AAE -- For Better For Worse

Part 3 -- Epilogue

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

A taxi idles at the main entrance as Sun-Mi and Hyung-Chul step through the double doors with Seung-Hyun.

 

Above them, the rich purple-tiled and glass fa�ade of the MBS tower rises into the fog, its upper floors fading into a cottony haze. The thick morning mist softens the sunlight and muffles the nearby rush of traffic.

 

"Thanks for everything, Dad," Seung-Hyun says, shaking his hand.

 

"I'm glad we finally had the chance to know each other, Son," Hyung-Chul replies warmly.

 

Seung-Hyun turns to Sun-Mi. "Mom, I'll be watching you on the News from Las Vegas."

 

She smiles. "Thanks. Keep in touch."

 

"I will."

 

 

The revolving door spins and Joo-Hee emerges, with Sun-Dal right behind her.

 

"Sorry -- I was held up at the last minute," Joo-Hee says as she hurries to Seung-Hyun. "I'm glad we're not too late." She takes his hands, her eyes misting. "I'm already missing you."

 

"It's okay, Mother," Seung-Hyun says, giving her hands a firm squeeze. "Don't worry. I'll be fine. I'll call when I get off the plane."

 

She nods, her throat tightening as she swallows.

 

Sun-Dal steps forward, his hand extended. "We're proud of you."

 

They shake. "If you need anything..." he continues.

 

"I'll let you know, Father."

 

Seung-Hyun bows to his parents, then to Hyung-Chul and Sun-Mi. He climbs into the taxi. It pulls away from the curb, circles the drive and disappears through the MBS gate.

 

 

"How's the Chairman?" Sun-Dal asks.

 

"He's resting well," Hyung-Chul replies. "The medical team has him under close observation. After his heart surgery fifteen years ago, he said he'd retire within ten years... but with the situation now..."

 

"What's he thinking?"

 

"I don't know. But we need to be prepared if he doesn't fully recover."

 

"That could be a problem," Sun-Dal says gravely. "The Board won't accept a female Chairman, so that rules Joo-Hee out, and Seung-Hyun is years from being ready. Director Yoo is also refusing to bring you back into the management succession line."

 

"Maybe the prospect of GM Kim taking over will make him reconsider," Hyung-Chul replies.

 

Sun-Dal grins and lowers his voice. "Let's let Joo-Hee do the talking. Ever since she delivered the grandkids, he's turned into an old softie with her."

 

Hyung-Chul nods, the ghost of a smile appearing. "Good idea. We'll talk more later."

 

 

A few steps away, Joo-Hee speaks quietly with Sun-Mi, "...I'll see you later."

 

Sun-Mi bows politely. "Thank you, President Yoo."

 

Sun-Dal joins Joo-Hee, and the two head back inside.

 

 

Sun-Mi and Hyung-Chul stroll toward the outdoor plaza. Overhead, the flags hang limp in the mist.

 

A massive banner of Sun-Mi dominates the building wall -- navy suit, warm, poised smile, eyes steady with quiet confidence.

Bold lettering announces the new season...

 

MBS News

with Anchor Jin Sun-Mi

A Fresh Perspective on Today's World

 

 

Hyung-Chul looks up at the tower. "It's not even thirty years, and already this building's obsolete. The broadcasting world has changed so much. I'll miss this place when they tear it down."

 

Sun-Mi nods. "Yes. So many memories. Good... and not so good."

 

He grins, his gaze drifting with mischief. "Yeah. I still remember that time your phone went off in the Newsro--"

 

"Senior!" she gasps, cutting him off. "Don't you dare. You'll jinx the newscast."

 

 

They laugh and she slips her arm through his.

 

"Sometimes I wonder if that's why we had to leave and go to London," she murmurs. "And why we had to come back, too."

 

"What are you saying?"

 

"Maybe it was God's plan all along -- to place His hand not only on our future, but on the nation's through us."

 

"That's a big task for two small people."

 

"But God always uses the small to confound the great," she replies. "Remember what Jesus said in Matthew's Gospel?"

 

"You mean -- The first shall be last, and the last shall be first?"

 

"Exactly. We thought we were among the first, but God showed us the truth -- that He's first -- and everything we are and have is by His blessing."

