Love in the Big City (2024) s01e02 Episode Script

1
[Love in the Big City]
Young, I'm totally fucked.
You're not fucked,
pull yourself together.
I should have quit fucking drinking.
It takes two to make a baby,
call the damn guy.
That's the real problem.
What is?
I don't know who to call.
You were dating them both?
I didn't mean to
The DJ is better at sex
but the tattoo guy is hotter.
I was taking some time
to weigh things up.
Without a condom?
Who has time for condoms
in the moment?
Nice one, Mi Ae.
What on earth were you thinking?
You'll go to a clinic?
We'll go tomorrow.
But I don't have any money.
Are you serious?
Who should I ask?
If I ask the DJ, he'll get clingy.
And the tattoo guy
I've forgotten his name.
I must have been mad!
Shall I get a loan?
There's no need, I'll pay for it.
No, I can't let you do that.
I'm not doing it for free,
pay me back with interest.
Let's get you to a clinic.
Really?
You're all I've got. I love you!
[Episode 2]
Are you sure they do the procedure here?
Yeah, I looked it up online.
I don't know, it seems shady.
Are they professionals?
If not, we'll just leave.
Look here,
the gestational sac indicates
that your baby's around five weeks.
Will the father be joining us?
He's not the father.
He's not?
Got it.
You have sexual intercourse
three times a week?
- Yes.
- With strangers
and unprotected?
On occasion, yes.
So what do you want me to do?
Remove it.
Remove it
A baby isn't a coffee stain!
It's not a pimple that can be popped.
Don't girls like me
help keep your clinic open?
I'm saying this as your elder.
You're a student, why be so reckless?
It's harmful for a woman's body.
I'm no saint, but
Do you parents know? What did your mother say?
They don't know, do they?
Girls should dream of becoming
a faithful housewife.
This is the consequence
of your reckless actions!
A woman's body is like a temple
For fuck's sake!
- Miss, please!
- She stole my uterus!
You came with her, go and stop her!
- Hurry!
- Okay!
Mi Ae, stop there!
You're so bloody fast.
What the hell did you run off with?
This. It's so old.
Maybe he bought if after graduating,
Seoul Uni class of 1988.
How do you know that?
I read his license on the wall
while I was waiting.
I'm avoiding Seoul University
graduates like the plague.
Seoul University or not,
why did you steal that?
You should have just left
if he wouldn't operate.
I stole it with good reason,
he's a total nutter.
Choi Mi Ae?
I'll take that.
Look, I'm sorry,
but you must understand.
You heard everything he said.
I know he's a nutcase
but you're getting me in trouble.
Fine.
But only because you asked nicely.
I know a place,
a clinic near Jungsoo University.
Their staff are nicer
and they have much better facilities.
I go there too.
Thank you. I'll buy you a drink
after my procedure.
Your number.
Number?
Don't forget to send the consultation fee.
Okay.
You don't have any money,
how will you buy drinks?
I won't be broke forever,
I can treat her next time.
Are we going to Jungsoo University?
I guess so.
Don't we seem like
the abortion avengers or something?
Mi Ae got the procedure done
at another hospital
and I made the payment
in three installments.
Look at this, I'm Sadako.
My hair's lusher than yours.
Is it bad?
Would you like to know?
I'm good, I'll finish cooking.
A fortnight passed
and Mi Ae returned to her old self.
- Cooking noodles?
- Not for you, I'm not.
Noodles are best enjoyed together.
Hey, there's no soju.
You need to quit drinking.
You can't have noodles without soju,
In your state?
What will I do with you?
Just wait here.
Watch the noodles.
Hurry back home!
Young.
Nam Kyu.
Why are you here?
I wanted to give you this
and I know you live around here
but not the exact house.
I thought I might see you
if I waited right here.
What is this?
Home-cooked meals are rare
when you live alone.
I brought marinated crab
and some side dishes.
They're a delicacy from my hometown,
made with quality soy sauce
so it tastes splendid.
We broke up, remember?
Why are you doing this?
Still,
how could you cut me out so ruthlessly?
You reek of alcohol.
I hate it!
I hate the way I'm acting, too.
But I looked in the mirror
after we broke up,
and I looked
I didn't look human.
No, you look perfectly human.
- Two eyes, one nose-
- Stop messing with me!
You can talk.
Do you know what time it is?
Falling in love isn't a sin!
Sure, falling in love isn't a sin
but disorderly conduct is.
Young.
After our breakup,
did you not think of me once?
I didn't.
Even so,
can't you just
meet me?
Every once in a while?
Please give me some time
to learn to forget you.
I felt suffocated the entire time
we were dating
and you're still driving me nuts.
