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Tweet:I want to remind everyone with this video how important it is to let idols have a private life. We need to remember that we do not control their lives and that we have no right to express opinions about it. This video is from the first Ateez fan sign after Chaeri and Hongjoong's relationship was revealed. We can see him overthinking the whole time until this fan made him smile, telling him supportive words about his relationship and having him sign a picture of Chaeri. We should all take her as an example.
July, 2022
Hongjoong had always been a confident and determined person. As a member of a less popular Kpop company, he had worked tirelessly to make a name for himself in the industry. When he met Chaeri, he was immediately smitten. She was beautiful, talented, and charismatic - everything he admired in a person.
Despite the risks, Hongjoong was sure of what he wanted. He knew that being an idol came with a lot of restrictions, but he refused to let that stop him from pursuing his happiness. So, he made the bold decision to make his relationship with Chaeri public, knowing that criticism and backlash were inevitable.
As expected, the announcement sparked a media frenzy. A lot of Chaeri's fans, who had long idolized her as the perfect idol, were shocked to hear that she was in a relationship with someone who was not half as famous as she was.
Newspaper articles, social media posts, screaming "fans" outside public places were constantly telling him how he was an unworthy match for Chaeri.
As the public backlash intensified, Hongjoong found himself struggling to cope with the criticism. It wasn't just the negative comments that got to him - it was also the constant scrutiny, the invasive questions from interviewers, and the way that people seemed to judge every move he made.
At times, he felt like he was constantly walking on eggshells. He worried about how every little thing he did or said would be interpreted by the public. He tried to remind himself that he was in love with Chaeri, and that was all that mattered.
A fan sign was the first public appearance he would make with his group since he and Chaeri had gone public with their relationship.
He knew that many fans would have opinions about their relationship, and he wasn't sure how they would react when they saw him. Would they be supportive, or would they be hostile? He couldn't help but worry about the worst-case scenario.
As he walked into the fan sign venue, Hongjoong took a deep breath and tried to steady his nerves. He was with his group members, but he felt like he was on his own. He knew that all eyes would be on him, and he couldn't help but feel self-conscious.
As he sat down at the table and started signing autographs, Hongjoong tried to focus on the task at hand. He smiled at each fan who came up to him, thanked them for their support, and tried to make small talk. But in the back of his mind, he couldn't shake the feeling that everyone was judging him.
Finally, one fan came up to him and said something unexpected. "I just wanted to say that I support you and Chaeri," she said, smiling warmly. "I think it's great that you're happy together."
Hongjoong was taken aback by the fan's words of support. He had been bracing himself for negativity and criticism, so the fan's encouragement was a welcome surprise.
"Thank you so much," he said, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "It means a lot to hear that you support me and Chaeri. It hasn't been easy, with all the criticism and scrutiny, but we're doing our best to stay strong and be there for each other."
The fan nodded understandingly. "I can only imagine how hard it must be for both of you, but I think it's really admirable that you're not letting the pressure get to you. You deserve to be happy and in love, just like anyone else."
Hongjoong couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude and admiration for the fan. "Thank you for saying that," he said. "It really means a lot to hear that from you. We'll keep doing our best to make you proud."
The fan smiled warmly, a look of understanding and respect in her eyes. "I know you will," she said. "And I have no doubt that you'll overcome any obstacle in your path."
Hongjoong smiled gratefully, feeling a weight lifted off his shoulders.
As the fan moved on, he realized that he wasn't alone. Maybe there were others out there who supported him and Chaeri, even if they weren't as vocal as the critics. And as he signed more autographs and met more fans, he started to feel a little more at ease. Maybe everything was going to be okay after all.
