Someone submitted a tip, and a photo was posted on an SNS account known for gossip.

The photo in question was a captured image of a phone screen, posted with the title ‘Photo of Lee Hanna and singer J spotted at a Paris hotel’.

Everyone was shocked to learn that the photo’s subjects were top star Lee Hanna and the veiled singer J. In an instant, the internet was abuzz.

– OMG. Is this man really singer J?

– What? If this is true, it’s totally mind-blowing.

– Wow. Singer J’s visuals are on another level. Why did he hide this face until now?

– This is a famous palace-level hotel in Paris. A single night’s stay costs over 2 million won.

– I’m jealous, but they look so good together.

– Could singer J be Lee Hanna’s unforgettable first love that she mentioned before?

– Look at Lee Hanna smiling with joy. She looks so happy she could die.

People who saw the photo showed various reactions and left countless comments.

There were those who praised singer J’s appearance, those who were envious that he was Lee Hanna’s lover, those curious about their relationship, and those making inferences based on Lee Hanna’s past remarks.

The aftermath brought on by a single photo was immense.

The photo rapidly spread uncontrollably through messenger apps.

It was shared all over and also posted on internet community forums.

Just as great as Lee Hanna’s influence was the speed at which the rumors spread.

The captured photo climbed to the top of real-time search rankings and was turned into articles within hours.

‘Romantic lovers in Paris.’

‘Lee Hanna and singer J’s secret date.’

‘Is singer J’s identity finally being revealed?’

Speculative articles without confirmation raced to get published first.

The article titles were slightly sensational, but the contents were all pretty similar.

Even an article from months ago titled ‘The first love actress Lee Hanna can’t forget’ became a hot topic again through related articles.

“Sigh… It’s spreading so scarily fast.”

Yumi was chewing on her lower lip while looking at related articles on her phone screen.

She had resolved that if she couldn’t have Jiho, she wouldn’t let Isu have him either, and acted on it.

Only Lee Hanna and Jiho were visible in the latter part of the photo that Eunji had sent, which Yumi had captured.

While contemplating how to use it, the day before the start of the semester, Yumi anonymously submitted the photo to an SNS account that seemed like it would have a big impact.

She also mentioned that the man in the photo was definitely singer J.

Yumi heard that Eunji had already posted the same photo on her own SNS. Thinking it was a publicly released photo, she didn’t separately ask Eunji for permission.

Yumi anxiously bit her nails while reading the comments popping up in real-time.

After finding out that Jiho had couple rings with Isu and went on a honeymoon-like trip to Paris, Yumi felt like her heart would burst with jealousy.

Just the thought of it made her so angry she could barely breathe.

Isu, who monopolized the love of Jiho, a man with perfect looks, wealth, and good family background – Yumi was insanely jealous and hated her.

She just couldn’t stand by and watch.

She felt like she needed to tarnish their relationship somehow in order to breathe.

‘They probably never imagined something like this would happen. I wonder how shocked they are right now.’

Now that it had blown up, her heart was pounding, but she was more excited to see what would unfold.

‘I feel bad thinking of Aunt Yeonsu, but no one will know I’m the one who spread it anyway.’

Yumi had also posted a comment with details on J’s identity, then deleted it after a few hours.

If even one person saw it, it would uncannily spread, so there was no need to keep it up for long.

– Breaking news. Singer J’s identity. I know very well who this man is. He’s S, a sophomore business major at H University. As you can see, his visuals are top-notch. If you go to our school and don’t know him, you’re a spy. Plus, he’s a 3rd generation chaebol. His grandfather is the founder of S Financial Group.

– If it’s H University, is it Korea University? If true, he’s a total jackpot.

– He’s in no way inferior as Lee Hanna’s man.

– With those specs, he’s almost perfect.

Comments poured in below that.

“When I go to school tomorrow, it’ll probably be flipped upside down. To think he’s Lee Hanna’s man. I like him way more than Jung Isu’s man.”

Yumi smiled, curling up the corners of her mouth.

The die had now been cast, and all that was left was to watch.

**

That evening.

Hyungju was the first to call Jiho.

“Yes, hyung.”

[Jiho. You saw the articles, right? What’s going on?]

As soon as the call connected, Hyungju asked in an urgent voice.

[It’s you, isn’t it?]

“Yes, it’s me, but I ran into Hanna by chance.”

Jiho answered after letting out a long sigh.

His encounter with Hanna that day lasted 3 minutes at most, but all the articles were titled as if by agreement ‘Lee Hanna’s date spotted’, as if rubbing it in.

On top of that, he couldn’t fathom why an incident from over a month ago was suddenly becoming an issue.

[Really? Then all these articles are wrong.]

“Yes. I’m looking at them now too, and everyone’s writing a novel over a trivial photo.”

[But who could be so certain that you’re J to tip them off like this? It seems like someone maliciously submitted the photo. Can you think of anyone?]

Hyungju spoke worriedly, but he actually thought this could be a good opportunity for Jiho’s identity to be revealed.

He had suggested to Jiho many times that he should fully pursue activities, but Jiho only said he’d think about it without giving a concrete answer.

“I wonder.”

More than the photo with Hanna, Jiho was bothered by the fact that J’s name was being mentioned.

He had thought a day like this would come eventually, but he didn’t want to be pushed into the open entangled with Hanna.

[Hanna doesn’t know you’re J either, right?]

“No.”

Only a very select few people knew this secret. Where could it have leaked from?

Among those who might spread that photo, who knows this secret?