Take the food back.
This is rather delicious.
It's made with wild crabs
which are very rare
so eat it.
No. I need to get home,
my noodles will go soggy.
Am I less important than noodles?
Here here, the crabs aren't at fault.
Don't cry here,
come and have a drink with me.
Shall we?
Off we go.
You're too drunk,
we should call it a night.
- He came to see you?
- Yeah.
I didn't answer his calls
and he turned up with marinated crab.
I knew he was a nutter when he sang
that weird song at karaoke.
He sounds pretty obsessive.
He waited for two hours, hoping I'd walk by.
Was the crab spicy or in soy sauce?
Who cares?
How did you deal with that punk?
You should have kneed him!
Why are you acting all butch, a knee kick?
You haven't held a gun in the army,
you wouldn't know.
I was our squad's sharpshooter.
Do they teach you to lift your pinky to shoot?
Ji Tae, what on earth are you doing?
Ladies?
First guy, or the second one?
First.
You know I have a gift, right?
I sense the first guy is very well-endowed.
You frisky bitch.
I don't care for that stuff,
what matters is personality.
And I sense
the first guy has a big heart.
See you.
You're leaving already?
He'll run his feet off.
Fickle bastard.
If obsession isn't love,
I have yet never loved.
- Hey, look over there.
- Damn.
- Like two peas in a pod.
- Are they dating?
What's so great about Mi Ae?
Let's go. What shall we eat?
Do you know what they said earlier?
What did those idiots say now?
That we live together,
and you had an abortion.
Well, they couldn't be more right.
I guess so.
It's the power of collective intelligence.
To me they said "We heard
you were gay, but guess not!"
Through each other,
we learned many facts of life.
Through me, Mi Ae learned
that being a gay man sucks
and through her I learned
that being a woman equally sucks.
With time, Mi Ae started
to care about her grades
and cut down drinking,
from eight times a week to three.
Like regular college students,
we looked for jobs.
[Career Portal]
[Choi Mi Ae]
"Pass"
Pray that I don't lose my mind.
Don't bring strange guys home, alright?
I'm off.
Mi Ae got a job at a big company
and soon left for the new employees' workshop.
For the first time
since I left home, I was alone.
Why does she smoke this shit?
I wanted to talk to someone
and let things out
so I took up Mi Ae's advice
and started writing.
Because my nights alone
felt too long and dull.
They're like zombie fingers.
When's she coming?
[Go Young: Where are you?]
[Mi Ae: Almost home!]
[Go Young: Aren't your bags heavy?
Shall I meet you at the bus stop?]
[Mi Ae: No, I'm in the car.]
Whose car?
What are those flowers?
And who's that guy?
What are these shitty flowers?
And who's the guy?
Did you do all this?
Who is he?
Where did you meet him?
He's a colleague I met at the workshop.
Things just happened, you know?
Let me see this guy's face.
Don't make it a big deal.
He's just an average looking guy.
He looks normal, for once.
Different from the punks you always date.
Is he?
He's bland, just your average guy.
We're not talking about soup here.
Is he big?
He's average.
Yet you're dating him?
Stop asking questions,
we haven't done it yet.
The great Choi Mi Ae brings home
a bouquet, this is a very big deal!
I saw your face
when you were with him.
He's just a serious guy
who's studied all his life.
Why would you date such a guy?
Because he asked me to!
If it doesn't work out, I'll end it!
Why are you screaming?
You met at the workshop?
How old is he? Is he rich?
Stop talking and put the flowers
in some water!
A while later, I officially met
Mi Ae's boyfriend for the first time.
He was keen to meet
his girlfriend's best friend
and I guess Mi Ae
was serious about him too
as she asked me
to join them for dinner.
This is Go Young,
my best friend from university.
Hello.
Hello, I'm Lee Jun Ho.
I've heard a lot about you.
But you're different
from what I imagined.
What exactly did you imagine?
Nothing bad.
You're just taller than I imagined.
You're also better looking
than what I've been told.
A lot taller, too.
I played a lot of sports
when I was young.
I didn't play any sports
but I just kept growing.
Let's stop talking about sports
and order some food.
Sit down.
You should try this.
Do you do the same work as Mi Ae?
No, I'm not in marketing,
I'm a semiconductor researcher.
Wow, that's awesome.
Unlike someone.
Did you major in that field?
Yes, Materials Engineering.
Materials Engineering
at Seoul University?
- Yes.
- Wow, Seoul University.
You must have been a good student.
Mi Ae tells me that you're really smart
and a great writer.
Mi Ae told you that?
Shall we order something else?
Sure.
Watch your mouth.
