As the car slowly turned into a long private driveway, Ji Hyo's jaw nearly dropped.
"This is… a house?"
No. No, this was not a house. This was a mansion.
Towering gates, perfectly trimmed hedges, stone fountains, and a building that looked like it belonged in a luxury magazine greeted him. Each step the car took down the winding path made him feel smaller and more insignificant.
"Am I still on Earth…?"
For a second, he genuinely doubted it. Maybe this was some alternate version of Earth. Planet Earth 2.0 perhaps. But one thing was certain—he wasn't in the slums of Bongcheon-dong anymore.
When the car stopped and the house staff opened the door for him, Ji Hyo stood frozen, staring up at the massive structure.
"So… this is really my home now?"
Jun Ji Hyun, as always, was one step ahead.
"Welcome home, darling!" she beamed, arms wide like she was presenting a kingdom.
Ji Hyo slowly stepped forward, eyes wide in wonder. The interior was just as extravagant. High ceilings adorned with chandeliers, marble floors that gleamed like mirrors, and golden accents everywhere he turned.
"Am I in a hotel or someone's palace?!"
His previous life felt like a distant, gritty memory. In his old house, the walls were cracked, the faucet leaked, and sometimes rats visited like unwanted roommates. But here?
Even the air smelled rich.
[Host appears to be undergoing cognitive overload. Recalibrating awe tolerance.]
Ji Hyo ignored the system this time. He couldn't care less. This place was paradise.
And then came the cherry on top.
His room.
Jun Ji Hyun flung the door open dramatically like she was unveiling a hidden treasure.
"Ta-da! Your room, completely remodeled just last week!"
Ji Hyo stepped inside—and once again, his breath caught.
It was bigger than half of his previous house. A spacious king-sized bed with silk sheets, a wall-sized smart TV, walk-in closet, study area, private bathroom, and even a small balcony.
"This isn't a bedroom. This is a hotel suite."
He looked around in disbelief, feeling the plush carpet under his feet and the gentle breeze from the central air conditioning.
"I could cry just from how soft this floor is."
But then… he saw the mirror. And everything paused.
"What the…"
Ji Hyo slowly approached the full-length mirror at the corner of the lavish room. The moment his eyes met his reflection, he felt a strange disconnect, as though he were staring at someone else entirely—a version of himself plucked out of a fantasy drama poster.
His breath hitched.
"Is this really… me?"
The man staring back was absurdly beautiful. His features were sculpted yet delicate, soft but defined—the kind of beauty that made people stop and stare, unsure whether to admire or envy.
But what truly stunned him were the eyes.
A rare central heterochromia—vivid blue nestled at the center of the iris, surrounded by a warm, honey-brown outer ring. The contrast created an almost celestial glow, like a galaxy blooming inside his eyes.
"Those eyes… they're unreal."
He leaned in closer, marveling at the strange ring effect. He had never seen eyes like this in real life—only in fantasy novels or high-budget dramas. Paired with long, curling lashes and that impossibly symmetrical face, the overall result was downright unfair.
"This isn't even genetics anymore. This is divine favoritism."
Ji Hyo laughed bitterly.
"God gave this guy money and a face that could bankrupt modeling agencies."
"Meanwhile, I used to look like I crawled out of a part-time job application form after losing a fight with life."
But then, something unexpected bloomed in his chest—a strange sense of comfort, even gratitude.
Maybe… just maybe, this was compensation for all the misery in his old life.
"Maybe this is God's way of saying sorry."
"A mansion, a mother or father who isn't drunk or violent, and a face that belongs on magazine covers…"
"Maybe I deserve this."
For a moment, Ji Hyo allowed himself to let go of the confusion and stress—just to enjoy this small moment of awe.
Even if his mission was ridiculous. Even if the system was annoying. He smiled faintly at the mirror.
Just as Ji Hyo was still admiring his own face in the mirror, utterly mesmerized by how unreal he looked, a familiar voice snapped him out of his trance.
