Chen Duo is a dedicated fan photographer in her original world, where Gu Yanqiu is a top-tier idol with forty million fans. After attending one of his concerts, she seeks refuge in an empty restroom on the fifth floor, only to find herself transported into a parallel universe. In this new reality, Gu Yanqiu is an obscure, struggling artist who debuted through a talent show but faded into obscurity after his group disbanded. He is currently facing public backlash, with trending hashtags demanding he leave the entertainment industry. Chen Duo realizes she has crossed over into the body of her parallel self, who is also a fan photographer but is now in a complicated romantic situation with her childhood friend, Xu Kaiming.
Xu Kaiming, a wealthy second-generation factory owner, had asked Chen Duo out on a dare and claims to have liked her for years. Despite the relationship starting under dubious circumstances, he proves to be supportive, using his resources to help Chen Duo attend Gu Yanqiu’s impromptu concert in a small café. Gu Yanqiu, unaware of his potential, performs with raw emotion for a handful of fans, including Chen Duo. Captivated by his sincerity and talent, Chen Duo takes professional-quality photographs that capture his soulful intensity. She uploads one of these images to social media, which goes viral overnight, exposing Gu Yanqiu’s handsome appearance and dedication to his craft.
The viral photo triggers a sudden surge in Gu Yanqiu’s popularity, drawing the attention of his agency and media outlets. Despite the positive attention, Gu Yanqiu faces significant hostility from netizens who believe he rose to fame through improper connections. His manager sees this as a rare opportunity to revive his career and secures him a spot as a challenger on the prestigious singing competition show, I Am a Singer. However, the show is known for featuring veteran vocalists, and many view Gu Yanqiu’s participation as a sacrificial act designed to generate controversy rather than showcase talent.
Li Ziyue, a rival artist from the same agency who narrowly missed debuting in Gu Yanqiu’s original group, feels threatened by Gu Yanqiu’s resurgence. Jealous and insecure, Li Ziyue conspires with his agent to ensure Gu Yanqiu fails publicly. He manipulates the show’s technical setup, causing the challenger button to malfunction during Gu Yanqiu’s attempts to challenge previous performers. Despite these obstacles, Gu Yanqiu manages to challenge the final performer, an internationally renowned singer named Mei Kaolife, just as the live broadcast is reaching its climax. The audience and online viewers react with shock and mockery, viewing his decision as desperate and ill-advised. Chen Duo, watching from the front row, feels the weight of the hostile atmosphere and the unfair treatment directed at Gu Yanqiu. The story concludes with Gu Yanqiu standing on stage, facing a sea of criticism, while Chen Duo prepares to support him through the impending performance.
