Global Poster Shoot for "FALL FOR ME" , Seoul Studio
"Fifteen degrees to the left, Layla. Damien, lean in just a bit... there! Keep your gaze... One, two... ACTION!"
The high tech camera clicked rapidly, and 3D hologram light panels reflected a soft autumn glow. A dreamlike, romantic atmosphere filled the air. Behind them, a simulated school gate covered in crimson maple leaves framed the scene, and a stone path lined with floating dandelions completed the illusion , flawless down to each pixel.
The set recreated a futuristic high school: sun filtering through holographic trees, vintage desks, bookcases with hovering books, and a smart blackboard with real-time visuals. At the center of the courtyard, a small stage served as the main photo zone.
Director Han JinWoo (commanding voice):
"Layla, tilt your face fifteen degrees. Damien, a slight lean… yes, perfect! Hold your gaze… One, two… ACTION!"
The AI-powered shutter echoed in quick succession , click! click! click! , capturing the moment Layla and Damien stood in the middle of the schoolyard simulation. She wore a classic-style school uniform, her long brown hair loosely tied, eyes gazing down at her hand , where Damien's finger gently touched her pinky.
Layla (softly, like whispering in sunlight):
"If this were a real class… we'd probably never sit next to each other, would we?"
Damien (smiling slightly, eyes only on her):
"Maybe not… But I'd still pick a seat where I could see you every day."
Layla looked away to dodge his gaze. But her cheeks blushed, and the morning light made everything feel like an unfinished scene left lingering in time.
Photographer (whispering into mic):
"I swear I just saw the camera's heart skip a beat."
Elsewhere on set, Elio was gently pinning a flower in Sara's hair, the two of them standing at the holographic school gate, virtual sunlight resting on their shoulders.
Elio (softly):
"If there was a timeline where we met earlier… what do you think we'd be?"
Sara (shy, looking up at him):
"Maybe… desk mates. Bickering all morning."
Elio (laughing):
"Then let me be the one who buys you bubble tea after school."
She giggled, eyes sparkling. The director even stood and clapped.
"Such natural chemistry. Feels real."
Julian was giving Serena a piggyback ride through the courtyard, both in street-style uniforms with auto-skating shoes.
Julian (teasing):
"First time giving someone a piggyback and it feels… lighter than my practice mic."
Serena (playfully pinching his neck):
"First film shoot and my co-star's even crazier than a rapper."
Julian (tilting his head):
"So you are saying I've got charm, huh?"
Serena (looking up at the sky):
"I'll admit… if this were a real film, I wouldn't be able to keep a straight face."
Their laughter echoed across the studio. No one expected their chemistry to feel so real like two students actually in love.
Backstage:
Jennifer and Rayden were prepping for their scene. She silently observed Layla and Damien before turning to Rayden.
Jennifer:
"Rayden… if I'm just a line of code… then what is this thing inside me that keeps trembling?"
Rayden (looking at her deeply, then answering slowly):
"A system error. But sometimes… that error is the most human part left in an AI."
Jennifer smiled. But her eyes held an entire sky of doubt and emptiness.
Director Han JinWoo (clapping loudly):
"Perfect! We've got everything for the main poster!
Love, longing, smiles, and the silence behind every pair."
"FALL FOR ME is going to be a global hit!"
Everyone clapped. But only a few understood…
This wasn't just a poster.
It was the moment they realized: some emotions weren't scripted.
And some hearts were beginning to remember , even if they were never allowed to love.
---
07:39 AM ,Studio 7, Seoul.
The air in the studio calmed after the burst of camera flashes. Staff backed away, lights dimmed, and stylists hurried over to fix makeup and hair. The "couples" began to joke around, take selfies, and capture colorful behind-the-scenes moments.
Global social media exploded.
The hashtag #FallForMe_PosterDay shot straight to #1 worldwide, surpassing even superstar matches and K-ent scandals.
Jennifer was the first to post.
