Scene 1: The Promise of the Oppa - 10 Years Ago
[Location: A traditional Hanok in Seoul's Bukchon neighborhood. The living room (Anbang ). A soft light filters through the Hanji paper windows.]
JUNG SOO MIN (So Hye's Mom): (Gently rocking a tiny baby in her arms, whose eyes have just opened) Look, Seok Jin-ah (석진아)! This is your little sister, So Hye . She's so small, isn't she? We named her 'Wise and Beautiful.'
KIM SEOK JIN (10 - Korean Age 12): (Curious, in his dark uniform) Aigoo (아이구)! She looks like a grain of rice. Is she really my Dongsaeng - younger sister)? Can I show her to my friends?
LEE MIN JU (Jin's Mom): (Laughing) Yes, you can. Your Mama (So Hye's Father) and we have been friends since childhood. Now the two of you are family. You must always protect this little doll.
SOO MIN: (Looking fondly at Jin) Seok Jin-ah, you are like a big brother to us, a strong Oppa . So Hye doesn't have an older brother, so you must always look after her. This is a very big Chaegim (responsibility). Do you promise?
SEOK JIN: (Seriously, nodding) Ne ! I am an Oppa. I will save her from any Bully who bothers her at school! I will always be a Guardian for her! I promise! I will buy her the best Kimbap and share all my Jayeu - freedom) with her.
MIN JU: (Proudly) My son! You are so mature!
(Jin touches So Hye's tiny finger with his small hand. This scene is the first sign of their unbreakable bond.)
Scene 2: The Silent House and the Cold Wind - 7 Years Later
[Location: The Kim Family's large, modern apartment in Gangnam . The house is unusually quiet. It is late evening. Jin (17 - Korean Age 19) is quickly packing a duffel bag. His face is pale and tense.]
KIM SO HYE (7 - Korean Age 9): (Standing at the door, wearing Hanbok pajamas, her voice trembling with fear) Jin-oppa... Where are you going? Why is the house so cold? Where are Appa - Dad) and Omma - Mom)? Why were there so many Gyeongchalgwan ( - police officers) outside our house?
SEOK JIN: (His back to So Hye. He closes the bag with force. His voice is harsh and full of control) So Hye, you have to stay here. You must be quiet. I'm going to get some important Seoryu ( - documents). I won't be long.
SO HYE: (Eyes swollen, on the verge of tears) But last night, that terrible Sago (- accident). And this morning, the sound of the Ambulance! Was it true? Are they coming back soon? I hugged your old Teddy Bear, but I'm still scared.
SEOK JIN: (He turns, his eyes filled with pain, but his jaw is clenched) You don't need to know anything Ajik (- yet)! You are too young. Just wait for me. (Indication of Teasing/Conflict: Harsh Control) Don't talk to anyone. Do you Algetni (understand)?
SO HYE: (Tears streaming down) Why are you yelling at me? Are you angry with me?
SEOK JIN: (He looks at her, hiding his pain) I am your Oppa. Remember this. You will now always be with me. No one will hurt you anymore. (He grabs the bag and rushes out, the door closing behind him.)
SO HYE: (Whispering, in a broken voice) Jin-oppa...
(So Hye is left alone in the quiet, large house, from which all the warmth of her childhood has vanished.)
Scene 3: The Grown-Up Territory - Flirting, Control, and Conflict - 10 Years Later
[Location: Their shared luxury apartment in Mapo-gu . Modern kitchen with a view of the Han River . Morning. So Hye (17 - Korean Age 19) is struggling with the complex, expensive coffee machine. Seok Jin (27 - Korean Age 29) is leaning against the counter, dressed flawlessly in a bespoke suit.]
SO HYE: (Struggling with the coffee machine, in frustration) Aish ! Jin-oppa, why did you buy this Wae machine? I'm going to be late for University! It's talking to me in Jeju dialect!
SEOK JIN: (A mischievous smile on his lips. Cute/Teasing) Annyeong , my sweet Jageun Sae (- Little Bird). You are late because you wasted 30 minutes arguing with your friend Moonbyul on Instagram. And the machine is very simple. It's not my fault that your attention is on the Seonbae (- Senior) at the University.
SO HYE: (Looking annoyed. Conflict) Oh, Jebal (- Please)! I am not Sixteen. I am Eighteen! And which Seonbae? I only see you every morning, and you just... control! (She accidentally spills some milk.)
SEOK JIN: (Instantly steps forward, grabs a cloth, and cleans up) Bwa (- See)? That's why you need supervision. And yes, you are eighteen, which means you're no smarter than a Puppy. (Cute/Teasing)
SO HYE: (She pushes his hand away, a rebellious gleam in her eyes) I don't need your Ganji ( - Style/Authority), Big Brother. I just have to accept that you bought this expensive apartment only so you could keep an eye on me 24/7. Why do you enjoy it so much?
SEOK JIN: (He leans close, his voice suddenly deepening, making So Hye's heart pound. Sin/Attraction) Enjoy? Annimyeon ( - Or), maybe because you are a Gyeowopgo ( - cute) and delicious thing that I alone Burigo ( - own)? You have been following me since childhood. It's too late Imi (이미 - already).
SO HYE: (She quickly backs away, this playful fight turning serious) It's not Glue, Jin-oppa. It's my Freedom! You treat me like a Barbie Doll! (She pouts dramatically.) I want to go to that party in Hongdae with my friend Jieun tonight.
SEOK JIN: (His face instantly hardens. Control/Conflict) Anseumnida (- Absolutely not). That place is suspicious, and you are not going. This is Kkeut ( - the end). I promised Soo Min-Omma that I would look after you. That promise is more sacred than Jeokbo ( - lineage).
SO HYE: (She slams her mug down, a real Conflict begins) You didn't promise Omma! You promised a child! That was ten years ago! You are not my Appa, Jin-oppa! You are just... my Brother!
SEOK JIN: (He steps closer, his voice dropping to a low, commanding whisper. Sin/Authority) Na ( - Me). I have all the Saehyeogwesa (- ownership) papers. You are Nae Jeok - my possession). Now, drink your bad coffee, and I will drop you off at Hakgyo - school). If I saw even one Munja - text) about that party on your phone, you will be Shibsae - locked up at home) for a month. Algetni?
SO HYE: (She looks at him, hurt and confused by his dominance, but finally nods submissively.) Ne... Algetsyeo (네... - Yes... I understand).
(Jin looks at her for a moment, then his harshness quickly softens. He reaches out and gently strokes her hair. Cute/Affection)
SEOK JIN: Take care, Little Sky. I will be Junbi - ready in five minutes.