SCENE START]
INT. HYUN-WOO'S GRANDPARENTS' HOUSE - KITCHEN - EVENING
The kitchen is warm and smells of kimchi stew. The soft, golden light from the overhead lamp fills the space. GRANDMA (60s) hums to herself as she places a bowl of rice on the table. GRANDPA (60s) sits at the head of the table, reading a newspaper.
HYUN-WOO sits across from him, his bowl of food untouched. He's stirring the rice with his spoon, but his eyes are distant, lost in thought. He's replaying the image of the man in the red jacket and Jung Min-jun over and over in his mind.
GRANDMA (Notices his untouched bowl) Hyun-woo, you're not eating. Is the stew not to your liking?
Hyun-woo snaps out of his reverie.
HYUN-WOO (He forces a weak smile) No, Grandma. It's delicious. I'm just... not very hungry.
Grandma's face softens with concern. She reaches over and gently places her hand on his forehead.
GRANDMA You're not hot. Are you feeling unwell?
Hyun-woo shakes his head.
HYUN-WOO No, I'm fine. Just tired from school.
Grandpa lowers his newspaper and looks at Hyun-woo over the rim of his glasses.
GRANDPA You've been distracted all day. Your grandmother and I noticed. You've been quiet. Is something bothering you? You know you can talk to us, son.
Hyun-woo looks at their kind, worried faces. He feels a sudden, overwhelming guilt. They are the only true family he has left, and he's worrying them with a secret he can't share. He knows that in the future he loses them too, and the thought makes his chest ache.
HYUN-WOO (He forces a brave smile, picking up his spoon) It's really nothing. I'm just thinking a lot about the company and the music. I'm fine, really. I promise.
He takes a small bite of the stew, forcing it down. Grandma and Grandpa exchange a look, still concerned, but they don't press him further. They know when to give him space. The silence that follows is heavy, filled with their unspoken worry and Hyun-woo's painful, secret knowledge.
SCENE START]
INT. HYUN-WOO'S GRANDPARENTS' HOUSE - KITCHEN - EVENING
The kitchen is warm and smells of kimchi stew. The soft, golden light from the overhead lamp fills the space. GRANDMA (60s) hums to herself as she places a bowl of rice on the table. GRANDPA (60s) sits at the head of the table, reading a newspaper.
HYUN-WOO sits across from him, his bowl of food untouched. He's stirring the rice with his spoon, but his eyes are distant, lost in thought. He's replaying the image of the man in the red jacket and Jung Min-jun over and over in his mind.
GRANDMA (Notices his untouched bowl) Hyun-woo, you're not eating. Is the stew not to your liking?
Hyun-woo snaps out of his reverie.
HYUN-WOO (He forces a weak smile) No, Grandma. It's delicious. I'm just... not very hungry.
Grandma's face softens with concern. She reaches over and gently places her hand on his forehead.
GRANDMA You're not hot. Are you feeling unwell?
Hyun-woo shakes his head.
HYUN-WOO No, I'm fine. Just tired from school.
Grandpa lowers his newspaper and looks at Hyun-woo over the rim of his glasses.
GRANDPA You've been distracted all day. Your grandmother and I noticed. You've been quiet. Is something bothering you? You know you can talk to us, son.
Hyun-woo looks at their kind, worried faces. He feels a sudden, overwhelming guilt. They are the only true family he has left, and he's worrying them with a secret he can't share. He knows that in the future he loses them too, and the thought makes his chest ache.
HYUN-WOO (He forces a brave smile, picking up his spoon) It's really nothing. I'm just thinking a lot about the company and the music. I'm fine, really. I promise.
He takes a small bite of the stew, forcing it down. Grandma and Grandpa exchange a look, still concerned, but they don't press him further. They know when to give him space. The silence that follows is heavy, filled with their unspoken worry and Hyun-woo's painful, secret knowledge.
[SCENE END]
EXT. ACADEMY CAFÉ - NIGHT
Hyun-woo is sitting at a table near the window, sipping a coffee. The café is trendy and bustling with young people, the air filled with the buzz of conversation and the faint beat of K-pop. He remembers this café. In his past life, it was a frequent hangout for trainees. He's hoping his memories will give him an advantage.
He spots them. Jung Min-jun is sitting at a booth in the back, talking with a new student. He can't see who it is. Just as he's about to get up, a familiar flash of red enters the café. The man in the red jacket.
He sits down with Min-jun and the other student. Hyun-woo quickly lowers his head, hiding behind the menu. He can't risk being seen. He tries to listen in, but the music is too loud. He just watches, his jaw clenched. The man is doing most of the talking, gesturing with his hands. Min-jun is listening, his cocky facade gone, replaced by a serious, almost desperate expression.
Hyun-woo feels a chill run down his spine. Whatever this man is offering, Min-jun is desperate enough to take it. He has to find out what's going on.
[SCENE END]
INT. ACADEMY HALLWAY - NIGHT
Hyun-woo waits for a while, making sure he's alone, then he catches up to Min-jun, who is walking out of the café, a confident swagger back in his step.
HYUN-WOO Min-jun.
Min-jun stops, turning to look at him. A sneer forms on his face.
JUNG MIN-JUN Look who it is. The silent wonder. What's up? Lost your voice?
HYUN-WOO (Ignoring the jab) Who was that you were talking to?
JUNG MIN-JUN (His sneer widens) That's none of your business. But I can tell you this: he's going to make me a star. A real one. The kind that doesn't get swept away by a single scandal.
The last part is aimed directly at Hyun-woo, and it hits its mark. Hyun-woo's blood runs cold.
HYUN-WOO (His voice is low, steady) I know what you're doing. And I know who he is.
Min-jun's confident smile falters for a moment. He looks at Hyun-woo, a flicker of suspicion in his eyes.
JUNG MIN-JUN (He scoffs, trying to regain his composure) You don't know anything. Stay out of my way, Hyun-woo. This isn't your fight.
Min-jun turns to leave.
HYUN-WOO (Calls after him) He won't just make you a star, Min-jun. He'll ruin you. Just like he ruined me.
Min-jun freezes. He slowly turns around, his cocky demeanor completely gone. His eyes are wide with shock and fear.
[SCENE END]
FADE OUT.