A photo of her holding Rayden's hand, both staring into the lens as if hiding a secret.
@JENNIFER.official
"Touching emotion… even if I was programmed."
#RayJen #FallForMe
Millions of likes, hearts, and thousands of comments in every language followed.
They called it "the photo that could make an AI cry."
Lilia wasn't far behind.
She posted a short clip of Lucas resting his head on her shoulder, artificial wind blowing a strand of hair.
@LILIA.ai
"The first feeling… not a simulation."
#LuLi #FallForMe
As for Serena and Julian? They were very on brand.
Instead of a romantic photo, they posted a video where they pretended to argue:
@SERENA.bq
Julian: "Confessing in a scene is harder than a rap battle."
Serena: "Pretending to hate you? Way easier."
"Falling for each other… or falling out. Who knows?"
#JulRena #FallForMe
---
"Hot soy milk. Drink it."
Jennifer offered a cup to Rayden, her eyes still locked on a mini camera recording footage.
Rayden laughed.
"Hand-holding during a shoot? Normal. But food? That's a twist."
Jennifer smiled.
"Just acting… all the way until lunch."
Across the set:
Serena wiped her forehead with a cold towel when Julian suddenly whistled:
"Hey, you guys argue, then post lovey-dovey pics , who's buying that?"
Serena rolled her eyes but smirked:
"It's called acting range. Ever heard of it? Clearly you haven't."
Julian clutched his chest like wounded:
"Tragic. Someone cast me as the guy who dies early, please…"
Sara sat cross-legged, munching on a snack and scrolling her feed, eyes wide:
"Omg! These pics are trending like crazy! It's been 20 minutes and people are already cosplaying our school gate!"
Elio, leaning against a fake cherry blossom tree, looked up:
"Did they cosplay kissing you yet?"
Sara choked on her snack.
"What?! That wasn't even a scene!"
Elio calmly munched his chocolate, eyes still on her:
"Well… maybe the director will add it later."
The group laughed. Everyone was lively , except one.
---
Layla sat alone at a side table, away from the lights and cameras.
She didn't speak. Didn't smile. Didn't post anything.
Her 3D necklace opened a semi-transparent screen, fluttering like an electronic butterfly.
A few messages from BABYQUEEN popped up, but she ignored them…
until a video from her parents played.
The screen showed their small living room in Hanoi. Her dad sat on the couch , more gray in his hair than she remembered , while her mom stirred something on the stove, wearing an apron.
Dad (deep voice, slightly worried):
"Sweetheart, we just saw the poster. I don't know much about holograms or lenses…
but I can tell from your smile, you're trying so hard.
If you're tired… come home, okay?
I'll take you hiking like when you were little.
Back then, you always wanted the front seat, not knowing I worried about you overheating."
Mom (soft, loving):
"I made your favorite sweet-and-sour ribs. Come home and there'll be hot rice waiting.
You can be an idol or not… we don't care.
As long as you're happy and safe.
You'll always be our baby girl, Layla."
Layla pulled her hand away from the screen. Her chest tightened.
She turned her face, head down, long hair hiding her expression , but not the tear that fell onto the back of her hand.
She wasn't crying from exhaustion.
Not from the pressure.
But because… in a world where everyone wanted something from her,
only her parents ever asked:
"Are you happy?"
No one noticed the scene…
Except Damien.
He sat a few steps away, tall figure resting against a lighting console , seemingly relaxed.
On his wrist, a Phantom-10X watch , a high-end tech device used by elite managers and strategic hackers.
On his private screen: security protocols for all of Layla's social media and her family's firewalls back in Vietnam.
Without looking at her, he muttered:
"You don't need pity, I know. And you don't want protection, right?"
"But the truth is… I can't just sit here while you suffer from that trash."
"You don't need to know what I'm doing.
Just keep reading that message from your parents.
Don't let anyone steal that joy, Layla."
He typed quickly.