"Yah! Stop staring at yourself like that, you little narcissist!"
He turned around abruptly to see his mother, Jun Ji Hyun, standing by the doorway with her hands on her hips and a playful scowl on her face.
"Go take a shower first! You smell like hospital sheets. Then come down to the kitchen so we can eat lunch, alright?"
Ji Hyo opened his mouth to respond, but before he could say anything, a loud growl echoed from his stomach.
His face stiffened. His mother grinned.
"Aigoo~ That poor stomach of yours!" she laughed. "Never mind, I'll ask the maid to cook—no, forget it. I'll cook it myself. You go wash up!"
With that, she spun on her heels and disappeared down the hallway, her voice still trailing behind her as she barked at the house staff.
Ji Hyo scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed but oddly comforted. It was chaotic, but warm—something he never had before.
He turned again and glanced around his room. Every corner felt surreal—like he was walking through someone else's fantasy life. The glossy floors, the plush furniture, the scent of fresh linen and expensive cologne—it was all so unfamiliar, yet soothing.
But just as he was about to step toward the bathroom, a chime echoed in his head.
[System initializing… Briefing Sequence: Start.]
His body tensed. The glowing translucent screen appeared before his eyes again, pulsing gently.
[Welcome once again, Host. This is your official mission briefing.]
[Mission Title: Fulfill the Dream – Become a Top Idol.]
[Objective: Complete the wishes of the body's original owner and rise to the pinnacle of the entertainment industry.]
Ji Hyo groaned internally.
"Of all things… it had to be an idol?"
But the system wasn't finished.
[Background Summary – Body Owner: Ji Hyo Hyun]
[Age: 20 | Nationality: Korean | Background: Born into wealth, enrolled in idol training school, but suffered severe psychological distress due to pressure, anxiety, and inferiority complex.]
Ji Hyo's eyes widened slightly.
"Wait, psychological distress?"
[Correct. The previous owner suffered a breakdown while preparing for the debut team. He deeply wished to succeed… but could not overcome his inner demons.]
[Thus, the body was relinquished… and a new host was chosen.]
Ji Hyo swallowed. There was an odd tightness in his chest, hearing the story of the person who used to live in this body.
But then came the part that truly caught him off-guard.
[Note: You, Host, were selected from a pool of three possible candidates.]
"…Three?"
[Correct.]
[Candidate 1: A musical prodigy with perfect pitch and years of training. Tragically killed in an accident.]
[Candidate 2: A former dance champion with high adaptability and stage experience. Assassinated during an international performance.]
[Candidate 3: You.]
"…I don't like how you said that."
[You, Host, were deemed the least likely to succeed, but were chosen by the original Ji Hyo due to your pitiful condition.]
[Your psychological report: "Extremely unfortunate. High levels of suffering. Desperate for happiness."]
Ji Hyo: "…What kind of backhanded sympathy is that?!"
[Statistical analysis showed that you were the most tragic candidate still alive.]
[Congratulations.]
"…Why does it sound like I won a prize for being miserable?"
[Because you did.]
Ji Hyo felt a headache forming.
"So… you're saying I got this body not because I was the best… but because I was the saddest?"
[Correct.]
[However, Host, you now have an opportunity. Despite being the weakest link, your emotional resilience may be your greatest asset.]
[You will be given access to system support features, rewards, talent boosters, and quests. You are now officially enrolled in: Idol Path Progression 1.0]
[Mission Start Time: Upon system authorization. Please take a bath to activate the next phase.]
"Wait—what? Taking a bath is a system trigger now?"
[Correct. Hygiene is a baseline requirement.]
Ji Hyo buried his face in his hands.
"I swear this system has a personal grudge against me."
He trudged toward the bathroom, muttering under his breath.
"Fine. I'll take a shower. But after that, I'm filing a complaint with the cosmic HR department."
[Complaint feature is currently disabled.]
"I hate you."
[Acknowledged.]