Pretending To Be Cool

• Author: Pine Nut Tea
• Genres: Đam Mỹ, Giải Trí, Romance Fantasy
• Status: Completed
• Chapters: 69
• Rating: ★ 4.2 / 5
• Published: 2026-10-04

A Unique Spin on the idol Scene

This series kicks things off with a total curveball in the very first chapters. Xia Yan, the leader of the boy band idol group D·A, has always taken immense pride in their collective image as powerful Alphas. One morning, however, he wakes up to the shock of his life: his body has suddenly switched to an Omega's.

This biological bombshell is a direct threat to the group's standing in the entertainment industry. To keep their public image intact, their agency decides to keep it under wraps. Left with no choice, Xia Yan has to swallow his pride and seek help from his fellow member, Xu Cong.

Watching a normally hot-headed and blunt leader humble himself to hide his new gender leads to some serious hilarious yet awkward moments. The plot is both high-stakes and witty, keeping you hooked on their frantic behind-the-scenes cover-up.

From Brothers-in-Arms to Lovers

The dynamic between Xia Yan and Xu Cong is the emotional heartbeat of the entire story. At first, Xia Yan is completely oblivious, seeing his bandmate as nothing more than a trusted brother-in-arms. He only reaches out to Xu Cong because the guy is a top-tier S-Class Alpha.

Unbeknownst to him, lead singer Xu Cong has been harboring deep, loyal feelings for his leader for ages. Xu Cong's quiet protection and tender care eventually force Xia Yan to see him in a new light. This romantic awakening feels incredibly natural and convincing.

The contrast between Xia Yan’s explosive temper and Xu Cong’s calm, gentle vibe creates some seriously sweet chemistry. It’s genuinely heartwarming to watch them bridge the gap from brotherhood to genuine love.

Detailed Gender Dynamics and World-Building

The story does a great job defining the secondary genders, which drives the character conflicts. Betas represent the average person, immune to pheromone influence. They act as the stable, majority workforce of society.

On the flip side, Omegas are rare and hypersensitive to Alpha pheromones, dealing with periodic heat cycles. Xia Yan suddenly landing in this category leaves him grappling with a mess of physical and psychological hurdles.

As for Alphas, they can emit powerful pheromones to dominate or soothe others. S-Class Alphas like Xu Cong wield the most influence, making him the perfect rock for Xia Yan whenever things get dicey.

The High Points

• Crafts genuinely funny situations while skillfully weaving in the tension of hiding a secret in the entertainment industry.
• The romantic pacing hits the spot, detailing Xia Yan's mental shift from close brothers to lovers seamlessly.
• The supporting cast of D·A members is charming, creating a warm and tight-knit atmosphere.
• The pheromone system and gender lore are used effectively to drive both conflict and emotion.

A Few Minor Gripes

• At only 69 chapters, the story is quite brisk, meaning some aspects of their music careers aren't explored fully or in-depth.
• Xia Yan’s initial hot-headedness might come off as a bit impulsive and unchecked for some readers.
• External drama and conflicts tend to be resolved fairly quickly, lacking truly high-stakes challenges.

Community Reception

• Novel Updates: 4.2/5.0 (73 ratings as of 10/04/2026)

Readers on international forums have plenty of praise for the story's sweetness and lighthearted entertainment value. Most fans loved the adorable interactions between Xia Yan and Xu Cong, though some were left wanting more when the story ended so soon.

The Final Verdict

This is a fantastic pick if you're looking for something light, funny, and incredibly sweet. Mixing the idol scene with ABO dynamics makes for a fresh and relaxing read.

With a tight 65 main chapters and 4 extras, the story keeps a steady pace without dragging. It’s a real treat for anyone who enjoys a solid BL romance.

All in all, Pretending To Be Cool is a captivating romance where brotherhood evolves into genuine love through some truly bizarre circumstances.

Tags: abo, showbiz, bl