Gyeol’s life, for the most part, had been unlucky.
Born as a late child, he lost both parents in an accident at the age of seven. His older brother—already an adult due to their large age gap—became his guardian.
The inheritance was negligible. His brother, a recessive Omega, had no real skills to rely on. They survived in a cramped single-room space on the meager money he scraped together from part-time jobs.
The following year, at eight years old, Gyeol was approached on the street by a scout from a major agency everyone knew by name—LM Entertainment.
“What’s scouting?”
“Can you give me your guardian’s number? Actually, just take this business card to them.”
Gyeol didn’t really understand any of it. But when his brother said it would be good for him, he simply nodded.
From that moment on, he entered trainee life, living in the company dorms.
For twelve years.
“Hey, it’s me. You’re doing okay, right?”
—Yeah... ah, Gyeol. Sorry, I—ah...
“...Is Seungho there with you?”
—No, not Seungho, it’s Jungwoo... ah—sorry. I’ll hang up.
Around the age of fourteen, Gyeol began to understand why his brother had sent him away.
The agency provided food and housing—one less mouth to feed in an already strained life. As for the revolving door of partners his brother brought home every week... he chose not to think about the fact that none of them wanted an Omega with a child.
Trainee life was exhausting.
Gyeol was decent at both singing and dancing, but luck never followed him.
Again and again, he was cut from debut lineups.
“The concept doesn’t suit you.”
“You’ll fit better next time.”
Excuses anyone could make.
“Sorry, Gyeol. Let’s debut next time for sure.”
At twenty, he finally debuted as the leader of the idol group SAVE ME.
The hope didn’t last long.
Right after debut, one of the members was arrested on drug charges. And as if misfortune never came alone, their main title track was accused of plagiarism.
After the disastrous debut, they tried to start over with a newly recruited member.
But the world wasn’t on Gyeol’s side.
“Gyeol, this is bad. Yoonsoo... he’s pregnant.”
Before they could even properly return to the stage, another member caused a scandal. There wasn’t even time for the agency to quietly cover it up—tabloid reporters exposed everything, publishing photos of the member entering an obstetrics clinic.
Perhaps sensing the ship was sinking, the most popular member—the one Gyeol trusted most—vanished without a word.
Around that time, the CEO of LM Entertainment made him an offer.
“Gyeol, how about transitioning into acting?”
It was, essentially, a declaration that the group was finished.
Still, it was a gesture of loyalty to someone who had spent twelve years as a trainee.
Gyeol began taking minor roles.
Surprisingly, his acting was well received.
One line became two.
Two lines became more.
He moved from nameless extra roles to supporting roles with names.
Hyung, you didn’t pick up so I’m texting. I got a supporting role in a drama this time.
By then, his brother had become difficult to reach.
He worried—his brother had always been the type to spread his legs for any Alpha. What if something had happened?
But what could he do?
Gyeol was busy. His brother was well past thirty—surely he could take care of himself.
It was a careless assumption.
One month before filming for his new drama was set to begin—
Something unfortunate happened again.
This time, it was both unavoidable and irreversible.
“I’m sorry, sir. I don’t think I can do the drama.”
He declined the role with a devastated expression.
“What? Why? You don’t like the part?”
“No... It’s just... I don’t think I’ll be able to work at all for a while.”
“What?”
Something irreversible had happened to Gyeol.
***
Pheromone Island.
A vast, refreshing ocean.
Brilliant sunlight pouring down.
Lush greenery covering a beautiful island.
This was the place where eight Alphas and Omegas would come to build their relationships.
A small private island owned by a wealthy individual, opened only once a year for the cast of R-Connect.
At its center stood an elegant ivory mansion. Its interior rivaled a penthouse, and the view from the infinity pool was breathtaking.
The participants would live on the island, and upon meeting certain conditions, they would earn the right to use the mansion alone with their chosen partner.
As emotions stirred like waves, the first participant appeared on the beach set.
“Jun Shin, please enter.”
It was Jun Shin, leader of the famous idol group Moving.
“Looks like I’m first. Hello, I’m Jun Shin, an idol singer.”
With a bright smile, he began introducing himself.
A wholesome, kind, and positive image.
Beloved across all demographics, he was a top pick for advertisers and variety shows alike.
“My ideal type is someone with a beautiful smile and a deep personality.”
His introduction flowed smoothly.
“I like someone I can rely on. Someone who lets me get close to them, and who also gives me a chance to protect them.”
Without hesitation, he took the seat at the very center.
One by one, the rest of the cast began to appear.
Alphas and Omegas entered in a mixed order.
Unlike Jun Shin, some couldn’t hide their nerves.
“My ideal type is... um... could I have a moment to think?”
“...Sorry, what did you just ask?”
“Hello! I’m Tommy, a YouTuber. I do mukbangs and workouts... um... I’m sorry, that sounded so dumb. Can I redo it?”
Not everyone was used to variety shows—especially not one as notorious as R-Connect.
What eased the tension was Jun Shin.
He applauded first whenever someone new arrived, greeting them warmly with a smile. The atmosphere quickly softened.
Eventually, it was time for the last participant.
One remaining Omega.
“Gyeol Go, please enter.”
All eyes turned toward the hill.
Everyone was ready to clap—
But the moment he appeared, their minds went blank.
He walked through the palm leaves, dressed simply in a white shirt and cotton pants. It was almost too plain—bordering on careless.
But clothing was only part of it.
Against the backdrop of the vivid blue ocean, Gyeol smiled.
And he was breathtaking.
Jet-black hair.
Light-catching eyes shimmering under the sun.
His shirt fluttering endlessly in the sea breeze.
Even the camera director instinctively zoomed in, filling the frame with his face.
“Please introduce yourself.”
“Hello, I’m actor Gyeol Go.”
A former idol was still, at his core, a performer.
Gyeol effortlessly found the camera focused on him among several others.
He met its gaze with a smile that seemed capable of melting anything.
“Your charm point?”
“My smile. I’ve been told it’s beautiful.”
“Your ideal type?”
“I value a person’s character the most.”
As he spoke, Gyeol turned toward the others.
One by one, he met the eyes of the Alphas watching him, as if drawing them in.
“Above all, someone I can trust. And someone strong enough for me to lean on.”
At that moment—
His eyes met Jun Shin’s.
Gyeol smiled faintly, then naturally returned his gaze to the camera.
Only after he finished and walked toward his seat did the others seem to snap out of a spell, belated applause breaking out.
He bowed lightly and took his place.
Fortunately—
It was at the very end.
Far from Jun Shin.
“Do you two know each other?”
The question came immediately.
It was Isu Yoon, another Omega.
The person beside him chimed in.
“Weren’t you in the same group before? What was it called?”
“Save Me! SAVE ME!”
“Oh, right!”
It was an uncomfortable topic—but expected.
Gyeol had already known Jun Shin would be here.
Without blinking, he smiled and delivered the line he had prepared.
“Yes, that’s right. I’m a bit embarrassed you remember.”
Then he looked straight at Jun Shin.
“It’s been a while. Good to see you again.”
Curious gazes bounced between them.
After a brief pause, Jun Shin smiled back and nodded.
“Yeah, I’ve been well. Good to see you too.”
Then he added—
something completely unexpected.
“I’ve missed you.”
That was not something someone who had abandoned the group eight years ago had any right to say.