All About Eve 'Uncut' -- A Spring Apart
by AAEfanatic
Episode 16A
SCENE: MBS main entrance, evening
SCENE: Sun-Mi's kitchen, evening
SCENE: Sun-Mi's bedroom, night
Act 4 - Part 1
SCENE: MBS main entrance, evening
Recovered from her initial shock, Sun-Mi slowly stands, leaving her bag on the pavement.
She steps forward, then dips her head respectfully.
Sun-Mi.............. Director Yoon.
Hyung-Chul....... Do you need help?
Woo-Jin answers for her ...
Woo-Jin............ No need ... I'll take care of it.
He crouches down and starts to collect the spilled items back into Sun-Mi's bag.
Hyung-Chul....... Announcer Jin, I believe you've met Miss Park Su-Jin before.
Sun-Mi.............. (stiffly) Yes. I remember Ms. Park very well.
But Su-Jin looks at Sun-Mi blankly, without recognition.
Hyung-Chul....... Jin Sun-Mi is one of our TV and radio announcers. We first met when she came to London, in 1995.
A spark of recollection lights in Su-Jin's eyes.
Su-Jin............... The day I arrived in London? At your flat? ... That girl?
Hyung-Chul....... (nods) Yes.
Su-Jin............... So you're Jin Sun-Mi? ... Of Musical Postcards? ... The 'Goddess of Love'?
Sun-Mi smiles coldly.
Sun-Mi.............. Yes. That's me.
Su-Jin............... Ah. You look much different in person than in the media.
Her offish tone signals to Sun-Mi that she is less laying on a compliment, than dropping a gauntlet.
Sensing tension between the two women, Hyung-Chul decides to explain his appearance with Su-Jin ...
Hyung-Chul....... Miss Park just hired on as a contractor for MBS, so it's by chance we happened to meet up.
Su-Jin............... Chance? (laughs) It's Fate, that we have this opportunity to rekindle the past after so long.
She smiles, gazing at him affectionately, tightening her hand on his arm.
Hyung-Chul....... (uneasily) I'm not sure I'd go that far.
Su-Jin............... Why not ask what the 'Goddess of Love' thinks? Is True Love fated, Miss Jin?
Finished with collecting Sun-Mi's things, Woo-Jin stands up. holding Sun-Mi's bag.
Woo-Jin............ Excuse me ... We need to go now, Sun-Mi. You'll be late.
But Sun-Mi isn't ready to go, just yet ...
Sun-Mi.............. Sorry for being remiss with the introductions. This is Kim Woo-Jin, MBS photojournalist.
Su-Jin dips her head politely.
Su-Jin............... Mr. Kim.
Sun-Mi.............. Oppa and I go back a long way, too. So much that some surmise we're more than friends.
She takes Woo-Jin's arm, like Su-Jin is holding Hyung-Chul's.
Sun-Mi.............. As for True Love, Ms. Park, whether it's fated or not, I believe we choose the ones we love.
She looks directly at Hyung-Chul pointedly.
Sun-Mi.............. Do you agree, Director Yoon?
Surprised -- and dismayed -- at her open display of affection with Woo-Jin, he replies coldly ...
Hyung-Chul....... You can't force love. You have to let the person do as she wants, then make your own choice.
She follows icily, tit for tat ...
Sun-Mi.............. Like when you think you know a person, yet he surprises you with something out of the blue?
Woo-Jin decides to step in, before things escalate further ...
Woo-Jin............ Sun-Mi, the time?
The intrusion distracts Sun-Mi from her affixation as she turns her head to look at Woo-Jin.
Sun-Mi.............. Huh? ... Oh. Yes. Right.
Turning back to Hyung-Chul, she bows her head formally.
Sun-Mi.............. Director Yoon, we have to leave first.
Hyung-Chul....... Of course.
Taking her bag from Woo-Jin, Sun-Mi goes with him over to his car.
He opens the passenger door and helps Sun-Mi alight, then faces Hyung-Chul and dips his head respectfully.
Circling to the driver's side, he gets in and starts the engine.
Hyung-Chul follows the car with his eyes as it circles the drive and heads for the MBS main gate.
Tired of waiting, Su-Jin pulls on his arm.
Su-Jin............... Let's go now. I'm famished!
