Paired with My Childhood Friend 99

Second Game Mission (4)

A week passed faster than anyone expected.

By the fourth day, the cast members, who had been lazing around like unemployed bums in the dorm, actually started to feel uneasy and asked the staff if it was really okay for them to just keep wasting time like this.

One of the production staff told them to just relax, saying they’d be filming their natural, everyday life anyway. At that, Min Yu-hyun stretched wide and declared that he’d just go on playing without worrying about appearances.

And truly, there wasn’t much to do.

They would wake up, gather together for breakfast, hang out in the living room or in their rooms until lunch, then once again gather en masse to eat. Afterward, they’d slump on the sofas, sipping coffee or nibbling on fruit, tossing out silly chatter until, like an ebbing tide, they all drifted back into their rooms.

Among them, Hyun Tae-oh’s routine was even more monotonous.

Touch Kang Chi-yu, tease Catdog, cling to Kang Chi-yu, punish Catdog whenever it tried to peel him off, cling some more, and wrestle Catdog away whenever it squeezed itself in between him and Kang Chi-yu—that was all.

The only times Hyun Tae-oh was alone were when Kang Chi-yu went to the bathroom or took a shower.

Beom Do-il, who had decided to Pair with Min Yu-hyun, told Lee Jun-hyung about it.

Jun-hyung smiled at him knowingly, as if he’d already expected it.

“Once Season 2 takes off and you get popular, you’d better not pretend you don’t know me.”

What he meant was clear: even if Do-il and Min Yu-hyun ended up becoming a couple, don’t cut ties with him.

Understanding exactly what he was implying, Do-il nodded without hesitation.

“Like I’d ever pretend I don’t know you? My final destination could still be you.”

“……”

Jun-hyung caught the meaning instantly.

Date others, try out Pairing, experience everything there is to experience—and in the end, if it was still him, then he’d come back.

Jun-hyung slowly closed his eyes, then opened them again and gave a small nod.

***

Finding My Pair Season 1’s inner-heart interviews began.

Because Hyun Tae-oh and Kang Chi-yu had already become a couple, the segment was technically unnecessary. Still, when it came to Hyun Tae-oh, the producers knew viewers desperately wanted to see his interview, so they pushed ahead.

The first to be interviewed was Min Yu-hyun. Their plan was to draw in ratings with him at the start, and then end with Hyun Tae-oh so viewers wouldn’t dare change the channel.

The set of questions was the same for everyone.

***

[Min Yu-hyun Interview]

With which Esper did you feel most comfortable working, and why?
Esper Beom Do-il. Even though he’s only an A-rank, his work-handling ability is excellent. Some S-rank Espers don’t even bother with the basics, you know? What people call “work sense.” Do-il really knows how to push through a mission efficiently. Of course, Esper Hyun Tae-oh and Esper Yoon Do-jae are unmatched when it comes to situational response and execution, but Do-il surprised me. I’d had a bias against him, so it was unexpected. He’s really good.
With which Esper did you feel most uncomfortable, and why?
Esper Yoon Do-jae. Honestly, if you asked me ten times, I’d give the same answer ten times. He’s a very rigid type, and our styles clash. He probably doesn’t like my work style either. Actually, working with Esper Hyun Tae-oh is uncomfortable too—he’s the reckless type. But with him, it’s fine because he just pushes through things himself, and I can step back if I don’t like it. Yoon Do-jae, though, is FM to the bone—he refuses to work alone and insists everything must be done together, whether you like it or not.
Do you feel like you’ve secured a Pair with someone you’re truly compatible with? During that week, did you make your feelings clear, and did you confirm theirs?
Yes. I’ve definitely confirmed my Pair. Am I allowed to say their name here? Oh, I can’t? Well, anyway—I secured the Pair I wanted, and you’ll see us together in Season 2 PairBorn.
What was your happiest moment while filming Season 2, Part 1, Finding My Pair?
(pauses, thinking) Uh, this is kind of embarrassing to say. It wasn’t even aired, but… one night, I had drinks on the rooftop with the person who became my Pair. I told them first, straight out, “I want to Pair with you,” and they said OK. That moment felt the happiest. Like, “Yes! I get to do Part 2!” (laughs)
Lastly, what would you like to say to your fans?
As both Guide Min Yu-hyun and just as human Min Yu-hyun, I still have so much I haven’t shown you yet. I’m thrilled to be appearing in Season 2 PairBorn and can’t wait to share more sides of myself. Please give PairBorn lots of love! (raises both hands and waves)

***

[Lee Jun-hyung Interview]

