EVEN THE MOON KNOWS (달도 아는 사랑)
Pilot Episode – “The Scandal Breaks”
written by
CELESTE M ESCALERA
Email: [email protected]
TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. SEOUL SKYLINE - NIGHT
A moon like a watchful eye. Neon skims the Han River. The
city inhales.
FLASHES. SHOUTS. CHAOS--
EXT. SEOUL SIDE STREET - CONTINUOUS
A BLACK VAN door slides. KIM HWAN (38), cap low, mask on,
steps out. PAPARAZZI and REPORTERS swarm.
REPORTER #1 (KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Will you end it before sponsors
pull out?
REPORTER #2 (KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Does your agency know you're still
seeing her?
REPORTER #3 (KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
She's ten years older! Is this a
phase? Hwan shields his face. For
a flicker-FEAR. Not of scandal. Of
losing her.
Security parts the crowd. Hwan slips through.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
2 -
Breaking News: Kim Hwan's Controversial Relationship Sparks Public Outcry
INT. KOREAN NEWS STATION - NIGHT (LIVE)
Clean, clinical. An ANCHOR addresses camera as B-ROLL of Hwan
being mobbed plays.
ANCHOR (KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Breaking: actor Kim Hwan linked to
an American woman of African
descent, older by ten years.
Sponsorships may be at risk.
SPLIT-SCREEN: ANCHOR #2 joins, more animated, leaning into
the gossip.
ANCHOR #2 (KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Fans are already divided. Some call
this a betrayal
of his image. Others say--finally,
he's human.
ANCHOR #1 (KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Trending worldwide. A petition is
circulating--nearly
fifty thousand signatures demanding
he apologize.
ANCHOR #2 (KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
And yet, there's support. Hashtags:
"LoveBeyondAge,"
"HwanDeservesHappiness." For the
first time, his private
life is public--completely.
ON SCREEN: a flood of COMMENTS and TWEETS--half fury, half
fascination.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Social Commentary"]
Ratings
Scene
3 -
K-Drama Idol's Unexpected Romance Shakes the Internet
INT. STARBUZZ NEWSROOM – NIGHT
(A TMZ-style tabloid show, fast and flashy.)
Graphics explode across the screen: "K-Drama Idol's Secret
Romance!"
Jennifer’s candid photo with Hwan fills the backdrop.
STARBUZZ HOST 1
(grinning)
Okay, y'all, THIS is the story
breaking the internet tonight.
Kim Hwan - yes, the K-drama star —
has a mystery woman.
And she’s not what the fans
expected.
HOST 2
(laughing, jumping in)
She's American. She’s Black. She's
forty-eight.
And honestly? She looks amazing.
Cut to clips of fans screaming at airports, holding signs.
HOST 1
Let's be real — K-idol buzz is
worldwide.
Women of all ages watch these
dramas, dreaming of that
perfect romance. And this?
HOST 2
(laughs, shaking head)
This is like life imitating K-
drama.
(MORE)
HOST 2 (CONT'D)
For once, older women who thought
the fairy tale was over -
they’re seeing hope.
HOST 1
Yeah, it's messy, it's shocking,
it's wild…
but come on - it’s also kind of
beautiful.
ON SCREEN GRAPHIC: #LoveBeyondAge #KDramaRomanceIRL
Global fans are already losing it online...
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Tabloid"]
Ratings
Scene
4 -
Invasion of Privacy
INT. JENNIFER'S APARTMENT - SEOUL - SAME
JENNIFER BLOCKER (48), poised even in shock, stares at
herself on the broadcast - a candid with Hwan, private joy
turned public.
Her PHONE VIBRATES madly. Calls. Texts. Alerts. She doesn't
touch it.
Marcus (text): CALL ME NOW!
Elaine (missed call): 3 times.
Lisa (screenshot from TMZ): "Girl… it's GLOBAL. You're on
TMZ!"
Jennifer stares. The candid photo of her and Hwan - once
private joy - is now plastered with a TMZ headline:
"K-Drama Idol Kim Hwan's Mystery Woman Revealed: Older,
American, and Black."
Her eyes linger on the photo. On her own laughing face. It
feels weaponized, alien.
She catches her reflection in the dark TV screen beside the
image - fear... and the flicker of resolve.
JENNIFER
(whispers)
Hwan...
SMASH TO BLACK.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
5 -
A Chance Encounter at Haneul Studios
FLASHBACK - INT. HANEUL STUDIOS - SEOUL - NIGHT
A streaming giant rival to Netflix. Sleek, modern, filled
with stars, executives, and flashing lights.
The room glimmers with champagne glasses, banners of new
global projects, and the quiet hum of deals being made.
Across the room - JENNIFER BLOCKER (48) laughs at a comment,
her smile lighting the space more than the chandeliers.
From the far side, KIM HWAN (38) notices her. Not the
executives. Not the starlets orbiting him. Her.
He lingers, trying not to stare - but failing.
The way she moves, the easy confidence in her stance, the
fluency of her Korean as she converses with a producer - it
disarms him.
JENNIFER (KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
The contract terms must account for
the Asia market. That’s the key.
The producer nods, impressed. Jennifer smiles.
Hwan's chest tightens — something about her smile makes him
feel like a boy again.
For a moment, he looks away, embarrassed by the warmth rising
in his cheeks.
Why is this woman - older, foreign, untouchable - making him
feel sixteen again?
Jennifer turns, now in conversation with Hwan's MANAGER, her
laughter ringing out again.
Hwan watches, frozen. And then... He straightens his jacket.
A deep breath. And saunters over, the practiced grace of a
celebrity… undercut by the boyish nerves churning inside.
He stops just close enough to be noticed. Jennifer turns,
surprised to see him standing there. For a moment - silence.
Two worlds colliding.
HWAN (KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
(softly)
Hello...
His voice is almost shy. He wishes he had a scrap of paper to
pass like a schoolboy: Do you like me? Circle yes or no.
Jennifer tilts her head, curious. Then she smiles again - and
he knows he's lost.
END FLASHBACK
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
6 -
Scandal and Solitude
INT. JENNIFER'S APARTMENT - SEOUL -— NIGHT (PRESENT)
Jennifer sits hunched in the dim light, shadows stretching
long across the room.
Her PHONE buzzes relentlessly on the table, vibrating against
the wood like a trapped insect.
On TV, her face beams in a laughing candid - the same smile
that first caught Hwan’s eye.
Jennifer studies it, hollow. The joy on-screen feels foreign
now, stolen and weaponized.
Her reflection in the black edges of the flatscreen doubles
her image — one version smiling, one watching, broken.
The phone BUZZES again, louder in the silence. Messages stack
on the screen, names she doesn't want to face: Marcus.
Elaine. Unknown Numbers. Journalists.
She presses a hand to her chest, steadying her breath. For a
flicker, she looks like she might vomit.
On TV, the anchors chatter over her photo - hashtags scroll:
#NoonaScandal / #ProtectHwan / #LoveBeyondAge.
Jennifer's eyes lock on the last one. Something flickers
there — hurt, but also a fragile thread of defiance.
A group video call INCOMING: Lisa, Jessica, Monica. She
hesitates… then answers.
ON SCREEN - THE CALL
LISA (mid 40s, bubbly, K‑drama superfan) - grinning ear to
ear.
JESSICA (early 40s, stylish, equally obsessed) - squealing
already.
MONICA (48, Jennifer’s childhood friend, sharp, skeptical) -
arms crossed, unimpressed.
LISA
Girl!! Don’t you dare hang up! We
just saw the news - Jennifer, oh my
God, you are living a K-drama
storyline!
JESSICA
Yes! This is like Crash Landing on
You but in real life! Where do I
sign up for my Korean celebrity
boyfriend?
Lisa and Jessica laugh, covering their mouths like giddy
teens. Jennifer forces a smile, but her eyes are heavy.
JENNIFER
It's not like that. This isn’t some
scripted fantasy.
LISA
Oh, please. Don’t ruin this for us.
We've been watching K-dramas for
years, and you’re the first one of
us to actually get the lead role!
JESSICA
(leaning in)
Do you know how many women in our
Facebook group are freaking out
right now? Half of them want to be
you, the other half want to
strangle you.
LISA
It's like you broke the internet.
My niece texted me, "Who is this
American ahjumma dating Kim Hwan?"
I told her - "That’s my friend
Jennifer. Respect your elders!"
Jennifer shakes her head, trying not to cry.
JENNIFER
This isn't funny. Do you know what
they're saying here? That I'm too
old. That I don’t belong. That
I'm...
MONICA
(cutting in, blunt)
Exactly. Jen, you need to stop with
these foreign men. You think this
ends well? Look - half of them
don’t even like Black women.
(MORE)
MONICA (CONT'D)
You're gorgeous. SUCCESSFUL. You
could have any Black man here at
home. Why go chasing drama?
Jennifer's jaw tightens.
Her phone BUZZES again - multiple notifications stacking,
vibrating across the table.
She glances down: 10 missed calls - Marcus. 6 missed calls -
Mom.
Her throat tightens. She presses her lips together, then
blurts out--
JENNIFER
I don't even know what to tell
Marcus. Or Mom. They’re blowing up
my phone, begging me to call.
Lisa and Jessica exchange a worried look.
LISA
Your brother? He's protective,
right?
