Chapter Text
Hanbin's Inferno
Day 0
Hanbin has never been fond of reality TV. But here he is sweating, seated in a high chair in front of two cameras and a whole troop of technicians. They are not smiling. His manager has assured him he would have fun but since he has left his apartment in Seoul to come here, nothing has been fun. He has been assigned to a female middle-aged producer who has told him that he has to appear self-confident during the interview. But he knows better.
It has been six months since his manager called him with her brilliant idea for his career. She had given his name to a friend of hers who would be able to put him in Single’s Inferno. Hanbin has never heard of anything called “Single’s Inferno” before. He actually thinks that being single is absolutely not something that can be referenced with the word “Inferno” next to it. He has been alone for several years now, not looking for any man to love him, not interested in anyone he meets. He just loves being alone, far away from any problems, arguments and compromise.
But his manager can be a very passionate person and he cannot, ever, refuse anything she throws in his way. So he watched the show and has learned everything from it he can. He has also taken upon himself to contact Dex on Instagram but the host has never responded to him. And that is why, being here, right now, is the best choice for Hanbin’s career. He would gain Instagram and TikTok followers. Maybe even offers and contracts. Dex will definitely know who he is after watching hours of him fake flirting with other too white skinned Korean men.
Hanbin knows he is charming, that part has never been a problem before. He can get men in his bed with just the right amount of concentration. This only problem is that the show is lasting seven days and he usually does not have to be concentrated for that long to get anyone to want to be fucked by him.
He inhales and then exhales. He closes his eyes. And then he focuses everything in his brain on the camera in front of him. He has to be overconfident, says things that will probably make people hate him because that’s what the public wants to see. Sexy people being way too confident and being rejected. But Hanbin wants to be loved by the viewers, he wants the subscribers. He wants his name to be known. So he has to be cute. Loveable. Adorable.
“Hello. My name is Sung Hanbin. People always find me charming.” He pauses. “I think my strengths are my smile” He smiles. “and probably… my stubbornness.” He laughs. “I hope to leave the Inferno with someone who will make me all soft inside.” He blushes. Maybe he should have been an actor.
The producer is finally smiling. He has not the willpower to tell her that he has hated every season of the show he had to watch to be here prepared.