All About Eve 'Uncut' -- A Spring Apart
by AAEfanatic
Episode 18A
SCENE: Young-Mi's studio apartment, night
SCENE: CREAM Cake House, night
SERIES OF SCENES: Hyung-Chul's villa, night
SCENE: Hyung-Chul's villa, early morning
SCENE: Hangang Park, Seorae Island, dawn
Act 4 - Part 5B
Walking back to her home with Hyung-Chul, Sun-Mi has questions.
Sun-Mi.............. Senior, what did you mean by -- "We're going to do things your way now?"
Hyung-Chul....... I'm tired of taking two steps forward, then one step back.
....................... From now on, we only move forward in our relationship, okay?
Sun-Mi.............. Yes, I'd like that. But do I get a say, too?
Hyung-Chul....... Of course! Someone once wisely said, "You can't clap with only one hand."
She smiles at his quoting from her Musical Postcards radio program.
Sun-Mi.............. Do you actually remember everything I ever said?
He chuckles.
Hyung-Chul....... No. Just the important things.
They arrive back at Sun-Mi's gate.
He drops his arm from around Sun-Mi's shoulders, and she turns to face him.
Hyung-Chul....... It's late. You go in first, and then I'll leave.
But Sun-Mi has other plans in mind.
Sun-Mi.............. It's not that late. I don't want to part just yet.
Hyung-Chul....... Then, do you want to go inside for tea?
Sun-Mi.............. Are you crazy? The neighbors' tongues would never stop wagging!
....................... Why don't we go out instead?
Hyung-Chul....... Where do you have in mind?
Sun-Mi.............. Let me change first, and then I'll tell you ...
SCENE: Young-Mi's studio apartment, night
Young-Mi is sitting on her bed, reading.
[ door bell chimes ]
She goes to the door and opens it.
Woo-Jin is standing outside.
Young-Mi.......... Woo-Jin? Why are you here?
He steps in.
Woo-Jin............ Can I stay for the night?
Young-Mi.......... You know I have to watch my reputation. Why not sleep at your studio?
Woo-Jin............ Right now, I just need to be with someone ...
He comes closer to her, but smelling alcohol on his breath, she takes a step back.
Young-Mi.......... You've been drinking! What happened?
Rebuffed, he walks over to the window and looks outside.
Woo-Jin............ My mom kicked me out of the house today.
Young-Mi.......... Why would she do that?
Woo-Jin............ She was beside herself when I told her we were together again.
Young-Mi frowns, displeased.
Young-Mi.......... (sharply) Why did you do that? I thought we agreed to wait until a better time!
Woo-Jin............ With you, is there ever a better time?
Young-Mi.......... What do you mean by that?!
Woo-Jin............ Nothing. I was just rambling.
Young-Mi.......... Doesn't this show you, that your mother will never accept me?
....................... Let's just forget it and break up!
Woo-Jin............ I'll die first, before I break up with you!
Young-Mi.......... Oppa ...
His voice breaks.
Woo-Jin............ Why does this have to be so hard? Why can't we just love, like other couples?
Young-Mi is surprised to see tears in his eyes.
Feeling pangs of compassion and guilt, she reaches out and embraces Woo-Jin as he weeps.
Young-Mi.......... You idiot! Why did you have to fall for me?
....................... You could've loved anyone, so why me?
Woo-Jin doesn't reply. Encircling Young-Mi with his arms, he holds her tightly.
Tears fill Young-Mi's eyes as they cling to each other.
Young-Mi.......... (V.O.) And why ... why did I have to fall in love with you?
SCENE: CREAM Cake House, night
[ American pop music playing softly ]
Hyung-Chul....... You wanted to come here?
Sun-Mi.............. We had many happy meetings in this place. But the last time, parted unhappily.
....................... Since then, I lacked the courage to come back ...
Tears start rolling in her yes, threatening to spill over.
Hyung-Chul....... Here ... don't be sad.
He holds out his handkerchief for her.
Sun-Mi smiles through her tears, remembering the first time, in Cambridge, when he had done this ...
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FLASHBACK [ Scene from Episode 04 ]
Hyung-Chul. Here, stop crying.
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She takes the handkerchief, daubing at the tears.
Sun-Mi.............. It's not that I feel sad, Senior.
Putting down the damp cloth, she gives him her brightest smile.
Sun-Mi.............. It's because I feel so happy, being here with you again.
Hyung-Chul's heart skip a beat. His long, anxious wait has not been for nothing!