Jiho pressed his temples with his fingertips.

[But I don’t get why Hanna’s agency isn’t responding at all. If this is groundless, wouldn’t they rush to put out a rebuttal article first?]

With a single word from Hanna, this could end as a trivial happening.

As J’s agency that hadn’t revealed his identity, there wasn’t much they could do right now.

Hanna, who had several scandals so far, had consistently maintained a no-response stance each time.

“They’ll probably release a rebuttal soon.”

[As soon as that article broke, people went wild demanding confirmation on whether that man is really J. What are you going to do?]

“I need to tell grandfather too…”

He also had to think about Isu.

It was a vague thought, but it seemed Isu wouldn’t like it.

Isu had said she was jealous of him even singing at a pub.

Pfft.

Thinking of the jealous Isu made him laugh despite the frustrating situation.

[Why are you laughing all of a sudden?]

“No, it’s nothing. Someone just came to mind.”

[Okay. Well, let’s wait and see how Hanna’s side responds for now. If I take action, it’ll be like blatantly admitting you’re J.]

“Yes.”

[You’re even calmer than me in all this.]

“It’s not true, so I’m not worried. They’ll quiet down soon enough.”

After hanging up with Hyungju, Jiho put his phone on the desk.

Even after the call ended, his phone kept vibrating incessantly.

It was contacts who had seen the articles.

Since Jiho purposely didn’t answer, texts kept flying in.

– Jiho, is this you?

– Did you see the articles? It’s chaos right now.

– Your initials are all over the comments. Anyone who knows will recognize you.

– Are you really J?

Jiho leaned his head back and exhaled slowly.

‘This has gotten annoying.’

As Jiho was looking at the articles and comments on his laptop screen, his phone rang again.

Seeing the caller, Jiho pressed the call button.

Isu, who had started exercising a few days ago to build up stamina, was out of contact for an hour every evening.

The first person that came to mind as soon as he saw the articles was Isu.

So he had texted her to call as soon as she finished exercising.

“Isu.”

[Oh. What’s up?]

As soon as Isu turned on her phone, text alerts poured out.

‘What’s going on?’

She was puzzled but checked Jiho’s text first and called.

“Did you have a good workout?”

[Yeah. It’s a bit hard since it’s my first time, but I need to adapt quickly.]

Isu exited the Pilates studio.

Her whole body ached from using muscles she didn’t normally use.

She had been told her posture was off and her muscle mass was below average, so she had been burning with passion the last few days.

[What were you up to?]

Isu asked in a slightly tired voice.

“You don’t know yet. An article came out this afternoon…”

It seemed he would have to apologize to Isu again for something unintended.

It was only a few days ago that Isu had said she was a bit uneasy these days because she was too happy.

Had she had a premonition that something like this would happen?

“Remember I told you I ran into Lee Hanna at a hotel lobby in Paris? A photo was taken of us together that day.”

[What?]

Isu abruptly stopped walking.

“All sorts of speculative articles are pouring out over that one photo. Someone, I don’t know who, even tipped them off that I’m J.”

Isu’s heart sank.

She was so shocked she had trouble speaking.

How bewildered must have Jiho been?

Isu sighed and ran her hand through her hair.

[Jiho, are you okay? You must’ve been so startled.]

She hadn’t seen the contents yet, but she could tell it was no ordinary matter.

“I’m alright.”

Jiho answered calmly despite feeling disturbed.

Once this call ended, he would have to call his family who must be surprised by this too.

“I hope you don’t see the articles. They’re all writing nonsensical stories.”

There was nothing in the articles that would be good for Isu to see.

It wouldn’t change anything, and would only dampen her mood.

[I should still look. It’s about you.]

The late August night air was very cool, but cold sweat trickled down Isu’s back.

[Where on earth did a photo like that come from?]

“I don’t know that yet either. It’s spread so widely. From what I hear, it originated from an SNS post. The company is looking into it.”

Isu gripped her phone tightly.

Jiho’s composed voice made it seem like no big deal, but in the end, it meant a scandal with Lee Hanna had broken out.

Isu’s heart pounded.

[Oh no… What do we do…?]

A thin, trembling voice came through the receiver.

‘I knew this would happen.’

Jiho put his hand on the back of his neck.

“It’s not a big deal. Isu, should I come over?”

Jiho asked in a gentle voice, as if to reassure her.

[No. The semester starts tomorrow. You’re finally going to school, so sleep early.]

Isu sensed that Jiho wanted to come because he was worried.

She took a deep breath to calm herself and made her voice sound spirited.

Even if he acted unperturbed, this situation couldn’t be pleasant for Jiho. Isu didn’t want to add to his worries.

“How decisive of you.”

Jiho laughed at the expected answer.

“Want me to sing you a song again before bed today?”

These days, following Isu’s bucket list, it had become common for them to read books or sing to each other over the phone before falling asleep.

[I’d love that. I just got home. I’ll call you back before bed.]

She had already arrived at the apartment entrance with her wide strides.

Isu spoke, trying hard to hide her urgent feelings.

“Okay.”

Jiho hung up with an anxious heart.

He felt he should sing Isu the sweetest song tonight.

Though Jiho had said he hoped she wouldn’t look, as soon as Isu got home, she typed Lee Hanna’s name into her phone’s search box.

Pressing the search button brought up a stream of articles and thumbnails.

The entertainment section was plastered with stories about Lee Hanna and singer J.

Isu stared blankly at the article titles.

‘Lee Hanna’s man, J.’