“Wait, seriously? It’s because of the votes? It’s not a big deal! I got zero votes too. Or did I? Am I just too simple-minded? I was literally just doing a face mask and humming while getting ready for bed.”
“No, Tae-ri, you’re right. We haven’t even had a proper conversation yet—it’s all just based on first impressions. Don’t feel down.”
Ga-eun chimed in, supporting Tae-ri’s words. Minji’s expression—somewhere between a smile and a frown—was worth seeing.
Now, the situation had completely changed.
At this point, the viewers would favor Tae-ri over Minji.
Naturally, the focus shifted to Tae-ri. They were reacting in completely opposite ways to the same situation.
Tae-ri, who accepted things calmly and cheerfully, came across as confident and easygoing—appealing, even.
Meanwhile, Minji, who was sulking and making others worry, appeared overly sensitive and lacking self-esteem.
Minji, thank you.
Did not I learn this all from you?
You know, the way you overdo compliments or show excessive concern—so much that it ends up making people uncomfortable instead.
“Unni, you said you were coming down with something. Oh no. I’ll tell Seong-jun to take you straight to the hospital. You look like you might collapse any second.”
“What are you talking about? She’s totally fine.”
“No, seriously, go to the hospital now!”
“Ugh, Seo Haeyoung. Why do you always make a fuss and bother everyone?”
Even when I did nothing at all, just being next to you always made me seem like the one who was whining, the one being annoying.
Minji’s gaze shifted past Ga-eun and Tae-ri—to Haeyoung, standing behind them.
It was as if she were saying,
This was you, wasn’t it?
Yeah, it was me.
Haeyoung smiled.
Minji slightly parted her lips as if she were about to say something, but before the words could come out, Haeyoung stepped forward and pulled her into a hug.
“Minji, stay strong. This is just the beginning. You’re already so pretty, cute, and full of charm. Everyone’s going to see it soon.”
Minji’s body stiffened in Haeyoung’s arms.
The night before, filming had gone on late into the night, and the cast had only managed to fall asleep in the early hours of the morning. Even so, they all woke up early.
They said the unfamiliar environment had made it hard to sleep.
Everyone carefully picked out their outfits, did their makeup and hair.
Today was the first official date.
“Meet your friend and receive the date location.”
That was the mission that had appeared on the monitor that morning.
If it was Haeyoung’s friend, then it had to be Yoon-hyuk.
He hadn’t come to the house—could they really meet him in advance?
Haeyoung left the house and followed the directions.
There was a car with heavily tinted windows. She was told she’d be having a conversation with her friend inside.
That was strange. Normally, private meetings took place on set.
The producer called Haeyoung over. He explained that since the car was a product placement (PPL), they needed to show as much of the interior as possible. He also asked her to naturally include the sponsor’s promotional lines during the conversation.
This was yet another unexpected change.
Beyond the changes Haeyoung had intended, other shifts were happening too.
Why?
The filming house had changed. So had the shooting locations—bit by bit.
The world remained the same, and only Haeyoung had changed. So perhaps all these shifts had started with her.
But Haeyoung had no way of knowing which of her actions had set off this chain reaction, like a butterfly effect.
Haeyoung got into the car.
“You’re here?”
A deep voice echoed in her ears.
Her eyes met Yoon-hyuk’s, and for a brief moment, Haeyoung forgot to breathe.
Did he always look like this?
His neatly styled hair, perfectly sculpted features, sharp jawline, and the masculine lines of his shoulders and neck—everything about him was striking.
But more than anything, Yoon-hyuk had an indescribable aura that drew the eye.
She had spent all day yesterday surrounded by men praised for their looks, yet now, sitting in front of Yoon-hyuk, she couldn’t even remember what they looked like.
Now she finally understood why the producer of Friendship Romance had agreed to accept the latecomers, Haeyoung and Yoon-hyuk—and especially, why Yoon-hyuk had been chosen as the hidden participant.
“Rough day?”
Yoon-hyuk asked in his usual slow, laid-back tone.
“Huh?”
“Your face looks a bit… different from yesterday.”
As their eyes met, Yoon-hyuk’s gaze swept over Haeyoung’s face from top to bottom.
Rather than being unpleasant, his playful look came off more mischievous than inappropriate.
Caught off guard by the unexpected comment, Haeyoung was momentarily stunned—but quickly pulled herself together after seeing his familiar expression.
