The Second Melody - Season 1, Episode 7
[SCENE START]
EXT. CAFÉ - DAY
A sleek, modern café. HYUN-WOO (18) sits alone at a table, looking out the window. His phone buzzes, a new message from his father.
FATHER (Text message on screen) I'm outside. I need to talk to you.
Hyun-woo takes a deep breath and steps outside. PARK JUN-SEOK (40s), his father, is waiting by a luxurious black sedan. He is dressed in an expensive suit. With him is a WOMAN (40s), and a young BOY (3) holding her hand.
Hyun-woo feels his blood run cold. This is his father's new family.
HYUN-WOO (Stunned) Father.
JUN-SEOK (Nods, a forced smile on his face) Hyun-woo. This is my wife, Mina, and our son, Min-ho.
Mina gives a polite, distant smile. The little boy looks at Hyun-woo with curiosity. Hyun-woo forces himself to smile back, a mix of shock and pain in his eyes. He feels like a ghost, a relic of a life his father has forgotten.
[SCENE END]
[SCENE START]
INT. CAFÉ - CONTINUOUS
They sit at a table. Jun-seok hands Hyun-woo a sleek, branded envelope.
JUN-SEOK I know you're at that academy now. I want to help. This is for your tuition and expenses. It should be enough for the year.
Hyun-woo's hand trembles as he holds the envelope. He feels a wave of anger. This is not the reunion he longed for. It's a business transaction.
HYUN-WOO I don't need this.
JUN-SEOK Don't be difficult. It's the least I can do.
HYUN-WOO (In a low voice) The least? What about all those years?
Jun-seok's face hardens.
JUN-SEOK That was a long time ago. We've all moved on.
Hyun-woo stares at his father, at the perfect family he has built. He sees a man who has forgotten his past for a new, happier life. He feels a newfound strength rising inside him.
HYUN-WOO (Firmly) I'm not asking for your help. I'm going to do this on my own. I have a chance now.
JUN-SEOK (Scoffs) A chance? Do you really think you can make it? You're a child. You don't know what you're doing.
Hyun-woo looks at his father, a cold realization settling in. The man he once revered sees him as a failure.
[SCENE END]
[SCENE START]
INT. ACADEMY HALLWAY - LATER
Hyun-woo walks through the hallway, the envelope still in his hand. He sees a poster for the annual Trainee Showcase. A prestigious scouting event. He crumbles the envelope in his hand.
He knows what he has to do. He will win this on his own terms.
[SCENE END]
[SCENE START]
INT. PRACTICE ROOM - NIGHT
Hyun-woo stands alone in the room, sweat dripping down his face. He's been practicing for hours, repeating the same choreography. His body is sore, his mind is exhausted, but he keeps going. He doesn't want to rely on anyone. He looks at his reflection in the mirror, his face a mask of fierce determination.
HYUN-WOO (To himself) I will win this. I will win this without you.
He clenches his fists, a new sense of purpose in his heart.
[SCENE END]