- Some grilled short ribs, please.
- Coming right up.
Thank you.
Mi Ae never talks about her university days.
I hear you two were close,
what was she like back then?
Where should I start
I want to hear everything.
There's no need.
Did you manage to pay back
all the settlement money?
Settlement money?
She juggled several jobs
to pay for settlement.
If she sees red,
Mi Ae goes totally berserk.
She was legendary in our department,
she once beat up two guys at once.
Is that right?
- I never imagined that you
- It's not true.
Stop playing, he'll believe you!
Their romance continued longer
than I had expected
and waiting for Mi Ae became routine.
Mi Ae? Where are you?
I'm sorry, I forgot.
I'm having dinner and drinks
with my colleagues and Jun Ho.
- You said you'd eat with me!
- Sorry I didn't call.
I'll be late, don't wait up.
She could have told me earlier
It's overcooked.
Hey, I'm sorry.
My manager kept asking me
for personal errands off the clock.
Drives me nuts.
Right.
What is it?
Is everything okay?
Do you know Min Ji from our intake?
She went to your university.
We all went out for drinks yesterday
and she said something strange.
She said that you
have a serious long-term boyfriend.
That everyone knew you two
were living together
and that
Never mind.
That's nothing.
Don't take it to heart,
there were all sorts of rumors.
It's him, isn't it?
Go Young.
He's your roommate So Yeon, right?
No, So Yeon's a girl.
Then call her right now.
So Yeon went to Thailand
to get a massage
Do you think this is a joke?
You're a terrible liar.
Tell me the truth.
You're right.
So Yeon doesn't exist.
There's only Young, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to lie to you.
- I wanted to tell you-
- Get out.
It's not like that
- Honestly, it's not.
- I said get out.
He's not that type of guy.
The truth is you've been living with a guy.
He's gay.
He only likes guys.
You're home already?
That was quick.
Weren't you eating with Jun Ho?
No.
You've made it home just in time, then.
Sit down and eat.
I should have ordered more.
I was going to save you some
so I ordered it extra spicy.
Did I do good?
Yeah, you did.
Why are you so limp?
Did you two have an argument?
I guess you did.
Why did you argue?
Come on, tell me.
Remember Min Ji from university?
She was in Jun Ho's team
during the workshop
and she told him weird stuff,
about how we live together.
You know there were
rumors about us in college.
Sure. So what?
Jun Ho, he
He questioned me about who my roommate So Yeon is.
He was suspicious and asked me if it was you.
So did you tell him we live together?
Yes.
Why would you tell him that?
He's going to get the wrong idea.
Jun Ho was so mad
that I had to
You didn't
Did you tell him I'm gay?
I had no choice but to tell him.
I'm sorry.
He's not the type to tell people
so it's okay, don't worry.
It's not okay to me.
How could I trust that jerk?
I'm sorry.
Please don't be so harsh.
He got mad and started crying
so I had no choice.
Why didn't you ask me first?
Don't you care how I feel?
You know what?
You're just like the rest of them.
You only act like you're loyal.
We agreed this is what we'd do, what's changed?
I didn't give you permission
to tell everyone I'm gay.
When did I go around
telling everyone you're gay?
What do you call this then?
Why not go full out
and tell him the truth,
that you only live with me
because I'm a loner?
Since when were you so kind?
Things just turned out this way
after we started living together!
Who are we kidding?
I'm always eating alone and waiting for you.
Do you think we live together?
What more do you want?
Live alone forever then!
Do you even care about me?
You only care about your boredom.
That's why you're not dating
and still a fucking loner.
Just like that, I left Mi Ae's home.
I'm the one who got drunk
and made out with a guy in public
so I couldn't blame her, really.
But it hurt
to hear those words
from Mi Ae of all people.
Be gentle.
What's your damn problem?
Young.
Why are you here?
Are you okay?
I'm sorry.
I didn't know who to call.
What happened?
Let's get you up.
You're speeding.
I know.
I'm sorry I called out of the blue.
I have no right to call you.
I'm glad to see you again.
Eyes on the road.
Right.
Okay.
No one's here tonight.
Do you remember eating katsu
and hanging out over there?
We had those promise rings.
I remember.
The padlock we hung up,
I wonder where it is.
I'm going to find it.
It's here.
Look, it's our padlock.
The writing's faded.
We should write it again.
You fool.
Nam Kyu.
I'm sorry.
Young.
You were always a good person
but I was a coward.
I wanted to be loved by you
but I wasn't brave enough
to receive your love.
I'm sorry.
Next time,
don't meet a coward like me.
Meet someone who'll truly love you,
someone good.
Please.