Their assigned backstory was that they had been childhood friends—kids who used to play together at the neighborhood playground. After Yoon-hyuk went abroad to study, they lost touch, only to reconnect after his return to Korea. That’s what they had said in the interviews.
But this felt way too comfortable.
Even if the backstory allowed for this level of closeness, Haeyoung wasn’t sure she could convincingly pull it off.
She gave Yoon-hyuk a light poke where the camera couldn’t see—her silent way of telling him to tone it down.
“Why’d you poke me? Got something to say?”
Yoon-hyuk even turned that into part of the joke.
Haeyoung bit her lip, flustered. The more flustered she got, the more amused Yoon-hyuk seemed. He looked like he was genuinely enjoying the whole situation.
“It’s nothing. You just started talking about my face the moment we met—it was annoying.”
“I was being serious. Your face looks totally tired.”
“I barely slept. I guess I was more nervous than I thought. I just couldn’t fall asleep.”
Haeyoung awkwardly rubbed her face.
She’d put in effort, using every bit of makeup skill she had—even the half-practiced techniques—yet if her fatigue was still showing through, maybe it really wasn’t enough.
“Then I guess you must’ve missed me.”
“Probably. Everyone else had their friend with them… So, when are you officially joining?”
“Not sure. The PD told me not to say.”
Haeyoung glanced out the window. The production team could definitely hear everything from outside, and he just casually said ‘the PD‘— in informal speech, no less.
Fortunately—or maybe unfortunately—the PD, sitting at a distance with headphones on, showed no reaction.
“Anyway, I really hope you join soon.”
She meant it.
If Yoon-hyuk were part of the cast, it would be easier to create moments naturally. And emotionally, she’d probably feel more at ease too.
Maybe it was because she saw him as being on her side, but right now, since filming began, this was the most relaxed she’d felt.
“So… is there a guy you’re interested in?”
“Hmm, I haven’t really had the chance to talk to anyone properly yet… but—there is someone I’d like to talk to.”
“There is ?”
Haeyoung nodded.
It was a lie, but if she didn’t have someone she was interested in on a dating show, the whole filming would be pointless.
She had to make it up, even if she had to fake it.
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Talk. You have no eye for guys. Don’t do anything until I come and check.”
“Huh?”
Haeyoung was caught off guard—she didn’t expect him to say something like that.
“I’ll pick for you.”
“Why would you pick my boyfriend? I know enough to choose well myself.”
“Your ex was a total jerk.”
“Yoon-hyuk.”
Haeyoung quickly covered Yoon-hyuk’s mouth.
Though one remark wouldn’t reveal the relationship between Seong-jun and Haeyoung, there was no need to mention him in front of the cameras.
Every little detail could add up and become a risk.
“Why? Don’t like it when I trash-talk your ex?”
Yoon-hyuk grabbed Haeyoung’s hand with his large hand and pulled it down.
“It’s disrespectful to him. Anyway, let’s drop that topic.”
“Is there any respect to spare for a jerk? It’s a miracle that I’ve not burned him.”
“Shut up. Be quiet. Let’s talk about something else.”
Yoon-hyuk finally closed his mouth but kept a meaningful smile in his eyes.
Haeyoung needed to change the subject quickly. She pulled her hand free and searched for something else to talk about.
“Oh right, aren’t you curious about who else is here? Want me to tell you about the other participants?”
“Sure, whatever.”
Yoon-hyuk, who had been joking and smiling just moments ago, suddenly changed his attitude and looked out the window, indifferent.
Even though he was here because of Haeyoung’s suggestion, he was clearly showing no interest.
Maybe I should’ve added ‘actively participate in the dating show’ to the conditions.
“All the girls are really great. Pretty, kind, and cute. I’m sure you’ll like someone here. What did you say your type was again?”
“Fun girls.”
“Fun girls? Well… there is one person who’s really cheerful and fun.”
Haeyoung thought of Tae-ri—easygoing, bright, and witty. Maybe she’d get along well with Yoon-hyuk.
Even though he was here for the money, wouldn’t it be great if he found a good match while he was at it?
“That’s a relief. I can’t go without one. I’m going to marry someone I meet here.”
“What?”
It was supposed to be a joke, but it didn’t sound like one.
“Didn’t I tell you? If I can’t find a marriage partner here, I’ll have to go for an arranged marriage anyway.”
“You’re joking, right?”
“Does that sound like a joke?”
It was a phrase straight out of a drama. Of course, it had to be a joke.
But maybe because of Yoon-hyuk’s appearance—like he’d stepped out of a drama—it oddly sounded serious.
