The Second Melody - Season 1, Episode 6
[SCENE START]
EXT. ACADEMY - DAY
Hyun-woo walks through the halls, his eyes on the ground. He passes a bulletin board covered in posters for various student performances and competitions. He stops and looks at a poster for a small, in-house showcase. A familiar face catches his eye. It's JUNG MIN-JUN, his picture front and center, smiling confidently. Hyun-woo feels a mix of frustration and resignation.
INT. DANCE STUDIO - CONTINUOUS
Hyun-woo is alone in the studio, practicing a simple routine. He's clunky and out of sync with the music. He keeps repeating the same moves, but his body refuses to cooperate. He stops, sighs in frustration, and slumps to the floor, grabbing a towel.
The door opens. It's JISOO, holding a water bottle. She smiles softly.
JISOO You've been here for hours.
HYUN-WOO (Annoyed) I can't do it. It's like my body has forgotten everything.
JISOO (Pours some water and kneels beside him) The body remembers. It's the mind that forgets. You're overthinking it. Let's try something simple.
She puts on a song with a slow, gentle beat. She shows him a basic footwork pattern, her movements fluid and graceful.
JISOO Just feel the music. Don't think about the steps.
Hyun-woo hesitates, then gets up. He follows her lead, his movements still a little stiff. She corrects his posture and foot placement with a light touch, her movements encouraging, never judgmental. As the music plays, he starts to lose himself in the moment. He stops thinking about being good enough and just moves.
JISOO That's it. See? It's not about being perfect. It's about being you.
Hyun-woo looks at her, a genuine smile on his face. This is the first time he's felt so unburdened.
[SCENE END]
[SCENE START]
EXT. ACADEMY GARDEN - LATER
Hyun-woo and Jisoo are sitting on a bench, a comfortable silence between them. The sun is setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple.
JISOO You know... you have a really unique style. When you sing... it's like you're telling a story.
HYUN-WOO (Shyly) It's just something I've been working on.
JISOO My parents love my singing. They come to all my recitals and practices. They're my biggest fans.
Hyun-woo feels a pang of sadness. He remembers his own parents' absence and how they've moved on.
HYUN-WOO That's nice.
JISOO What about you? What about your family?
Hyun-woo looks away, his face turning serious.
HYUN-WOO They're... complicated. I live with my grandparents.
JISOO (Gently) I'm sorry.
HYUN-WOO (Shakes his head) It's okay. They're... they're wonderful.
He doesn't have to explain. She just nods, a silent understanding passing between them.
[SCENE END]
[SCENE START]
INT. HYUN-WOO'S GRANDPARENTS' HOME - NIGHT
Hyun-woo is in his room, looking at his phone. He has a message from an unknown number. He opens it, and a text appears.
"I need to talk to you. I'm sorry about everything. Call me back."
The text is from his father. He stares at the phone, his heart pounding. He clenches his jaw, a mix of anger and dread washing over him. He puts the phone down and picks up his guitar instead. He starts playing, the melody soft and melancholic.
He hears a knock on the door. It's his GRANDMOTHER.
GRANDMOTHER Honey, your father called. He wants to talk to you. He sounded worried.
Hyun-woo looks at his grandmother. Her face is full of genuine concern and love. He feels a tear roll down his cheek. He knows his father's call isn't about love, but about something more transactional. It's a painful realization that his new family will never be the same.
HYUN-WOO (In a low voice) I know, Grandma.
He puts the guitar down and looks at his phone. He doesn't return the call.
[SCENE END]