The Second Melody - Season 1, Episode 9
[SCENE START]
INT. ACADEMY AUDITORIUM - NIGHT
The auditorium is packed with students, scouts from entertainment agencies, and parents. On stage, MIN-JUN is performing a flashy, high-energy pop song with a team of backup dancers. He is flawless, every move and note perfect. The crowd roars. The scouts nod in approval.
Hyun-woo watches from the side, a quiet confidence about him. He knows this isn't his style. He's not trying to be perfect; he's trying to be real.
Min-jun finishes to thunderous applause. He bows and walks offstage, a smug smile on his face. He sees Hyun-woo.
MIN-JUN (Loudly) Just try to not embarrass yourself, kid.
Hyun-woo says nothing. He simply walks past him and onto the stage.
[SCENE END]
[SCENE START]
INT. ACADEMY AUDITORIUM - CONTINUOUS
Hyun-woo stands alone on the stage, the spotlight on him. The crowd is quiet, a few students whispering and giggling at his simple attire and lack of backup dancers. He takes a deep breath and looks out at the audience, not seeing a crowd but a sea of faces that once adored him and then turned on him.
He starts strumming his acoustic guitar. The melody is "Faded Echo." His voice is a bit shaky at first, but it quickly fills with the raw emotion of the lyrics.
HYUN-WOO (Singing) Faded echo, in a lonely room...
The crowd is completely silent, captivated by his genuine pain. He sings of losing his family, his career, and his identity. He's not performing; he's pouring his heart out. He sings with the voice of a man who has lost everything and is now fighting for a second chance.
[SCENE END]
[SCENE START]
INT. AUDITORIUM - CONTINUOUS
The scouts sit in their chairs, their faces unreadable. One of them, a veteran A&R manager from a major company, sits upright, her eyes wide. She has never heard such raw emotion from a trainee.
Min-jun watches from the side, his jaw clenched. He sees that Hyun-woo's performance is not just about talent, it's about a depth of experience that he can't compete with.
Hyun-woo finishes the song, and the silence in the room is deafening. Then, a single person starts to clap. It's Jisoo. She's standing in the front row, a proud smile on her face. A few more people join in, and soon the entire auditorium is on its feet, giving him a standing ovation.
Hyun-woo bows, a small, triumphant smile on his face. He's not a star, but for the first time in a long time, he feels like he belongs.
[SCENE END]
[SCENE START]
EXT. ACADEMY - NIGHT
Hyun-woo walks out of the academy, his guitar case in hand. He's surrounded by reporters and scouts, all wanting to talk to him. He politely refuses, a small smile on his face.
He sees Jisoo waiting for him by the gate. She runs up to him and gives him a hug.
JISOO You did it. You were amazing.
HYUN-WOO (Shyly) Thank you. I couldn't have done it without you.
He looks at her, a newfound respect and admiration in his eyes.
[SCENE END]