JESSICA
And your mom - she probably just
wants to hear your voice.
JENNIFER
They don't understand. They'll just
say "come home." Like it’s that
easy. Like walking away would fix
everything.
Monica leans in closer, eyes sharp.
MONICA
Maybe they're right. Maybe leaving
is the fix.
Jennifer shakes her head, furious tears in her eyes.
JENNIFER
It's not that simple. They don't
see him. They don’t see what I see.
The phone vibrates again - buzzing across the table like it's
alive. Jennifer silences it with a sharp tap, breathing hard.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
7 -
Glances at the Gala
FLASHBACK - INT. HANEUL STUDIOS - SEOUL - NIGHT
The party glitters with champagne and chatter. Jennifer
stands near the bar, listening to a PRODUCER. She laughs
politely, glass in hand.
From across the room, she notices Hwan.
He's orbiting from group to group - sponsors, models, rising
idols pulling at him.
Everywhere he goes, someone is tugging at his sleeve, angling
for attention.
Jennifer catches it in glimpses - his smile offered, then
quickly hidden. A glance stolen in her direction. A quick
look down, then away, as though he's been caught.
Her brows knit, puzzled. Why is he looking here?
Suddenly, his MANAGER breaks away from the crowd and
approaches her.
MANAGER (IN BROKEN ENGLISH)
Miss... Blocker? I, uh.. with Hwan.
Sponsor... want meet.
Jennifer blinks, then smoothly answers in Korean - flawless,
fluid.
JENNIFER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Of course. I'd be happy to meet
them.
The Manager startles, then lets out a visible sigh of relief.
His shoulders loosen.
MANAGER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Ah - thank you. Your Korean is
excellent. That makes this much
easier.
Jennifer smiles, professional, shaking hands with the
SPONSOR. Still, her eyes flick across the room - back to
Hwan.
There he is again, glancing her way. This time, when their
eyes nearly meet, he ducks his head, letting someone else
steer him into another conversation.
Jennifer allows herself a faint smile - polite, not personal.
She assumes the looks were only to signal his manager to make
contact.
Not once does she imagine they’re anything more.
END FLASHBACK
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
8 -
Silent Tensions
INTERCUT - INT. HWAN'S AGENCY - CONFERENCE ROOM - NIGHT
Cold, clinical. A long glass table reflects harsh overhead
lights. Contracts and sponsorship packets stacked in the
corner like silent weapons.
Hwan sits at the head, tense. His MANAGER, LEGAL ADVISOR, and
PR EXEC lean in.
MANAGER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
We are in crisis. Seoul Cosmetics,
HanRiver Bank, even K-Wave Apparel
- all considering cancellation.
LEGAL ADVISOR (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Legally, there's no issue. But
image damage is another matter. If
you continue this relationship
publicly... it could cost millions.
PR EXEC (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
We can spin this. Say you're
focusing on work. Or... we leak a
romance with someone safe. A Korean
actress. A distraction.
Hwan's pen rolls between his fingers. His reflection stares
back at him from the glass table.
MANAGER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Think about your endorsements. Your
face is on every billboard in
Gangnam. They'll be ripped down by
morning if this continues.
LEGAL ADVISOR (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Your contract with Seoul Cosmetics
has a morality clause. They'll call
this "immoral."
PR EXEC (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
The fans are petitioning already.
Fifty thousand signatures in less
than a day.
Hwan's grip on the pen tightens until it creaks.
MANAGER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
This isn't just about you. It's the
crew members, the assistants, the
stylists. They'll lose their jobs
if the sponsors leave.
LEGAL ADVISOR (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
You've built twenty years of trust.
Do you want to burn it all for this
one woman?
Hwan's eyes flick upward, sharp, but he stays silent.
The PR Exec slides a folder across the table - glossy
headshots of young actresses.
PR EXEC (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Choose one. We'll leak a dinner
story. Make it clean. She fades
out, and the industry moves on.
The folder sits in front of Hwan. He doesn’t touch it.
MANAGER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Do it now, before the contracts
collapse.
A heavy pause. The clock on the wall ticks like a metronome.
Hwan exhales slowly, setting the pen down. He doesn't touch
the folder. His reflection stares back at him, fractured by
the glass table.
BACK TO CALL - JENNIFER
JESSICA
Monica, come on. Look at him - he
adores her. That's not fake.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
9 -
Love in the Shadows
FLASHBACK — EXT. SEOUL STREETS — EVENING
Quiet backstreets, neon humming faint in the distance.
Jennifer and Hwan walk side by side, baseball caps low, masks
on. Their fingers brush - then twine, tentative at first,
then sure.
They pause at a pojangmacha stall. Steam curls into the night
air.
Hwan pulls his mask down, grinning boyishly as Jennifer does
the same. The vendor piles tteokbokki onto plates, the spice
hitting the air.
Jennifer laughs when sauce smears on Hwan's lip. She wipes it
gently with a napkin, and for a beat, their eyes lock -
playful, unguarded.
He leans in, whispering something only she can hear. Jennifer
throws her head back, laughing loud and free, caps and masks
forgotten on the bench beside them.
END FLASHBACK
BACK TO CALL - JENNIFER
Lisa beams on screen, Jessica nodding like she's proven her
point. Monica looks unconvinced, arms still crossed.
LISA
(leaning close to camera)
Jen, seriously, that man looked at
you like you were the only person
in the room. That’s not press.
That’s love.
MONICA
(snapping back)
Pictures lie. Men lie. And when the
cameras stop flashing, he'll move
on and you’ll be left in pieces.
JENNIFER
(quiet, hurt)
You don't know him.
MONICA
I don't need to. I know how this
ends.
Jennifer's lips part, wanting to argue - but her phone buzzes
again beneath her hand. Another call waiting. She ignores it.
Her screen lights with the names: Marcus. Elaine. Marcus
again.
Jennifer swallows hard, blinking back tears.
JENNIFER
(whispers, half to
herself)
They won’t stop until I pick up.
Lisa shifts uncomfortably, her earlier giddiness fading.
LISA
Jen... maybe just tell them you're
okay?
JESSICA
Yeah, let them hear your voice.
Parents panic. Brothers too.
Jennifer shakes her head, voice trembling.
JENNIFER
If I call, they'll beg me to come
home. And I... I can't leave him.
Not like this.
Monica exhales sharply, shaking her head.
MONICA
Or maybe that’s exactly what you
should do. Save yourself before
this swallows you whole.
Jennifer slams her hand against the table, startling them.
JENNIFER
(voice breaking)
No! You don’t understand. He's the
first person who's ever seen me.
Really seen me.
The three friends fall silent, their screens frozen in shock.
Her phone BUZZES again, rattling violently against the wood.
Jennifer stares at it - torn between worlds - before finally
pressing Decline.
Her hand lingers on the phone, shaking.
INTERCUT — HWAN’S AGENCY
MANAGER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
This isn't just about you, Hwan. Do
you realize how many staff, how
many livelihoods depend on your
image?
LEGAL ADVISOR (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
If you want to keep her, you will
lose contracts. And not just now -
for years.
PR EXEC (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
The public wants a fantasy, not
reality. You give them reality...
you'll lose them.
Hwan stares at the table. The voices echo, blurring into
memory--
MANAGER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Think of the stylists, the drivers,
the crew. They'll all pay the price
for this choice.
LEGAL ADVISOR (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
There are morality clauses in
nearly every deal you’ve signed.
They won't hesitate to enforce
them.
LEGAL ADVISOR (IN KOREAN,
SUBTITLED) (CONT'D)
These contracts don’t just pay you
for acting. They pay you for an
image. And every line says if you
damage that image, they can walk
away.
PR EXEC (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
They don't care if it's love, Hwan.
They care if it sells lipstick.
Right now - you don’t.
MANAGER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
A foreign woman. Older. Black. To
them, that isn’t romance - it’s
risk. And no sponsor wants to buy
risk.
PR EXEC (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
We can craft a narrative if you let
us. Say it was loneliness. A
mistake. People forgive mistakes.
MANAGER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
But they won't forgive this. Not if
you keep standing beside her.
Hwan's hand tightens around the broken pen, his knuckles
white.
LEGAL ADVISOR (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
You could end this now, save your
career, and no one would blame you.
PR EXEC (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Or you can watch everything you've
built collapse.
The voices overlap, louder, harsher - a chorus of commands.
MANAGER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Choose, Hwan. Career or her. You
can't have both.
Hwan shuts his eyes. The noise fades, dissolving into-
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
10 -
Karaoke Confrontation
FLASHBACK - INT. SEOUL - KARAOKE ROOM (NORAEBANG) - LATE
NIGHT
Neon lights pulse against padded walls. Empty soju bottles
and microphones scatter across the table.
Hwan sits slouched with three male friends, the air thick
with smoke, music, and laughter.
DO-HYUN (39, brash) waves the mic like a stand-up comedian,
eyes bloodshot.
DO-HYUN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
A Black woman? Come on, man. That's
just curiosity. You'll get over it
by next month.
The friends roar with laughter, pounding the table. Someone
sloshes beer on the floor.
SEOK-JIN (40, sarcastic, family man type) raises his glass,
smirking.
SEOK-JIN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Bro, if your parents find out,
they'll faint. Maybe ship you off
to the army again.