Reaching out to take Sun-Mi's hand, he notices the time on his watch.
Hyung-Chul....... It's getting late. Tomorrow is a work day. You need to sleep.
....................... Let's finish our tea, then I'll take you home.
Sun-Mi.............. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't sleep. So I have another idea ...
[ live instrumental jazz music playing ]
Sun-Mi and Hyung-Chul sit at the bar with drinks in hand.
Sun-Mi.............. You're surprised, huh?
Hyung-Chul....... Before you drank only wine or beer. What changed?
Sun-Mi.............. Senior Joo-Hee introduced me. But I have to watch my limits, or else ...
Hyung-Chul....... Or else what?
She grins impishly.
Sun-Mi.............. I might need to be carried home!
Her confession surprises him.
Hyung-Chul....... Huh? That's not like you.
Sun-Mi.............. You should know, I'm not the same 'old-fashioned' girl anymore.
....................... At least, not all the time!
They laugh.
Hyung-Chul....... Is this why you wanted to come here? To introduce me to a new Jin Sun-Mi?
Sun-Mi pushes her glass aside, and looks at him seriously.
Sun-Mi.............. Actually, I wanted to exorcise some ghosts.
Hyung-Chul....... Ghosts?
Sun-Mi.............. What happened the last time we were both here.
They both recall the night she kissed Ki-Young in front of him ...
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FLASHBACK [ Scene from this Episode 18 ]
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Hyung-Chul....... What about it? You were free to date anyone you wished.
Sun-Mi.............. I want to be clear that I never had feelings for Cha Ki-Young.
....................... He's a good friend, but not more than that.
....................... If you want me to explain further ...
Hyung-Chul....... That's not necessary. What happened in the past doesn't interest me.
....................... I'd prefer to focus on what we do in the future.
Sun-Mi.............. Is there something you have in mind?
He lifts a raffish eyebrow.
Hyung-Chul....... Yes. Would you like to dance?
Sun-Mi smiles.
Sun-Mi.............. Senior, I thought you'd never ask ...
They stand up, and Hyung-Chul leads Sun-Mi to the dance floor.
There, they start to dance together.
Sun-Mi.............. Just one thing, Senior.
Hyung-Chul....... What?
Sun-Mi.............. Don't get any ideas about repeating what happened that night.
Hyung-Chul....... I thought you're not so 'old-fashioned' now.
Sun-Mi.............. With Ki-Young, a kiss was just a kiss, it didn't mean anything more.
....................... But with you ... that's not something I'd want to do in front of everyone ...
SERIES OF SCENES: Hyung-Chul's villa, night
Villa Car Park
Hyung-Chul drives into the car park, slowing the BMW to a stop in an empty space.
He and Sun-Mi both alight at the same time.
Sun-Mi.............. Just a moment, Senior ...
Looking across the car park, she remembers back to some distressing moments ...
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FLASHBACK [ Scene from Episode 16 ]
Su-Jin............... What do you say? ... Will you marry me?
Hyung-Chul....... Why not come up, and we'll talk about it?
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FLASHBACK [ Scene from this Episode ]
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Hyung-Chul....... More ghosts?
Sun-Mi.............. Yes. But let's not talk here.
Villa Entry Door
They go up the stairs together and stop at the door to his villa.
While she waits for Hyung-Chul to unlock the door, Sun-Mi recalls another unpleasant situation ...
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FLASHBACK [ Scenes from this Episode 18 ]
Sun-Mi.............. Park Su-Jin! What are you doing here?
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Villa Interior
Coming inside, Sun-Mi follows Hyung-Chul to the living space.
They both remember the unpleasant night she was last here ...
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FLASHBACK [ Scene from Episode 17 ]
Sun-Mi........ I was waiting for Woo-Jin.
Hyung-Chul. He won't be there ... The Woo-Jin you trust so much won't come. ................. He's with Young-Mi.
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Hyung-Chul takes off his suit jacket and drapes it over a chair back.
Hyung-Chul....... Something to drink?
Sun-Mi.............. Later. I want to talk first.
They sit down facing each other across the coffee table.
Hyung-Chul....... Talk about what?
Sun-Mi.............. Me sleeping here overnight.
Hyung-Chul....... Why?
Sun-Mi.............. Isn't that common these days for a couple to do?
....................... I wouldn't be the first, right?
Her unusual questioning puzzles him ...
Hyung-Chul....... Sun-Mi, what is this about?
