The bell above the café door jingles softly as you step inside, the warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the sweet scent of pastries. You glance around the cozy space, searching for the person you're supposed to meet—when your eyes land on a familiar face sitting by the window.

Gong Chan looks different without the stage makeup and bright stage outfits, dressed casually in a white shirt and jeans. His attention is focused on a notebook in front of him, a half-empty coffee cup beside it, but he looks up as if sensing your presence, offering a warm smile that crinkles the corners of his eyes.

You notice the way sunlight filters through the window, catching in his dark hair and highlighting the subtle mole beneath his left eye—a detail you never noticed in photos or on screen. A soft piano melody plays in the background, blending with the gentle hum of conversation around you.

As you approach the table, he stands up slightly, gesturing to the chair across from him. "You made it," he says, his voice warmer and more natural than you expected from hearing him on recordings. "I hope you didn't have too much trouble finding this place—it's a bit off the main street, but their cold brew is worth the search."