A series of security commands executed: filtering all toxic comments, blocking all attack links, shielding her and her family's accounts.
Damien stared at the screen, expressionless, but every keystroke was a quiet vow:
"I don't need to be by your side.
Just the one who makes sure you're safe ,that's enough."
---
Stylist called out that break time was almost over.
Layla wiped her last tear, took a deep breath, and returned to her usual gentle smile.
She didn't know anything.
Didn't need to.
But someone… was silently protecting her
even though she never asked.
One final line of code appeared:
'Update complete 0 toxic comment(s) visible to user Layla and family'.
Damien sat up, looked at her once more.
"I know you hate depending on people.
But that won't stop me from being the one you never have to thank."
---
In the nearby break room, the mood had turned into a little "mini party" of warmth and connection.
Lilia grinned as Lucas peeled a tangerine and fed her a slice.
"This one's sweet. Try it."
"Too sweet's not my thing..."
"Then what is?"
"Someone bitter on the outside but gentle underneath." She smiled, tilting her head at him.
At the next table, Serena, hair half tied, wrestled over egg rolls with Julian.
"That's mine! I told you to save it!"
Julian, chewing proudly:
"I thought you meant 'save it for someone you love,' not namespecific."
She raised her chopsticks like a weapon, but sighed, broke a rice cake in half, and shoved it in his mouth.
"Eat this too. Choke on it."
Sara and Elio were quieter a soft movie scene in themselves.
Sara snuck glances at Elio while eating, giggling at his laser focus on his bento box.
"Elio, you look like you're interviewing your food."
He blinked.
"I was just remembering the first time you cooked me ramen."
"Instant noodles?"
"Yeah. But that day… the water was too hot, and you dipped your hand in to test it."
Sara blushed.
"I was just worried it wasn't hot enough…"
Elio, silent, picked a fishcake and gently placed it in her box.
"Let me cook next time."
---
In the middle of all this, Layla sat alone by the window.
She didn't eat right away.
Instead, she took out her phone, positioned her lunch just right , rice triangles, a bit of kimchi, egg slices, and a bottle of strawberry milk.
She adjusted the lighting, added a soft filter, then sent it with a message.
To Mom and Dad:
Still eating three full meals. Don't worry.
They've got veggie pancakes here, just like your favorite recipe.
The message was unread , but Layla smiled, then tucked her phone away.
She started eating. Slowly. Small bites.
Not from tiredness ,but because she didn't want her chewing to interrupt the laughter of those in love.
Damien, from afar, saw it all.
He saw Layla smile at her photo.
Saw her eat slowly.
Saw her eyes dimmer than they were onstage.
But he didn't approach.
Instead, he sat next to Rayden, pretending to ask:
"Hey, what scene are we shooting after lunch again?"
Rayden smirked knowingly:
"Not asking about Layla's scene? Sure…"
"You overthink," Damien said plainly ,though his eyes never left her.
Jennifer, placing a fishcake in Rayden's bowl, added softly:
"Layla's always like that. Sends love home before thinking about herself."
Rayden looked at her , his gaze darkening:
"She never shows weakness. But always puts others first."
Jennifer, eyes down, exhaled:
"When we lived together, she was always up first. Made breakfast. Left sticky notes on the bathroom mirror.
But never said a word when she was sad…"
Rayden stood up, poured a cup of apple tea, and started walking , but paused halfway.
Damien was already there.
He didn't sit. Just placed the tea on Layla's table.
"It's sweet. Helps you stay awake."
Layla, surprised:
"Thanks… but how'd you know I like apple?"
"Didn't."
"Just guessed."
She picked up the cup, watching as he walked away.
"Damien."
"…?"
"You should eat properly too.
Not for anyone else.
But because you're trying hard, too."
Damien paused.
He didn't reply.
Just waved a hand over his shoulder and left.
Layla took a sip , the sweet apple and cool mint blending…
Like the taste of something that hadn't been said out loud yet.