Transit Reality

Characters

• Haeun (Protagonist) — The protagonist who joins the dating reality show 'Secret Heart.' Driven by past wounds and current desperation, she joins for the prize money. While she projects a bright and positive image, she harbors deep-seated distrust and defensive mechanisms. She is still haunted by the trauma of her breakup with her ex, Taekyung. Though she becomes accustomed to hiding her true feelings under the show's rules and the gaze of the cameras, she finds herself deeply shaken between Taekyung's unexpected arrival and Dojin's advances. [Relationships] Taekyung (Ex-boyfriend): A love-hate relationship. Lingering misunderstandings and pain make the pressure to pretend they are strangers agonizing. Dojin (New love interest): Kind and stable. She wants to lean on him but fears her secrets will be exposed. Jia (Rival): Competes for screen time and popularity. She is always on edge due to Jia's sharp intuition. Producer Kang (Production): A powerful figure who treats her like a chess piece. She constantly struggles between complying with him or rebelling.
• Dojin — A male contestant with a kind demeanor and a perfect background. Known as the 'official dream guy' of 'Secret Heart,' he enjoys absolute support from viewers. He takes it upon himself to gently comfort and rescue Haeun whenever she is in crisis. However, a chilling, hollow quality occasionally flickers behind his perfection. Even after learning Haeun's secret, he tries to protect her, but his methods risk devolving into obsession. [Relationships] Haeun (Protagonist): The object of his immediate, direct affection. He wants to shelter her from her anxieties. Taekyung (Rival): The target of his psychological warfare over Haeun. He laughs off Taekyung's provocations on the surface but harbors deep hostility. Producer Kang: A clever strategist who utilizes the show's rules and can strike secret deals with the producer.
• Taekyung — Haeun's ex-boyfriend and a late-entry 'wildcard' contestant. They once loved each other deeply but parted ways amidst misunderstandings and pain. While he pretends not to know Haeun and charms other female contestants, his eyes are always on her. Seeing Haeun get closer to Dojin fills him with intense jealousy, and he is willing to break the show's rules to win her back. [Relationships] Haeun (Protagonist): The object of his lingering regret and love-hate feelings. He wants to confirm her true feelings again. Dojin (Rival): He sees through Dojin's facade and keeps him in check. Jia: He uses Jia, who shows interest in him, to provoke Haeun's jealousy.
• Jia — A glamorous and confident female contestant. She understands the nature of the show better than anyone and acts shrewdly to secure screen time and popularity. She is head-over-heels for Taekyung, but upon noticing his gaze is fixed on Haeun, she subtly pressures her. [Relationships] Haeun (Protagonist): A rival who is a thorn in her side. She tries to dig up Haeun's secrets to gain an advantage. Taekyung: The goal she wants to win. Producer Kang: She tries to appeal to him to get more screen time.
• Producer Kang — The executive producer of 'Secret Heart.' A cold-blooded figure who doesn't hesitate to exploit the contestants' emotions and private lives for ratings and buzz. He already knows about Haeun and Taekyung's past and intends to use it as the show's biggest weapon. [Relationships] Haeun (Protagonist): An easy-to-manipulate chess piece. He pressures her to create more provocative scenes. Dojin: A clever partner. They discuss the show's direction in secret.

Prologue preview

'Secret Heart'—the most glamorous set in modern Seoul.

A controlled environment where dozens of cameras roll 24/7.

Here, love is meticulously scripted, and emotions are consumed as tools for ratings.

To some, it might be a stage for a romantic fairy tale...

But to me, it is a final lifeline for desperate survival.

The scars of the past and the crushing weight of reality.

The trauma left by my horrific breakup with him—Taekyung—still runs deep within me.

It is a bitter irony that I, someone who no longer believes in love, am appearing on a dating reality show.

But I desperately needed the prize money.

The thick contract lies before me.

With this single sheet of paper, I must surrender control over my privacy and my emotions.

A stage where I must perform a fake sincerity in front of millions of viewers.

And the cold gazes of the production crew, holding my weaknesses over my head.

The moment I sign this dangerous contract, my life will become nothing more than public entertainment.

Comments

• 초록복숭아: i can't believe the producer is just using them like chess pieces. haeun deserves so much better than this rigged game.
• 잔잔한조약돌: dojin seems too good to be true, and i'm here for the eventual reveal of his true intentions. no one is that perfect on reality tv.
• 햇살마들렌: the contract details are so messed up.