Singles’ Royale Chapter 1-10: Meet the Main Characters

Singles’ Royale, a romance webtoon, follows a trio of single best friends- Jurim, Chaeyul, and Seona- as they create a competition to amp up their love lives. The first loner to establish a serious, loving relationship wins. But not only are their hearts at stake– the winner receives five hundred million won too! As the three thirty-year-olds navigate the dating scene, relationships get complicated, feelings get hurt, and sparks turn into flames. Forget the money, can they make it out alive? Let’s see for ourselves in Singles’ Royale Chapter 1-10!

Ready! Set… Date!

Singles’ Royale Chapter 1: The Game Plan

Singles’ Royale Chapter 1 begins with a group of three friends- Jurim, Chaeyul, and Seona- at a bar. After the happy wedding of their close friend, the “lifelong loners” (none of them has ever been in a relationship) sob about their miserable love lives with each other.

Jurim had always been too busy to be in a relationship and was too preoccupied with work to even think about dating. Chaeyul was a devout Christian and strictly believed in premarital chastity, which, when mentioned, drove men away. Seona, a drop-dead gorgeous woman, had no trouble attracting men. However, she did have trouble attracting good men (people other than the”trash bags” she collected) and, as a result, she’d never dated either.

In the midst of their heightened loneliness, the friends decide to hold a small contest to spice up their love lives. Whoever could land a serious relationship before the others would win. As a prize, the champion would win the money they’d been saving for a group vacation. They decide to check their savings, remembering that they’d invested it in cryptocurrency when they were drunk, and find out that- instead of three million won- the money had risen to five hundred million won. In complete shock and surprise, the three girls shriek in excitement (and accidentally disturb everyone else).

Winner Takes It All

Almost immediately, Jurim begins daydreaming about the change she could bring into her miserable life as a shoebox tenant with the fortune (she might have space to breathe!). Although Chayeul sensibly reasons that they should split the money, Jurim and Seona advocate for keeping it as a mega-prize for the winner. Both Jurim and Seona could make a financial difference in their lives by having the whole sum in comparison to a third. Since Chaeyul was already well off, they convinced her to go all or nothing. Although Chaeyul hesitates at first, concerned about the wedge the competition might drive between them, she eventually relents.

Singles’ Royale Chapter 1 concludes as they meticulously set the terms and, one hour later, finally come to an agreement. “Here’s to our singles’ royale!” they cheer, clinking their drinks.

Singles’ Royale Chapter 2: Plenty of Catfish in the Sea

Singles’ Royale Chapter 2 begins as the trio gets their “Singles’ Royale” contract stamped at a law firm (boy, are they serious). There were three stages to fulfill: clearing a quiz about each other, putting on a display of affection, and living together for a month.

For our first contestant, we have Jurim (age 31, works at an art gallery), who has zero dating experience! What will this quest for love hold for her?

In the past, due to her family’s fluctuating financial situation, Jurim had repeatedly found herself thrust into work after work with no time left to date. However, now that she’d paid off her loans and found some wiggle room in her schedule, she was ready to dive in.

Unfortunately, dating proved harder than she’d thought (no kidding). Jurim had extremely high standards (conditions: handsome and wealthy) and a limited selection. Now that she was over thirty, the eligible men had reduced considerably. ‘I’m doomed!’ she thinks miserably, and wonders if Seona, the man-magnet (magnet?), was doing better than her.

The Perfect Match…?

Meanwhile, Seona is asked out to dinner by Mr. Kim, a middle-aged man, for the umpteenth time. She almost rejects him again before she begins thinking about all the disinterested failures she’d dated. If she dated someone who cared, would the outcome be different? Almost hesitatingly, Seona agrees to have dinner with him- and makes the desperate man’s day.

Later, Jurim’s eye catches an ad for a dating app. She laughs at the ridiculous… she wasn’t that desperate. But a while later, she downloads it anyway, and after taking a shower, she receives her first match. She begins to text the mystery man, who has no profile picture, and learns that he lives in Hong Kong. Jurim asks about his photo, and he sends the image of an incredibly handsome man back to her, concluding Singles’ Royale Chapter 2.

Singles’ Royale Chapter 3: Online Lovebirds

Singles’ Royale Chapter 3 begins as Jurim, completely head over heels with her new online date, texts the mystery man. ‘I fell in love at first sight,’ he types, making Jurim blush fiercely.