But he ignores her, watching until the car passes the gate and turns onto the street.
Su-Jin............... They're gone. Now can we go?
Hyung-Chul looks at her, nods, and they walk off together ...
Sun-Mi is talking on her mobile phone as Woo-Jin drives.
Sun-Mi.............. Sister Agnes? It's Jin Sun-Mi. Something came up, so we'll have to reschedule.
She glances over at Woo-Jin.
Sun-Mi.............. Right. Next week? Text me ... Thanks, bye.
She closes her phone, but keeps it in her hand.
Woo-Jin............ You had a nun as a professor?
Sun-Mi.............. Not exactly. She teaches at my Uni, but we met on my flight to London, and kept in touch ever since.
She puts her phone back into her bag as she talks.
Sun-Mi.............. I wanted her insight on what the students are thinking about careers these days.
Woo-Jin............ Why cancel?
Sun-Mi.............. I don't feel up to it tonight. It's been a long day.
He knows there is more to it than she is willing to divulge, regarding Hyung-Chul and Su-Jin, but doesn't pry.
Woo-Jin............ Do you want to go for something to eat?
She considers for a moment, then smiles as she shakes her head.
Sun-Mi.............. Let's go to my place instead. We can cook up something there ...
Hyung-Chul and Su-Jin sit at a table for two, talking as they eat.
Hyung-Chul....... Why come to see me, after all this time?
He has a sip of wine, while she puts down her fork to answer.
Su-Jin............... I've been thinking about this for a long time ... I want to apologize for that day.
They both think back, to the last time they were together, and what happened ...
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FLASHBACK [Scene from Episode 4, in Hyung-Chul's London flat]
Su-Jin............... I promised you a present for your birthday ... Let me show you.
Hyung-Chul turns and looks, stunned at what he sees ...
Su-Jin............... I thought you'd like it ... I picked it out specially for you ...
Su-Jin............... Are you going to just stand there and gawk like a fool, or come over and unwrap your present?
She slips off her coat, turning to lay it on the couch.
Hyung-Chul doesn't answer or move, just watches her.
Su-Jin............... Suddenly, you're shy? Let me do it for you then.
She removes the ribbons, one at a time, dropping them on the floor.
Then she waits, but Hyung-Chul remains silent, immobile.
Feeling a bit uneasy under his unrelenting scrutiny, she laughs nervously.
Su-Jin............... Am I really that stunning? ... When you come to your senses, I'll be waiting in the bedroom ...
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Knife and fork in hand, Hyung-Chul cuts off a bite of steak as he reflects on that last encounter.
Su-Jin............... When I went to the bedroom, I had no idea what to expect, you were so inscrutable.
Hyung-Chul....... That's all in the past and best forgotten. Why not leave it behind us?
After a sip of wine, she disagrees ...
Su-Jin............... Except I can't forget. And neither can you, with every detail locked in your photographic memory.
He nods -- she is correct.
Su-Jin............... For five years, this has held us back. I want to move on. Don't you?
Hyung-Chul....... Okay. What do you want to say?
She puts the glass down, and takes a moment to collect her thoughts.
Su-Jin............... That summer I came to Cambridge, my father was pushing me to get closer to you.
Hyung-Chul....... I'd suspected as much.
Su-Jin............... The last thing I intended was to fall in love. But I did, and thought you loved me, too ...
The twist of her mouth shows she still feels the pain ...
Su-Jin............... That is, until you dumped me. Still, separation makes the heart grow fonder, right?
Hyung-Chul....... So they say.
Su-Jin............... And hope dies hard. So I came back, determined to rekindle the flame if possible.
....................... When I saw you with Jin Sun-Mi, my first instinct was to eliminate the competition.
Hyung-Chul....... That's why she ran off so suddenly?
Su-Jin............... She never told you?
Hyung-Chul....... No. What happened?
Su-Jin looks down guiltily, playing with the food on her plate as she replies ...
Su-Jin............... I'll leave it that a desperate woman can be ruthless, and I was desperate to hang onto you ...
Looking up again, she smiles sheepishly.
Su-Jin............... We both know how that went. Since then, I was too embarrassed to face you again.
Hyung-Chul....... Until today?
Su-Jin............... Being at MBS, I knew we'd meet eventually. So I decided it should be on my terms.
