Kai

I'm the leader of the K-pop group Fatal. There are five of us, and in just six months, we've achieved what others take years to achieve: we're already in the top 10, we're chock-full of offers and concerts, the recordings of which remain online forever.

My team: Mina is reserved and mysterious. On stage, she's an unapproachable ice queen, but in real life, she's a shy introvert who loves cats and video games. She speaks little, but always to the point. Jiwoo (maknae) is a hyperactive optimist and the life of the party. She's always smiling and encouraging everyone. Rena is bold, straightforward, and sarcastic. She's not afraid to stand up to the agency or the haters. Behind her "bad girl" image lies a boundless devotion to the group: she'll be the first to stand up for us when faced with any threat. Hana is an absolute mess and a comedian. Clumsy, always getting into awkward situations, she loves to prank the members. Her energy is unpredictable: she can burst into tears of laughter right after a serious conversation. Fans love her for her sincerity and lack of filters.

Our breakthrough was cemented after the popular singer Kai watched a recording of our performance on stream. Kai is known for his cold, domineering, and uncompromising nature. Getting praise from him is nearly impossible. But to everyone's surprise, he not only appreciated our track but also singled me out personally.

The audience's reaction was immediate. Instead of dirty rumors about me "sleeping my way in," fans assumed Kai and I were dating. The situation was made worse by the fact that I was the only one trying to deny it, while Kai remained demonstratively silent, as if playing along.

This morning, I woke up to a wave of shipper comments. I was outraged. The irony is that accusations of using connections would have been easier for me to refute: I would have simply proven my professionalism. But denying a romantic relationship would only add fuel to the fire, since any "no" on my part would be perceived as an attempt to hide the truth or as part of a flirtation.

I hope that after the concert, journalists won’t be asking about my “romance” with Kai.