All About Eve 'Uncut' -- English Style
by AAEfanatic
Episode 4B
SCENE: London, outside Hyung-Chul's apartment, afternoon
SCENE: London, Hyung-Chul's apartment, afternoon
SCENE: Seoul, Young-Mi's studio, night
SCENE: London, Hyung-Chul's apartment, afternoon
SCENE: Seoul, outside the Jin home, afternoon
SCENE: Seoul, Jin home, evening
SCENE: Seoul, outside Young-Mi's apartment building, evening
SCENE: Seoul, Young-Mi's studio, evening
SCENE: Seoul, Woo-Jin's bedroom, night
SCENE: Seoul, Woo-Jin's bedroom, night
SCENE: London, Hyung-Chul's apartment, afternoon
SCENE: Seoul, subway station, night
SCENE: London, Hyung-Chul's apartment, afternoon
SCENE: Seoul, Sun-Mi's bedroom, night
Act 5
SCENE: London, outside Hyung-Chul's apartment, afternoon
John walks into the entryway of Hyung-Chul's building.
He is approaching the door to Hyung-Chul's apartment, when a loud shrill voice comes from inside ...
Su-Jin............... [O.S.] (seething) I swear, Yoon Hyung-Chul, you'll pay for this, bastard!
The door opens, and she appears in the doorway.
John................. (surprised) What the?
Clearly flustered and in a disorderly rush, Su-Jin stops short when she sees John staring at her.
She glares back at him, her eyes ablaze...
Su-Jin............... What are you gaping at like an idiot?!
John................. Er...
Putting her shoes down, Su-Jin slips into the high heels, then unhurriedly fastens the coat buttons as he watches.
Finished, her composure restored, she looks John square in the eye, and speaks calmly but forcefully ...
Su-Jin............... Get out of the way, John.
She pushes past him, her stride deliberate as she heads down the corridor toward the entry door.
John finally catches his wits, and follows after her...
John................. Su-Jin? Wait!
She ignores him, hurrying out, down the stairway, her heels clattering on the concrete steps.
By the time John gets out the door, she is halfway across the car park.
John................. Hey! Su-Jin!
Hyung-Chul appears in the doorway behind him.
Hyung-Chul....... Let her go, John.
John................. What's going on?
Hyung-Chul....... Come on in, and I'll tell you over a beer, before we go...
SCENE: London, Hyung-Chul's apartment, afternoon
John and Hyung-Chul go back into the building.
John................. What did I just see?
Hyung-Chul....... You don't want to know the details, believe me.
John................. Su-Jin sure seemed pissed.
Hyung-Chul....... You read that right.
John................. So, why was she here?
Hyung-Chul....... To see me before she leaves today.
John................. (cynically) It shows where I rank, being the last to know.
Hyung-Chul....... There's a lot you don't know, John. Consider yourself lucky.
John laughs...
John................. (cavalierly) So much for a summer fling. Well ... you win some, you lose some.
Hyung-Chul....... You're not disappointed?
John................. Like you said, Korean women are difficult and unpredictable. I'll consider myself lucky.
They both laugh at that...
Entering the living room, John notices the red ribbons scattered over the floor by the couch.
He stoops to pick up a large red bow.
John................. What's all this from?
Hyung-Chul....... The ribbon? ... Su-Jin had a belated birthday present for me.
John................. Ribbons, but no wrapping paper or package?
Hyung-Chul....... (evasively) Oh... Er ... I finished unwrapping it in the bedroom. I didn't pick up in here yet.
His friend's odd behavior just adds to John's curiosity.
Something is up, but he can't put the pieces together... so he probes further...
John................. Was it anything interesting?
Hyung-Chul....... Yeah, you might say so...
He quickly changes the subject, heading for the frig before John can pry more...
Hyung-Chul....... Two ice cold ones, coming up!
SCENE: Seoul, Young-Mi's studio, night
Woo-Jin and Young-Mi are eating carryout Chinese at her small table.
Young-Mi.......... Sun-Mi will be back tomorrow.
Woo-Jin............ Yeah, the time went by fast, didn't it?
Young-Mi's ponders something as she puts a morsel into her mouth with chopsticks, chews, and swallows.
Young-Mi.......... Did you miss her?
Woo-Jin............ Of course!
Young-Mi.......... (jealously) A lot?
Woo-Jin............ Well, sure. She's like a sister to me.
Young-Mi.......... (unconvinced) Only a sister? Does Sun-Mi feel that way too?
Remembering his sensitive conversations on that subject with Sun-Mi before she left, he avoids answering.
Woo-Jin............ Why are you talking about Sun-Mi all of a sudden?
