A Scandalous Pair | Kim Mingyu FF | Svt

Do-hee

It's been almost five months since I retreated from the media spotlight. Three months since the news broke about Kang Hyerin, Park Gwanhee, and my mother being involved in a scheme to ruin my reputation. And two months since I last contacted Mingyu. The past few months have been a rollercoaster for me. After the scandal exploded in the media, my life took a drastic turn. I went into hiding, trying to avoid the chaos and scrutiny that followed.

At first, it was a relief to be out of the spotlight, away from the constant barrage of questions and speculation about my involvement. But as the days turned into weeks, I began to feel increasingly isolated and lonely. I tried to stay strong, but the constant negative attention and online hate took a toll on my mental health. My world felt like it had crumbled around me when the first article about my supposed affair with Park Gwanhee came out. I couldn't believe it; I never had an affair with him.

Despite my innocence, the ensuing media circus was overwhelming. Everywhere I looked, there were accusations and negative remarks about me. Social media was flooded with hateful comments, and the pressure was almost unbearable. I couldn't see a way out of the mess. The thought of facing Mingyu and dealing with the fallout was too much to handle, so I made the difficult decision to leave my apartment and stay with Haewon for a while.

I couldn't bring myself to answer Mingyu's calls or read his texts, consumed with a deep sense of shame and horror about the entire situation. I even told Haewon not to pick up his or Wonwoo's calls. It was easier to ignore everything and stay hidden, trying to find some peace and security. Haewon was incredibly supportive and understanding, offering me a safe haven and providing comfort. During the day, I stayed indoors, avoiding the public eye and trying to disconnect from the outside world. I spent most of my time in my room, scrolling through social media and reading the endless barrage of negative comments. It was a never-ending cycle of pain and misery. At night, I lay in bed, plagued by insomnia, my mind racing with thoughts of the situation.

In addition to the rumors about my supposed affair with Park Gwanhee, another scandal erupted when news of my mother's tell-all interview came out. I was shocked and horrified to read the article in which she made baseless claims about my troubled childhood and need for male validation, implying that it made me capable of something as terrible as an affair. I couldn't believe my mother would stoop so low as to try and tarnish my reputation further. I felt betrayed and enraged. I knew she had a tendency to be manipulative and controlling, but I never imagined she would go to such lengths to ruin my life. I felt like the world was closing in on me, and there was nowhere to turn. I knew I had to speak out and defend myself, to set the record straight. But the thought of facing the public again and dealing with the media frenzy was daunting. Moreover, I didn't have any proof to prove my innocence. My mental health spiraled downward as the scandals continued. I felt defeated and unworthy, with my self-worth at an all-time low.

As the months passed and the five-month mark of the fake relationship contract approached, I knew the time had come to end things with Mingyu. The thought of him continuing to pretend to be in a relationship with me felt like a fraud, and I couldn't bear the thought of him being associated with my tarnished reputation. In my mind, ending the contract and letting him go was the best decision for both of us, even though the thought of walking away from him hurt me more than I'd ever admit. With the constant threat of being discovered by the paparazzi looming over me, I knew that staying too long at Haewon's place wasn't sustainable. I was aware that if Mingyu found out where I was, he would stop at nothing to find me. Knowing that I needed a place to hide from the public eye, I decided that the outskirts of Seoul would be a good option. I asked Haewon if I could stay at her parents' guest cottage, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Her parents agreed to let me stay at the cottage, grateful to help their daughter's best friend during such a difficult time. I packed my belongings and moved to the peaceful retreat, hoping it would give me the respite I sorely needed.