 

Hyung-Chul nods. "I remember how you used to count your blessings every night -- you always put me last."

 

Sun-Mi smiles. "Now you know why. Because you were the greatest blessing of all."

 

Arm in arm, they walk through the side entrance together.

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

The clock on Sun-Dal's office wall reads 20:45 when Hyung-Chul walks inside.

 

"Ready to head down?"

 

Sun-Dal lifts a magazine with a laconic grin. "Did you see the MBS Guide? It's classic Jin Sun-Mi."

 

He reads the cover headline aloud, "Season Launches Korea's First Solo Female News Anchor." He looks up. "The Company has bet big on Sun-Mi. Tonight's the payoff."

 

"Any concerns?"

 

"Not from this office." He glances toward the open door, lowering his voice. "But I know it's been stressful for Sun-Mi. How's she holding up?"

 

"Don't worry. It's what she wanted. She'll be fine."

 

 

They head to the control room, where GM Kim Eun-Ki waits with a sour expression.

 

"We spent a fortune on this new set... is this all we got? A giant video screen?"

 

Through the glass, the long, seamless, slightly curving video wall glows with the 'News at Nine' logo in sharp clarity -- crisp, modern, LED-bright. The sleek glass and stainless steel set stands in stark contrast to the old mahogany desk and cluttered 'news room' backdrop it replaced.

 

"Yes, that's it," Hyung-Chul says evenly.

 

"Where's the news desk?"

 

Hyung-Chul points to the oval, counter-height glass-topped table positioned slightly off-center on the low gray platform. "Right there. With the new flat-panel teleprompters, we don't need a big enclosed box anymore."

 

"And the anchor chair?"

 

"We're having the anchor stand instead. It's standard practice worldwide now."

 

"And why do you think Koreans are ready for that change?"

 

"It's more visually dynamic," Hyung-Chul explains. "It allows better interaction with the video wall. The new digital technology lets us take full advantage of television's visual capability."

 

Sun-Dal adds, "Our polling shows viewers feel more engaged. The newscast feels less formal and more connected to the field reporting. If we need a chair for a special segment, we can bring one in."

 

Eun-Ki frowns. "Do you really think people will trust a news source with so little gravitas built into it?"

 

"That's a valid point," Hyung-Chul replies. "We'll have to rely more on the anchor's credibility than before."

 

"And you're certain Announcer Jin Sun-Mi has that credibility? We've never put a woman in this role before."

 

"It's the right time -- the world is changing," Sun-Dal says firmly. "We can either lead that change, or fall behind and become irrelevant."

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

The redecorated makeup suite smells faintly of fresh paint and antiseptic. Soft classical music drifts through the room. The brightly lit mirrors cast a clean, daylight-white glow.

 

Sun-Mi sits motionless beneath a black smock as a stylist backcombs her hair and gives it a final mist of fixing spray. The makeup artist steps in, dusting a fine veil of powder across her cheeks.

 

"All done," she says. "You're ready."

 

Sun-Mi removes the smock just as the strident, unmistakable tap of high heels approaches.

 

The stylists exchange a quick glance. "It's her," the makeup artist murmurs. She nods to Sun-Mi. "We'll be leaving first. Good luck."

 

They quickly exit through the side door, a heartbeat before the glass door to the corridor swings open.

 

Joo-Hee�s reflection appears in the mirror. She wears a sable Dolce & Gabbana tailored jacket over a fitted corset-style lace bodice and a soft knitted skirt. As she steps inside, the soles of her black Pigalle 120 stilettos flash glimpses of bright red.

 

Sun-Mi starts to rise, but Joo-Hee gestures for her to stay and slides onto the adjacent chair.

 

Her eyebrow lifts at the sight of Sun-Mi's sapphire blue Prada jacket over a short form-fitting black sheath. "I've worn many of those," she says, smiling, "but never in that color. And never showing that much leg."

 

Sun-Mi grins. "Since we're making transformative changes, I thought I'd break the clothing style barrier, too."

 

"You have more guts than I ever did," Joo-Hee says warmly. "I can see London left its mark on you."

 

"It's time that Korea moved into the modern world."

 

"Still, it's a big shift, from being looked at as a 'pretty flower' to becoming the solo female anchor. Nervous?"