More howls of laughter. One friend coughs from drinking too
fast.
Hwan forces a tight smile, taking a long drink to mask the
sting.
DO-HYUN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
You know how this ends. Fans
screaming, sponsors crying. You’ll
be back with some actress your
manager picks.
SEOK-JIN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Yeah, something safe. Young.
Korean. Pretty enough for
commercials. That’s the job, right?
They clap each other on the back. The laughter grows meaner,
sharper.
Hwan's grip tightens around his glass. His eyes lower to the
table, trying not to react.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED, SHARP)
Enough.
The table quiets for half a second, then Do-hyun chuckles.
DO-HYUN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
What? Can't take a joke?
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
(angry, low)
It's not a joke when it’s her.
SEOK-JIN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Come on, we’re just looking out for
you-
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
No. You're laughing at her. At me.
He slams his glass down. The table rattles, liquid spilling.
A beat of silence. Uneasy.
Then MIN-JAE (38, thoughtful, observant) leans forward, voice
calmer, slicing through the noise.
MIN-JAE (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
No. I think it's cool.
The room falters, their chuckles thinning.
MIN-JAE (IN KOREAN,
SUBTITLED) (CONT'D)
It looks real. You've dated models,
idols... I've seen you fake smiles.
None of them made you laugh like
she does.
A hush. Do-hyun frowns, shaking his head.
DO-HYUN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
You're drunk, Min-jae.
MIN-JAE (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Maybe. But I know the difference
between a scandal and love.
The others shift uncomfortably. Seok-jin clears his throat,
pretending to refill his glass.
MIN-JAE (IN KOREAN,
SUBTITLED) (CONT'D)
I wish I could meet someone like
that. Someone who makes the noise
fade. Especially... someone like
Jennifer.
The laughter dies down.
Min-jae studies Hwan for a long beat, remembering-
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
11 -
Love vs. Career: A Defiant Choice
FLASHBACK - INT. SEOUL - KARAOKE ROOM (NORAEBANG) - NIGHT
(YEARS EARLIER)
Neon lights flicker. Music hums from another booth down the
hall. Empty glasses and half-eaten snacks clutter the table.
Soo-min (30s) sits stiffly on the couch, arms crossed,
glaring at Hwan. He flips through the karaoke remote, trying
to avoid her eyes.
SOO-MIN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
You never take me out. Always
hiding me in these rooms like I’m a
scandal waiting to happen.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
You know the industry. If they find
out-
SOO-MIN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
If they find out, you lose
sponsors. That's what this is
really about.
She grabs the mic, sets it down with a clatter. The sound
echoes louder than the music.
At the corner of the booth sits Min-jae, nursing a beer,
caught in the middle. His eyes flick between them - Soo-min
raging, Hwan shrinking.
Min-jae doesn't speak. He just exhales, jaw tight, the
disappointment on his face louder than words.
END FLASHBACK - KARAOKE ROOM (NORAEBANG) - NIGHT (YEARS
EARLIER)
BACK TO FLASHBACK - KARAOKE ROOM
(we are still in the current karaoke flashback)
The words hang heavy in the smoky air. The room quiets
completely. No one laughs.
For the first time that night, Hwan lets out the smallest
smile - not at the jokes,
but at Min-jae's words. At least one person understands.
END FLASHBACK
BACK TO CALL - JENNIFER
MONICA
(skeptical)
Until it ruins her. Until he moves
on. Then what? Jen's left in the
headlines, and he’s back with some
twenty-five-year-old Korean girl
his parents pick.
Jennifer straightens, her voice quiet but steady.
JENNIFER
You all need to hear me. This isn't
peaches and cream. It’s not a
drama. It's not a fantasy. Love -
ANY love - takes work.
(beat)
This is the hardest thing I've ever
fought for. I have never met anyone
who treats me the way he does. He
touches my heart in ways I have
only dreamt of.
Lisa lowers her eyes, finally serious.
Jessica wipes at her cheeks, surprised by her own emotion.
Monica opens her mouth like she wants to fire back... but
nothing comes.
Jennifer's phone BUZZES again - dozens of texts stacking one
after another.
On screen, Lisa whispers, almost to herself:
LISA
(Whispers almost to self)
He really loves you, doesn't he?
JESSICA
(nods, soft)
Yeah. It shows.
Monica leans in closer, her voice low, conflicted.
MONICA
Just... promise me you won't lose
yourself in this.
Jennifer breathes in, steady, her chin lifting.
She hovers her finger over the screen, then presses "End
Call."
Silence on the call. Even Monica softens a little, though she
doesn't say it.
Jennifer exhales, ending the call. Her reflection lingers in
the black screen of her phone.
INTERCUT - HWAN’S AGENCY - NIGHT
The room is frozen, air brittle. The Manager, Legal Advisor,
and PR Exec stare at Hwan, waiting.
Suddenly - the MANAGER's phone VIBRATES. The name flashes:
SEOUL COSMETICS - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
He hesitates, then answers on speaker.
SPONSOR REP (V.O., IN KOREAN,
SUBTITLED)
We cannot be associated with this
scandal. Unless it ends quickly,
the contract is void.
The line drops. The room shrinks.
The MANAGER exhales, setting the phone down like it burned
his hand.
MANAGER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Hwan... you have to make a
decision.
Hwan lifts his eyes, steady now. His hand hovers over the
stack of contracts, sponsors' logos glaring like silent
judges. His knuckles whiten.
LEGAL ADVISOR (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
If Seoul Cosmetics walks, HanRiver
Bank will follow. Then K-Wave. This
is dominoes, Hwan.
PR EXEC (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
We can fix this. End it cleanly
tonight, and in a month the public
will forgive.
Hwan doesn't move. His silence rattles them more than anger
would.
MANAGER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
(pleading now)
Think about your staff. Think about
the families that depend on you.
LEGAL ADVISOR (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
You'll be branded selfish.
Reckless. A risk no one can insure.
Hwan's jaw tightens. His grip on the pen snaps it in two.
PR EXEC (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
If you stay with her, this agency
bleeds. That’s not romance. That’s
ruin.
A long silence. The clock on the wall TICKS, echoing in the
sterile room.
Hwan slides the broken pen across the table. It rolls, slow,
stopping at the Manager’s hand.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
(quiet, firm)
Better ruined than false.
The Manager flinches at the words, as if struck.
Hwan pushes the papers aside, gathers his folder, and stands.
The Manager rises.
MANAGER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Hwan--!
But Hwan doesn't answer. He turns, walks out.
The others remain frozen, stunned. His silence says
everything:
he's not ready to let her go.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
12 -
Reflections of Jealousy
INT. SOO-MIN’S APARTMENT — NIGHT
Dark. Designer. Expensive.
On her giant flatscreen, the KOREAN NEWS broadcast replays -
Jennifer's laughing candid photo blown up, hashtags scrolling
beneath.
SOO-MIN (34), elegant and polished - a B-List actress, and
Hwan’s ex - leans back on her sofa, wine glass in hand.
She pauses the screen on Jennifer's face. Stares. The smile
fades into something colder.
She glances at her phone on the table. Screen blank. No
reply.
FLASHBACK - INT. LUXURY HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT (YEARS EARLIER)
Curtains drawn. Dinner trays on the table, untouched.
SOO-MIN (late 20s then) sits on the bed, dressed for a night
out, makeup perfect.
Hwan enters, cap low, mask still on. He pulls it off, tired.
With take-out in his hand.
SOO-MIN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
We could have gone out. Just once.
Dinner, a movie - something.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
You know the press. If they see us-
SOO-MIN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
If they see us, what? You lose a
sponsor? They’ll survive. We'll
survive.
Hwan avoids her eyes, picking at his food instead. She
watches him, the sting sharp.
SOO-MIN (V.O. IN KOREAN,
SUBTITLED) (CONT'D)
He never took me anywhere. Never
showed me off. Always hiding,
always cautious.
I thought it was love. Maybe it
wasn't. Maybe I just wasn’t worth
the risk.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
13 -
Fleeting Fame and Abandonment
FLASHBACK - INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT (LATER)
Another man now - a bigger name, an A-list actor.
The flashes outside are relentless, fans screaming.
Soo-min sits across from him, smiling wide for the cameras,
soaking in the attention.
SOO-MIN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
So I told myself I could do better.
Someone braver. Someone who’d claim
me in public.
But the actor won’t meet her eyes. His phone buzzes. He
glances at the mob outside, his smile slipping.
SOO-MIN (IN KOREAN,
SUBTITLED) (CONT'D)
And when the world turned on us...
he ran. Left me the second it got
hard.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
14 -
Shadows of Jealousy
FLASHBACK — INT. SOO-MIN’S BEDROOM — NIGHT
She scrolls endless headlines on her phone: "A-List Breakup
Scandal!" / "Fans Demand Actor Apologize."
She sits alone, mascara streaked, wine glass in hand.
SOO-MIN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
That's when I realized… maybe Hwan
had been the better man all along.
Even if he never chose me enough to
fight for it.
END FLASHBACK
BACK TO SOO-MIN’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
The TV glow bleeds across her face. She hasn't moved.
SOO-MIN (TEXTS TO HWAN):
-- Are you okay? This must be hard.
-- I'm here if you need someone to talk to.
