All About Eve 'Uncut' -- A Spring Apart
by AAEfanatic
Episode 18A
INTERCUT SCENES: Sun-Mi's taxi / Hyung-Chul's villa, morning
SCENE: Hyung-Chul's villa, morning
SCENE: Hyung-Chul's living room, morning
SCENE: Outside Hyung-Chul's villa, morning
SCENE: Riverside restaurant, midday
SCENE: Park entrance, afternoon
SCENE: Han River park, afternoon
SCENE: Han River park, afternoon
SCENE: Inside Young-Mi's apartment, afternoon
SCENE: MBS building exterior, morning
SCENE: Director Kim's office, morning
SCENE: MBS main entrance, morning
Act 1 - Part 3
INTERCUT SCENES: Sun-Mi's taxi / Hyung-Chul's villa, morning
Sun-Mi's Taxi
Looking out at the traffic jam, Sun-Mi worries ...
Sun-Mi.............. Sir, how much longer?
Driver............... Sorry, Miss. It's hard to say. There's an accident up ahead.
Sun-Mi takes her mobile from her purse.
Holding it, she deliberates quietly ...
Sun-Mi.............. What if I call, and he won't pick up? But if I don't and he leaves first, I won't have a chance, either ...
The driver looks back at her in the rearview mirror.
Driver............... Miss Jin, did you say something?
Sun-Mi.............. Sir, I don't know what I should do.
Driver............... Can I give you some advice I heard recently?
Sun-Mi.............. Why not? ... (ironically) Even the "Goddess of Love" can use some good advice now and then.
Driver............... I quote -- "Sometimes we let fear cloud our mind. But if it's True Love you don't need to be afraid."
He grins, eyes twinkling.
Driver............... Pretty good, eh? I heard it from the expert ...
Sun-Mi smiles thoughtfully.
Sun-Mi.............. Actually, the expert was my mother. Thank you for reminding me.
She flips open her phone, and taps in the number ...
Hyung-Chul's villa
Hyung-Chul is at the kitchen sink, washing dishes.
[ phone starts ringing ]
He looks over his shoulder at the phone.
Sun-Mi's Taxi
[ phone ringing ]
Waiting for Hyung-Chul to answer, Sun-Mi mentally prepares herself ...
Sun-Mi.............. (V.O.) When he answers, what should I say first? ... Where do we begin again?
[ phone ringing ]
Hyung-Chul's villa
[ phone ringing ]
After drying his hands, Hyung-Chul comes over to answer the phone.
But before he picks up, another sound catches his attention ...
[ doorbell chimes ]
He stops and looks toward the door, then back at the phone.
[ phone ringing ]
[ doorbell chimes ]
Sun-Mi's Taxi
Hyung-Chul....... (V.O. on the phone) This is Yoon Hyung-Chul. Please leave me a message.
Sun-Mi cuts off the call and closes her phone.
With a sigh, she gazes out at the stalled traffic.
Driver............... Changed your mind, Miss?
Sun-Mi notices the driver watching her in the mirror, and smiles self-consciously.
Sun-Mi.............. Er ... Some things are better said face to face.
He nods.
Driver............... The traffic ahead is starting to clear. We'll be moving soon.
SCENE: Hyung-Chul's villa, morning
Hyung-Chul opens his door to find Young-Mi standing outside.
Surprised, he waits for an explanation.
Young-Mi.......... It's a day off, but I was worried you'd have gone to work ...
Sun-Mi's taxi speeds down the street ...
Driver............... (V.O.) We should get there in about twenty minutes ...
SCENE: Hyung-Chul's living room, morning
Young-Mi puts a packet on the coffee table for Hyung-Chul.
Young-Mi.......... It's a topic for the next broadcast.
....................... The reason I'm seeing you and showing you first, is because I thought people would laugh.
....................... I don't want to be embarrassed if it's not good enough.
Hyung-Chul looks through the papers.