Young-Mi.......... Thinking about her coming back, I'm a bit jealous.
Woo-Jin............ (surprised) Jealous? Why?
Young-Mi.......... That day, in Sun-Mi's room, I saw all the nice clothes and jewelry she has.
Woo-Jin............ It's just stuff her father buys for her. What does that matter to you?
Young-Mi.......... Because Sun-Mi always flaunts what she has in front of me, how can I not care?
Young-Mi is visibly upset.
Young-Mi.......... It's not fair! Why couldn't I have a good father to dote on me, too? Sun-Mi is so lucky!
Woo-Jin attempts to console her pique...
Woo-Jin............ Sun-Mi's not always been that lucky. She grew up without a mother.
Young-Mi.......... So? I did, too!
Woo-Jin............ Then you should know how hard that is... I'm just saying, Sun-Mi has suffered too.
Young-Mi.......... (snaps irately) Right, tell me I should feel sorry for her!
Woo-Jin............ Umm ... sometimes Sun-Mi missed her mum so bad, she'd cry herself to sleep, and wet her bed.
Hearing this, Young-Mi's eyes perk up.
Young-Mi.......... (scoffing) So 'Miss Perfect' used to wet her bed? That figures!
Woo-Jin immediately realizes his faux pas...
Woo-Jin............ Hey... Don't tell Sun-Mi I told you about that, okay?
Young-Mi.......... (slyly) Why would I want to do that?
Woo-Jin............ Thanks. She'd kill me. It really embarrasses her that anyone would know.
A conniving expression comes over Young-Mi's face.
Young-Mi.......... Why don't we have a party for Sun-Mi?
Woo-Jin............ A party?
Young-Mi.......... To celebrate her return. We can all catch up on things, and hear what she did in England.
Woo-Jin............ Good idea. I'll tell my mum.
Young-Mi.......... No. Let's have it here, so she can see how nicely you helped fix up this place for me.
Woo-Jin............ (nods) Sure. Why not?
Young-Mi.......... Yes, we'll have a good time together, just the three of us.
SCENE: London, Hyung-Chul's apartment, afternoon
Hyung-Chul and John are on the couch, drinking beer as they talk...
Hyung-Chul....... I told you Su-Jin's family and my family have a business relationship, didn't I?
John................. Yeah. Her father's a Director in your family's company. Why?
Hyung-Chul....... He wants to be Chairman after my father retires in a few years.
He takes a swig of beer.
Hyung-Chul....... Su-Jin came to London, hoping to persuade me to throw my support his way, when the time comes.
John................. How did she intend to do that? Bribe you with that gift?
Hyung-Chul....... It's not exactly taking a bribe, more like incurring an obligation.
John................. I don't get it.
Hyung-Chul....... For example, if I were to marry Su-Jin, by being in the family I'd have no choice.
John................. You're talking about arranging marriage for business' sake? Do they still do that in Korea?
Hyung-Chul....... (chuckling) Now you know why I'm so down on the idea of love and marriage.
John................. I take it, as Su-Jin left in such a huff, that you refused her?
Hyung-Chul grins as he recalls the situation...
Hyung-Chul....... Let's say she wasn't pleased to have put out so much effort, for so little in return.
SCENE: Seoul, outside the Jin home, afternoon
Gwi-Sung's Range Rover heads down the lane to his house and stops outside the gate.
Sun-Mi and her father alight from the car, taking her luggage out as Song Jin-Suk runs out to greet them.
Jin-Suk ............ Sun-Mi!
Sun-Mi.............. Ms. Song!
She runs to Jin-Suk and hugs her.
Jin-Suk ............ My goodness, you've become even prettier!
Sun-Mi.............. You've been well too, right?
Jin-Suk............. Of course.
She hugs Sun-Mi again.
Gwi-Sung.......... Well, well... are you going to hug all night?
He closes the gate behind him.
Gwi-Sung.......... She's hungry. Give her something to eat.
Jin-Suk reaches for Sun-Mi's bag.
Jin-Suk ............ I'll take it.
Sun-Mi.............. Oh, no. I can do it.
Jin-Suk ............ Geez. Go inside.
SCENE: Seoul, Jin home, evening
Sun-Mi, her father, and Jin-Suk are eating dinner.
Sun-Mi tastes some broth from a bowl on the dining table.
Sun-Mi.............. Ohh... I really missed this taste!
Jin-Suk ............ Your aunt's cooking is much better though.
Sun-Mi.............. But the skills are different.
Gwi-Sung.......... OK. Eat up.
Sun-Mi places some food on Gwi-Sung's plate with her chopsticks.
