All About Eve 'Uncut' -- A Spring Apart
by AAEfanatic
Episode 18A
SCENE: Exterior of Young-Mi's apartment building, night
SCENE: Young-Mi's studio, night
SCENE: Seoul street, late night
SCENE: Exterior of Hyung-Chul's villa complex, late night
SCENE: Hyung-Chul's villa apartment, late night
SCENE: Exterior of Sun-Mi's apartment building, late night
SCENE: Sun-Mi's apartment, late night
SCENE: Exterior of Hyung-Chul's villa complex, late night
SCENE: Sun-Mi's bedroom, late night
SCENE: Hyung-Chul's villa apartment, late night
Act 4 - Part 2C
[ American '90's soft rock background music ]
After dinner with Director Kim Eun-Ki, Su-Jin goes to a nearby pub for a drink.
Sitting at the bar, she mulls over Eun-Ki's unexpected proposal ...
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FLASHBACK [ Scene from earlier in this Episode ]
Eun-Ki.............. It's yours to keep ...
Eun-Ki.............. I've never felt this way about a woman before. If that isn't love, what is?
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Wistfully, she recalls another night, and another proposal ...
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FLASHBACK [ Scene from Episode 16 ]
Su-Jin............... I hoped that you might love me for myself -- isn't that what every woman wants?
....................... But business is business, and love is love ...
Su-Jin............... Together, we can save your family legacy ... What do you say? ... Will you marry me?
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She tosses back the remainder of her drink in a long swallow.
Catching the attention of the middle-aged bartender, Su-Jin slides her empty glass across the bar.
Su-Jin............... Ms. Lim? Another of the same.
The woman gives her a questioning look.
Lim.................. Aren't you hitting it a bit hard tonight, Miss Park?
Su-Jin responds with a tipsy grin.
Su-Jin............... I'm celebrating a first. Tonight someone proposed marriage to me.
While mixing her cocktail, the bartender remarks on Su-Jin's demeanor ...
Lim.................. Is that so? You don't look very happy to me.
Su-Jin sighs dejectedly.
Su-Jin............... I've had so many hopes, longed for so many years, to have someone say he loved me.
....................... Yet now that it's happened, I don't know what to do. Am I pathetic, or not?
Lim.................. You're not sure about this guy?
Su-Jin............... On the one hand, he's distinguished, well-off, intelligent, thoughtful, and charming.
....................... We're compatible in many ways, and he truly seems to understand and adore me.
....................... Though he's older, he has a more mature outlook than most men my age.
Lim.................. You didn't say if you'd be happy with him.
Su-Jin............... Sometimes accepting what you can get gives more happiness than getting what you want.
The bartender places Su-Jin's new drink on the bar.
Lim.................. What about the other hand?
Su-Jin takes a sip first, before she answers.
Su-Jin............... That's the problem ... an unrequited love that goes back to my youth.
....................... He rejected me for another woman who's strung him along for years, leaving him in limbo.
....................... Recently they broke up -- again -- and I find myself hoping that this may be another chance for me.
Lim.................. So, you're deciding whether to take the bird in the hand, or grasp for the one in the bush?
Su-Jin............... More or less.
Lim.................. I can't say I'm an expert on love, but I've heard some good advice in my years.
Su-Jin............... Right now, I could use any advice.
Lim.................. There's this radio show host I used to listen to, on Musical Postcards. Do you know her?
Su-Jin............... ( wryly ) Jin Sun-Mi? Yes, who doesn't?
Lim.................. She once advised that the mind is obedient, but the heart is the problem.
Su-Jin wrinkles her nose.
Su-Jin............... Humph! ... What kind of advice is that?
The older woman smiles knowingly.
Lim.................. I think she means it's easy to convince ourselves that something we want is right for us.
....................... But our heart knows the truth, and can't be fooled ...
SCENE: Exterior of Young-Mi's apartment building, night
Woo-Jin is waiting outside the entrance to Young-Mi's building as a dark blue BMW stops on the street.
The driver's door opens, and Hyung-Chul gets out of the car.
A second later, passenger side front door opens, and Young-Mi alights, too.
She closes the car door and turns to face Hyung-Chul.