Meanwhile, at Chaeyun’s place, the devout Christian lies on the sofa beside her longtime friend, Daesong. She muses out loud whether the time had come to compromise on her religious beliefs (she’s very competitive). Daesong absent-mindedly answers that he was always flexible in his relationships- something which catches Chaeyun’s attention.

Days later, Jurim’s co-workers notice the lovesick woman’s strange addiction to her phone. She’d been spending all her free time texting her new boyfriend. As she takes the bus home in the beautiful evening sunset, he abruptly tells Jurim that he wants to meet her. When he tells her that he plans to visit Korea the following week, she jumps for joy. Counting her chickens way before they hatch, she pictures her wedding with him and having two adorable kids with her new husband.

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In Chaeyun’s tattoo store, Jurim sits glued to her phone. She blushes and laughs at her screen, causing Chaeyun to look over with curiosity. Jurim promises to spill the beans after Seona arrives for their meeting. A few seconds later, a white car pulls up and Seona climbs out. Walking with a stout man who holds her purse, she makes her way to the girls who watch from the window.

They brief each other on their progress- Seona was trying to enjoy Mr. Kim’s company (although it was proving difficult with all his groveling), Daesong had introduced Chaeyun to a soccer coach, and Jurim had found her true love online (or so she believes). Although Chaeyun and Seona fawn over her handsome boyfriend at first, they slowly become more and more dubious about his authenticity. Jurim excitedly tells them about his upcoming visit to Korea and promises to introduce them to the girls when he arrives…

Whoops. Think again, Jurim. A while later, she lies face down on her bed, sobbing. Her boyfriend had gotten sick “out of nowhere” and had to postpone until the next month. He sends a picture of his IV tube, and Jurim immediately feels terrible about her bad attitude. She resolves to support him instead- and books a ticket to Hong Kong. Singles’ Royale Chapter 3 concludes as Jurim reaches the Hong Kong airport in high spirits, unaware of the trouble to come.

Singles’ Royale Chapter 4: Heartbreak in Hong Kong

Singles’ Royale Chapter 4 begins as Jurim texts her boyfriend about her arrival, to no response. When he doesn’t reply after she finishes getting ready, Jurim begins worrying a little. She remembers what her friends had explained about scams, catfishing, and more. What if they were right? Before she can lose her enthusiasm, he finally replies. Jurim brightens up and exhales in relief. Of course, he’d come through!

In a bundle of nerves, Jurim tries to still her beating heart. Waiting for him, she touches up her makeup to pass the time- and boy, does the time pass. For hours and hours, she waits in patience. Does anyone show up? Spoiler: not a soul.

After remaining optimistic through the day into the evening, she finally gives up. She decides to head back to her hotel when, suddenly, the shadow of a man falls in front of her.

Best Friends to the Rescue

Meanwhile, Jurim’s friends frantically reach the Hong Kong airport after hearing of her last-minute travel plans. Out of extreme concern, they even bring Daesong along in case of danger. Adding to their worries, Jurim doesn’t answer her phone. Suddenly, an unknown number rings out. When Chaeyun answers, Jurim responds and meekly asks them to pick her up.

They find Jurim soaking wet in the pouring rain outside- her hair and dress ruined. They wrap a jacket around her shoulders as she gratefully greets them. Who could ask for better friends? As tears stream down her cheeks and raindrops drip down her hair, she begins loudly sobbing about her stupidity and calls herself an ‘idiot’. Seona, an extremely empathetic woman, begins to cry in sympathy while trying to convince her that it wasn’t her fault. They bring the heartbroken girl to Chaeyun’s hotel room and get her dried up. “Love is terrifying,” Jurim says to them. They lend an ear as she explains how she’d had to chase after a thief who’d stolen her purse (the man from before).

Seona, cutting through all the gloominess, cheerfully suggests that they should party their troubles away. And at the club, Jurim wildly dances, Seona takes a selfie, and Chaeyun sneaks away from all the loud music. She runs into Daesong outside, who expresses no surprise at seeing her away from the crowd, and has a light, playful conversation with him (is something brewing?).

For the next few days, the group vacations in Hong Kong- seeing all the sights, tasting all the tastes, and taking in the full experience- before they fly home. Chapter 4 concludes as Jurim shockingly sees her online boyfriend (or well, his photo) on a blind date in a restaurant.