Sun-Mi.............. (teasingly) Dad, how much did you miss me?
Gwi-Sung.......... As high as the heavens and as deep as the sea !
Sun-Mi smiles brightly, happy to be doted on again...
Sun-Mi.............. Really?
She and her father smile and laugh together.
Jin-Suk looks sad, watching their antics.
Jin-Suk ............ You guys are having fun.
Sun-Mi.............. Dad, Auntie is jealous of us again.
Gwi-Sung makes a face at Sun-Mi again.
Gwi-Sung.......... That's right.
Jin-Suk ............ Yeah, I'm so jealous. I regret having a son. I sigh when I look at the sky and when I stare at the ground.
Sun-Mi looks at her, concerned.
Sun-Mi.............. Why? Did something happen with Woo-Jin?
Jin-Suk doesn't answer, but plays with her food dejectedly.
Gwi-Sung.......... Woo-Jin's such a good son. Isn't he?
Jin-Suk looks over at Gwi-Sung...
Jin-Suk ............ Drop it. Let's just eat. (to Sun-Mi) Eat up.
SCENE: Seoul, outside Young-Mi's apartment building, evening
SCENE: Seoul, Young-Mi's studio, evening
Young-Mi, Sun-Mi, and Woo-Jin are at Young-Mi's apartment celebrating Sun-Mi's return.
A cake with three candles and some other food is on the small table.
They bring their wine goblets together for a toast...
All.................... Cheers !
Young-Mi.......... Sun-Mi, did you have fun in England?
Sun-Mi.............. Yeah. I saw many sights and met many good people.
Woo-Jin pats Sun-Mi on her shoulder.
Sun-Mi.............. Oh, yeah... for you.
She takes the gift that Hyung-Chul gave her from her bag and hands it to Young-Mi.
Young-Mi.......... (smiling) Thanks.
Young-Mi opens the package as Sun-Mi looks on curiously. Woo-Jin also leans closer to see better.
Young-Mi holds the necklace in her open hand.
Young-Mi.......... Wow, it's so pretty.
Sun-Mi.............. (surprised voice) It really is pretty.
Young-Mi and Woo-Jin look curiously at Sun-Mi, who tries to recover from her gaffe.
Sun-Mi.............. I mean, the room is arranged so nicely.
Looking around the room in an attempt to give her excuse plausibility, she notices pictures of Young-Mi and Woo-Jin.
Young-Mi, still smiling over the necklace, notices Sun-Mi is focused on the pictures.
Young-Mi.......... Sun-Mi, why aren't you eating? It's your favorite.
Sun-Mi looks up from her contemplation at Young-Mi.
Young-Mi.......... I heard that you often wet your bed when you were a kid.
Sun-Mi is stunned that Young-Mi knows this intimate detail about her childhood.
Young-Mi smiles and laughs as she looks at Woo-Jin, tacitly revealing the source.
Sun-Mi glares accusingly at Woo-Jin for giving away her secrets.
Woo-Jin, embarrassed that his gaffe is revealed, laughs uncomfortably.
Woo-Jin............ I told you not to mention it.
Young-Mi.......... Oh yeah. I didn't mean to say it.
Sun-Mi shoots daggers from her eyes at Young-Mi, knowing she deliberately wanted to provoke and embarrass her.
Young-Mi.......... I won't say anything else.
Woo-Jin............ There's nothing left to say.
Still laughing, he punches Young-Mi lightly on her arm as a scolding, and she covers her mouth momentarily.
Changing the subject, Young-Mi puts her hand on his shoulder, directing Woo-Jin's attention to the cake.
Young-Mi.......... Woo-Jin. Let's blow out the candles... One, two, three.
They blow.
All the while they are acting like an intimate couple, Sun-Mi is watching silently...
After the party, Sun-Mi and Woo-Jin are walking together in an awkward silence.
They turn and look at each other, smile uncomfortably, then look away again as they continue walking.
Sun-Mi ponders their situation for a moment, then speaks up...
Sun-Mi.............. Go back now, Woo-Jin.
But he wants to make up for his mistake...
Woo-Jin............ Want to go to my house and have some coffee?
Sun-Mi considers his invitation briefly, then nods yes.
Sun-Mi and Woo-Jin come into his house.
Woo-Jin............ Go wait in my room. I'll bring the coffee.
Sun-Mi slowly walks to the door of Woo-Jin's room, opens it and steps into the room.
SCENE: Seoul, Woo-Jin's bedroom, night
In Woo-Jin's bedroom, Sun-Mi looks around at the familiar camera equipment and other things on his shelves and table.
She picks up a picture of them together, remembering how close they were before Young-Mi appeared.