-- Please call me.
Unread. All delivered. No reply.
All unanswered.
She waits. Nothing.
Her fingers tighten around the stem of her glass, the hope in
her eyes sinking into something darker.
She exhales sharply, almost a laugh - brittle, humorless -
shaking her head.
SOO-MIN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
(mutters)
She doesn't know this world. She'll
break.
She rewinds the news clip - the moment Hwan shields Jennifer
with his arm. She watches it frame by frame.
Her nails dig into the remote.
SOO-MIN (IN KOREAN,
SUBTITLED) (CONT'D)
(whispering)
That was supposed to be me.
Her phone buzzes - a notification from a group chat with
mutual friends.
Messages pop up: "Poor Hwan... this scandal is a mess." / "He
should've stayed with Soo-min."
Her lips curl faintly. She types a single line back:
SOO-MIN (TEXT TO GROUP, IN KOREAN
SUBTITLED) (CONT'D)
Some people forget how fragile he
is. I just hope she doesn’t destroy
him.
She zooms: HWAN leaving a side door, cap low, no security -
exposed.
One tap and it's everywhere.
SOO-MIN (IN KOREAN,
SUBTITLED) (CONT'D)
(to herself)
Smile now, foreigner. Let's see how
long it lasts.
She drains the rest of her wine. Sets the glass down with a
sharp clink.
Then she scrolls her photo gallery - dozens of candid shots
of Hwan, some old, some recent.
Some are red-carpet images. Others are grainy, taken from a
distance - street corners, building exits, his head bowed
under a cap.
VOICES IN HER HEAD - faint echoes of fans from the TV
broadcast: "Protect Hwan." "He's ours." "Apologize."
She zooms in on one particular photo - Hwan leaving a
building alone, shoulders slumped, vulnerable.
Her thumb hovers over the "share" button.
Her breath quickens. For a moment, she almost presses it.
Then-she cancels. Locks the screen.
SOO-MIN (IN KOREAN,
SUBTITLED) (CONT'D)
(low, to herself)
Not yet.
She leans back, eyes narrowing at Jennifer's frozen smile on
the TV.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
15 -
Silent Longing Amidst Pressure
INT. JENNIFER'S APARTMENT — NIGHT
The KAKAO VIDEO CALL flickers to life. HWAN appears on screen
- tired, drained, but softening when he sees Jennifer.
HWAN
(in Korean; subtitled)
Are you okay?
JENNIFER
(in Korean; subtitled)
Trying to be. You?
He rubs his temples, his shoulders sagging.
HWAN
(in Korean; subtitled)
Manager. Lawyer. Everyone says...
end it.
Jennifer's breath catches. She shakes her head slightly.
JENNIFER
(in Korean; subtitled)
Is that.. what you want?
A long pause. He searches her face. Then, he switches
deliberately.
HWAN
(in English)
No. Never.
Jennifer exhales, relief flickering through her exhaustion.
JENNIFER
(in English, soft)
Then why do you sound like you're
saying goodbye?
Hwan's lips twitch - almost a smile, almost a frown.
HWAN
(in Korean; subtitled)
Because the whole world is
screaming at me. At us. It's loud,
Jen. Too loud. And you have kids...
JENNIFER
(in Korean; subtitled)
Then let them scream.
(MORE)
JENNIFER (CONT'D)
I'll still hear you. My kids are
tough and know entertainment
gossip...
He closes his eyes for a moment, touched.
HWAN
(in English, low)
God, I wish I was there.
JENNIFER
(in English, with a faint
smile)
Me too. Even just five minutes...
They sit in silence, just watching each other breathe. Then
his screen flickers: INCOMING CALLS flash across - "Mother."
"Father." He grimaces.
HWAN
(in Korean; subtitled)
Parents. They won’t stop. I'll call
you after.
SMASH CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
16 -
A Call for Understanding
INT. JENNIFER'S PLACE — LATER — WHATSAPP CALL
ELAINE (early 70s) and MARCUS (50) fill the screen.
MARCUS
Pack. Come home. They don’t want
you there.
JENNIFER
I've built a life here, Marcus. A
career. I've studied this language
for ten years, poured myself into
this culture. I'm not running just
because some strangers think I
don't belong.
ELAINE
Honey, you don’t have to prove
yourself to them. You're already
accomplished. Why stay in a place
that's tearing you apart?
JENNIFER
Because my work matters here.
Because he matters here.
(MORE)
JENNIFER (CONT'D)
I've earned my seat at those
tables, and no hashtag is going to
take that away from me.
MARCUS
And when the sponsors pull him
apart? When the industry turns on
you both? You think they'll protect
you? "HE'LL PROTECT YOU?!"
JENNIFER
I'm not naive. I know the risks.
But I refuse to be the American who
comes here, takes what she wants,
and runs when it gets hard.
ELAINE
We're not saying run. We're
saying... don't let this break you.
JENNIFER
It won't. I've fought through
worse. You raised me tougher than
that.
MARCUS
(sighs, softening)
I just don't want to watch you get
crucified on every screen in two
countries.
JENNIFER
Then don't watch. Trust me instead.
Trust that I know what I’m doing.
A silence. Elaine studies her daughter, pride battling fear.
ELAINE
Just promise us one thing - if it
gets too heavy... you'll call.
JENNIFER
(quiet, firm)
I promise.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
17 -
Barbecue Tensions
EXT. FAMILY BACKYARD — ATLANTA — DAY (TIME DIFFERENCE)
Grill smoking. Kids shoot hoops in the driveway. A table
loaded with ribs, potato salad, and sweet tea.
MARCUS (50) flips ribs, jaw tight. ELAINE (early 70s) sips
slowly, watching him. JASON (24) and MAYA (20) sit close,
phones out.
On the porch TV - StarBuzz flashes Jennifer’s candid with
Hwan: “K-Drama Idol’s Secret Romance!”
NEIGHBOR WOMAN (50s, shaking her head)
Lord, I thought I’d seen everything. Now Jenny’s face is on
Korean TV?
MAYA
(correcting)
It’s not “Jenny.” It’s Mom.
JASON
And she’s fine. We’ve talked to him
on video. He treats her right.
Marcus slams the grill lid a little too hard.
MARCUS
Video calls ain’t real life. A
smile on a screen don’t mean he can
hold her up when the storm hits.
MAYA
(defensive)
Uncle Marcus, he does. He actually
listens to her.
JASON
Yeah. More than I’ve seen from guys
here who don’t even look up from
their phones.
Marcus shoots them a look.
MARCUS
Respect don’t stop contracts from
tearing up. Respect don’t stop fans
from dragging her name through the
mud.
Elaine sets down her tea.
ELAINE
Marcus—
MARCUS
(cutting in)
Nah. Y’all too young to see it. But
I’ve lived long enough — people
love you till they don’t. And when
they turn? It’s ugly.
Jason leans in, steady.
JASON
We’re not blind. We know Mom. And
we’ve seen him. He’s not like the
headlines.
MAYA
Exactly. If she believes in him, so
do we.
The TV cuts to BREAKING NEWS — “SEOUL COSMETICS SUSPENDS
CONTRACT WITH KIM HWAN.”
The laughter dies. Everyone goes still.
Marcus wipes his hands, grabs his phone, typing.
INSERT — his text to Jennifer:
“The kids believe in you. I do too. But I’m scared for you.
For them. For your career, your heart. Just… be sure he’s
worth all this.”
He hesitates, thumb hovering… then SENDS.
Elaine sees it, lays a gentle hand on his arm.
ELAINE
(soft, reassuring)
You’re not doubting her. You’re
just afraid she’ll pay the price.
Marcus exhales, nodding, eyes on the TV headline.
MARCUS
(quiet)
She’s fought too hard to build this
life. I don’t want to watch it… or
her… fall apart.
Jason and Maya exchange a look — protective of their mom, but
understanding their uncle’s worry.
FADE OUT.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
18 -
Cultural Crossroads
INT. HWAN’S FAMILY HOME — RURAL KOREA — NIGHT — KAKAO
A fluorescent light hums. Framed family photos on pine walls.
MOTHER and FATHER crowd the phone, anxious faces close to the
camera.
MOTHER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
A Black woman? Older? Why didn’t
you say?
FATHER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
People here have never even met a
Black person. This is shameful.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Age, skin—don’t matter. She’s the
most important person to me.
Father exhales through his nose, glancing at Mother; he
softens nothing.
FATHER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
We’ve never even heard of you
dating anyone, not once in sixteen
years. Always work, work. And now
this—on the news?
MOTHER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
You never brought a girl home. Not
even for a holiday. We thought…
maybe you didn’t want marriage at
all.
FATHER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Find a good Korean woman. A
respectable family. Someone who
understands our ways. A wife who
will protect your name.
Hwan swallows, steady.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
I understand our ways. I honor you.
But I will not pick a stranger to
comfort the neighbors.
Mother flinches; the word “neighbors” lands.
MOTHER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
The elders are already talking.
Your aunt called. Our pastor asked
if we are all right.
FATHER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Grandchildren? What about our name,
our family line? She is older… can
she even have children?
A beat. Hwan doesn’t blink.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Jennifer has two children. Twenty-
four and twenty. College. I’ve met
them—on video. They’re thoughtful,
respectful. That’s family.
