U-Topia
Alex is an 18-year-old girl that lives in Seoul, South Korea. She goes to school and is very smart and reserved. Kim, her brother, is a couple of years older. He always got in trouble; his parents are very conservative, so they don't agree with many of his decisions. Kim dropped out of school and decided to work full time. When his parents found out, they decided to give him an ultimatum; if he refused to study, he would not live at home, so Kim used his savings to move into an apartment. Alex and Kim have a good relationship, so she felt sad knowing he was leaving. Alex's parents expect so much from her that lately, their expectations weighed heavily on her. She knows her parents will be very disappointed with something that she is planning to share with them.
Before moving out, Kim gives a special gift to Alex, a game called "U-topia." U-topia is a life simulator game where you can live the life of your dreams. Players gear up with a bodysuit consisting of sensory stimulators, that allows them to feel what they are experiencing in the game, without causing physical harm. The players also wear a helmet that will enable them to hear high fidelity 3D audio and view hyper-realistic graphics to create an immersive experience. In the game, users can customize their voice and physical appearance. The players complete a mission every week to obtain sponsors and get real and virtual rewards. This has been Kim's job all along; he and his friend would get together to play the game. They become so good at getting sponsors that it has paid very well for them.
For many years Alex had trouble living her life as a woman, feeling as if there was something wrong with her. In the past ten years, South Korea has made a lot of progress in LGBTQ+ rights. Schools now teach dedicated classes for LGBTQ+ studies. In this class, Alex gained a deeper understanding of who she is, a transgender male. Although it is now a widely accepted gender identity and sexual orientation, there are still plenty of conservative people against it. He waits until his parents are back from their anniversary trip to come out to them. He knows it will be hard for them to accept him, but he is tired of living a life pretending.
When his parents leave, Alex decides to try U-topia to connect with his brother. He is very nervous because Kim will be the first person to know about his gender identity. He begins by gearing up and creating his avatar. When asked to choose a gender, Alex feels an unexpected surge of emotions. This is his opportunity to experience who he is, not a girl, but a man. After completing his avatar, Alex enters the tutorial, where he discovers a newfound sense of freedom for the first time in his life. Afterward, he texts his brother to meet up in the game. Excited, Kim directs him to his location.
Alex summons the virtual assistant and enters Kim's game address, transporting him to a very modern and luxurious looking building. Alex takes a deep breath in front of the apartment door and knocks. Kim opens the door, looking exactly like himself, just a little taller and muscular. Kim is very confused, staring at Alex. "Uhmm, hello? How can I help you?" Kim says. "It's me, Alex." Kim laughs and asks him why he looks like a boy? Alex begins to cry hysterically. Kim brings Alex inside and asks what's wrong? After Alex calms down, he tells Kim he identifies as a man and tells him everything. Kim gives Alex a big hug accepting his new little brother, and makes a lighthearted joke to lighten the atmosphere. They both spend the day together, and Kim shows Alex U-topia. Alex is fascinated with the game and all that Kim has accomplished.
The next day, Alex goes into the game and decides to try the week's mission, quickly moving up the ranking board. He gets paired with a girl named Emma, who is one of the top players in U-topia. Notoriously, she and Kim are rivals. Emma became very impressed by Alex's ability to solve clues that they can complete the challenge in record time. They had great chemistry and began talking more. She discovers Alex's brother is Kim and decides to make a deal to team up. Alex has been enjoying her life in U-topia that he chooses to hold on telling his parents.
Alex and Emma start to fall in love. Alex helps Emma win the next five challenges, allowing Emma to take Kim's seat as the top player. Consequently, Kim loses many of his sponsors and Alex hides from Kim that he's been helping Emma. Since Emma has won five challenges in a row, a player bonus is applied to her score, making her the top player and allowing Alex to appear on the board. Kim then discovers Alex has been helping Emma, seeing that Alex has now a position on the board. This makes Kim very upset. At the same time, Alex plans to tell Emma that he is transgender and that he likes her to schedule to go on a date in U-topia.
Kim calls to inform Alex that he's aware of the situation. Alex denies it, but Kim shows him the proof. Kim feels angry and betrayed and calls his parents to tell them that Alex is transgender and that he has been playing as a man in U-topia, hoping they prohibit Alex from playing the game and stop helping Emma. The game turns off, Alex's parents demand if it's true. Alex is startled and admits it. They decide that Alex needs help and send him to a conversion Academy, where he is to be "cured."
Alex doesn't show up to the date with Emma. She gets worried and messages Kim. Kim tells her what happened between him and Alex and reveals that Alex is transgender. At first, she was shocked but doesn't care because she loves him. She tells Kim that she will give him her points if he convinces his parents to let Alex back in U-topia. Kim accepts the deal. He calls his parents and discovers that they have sent him to a conversion therapy Academy. Kim is scared, insisting that Alex is under torture. His parents are afraid it may be right.
They go to save Alex from the Academy. Upon arrival, the family sees that Alex was left in isolation with physical injuries. They all regret the decisions they made and apologize to Alex. The family has a conversation; Kim apologizes to his parents for the many years of being a rebel and defends Alex's identity. His parents love him no matter what and agree to learn about his self-identity and accept him.
After his recovery, Alex returns to the game and contacts Emma to tell him the truth about him and his feelings. Emma tells him that the feelings are mutual and that she doesn't care about Alex being transgender. They decide to leave the game and begin their offline lives as a couple.