have forgotten. So it really meant a name appeared between two people meeting for the first time today.
He took a seat across from me at the table. With a flick of his fingers, he unbuttoned his jacket gracefully as he sat. Four secretaries in stiff attire stood behind him. One stepped forward.
“You’re Jung Hankyung, correct?”
“Yes… that’s me.”
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Shin Kanghee, serving as the chief secretary for the individual who became your name couple today and experienced certain events thereafter.”
“Hello…”
His polite demeanor, despite seeming at least ten years older, made me straighten up instinctively.
“Before we proceed, please confirm if the writing on the hand of the person across from you matches your handwriting.”
“Pardon?”
“The name phenomenon reflects the other’s handwriting, making it distinguishable even among people with the same name, barring extreme coincidence. For reference, the name and handwriting on your neck belong to this individual. Please, Director, show your hand.”
“…”
Woo Baekyeon uncrossed his arms with a hint of displeasure. His left hand extended toward me. On it, in handwriting resembling a drunk uncle’s card signature, was “Jung Hankyung.” His hand and my name were as mismatched as graffiti scrawled by a clueless tourist on a sculptor’s masterpiece.
“…I never thought my name would end up on someone’s hand like this. If I’d known, I would’ve worked on my handwriting sooner…”
“So it’s your handwriting.”
“…Yes.”
At my reply, he swiftly pulled his hand back and recrossed his arms. Then he turned his head toward the window. Let’s not be the only one frowning here. I’m just as bewildered by this inexplicable situation.
“Something feels wrong. How did this happen between me and… that person, Woo Baekyeon?”
“Sir?”
Not knowing what to call him, I used an honorific like the secretary, but “Woo Baekyeon sir” shot back a cold retort.
“Right. We’re strangers, so ‘sir’ wouldn’t do, would it? Since it’s our first meeting, perhaps you could share your title—”
“First meeting?”
His voice grew even icier. It is our first meeting, so why’s he acting like—
“Of course, it’s our second encounter, but things were hectic at the venue earlier, so…”
“…”
His crossed arms tightened, wrinkling the sleeves of his shirt. Seems I’ve thoroughly irritated him before even starting a proper conversation. If “sir” and titles are off the table, only one honorific remains.
“President Woo.”
Damn it. That might’ve been the worst choice yet. Now he’s outright glaring at me.
“President? I’m just a director.”
Oh, director. Just a director. At an age similar to mine, with a sprawling private office, a retinue of staff… and, crucially, that lofty demeanor. A creeping suspicion hit the mark. This guy’s a chaebol. Years of working security backed up my gut.
“My apologies. Between Director Woo and me, this name phenomenon—”
“Call me by my name. Just that.”
Every word I say feels like navigating a minefield. But if he’s a chaebol, this prickliness makes sense.
All the more reason to clear up any potential misunderstandings upfront.
“Woo Baekyeon, I don’t know why the name phenomenon happened to us, but I have absolutely no intention of using it to demand anything. This is an inexplicable incident, and I only want to find a solution together.”
“There was a chance to handle it quietly. Until someone pounced on a person in front of hundreds.”
Take responsibility.
That phrase, spoken from slightly swollen lips, echoed in my head.
“Doing something like that and pretending it didn’t happen is a bit shameless, don’t you think?”
Every word he spits feels like a needle piercing me.
“No, I wasn’t in my right mind then, but didn’t you grab the back of my head too, Woo Baekyeon, and… use your tongue?”
“So?”
“…I’m just saying, in some ways, it wasn’t entirely one-sided. It could be seen as mutual.”
“Hah.”
Woo Baekyeon gestured. One of the secretaries placed a tablet in front of me. A shaky video began playing. Cheers and shocked screams poured from the speakers, and the secretary calmly lowered the volume.
The background was the all-too-familiar ceremony hall.
They say it’s a name manifestation! Wow, wow!
Every guest, even the bride, groom, and their parents, was looking in one direction—toward me, clutching my neck. I started walking, then suddenly charged like a bull seeing red. I hadn’t realized I’d barreled through the wedding aisle, but now, unfortunately, I did.
What? That’s him? Jung Hankyung?
Insane, Jung Hankyung!
Don’t call my name…!
Jung Hankyung, Jung Hankyung!
The noise—my high school classmates and the guests joining in—did nothing to protect my anonymity.