Hyung-Chul....... Aren't you embarrassed in front of me?
Young-Mi.......... Not any more. I've done many embarrassing things in your presence ...
She smiles.
Young-Mi.......... You can get used to that too.
Hyung-Chul....... You seem to be interested in family-related news.
She smiles again.
Young-Mi.......... I guess I am. I'm different from people who have decent families.
Hyung-Chul looks up at Young-Mi.
Hyung-Chul....... I'm sorry.
Young-Mi.......... It's all right. Thank you for your time.
Hyung-Chul....... Not at all. It's a good topic. It'll make a good story.
Hyung-Chul stands.
Hyung-Chul....... You're here already so let's eat lunch.
Young-Mi.......... Mr. Director? I heard from Sun-Mi ... that you broke up ...
Her question catches Hyung-Chul by surprise -- that Sun-Mi would spread the news so quickly.
In his silence, she ventures another question ...
Young-Mi.......... Is that true?
Hyung-Chul looks away.
Hyung-Chul....... Do I have to answer you?
Young-Mi stands.
Young-Mi.......... No. You don't. But forgive me for being curious. Of course I would be.
Wanting to avoid further discussion on the unpleasant topic, he moves on ...
Hyung-Chul....... What should we have for lunch?
SCENE: Outside Hyung-Chul's villa, morning
Sun-Mi's taxi pulls up and stops at the entrance to Hyung-Chul's villa complex.
She alghts from the cab and slings her purse strap over her shoulder, ready to walk into the car park.
But as the taxi drives off, she sees Hyung-Chul and Young-Mi leaving his building together.
Wanting to avoid a scene with Young-Mi, Sun-Mi turns and quickly walks away, before she is noticed.
Young-Mi is talking on her mobile ...
Young-Mi.......... Woo-Jin? ... Sorry, but we can't have lunch today ... Something came up, for work.
Woo-Jin............ (V.O. on the phone) On your weekend off?
Young-Mi.......... Announcers never have weekends off, at least not the ones who are successful.
Woo-Jin............ (sarcastically) You can't even get an hour free?
Young-Mi.......... You know how it is! Don't ask me to choose!
Woo-Jin's car is stopped at the street curb.
He is in the driver's seat, mobile to his ear ...
Woo-Jin............ Sorry. We just haven't had a real date together for a long time.
Young-Mi.......... (V.O. on the phone) It's just this once.
Woo-Jin............ What about later?
Young-Mi.......... I don't know when I'll finish. I don't want to keep you waiting.
Woo-Jin............ That's not a problem.
Young-Mi.......... (irritated) Look, I'll make it up to you another time, Oppa, okay?
He starts to suspect something is afoot ...
Woo-Jin............ Sure ... Well then ...
Young-Mi.......... I really gotta go now. Bye.
Woo-Jin is about to close his phone, when it rings.
[ mobile phone ringtone ]
Glancing at the screen first, he puts it up to his ear again.
Woo-Jin............ Hello ... Sun-Mi?
Sun-Mi.............. I'm sorry it's such short notice, but are you free to meet up?
Woo-Jin............ (V.O. on the phone) Right now?
Sun-Mi.............. Yes. It's important.
Woo-Jin............ Sure. Where?
Sun-Mi.............. That park, where we used to go.
Woo-Jin............ Okay, I'll see you there.
Sun-Mi.............. No rush. It's a nice day. I'll wait ...
SCENE: Riverside restaurant, midday
Hyung-Chul and Young-Mi are having coffee after lunch at a restaurant overlooking the Han River.
Hyung-Chul....... It was a good choice to come here.
Young-Mi.......... I told you the food, and the view, were great. Thank you for paying.
Hyung-Chul....... Since we met for work, it's on the Company, not me.
Young-Mi.......... Anyway, it was a real treat for us to eat as friends. I feel like we've crossed a big hurdle.
Hyung-Chul....... I suppose it just took some time to gain a sense of familiarity.
