A lighthearted story involving IVE leader An Yujin is gaining attention online after a fan shared what many netizens are calling one of the most unintentionally awkward celebrity encounters imaginable.

The story originated from a viral social media post describing an unexpected meeting between a fan and Yujin during the middle of the day.

According to the post, the fan’s friend was smoking on a street around lunchtime when they suddenly realized the person nearby was none other than Yujin. Naturally excited by the surprise encounter, they reportedly wanted to greet the idol and make a good impression.

Unfortunately, things did not go according to plan.

The fan allegedly became so shocked upon recognizing Yujin that they completely froze. Instead of introducing themselves, asking for a photo, or even saying hello, they instinctively held out their cigarette and offered it to her.

The post humorously explained that the fan’s brain seemed to stop working the moment they realized who they were looking at.

The original account described the scene this way:

Their friend ran into An Yujin while smoking on the street. They wanted to greet her properly, but their mind went blank, and they ended up offering her a cigarette instead.

According to the story, Yujin’s reaction only made the moment more memorable.

Rather than appearing upset or offended, the idol reportedly responded by rapidly waving her hands to decline the offer while smiling before continuing on her way.

That image of Yujin politely and frantically refusing the unexpected offer immediately amused many netizens.

Fans quickly flooded social media with jokes about the encounter, imagining how bewildered both sides must have felt in the moment.

Many commenters said the situation perfectly captured what happens when fans unexpectedly meet celebrities in real life. While people often imagine themselves having calm, meaningful conversations with their favorite stars, reality frequently turns out very differently.

Several fans admitted they would probably react in a similarly awkward way if they suddenly encountered an idol they admired. Others joked that offering a cigarette was such an unexpected response that it made the story even funnier than a normal fan interaction.

The incident has also sparked discussion about how celebrities often experience unusual encounters when recognized in public. While many fan meetings involve requests for photos, autographs, or brief conversations, this particular interaction stood out because it was completely accidental and seemingly driven by pure panic.

As the story spread online, many users praised Yujin’s reported reaction. Her smile and friendly gesture while declining the cigarette were viewed as a humorous and gracious way of handling an awkward situation.

Importantly, the viral post does not suggest that Yujin was smoking or participating in the activity herself. According to the account, the cigarette belonged to the fan, who simply offered it in a moment of confusion after unexpectedly recognizing the star.

In the end, the fan may not have received the perfect celebrity encounter they imagined, but they likely walked away with a story that is far more memorable.

After all, countless fans can say they met their favorite idol and asked for a selfie. Very few can say they became internet-famous for accidentally offering An Yujin a cigarette instead of a greeting.

And judging by the reactions online, that awkward moment may end up becoming one of the funniest fan encounter stories of the year.