The screen spun wildly, and the next shot showed Woo Baekyeon.
His refined face was contorted from the pain of the name appearing. Startled by someone approaching, he tried to step back but was trapped between me and the wall. I closed the already minimal distance aggressively. Grabbing his face with both hands, I devoured him like…
Unable to close my eyes, the excited cameraman shook the screen wildly for me. Even in the distorted footage, the silhouette of two men kissing was unmistakable. The video ended there. Before the tablet was taken away, I bowed so low my forehead touched my knees.
“Mutual?”
“I’m sorry. I’m the worst scoundrel under the heavens.”
“Oh, and by the way, that video you just saw has hit a million views. Congratulations.”
“Congratulations, Jung Hankyung.”
“…”
Without straightening my bent waist, I lifted only my eyes to look at the bottom of the video. The view count was rising steeply in real time, and there were already close to 2,000 comments.
“The majority are celebrating the emergence of a new name couple, but given the special circumstance of it happening at someone else’s wedding, there’s some negative sentiment as well.”
1,894 comments
Add a comment…
@user_m1o2a3i4 42 minutes ago
(Congrats) Korea’s 160th name couple has appeared (LOL)
▽ 78 replies
@user_ehdnjs 30 minutes ago
Look at that physical chemistry breaking through the low quality, OMG. By the law of whatever, start a couple vlog right now.
▽ 39 replies
@user_rlalr 35 minutes ago
..LOL..^^; It’s great that Korea’s name couple count went up by one.. but thinking about the bride and groom, I can’t laugh. Did it have to happen at their wedding?
└Sure, it’s a bit upsetting, but they’re both guests, so just treat it like a double celebration.
└└LOL double LOL celebration LOL. Is the person saying this a kid? No one who’s been married would ever say that.
@user_shqmfflwn 20 minutes ago
Don’t be too hard on themㅜㅜ From what I can tell, they were hiding a same-sex relationship, and the name appeared. Let’s support their heartbreaking loveㅜㅜ
@user_fhzoqekf 5 minutes ago
Wall slam = chaebol / slammed against wall = bodyguard ← Anyone know the source of this?? If it’s true, it’s another epic love story LOLOLOL
▽ 3 replies
@user_zmftmtm 5 minutes ago
Sigh… I wish they’d share some of the story, but for now, I’m just cheering them on unconditionally… Look at how desperately they kissed, like they’d die if they couldn’t see each other again…
▽ 10 replies
So I was in a secret love story of the century. So secret that even I didn’t know I was in a relationship. My supposed partner was looking at me with eyes dripping with sincerity. Of course, the temperature in those eyes was the complete opposite of tender love.
“Would you like to check the related articles as well?”
“Articles? There are articles already?”
“Of course. Even with our entire PR team working to contain it, it’s spreading without any sign of slowing down. By now, it’s probably made the main headlines. Fortunately, aside from tabloid gossip, there are no articles requiring legal action yet, but we’ll keep monitoring. Notably, a major outlet, Junghwa Ilbo, is actively publishing positive coverage.”
“Junghwa Ilbo? …Oh.”
I’m screwed. The name Junghwa Ilbo snapped me into the reality of this surreal situation. A wave of dizziness hit me, and as I rubbed my face, my eyes met Chief Secretary Shin Kanghee’s. A gentle smile came from behind her silver-rimmed glasses.
“Um, so, for Woo Baekyeon’s side, this isn’t… a serious issue, right?”
“In a hopeless situation, the one who laughs comes out on top.”
“…Haha.”
“Congratulations, Jung Hankyung. You’ve won now too.”
I take back calling it a gentle smile. Between the crinkles around her eyes that made her seem approachable, there was a subtle glimpse of madness.
“The intense desire for physical contact is a common symptom during name manifestation, so criticism about that will soon die down. However, as you’ve seen, this has become too big of an issue, and it’s difficult for us to handle alone. Therefore… we’d like to ask Jung Hankyung to take some responsibility in resolving this situation.”
I’ve heard the word “responsibility” an awful lot today. The person who first told me to take responsibility is still looking away with an irritated expression. Staring at his smooth profile, I asked in a very small voice.
“What kind of responsibility are you hoping for…?”
I quickly added the next part.
“Of course, I’ll do my best with whatever I can, but anything illegal might be a bit… difficult.”