With which Esper did you feel most comfortable working, and why?
Esper Beom Do-il. Well, of course—he’s been my friend forever. We’ve stuck together since Esper Academy, so just meeting each other’s eyes is enough to understand what the other is thinking. It can’t get more comfortable than that.
With which Esper did you feel most uncomfortable, and why?
Esper Hyun Tae-oh. I’ve known him since Esper Academy too, but—ah, well, of course Hyun Tae-oh doesn’t consider me a friend. More like a colleague. (laughs) Anyway, even after all that time, I still can’t figure out what goes on in his head. Will fans of Esper Hyun Tae-oh hate me for saying this? (laughs) But honestly, don’t you fans also feel uncomfortable with him sometimes? (laughs) For me, he’ll probably always be someone I’ll never feel at ease with.
Do you feel like you’ve secured a Pair with someone you’re truly compatible with?
No. I don’t particularly want to Pair with anyone, nor do I have anyone in mind.
What was your happiest moment during the filming of Finding My Pair?
Hmm… (thinks for a moment) Week four? It felt like we did nothing but laze around and eat. I thought, “So this is what being unemployed feels like.” (laughs) Oh, but I know what the producers were aiming for with that week. It’s just that since I had no intention of Pairs, I really did just relax. But for the others, it must have been a precious week to decide.
Lastly, a message to your fans?
By chance, I ended up on this big show, and a lot of people got to know me. I’m proud but also a little worried. I tend to read comments, and I found out through other sites that people deliberately avoid leaving comments about my scars. It really touched me. Thank you for being such warm people. Please stay healthy and happy. (bows his head) Oh, and about those who buy my dolls and Do-il’s dolls in a one-to-one ratio—(laughs) don’t do that. We’re just friends, not a couple. (laughs)

***

[Kang Chi-yu Interview]

With which Esper did you feel most comfortable working, and why?
Esper Hyun Tae-oh. Well, um… (face reddens slightly) As you know, we’re a couple now, and… (voice trails off) we’ve been friends since childhood, so in every way, he’s the most comfortable for me. (puffs his cheeks, then laughs awkwardly) It feels a little embarrassing doing this interview after we started dating during filming. (laughs)
With which Esper did you feel most uncomfortable, and why?
What if I don’t have one? …Oh, I have to answer? Uh… (hesitates) Then I guess Esper Yoon Do-jae. Not that he was truly uncomfortable—it’s just that compared to Tae-oh and Do-il… I mean, Esper Hyun Tae-oh and Esper Beom Do-il, whom I’ve known forever, Yoon Do-jae was relatively the most unfamiliar. But honestly, he wasn’t that uncomfortable either.
Do you feel like you’ve secured a Pair?
One day, I’ll Pair with Esper Hyun Tae-oh. But not now. Since we’ve been friends for so long, our dynamic’s a little different from couples who are just starting out. Tae-oh doesn’t seem to mind, but sometimes I still slip back into our old “just friends” vibe. Because of that, for now, I just want to focus on building our relationship as lovers. I’ll Pair with him later.
What was your happiest moment during filming?
Probably when I met Catdog. We got a report about a mutant beast in the civilian zone, and when we went, I first met Catdog there. Thinking back, if we hadn’t gone that day… I can’t even imagine. (laughs) So yeah, meeting Catdog was my happiest moment.
Lastly, a message for your fans?
At first, I appeared just as Hyun Tae-oh’s childhood friend, but I received so much love that I ended up continuing on to PairBorn. Thank you so much for that. If I get another chance like this, I hope to show you an even better side of myself.

***

[Yoon Do-jae Interview]

With which Esper did you feel most comfortable working, and why?
Comfortable… right? …It was Guide Lee Jun-hyung. Because we often partnered together in the Central Bureau.
With which Esper did you feel most uncomfortable, and why?
Guide Min Yu-hyun. We just don’t match. (falls silent until staff ask if he’s done, then nods) Yes, that’s all.
Do you feel like you’ve secured a Pair?
No. The Guide I wanted became a couple with another Esper during filming, so I failed. (another silence—then he answers before the staff can ask) That’s all.
Happiest moment during filming?
The week I was paired with Guide Kang Chi-yu.
Lastly, a message to your fans?
I worked hard on filming, so I hope you enjoy watching.

***

[Beom Do-il Interview]

With which Esper did you feel most comfortable working, and why?
Uh, do I have to give a long answer? (staff say no, he sighs with relief) Then Jun-hyung. He’s my friend, so he’s the most comfortable.
With which Esper did you feel most uncomfortable, and why?
No one. (staff press him to pick one of three) No, seriously—no one. Really.
Do you feel like you’ve secured a Pair?
Yes, I think so. I made my feelings clear, and I confirmed theirs.
Happiest moment during filming?
That week we stayed in the dorm during week four. It felt like I was living the “no-work life,” and I was proud of it. (grins mischievously)
Lastly, a message to your fans?
See you again!!