Hyung-Chul....... What do you want from me?
Su-Jin............... Is it too much to hope that we could start over, as friends?
Hyung-Chul....... Before we do that, there's something I should say, too ... But let's finish our dinner first ...
SCENE: Sun-Mi's kitchen, evening
Woo-Jin is chopping vegetables, while Sun-Mi stirs a pot on the cook top.
Woo-Jin............ I have this feeling of deja vue ... like we've been here before.
She looks up at him and laughs.
Sun-Mi.............. It's been a long time since we last cooked together, hasn't it?
He grins.
Woo-Jin............ Yes.
They both think back to that night, when the events that affected their lives to this day started unfolding ...
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FLASHBACK [Scene from Episode 1, in Sun-Mi's kitchen]
Sun-Mi.............. If you mom saw us she'd scold us.
Woo-Jin............ Why?
Sun-Mi.............. Because the two of us are alone here. She's so old-fashioned, you know.
Woo-Jin............ My mom doesn't know anything. Even if you tie the two of us together, nothing would happen, right?
Sun-Mi.............. That's what you think!
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Sun-Mi.............. Who would've thought that we'd be here again, just the two of us, alone together ...
She stops stirring and smiles broadly.
Sun-Mi.............. And with your mom's approval, no less.
As Sun-Mi seems in a better mood, Woo-Jin decides to bring up what happened earlier, at MBS.
Woo-Jin............ Why did you insinuate that we're together?
Sun-Mi.............. (humorously) We just spent every day together for the past two months. What should I have said?
Woo-Jin............ I think you're jealous Director Yoon was with Park Su-Jin.
His assertion gets an immediate, dismissive reaction from Sun-Mi ...
Sun-Mi.............. Humph! ... Me, jealous?
Woo-Jin............ Yes.
Sun-Mi.............. He can date anyone he likes, especially an old girlfriend! It doesn't matter to me!
Woo-Jin............ Then why act that way?
Putting down the stirring spoon, she faces Woo-Jin, crossing her arms adamantly to underscore her position.
Sun-Mi.............. All that matters is you get yourself back together, so your mom doesn't worry herself to death.
Hyung-Chul and Su-Jin continue their conversation over after-dinner drinks.
Su-Jin............... What was it you were going to tell me?
Hyung-Chul....... That summer, it wasn't just you who were being pressured by your parents.
Taking a last drag from a cigarette, he snuffs out the butt in an ashtray on the table.
Hyung-Chul....... I wanted to make a show in front of Yoo Joo-Hee, and it needed to be convincing.
She looks at him, astounded ...
Su-Jin............... You used me? It was all a pretense?
He stares down into his drink remorsefully.
Hyung-Chul....... It wasn't personal. It could've been anyone. I didn't think you'd take it seriously and come back.
Su-Jin............... Then what you said that day, in your bedroom ...
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FLASHBACK [Bedroom in Hyung-Chul's London flat]
Su-Jin is reclining on the bed, waiting for Hyung-Chul, and greets him with a warm smile.
Su-Jin............... (seductively) Let me help you get comfortable, oppa.
But he turns on her lividly ...
Hyung-Chul....... Get up!
Bewildered, she stands, indignant over his sudden change of attitude.
Su-Jin............... Oppa? What's wrong with you?!
Hyung-Chul....... Did you really think I intended to sleep with you?
Su-Jin............... Before ... Why look at me like that? Why not say something then?
Hyung-Chul....... (scoffing) I wanted to see how far you'd go, to making a fool of yourself.
Su-Jin............... You --you're calling me a fool?
Hyung-Chul....... Would you prefer I called you a slut? Because that's what you're acting like.
Su-Jin............... W--what?! ... I did this for you. I LOVE you!
He looks at her contemptuously.
Hyung-Chul....... I'm not sure I know what love is, but I know this isn't even close. Actually, it sickens me!
She stares at him, shocked ...
Su-Jin............... Now I disgust you, too?
Angry, hurt, tears well up in her eyes.
Su-Jin............... If you're trying to humiliate me, you're doing a bang up job of it!
Hyung-Chul....... I don't have to humiliate you. You've done that to yourself, Su-Jin. So just get out ...
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Hyung-Chul....... I did it so you'd give up and not come back ...
