All About Eve 'Uncut' -- A Spring Apart
by AAEfanatic
Episode 18A
SCENE: Announcer 1 Team office, evening
SCENE: Rival Talk TV set, evening
SCENE: Rival Talk TV set, evening
SCENE: Announcer 1 Team office, evening
SCENE: Hyung-Chul's office, evening
SCENE: MBS makeup room, evening
SCENE: MBS main entrance, evening
SCENE: Hyung-Chul's club, evening
SCENE: Alley outside Sun-Mi's gate, evening
Act 4 - Part 4A
SCENE: Announcer 1 Team office, evening
The announcer team is watching Rival Talk ...
Host................. (on TV) After this message from our sponsor, Announcer Jin Sun-Mi will reveal her secret!
The program cuts to a commercial.
Jin-Soo mutes the TV using the remote.
Female Staff 1... What do you think Sun-Mi is going to say?
Male Staff......... Maybe they're secretly twins, separated at birth?
Everyone laughs.
Female Staff 2... Jin-Soo, you're close to her. You must know something!
Jin-Soo............. Beats me. As far as I knew, they were always avowed enemies.
From his desk, Ki-Jong chimes in ...
Ki-Jong............. Ah! Then is it like, "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer"?
SCENE: Rival Talk TV set, evening
Host................. Welcome back to Rival Talk.
....................... Our 'rivals' tonight are MBS announcers Jin Sun-Mi and Huh Young-Mi.
[ Studio audience applauds ]
He turns to Sun-Mi.
Host................. Miss Jin Sun-Mi, you were about to reveal your secret with Miss Huh Young-Mi to our audience.
Sun-Mi.............. Yes. As I said before the break, Young-Mi and I are much closer than would appear.
....................... We both lost our mothers at an early age, and were raised by our fathers.
....................... Coincidently, our fathers worked in the same company, too.
....................... So when her father died in a tragic accident, we brought Young-Mi into our family.
....................... Our secret is that, in this way, we're like sisters.
Host................. That is amazing! Can you share more with us, Miss Jin Sun-Mi?
Sun-Mi thinks back, to her confrontation with Young-Mi during the MBS 20th Anniversary banquet ...
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FLASHBACK [Previous scene from Episode 10]
Young-Mi.... How do you feel, being a Cinderella?
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Sun-Mi.............. Yes ... Like sisters often do, Young-Mi once gave me a nickname -- 'Cinderella'.
[ Studio audience laughs ]
Host................. Cinderella? That's an interesting choice. Why?
Sun-Mi.............. From childhood, I dreamed of becoming a top announcer in MBS.
....................... The problem is that I'm not that smart, or beautiful, or talented.
....................... So Young-Mi said, like Cinderella, I'd need a Prince to help me achieve such a lofty dream.
Host................. You've certainly achieved your dream, but who was your Prince?
[ Studio audience oohs ]
Sun-Mi.............. Despite many rumors, to the contrary he never appeared.
....................... Instead I wrote a modern-day Cinderella story without a Prince.
....................... And that was possible because I had a sister to challenge me, encouraging me to do better.
....................... Sometimes that led to conflicts, but who hasn't had a spat with her sister?
....................... I have to say that I owe a lot to Young-Mi for who and where I am today.
She leans closer and embraces Young-Mi.
[ Studio audience cheers and applauds ]
Back from the location shoot, Woo-Jin walks into the main lobby, carrying his camera.
Rival Talk is on the lobby TV ...
Host................. This is the final question of today's episode of Rival Talk.
....................... What are your future plans as announcers? Miss Huh Young-Mi first.
Woo-Jin stops to watch.
Young-Mi.......... I want to become the best anchor for the 9 o'clock news.
Host................. And Miss Jin Sun-Mi? What about you?
Sun-Mi.............. I'm not sure. I want to be an announcer, but more than news, I want to have my own talk show.
She smiles.
Sun-Mi.............. It's a lot more casual than the news, and I think it fits my image better.
Host................. Thank you. We hope both of your dreams come true.
....................... This concludes today's show of Rival Talk. Thank you.
SCENE: Rival Talk TV set, evening
After the "ON AIR" light goes out, the host gives his two guests a 'thumbs-up'.
Host................. Great job, both of you. If you'll excuse me, I'll go first.
He stands and walks off, leaving Young-Mi and Sun-Mi seated amidst the bustle of the studio crew closing up.
