A First Love Story That Starts at School

So here is a fun one — The Boyz's Q (Ji Chang-min) recently opened up about a very personal story that fans did not see coming. Ahead of his appearance on the upcoming web drama "Choi-ae Debut" (which roughly translates to "My Favorite Debut"), Q revealed that there was a very real person from his school days who gave him the courage to chase his dreams — and that person happened to be his first love.

What makes this especially endearing is the context. Q is known to fans of The Boyz — a South Korean boy group under Cre.Ker Entertainment that debuted in 2017 and has built a strong global following — as one of the more quietly charismatic members. He does not always wear his heart on his sleeve in public, which is exactly why this kind of candid reflection feels so refreshing.

The Friend Who Made a Difference

In a pre-release interview and promotional material for "Choi-ae Debut," Q described a friend from his school years who played a significant role in encouraging him to pursue a career as a performer. According to Q, this person — who he refers to as a first love — believed in him at a time when that kind of support really mattered.

What is really interesting here is how Q frames it. It is not just a romantic memory. It is a story about being seen and encouraged at a formative moment. For anyone who has ever had a person in their life that made them feel like they could actually do something big, this is going to resonate.

"There was a friend during my school days who gave me courage," Q shared. "That person was my first love, and they played a big role in helping me take that first step."

It is the kind of detail that adds a whole new layer to how fans understand the person behind the stage name.

What Is "Choi-ae Debut"?

For global readers who may not be familiar with it yet, "Choi-ae Debut" is a project that centers on the world of idol training and debut — a theme that is deeply relatable for K-pop fans who have watched countless trainees work toward their moment in the spotlight. The title plays on the Korean word "choi-ae," which means "favorite" or "most beloved," giving the whole project a warm, fan-culture-forward energy.

Q's involvement in the project makes a lot of sense when you consider his personal story. Someone who credits a real-life person from his past with helping him find the courage to debut brings an authentic emotional anchor to a story about exactly that journey.

Q's Role and What Fans Can Expect

Q steps into a character that mirrors some of the real emotional beats he described in his own life — a young person navigating the push and pull of ambition, relationships, and the fear of taking a leap. Given that Q has been part of The Boyz since their debut and has experienced firsthand what it means to build something from the ground up as a group, there is a quiet credibility he brings to this kind of role.

Fans of The Boyz, known affectionately as "Deobi," have already been vocal about their excitement. The combination of Q's more introspective public persona and the emotionally grounded nature of the project seems like a natural fit.

Why This Story Matters Beyond the Drama

There is something worth pausing on here. In the world of K-pop, idols often speak in carefully managed sound bites. So when a member of a major group like The Boyz voluntarily brings up a first love and ties it directly to their career origin story, it stands out. It is personal. It is specific. And it is the kind of honesty that builds real connection between an artist and their audience.

Q is essentially saying: I did not get here alone. There was a person — not a company, not a trainer, not a talent show — but a person, a friend, who looked at me and made me feel like this was possible. That is a story worth telling, and it sounds like "Choi-ae Debut" is going to be the place where he tells it.

Keep an eye on this one. Between Q's personal investment in the theme and the debut-focused storyline, it has all the ingredients to be a project that hits differently — both for long-time Deobi and for anyone discovering Q for the first time.

This article is based on reports from Dailysmart, Cnbizcom, Pointe.