Rules of Love (Epilogue) – Episode 17

Rules of Love was a 2005 MBC drama which is one of my favourites. It was not because it was some blockbuster drama but the storyline was what appealed to me most. Earlier modern K-Drama I had seen a few had the female treated badly by the male lead who always seems to be interested in someone who does not love them back. I am quoting Full House and Attic Cat here. Much Rain was very cute in Full House but he was still very mean. There is always a better guy who find himself in love with the female lead but the female lead will always opt to go back with Mr Meanie. Here is the story that differs from that.

Here you have Mr Han Jae Min (Shim Ji Ho) who was interested in getting the affection of a certain Seo Hee Won (Kim Ah Joong) who spend an enormous time at a photography studio owned by Lee Seo Jun (Kim Min Jong). Han Jae Min wanted a job there so he tackled Kim Geun Young (Choi Kang Hee) whose younger brother Kim Min Soo works there as an Assistant or Apprentice. He wanted Geun Young to arm twist her brother in introducing him into the studio. Anyway, he got the job but as Geun Young’s benefits expired, he called it quits on their relationship. Geun Young being abnoxiously stubborn suggested a separation contract for her to accept their break-up. Jae Min agreed to get Geun Young off his case. However, an accident involving a camera lens got Geun Young helping in the studio as well as compensation for the lens.

Lee Seo Jun who had hurtful past love relationship began to be attracted with the stubborn Geun Young much to the chagrins of Seo Hee Won who has been holding a flame for Lee Seo Jun for years. Han Jae Min upon getting the job was eventually rejected by Hee Won who told him that she is in love with Lee Seo Jun. Jae Min eventually realise that he really liked Kim Geun Young.

It was to his dismay when Lee Seo Jun told him that he will not deny his affection for Kim Geun Young who he deemed as his second chance at love. Han Jae Min made a last dash to save his love with Kim Geun Young but Geun Young true to her words took charge of the contract to forget her love for him. There is some hilarious moments between the two men jousting for the affection of fair maiden. Hee Won could not accept that Lee Seo Jun who loved someone like Geun Young tried her level best to break the relationship up but all she got was Lee Seo Jun telling her that he never saw her as a woman. In the end, Jae Min had to admit defeat that he lost Geun Young to a better man when she made a decision to accept Lee Seo Jun’s love.

Although the actual drama production is less than satisfactory and the drama end in a daggle, I took the liberty to finish the drama where it left off. Frankly, I am not Korean so I am using the facts based on the modern K-drama I have seen to make up the scenario. This is actual just an amateur attempt. We have the final scene that Kim geun Young finally said ‘I love you’ to Lee Seo Jun who has accepted a year photo pictorial assignment in Africa. She allowed him to follow his dream to photgraph nature. My story starts after that year

EPISODE 17

FUNCTION ROOM OF THE HOTEL, CAPE TOWN, AFRICA – DAY

A group of Korean having a final meeting to commence the end of year old photography project on Africa. The meeting was conducted by the Chairman Han Song Bok of Discovery Publishing undertaking the project and thanking the team. One of them is a renowned Korean photographer, Lee Seo Jun

Chairman Han : I wish to thank all you for providing us with a year of your excellent talent. By the result of it, we have extremely wonderful pictures that will ensure that this project will be a success. Once again, thank you.

Chairman Han Song Bok bowed low to the team involved.

Chairman Han : I am sure all arrangements will be made for your safe trip home and seeing your loved ones back in Korea. My secretary, Park Mi Rae ssi will have all your tickets and flight details. Please kindly check with her

Chairman Han left the room and a pretty Park Mi Rae stepped forward with a list of names, air tickets and their passports. She called the names in alphabetic order until she reached Lee Seo Jun’s name

PMR : Here are your tickets and passport and I see that you want to take the first flight back to Korea. Don’t you want to stay back for a few days? We can have dinner together.

The pretty Park Mi Rae smiled seductively to Lee Seo Jun. Lee Seo Jun just smiled back and gently declined the offer

LSJ : I am having dinner with my fiancée back in Seoul

Lee Seo Jun said it so calmly as if the dinner was few hours away and the distance is a few kilometres rather than a major time differences and a few thousand of miles separation him with his fiancée, Kim Geun Young. Taking his ticket and passport, he made his way to his hotel room to pack his things. He packed up his camera equipment and wrote down the flight details onto his organizer. He took this time to look at the Polaroid picture of his fiancée, Kim Geun Young. He smiled at the picture. He picked up his mobile and called the familiar number.

KIM GEUN YOUNG’S ROOM – NIGHT

Kim Geun Young was at her table preparing her school work for next week when her mobile rang. She saw that it was Lee Seo Jun’s number

KGY : Hello?

LSJ : Hello, have you eaten? What are you doing now?