Young-Mi.......... You're not an easy person to know.
Hyung-Chul....... I can say the same about you.
She smiles.
Young-Mi.......... See! I told you we have more in common than was first apparent.
He laughs.
Hyung-Chul....... So you did.
Young-Mi.......... Trusting relationships are essential if our team is to win the fight against Art Club.
Hyung-Chul....... Isn't that taking things too extreme? It's competition, not war.
Young-Mi.......... You're not concerned about Director Kim taking control of MBS?
Hyung-Chul....... Frankly, there's days that I wish he would. It's not the life I envisioned for myself.
Young-Mi.......... Oh? What is?
Hyung-Chul....... As a child, my dream was to be a musician and perform my own songs.
Young-Mi.......... Well, you certainly have the talent for it.
He shrugs off the compliment indifferently.
Hyung-Chul....... It's just an old dream. There are more important things to deal with now ...
SCENE: Park entrance, afternoon
Walking from the car park, Woo-Jin ponders the reasons for Sun-Mi's urgent call.
He stops when he sees Sun-Mi pacing at the entrance gate.
Noticing her pensive expression, he holds back, recalling what she told him the last time they met ...
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FLASHBACK [ Scene from Episode 17 ]
Sun-Mi.............. Actually, I have a confession. I never intended to go through with the wedding.
Sun-Mi.............. I saw it as a way to test Senior's sincerity.
....................... Because being Cinderella doesn�t happen in real life, only in fairytales ...
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FLASHBACK [ Scene from Episode 17 ]
Sun-Mi.............. When I see Su-Jin with Senior, they look so good together, I feel like I'm dying inside ...
Sun-Mi.............. What will I do if I -- I actually lose him? ...
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FLASHBACK [ Scene from Episode 17 ]
Sun-Mi.............. As long as I'm on Eve's Morning, I can't avoid Senior, and seeing him now is too hard.
Sun-Mi.............. That's why I've decided to quit MBS ...
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Sensing she is being watched, Sun-Mi turns her head and sees Woo-Jin.
She forces a smile to show her gratitude for his coming.
SCENE: Han River park, afternoon
Meanwhile, Hyung-Chul and Young-Mi are strolling the Han River park walkway near the restaurant ...
Hyung-Chul....... How about you? What was your dream?
Young-Mi.......... I always wanted to be the top news announcer at MBS. You could say I'm almost living my dream.
Hyung-Chul....... Not many people can say that so young. You must be happy.
She answers thoughtfully ...
Young-Mi.......... It's not like I imagined. I've found that just living your dream is not enough.
....................... You need someone you care about to share it with. But you know about that, too.
Hyung-Chul doesn't answer, and they walk on in silence ...
Woo-Jin and Sun-Mi find a quiet place to sit by the lake, where they can talk privately.
Sun-Mi.............. I'm not bothering you, right?
Woo-Jin............ Bothering? Of course not. How would meeting you be bothersome?
Sun-Mi smiles in response.
Woo-Jin............ Truth is, I wanted to see you too. I have something to tell you.
....................... I'm not sure if I should tell anyone else, but I have to tell you.
She looks curiously at Woo-Jin.
Sun-Mi.............. What is it?
He sighs.
Woo-Jin............ You go first.
Sun-Mi.............. You first. Is it good news?
Instead, he makes a likely guess ...
Woo-Jin............ Is it about Director Yoon?
Sun-Mi looks away and takes a deep breath as if about to say something, but doesn't reply.
SCENE: Han River park, afternoon
Hyung-Chul and Young-Mi stroll along the river walkway for some distance in silence.
Occasionally, she glances apprehensively at him, but Hyung-Chul's brooding expression hides his thoughts.
Finally, he stops, and turns to face her.
Hyung-Chul....... It's far enough, we should go back now.
Young-Mi.......... I'm sorry if what I said earlier made you uncomfortable.
