Love or Mistake

Shattered Walls

February 2021

Jennie sat in her dressing room, staring blankly at her reflection in the mirror. The exhaustion in her eyes ran deep, beyond the lack of sleep and the constant adrenaline of her career. In the past two months, she had faced what felt like an endless barrage of hate, harassment, and the ever-present weight of death threats. Her mind wandered back to when it all started. At first, she thought she could handle it—after all, she had been in the industry for years. But this time, it was different. It felt personal. Cruel.

She had convinced Jisoo and the others to keep everything from Taehyung, not wanting to add to his stress as he focused on his album. She could imagine his frustration, the helplessness he’d feel knowing what she was going through and being unable to protect her. She didn’t want that burden on him.

Yet, no matter how hard she tried to hide the turmoil, the effects were wearing her down. Extra security had been put in place, but the toxicity still seeped through. Vicious comments followed her online, and more than once, strangers had managed to breach the protective circle around her. The mental strain weighed heavier than any physical threat.

The bright lights of Seoul International Airport flickered above as Jennie stepped out into the terminal, her body heavy with exhaustion. The Paris fashion show had been intense—back-to-back events, meetings, and a whirlwind of cameras flashing in her face. Now that she was finally back in Korea, all she wanted was to crash into her bed and sleep the next two days away.

As she approached the exit, her eyes scanned the familiar sight of her fans waiting at the barricades. They waved excitedly, holding signs with her name, faces lighting up at the mere sight of her. Normally, Jennie would stop, smile, wave—she always tried to show her gratitude. But today, she was so drained she could barely keep her eyes open. Maybe just a quick wave and a smile would be enough.

But then, in an instant, everything shifted.

Out of the corner of her eye, Jennie noticed someone moving unnervingly fast from the crowd. A girl. She didn’t think much of it at first—maybe just an overexcited fan trying to get closer. But then she saw it. The anger in the girl’s eyes, the clenched fist. The flash of something sharp in her hand.

Jennie froze. Her mind screamed at her to move, to run, but her body didn’t respond. The girl was only inches away now, lunging forward. Panic seized Jennie’s chest. Just as she braced herself for impact, the airport security swooped in, tackling the girl to the ground before she could reach her.

The entire terminal seemed to go silent for a moment, the shock of what almost happened hanging in the air. Jennie stood motionless, her heart pounding in her ears. She didn’t know how to react. One of the guards turned to her, his face concerned but professional.

"Are you alright, Miss Jennie?" he asked, his voice breaking through the haze of her shock.

Jennie swallowed hard, finally forcing herself to nod. "Y-Yeah, I’m fine."

But she wasn’t fine. Not even close. She glanced at the girl, now being restrained on the floor, shouting something incoherent, her voice laced with hatred. Jennie couldn’t make out the words, but the tone was unmistakable. Another threat. Another person who despised her without even knowing her.

A chill ran down her spine. This wasn’t just an obsessed fan; this was something darker. And it wasn’t the first time. Over the past few months, the hate had escalated—online, in public. But this... this was too real.

Jennie’s legs felt weak as she tried to compose herself, forcing a deep breath in. The crowd around her seemed to blur, the fans still there but distant. She could hear the murmurs, feel the stares of people who had just witnessed the chaos unfold. The security team quickly guided her towards the exit, keeping her shielded from the commotion as much as possible.