Singles’ Royale Chapter 5: Nice to Finally Meet You… Babe

Singles’ Royale Chapter 5 begins as Jurim interrupts her alleged online boyfriend’s date by calling him ‘babe’ in front of the girl he’s with. As expected, she becomes furious, dumps her coffee on him, and storms out. Unfazed, the handsome man gets up and confronts Jurim, asking, “Who are you?’

Jurim (an extremely dense woman) doesn’t understand why her boyfriend couldn’t recognize her. She calls the confused man a ‘scumbag’ and storms away too. Out on the street, she rages and sobs. Jurim, overwhelmed with sadness, doesn’t even inform her best friends about the incident.

The next day at work, Jurim is appointed as the interpreter for Dowon, an extremely well-known yet mysterious artist, who was holding his first exhibition at their gallery. Although she doesn’t express enthusiasm at the opportunity straightaway, she shares the intrigue that he entire art community held him in regard with. Wondering what the secret artist might be like, she nervously walks down the hallway and into the meeting room. A brown-haired man, sitting with his back to her, turns around. And can you guess who it is?

That’s right, it’s Jurim’s “boyfriend”.

Shocked to the core, she tries to maintain her composure and keep up the professionalism. Although after ruining his date and calling him names, it wasn’t exactly easy. Suddenly, her phone dings, and her boyfriend begins to message her… but the man in the chair remains where he is. Singles’ Royale Chapter 5 concludes as he gets up and slyly says, “I look forward to working with you, babe.”

Singles’ Royale Chapter 6: Jurim Puts Two and Two Together

Singles’ Royale Chapter 6 begins as Jurim shakes Dowon’s hand and walks away, flustered, to answer her ringing phone. Dowon warily watches her leave and makes a mental note to steer clear of the ‘odd woman’. Meanwhile, Jurim’s online boyfriend calls after sending the message, ‘Do you think you could love the real me?’ The dots slowly start connecting as she realizes that Dowon is not her boyfriend (finally!). On an impulse, she still answers the phone.

Later, Chaeyun goes on her first blind date with Daesong’s contact. The soccer coach, Sanggyu, arrives a few minutes after Chaeyun reads Jurim’s distressed message to meet up at night. Right off the bat, she notices that Sanggyu looks even better in real life than his already good-looking profile picture. The feeling seems to be mutual as Sanggyu calls her ‘so beautiful’ that he was ‘honestly surprised’. Before leaving, Sanggyu adorably asks to see Chaeyun again (he blushes, stutters, and everything).

The Cat’s Out of the Bag

Chaeyun gets into her car and briefs Daesong about her ‘fun’ date. Then she meets up with her friends. Jurim sobs uncontrollably and, through her tears, embarrassingly explains how she’d answered her boyfriend’s video chat. Turns out that he wasn’t even remotely close to a handsome artist Dowon- he was a stout Asian teenager who lived with his mother. Although they’d promised not to, Chaeyun and Seona burst out laughing at Jurim’s story.

Meanwhile, Sanggyu thanks Daesong over text, saying that Chaeyun was ‘really pretty’ and has a ‘great personality’. Daesong raises his eyebrow, remembering how Chaeyun had called him ‘cute’, concluding Singles’ Royale Chapter 6.

Singles’ Royale Chapter 7: It’s You Again

Singles’ Royale Chapter 7 begins as Chaeyun gives the girls details about her date with Sanggyu. It had all been perfect except for one little snag. He’d asked her about her relationship with Daesong- and even though she understood why- she felt uncomfortable about it.

After they leave the bar, Mr. Kim unexpectedly calls Seona. He was worried about her since she’d been drinking, and before she could say anything, he appeared right behind her. He’d seen her social media post about the bar and rushed right over. Mr. Kim hands them a big bag full of medicine and drives Seona back home.

Meanwhile, Chaeyun drops Jurim off. She makes her way to a convenience store and miserably sits alone. She scrolls through her contacts, looking for someone to drink away her woes with- but finds no one. To make things worse, it starts raining. Suddenly, three cute puppies (wearing the most adorable yellow ponchos) appear in front of her. Jurim bends to pet them without noticing their owner. Once again, can you guess who it is?

Obviously, none other than Dowon, the elusive painter, looks down at her. They stare at each other, concluding Singles’ Royale Chapter 7.