Hyung-Chul....... It's not what you said, but because I'm not used to talking about it.
Young-Mi.......... Are you embarrassed in front of me?
He doesn't reply.
Young-Mi.......... You needn't be. I know how hard it is, the memories coming back to haunt ...
She smiles encouragingly.
Young-Mi.......... It helps to share the burden. Let's try to support and comfort each other ...
From Sun-Mi's silence, Woo-Jin figures he has hit the mark, and ploughs forward ...
Woo-Jin............ You still haven't told him how you really feel?
She smiles sadly.
Sun-Mi.............. How do I really feel? ... Senior and I have broken up.
Woo-Jin............ Did you maybe ...
She quickly breaks in, interrupting to ally his concern.
Sun-Mi.............. No, it's not because of you.
She looks away.
Sun-Mi.............. It's because of me ... Honestly, I don't want to keep making him wait. I was too ashamed.
Woo-Jin looks at Sun-Mi, concerned.
She sighs.
Sun-Mi.............. But I'm not sure why I'm doing this. Whoever he wants to see or meet? ... What should it matter to me?
Woo-Jin............ Is that ... Young-Mi?
Sun-Mi nods sadly. Woo-Jin looks sadder at the news.
Sun-Mi.............. I'm sorry, Woo-Jin. I know I shouldn't talk about Young-Mi with you ...
Woo-Jin closes his eyes to steel himself in anticipation of what she is going to say.
Sun-Mi.............. And I don't want to talk about Young-Mi around you ...
....................... But I saw the two of them in front of Senior's house ...
The sorrow in her voice moves Woo-Jin beyond his own hurt.
He opens his eyes, to share the anguish in hers.
Sun-Mi.............. The moment I saw them I couldn't breathe.
Woo-Jin looks at Sun-Mi with supportive empathy.
Woo-Jin............ It's OK.
He puts his hand on Sun-Mi's anad holds it comfortingly.
Woo-Jin............ Everything will be OK, Sun-Mi.
They sit silently, keeping to their own thoughts ...
SCENE: Inside Young-Mi's apartment, afternoon
Young-Mi enters her apartment, thinking happily about her time with Hyung-Chul.
Woo-Jin is sitting on a chair in the middle of the room, holding a cup, waiting for her.
When she sees him, Young-Mi stops in surprise, her smile fading ...
Young-Mi.......... Oppa?
Quickly recovering her wits, she walks past him.
Young-Mi.......... Did you wait long?
Woo-Jin............ No.
Young-Mi.......... That's good.
She sits down on the bed and opens her purse.
Woo-Jin............ Are you done with work?
Young-Mi.......... Right.
Taking a paper from her purse, Young-Mi unfolds it and begins to look it over ...
Woo-Jin............ Who told you to come out?
Young-Mi.......... Er ... Mr. Kim.
[ sound of paper rustling ]
Aware that she is lying, Woo-Jin presses ...
Woo-Jin............ What did you talk about?
Young-Mi sighs and looks over to Woo-Jin irritably.
Young-Mi.......... Why are you asking so many questions?
Woo-Jin looks challengingly at Young-Mi.
Young-Mi.......... Oh ...
She nervously adjusts her hair as she smiles uneasily.
Young-Mi.......... Nothing really ... I'm kind of tired, can I lie down?
Woo-Jin............ Sure, sleep.
As Young-Mi lies down to rest, Woo-Jin sits by the window.
Gazing outside, he ponders what to do about her continuing lies.
He looks over at Young-Mi, and sees she is asleep.
Going over to her, he gently caresses her hair.
Woo-Jin............ Young-Mi ... I understand now how plagued you are.
Tears roll down his cheek.
Woo-Jin............ I must be as plagued as you ... Young-Mi ... I love you.
SCENE: MBS building exterior, morning
The next morning ...
SCENE: Director Kim's office, morning
Sun-Mi is in an impromptu conference with Director Kim Eun-Ki ...