Noticing his unmade bed, Sun-Mi dutifully straightens up the bedcovers.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Woo-Jin is making coffee.
He looks over to the door to his room.
SCENE: Seoul, Woo-Jin's bedroom, night
Sun-Mi sits at Woo-Jin's desk and takes a package from her purse, holding it in her hands.
She recalls what Hyung-Chul had said to her...
Hyung-Chul....... (voiceover) It's sad to be rejected. But it's sadder when you don't say everything you want to.
Focused on his words, she tries building up her courage.
Hyung-Chul ...... (voiceover) Try telling him how you really feel. Speak from the heart. Then it'll work out.
She takes a deep breath, and smiles as she remembers the good times she had in England with Hyung-Chul.
Then Sun-Mi notices a picture of Woo-Jin and Young-Mi on the desk, the same photo at Young-Mi's studio.
She picks it up, contemplating the reality she is facing, as she had at Young-Mi's...
Woo-Jin comes into the bedroom, carrying a tray with two coffee cups.
Woo-Jin............ Here...
He sees Sun-Mi holding the picture, and waits for a few seconds before smiling and speaking again, this time louder.
Woo-Jin............ Delicious coffee has arrived!
Sun-Mi hurriedly puts the picture back on the desk as Woo-Jin walks over and places the tray on his desk.
She takes her cup and sips from it.
Sun-Mi.............. It's great. The best coffee is the coffee you make.
Woo-Jin............ Don't worry, I'll make it for you for the rest of your life.
She looks surprised to hear this, what she takes as an hopeful reference to them as a couple in the future.
Sun-Mi.............. Really?
Woo-Jin............ Can't a guy make a cup of coffee for his younger sister?
Sun-Mi smiles sadly, realizing her hopes had caused her to misunderstand his meaning.
Sun-Mi.............. Oh, yeah...
Sun-Mi smiles shyly, then looks at Woo-Jin with a big smile as she hands her gift to him.
Sun-Mi.............. A gift for you.
Woo-Jin takes the package from her.
Woo-Jin............ There was one for me too?
He smiles as he opens it.
Woo-Jin............ What is it?... Wow, it's a watch!
Woo-Jin beams happily at her.
She takes his response as a favorable sign to recite her carefully practiced words...
Sun-Mi.............. Whenever I looked at my watch I calculated the time in Korea out of habit.
Woo-Jin............ Did you?
Sun-Mi.............. And... I always thought of you.
Woo-Jin looks up from the watch at her, surprised at her words.
Sun-Mi looks back at him, hoping for a positive response, having opened her heart to him.
Instead he shifts uncomfortably, unable to respond with what she wants to hear.
Having committed herself to act on her feelings, still hoping for a positive outcome, she continues...
Sun-Mi.............. I saw that frame in Young-Mi's room too. Are you two so close that I can't get in between?
She looks questioningly up at Woo-Jin.
Sun-Mi.............. Have you?
Woo-Jin turns away guiltily, without answering her.
Sun-Mi.............. Before I went to London, the night Young-Mi and I ran into gangsters... you remember that night, right?
Woo-Jin is silent, avoiding her eyes.
Sun-Mi.............. I couldn't stand it that night. But we always look things from our point of view.
....................... After a period of time, I sorted out my thinking. I think now, it was a misunderstanding.
....................... There's no reason you'd do this to me. You're such a good person. You're so good to me.
She looks back at Woo-Jin, hoping her interpretation is correct.
Sun-Mi.............. Right?... You're not together, right?
Woo-Jin searches for what to say, then finally decides he has to face Sun-Mi and explain in a way that won't hurt her.
Woo-Jin............ Sun-Mi.
Sun-Mi.............. Oppa ... Tell me that I'm right, hmm?
She looks expectantly at Woo-Jin, still hoping.
Woo-Jin remains silent.
Sun-Mi looks away as she speaks, her voice edged with desperation...
Sun-Mi.............. I thought about it a lot in London...
Sun-Mi.............. I thought I could understand you... Young-Mi's so pitiful. You could sympathize...
She looks at him, seeing no opening, and makes a last attempt...
Sun-Mi.............. Of course, because you have a good heart... That's right, it's sympathy.
She smiles and laughs lightly, trying to ease the tension between them.
Woo-Jin can't look at her, knowing that what he has to say will break her heart...
Woo-Jin............ It's love.
Sun-Mi's smile fades as she hears the words she feared the most.
Woo-Jin............ It's love, Sun-Mi. I...
He finally looks directly at her to convey the seriousness of his words...
Woo-Jin............ I love Young-Mi.
Her chin trembles as she tries to fight back her tears.