Curious to see what will happen, Woo-Jin steps back into the shadows to eavesdrop.
Young-Mi.......... Thank you for tonight, Director. I really enjoyed the time we had together.
....................... Would you like to come in and have something to drink?
....................... There's some materials for the program I want to go over with you.
Looking back at her, Hyung-Chul doesn't reply.
Young-Mi.......... ( uneasily ) Er ... in that case, then, we can do it Monday.
....................... I'll leave first. Good night.
As she starts to turn away, Hyung-Chul speaks up harshly ...
Hyung-Chul....... Huh Young-Mi!
Young-Mi.......... Yes?
Hyung-Chul....... Did you really think you'd get away with it?!
Young-Mi.......... What are you talking about?
Hyung-Chul....... Sabotaging your gown that Sun-Mi was to wear at the Gala. That's what!
His unexpected accusation rattles her.
Young-Mi.......... Wh - why would I do that?
Hyung-Chul....... Then you deny re-sewing the gown so it would fall apart while Sun-Mi was on stage?
Young-Mi.......... Er ... that is ...
Hyung-Chul....... Using the dissolving thread was clever. But adding the itching powder was a bit too clever.
....................... Because of that, we found out and changed the dress at the last minute.
Young-Mi ......... ( bristling ) Did Sun-Mi blame me?! Does she have any evidence to prove it?
Hyung-Chul....... Security found an empty container in a car park waste bin tonight, while we were having dinner.
....................... They're checking the fingerprints on it for a match as we speak. Is that enough evidence?
He glares at her over the car.
Hyung-Chul....... Do you have anything you want to admit now?
Young-Mi realizes that due to her carelessness, she has been caught red-handed.
Dropping her offended attitude, she adopts a conciliatory tone.
Young-Mi.......... You're right. It was me. I sabotaged the gown.
Hyung-Chul....... Has competing with Sun-Mi come to this level? Are you that jealous of her?
Young-Mi.......... You misunderstand my intentions. I didn't do it for myself -- I did it for you!
Hyung-Chul....... ( skeptically ) How does attacking Sun-Mi like that help me?
Young-Mi.......... Can't you see what she's up to?! Sun-Mi used you to advance her career ambitions.
....................... And now that she doesn't need you, she's betrayed your trust, going over to Director Kim!
....................... Art Club is beating Eve's Morning only because Sun-Mi is so popular.
....................... I hoped that by taking her down a notch, Director Kim will lose, so you can hold on to your legacy.
Hyung-Chul....... Regardless of your motives, what you did was wrong. Did you think you wouldn't be punished?
Young-Mi.......... You're my life savior -- it's your decision what to do with me.
....................... Even if you fire me and end my career, I still won't regret doing all I could trying to help you.
Hyung-Chul....... We won't have to go that far. I'll consider this as a case of mistaken loyalty on your part.
....................... The Company will stand by the official line, so you needn't worry about any repercussions.
....................... I've already spoken to Sun-Mi. She's willing to accept this and move on, as if nothing happened.
Young-Mi.......... Then there's nothing more to say.
Hyung-Chul....... I'll leave first. See you at the office.
Young-Mi.......... Good night, Director.
Hyung-Chul gets back in the car and drives away.
After watching him off, Young-Mi turns to go inside, but is startled to find Woo-Jin standing in her way.
She smiles nervously, wondering what he might have overheard.
Young-Mi.......... Oppa!? ... Why are you here?
He acts nonchalantly, as if knowing nothing.
Woo-Jin............ Why else? To see you. Let's go inside...
SCENE: Young-Mi's studio, night
Young-Mi and Woo-Jin enter her studio apartment together.
After the door closes shut, he turns and confronts her.
Woo-Jin............ Don't you have something to tell me?
Young-Mi.......... You mean, about Director Yoon? After the Gala, he invited me to join him for dinner.
....................... I can't afford to turn him down. He's my boss, and I won't put my job on the line over a dinner.
Woo-Jin............ You really have nothing to say? About the Gala? Sun-Mi?
Smiling innocently, she avoids a direct answer.
Young-Mi.......... I'm just glad that it's over! Why don't we open a bottle of wine first, and have a drink?
