If you had asked James three years ago if he'd ever watch a K-drama, he would have laughed and said, "No way."
But here he was now, sitting cross-legged on his bed, eyes glued to the screen, tissues by his side in case of emotional damage, fully immersed in a romantic K-drama binge session.
Why the sudden interest?
Simple: Mia.
A few years back, James saw a post she made — a cute little Instagram story where she shared her fun realizations about popular K-dramas. Something about how they made her heart flutter, how the male leads were always so thoughtful, romantic, and loyal.
She gushed about the way they looked at the girls they loved, how they went above and beyond to prove their feelings.
James, naturally, dove in headfirst.
If this is the stuff Mia dreams about, he thought, then I need to study it.
Before long, he was hooked — not just for Mia, but because, honestly, these shows were addictive.
He learned all the tropes: the accidental hand brushes, the late-night confessions, the heart-stopping back hugs, the dramatic rain scenes.
He memorized how the male leads dressed, how they acted cool but vulnerable, how they worked hard to become better men.
And he didn't stop there.
One day, James saw another one of Mia's posts, this time about her "ideal man."
It was one of those fun repost templates — you know, the ones that ask "What's your type?" and you fill in the blanks.
Mia had answered:
- Kind
- Fit, with a good build
- Loves books
- Can make me laugh
James stared at his phone for a long moment.
He wasn't sure about the "kind" part (he thought he was kind), and sure, he could make her laugh (probably?).
But the fit part? That one hit him hard.
That was the day he signed up at the gym.
What started as casual workouts turned into full-on commitment. He trained, he lifted, he dieted, and within a year, James had a glow-up that even his old classmates commented on. Broader shoulders, toned arms, a sharper jawline. He felt proud — no, confident. Every time he looked in the mirror, he thought, Yes, I cover the bases of Mia's ideal man.
The biggest event of the season was coming up: the annual city book fair. Mia had posted about it every year — it was her favorite. She called it her "happy place," a space where she could wander for hours, flipping through new releases and indie gems.
James knew he couldn't miss his chance. If Mia was going to be at the book fair, then he was going to be there, too. He even picked out his outfit carefully — something casual but stylish, like one of those cool K-drama leads she adored.
Walking into the fair, James felt a flutter in his stomach. His eyes darted around, scanning the crowd. Would she be here today? Would they bump into each other between the booths? Maybe they'd reach for the same book at the same time — one of those cute, cinematic moments — and she'd laugh, and they'd strike up a conversation.
Hours passed, and though he didn't see her, James kept the faith. He browsed the stalls, picked up a few interesting titles, and even posted his own book recommendations online afterward.
A few days later, curiosity got the best of him — he checked Mia's profile. And there it was. She had bought one of the books he had recommended.
James nearly jumped up and fist-pumped the air.
Yes! We're getting closer.
Even if they weren't talking directly, she was watching his posts, listening to his suggestions. He felt their invisible bond growing stronger by the day.
Of course, James being James, he didn't stop there.
He became a sort of low-key detective, piecing together the breadcrumbs Mia left on her social media. Every tagged coffee shop, every cute elevator selfie, every sunset view from her window — they were all tiny clues. And James was determined to solve the puzzle.
One post caught his eye: a photo of a distinctive lobby, with a gold-and-black color scheme. Another post had the same patterned elevator walls. Yet another showed a glimpse of the city skyline that lined up with just a few particular apartment buildings.
He cross-referenced, compared, even walked by a few places himself. And eventually, everything clicked into place. He knew exactly which apartment complex Mia was living in.
One rainy evening, after their usual gym session, James saw Mia packing up to head home. She smiled and waved as she left, earbuds in, hoodie pulled over her hair. James watched her go, feeling his heart race.
This was it. The moment he'd been waiting for.
He followed quietly, keeping a careful distance. Through the light drizzle, he watched as Mia turned down familiar streets, stopped at a corner shop, picked up a drink, then continued on. Finally, she reached the sleek black-and-gold building he had suspected all along. She waved to the doorman, scanned her key card, and disappeared inside.
James stood across the street, staring up at the glowing windows. He felt a strange mix of triumph and nervous excitement.
He had finally found exactly where she lived.
Walking back home, James' mind was swirling with thoughts.
This wasn't just a crush anymore — this was a mission.
A journey.
For years, Mia had been the star in his universe, the girl he could never forget. And now, step by step, they were orbiting closer together.
He thought about the K-dramas he had watched, all those sweet, slow-burn love stories. The male lead always worked hard, waited patiently, became the best version of himself.
And in the end, the girl always realized who truly loved her.
That's what James wanted.
To be the guy who was always there.
The one who had been quietly, steadfastly, waiting for her all along.
That night, James sat at his desk, flipping through the new books he had picked up at the fair. He smiled softly, imagining Mia curled up in her apartment, reading the same book, thinking of him — even if she didn't realize it yet.
Soon, he told himself.
Soon, they would be closer.
Soon, she would see him not just as a blast from the past, but as the man she was meant to be with.
He shut off his lamp, stretched, and glanced once more at his phone.
Her latest post popped up on his feed — a shot of her tea and book by the window, rain streaking down the glass.
James smiled to himself.
Goodnight, Mia. We're getting there.