Young-Mi.......... You think that by acting nice in front of everyone you can get me to back off?
....................... Then you're mistaken! I'll never let you win!
Sun-Mi.............. It doesn't have to go on like this between us. Let's call a truce, okay?
She holds out her hand to shake.
Young-Mi.......... Humph! Do you take me for a fool?
....................... With one hand, you offer to make peace.
....................... While you give a slap in the face with the other!
Sun-Mi.............. What do you mean?
Young-Mi.......... You just told everyone that you're writing a new Cinderella story.
....................... Doesn't that brand me as the 'evil' stepsister?
Sun-Mi.............. That wasn't what I ...
Young-Mi.......... Save your words, I'm done listening
She stands.
Sun-Mi gets up too, face-to-face with Young-Mi.
Sun-Mi.............. Young-Mi ...
Ignoring her, Young-Mi strides off the set.
Watching Young-Mi's back, Sun-Mi sighs deeply.
SCENE: Announcer 1 Team office, evening
In the announcer's office, the team talks over Sun-Mi's 'secret' ...
Female Staff 1... Wow! I didn't see that coming! ... Sisters? Can you believe it?
Female Staff 2... If Jin Sun-Mi is Cinderella, was she saying Young-Mi was the 'fairy godmother' helping her?
Female Staff 1... More likely she meant that Huh Young-Mi is her 'evil stepsister'!
Male Staff......... Well, I'll put my bet on the 'evil' sister taking the News At Nine ... 10,000 won, anyone?
Jin-Soo............. No way! It's Jin Sun-Mi ... 2 to 1.
Female Staff 1... At those odds, I'll bet on Young-Mi, too!
[sound of throat clearing]
They all look over to see Lee Kyung-Hee glaring at them.
Kyung-Hee........ This isn't a horse race!
Ki-Jong............. (humorously) It's not? I was about to put my bet in, too.
Kyung-Hee........ Shin Ki-Jong! Do you find this funny?!
He decides a hasty retreat is in his best interest.
Ki-Jong............. I just remembered, I'm due for an interview at the DG game!
Jin-Soo............. (confused) But ... isn't the ballgame tomorrow?
Ki-Jong............. Then I need to hurry, or I'll be late!
He stands up and makes a beeline for the doorway.
Ki-Jong............. I'm off! Carry on.
As Ki-Jong exits, Kyung-Hee shakes her head in amusement at his antics.
SCENE: Hyung-Chul's office, evening
Hyung-Chul sits at his desk, watching the tape of Rival Talk on his TV monitor.
Host................. (on TV) Does that mean you have a boyfriend?
Sun-Mi.............. (on TV) No, I don't have one.
Hyung-Chul pause the tape.
Pondering her assertion, he recalls that Sun-Mi had worn his anklet on the show ...
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FLASHBACK [ Previous scene from this Episode ]
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Putting two-and-two together, he makes a surprising conclusion ...
Hyung-Chul....... (aloud to himself) Was Sun-Mi sending me a message?
Determined to find out, he gets up and hurries out of the office.
After changing her outfit from Rival Talk, Young-Mi is walking back to the Announcer 1 Team office.
Rounding a corner, she sees Hyung-Chul speaking to the makeup artiste.
Curious, she stops to eavesdrop.
Hyung-Chul....... Did you see Announcer Jin Sun-Mi after Rival Talk?
Makeup Artiste... She was changing in Wardrobe ten minutes ago. You might try Makeup now.
Hyung-Chul....... Thanks.
He starts off walking.
Young-Mi decides to follow Hyung-Chul, keeping a distance to not be noticed.
SCENE: MBS makeup room, evening
Sun-Mi walks into Makeup.
She sits down at a table and starts to touch up her face with a powder puff.
Shortly, Hyung-Chul enters the room behind her, but stands by the door waiting for Sun-Mi to finish.
Sun-Mi returns the powder puff to her makeup kit.
Looking into the mirror, she is surprised to see Hyung-Chul there.
Hyung-Chul meets her eyes but doesn't speak, leaving the next move to Sun-Mi.
For several seconds she looks at him, pondering what to do and say.
Had he noticed the anklet, and stepped through the opening she offered?
Then standing, Sun-Mi turns to face Hyung-Chul, greeting him with a polite bow.
Hyung-Chul....... It's been a long time. You did well today.
Tentatively, she brings up a matter they can both converse on without acrimony ...