FATHER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
That’s her family. Not ours. We
hoped for grandchildren before we
are too old to enjoy them.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Appa… I don’t want children of my
own. I want a life with her. Quiet
when I’m tired. Laughter when I
forget how. That’s enough for me.
Mother’s eyes search his face on the screen.
MOTHER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
She is… kind to you?
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
She listens. She tells me hard
truths. She learned our language
for ten years because she respected
our culture before she ever met me.
Father’s jaw works.
FATHER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Sixteen years you built this career
from twenty-two. One scandal can
take it all. Sponsors do not
forgive. Neither do fans.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
I have lived for sponsors, for
fans, for sixteen years. For once I
choose someone who sees me when the
cameras are off.
MOTHER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
People will not understand.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED; THEN IN
ENGLISH)
Maybe not. But I do. I love her.
(in English) I love her.
Mother blinks at the English; Father looks away.
FATHER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
A good Korean woman would protect
you from this.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
A good woman protects my heart. She
already does.
A long silence. The clock ticks on the wall behind them.
MOTHER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED; SOFTER)
If… if she is important, we should
meet her properly. Not through…
gossip.
Father shoots Mother a look; she holds it.
FATHER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
We will not promise approval.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
I am not asking for permission. I’m
asking you to see her—to see me.
Another quiet beat. Father clears his throat.
FATHER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Eat well. Sleep. Do not read
comments. We… will think.
MOTHER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Call again, soon. Don’t make us
wait so long.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Yes, Omma. I will.
FATHER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Yes. We should hear from you first
— not through reporters.
He hesitates, then adds, gentle but unshakable:
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
I’m not ending this.
Father says nothing. Mother nods—tiny, conflicted.
The call clicks off. His parents stare at the blank screen.
Beat of silence. Father exhales, muttering under his breath:
FATHER (SUBTITLED)
“Now I must face the bathhouse
tomorrow…”
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
19 -
Silent Concerns
INT. HWAN’S FAMILY HOME — KITCHEN — NIGHT
The KAKAO call has just ended. The room feels heavy.
MOTHER exhales, pacing. FATHER pours himself a small soju.
MOTHER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Sixteen years in Seoul… and all it
brings is trouble. Acting,
sponsors, gossip. Not even one good
introduction to a nice girl.
FATHER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
And now… a Black woman. Older! Do
you know what my friends at the
bathhouse will say tomorrow?
He mimics, puffing his chest like an old man.
FATHER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED,
MOCKING) (CONT'D)
“Ah, Kim! Your son likes noonas!
American ones! Big scandal!”
He throws back the drink with a groan. MOTHER swats him
lightly.
MOTHER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Stop joking. It’s serious.
FATHER (GRUMBLING, SUBTITLED)
So is Mr. Park’s mouth. He’ll tell
the whole neighborhood by sunrise.
They exchange a weary look. For a moment — silence. Then
Father pours another shot but doesn’t drink it. His tone
softens..
FATHER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED) (CONT'D)
Still… he sounded sure. Like
nothing we said mattered.
MOTHER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
(stern, but quieter)
It should matter. We raised him. We
protected him. And now strangers,
sponsors, even Americans — they all
pull at him more than us.
She finally pours herself a drink. They both sit, the clock
ticking loudly between them.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
20 -
Circle of Support
INT. CHURCH MULTIPURPOSE ROOM — CLEVELAND — EVENING
Folding chairs. Coffee urn. A circle of ELAINE’s friends
(70s) hover over a tablet showing the same headlines.
MRS. CARTER
Lord have mercy, they’re loud over
there.
ELAINE
(stern, proud)
They can be loud. Jennifer can be
louder — when it’s worth it.
MRS. NGUYEN
(smiling)
My husband is Vietnamese. First
years were… noisy. People learn or
they get tired of hearing
themselves.
MRS. CARTER
You worried, Elaine?
ELAINE
I’m a mother. That’s the job —
worry and support in equal measure.
MRS. NGUYEN
Then we support. I’ll teach you
“fighting!” in Korean.
Beat
(playful)
화이팅.
(Hwaiting)
GROUP
(tentative chorus)
Hwaiting…?
They laugh with themselves, warm.
MRS. NGUYEN
That means FIGHTING. Or that is
what my google translate said when
I searched it, after trying to
watch that famous, Squid movie on
Netflix.
ELAINE
(soft)
She’s earned her life. I won’t help
anyone take it.
Mrs. Carter squeezes her hand.
CUT ON THEIR LITTLE CIRCLE — quiet strength.
CUT TO:
A swirl of red wine in a crystal glass.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Relationship"]
Ratings
Scene
21 -
Gossip and Tension at Dinner
INT. UPSCALE RESTAURANT — NIGHT (PRESENT)
Dim light. Crystal glasses. The clink of cutlery and soft
jazz.
SOO-MIN sits poised, elegant in her seat across from DO-HYUN
and SEOK-JIN. MIN-JAE lingers at the edge of the table,
quieter, nursing his drink.
They’ve already been gossiping — laughter fading into the low
hum of conversation.
DO-HYUN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
It’s insane. The whole country is
talking about him. About her.
SEOK-JIN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
A foreign woman, ten years older.
Sponsors don’t forgive that. Not in
Korea.
Soo-min leans back, lips curling into a knowing smile.
SOO-MIN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
That’s the point. This isn’t some
grand love story. It’s a scandal.
And I made sure of it.
The men freeze, startled. Min-jae looks up sharply.
DO-HYUN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Wait. What?
SOO-MIN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
(savoring it)
The photo. The story. All of it
came from me.
Do-hyun bursts out laughing, slapping the table.
DO-HYUN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Savage. God, Soo-min, you’ve still
got it.
SEOK-JIN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
(lifting his glass)
Makes sense. You and Hwan always
fit better anyway. This? A midlife
crisis. It’ll pass.
Soo-min swirls her wine, eyes glittering, drinking in their
validation.
SOO-MIN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Exactly. He’ll realize soon enough.
He always comes back to me.
MIN-JAE (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED,
QUIETLY)
That’s not love.
They all turn to him.
MIN-JAE (IN KOREAN,
SUBTITLED) (CONT'D)
What he has now… whatever you think
of her, it’s real. I’ve never seen
him like this. Not with you. Not
with anyone.
The words hang. Tension. A spoon CLINKS against porcelain;
Soo-min’s gaze goes distant—
SOO-MIN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Real? Don’t be naïve, Min-jae. He’s
blinded. She’s a phase, a foreign
trophy. That’s all.
SMASH SOUND BRIDGE: the CLINK becomes a tambourine jingle—
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
22 -
Echoes of Distant Connections
FLASHBACK — INT. LUXURY HOTEL SUITE — NIGHT (YEARS EARLIER) —
SOO-MIN’S POV
Curtains drawn. Takeout on the table, untouched. Hwan on his
phone, distant.
Soo-min sets chopsticks down, trying to catch his eye; he
keeps his cap on the chair beside him like armor.
SOO-MIN (V.O., IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
With me, it was always secret.
Always hidden. He never wanted the
world to see us.
She shifts closer, attempts to lace their fingers. He gently
withdraws, murmurs, “Let’s not be careless.”
SOO-MIN (V.O., IN KOREAN,
SUBTITLED) (CONT'D)
I told myself he was protecting us.
Maybe… he was protecting himself.
She forces a light laugh. He never looks up.
END FLASHBACK — BACK TO RESTAURANT
Soo-min blinks the memory away, mask sliding back on.
SOO-MIN (CONT’D, IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Now suddenly he’s parading around
with her? Laughing in the streets?
That’s not love. That’s rebellion.
DO-HYUN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Exactly. It’s reckless.
SEOK-JIN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
And it won’t last. Sponsors will
crush it. Fans will crush it.
MIN-JAE (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED, FIRM)
Or maybe it will last because for
once, he’s not pretending.
The table goes still. Soo-min glares.
SOO-MIN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED, SHARPER
NOW)
Pretending? Are you saying I was
pretend?
MIN-JAE (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
I’m saying you loved the spotlight
more than him. And he knew it.
The words cut. Seok-jin fidgets, uneasy. Do-hyun clears his
throat, trying to lighten the air.
DO-HYUN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED,
DEFLECTING)
Alright, enough. We’re here to
drink, not preach.
He waves for the waiter, ordering another bottle of wine.
Soo-min leans toward Min-jae, voice low, dangerous.
SOO-MIN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Careful, Min-jae. Loyalty matters
in this circle. Don’t put yourself
outside of it.
MIN-JAE (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Maybe loyalty means telling the
truth. Even if none of you want to
hear it.
Soo-min leans back, smiling again — sharp, glittering.
SOO-MIN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Truth is what the headlines say.
And I wrote the headline.
Her words linger. The waiter sets down fresh wine. Glasses
refill.
DO-HYUN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
To survival, then.
SEOK-JIN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
To knowing how to play the game.
They clink glasses. Min-jae doesn’t move. His hand stays on
the table, tense.
MIN-JAE (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED, QUIETLY
TO HIMSELF)
It’s not a game to him. Or to her.
He pushes his glass away, disgust in his eyes.
SOO-MIN (NOTICING, IN KOREAN,
SUBTITLED)
Don’t look at me like that. One day
you’ll thank me when he’s safe
again.
