Love Begins at Jeju

20-Return to the island

The dawn breaks over the island, the soft golden light pouring over the lush landscapes of Jeju.  The final four challengers—Jin, Jungkook, Hoseok, and Yoongi—stand at the edge of the beach, watching the waves crash against the shore. They’ve had their brief staycation, and now the competition is back. No more breaks, no more distractions. It’s time to face each other.

They’ve had their moments, their strategies empowered, their quiet moments of reflections, but now, it’s each challenger for themselves. One by one, they will compete, and only one will emerge as the ultimate survivor.

The host appears on the beach, a microphone in hand, a grin on his face as he watches the challengers assemble. The sun has just risen, no coffees, no breakfast just the tension in the air with their empty stomach.

“Welcome back, challengers,” he calls out, his voice carrying over the beach. “You’ve had your time to rest, but now, it’s time to return to the island’s challenges. Today’s competition will test your individual strengths. Each of you will go against one other challenger at a time, in head-to-head challenges.”

The challengers exchange wary glances. The stakes are higher now—there are no teams anymore, and no alliances. It’s all about survival.

“The winner of each challenge will earn a point,” the host continues. “At the end of the day, the three challengers with the most points will move on to the final round. The one with the least amount of points will be eliminated automatically— without any voting.”

That leaves a gasp, to Hoseok and Jungkook while Jin and Yoongi stay calm

“Let the games begin.”

The first match is between Jungkook and Yoongi. As the host announces the first battle, both challengers step forward, determined to prove their strength.

Jungkook cracks his knuckles, his eyes focused. The quiet connection between him and Jin might be stronger than ever, but Jungkook knows he can’t afford to let his feelings get in the way. He has to keep his head in the game. Yoongi, on the other hand, is calm, cool, and collected, a sharp contrast to Jungkook’s tense energy.

The challenge is a test of strength, balance, and precision. They are both required to scale a rocky cliff and retrieve a flag placed at the top. As soon as the challenge begins, Jungkook rushes forward, using his agility to get a head start, but Yoongi quickly catches up, his movements deliberate and steady.

Jungkook’s youthful energy gives him an edge in speed, but Yoongi’s experience and patience allow him to maintain a steady pace. In the end, it’s a battle of endurance, and despite Jungkook’s best efforts, Yoongi reaches the flag first, securing his victory.

Yoongi: 1 point
Jungkook: 0 points

Jungkook’s face tightens with frustration, but he quickly masks it, nodding in acknowledgment of Yoongi’s win.

Next, Jin faces off against Hoseok. Jin, though a seasoned competitor, has a reputation for his calm demeanor, while Hoseok is known for his unpredictable energy and flair. Both are formidable, but their approaches are drastically different.

The challenge is a mental one—an intricate puzzle that requires not only speed but careful strategy. As the clock begins, Hoseok dives in with a wild enthusiasm, shifting pieces rapidly. Meanwhile, Jin stays focused, working through the puzzle methodically. The minutes tick by, and despite Hoseok’s rapid pace, it’s Jin’s calm and calculated approach that pays off.

Jin solves the puzzle with just seconds to spare, winning the challenge.

Jin: 1 point
Hoseok: 0 points

Hoseok chuckles, shaking his head in playful disbelief. “You really are good at everything, huh?”

Jin gives a modest shrug, but there’s a quiet pride in his eyes. He knows that he needs to stay ahead—every point counts now.

With the first two rounds completed, the competition moves to the next battle. Jungkook faces off against Hoseok in a race to assemble a complicated obstacle course. The course requires both speed and coordination, and it’s clear that the two are evenly matched in their physical abilities.

The challenge starts with a sprint, followed by a series of physical tasks: climbing ropes, jumping over obstacles, and balancing on narrow beams. Jungkook moves with the fluidity and grace of a dancer, his athleticism pushing him forward, but Hoseok’s sheer willpower and creativity in solving the tricky obstacles keep him in the running.

In a nail-biting finish, Jungkook edges out Hoseok by a mere second, securing his first point of the day.

Jungkook: 1 point
Hoseok: 0 points

It’s clear now that the competition is fierce. Every point matters, and the remaining challengers know that they need to fight for their spots in the next round round.

The host announces that the next challenge will be an all-out endurance test, requiring each challenger to perform a series of grueling tasks. From navigating a labyrinth blindfolded to solving a riddle while balancing on a tightrope, this final test will push them to their limits.

As the four challengers face off against one another, it becomes clear that this is not just about physical strength anymore. It’s about resilience, mental fortitude, and the ability to outlast your opponents in every possible way.

Jungkook and Jin share a glance across the arena, their silent understanding evident. Whatever happens, they’ve made it this far together. But now, they have to compete—one by one.

The final round begins, and the challengers—Jin, Yoongi, Jungkook, and Hoseok—are exhausted but determined. The host announces the tasks: navigate a labyrinth blindfolded, solve a riddle on a tightrope, and hold a heavy weight as long as possible.

In the first task, the labyrinth, Jin moves steadily, Yoongi carefully, Jungkook rushes and hits walls, and Hoseok, full of energy, stumbles but powers through. Hoseok is the first to finish, winning the first point.

Hoseok : 1point

Next, on the tightrope, each challenger must solve a riddle while balancing. Hoseok struggles with the physical strain, Jin and Yoongi work methodically, but Jungkok, balancing both his mind and body, answers first. Jungkook earns his second point.

Jungkook: 1point

In the final task, holding a heavy weight, the challengers are drained. Jungkook and Yoongi hold on, but Hoseok falters first. Despite his fatigue,  Jin's determination pushes him through, and he wins the round.

With the all the challenges complete, the scoreboard looks like this:

Jin: 2 point

Yoongi: 1 point

Jungkook: 2 points

Hoseok: 1 point