Her expression turns serious as she solemnly asks ...
Sun-Mi.............. Huh Young-Mi ... Park Su-Jin ... Is there anything you need to tell me?
Hyung-Chul gulps, recalling those incidents, wondering how much Sun-Mi might know ...
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FLASHBACK [ Scenes from this Episode ]
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Hyung-Chul....... Regarding Young-Mi, nothing happened.
....................... With Su-Jin, it's like you said, a kiss is just a kiss, nothing more.
....................... Do you want me to explain further?
Sun-Mi.............. That's not necessary. I believe you.
....................... Su-Jin told me told me the same, more or less.
Having dodged a bullet, he exhales a sigh of relief.
Hyung-Chul....... Anything else?
Sun-Mi.............. I'm glad we're in agreement that I can stay over.
....................... It's late, and we have something to do early in the morning, before work.
....................... So it's more convenient than driving me home and picking me up again, right?
Hyung-Chul....... Yes, but ...
Sun-Mi.............. While you make up the couch for a bed, I'll take a shower first.
....................... I'll need to borrow a robe. And one of your dress shirts for a nightie ...
SCENE: Hyung-Chul's villa, early morning
Hyung-Chul awakens to the aroma of fresh coffee.
Rising drowsily, he finds Sun-Mi in the kitchen.
Hyung-Chul....... Why are you up so early?
She turns to him with a smile.
Sun-Mi.............. Don't you remember? We have plans this morning.
Walking over, she brings a steaming cup to him.
Sun-Mi.............. This will help wake you, Senior.
Hyung-Chul....... But it's 4:00 AM!
Sun-Mi.............. Then we have to hurry, if we're still going to catch the sunrise!
SCENE: Hangang Park, Seorae Island, dawn
Sun-Mi and Hyung-Chul are watching the sunrise from the bank of the Han River.
A light mist lingers over the water in the predawn light.
They look to the East in silence, both remembering another, unhappy morning ...
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FLASHBACK [ Scene from Episode 16 ]
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Sun-Mi.............. That day, gray clouds obscured the sky.
....................... I'm hoping for a brighter sky this time. It looks possible, doesn't it?
Hyung-Chul....... It certainly does.
Sun-Mi.............. I'm sorry I didn't tell you the truth before.
....................... I never intended to marry Woo-Jin. It was just to find out if you were serious about me.
....................... Though I claimed to believe in True Love, I let my doubts overrule my trust.
....................... If I had only known everything that would happen ...
Hyung-Chul....... Fortunately, all that is behind us now.
She turns to face him.
Sun-Mi.............. I'll never doubt you again. I promise.
....................... Thank you, Senior, for waiting for me ...
Hyung-Chul steps closer, taking her into his embrace.
Content to be in his arms, Sun-Mi rests her head on his shoulder.
Then a thought perks her up...
Sun-Mi.............. Senior? Did you realize that we're alone here, with no one watching?
Hyung-Chul....... It's still early. There'll be others showing up soon.
She smiles to herself, hinting ...
Sun-Mi.............. Then while it's just us, is there something you'd like to do?
Hyung-Chul....... Nothing comes to mind. What are you thinking?
Taking a step back, Sun-Mi tilts her head up so she can look directly in his eyes.
Sun-Mi.............. If we're going to do things your way, you have to start getting a clue!
....................... ( sighs ) Didn't you get my telepathic message?
Hyung-Chul....... No. What was it?
Sun-Mi.............. This!
Stretching up, Sun-Mi raises her mouth to his, and kisses Hyung-Chul on the lips ...
The End
Afterword
"From now on, don't care about me. Leave me and go ... If I get married to Woo-Jin, what will you do?" -- Jin Sun-Mi
"Until then, I still have a choice ... I'll wait for you, I'll always wait." -- Yoon Hyung-Chul
Starting with Sun-Mi's request to part and Hyung-Chul's declaration to hold onto her, this chapter in the story presented the strongest challenges to their individual personal lives and relationship. Although the conclusion was a certainty, I hope this continuation of the All About Eve story provided some interesting twists to the original account of the maturing love between Sun-Mi and Hyung-Chul.
When beginning this third installment of "AAE Uncut", I did not anticipate the challenges to come, both from personal life circumstances, and from the new directions the characters would take the developing storyline. I'm thankful for those dedicated fans who stuck through for the entire journey.
-- AAEfanatic
Go back to Act 4 Part 5a ...