MIN-JAE (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Safe? Or alone?
Soo-min says nothing, sipping her wine with deliberate calm.
The silence grows louder. HOLD on Min-jae’s face — troubled,
already deciding he has to tell Hwan.
DISSOLVE TO:
Jennifer’s hand pushing open the glass door of a neon cafE.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
23 -
Confrontation and Isolation
INT. NEON CAFE/BAR — NIGHT (A FEW DAYS LATER)
Jennifer and Hwan step inside. The atmosphere is warm neon,
chatter, clinking glasses.
At the counter — DO-HYUN and SEOK-JIN. They look up.
DO-HYUN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Hwan-ah!
SEOK-JIN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Long time, brother.
Hwan offers a small smile, casual nods.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Good to see you both.
Jennifer gives a polite bow. They murmur greetings back,
sizing her up.
The couple heads to a booth. Hwan sets down his jacket.
HWAN (TO JENNIFER, SOFTLY, IN
ENGLISH) (CONT'D)
Give me a second. Restroom.
Jennifer nods, sliding into the booth. Hwan turns and walks
toward the bathroom.
As soon as he’s gone — Do-hyun leans in, lowering his voice.
DO-HYUN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
OMG… did he really bring her here?
Isn’t it past her bedtime? Maybe
she needs to take her arthritis
medication.
Seok-jin snickers, piling on.
SEOK-JIN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Right?! Hwan had better get that
food to-go. And tell her not all
Asians eat dog so the food’s safe.
They laugh, smug — convinced Jennifer doesn’t understand.
Jennifer freezes, back still to them. Slowly, she lays her
menu flat.
JENNIFER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED, DRY
WIT)
Funny thing… arthritis medicine? I
take mine with soju.
(beat)
And for the record, if Hwan ever
ordered me dog for dinner, I’d try
it. Because I actually trust his
choices.
She lets it hang — daring them to laugh.
Do-hyun and Seok-jin freeze, their grins collapsing. One
chokes on his drink.
Jennifer finally turns just enough to catch their eyes, one
eyebrow raised.
JENNIFER (IN KOREAN,
SUBTITLED) (CONT'D)
Next time you gossip? Choose a
language I don’t speak.
The men bow their heads, stammering.
DO-HYUN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Noona… we—we’re sorry. Just joking.
SEOK-JIN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Yeah, no offense meant. Sorry.
Just then — Hwan emerges from the bathroom, catching the
awkwardness in the air. The men bow to him quickly, muttering
more apologies.
Hwan’s gaze sharpens. He looks at Jennifer — she gives him a
cool, triumphant smile.
JENNIFER (IN ENGLISH, PLAYFUL)
Handled it.
Hwan exhales, half-smile tugging his lips — pride, not pity.
Hwan slides back into the booth, sliding an arm along the
backrest. His friends hover, awkward. Do-hyun clears his
throat.
DO-HYUN
(in Korean, subtitled)
We didn’t know you spoke… that
well.
Jennifer cocks an eyebrow, switching smoothly.
JENNIFER
(in Korean, subtitled)
I’ve studied for ten years. You
think I moved here for subtitles?
Seok-jin chokes on his drink, caught. Hwan smirks, enjoying
it.
HWAN
(in Korean, subtitled,
teasing)
Sit down before she embarrasses you
more.
The men hesitate, then slide into the booth across from her.
SEOK-JIN
(trying to recover,
subtitled)
Alright then. What’s your favorite
Korean dish? Don’t say bulgogi.
Everyone says bulgogi.
Jennifer leans forward, deadpan.
JENNIFER
(in Korean, subtitled)
DOG! It is tender if cooked
correctly. But in America we enjoy
adding jerk seasoning to it.
Do-hyun nearly spits out his beer. Then he laughs, shaking
his head.
DO-HYUN
Okay, okay. Respect.
Seok-jin chuckles, lifting his glass.
SEOK-JIN
She’s got sharper teeth than you,
Hwan. Careful.
Jennifer grins, raising her glass with them.
CUT TO:
A WINE GLASS CLINKS ON MARBLE.
INT. SOO-MIN’S APARTMENT — NIGHT
Soo-min watches the same headline replay, eyes glittering.
Soo-min dials. “HWAN — calling…”
He declines. A new text pops from her: Are you okay? I’m here
if you need to talk.
She types… deletes… types again. Sends. Waits. The silence
curdles.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
24 -
Tensions in the Game Room
INT. MARCUS’S BASEMENT / GAME ROOM — NIGHT (EASTERN TIME)
Beer bottles. Cards on the table. Sports on mute in the
background. MARCUS (50) deals a hand to three long-time
FRIENDS: LEROY (50s, boisterous), TONY (40s, sarcastic), and
CALVIN (50s, conservative, old-school).
On the TV in the corner: StarBuzz reruns Jennifer and Hwan’s
photo.
LEROY
(laughing, shaking his
head)
Man… look at Jenny. Girl from down
the block, now on gossip shows
‘cause she bagged a K-drama idol.
That’s wild.
TONY
(laughing too)
Wild? That’s insane. Dude’s got
sponsors dropping him, petitions
flying. And she’s just… smiling for
the cameras?
LEROY
Yeah but come on. America’s a
melting pot. Interracial couples
everywhere. This ain’t 1950.
CALVIN
(leans back, sharp)
Not everywhere. Not like that.
Korean superstar with a forty-
eight-year-old Black woman? That’s
not a match, that’s a headline.
The table quiets for a beat.
MARCUS
(stiff)
She didn’t ask for the headline.
She just fell for someone. Same as
anybody.
LEROY
Still, bro, you can’t act like it
ain’t messy. Internet tearing them
up.
TONY
Messy or not… she pulled it off.
None of us thought Jenny would even
stay in Korea that long. And now
she’s out there, fluent, executive
job, dating movie stars.
CALVIN
(interrupting)
Dating’s one thing. Being paraded
as his “love story”? That’s a whole
different game. And she’s not built
for that.
MARCUS
(snarling a little)
Not built? She’s tougher than all
of us sitting here running our
mouths.
LEROY
(chuckling, tries to
lighten it)
Hey, don’t get hot, man. We just
saying — it’s surreal. Feels like a
Netflix show, not real life.
TONY
Yeah, like… if Hwan’s people
already panicking, what happens
when Jenny gets dragged more? You
ready to see your sister roasted
every day?
MARCUS
(grim)
Already seen worse. She’s survived
worse.
CALVIN
(quiet, judgmental)
Some lines shouldn’t be crossed.
Culture, age, race… sometimes it’s
better to stay in your lane.
Silence. The others glance at Marcus.
MARCUS
(icy)
That’s your lane. Not hers.
A beat. Leroy shifts, cracks a grin to break tension.
LEROY
Well, whatever it is — she’s on
TMZ. That’s more shine than any of
us ever got.
They all chuckle awkwardly. Marcus doesn’t. His eyes stay on
the screen, jaw tight.
ON TV — StarBuzz host laughs, “LoveBeyondAge” hashtag
flashing.
Marcus flicks the remote, muting it.
MARCUS
(low, to himself)
They can laugh. She’ll still stand.
They don't know "ATL" hard...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
25 -
Support in the Storm
INT. JENNIFER’S APARTMENT — NIGHT
Jennifer unlocks her door—MONICA stands there with a carry-
on, out of breath, protective.
MONICA
I wasn’t about to watch this from
the couch. Where’s the wine?
Jennifer laughs despite herself—relief and tears together.
Monica sweeps in, hugging her tight.
Jennifer’s phone lights—American notifications, Korean
comments, StarBuzz clips forwarded from Lisa/Jessica. Monica
clocks it all, jaw setting.
MONICA (CONT'D)
(soft, but fierce)
We’re gonna smash this drama the
way Whitney did in The Bodyguard.
Only this time, you don’t need a
man with a gun. You’ve got me.
Jennifer nods—braced now, not alone.
DISSOLVE TO:
MONTAGE — MEDIA & SOCIAL
Genres:
["Drama","Friendship"]
Ratings
Scene
26 -
Global Reactions: Love, Scandal, and Social Media
INT. KOREAN NEWS STUDIO — NIGHT
Anchors in a sleek studio. Graphics flash: PETITION PASSES
100,000 SIGNATURES.
ANCHOR 1 (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Sponsorship contracts continue to
collapse. The question is: can Kim
Hwan survive this scandal?
ANCHOR 2 (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Some call it shameful. Others say —
finally, he’s human.
INT. STARBUZZ NEWSROOM — LOS ANGELES — DAY (TIME DIFFERENCE)
Two American hosts lean into the camera, energy high.
Jennifer and Hwan’s photo glows behind them.
STARBUZZ HOST 1
He’s dating an older Black woman.
And the internet is melting down.
This isn’t just gossip anymore.
This is global.
STARBUZZ HOST 2
Look, if K-dramas have taught us
anything — love crosses borders,
crosses generations. This is messy…
but it’s also hopeful.
They both laugh, playful but genuine.
SPLIT-SCREEN FAN VIDEOS — TIKTOK/YOUTUBE
On the left: MILLENNIAL and GEN Z FANS, tear-streaked faces,
neon posters in the background.
FAN #1 (SCREAMING INTO CAMERA,
SUBTITLED)
“He was supposed to marry a Korean
actress — not some… ajumma!”