The chestnut eyes that turned to me radiated a terrifying chill once again. But it’s not an unfounded concern. If it’s not something illegal, what could a chaebol possibly want from me?
“That wouldn’t happen. What we’re asking is simply for you two to act like a proper name couple and be frie—”
“Let’s get married.”
Woo Baekyeon cut off Chief Secretary Shin Kanghee’s words abruptly. Wait, what did he say?
“Pardon?”
“I said, let’s get married.”
“……?”
To be honest, I was half-prepared to shout “yes” even if a slightly illegal request came up. Desperate for a kind explanation, I looked at Chief Secretary Shin Kanghee, but she seemed startled as she glanced at Woo Baekyeon. When she turned back to me, her face was calm, as if nothing had happened. I concluded I must’ve misheard.
“Did you perhaps say, let’s duel?”
He must be setting up a reason to beat the crap out of me. I’m confident I can take a hit with my guard up. Woo Baekyeon furrowed his brow in annoyance.
“What would I gain from dueling you? I said let’s get married, for the third time.”
I hadn’t misheard. But, like, why?
“Why, why?”
“You said you’d take responsibility, Jung Hankyung.”
“Pardon?”
“If I may, Jung Hankyung, are you married?”
“No, I’m not married yet…”
“Then getting married would be legal. Thankfully, it’s not the illegal thing you were worried about.”
Legal or illegal aside, sure, technically that’s true, but…!
Thanks to the name phenomenon, it’s said that same-sex marriage was introduced in this conservative country a hundred years earlier than expected. When the twentieth same-sex name couple appeared in Korea, the law surrendered to UN pressure and the idea of destined love transcending gender. There’s still some conservative pushback, but South Korea is currently a country where same-sex marriage is legal.
But just because it’s legal doesn’t mean I can casually agree to marriage…
“Is this a joke?”
“…….”
“It’s not a joke. Marriage, huh.”
Woo Baekyeon, Chief Secretary Shin Kanghee, the other secretaries, and even the security guards watching me all stared at me. Hey, looking at me like you’re waiting for a major announcement isn’t helping!
“Seriously, why?”
“Then can you go out now and tell the public that our name manifestation was somehow wrong and should be invalidated? After causing that scene at someone else’s wedding?”
“…….”
That would be like pouring oil on a flood of articles, turning on a fan, and tossing in dry firewood.
“Jung Hankyung, the director is saying that to quickly calm the overwhelming attention, the most obvious conclusion—‘we’re getting married like everyone else’—is the best option. You can’t undo the names already engraved or the news that’s spread.”
“…….”
It wasn’t wrong. The problem is, is it really okay to decide on marriage for that reason?
Why am I the only one agonizing over this? When did the world get so chill? It’s not just chill—it’s like a freaking blizzard.
Take responsibility. Take responsibility. Take responsibility.
Hold on. I’m not saying I’m against it, but even if we set aside all the questions and decide to marry, the issue is whether someone like me, who’s only dated women, can become a spouse to a man. No matter how stunningly gorgeous he is, he’s still a guy! Sorry to say in this situation, but honestly, his personality doesn’t even seem that great. Sure, his prickly, aloof attitude matches his pretty face perfectly, but—
No, damn it. Snap out of it. I feel like my rationality is slipping in this absurd situation, but I’m definitely holding onto one last shred. And that shred is screaming, “This isn’t right!”
You can’t decide the biggest event of your life, marriage, like this. I’ll take responsibility in another way. If needed, I’ll disappear to some remote countryside where no one can see me. Until people forget.
Gossip lasts a few years at most, but marriage shapes your whole life. And I’d rather live in hiding than get entangled with a chaebol.
Alright. Let’s say it clearly!
The moment I made up my mind, those feather-light eyelashes turned toward me. His pale eyes had a sharp distinction between the pupil and iris. My face was clearly reflected in eyes like an Americano bathed in afternoon sunlight. Maybe because I thought this might be our last meeting, I noticed a shadow of melancholy beneath his stubborn coldness. If it really was the last time, I wished I could’ve seen that pretty face smile at least once. That’s why I hesitated, pausing the words I meant to say. But in the end, I steeled myself to deliver a firm refusal.
“Let’s do it, marriage…”
Huh?
That’s not right?