 

"Worse than the usual butterflies," Sun-Mi admits. "I feel that if I fail, I'll bring disgrace on other women in the news. I have to do well for their future, too."

 

Joo-Hee places a hand over Sun-Mi's. "It's a burden we share. But I have confidence in you." She glances at the clock. "It's time. Good luck."

 

Sun-Mi stands and takes a step toward the door, then stops. She turns back, places her phone on the counter, and smiles.

 

"I almost forgot."

 

Joo-Hee laughs. "Those days are behind you now."

 

Sun-Mi strides out, her Prada pointed-toe heels clicking -- the sharp, steady rhythm echoing down the empty corridor.

 

 

At the door to the studio, she pauses and closes her eyes. "Lord, give me Your voice to speak truth and hope."

 

She draws a deep breath, and pushes the door open.

 

 

The studio bustles with staff and crew. Production assistants scurry on their errands, stagehands sweep the polished floor, camera operators make final adjustments, and sound engineers test the microphones. The lighting banks flare on, one by one, flooding the set with a white-hot glow.

 

When Sun-Mi enters, a hush ripples over the room. Heads turn. Conversations stop. Eyes follow as she crosses the platform to the news desk. She rests her hands flat on the polished glass while the Floor Manager fits her IFB earpiece, and glances toward the control room windows.

 

Hyung-Chul raises a fist -- 'hwaiting'.

 

Sun-Mi answers with a small, brief smile.

 

 

In the control room, Eun-Ki grumbles, "What is Announcer Jin doing, dressed like that? Mixing the news with entertainment? Trying to flirt with the viewers?"

 

Hyung-Chul clenches his jaw, but stays silent.

 

Sun-Dal shrugs. "With Jin Sun-Mi, you never know what's coming next. But she's no rookie --she knows exactly what she's doing."

 

"Does she? I demand a full review!"

 

"Let's wait for the ratings before we talk about changes, General Manager."

 

 

The Booth Director announces into his headset microphone, "Anchor standby..."

 

Sun-Mi steps from behind the news desk to the center of the set, and nods. Flexing her fingers, she shifts her weight forward off her sleek 100mm stilettos.

 

The red ON AIR light glows.

 

The studio falls into complete silence. In the control room, technicians run their final checks.

 

Sun-Mi focuses on the dark circle of the camera lens. She slows her breathing, letting her expression settle into the perfect mix of warmth and steely resolve, ready to connect with and reassure millions across Seoul and Korea.

 

 

Outside, a crisp wind tugs at the plaza flags. The MBS tower rises as a luminous monolith in the dark, the station's logo glowing white along its side. High above, the aviation lights on the transmitter mast pulse red against an indigo sky.

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

In his apartment,Gwi-Sung sits on the couch holding an open book. His granddaughter Mae-Young leans against him, while Jae-Young sleeps on his lap, head lolled to the side.

 

"...and they lived happily ever after,"Gwi-Sung reads, closing the book with a soft thud.

 

"Read me another, Grandpa," Mae-Young pleads.

 

"No, that's the last story for tonight. You know, it's already past your bedtime."

 

"We don't stay up late at home," she says.

 

"I know. But tonight's special," he replies. "Your Mommy's on the News."

 

 

He picks up the remote and flicks on the TV. A Samsung Anycall commercial fills the screen.

 

"Noona! It's time," he calls.

 

Gwi-Sun comes in carrying a platter of cut fruit. "Did I miss anything?"

 

"It's coming on now."

 

She sits on the chair beside the couch and places the platter on the coffee table.

 

 

An orchestral fanfare swells from the speakers as the 'News at Nine' opening graphics sweep across the screen.

 

The graphics dissolve to reveal the news set, with Sun-Mi standing beside the desk, poised and luminous.

 

She looks straight at the viewers. "Good evening... It's Monday, August 30. I'm Jin Sun-Mi... This is the News."

 

 

Gwi-Sung nudges Mae-Young gently with his elbow. "What do you think of your Mum, eh?"

 

Without taking her eyes off the screen, she solemnly answers, "Grandpa, when I grow up, I'm going to be just like Mommy."

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

On the news set, Sun-Mi stands before the video wall, the screen behind her a chaotic scene of massive flooding.