KGY : Yes, I have eaten and currently doing the school work

LSJ : Are they good students?

KGY : Yes, guess what? I am in charge of the photography society in school

LSJ : The school picked such a poor choice of talent

KGY : That is not very nice. I have a good working experience in one of Korean best studio. What are your flight details?

LSJ : Estimate time of arrival to Seoul tomorrow night at 7pm. Let’s have dinner then. It is Saturday and you will not have any classes the next day

KGY : Yes, see you tomorrow

LSJ : I can find my way back to the house

KGY : See you tomorrow

Kim Geun Young smiled at the thought of seeing Leo Seo Jun again after a year now. Seoul was starting to feel cooler, reminding her of the weather much like the last time they saw each other and the feelings they had shared. All throughout the year, they managed to keep in contact wherever Lee Seo Jun could make a call and he shared as much as possible of his experience at work with her. She opened the drawer at her table and brought out a set of keys. They are the keys to Lee Seo Jun’s car, house and Conan Studio. At that moment Kim Min Soo came in to ask her to go down for dessert.

KMS : Noona? Dessert is ready. What are you so happy about?

Kim Min Soo recognized the set of keys on her table and knew who they belonged to and sat down at her bed.

KMS : The Teacher is coming back?

KGY : Not so loud. Yes, tomorrow night

KMS : So you are going to announce to the family?

KGY : Announce what?

KMS : That you are getting married

KGY : Who said anything about marriage?

KMS : It must be. You have waited for a year for the Teacher to come back.

Kim Geun Young’s mother called them down as Kim Min Soo was away for too long

KGY’s Mother : Min Soo, Geun Young, why are you not down?

KGY : Don’t you say anything if you know what is good for you

LEE SEO JUN’S HOTEL ROOM – DAY

Lee Seo Jun packed away the last of his things and checked the time. He decided to walk around the city and do a little shopping. He had collected very little things throughout his one year here and thought to look around before he leave this country that has been his home for a year.

IN THE STREET OF CAPE TOWN – DAY

Lee Seo Jun looked around at the small shops that sell arts and craft. He looked at a few things and made some purchases. As he was leaving the shop, he saw a unique jewellery store across the road and decided to get Kim Geun Young a gift for a proper proposal.

JEWELLERY STORE – DAY

Lee Seo Jun looked at the array of jewellery the store had to offer. A sales lady named Stella approaches him

Stella : May I help you, Sir? Are you looking for? Something for yourself or for a lady perhaps?

LSJ : For my fiancée. I want to get her a ring to propose to her with when I return

Stella smiled at the romantic gesture of Lee Seo Jun and brought to him a tray of solitaire diamond. Stella briefed Lee Seo Jun on the four Cs of examining a diamond. Lee Seo Jun picked one following the instructions given looking with the magnifying glass.

Stella : Excellent choice. You have an eye for diamonds. This is the price?

Lee Seo Jun just smiled at the compliment and agreed to the price. He informed Stella that he was to set it immediately into a ring

LSJ : That is fine. Can you set it for me?

Stella : Very well, we will have it done for you by tomorrow morning

LSJ : I am leaving tonight for Korea

Stella : Then I will have to see if we can rush it for you in a few hours

Stella made a call and got a positive confirmation.

Stella : Very well, we will have it ready by 4pm this evening

LSJ : Thank you

After leaving the jewellery store, Lee Seo Jun decided to grab something to eat. He went to a nearby café not too far from the jewellery store.

STREET CAFÉ – DAY

As he sat down, a waiter came over to give me a menu. After studying the menu for a while, Lee Seo Jun ordered a coffee and sandwich. Not long his order arrived

Waiter : Sir, your coffee and the club sandwich

Lee Seo Jun was about to take a bite off his sandwich when Park Mi Rae tapped on his table.

PMR : Hello, Seo Jun ssi. Can I join you?

LSJ : Hello, of course. Please sit down

Lee Seo Jun removed his purchases off the chair to allow Park Mi Rae to sit down. A same waiter came over with the menu and Park Mi Rae just ordered a coffee straight away.

PMR : Coffee, please

Waiter : Yes

Park Mi Rae waited for the waiter to leave and she leaned closely to Lee Seo Jun.

PMR : It is so boring here and you are the only one that is the closest to my age group. Too bad you are leaving tonight. Maybe we can meet up when we are back in Seoul. Are you going to reopen your studio?

LSJ : Most likely

PMR : Then maybe our company can give you a contract to do some of our work for us.

LSJ : I already done one for your company and it was really long enough. But thank you.

Lee Seo Jun ate his club sandwich and Park Mi Rae drank her coffee and studying him over her eyelashes. Lee Seo Jun checked the time on his watch. Park Mi Rae caught his action

PMR : You are not that hurry to catch the flight. It going to be a few more hours more.

LSJ : No, I am waiting to collect something from that jewellery store.