Sun-Mi.............. I heard you were with me all night when I was sick.
Timing her appearance astutely, Young-Mi opens the door and steps into the room behind Hyung-Chul.
[ Indistinct voices of people outside in the corridor ]
Encouraged by Sun-Mi's response, and unaware of Young-Mi, Hyung-Chul takes the next step in his plan ...
Hyung-Chul....... I'm hungry, wanna eat?
But before she answers, Sun-Mi notices Young-Mi and backs off ...
Sun-Mi.............. Let's do it next time.
She dips her head politely.
Sun-Mi.............. Then ...
Leaving her makeup kit on the table, she walks away, passing by Hyung-Chul and Young-Mi.
Disappointed, Hyung-Chul puzzles at her sudden change of demeanor.
Turning to watch Sun-Mi leave, he then sees Young-Mi standing behind him.
[ Indistinct voices continue ]
Sun-Mi walks off.
Hyung-Chul switches his attention to Young-Mi.
Hyung-Chul....... Young-Mi. Good job today.
Young-Mi.......... I trembled a lot, right?
He smiles weakly, as if she'd made a joke.
Young-Mi.......... I'm hungry, do you want to eat together?
Hyung-Chul doesn't respond.
But she forces the issue, reminding him of what he'd said to Sun-Mi ...
Young-Mi.......... You said you were hungry?
Sun-Mi is walking back to the Art Club studios.
[ mobile phone ringtone ]
She takes her phone out and checks the caller ID before answering ...
Sun-Mi.............. Ki-Young?
Ki-Young........... You were fantastic on Rival Talk tonight.
Sun-Mi.............. Thanks ... But do you normally watch shows like that?
Ki-Young........... No. But this was 'much-watch' TV. How could I miss it?
Sun-Mi.............. (laughs) You called just to flatter me?
Ki-Young........... Actually, I have a more pragmatic purpose.
....................... Since you said that you don't have a boyfriend, I thought you might need a lift home.
Sun-Mi.............. That's nice of you. But not necessary.
Ki-Young........... I know, but I'd like to anyway. When are you coming out?
Sun-Mi.............. It'll be a while. I need to stop in the studio first. You really don't need to come.
Ki-Young........... But I'm already at the front lobby.
Sun-Mi.............. Ki-Young ...
Ki-Young........... Don't keep me waiting too long, okay?
Before she can respond, he rings off.
Sun-Mi looks at her phone and chuckles to herself.
Sun-Mi.............. Will he ever give up?
After leaving Makeup, Hyung-Chul and Young-Mi are walking together to the lifts.
From a side corridor, Woo-Jin sees them coming, and ducks back so as not to be seen.
But Young-Mi notices him, while Hyung-Chul, looking the other way, does not.
Young-Mi.......... Senior, what would you like to eat?
Hyung-Chul....... I'm not sure. Let's decide as we go.
They pass Woo-Jin.
Young-Mi.......... Shoot, I'm sorry ...
She stops. Hyung-Chul turns to face her.
Young-Mi.......... There's some work I didn't finish, so I'll have to drop by the office for a moment. Sorry.
Hyung-Chul....... Oh, really? No problem.
He looks happier now.
Hyung-Chul....... Go ahead. I'll see you tomorrow.
He walks off.
Young-Mi turns towards where Woo-Jin is hiding.
SCENE: MBS main entrance, evening
Sun-Mi comes out of the main lobby revolving door.
With the change in plans, she has changed her outfit.
Outside, Ki-Young is waiting with his car.
He walks up and greets Sun-Mi with a jaunty grin.
Ki-Young........... Finally, the Queen arrives!
Sun-Mi.............. (grumbling) Not you, too! It's all I've heard since the Gala!
Ki-Young........... Sorry. Hard day?
Sun-Mi.............. I haven't had a moment's rest. I'm exhausted!
Ki-Young........... Then you must be glad that I thought of you.
Sun-Mi.............. Ki-Young, about that ...
Ki-Young........... Don't take me wrong. I just hoped we'd have a chance to talk. Nothing more.
....................... Is that asking too much?
She smiles contritely for pre-judging him.
Sun-Mi.............. No. Let's go.
They walk toward his car, Ki-Young going ahead to open the Audi's passenger-side door for Sun-Mi.
At the moment, Hyung-Chul comes out the revolving door.
When he sees Sun-Mi with Ki-Young, he stops dead in his tracks.