 

Watching her on-air image on the monitor beside the camera, she makes small, precise adjustments to her stance -- conscious that every step, every gesture, is under scrutiny not only from the control room, but from viewers across the nation and beyond.

 

"Extensive flooding continues in the wettest August since records began..."

 

Beep- beep-beep... beep-beep-beep...

 

The PD frowns. "What's that noise? Someone's mobile?"

 

The Booth Director speaks into his mic, "Everyone... where's that sound coming from?"

 

...beep-beep-beep... beep-beep-beep...

 

Sun-Mi presses on, her voice steady. "Flood warnings were issued for the Yalu River basin. Correspondent Cho Jung-Hyung reports--"

 

 

"Cut to the remote feed," the Booth Director orders. "Studio! The sound is coming from out there. Find it. Now."

 

...beep-beep-beep... beep-beep-beep...

 

Sun-Mi scans the set -- and then she sees it. Her phone. On the floor. Tucked against the leg of the desk.

 

The memory slams into her -- Just like before. I'm still the same idiot...

 

She freezes. Her hands clutch the desktop. Her breath catches...

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

 

Beep- beep-beep... beep-beep-beep...

 

Sun-Mi bolts upright in her bed, breath catching in her throat. She reaches over and slams her palm onto the alarm clock.

 

Silence.

 

She exhales slowly. "It was just a dream... a bad dream."

 

 

Next to her, Hyung-Chul slumbers on, undisturbed, his muscular chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.

 

The clock glows 05:30 in red LED. Pale predawn light filters through the window overlooking the mandang garden. Sun-Mi slips out of bed and pulls on a peony-pink silk satin Olivia von Halle robe and slippers.

 

A few minutes later, she steps onto the terrace, cup in hand. She sits down and takes a sip of steaming coffee. The sky above is still dark, but in the east, a faint glow brightens the mists that veil the city skyline and distant hills.

 

As the horizon sky glows pink, Hyung-Chul comes out, wrapped in a black terrycloth robe. He settles into the adjacent chair.

 

"Did I wake you?" she asks.

 

"No. I think my body just sensed that you weren't there."

 

She sighs. "It's a big day today. I wonder if I'm ready for it."

 

He turns toward her. "Of course you are. Because you're Jin Sun-Mi."

 

Sun-Mi lowers her gaze to her cup. "I was just thinking... Where would I be, if you hadn't knocked me down with your car that day?"

 

Hyung-Chul leans back, shoulders stiffening. "What do you mean? It happened because you weren't looking!"

 

They laugh together.

 

She meets his eyes. "It happened because it was you, and it was me, and it was the Lord's will."

 

"A cord of three strands is not easily broken," he quotes softly. "Right?"

 

She nods. "Yes."

 

 

They turn their attention to the horizon, where a bright orange orb is rising through fingers of gray.

 

"It's the beginning of a new day... a new era..." Hyung-Chul says, taking her hand with a gentle squeeze.

 

Sun-Mi smiles. "It is... for better, for worse..."

 

 

 

Author's Closing Note

 

The vows of Holy Matrimony speak of a love that endures not only joy but hardship -- a love strengthened through trials, refined through suffering, and sustained by the grace of God. In Marriage is not merely companionship; it is a covenant, a joining of two lives into one, upheld by the One who created them for each other.

 

For Better For Worse follows Jin Sun-Mi and Yoon Hyung-Chul beyond the familiar scenes of All About Eve and into the deeper terrain of that covenant. Their journey in this story was not a retelling, but an exploration of what it means for two people -- flawed, hopeful, wounded, forgiven -- to walk together through seasons they never expected. Their love was tested, stretched, and purified, not to break them, but to reveal the strength of the bond God has woven between them.

 

Marriage, like faith, is lived out in the quiet moments as much as in the dramatic ones: in forgiveness offered, in trust rebuilt, in courage found, in grace received. Love endures “for better, for worse,” not by human strength alone, but by the steadfast hand of the One who joins two hearts as one.

 

Thank you for accompanying Sun Mi and Hyung Chul on this journey. May their story remind us that even in our frailty, love rooted in faith can endure, restore, and lead us home.

 

-- LoveCR2