....................... It was a long day, so we can catch up with things, and ...
Then she notices that Woo-Jin is glaring intently at her, his expression ice cold.
Young-Mi.......... Oppa? What is it?
Woo-Jin............ Don't act like you don't know!
Changing course, Young-Mi moves to take advantage of his weakness for her womanly charms.
She slips her arms around his neck, pressing her soft curves against Woo-Jin as she hungrily kisses him.
Young-Mi.......... You miss me, is that it? I'm sorry I've been busy, ignoring you for so long.
....................... Forget about the drinks. I'm missing you like crazy, too ...
Abruptly rejecting her advances, Woo-Jin roughly shoves Young-Mi away, angrily demanding ...
Woo-Jin............ Stop it!
Young-Mi staggers back. Hoping to elicit some sympathy, she 'conveniently' collapses onto the floor.
Seeing through her ploy, Woo-Jin stands over her, seething.
Woo-Jin............ Do you hate Sun-Mi so much, that you'd ruin her reputation and destroy her career?
....................... Don't lie to me! I heard every word with Director Yoon!
Folding her legs under herself, Young-Mi sits up.
Young-Mi.......... You're exaggerating things! It was nothing more than an embarrassing prank.
Woo-Jin............ Only a prank?! A person like Sun-Mi would never live down the shame.
....................... She'd feel obligated to resign after such a scandal!
Young-Mi.......... Yes, the 'old fashioned' Sun-Mi would resign. But Sun-Mi isn't that person anymore.
....................... Since becoming the emcee for Art Club, she's changed! Can't you see that!
....................... Look at her now -- what she is doing. Can you honestly say, she has any shame now?!
Woo-Jin............ How does any of that matter? Don't make excuses!
....................... After what you did to Yoo Joo-Hee, I warned you not to step over the line again!
Young-Mi.......... But, oppa, this is different ...
Woo-Jin............ Is it? ... It's your ambitions that are causing you to be like this.
....................... Since you can't stop yourself, I'll have to make you stop!
....................... Give up and resign from MBS. We'll go somewhere and start a new life together.
Tears roll in Young-Mi's eyes.
Young-Mi.......... Please, Oppa! My career is everything to me. I worked so hard for this. It's all I have ...
....................... Don't make me throw it away. I'll do better! I'll change! I really will!
Woo-Jin............ Stop lying! I've heard enough. Do you think I'm a fool?! I hate your lying more than anything!
....................... Either resign voluntarily, or I'll send the tape to the police, and then you'll go to prison.
....................... I don't want to do that, unless you force me too. You decide which it will be.
Young-Mi.......... You k now how pitifully I lived, and so how much being successful means to me!
....................... Then why are you doing this? Do you hate me that much, because I broke up with you?!
She kneels in front of him.
Young-Mi.......... I can change, really I can! Please believe me! With your help, I can be a better person. Please ...
Woo-Jin, his face emotionless, is unmoved by her desperate pleas.
Woo-Jin............ Monday at one o'clock, meet me in the canteen. Bring your resignation letter.
....................... I'll have the tape, just in case. Don't make me use it.
He turns and stalks out, slamming the door with a bang.
Alone, Young-Mi sobs disconsolately ...
Young-Mi.......... You're taking away ... my reason ... for living ...
....................... Oppa ... I can't live ... knowing that ... you hate me ...
SCENE: Seoul street, late night
Heavy rain pours down as a thunderstorm blows in.
[ lightning flashes, followed by thunder ]
Su-Jin is riding in the back seat of the taxi, when her mobile rings.
Taking the phone from her handbag, she checks the caller ID first.
Su-Jin............... Ki-Young? Why are you calling so late?
Ki-Young........... ( V.O. on the phone) To give you a heads-up. I'm sending Jin Sun-Mi home right now.
....................... Don't expect her to be in for work first thing tomorrow.
Su-Jin............... Not to worry. Tomorrow is her day off. But I thought she wasn't going to see you anymore?
Ki-Young........... Me, too. I was surprised when she called me to join her at the club.
....................... Turns out she was taking it hard after breaking up with some guy, and wanted a sympathetic ear.
....................... To make a long story short, she's not in any condition to send herself home.