PMR : Something for your fiancée. She must be very lucky.

LSJ : No, I am lucky

PMR : This has been already a year and a lot of things can change

LSJ : Maybe other things will but not Kim Geun Young

Lee Seo Jun smiled at his statement. Park Mi Rae caught him always smiling whenever he mention of Kim Geun Young and felt jealous of Lee Seo Jun’s obvious affection for his fiancée. Once he saw that they are almost done and he checked his watch for the time to be almost 4pm, Lee Seo Jun asked for the bill.

JEWELLERY STORE – EVENING

Lee Seo Jun returned to the store to collect Kim Geun Young’s ring with Park Mi Rae tagging along. Park Mi Rae wanted to see what Lee Seo Jun bought for the formidable Miss Kim Geun Young. Stella recognized Lee Seo Jun as soon as he walked through the door.

Stella : Mr. Lee, your ring is ready and it is really very beautiful. Your fiancée will be very happy

Stella went to get the ring while Lee Seo Jun and Park Mi Rae waited.

PMR : The things here are pretty nice

Lee Seo Jun just smiled while Miss Park scanned around the store. Stella came back with the ring and a gift box

Stella : Here it is. Beautiful, isn’t it

Park Mi Rae rushed to see the ring which was a one carat solitaire round diamond. It stood very proudly set on the ring. Park Mi Rae took it from Stella and placed it on her finger

PMR : Wow! It is indeed very beautiful.

Stella smiled as Park Mi Rae wore the ring as she assumed that she was Lee Seo Jun’s fiancée. She realized that she was mistaken as the ring was too loose on Park Mi Rae’s finger and Lee Seo Jun grabbed the ring off her finger

LSJ : Do you mind?

Lee Seo Jun got a little irritated with Park Mi Rae’s childish antics. Park Mi Rae pouted at Lee Seo Jun’s rough treatment. He returned it to the Stella to be wrapped.

LSJ : Please wrap it up for me

Stella : Very well

Stella went away to gift wrapped the ring. Park Mi Rae leaned towards Lee Seo Jun.

PMR : I was just trying to see if you made a right choice. A photographer’s eye is definitely different. I admire your choice in the diamond. Kim Geun Young ssi must be a very lucky woman. I would like to meet your fiancée. You must invite her to come for the ceremony

Lee Seo Jun took the ring and left the store, ignoring Park Mi Rae completely, not even bother to know whether she followed him or not. Park Mi Rae huffed in anger.

LEE SEO JUN’S HOUSE – DAY/NIGHT

Kim Geun Young went into Lee Seo Jun’s house and did a major clean-up and prepared dinner. For the year, she has been coming by to do some cleaning and put some of her touches here and there and it is also the place she goes when she misses Leo Seo Jun. She checked her watch against the time and realized that the time of Lee Seo Jun’s flight arrival was almost near, she took off the apron, pruned herself up a little and applied a coat of lipstick. She went down to the basement and clicked at Lee Seo Jun’s car. One of her achievement for the year was getting her driving license. Lee Seo Jun will be surprised

ABOARD THE PLANE – NIGHT

Flight

Stewardess’

Voice : Ladies and Gentlemen, we will be arriving at Incheon International Airport soon, please fasten your seatbelt and ensure that your seat is upright

The flight stewardess continued her announcement and Lee Seo Jun closed the book he was reading and brought out the gift box from his pocket and smiling at seeing Kim Geun Young very soon

ARRIVAL HALL – NIGHT

Kim Geun Young looked out anxiously for Lee Seo Jun. Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of Lee Seo Jun and she waved at him

KGY : Seo Jun, over here

Lee Seo Jun heard Kim Geun Young’s voice and smiled at how she had called him. Before he left, he made sure that she stopped calling him Lee Sit Cham Nim as it sounds more like he was her boss than her boyfriend. He smiled at the thought of that conversation

LSJ : Can I ask a favour before I leave?

KGY : What?

LSJ : I like to hear you say my name. You never call me by my name

KGY : Of course I do, Sit Cham Min

Kim Geun Young stopped herself from making the same mistake. She drew a deep breath

KGY : Seo Jun?

LSJ : Thank you, Geun Young

There is also a change for Lee Seo Jun who always called her by her full name. Back to the present, Lee Seo Jun wheeled his baggage trolley over to Kim Geun Young. Kim Geun Young rushed to him and gave him a big hug. Lee Seo Jun got to balanced himself as he was nearly bowled over.

KGY : Welcome home

LSJ : It is good to be home.

Lee Seo Jun kissed Kim Geun Young on her forehead. Lee Seo Jun wheeled his baggage trolley and Kim Geun Young hooked her arm around his and walked along. Lee Seo Jun looked for the taxi services counter

LSJ : Shall we go and take a taxi?

KGY : No, I brought your car today.