FAN #2 (WAVING SIGNED AUTOGRAPH,
SOBBING)
“I spent three years saving for
tickets, for THIS?!”
FAN #3 (POSTING ANGRILY)
“Cancel Kim Hwan! He lied to us!”
On the right: WOMEN IN THEIR 40s AND 50s from Seoul, Atlanta,
London, Lagos, São Paulo — gathered in kitchens, wine bars,
book clubs.
FAN #4 (RAISING GLASS)
“To love beyond borders — cheers!”
FAN #5 (LAUGHING, WAVING PHONE)
“Finally! Proof that these dramas
aren’t just fantasy.”
FAN #6 (SMILING WARMLY)
“She looks like us. This means
we’re not invisible anymore.”
Quick cuts — TikTok duets and stitches flood the feed:
One side: rage, crying, hashtags like #CancelHwan,
#ScandalStar.
The other: celebration, hashtags like #LoveBeyondAge,
#KDramaRomanceIRL.
COMMENTS SCROLL (multiple languages, overlapping):
“너무 창피하다 (So embarrassing).”
“Finalmente, esperanza para todas nosotras. (Finally, hope
for all of us.)”
“Demasiado vieja. (Too old.)”
“Love is love — stop the hate!”
她 变
“ 改 了他 (She changed him).”
“She’s perfect for him.”
SOUND DESIGN:
All the voices — Korean, Spanish, English, French, Chinese,
Tagalog — overlap until it becomes a deafening global chorus.
Some cheering, some jeering, some crying — a literal storm of
the world’s voices.
The sound cuts to silence — Jennifer’s face fills the screen,
her phone in hand, scrolling. The comments blur. She exhales,
pressing the screen dark.
MATCH CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
27 -
Whispers of Controversy
INT. HANEUL STUDIOS — SEOUL — DAY
Jennifer walks past co-workers at a water cooler. Their
laughter drops to whispers.
Phones glow with her photo on the screen — her laughing
candid beside headlines.
One mutters in Korean.
CO-WORKER #1 (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
She’s bold to even show her face
here.
CO-WORKER #2 (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED,
HUSHED)
Shh. She understands.
Jennifer keeps walking, eyes forward, mask of composure
cracking. Her grip tightens around the folder in her hand
until the paper edges bend.
SOUND BRIDGE: the faint buzz of her phone bleeds into the
buzzing fluorescent lights—
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
28 -
Silent Struggles
INT. HWAN’S AGENCY — HALLWAY — NIGHT
Two assistants lean close, whispering as Hwan’s shadow passes
at the far end.
ASSISTANT 1 (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
If he loses these deals, we lose
our jobs.
ASSISTANT 2 (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
I’ve never seen the company this
nervous.
The whisper trails into silence as the screen CUTS TO BLACK —
the chorus of voices echoing, overlapping, relentless.
INT. HWAN’S APARTMENT — NIGHT
Dark. Sparse. Hwan sits hunched, phone buzzing beside him.
On screen: texts from SOO-MIN.
— “I’m sorry for how we ended.”
— “Let’s try again.”
He stares, thumb hovering. Doesn’t answer.
DISSOLVE TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Character Study"]
Ratings
Scene
29 -
Echoes of Silence
FLASHBACK — INT. KARAOKE ROOM (NORAEBANG) — NIGHT (YEARS
EARLIER)
Private booth. Empty bottles, neon lights. Music blaring.
Hwan sits stiff in the corner while friends sing. Soo-min
leans close, trying to catch his eye.
SOO-MIN
(in Korean, subtitled)
Always noraebang. Always hiding
behind noise. Why can’t we go
somewhere real?
HWAN
(in Korean, subtitled,
quiet)
It’s safer. Less questions.
SOO-MIN
(heated, in Korean,
subtitled)
Safe for you. For me, it feels like
shame.
She grabs a mic, pretending to sing — but her eyes burn.
Hwan stays silent, letting the music swallow her words.
FLASHBACK — INT. HOTEL SUITE — NIGHT (LATER)
Dinner trays on the table, untouched. Curtains drawn.
Soo-min dressed up, restless, stares at the closed window.
SOO-MIN
(in Korean, subtitled)
Why can’t we just walk together?
Once. Anywhere.
Hwan looks at her, then away, fiddling with his phone.
Silence answers her.
FLASHBACK — EXT. POJANGMACHA — NIGHT (YEARS LATER)
Jennifer wipes sauce from Hwan’s lip. They laugh, unguarded.
Strangers glance — phones lift — but he doesn’t flinch.
Instead, he leans closer, glowing in the neon.
BACK TO HWAN’S APARTMENT — NIGHT
Hwan’s thumb hovers over a reply: “Don’t ever text me again.”
He deletes it. His chest heaves, eyes wet.
The phone BUZZES again. Her name lights the screen.
He doesn’t look.
DISSOLVE TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
30 -
Betrayal and Brotherhood
INT. CAFE — NIGHT
A quiet corner table. The hum of the city muffled behind the
glass.
HWAN and MIN-JAE sit opposite each other, steam curling from
untouched cups.
Min-jae rubs his palms together, uneasy.
MIN-JAE (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
It was Soo-min. She leaked
everything.
Hwan stiffens, almost laughing — bitter, disbelieving.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
No. She wouldn’t—she knows what
that would do.
MIN-JAE (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
(firm)
Yes, she would. At the restaurant.
She bragged. Do-hyun laughed. Seok-
jin toasted her.
Hwan’s fists clench tight on the table. His jaw grinds.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
(low, furious)
Why? Why destroy me like this?
MIN-JAE (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Not for you. For herself. She
couldn’t stand to see you happy.
Hwan slams his palm on the table — not loud enough to draw
stares, but enough to rattle the cups. His voice cracks with
restrained rage.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
I never shamed her. I kept her
safe. I gave her years of silence,
and this is what she gives back?
His shoulders rise and fall. Min-jae lets him breathe, then
leans in.
MIN-JAE (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
(calm but unshakable)
You’ve changed, Hwan. With
Jennifer, you don’t hide. You laugh
like you mean it. You let yourself
be seen. That scares people who
only know you as a mask.
Hwan exhales hard, eyes glassy but burning. He meets Min-
jae’s gaze.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
(softer)
The guys met her. At the café.
(MORE)
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED) (CONT'D)
They tried to test her… she shut
them down. And by the end, they
respected her. They liked her.
A faint smile flickers through the pain.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED) (CONT'D)
I want you to meet her too, Min-
jae. Not the woman in the
headlines. The real her. She’s…
different. She’s strong.
Min-jae studies his friend for a long beat, then nods.
MIN-JAE (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Then I want to meet her. For you.
Hwan swallows, his voice lowering with gratitude.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
You’ve always been my brother.
Never asking for the mask, never
asking me to play a part. Just… me.
Hwan lowers his eyes, fighting the sting of betrayal from
others. A beat — then Min-jae reaches across, grips his hand.
Not casual. Not cultural. Intentional.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED) (CONT'D)
Thank you. For standing with me
when no one else will.
MIN-JAE (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Then remember that, Hwan-ah.
Whatever storm comes, you don’t
face it alone.
Hwan looks up, surprised but moved. His chest tightens.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
(quiet)
Thank you.
A silence — heavy but grounding. Two men, bound by a lifetime
of friendship, bracing for the storm together.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
31 -
A Café Confrontation
INT. SEOUL CAFÉ — NIGHT (JENNIFER & MONICA)
Jennifer and MONICA sit at a small table. Monica looks
around, wide-eyed at the bustle of Seoul.
At the next table, TWO YOUNG KOREAN WOMEN whisper, sneaking
glances at Jennifer.
WOMAN #1
(in Korean, subtitled,
whispering)
She’s too old. It won’t last.
WOMAN #2
(in Korean, subtitled,
smirking)
He’ll get tired. She looks like she
could be his mom's age.
They exchange a look, lean closer — cattier now.
WOMAN #1 (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED, )
(whispering)
Look at her clothes. Definitely not
Korean brand. He’ll get tired of
explaining her everywhere.
WOMAN #2 (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED, )
(smirking)
She’s not even that pretty. If he
wanted older, there are actresses
here — famous ones. Not… her.
WOMAN #1 (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Exactly. What does she give him?
Not youth. Not status. Just
trouble.
Jennifer hears every word. Her back straightens, but her eyes
stay calm, sharp.
Monica notices the glances, frowning.
MONICA
(low, to Jennifer)
They’re talking about you, aren’t
they?
Jennifer nods, eyes heavy.
JENNIFER
(quiet, in English)
They said I’m too old. That he’ll
leave me.
Monica glares at them.
MONICA
Say the word and I’ll dump my
coffee on them.
Jennifer chuckles softly. Then she turns, voice steady —
polite, but razor-edged.
JENNIFER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED, )
(with bite)
나이요? 옷이요? 예쁘다 안 예쁘다?
사랑이 그런 걸로 정해지면… 여러분 같은
사람은 평생 못 합니다.
(Age? Clothes? Pretty or not? If
love is measured by those things...
women like you will never have it.)
The women freeze, cheeks burning. Their coffee cups clink
nervously.
Monica leans in, whispering, still clueless but grinning.
MONICA
What did you just say?