....................... So I get to play the white knight, again.
Su-Jin............... Good for you.
Ki-Young........... Any chance you could swing by and help get her into bed, like the last time?
Su-Jin............... Sun-Mi is a big girl. I'll let her deal with the consequences. You should, too.
....................... Frankly, if it involves her and a man, you're asking for trouble.
Ki-Young........... I t seems I'm a glutton for trouble.
Su-Jin chuckles.
Su-Jin............... You wear your heart on your sleeve too much. I worry you'll get hurt.
Ki-Young........... No need. My eyes are wide open ...
Su-Jin............... Then it can't be helped ... so I'm hanging up now. Good night!
Ki-Young........... Hey, let's get together sometime, okay?
Su-Jin............... Maybe next weekend? Text me ... Bye.
As she returns the phone to her handbag, Su-Jin notices her wallet.
Taking the wallet out she opens it to look at a picture ...
The photo brings a wistful smile to Su-Jin's face as she recalls memories of her bittersweet holiday in Jeju ...
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FLASHBACK [ Previous scenes from Episode 17 ]
Su-Jin............... (V. O.) Did you ask me to come, because of business, or love?
Su-Jin............... What do I do, if my heart starts to flutter?
Su-Jin............... Love doesn't have to be all or nothing. All that's needed is time for love to grow...
Su-Jin............... It’s not just what we do, but who we do it with, that makes the time memorable.
Su-Jin............... You don't have to be alone ... I'm here. That's what friends are for ...
Su-Jin............... If only this moment could go on forever ...
Su-Jin............... Letting someone go doesn't mean love comes to an end ...
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She sighs in frustration.
Su-Jin............... Which is more pitiable?
....................... That I sent the man I love off to be with another woman?
....................... Or that the only marriage proposal I've received is from a man old enough to be my father.
....................... And I actually spent a serious moment considering it?
She reflects on the advice from the bartender ...
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FLASHBACK [ Previous scene from this episode ]
Lim.................. You're deciding whether to take the bird in the hand, or grasp for the one in the bush?
Lim.................. It's easy to convince ourselves that something we want is right for us.
....................... But your heart knows the truth of which is right, and can't be fooled ...
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She looks up at the taxi driver.
Su-Jin............... Sir? Could you take me to Bundang-dong instead?
SCENE: Exterior of Hyung-Chul's villa complex, late night
The rainstorm grows in intensity.
[ lightning flashes, followed by thunder ]
SCENE: Hyung-Chul's villa apartment, late night
Preparing to sleep, Hyung-Chul showers first.
He mulls over the course of events that led to an outcome that he'd never thought possible ...
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FLASHBACK [ Scene from this Episode ]
Hyung-Chul....... It seems we have a misunderstanding ...
Sun-Mi.............. Senior! ... Don't Look!
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FLASHBACK [ Scene from this Episode ]
Hyung-Chul....... We can't afford to lose our best announcer over what is at the level of a childish prank.
Sun-Mi.............. How can you dismiss it so lightly? Young-Mi tried to humiliate me and ruin my career!
....................... What a hypocrite! You claim MBS is a family, yet you still put profits before people!
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FLASHBACK [ Scene from this Episode ]
Hyung-Chul....... Shall we go and get something to eat? A reward for a job well done.
Sun-Mi.............. Actually, there's someone else I prefer to be with, so I'll leave first.
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FLASHBACK [ Scene from this Episode ]
Young-Mi.......... Can't you see what she's up to?! Sun-Mi used you to advance her career ambitions.
Young-Mi.......... And now that she doesn't need you, she's betrayed your trust, going over to Director Kim!
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FLASHBACK [ Scene from this Episode ]
Young-Mi.......... (V. O.) Sun-Mi is not the "old-fashioned" person she was before ...
Young-Mi.......... She's move on to another man ... the heir of a family wealthier than yours.
Young-Mi.......... Maybe Sun-Mi has finally found "True Love" after all ...
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After showering, unable to sleep, Hyung-Chul attempts to dull his mental anguish with a bourbon nightcap.
As he drinks, his thoughts go back to his last night in Jeju with Su-Jin ...