Su-Jin............... (irately) Well, you were successful at that!
He lowers his eyes guiltily.
Hyung-Chul....... If it means anything, I'm sorry. I know I was totally in the wrong.
He looks up at her again.
Hyung-Chul....... Now that you know the truth, do you still want to be friends?
Su-Jin takes a sip of her drink, answering thoughtfully.
Su-Jin............... Actually, I was kind of acting slutty. But you ... you were being a real jerk.
Hyung-Chul....... (nods ruefully) You're right about that.
Su-Jin............... Do you honestly regret?
Hyung-Chul....... If I had a do-over, I'd be honest with you from the beginning.
She leans forward and smiles.
Su-Jin............... So let's do it over then, and be honest, this time. Why can't a slut and a jerk be friends?
SCENE: Sun-Mi's bedroom, night
Sun-Mi sits on her bed, rehashing her sole interaction with Su-Jin five years ago in London ...
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FLASHBACK [In Hyung-Chul's London flat]
Su-Jin............... You can't hold a candle to me as a woman, if you're thinking about taking me on ...
She aggressively moves closer, her tone menacing ...
Su-Jin............... Spare yourself the humiliation, and slink out now, while you have some face left. It's your choice ...
But Sun-Mi stands her ground ...
Sun-Mi.............. Regardless of who you are, you've no right to talk to me like that!
Backing off the pressure, Su-Jin smiles easily and her voice lightens up ...
Su-Jin............... I'm only giving you some good advice, because you seem like an innocent girl. ....................... Do you realize that Yoon Hyung-Chul is not just any ordinary man? Do you know whose son he is?
Sun-Mi.............. I don't care about that. To me, he is just another person. A good friend, who treats me well.
Su-Jin nods like she's heard this before.
Su-Jin............... I understand why you like him. Wherever he goes, there's dozens of girls lined up who'd die for him. ....................... It's a natural temptation, so I don't blame him for indulging their hopes, then leaving a trail of broken hearts.
Sun-Mi.............. Senior is a sincere person. He's not like that!
Su-Jin............... Really? Then ponder this: He can have any woman in the world, so why a plain, ordinary girl like you?
She smiles sympathetically ...
Su-Jin............... Whatever he promises, when he tires of it, he'll move on. Don't let him take you for a fool, too. ....................... I'm not bragging, but in the end, he always comes back to me after his flings.
Sun-Mi.............. I don't believe any of this!
Su-Jin............... Then stay, and I'll ask him to his face. Are you so sure you're right, that you want to hear the answer?
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She ponders that question, and her reaction back then ...
Sun-Mi.............. Am I still running away today, afraid to know the truth?
Contemplating the anklet on her right leg, she reflects on Su-Jin's warning ...
Su-Jin............... (V.O.) Whatever he promises ...
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FLASHBACK [Scene from Episode 13, at Sun-Mi's birthday celebration, night]
Hyung-Chul. Your pearl is from the ocean and the peridot are from outer space. But they're together now.
Hyung-Chul. If you give it to your sweet-heart, the two of you can meet in the next life.
Hyung-Chul. Let's see each other in the next life.
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Su-Jin............... (V.O.) when he tires of you, he'll move on ...
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FLASHBACK [Previous scene from Episode 15, in Sun-Mi's garden, after she lied to Hyung-Chul about Woo-Jin]
Hyung-Chul. When I think you've taken a step closer, you take a step back ... It's tiring, so I hope you can stop it.
FLASHBACK [Previous scene from Episode 16, at the MBS entrance]
Hyung-Chul....... You can't force love. You have to let a person do what she wants, then make your choice.
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Su-Jin............... (V.O.) He always comes back to me after his flings ...
Sun-Mi.............. Is it just a coincidence that Park Su-Jin has reappeared now? Or is it Fate?
She reaches down to touch the anklet.
Sun-Mi.............. Can the pearl and peridot, coming from different worlds, have anything in common?
Un fastening the clasp, she removes the jewelry from her leg.
Sun-Mi.............. Isn't someone like Yoo Joo-Hee, or Park Su-Jin, who shares his world, more compatible?
Holding the circlet in her hand, she rolls the smooth stones between her fingers.
Sun-Mi.............. Isn't it time to stop playing Cinderella, admit the truth, and face reality?
To Be Continued...