JENNIFER
(smiling faintly)
That love isn’t a beauty contest.
And they just lost.
Monica bursts out laughing, pride and relief mingling.
Jennifer holds her ground, her calm sharper than anger.
DISSOLVE TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
32 -
Facing the Storm Together
INT. JENNIFER’S APARTMENT — NIGHT
Jennifer and Hwan sit at her tiny table, two untouched cups
between them. Silence stretches. The city hums faint through
the window.
Jennifer finally speaks.
JENNIFER
So this is how it happened?
Hwan leans forward, his voice low, firm.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
We face it. Together.
Jennifer exhales — her hand trembles, his covers it.
From down the hall — the faint sound of a shower shutting
off. A door creaks.
MONICA emerges in fresh clothes, towel around her shoulders,
drying her hair. She freezes at the sight of Hwan at the
table with Jennifer.
She clocks the tension, then raises an eyebrow. Without a
word, she heads to the kitchen, grabs three wine glasses and
a bottle, and deliberately sets them on the table.
MONICA
(flat, but sharp)
So… you’re him. The guy making my
best friend look like a child
molester on international
television.
Jennifer groans softly, covering her face.
JENNIFER
Monica—
Hwan blinks, startled, then meets Monica’s stare head-on.
HWAN (IN ENGLISH, STEADY)
I know how it looks. But I also
know how it feels. I love her.
Monica pours wine into each glass, slow and deliberate. She
slides one to Jennifer, keeps one for herself, and pushes the
third toward Hwan.
MONICA
(beat, then a smirk)
Alright then. Drink. You’re gonna
need it if you plan on convincing
me.
Jennifer peeks through her fingers, half-mortified, half-
relieved as Hwan nods and accepts the glass.
The three sit together, the weight of scandal outside — but
for the first time, inside this room, a strange kind of
family forms.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
33 -
Strategic Resilience
INT. JENNIFER’S APARTMENT — DAWN
The city is barely awake — pale light seeps through blinds.
Jennifer and Monica sit cross-legged on the floor, wine
glasses from last night still nearby, a legal pad between
them.
Jennifer scribbles something, then looks up, voice low but
edged with fire.
JENNIFER
It was her. Soo-min. Hwan’s ex. She
saw us one night, took photos… and
leaked them. All this noise? That’s
her hand stirring the pot.
Monica freezes, then slowly sets down her coffee.
MONICA
(outraged)
Say less. Where’s she at? I’ll show
her what happens when you mess with
my best friend. ATL hood to the
core — I still keep the earrings
off in two seconds flat.
She pantomimes yanking hoops out, rolling her shoulders like
she’s about to square up.
Jennifer bursts out laughing, shaking her head.
JENNIFER
Girl, stop. We left that side too
long ago. We’re ghetto bougie now.
Too old to fight — plus I like my
money. No way I’m paying lawsuits
to these youngins.
Monica pauses, then cracks up too, clutching her glass.
MONICA
Okay, okay… but you know I’d do it,
right? One slap, a quick wig-
snatch, international headlines:
“Middle-aged Black women smack B-
List K-drama star.”
Jennifer nearly chokes laughing.
JENNIFER
(through her laugh)
Stop! I can see the TMZ headline
already.
They collapse into giggles, the tension breaking for a
moment. Jennifer wipes her eyes, sobering slightly.
JENNIFER (CONT'D)
But real talk… she’s not just
bitter. She knows the system here.
She’s playing to the crowd. That
makes her dangerous.
Monica’s smile fades, but her loyalty sharpens.
MONICA
Then we play smarter. No fists, no
wigs. Just strategy. But if she
comes near you — all bets are off.
Jennifer nods, scribbling on the pad:
TELL THE TRUTH.
DON’T APOLOGIZE FOR EXISTING.
HOLD HIS HAND.
Monica underlines each one, steady.
MONICA (CONT'D)
You don’t owe them your heart.
You’re offering it.
DISSOLVE TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
34 -
Integrity Over Contracts
INT. HWAN’S AGENCY — CONFERENCE ROOM — MORNING
A graveyard of binders and red-tabbed contracts. Manager,
Legal Advisor, PR Exec, and Min-jae sit across from Hwan.
PR EXEC (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
We can still salvage this. Claim a
misunderstanding. Say you’re
focused on work.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
No.
LEGAL ADVISOR (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
If you double down, more brands
will walk.
MIN-JAE (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Then the ones who stay will know
who he really is.
A charged silence. Hwan’s eyes burn steady.
MANAGER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED, )
(urgent)
Think about your career. Sixteen
years you built this. You’ll burn
it in a day.
Hwan exhales, pushes the folder away.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Then let it burn. I’d rather lose
contracts than lose myself.
The room stills. For the first time, the Manager falters, no
comeback.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
35 -
Facing the Press: Love Under Fire
INT. BROADCAST HALLWAY — DAY
Jennifer and Hwan wait by the double doors. Press murmur
swells behind them.
Monica squeezes Jennifer’s hand. Min-jae adjusts Hwan’s mic.
MIN-JAE (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Speak to one person: her. Everyone
else is noise.
Hwan nods, locking eyes with Jennifer.
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. PRESS CONFERENCE - DAY
Flashes explode. Reporters jostle forward. Microphones
bristle.
Jennifer and Hwan sit side-by-side, hands intertwined in the
open.
REPORTER #1 (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Do you understand how this affects
fans who believed in your image?
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
I do. But an image is not a person.
I’m a person.
REPORTER #2 (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Are you apologizing today?
Hwan glances at Jennifer. She gives the smallest nod.
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
I apologize only if my silence made
it seem like I was ashamed. I
wasn’t hiding her. I was protecting
us.
Reporters scribble. Some frown, but a few nod.
REPORTER #3 (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Jennifer-ssi, do you think this
harms his career?
Jennifer leans in. First in English, clear and unshaken:
JENNIFER (IN ENGLISH)
A career built on lies isn’t worth
protecting.
Ripples in the room — foreign media perk up. Then she
switches, careful Korean:
JENNIFER (IN KOREAN,
SUBTITLED) (CONT'D)
I came here because I love Korea. I
studied your language for ten
years. I respect your culture. I
won’t pretend I’m perfect here. But
I also won’t pretend I don’t love
him.
A hush.
REPORTER #4 (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
They say you’re too old. That it’s
unnatural.
Jennifer takes a breath, then delivers, steady but sharp:
JENNIFER (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
If love has an age limit, then
every woman over thirty should stop
hoping. Is that the Korea we want?
One that punishes women for growing
older?
The room shifts — whispers ripple. A female reporter lowers
her pen, thoughtful.
REPORTER #5 (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Sponsors are leaving. Why should
the public support a scandal?
HWAN (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
Because it’s not a scandal. It’s
honesty. And honesty is the only
thing that can last longer than a
contract.
CUT TO:
CUTAWAY — KOREAN NEWS STUDIO (LIVE)
Anchors whisper off-mic. One finally speaks:
ANCHOR 1 (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED)
They don’t sound like people
selling a lie.
ANCHOR 2 (IN KOREAN, SUBTITLED, )
(cautious)
Perhaps… perhaps it’s time to hear
them as people, not idols.
CUT BACK TO.
BACK TO PRESS CONFERENCE
A final question cuts the air:
REPORTER #6
(in Korean, subtitled)
Do you love each other enough to
endure this to the end?
The room goes silent.
Hwan doesn’t hesitate. He takes Jennifer’s hand, laces their
fingers tighter, and raises them onto the table for every
lens to see.
HWAN
(in Korean, subtitled)
Yes.
Jennifer squeezes his hand back — unflinching.
FLASHES ERUPT.
CUTAWAY — KOREAN TV COMMENTARY (LATER)
Clips replay. The press frame freezes on their joined hands.
ANALYST (in Korean, subtitled)
What began as scandal may be something else. Perhaps a love
story Korea hasn’t seen before.
SMASH CUT TO BLACK.
END OF ACT FOUR
TAG
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Cultural Conflict"]
Ratings
Scene
36 -
The Final Cut
INT. SOO-MIN’S APARTMENT — NIGHT
Dark. Designer. Expensive.
On her flatscreen — the press conference replay. Jennifer and
Hwan side-by-side, hands clasped, hashtags surging:
#LoveBeyondAge #TruthNotScandal.
Soo-min scrolls her phone. A message thread with Hwan.
ON SCREEN — a line from the past:
HWAN (old from years ago): “I want you back, please.”
She lingers on it, lips curling. She knows how it looks
without the rest.
Her PHONE BUZZES — a fresh notification slides in:
EMAIL NOTIFICATION — STARBUZZ PRODUCER
Subject: Following Up — Exclusive?
Body (preview): We heard you may have receipts. Call me.
We’ll protect your source…
Her smile widens, cold and victorious.
She takes a slow sip of wine, eyes fixed on Jennifer’s frozen
laugh on the TV.
SOO-MIN
(in Korean, subtitled,
whispering)
Proof is what you make it.
She hovers over the “Forward” button on Hwan’s cropped text…
then taps it.
HOLD — the faint sound of camera shutters swells, building to
a roar.
SMASH TO BLACK.
SUPER: EVEN THE MOON KNOWS (달도 아는 사랑)
FADE OUT.
END OF PILOT