Eun-Ki.............. Would you like my secretary to bring coffee?
Sun-Mi.............. That's not necessary. I won't be long.
Eun-Ki.............. What's so important that you wanted to meet before hours?
Sun-Mi.............. We need to bring in a new designer, so we don't have a moment to lose. I've prepared ...
Eun-Ki.............. Whoa! One step at a time, please ... A new designer?
Sun-Mi.............. Hasn't Park Su-Jin spoken to you already?
Eun-Ki.............. Yes. She mentioned you two were having some disagreement.
....................... An old tiff that you're still carrying a grudge over. Is that true, Announcer Jin?
Sun-Mi.............. Is that what she said? It's not like that, I...
Eun-Ki.............. Whatever ... Don't you understand how this puts me in a difficult spot?
Sun-Mi.............. Excuse me?
Eun-Ki.............. The Company has invested significant resources into this program.
....................... My personal reputation and professional career are staked on a successful outcome.
....................... And now, it's all at risk because two of my team are having a hissy fit? -- Incredible!
Making the issue about him sets Sun-Mi on edge ...
Sun-Mi.............. You see this as a ... a hissy fit?
Eun-Ki.............. Announcer Jin, we're a broadcasting company, not a middle school. This is no place for petty spats.
....................... If you think Park Su-Jin disrespects you, act like a professional, and prove her wrong!
Sun-Mi.............. But ...
He raises his hand to stay her.
Eun-Ki.............. Take some time off work to think things through. Then come back and see me.
Sun-Mi.............. Director Kim, I just can't ...
Eun-Ki eyes her sternly, pointing his finger at Sun-Mi to emphasize his decision ...
Eun-Ki.............. This discussion is over. Go home. That's an order!
SCENE: MBS lift car, morning
As Sun-Mi rides the lift down, she grumbles over her abrupt dismissal by Director Kim ...
Sun-Mi.............. Huh! How can he just send me home, without even hearing me out! ... It's unfair!
When the lift car stops on the main floor, the doors open to a waiting queue ready to board.
Seeing the sole passenger, they part way for her to get off.
Sun-Mi dips her head apologetically, cheeks red with embarrassment, as if they all knew why she was going out so early.
Quickly she passes through the queue, avoiding eye contact, hoping none are her office colleagues.
SCENE: MBS main entrance, morning
Coming out the revolving door, Sun-Mi finds Su-Jin waiting by the entrance with her car.
Looking the other way, she attempts to walk past without acknowledging her.
But Su-Jin steps up to block her way.
Su-Jin............... Hey, Jin Sun-Mi, leaving early today?
Sun-Mi returns an icy glare.
Sun-Mi.............. That's none of your business!
Su-Jin............... If it's any consolation, Director Kim sent me home, too.
Her frank admission surprises Sun-Mi, but she snaps back ...
Sun-Mi.............. Did you think I care?
Su-Jin............... It's not often I get a scolding for what someone else did.
....................... Like back in school, the whole class is punished for the misdeeds of one.
Sun-Mi.............. Humph! Who said I did anything wrong?
Su-Jin............... Then why were sent home?
Anxiously, Sun-Mi looks around, but is relieved to see that no one is near enough to overhear them.
Su-Jin............... Embarrassing, isn't it? Being treated like an errant school girl?
Sun-Mi.............. Umm ...
Su-Jin............... Come on. I'll give you a ride.
Su-Jin starts to go to the driver's side of her BMW, but Sun-Mi doesn't move.
Sun-Mi.............. (coldly) You go first. I'll go my own way.
Su-Jin turns back with an grin and laughs.
Su-Jin............... Jin Sun-Mi, you really do surprise me sometimes.
Her unexpected response causes Sun-Mi to wonder.
Su-Jin............... I know I'm the last person you want to be with right now.
....................... But I thought at least you'd be curious why I made the offer ...
To Be Continued ...