LSJ : You drove here?

KGY : Yes, I got my driver’s license almost a year now.

Lee Seo Jun cannot wait to hear how many improvement Kim Geun Young has done over the past one year.

AIRPORT CARPARK – NIGHT

Kim Geun Young looked for the car. As soon as she found it, she clicked it open and opened the door on the driver’s side. Lee Seo Jun held the door.

LSJ : Let me drive

KGY : But you must be tired after such a long flight.

LSJ : I just got back after a long flight to be home but I do not want to go through a long fright to get home

Kim Geun Young huffed at Lee Seo Jun’s lack of confidence in her driving.

KGY : I got here in one piece. Furthermore, you may not be familiar with the roads

LSJ : As far as I know there are no major changes in the roads from the airport. Africa is not a backward country so we still get the news

Kim Geun Young climbed onto the front passenger’s side while Lee Seo Jun loaded his baggage into the back of the car. He started the car.

LSJ : Where are we going for dinner?

KGY : Let’s go home

LSJ : Home?

KGY : That means your house.

Lee Seo Jun liked the warmth in Kim Geun Young’s voice at the reference of his house as home. Yes, it will be their home very soon. Lee Seo Jun left the airport towards the direction of his house.

LEO SEO JUN’S HOUSE – NIGHT

Lee Seo Jun, Kim Geun Young and a night security guard named Mr. Kim help with Lee Seo Jun’s baggage into the house. Kim Geun Young gave a can of drink to the guard.

KGY : Thank you, Ajussi. Here, take this and drink.

Mr. Kim : Thank you, Geun Young ssi. Lee Seo Jun ssi, it is good that you have returned

Lee Seo Jun is surprised that Kim Geun Young was so familiar with the guard. Kim Geun Young saw Lee Seo Jun’s surprised expression.

KGY : I come here from time to time. You know to clean up

LSJ : I have arrangement with the maintenance office for that

KGY : Why waste the money? It is not that I am not familiar with cleaning a house. Why don’t you go and have a shower? I will have dinner ready

LSJ : Dinner? Here?

Lee Seo Jun went into his bedroom and saw some subtle changes in his room and he is not adverse to it. In fact, he recognized Kim Geun Young in them and knew his house should welcome her just as he did in his heart. He went into bathroom and showered as instructed.

LEE SEO JUN’S KITCHEN – NIGHT

Kim Geun Young finished heating up a full home made Korean dinner. She set the table for two and just about to switch off the fire on the Kim chi soup when Lee Seo Jun came out of his room with a towel drying his hair. Kim Geun Young saw him and smiled.

LEE SEO JUN’S DINNING TABLE – NIGHT

KGY : Dinner is ready

Lee Seo Jun sat down and looked at the spread of food that Kim Geun Young prepared. He took a sip of the soup and realized what he had missed for the year.

KGY : How is it? It is delicious, right?

LSJ : Yes, you did all this?

KGY : Yes, You have cooked for me but I never had an opportunity to cook for you so I thought it will be a good idea to taste my cooking on your first night in Korea

Lee Seo Jun continued to finished his dinner and Kim Geun Young

enjoyed watching him eat his dinner.

LEE SEO JUN’S LIVING HALL – NIGHT

Lee Seo Jun opened a bottle of South African wine and Kim Geun

Young was seated at the sofa and looking at Lee Seo Jun’s purchases

from South Africa.

LSJ : You should try this. It is very nice

KGY : All right. Africa must be a beautiful country. It has fulfilled your dream to have photograph her

LSJ : You make her sound as if she was a mistress.

KGY : Isn’t she in a way?

Lee Seo Jun poured the wine and passed a glass to Kim Geun Young.

He held his glass and gave a toast

LSJ : To the end of separation

KGY : I agree

Lee Seo Jun took the gift box from his pocket. He showed it to Kim Geun Young. Kim Geun Young thrilled at the thought that Lee Seo Jun bought her a present and wanted to take it but Lee Seo Jun stopped her

KGY : You shouldn’t have

LSJ : This is a must

Lee Seo Jun opened the box and revealed the diamond solitaire ring sitting in it. Kim Geun Young’s eyes widen with shock at the size of the diamond on the ring. He took it out, removed the ring that he previously gave her and placed this ring on

LSJ : Thank you for waiting for me and respecting my dreams. This is also to ask you to marry me

As he placed the ring onto her left ring, he leaned forward and kissed her. As he felt Kim Geun Young mouth open up to his, he asked her an important question

LSJ : Can you stay here tonight?

Kim Geun Young trembled at the effect of the kiss replied to Lee Seo Jun’s

KGY : I have told my family that I am away for the weekend. School assignment

Kim Geun Young giggled at her obvious lie and Lee Seo Jun laughed that they shared the same thought. Lee Seo Jun continued to kiss her and then carried her to his room

End