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FLASHBACK [ Scene from this Episode 17 ]
Su-Jin............... You kept your promise and proved your commitment. Why let it hold you back any longer?
....................... Now, while it is still your choice to decide ... let Jin Sun-Mi go.
....................... Only then can you free yourself from the past, and go through the open door of something new.
Hyung-Chul....... Giving up is easier said than done. I've tried ... and failed.
Su-Jin............... Then let me help you. Let me fill the void in your heart with love.
....................... Give me the chance to replace your heartache with happiness.
Su-Jin............... Take your time to decide ... I'll be waiting, for your decision ...
Su-Jin............... Before you tell me your answer, I have something to tell you ...
....................... Right now, Jin Sun-Mi needs you more than I do.
Su-Jin............... When you finish what you have to do, then, come back to me ...
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Hyung-Chul....... Maybe Su-Jin was right, and I should finally let Sun-Mi go ...
....................... Perhaps it's time to move on.
Upending the glass, he guzzles down the remaining contents.
SCENE: Exterior of Sun-Mi's apartment building, late night
SCENE: Sun-Mi's apartment, late night
A uniformed guard inserts his passkey into a door lock.
Guard............... Just a moment. I'll have it open in a jiffy.
[ door latch turning ]
The guard pushes open the door, holding it while Ki-Young carries Sun-Mi into her apartment.
Ki-Young........... Thanks.
Guard............... Don't mention it. Glad to be of help.
....................... Miss Sun-Mi is a sweet young lady. Always a smile and a kind word when she sees me.
....................... I watch her TV show every week. Will she be okay?
Ki-Young .......... It's nothing that a good night's sleep and a mug of warm hangover medicine won't cure.
Guard............... So she doesn't know how to drink, eh?
Ki-Young........... I'll take things from here.
Guard............... Goodnight, then.
The guard leaves, closing the door as he goes out.
[ door latching ]
Turning his head toward Sun-Mi, Ki-Young speaks softly ...
Ki-Young........... You're home.
Sun-Mi.............. (murmuring) This isn't how I wanted things to turn out. I'm sorry.
Ki-Young........... Me, too. I'll take you to your bedroom, and then leave.
Sun-Mi.............. Ki-Young? Thank you.
SCENE: Exterior of Hyung-Chul's villa complex, late night
[ lightning flashes, followed by rolling thunder ]
In the downpour, a woman approaches Hyung-Chul's villa ...
SCENE: Sun-Mi's bedroom, late night
Ki-Young carries Sun-Mi into her bedroom and gently lays her on the bed, resting her head on a pillow.
Unfastening the ankle straps of her shoes, he eases them off her feet.
Sun-Mi stirs, but doesn't open her eyes.
Loath to leave, Ki-Young lingers, looking down at her longingly, wishing he could do more to ease her troubles, too.
Ki-Young........... Will you be okay?
Sun-Mi.............. Mmmm ...
Ki-Young........... Next time, don't drink so much. I'll go now.
Sun-Mi opens her eyes and looks up at him plaintively.
Sun-Mi.............. Ki-Young? ... Wait.
Ki-Young........... What is it?
Sun-Mi.............. I feel so sad, and don't want to be alone. But there's no one else.
....................... So just this once, would you stay the night here, with me?
SCENE: Hyung-Chul's villa apartment, late night
[ doorbell chimes ]
Not expecting anyone so late at night, Hyung-Chul ignores the summons.
[ doorbell chimes ]
[ pounding on the door ]
Concerned that the commotion will disturb the neighbors, he gets up to answer the door.
[ doorbell chimes ]
Hyung-Chul....... Just a minute! I'm coming.
Hyung-Chul opens the door, and is surprised to find Su-Jin standing outside.
Su-Jin is drenched, her long, loose hair dripping wet, water droplets beading her bare shoulders and decolletage.
Su-Jin............... May I come in?
Without a word, Hyung-Chul moves aside.
She steps into the foyer and turns to face him.
Hyung-Chul....... What are you doing? Are you crazy?
Su-Jin............... My mind has been going in circles. I needed to see you, right now.
Hyung-Chul....... What could possibly be so important, to be out in a storm like this?
Su-Jin............... There's something I have to know. So tell me, what is your answer ...
To Be Continued ...