Sun-Mi.............. Oppa.
Woo-Jin............ So don't be hurt because of me anymore. I love it when you laugh. I want you to be happy...
She wonders how he can expect her to be happy, hearing this.
Woo-Jin............ I wanted to make you laugh all the time.
She desperately tries one last appeal...
Sun-Mi.............. That's why, Oppa...
Woo-Jin............ But Young-Mi...
Sun-Mi freezes at Young-Mi's name, realizing that all her expectations were in vain.
Woo-Jin............ I... no matter what. No matter how hard it is for me, I want to be by Young-Mi's side.
Sun-Mi fights back a wave of hopelessness as she gathers her things to leave.
Woo-Jin............ Young-Mi's that kind of person to me...
But Sun-Mi knows she can't stay in front of him a moment longer before she breaks down...
Sun-Mi.............. I want to go. I'm going to leave. I don't want to hear it.
Woo-Jin sits silently, unhappily knowing the hurt he's given to her, as Sun-Mi quickly exits the room.
SCENE: London, Hyung-Chul's apartment, afternoon
Hyung-Chul is in the kitchen making a sandwich for lunch when the phone rings.
Interrupting his work, he goes to the living room, sits on the couch, and answers the call.
Hyung-Chul....... Hello?
Joo-Hee............ [O.S. on the phone] What did you do now?
Hyung-Chul....... Joo-Hee?
Joo-Hee............ My father overheard Director Park talking with your father, and he wasn't happy.
Hyung-Chul....... Oh... that? It was probably about Park Su-Jin.
Joo-Hee............ What about Su-Jin?
Hyung-Chul....... She was here, in London, to see me. Do you want to know the messy details?
Joo-Hee............ That's not necessary. I get the picture. So it's not just me ... you leave a trail of broken hearts.
Hyung-Chul....... You can't blame me for what others feel, right?
Joo-Hee............ (bitterly) You're right, I can't. It's all our faults! You just happen to be a bystander watching the carnage!
Hyung-Chul....... Joo-Hee, you know what I meant. Don't make it personal.
But she isn't placated...
Joo-Hee............ I hope someday you fall for someone with as cold a heart as yours. Then you'll understand!
Hyung-Chul....... Joo-Hee, please... Don't do this.
Joo-Hee............ I'm not doing anything, except hanging up!
SCENE: Seoul, subway station, night
Sun-Mi walks in deep thought through the subway station to the tracks, waiting for the train.
SCENE: London, Hyung-Chul's apartment, afternoon
Hyung-Chul is still on the couch, looking at the phone, wondering if he should call Joo-Hee back.
Instead he picks up the handset and dials another number.
Sun-Dal............ [O.S. on the phone] Yes?
Hyung-Chul....... Got a minute to talk?
Sun-Dal............ About Joo-Hee?
Hyung-Chul....... How did you know?
Sun-Dal............ Because she's sitting right next to me.
Hyung-Chul....... Oh...
Sun-Dal............ Is there something you want me to tell her?
Hyung-Chul....... Yeah... That I'm sorry for being a jerk just now.
Sun-Dal............ (indistinctly) He says he's sorry for being a real jerk to you.
Joo-Hee............ (indistinctly) Tell him ... tell him it's all right. That I overreacted.
Sun-Dal............ Joo-Hee says she...
Hyung-Chul....... (interrupting) I heard her. Thanks.
Sun-Dal............ Hey, when are we going to have that beer you promised last time?
Hyung-Chul thinks for a moment...
Hyung-Chul....... Maybe sooner than we expected...
Sun-Dal............ (chuckling) I won't hold my breath.
Hyung-Chul....... I've gotta go now. I'm late for my match. Give Joo-Hee my regards, okay?
Sun-Dal............ Sure. Bye...
SCENE: Seoul, Sun-Mi's bedroom, night
Sun-Mi comes into her room, and collapses onto her bed, sobbing.
After a while she opens her eyes and notices the red cap Hyung-Chul gave her in Cambridge.
She holds the cap for a moment, thinking about Hyung-Chul, then looks over at the phone and sits up.
Picking up the handset, she taps in a phone number from memory, then waits as it rings, wiping her tears away.
Hyung-Chul....... (voice recording) Hi, this is Hyung-Chul. Please leave a message. Thank you.
Sun-Mi starts crying as she speaks...
Sun-Mi.............. You lied to me. All you said is a pack of lies!
She slams the handset down, and wipes away more tears.
She feels like an idiot for following her heart, for believing that the promise of True Love is possible.
Disconsolate, she sits on her bed, pondering a bleak future, her hopes dashed to pieces...
To Be Continued...