Thank you for everything.
When we talk about love,
we must also talk about death.
After finding myself alone,
I completed my romance novel.
It wasn't for anyone to read,
I just wrote because I couldn't sleep
and needed something to do.
My novel seemed to resemble
the times we had shared.
[Blueberries and Cigarettes
by Go Young]
[10 Months later]
[Missed Call
Go Young]
[Calling
Go Young]
Hello?
It's been a while.
How have you been?
Good.
I became a writer.
I won Donga Daily's New Writers Contest.
Really?
I wrote about a slutty gay
living with an alcoholic woman.
It seems you were right,
I am a good writer.
You'd better treat me.
You're a writer thanks to me.
Hold up, let me read you
the judges' reviews.
"Blueberries and Cigarettes" explores
the protagonist's life with levity.
It's a new style of romance
that uses provocative language
to describe the emotions of youths
living in a big city.
Wait, are you crying?
No, why would I?
Congratulations, really.
Thanks.
How have you been?
I have news, too.
I'm getting married.
What? Married?
You, Choi Mi Ae?
With who, Jun Ho?
Who else?
Okay, screw dinner.
I need to take you shopping.
You don't have any money.
- You're getting married, I'll buy you something. - Really?
Then help me pick out my wedding dress.
- Maybe.
- Mi Ae, let's go inside.
I've got to go.
I'll call you. Congratulations.
You too.
How
May I ask
how it happened?
A car accident.
It appears he was speeding.
I used to think that he was too slow
and that I was too fast.
In reality, it was the other way around.
Despite meeting so many people,
I had never put a relationship
above everything else in my life.
I realized too late
that he was someone I could have
shared a long future with
An endless future, full of warmth.
I quit smoking.
You'll need it once you're married.
Are you going to ditch
these knickers or what?
Don't roast my comfort denim shorts.
But ditch them.
The lease ends this year.
The real estate agent told me
you can take over my contract.
Call this number.
- Are you renting the Songpa flat?
- No, it's mine.
My mom bought it for me years ago.
She's frantic preparing my dowry
and wedding gifts.
She says we're less well off than Jun Ho,
she's making such a fuss.
Will you sing at my wedding?
Sing?
Are you mad?
Why would I sing at a straight couple's wedding?
I wanted you to host
but a friend of the groom does that.
I don't even have a proper suit.
I'll buy you a luxury one.
Luxury?
I'm seriously tone deaf.
You haven't heard me singing, have you?
It doesn't matter how well you sing,
what matters is that you sing.
It's the price of writing about me.
Honestly, I can't carry a tune to save my life.
It's fine.
I've told Jun Ho already.
You just need to do your best, okay?
Packing for a move is tough.
Everything in life is tough.
Mi Ae.
Will you be happy with a child,
changing diapers and stuff?
We're not having children,
we already decided.
We even wrote a contract.
Then why bother getting married?
For the experience.
No harm done if it doesn't work out.
If things goes south, call it off
and come right back home.
Got it?
Yes, sir.
Did Jun Ho tell you
you're the love of his life?
If he didn't, why would I be
doing all this crap?
I always thought
that hoping for everlasting love
in my world
was a fool's wish.
Like dreaming of seeing a unicorn.
You know you're living a fantasy
but still hope
that it might exist somewhere.
The hope excites you.
Now,
I don't think it's so foolish after all.
Mi Ae.
Do you think
people like me can find eternal love?
We are gathered here today to witness
the union of Jun Ho and Mi Ae.
As they embark on this new journey,
let us offer them our support.
As the bride and groom
make their way down the aisle,
please welcome them
with a warm round of applause.
Let's hear it for the bride and groom!
Gorgeous!
- So handsome!
- And stunning!
Facing your friends and family,
please bow.
Go Young, the bride's
close friend from university
will sing a wedding song.
A round of applause, please.
- You can do it!
- Young, you look great!
Mi Ae.
I wish you a splendid life.
Us meeting, You and I ♪
was never a coincidence ♪
It was a wish ♪
our dearest wish ♪
- He screwed up.
- He looks nervous.
For we are fated ♪
How could I ever forget you? ♪
So I won't hope ♪
and spend forever loving you ♪
Don't you ever look back ♪
Don't you ever regret ♪
It's my song!
Oh, don't you ever let ♪
any foolish tears fall ♪
I love you ♪
I love only you ♪
It's you, I love you ♪
I love you ♪
I love only you ♪
It's you ♪
I I ♪
I love you ♪
- Brilliant!
- Great job!
As I looked down
at those blueberries, I realized
that a time I had thought
would last forever
had come to an end.
That every beautiful moment
was but a mere flash.