Singles’ Royale Chapter 8: Is That A Spark I Feel?

Singles’ Royale Chapter 8 begins as Jurim’s heart begins beating rapidly. She tries to dash away from Dowon to escape the awkward situation. Before she can make her getaway, Dowon unleashes his dogs on her (three adorable puffballs that overwhelm her to death with their cuteness). He brings Jurim back to the table and asks her why she’d called him ‘babe’.

Knowing that she shouldn’t hide the fact that a kid was using his photos to catfish women on the internet, Jurim overcomes her humiliation and tells him the truth. When Dowon believes that she’s just drunk-talking, Jurim impulsively shows him the chat to prove it. He scrolls through the texts while she explains how, even though she hadn’t been scammed for money directly, she’d flown to Hong Kong on a whim. Although he laughs at her at first, Dowon later tells her that it wasn’t her fault. She shouldn’t apologize for the twisted schemes of a misguided kid. Further, he admits that she’d rescued him from a blind date his parents had set up.

Before he leaves, Jurim asks him to keep the mix-up a secret. “We’ll see,” he says, with a charming smile. Jurim’s heart starts beating against her own will when he turns around again and promises to hide her secret. Meanwhile, in the car, Mr. Kim confesses his love for Seona. She takes a deep breath, concluding Singles’ Royale Chapter 8.

Singles’ Royale Chapter 9: Seona and the Senior

Singles’ Royale Chapter 9 begins as Seona remembers how she’d always wished for her Prince Charming to appear and sweep her off her feet. Since then, she’d searched long and hard for her fairytale romance- at clubs, parties, and bars- but all it led her to was disaster.

Sitting with the earnest Mr. Kim, she tries to convince herself that this is what she needs- a man who actually cares enough to start a serious relationship, not someone with good looks and terrible manners. However, no matter how hard she tries to force the words out, Seona cannot see herself romantically involved with him. In her mission to fall in love, she’d tried to push herself beyond her boundaries- but boundaries existed for a reason. She loudly apologizes to him and rushes out of the car.

Seona finds herself at a club with her usual party friends. Amidst the strobe lighting and electric atmosphere, she reflects on her decision to end things with Mr. Kim. Although he was a good man, he was too physically repulsive for her to handle. She’d given it a shot… but she simply couldn’t go further.

While other couples dance and whisper together, Seona perches on the couch by herself. A young man in a baseball cap sits a little distance away from her. Seona begins to make small talk with the new boy, who seems completely out of place, and notices how respectful he acts towards her. He introduces himself as Hyeonbin Lee, and though the name rings a bell, Seona can’t place it. ‘It’s charming how cute and naive he is, ‘ she thinks to herself as he politely pours their drinks and averts his gaze.

The following morning, Seona groggily wakes up in bed (in her own bed, thankfully). She opens her bathroom door… and finds Hyeonbin inside. She stumbles backwards in shock, nearly falls, and, fortunately, is swiftly caught by him (classic). He asks her if she is all right, and calls her ‘Ms. Kang’. Chapter 9 concludes as, after she still doesn’t recognize him, he says, “It’s me, Hyeonbin! You know, one of your seniors from class four.”

Singles’ Royale Chapter 10: Jurim’s Hypothesis

Singles’ Royale Chapter 10 begins as Hyeonbin explains the previous night. After having one too many drinks, Seona had well and truly lost all her inhibitions. She’d figured out that Hyeonbin was her old student and celebrated the coincidental occasion. After her clubbing friends had left her alone, Hyeonbin had helped the tipsy woman back home. Although Seona had given him money for his taxi fare, he’d stayed to take care of Seona.

She’d been too drunk to remember the night, but she thanks Hyeonbin for looking after her anyway. After serving him lunch to express her gratitude, they bid farewell. However, before she can leave, Hyeonbin asks her if she has any weekend plans.

Later, Jurim attentively listens to Seona’s story and wonders whether the young student could have feelings for his old mentor. Although Seona completely denies any possibility, Jurim sticks to her theory. Seona- annoyed and stubborn- finally ends the conversation by insisting that there was nothing between her and Hyeonbin.

Meanwhile, after taking a shower, Hyeobin flops onto his bed. Singles’ Royale Chapter 10 concludes with an image of Seona popping unbidden into his mind, causing him to blush (looks like Jurim was on the right track, after all).