Jaerim Lee

**Jaerim Lee** is the male protagonist of the Date First, Love Later series. He is a student from the Film Studies Department and is Gaeun Cha's pretend boyfriend.

## Appearance

Jaerim is an attractive man who is taller than average at 6'1", with a lean build and a light complexion. He has short brown hair with bangs covering his forehead and brown eyes. Jaerim dresses very casually, often in a denim bottom and a plain t-shirt and the occasional jacket. He is very good looking and often becomes the center of attention due to his looks.

## History

At one point, during a meal with fellow students, a male student drunkenly proclaimed he was interested in men and indirectly confesses to Jaerim. Before he can say more than *"When we lived together..."*, he passes out, leading the rest of the students to think that Jaerim is gay as well. Despite trying to deny it, the rumor spreads throughout the department. After his freshman year, he enlisted in the military and returned after two years.

## Synopsis

### Episode 1 - 10

Jaerim overhears two female students gossiping about him and the rumor that he is gay. He confronts them, but they quickly run away saying they had only been talking about the truth. His friend, Jihun Yeom puts a hand on his shoulder and pretends to comfort him as Jaerim despairs and recalls the situation that led to such a rumor - that being a drunken student indirectly confessing to him.

As the two sit on a bench, Jihun asks him if he has someone he is interested in, as the rumors would likely disappear once he starts dating. Jaerim says there isn't and states that he thinks he is not cut out for dating as he finds it too complicated. Instead, he asks Jihun if he knows of anyone in need of a boyfriend who does not want to actually date. Jihun is sarcastic with his answer, then suggests they go out for drinks instead. Jaerim agrees.

Later that day, Jaerim, with his friends Jihun and Nayong Shin witness a commotion caused by another group of students sitting across from them. He is dragged into the mess when a female student points to him while proclaiming he was her friend's boyfriend. The students start to whisper and he sees how nervous the dark haired girl is and catches her attention, mouthing *"Want me to help you?"* Byeonguk, the upperclassman, furiously asks Gaeun Cha if she is really dating him and she responds coldly before firmly rejecting him and leaving the bar. Byeonguk is left spluttering when Jaerim introduces himself as Gaeun's boyfriend.

The next day, he approaches Gaeun in the library and asks if she knows who he is. She tries to deny it, but he points out that she had accidentally typed his name in her document. Embarrassed, she tells him to say what he wants and he asks if they can talk in private. He informs her that he had told the students in the bar that he was her boyfriend and suggests they pretend to date. He says she needs his help to make the upperclassman stop bothering her.

She asks him what he gets out of it, but he tries to avoid telling her, prompting her to walk off. He panics and goes after her, confessing that he wants to stop the rumors going around about him. Jaerim tells her that people think he is gay and asks her to go out with him so they can help each other. She says she will think about it. Later on, as Gaeun is being harassed by Byeonguk, Jaerim saves her by walking up to her and affectionately calling her *"babe"* while choosing a drink for her. She is momentarily surprised to see him but quickly plays along and he continues the act by holding her hand.

Byeonguk angrily accuses them of putting on an act to make him jealous, but Jaerim denies it while getting close to Gaeun and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Byeonguk continues to make a scene before being told off by another student and noticing people whispering about him. Byeonguk tells Gaeun that she will regret going out with him, but she quickly says she wont and the two make to leave. Byeonguk stops them, saying that he will leave first as he does not want to see Gaeun turn her back to him. The two of them are appalled as he leaves.

## Trivia

* According to the 100 Questions list:
	+ His hobby is watching movies by himself.
	+ He is good at predicting plot twists
* According to the same list, his favorites are:
	+ Favorite food: Noodles
* His cellphone number is 010456789.
* He does not like coffee.