chriiiisy

One fake boyfriend. One nosy family. Zero chance of keeping things pretend.

When sarcastic barista Lee Mina hires a professional “romantic actor” to survive her cousin’s wedding, she expects a smooth, one-time performance.
What she gets is Kim Minseo: dangerously charming, suspiciously committed, and armed with scripted compliments and “chemistry-building exercises.”

It was supposed to end after the weekend.

But a single kiss and a viral photo later, Mina finds herself trapped in a fake relationship she didn’t plan for—with a man who might not be acting anymore.

And the worst part?

She’s not sure she is, either.

A heartwarming, hilarious romance about what happens when pretending becomes real—and love refuses to stay on script.

Rent-A-Romance

Mina had never feared balloons before.

But as she stood in the banquet hall beneath a hundred pastel decorations and two enormous "9" and "2" number balloons swaying overhead, she felt like she was being slowly suffocated by helium and expectation.

Her grandmother's birthday party was legendary—half family reunion, half variety show. Auntie Yoo had printed banners with Mina and Minseo's faces on them. Not even the actual birthday girl got that treatment.

Minseo, of course, looked completely unbothered.

In fact, he was laughing with Grandma, who kept patting his hand like he was the son she should have had.

"I love your boyfriend," she whispered in to Mina. "He's like the leading man in a historical drama. But modern. And taller."

"He's literally just a person, halmeoni."

"A handsome person," she insisted. "Don't mess this up."

She was losing the battle. The entire family was enchanted. Even her stoic uncle had cracked a smile at one of Minseo's perfectly delivered "I just want to make Mina happy" lines.

It wasn't a performance anymore—not entirely. The way he looked at her across the room, eyes soft and real, felt different. Dangerous.

"Come," Grandma said, yanking her by the wrist. "Photo time!"

Minseo met them in front of a garish flower wall. He took her hand automatically, curling his fingers through hers like it was the most natural thing in the world.

They smiled for what felt like hours.

Minseo cleared his throat and flashed a smile at the crowd. "Thank you for including me in such a special day. I feel lucky to be part of this family—especially because of Mina."

Mina's soul started preparing to exit her body.

"She's funny," he said, voice warming. "And stubborn. And terrifying before coffee. But she's also kind. And smart. And worth showing up for, even when it rains."

"She makes me want to be real," he finished simply.

A wave of quiet rolled over the crowd.

Then Grandma wiped a tear and started clapping.

Mina, stunned, could only stare at him.

Afterward, as the party thinned out and kids ran around popping leftover balloons, she cornered Minseo behind the dessert table.

"What was that?" she asked, heart still pounding.

He shrugged, innocent. "A heartfelt moment. Grandma cried."

"You said you weren't acting anymore."

"I don't know what to do with you," she said.

"You don't have to do anything," he said gently. "Just… stop pretending you don't feel it too."

Grandma's Birthday