Catching Her Heart

JK's POV

The music thumped through the speakers, shaking the floor beneath my feet as neon lights flickered across the crowded room. I sat on a stool near the bar, sipping from the drink the bartender had poured. As I glanced through the crowd of dancers—most of them intoxicated, some trying to make connections, others genuinely enjoying themselves—I sat here, close to the action but still feeling distant from everyone.

In moments like this, I wish Taehyungie hyung were here. He would've had me dancing like there was no tomorrow, pulling me onto the floor without a second thought. Parties with him were always fun. Ah… I miss those times.

Eunwoo decided to throw this party since the drama shoot had wrapped. My eyes scanned the room for one particular face. It had already been two weeks since I’d asked Ridhi for her number, but I still hadn’t texted her.

The last two weeks had been too busy. I had several meetings regarding my solo schedules. Ten years in this industry, and it still amazes me that my calendar gets filled a year in advance. I wanted to text her but could never gather the courage. I have no idea how I even managed to ask for her number. I typed “hi” countless times, only to delete it. After two or three days of hesitation, I spoke to Namjoon hyung, and he told me I shouldn’t rush it. He said getting her number so quickly could leave a bad impression. So, I dropped the idea of texting her for now.

“She’ll be coming. She confirmed this morning,” Eunwoo said as he sat down beside me, looking at the crowd.

“Mmm?” I replied, still scanning the room.

“The person your eyes are searching for,” Eunwoo teased, smirking. “I know you wouldn’t have come to this party otherwise.”

A smile crept onto my face. “The things I do just to help you get the girl... I should get an award for being the best wingman,” he boasted.

“Of course. Thank you for that. I owe you,” I replied, genuinely thankful to have a friend like him. Eunwoo didn’t hesitate when I asked him to introduce me to Ridhi. We had already planned lunch and picked the restaurant; Eunwoo just had to make sure she joined us. Like me, he usually avoids small talk, but he had made conversation with Ridhi to make it easier for me. I was nervous at first, barely speaking during lunch, but eventually, she became comfortable around me. She talked about how much she loved our songs, how big of a BTS fan she is, and, of course, how her bias is Taehyungie hyung.

I can’t compete with Taehyung’s handsome face, I thought, feeling a twinge of jealousy. I sighed and took another sip of my drink as I glanced at her contact name on my phone before looking back at the crowd.

“I’m doing this only because you asked me to, but are you really sure about it?” Eunwoo asked, his tone serious. “With your fame, dating can be difficult. And what about the label? Don’t they usually ask idols to break up to maintain their image? Relationships for idols don’t usually work out. I feel like the cost of stardom is higher than we ever imagined.”

“I’ve never been this sure about anything,” I replied, frustration creeping into my voice. “I’m 27 now. If I don’t date now, then when? Of course, my career and my fans are important. It might hurt them, but if they truly wish me well, they’d want me to be happy. I can’t keep seeking approval from strangers for my personal life. I’m human too.”

Eunwoo gave me a sad smile. “I want that too. To find someone to be close with, to tell them about my day, to fall in love, get married, have kids… but that feels like a distant dream.” A tear escaped his eye, which he quickly wiped away.

It’s the bitter truth of idol life. Love, relationships, marriage—they’re all forbidden. Dating scandals are every idol’s worst nightmare. Most idols keep their distance from the opposite gender just to avoid being linked to someone. I used to be that way, too. I remember when Taehyungie hyung got caught in a dating scandal. The media made it seem like he was on a date with a girl, only for him to post photos of himself with his long-haired male friend to clear things up.

I never understood why idols can’t date. Why do we become less desirable if we’re in a relationship? I always told myself that if I ever got into a relationship, I would let my fans know directly instead of letting the media control the narrative. Those who truly care about me would be happy for me. The others were never real fans to begin with. I think about Dawn and Hyuna, how proudly they announced their relationship, only to have their contracts terminated. If the company accepts it, then it’s the fans who hurl hate at your significant other. Eventually, the relationship falls apart under that pressure. If I ever fall in love, I’d have to be ready to fight everyone—fans, the company, and haters.

“She’s here… the MVP of the party,” Eunwoo announced, setting his drink down and sliding off the stool. He headed toward the crowd, and my eyes followed him until I found her.

There she stood at the entrance, looking around, slightly lost. No matter what she wore, she always looked amazing. While everyone around us had on fancy clothes and makeup, Ridhi arrived in a simple short white dress, a denim jacket, and white sneakers. Her long black hair flowed freely, and her kohl-lined eyes searched the room until they found Eunwoo. They greeted each other, laughing about something, and then Eunwoo pointed toward me. She smiled and nodded. He took her hand and led her through the crowd, her other hand resting on his bicep. My gaze burned into his arm. Did they grow closer over the last week? His broad shoulders blocked her from view, and something about it didn’t sit right with me. I felt heat rise to my face, my body tense with unease.

It was the way she laughed with him, held his hand, and rested her grip on his bicep. Those images replayed in my mind, over and over, like someone hit “autoplay” and there was only one video on the list.

“Hey, JK!” her cheerful voice suddenly washed away the discomfort I’d been feeling moments before.

“Hey… Ridhi,” I greeted her, looking at her bright, smiling face.

She looked so happy. I wonder why.