After what she had said on Rival Talk, he is surprised to see them together.
Taking a deep, settling breath, he watches as Ki-Young helps seat Sun-Mi in his car.
Then Ki-Young circles the car, gets in the driver's seat, and starts off.
Hyung-Chul frowns, resigning himself to another missed opportunity.
[ clicking of high heels ]
Su-Jin walks up beside Hyung-Chul.
Su-Jin............... Was that Jin Sun-Mi, leaving with Cha Ki-Young?
Hyung-Chul....... Yes.
Su-Jin............... I know how it feels, standing behind someone, watching from a distance.
Hyung-Chul turns and looks at her, but doesn't say anything.
Su-Jin............... Don't worry, I'm not talking about you and me. I've given up that hope.
....................... Why don't we go to the club, and commiserate together?
Young-Mi and Woo-Jin go to a empty corridor to talk.
Young-Mi.......... He asked me out for dinner. I couldn't say no.
....................... Sun-Mi has Director Kim supporting her. So I need Director Yoon's backing.
....................... If I want to be MBS' top announcer, I have to do whatever it takes.
Woo-Jin............ Even if it means dumping me -- for him?
Young-Mi.......... You don't trust me? Even after we just got back together?
Woo-Jin............ How am I supposed to, seeing you act like that?
Young-Mi.......... You're the one I love you, not him. You have to believe me!
....................... I can't help it if he thinks differently, after what happened ...
She stops there, lowering her eyes so he can't look into them.
Woo-Jin............ What do you mean? After what happened?
Young-Mi.......... One night Director Yoon asked me out to his club for drinks, and overindulged.
....................... When I drove him back to his villa, one thing led to another. I was afraid to say no ...
....................... I'm sorry. But I had to do it!
Woo-Jin sighs contemptuously.
Woo-Jin............ Had to, or chose to? Not as if it mattered, anyway.
....................... Still, I'm not surprised, the kind of person you are.
She looks at him solemnly.
Young-Mi.......... Now that you know, are you going to break up with me?
Woo-Jin............ I'm a fool to say this, but even when you cheat on me, I can't let you go.
SCENE: Hyung-Chul's club, evening
Su-Jin is drinking together in the club with Hyung-Chul.
Su-Jin............... Don't misunderstand Jin Sun-Mi. What she said on Rival Talk is true.
....................... Cha Ki-Young is not her boyfriend, she told me that herself.
....................... But he hasn't given up trying.
She sips from her drink, then sighs.
Su-Jin............... Why is love so complicated?
Hyung-Chul....... How is that?
Su-Jin............... You and Ki-Young and Sun-Mi -- the classic love triangle.
Hyung-Chul....... Is it? This isn't a TV melodrama.
Su-Jin............... Yes. Yet still, what does that make me, but the proverbial 'spare tire'?
She smiles ironically.
Su-Jin............... At first, I disregarded Sun-Mi as a lightweight, a mediocre person.
....................... I even said that she couldn't hold a candle to me as a woman.
....................... But clearly I was wrong. She has something -- a radiance about her -- that I'll never have.
....................... Actually now, I find that I'm jealous of her.
Hyung-Chul....... Why are you telling me this?
Su-Jin............... I gave up on you, because after Sun-Mi, there was no place left in your heart for me.
....................... So when I see you stand back, watching, as she walks off with another man, it's frustrating.
Hyung-Chul....... It's not that I like this situation, but I have to let Sun-Mi do what she wants.
....................... You can't force love, it takes two to make it work.
Su-Jin............... What if Sun-Mi is doing the same? Letting you do whatever you want?
....................... Thinking that if you truly loved her, you'd go after her instead of letting her walk away?
Contemplating what Su-Jin is saying, Hyung-Chul picks up his drink, takes a long swallow, and puts it down.
Su-Jin............... Work things out with Jin Sun-Mi now. Don't wait until it's too late.
....................... Otherwise I won't forgive you!
SCENE: Alley outside Sun-Mi's gate, evening
Ki-Young's car slows to a stop in front of Sun-Mi's gate.
Ki-Young........... What is this place?
Sun-Mi.............. You said you wanted to take me home.
....................... This is where I live, with my Daddy.
Ki-Young........... But the apartment?
Sun-Mi.............. MBS leased it for Art Club. I'm just using it temporarily.
....................... Let's go in and have some tea, and I'll tell you everything.
To Be Continued ...
Go back to Act 4 Part 3c ...