Tú Corea, mi mundo.

CHARACTER CONTINUITY · Alex · * 28-year-old Spanish man and graphic/visual designer at Aurora Entertainment. · * Bright natural orange hair, clearly orange. · * Clearly visible, well-kept beard. · * Same face, identity and proportions throughout the chapter. · * Friendly, respectful and naturally humorous. · * He and Seo-yeon have kissed and are increasingly close, but they have not officially defined their relationship. · * He does not flirt back romantically with Ha-neul. · * He is comfortable enough with Seo-yeon that their relationship is becoming increasingly difficult to describe as "just friendship." · Han Seo-yeon · * 27-year-old South Korean actress. · * Long dark-brown hair, below the shoulders. · * Soft oval face, delicate facial features and expressive dark-brown eyes. · * Calm, elegant and reserved presence. · * Same face, identity and proportions as previous chapters. · * She clearly likes Alex and has kissed him. · * She is still hesitant to define their relationship. · * She is beginning to realize that her hesitation could eventually cost her something important. · Choi Ha-neul · * 27-year-old South Korean woman. · * Long blonde hair, clearly blonde, flowing past her shoulders. · * Angular face with defined cheekbones and a sharper jawline. · * Light eyebrows. · * Expressive, confident eyes. · * Distinctive mischievous smile. · * More energetic and bold facial expressions. · * Slim, athletic silhouette. · * Confident body language. · * Direct, playful, spontaneous and socially fearless. · * Seo-yeon's childhood best friend. · * She genuinely likes Alex. · * She is not malicious and is not trying to hurt Seo-yeon. · * She deliberately teases Seo-yeon because she wants her to stop hiding her feelings. · * IMPORTANT CHARACTER SEPARATION: Ha-neul must have long blonde hair and a clearly different facial structure from Seo-yeon. Seo-yeon has long dark-brown hair and delicate, soft facial features. Ha-neul has long blonde hair, sharper facial features, defined cheekbones and a more energetic expression. · * NEVER give Ha-neul dark-brown or black hair. · * NEVER give Ha-neul Seo-yeon's facial structure. · * NEVER make Ha-neul visually interchangeable with Seo-yeon. · ⸻ · SCENE 1 — "We Need to Talk" · LOCATION: Seo-yeon's apartment, living room, inside. · TIME: 8:30 PM. · LIGHTING: Warm, soft domestic lighting. · SETTING: Quiet apartment. Seo-yeon's mother is resting in the guest room. · The doorbell rings. · Seo-yeon opens the door. · Ha-neul is standing outside. · She smiles. · Ha-neul: · "We need to talk." · Seo-yeon sighs. · Seo-yeon: · "Knew you were gonna say that." · Ha-neul walks inside. · Ha-neul: · "Then you already know why I'm here." · Seo-yeon: · "Because you're nosy." · Ha-neul: · "That too." · They sit in the living room. · Ha-neul looks directly at Seo-yeon. · Ha-neul: · "You like him." · Seo-yeon stays quiet. · Seo-yeon: · "Who?" · Ha-neul gives her a look. · Ha-neul: · "Don't." · Seo-yeon looks down. · Ha-neul: · "Alex." · A long pause. · Seo-yeon finally looks at her. · Seo-yeon: · "Yeah." · Ha-neul smiles. · Seo-yeon takes a breath. · Seo-yeon: · "I like him." · Ha-neul's smile grows. · Ha-neul: · "Knew it." · Seo-yeon sighs. · Seo-yeon: · "So now what?" · Ha-neul: · "Now I want to know what you two actually are." · Seo-yeon hesitates. · Seo-yeon: · "I don't know." · Ha-neul stares at her. · Ha-neul: · "You don't know?" · Seo-yeon shakes her head. · Seo-yeon: · "We've never actually talked about it." · Ha-neul thinks for a moment. · Ha-neul: · "Have you two kissed?" · Seo-yeon looks up. · Silence. · Ha-neul smiles. · Ha-neul: · "That's a yes." · Seo-yeon covers part of her face with one hand. · Seo-yeon: · "I can't believe we're having this conversation." · Ha-neul: · "I can. I'm your best friend." · A pause. · Ha-neul's expression becomes slightly more serious. · Ha-neul: · "If you keep waiting for him to figure out what you want without ever telling him, someone else might just take the shot." · Seo-yeon looks at her. · Seo-yeon: · "Are you talking about yourself?" · Ha-neul smiles. · Ha-neul: · "Maybe." · ⸻ · SCENE 2 — "A Little Test" · LOCATION: Aurora Entertainment, employee cafeteria, inside. · TIME: 12:40 PM. · LIGHTING: Bright natural midday light. · SETTING: Employees eating lunch and taking breaks. · Alex is sitting alone with a coffee. · Ha-neul approaches his table. · Ha-neul: · "This seat taken?" · Alex looks at the empty chair. · Alex: · "Nope." · She sits down. · Ha-neul: · "You always drink your coffee alone?" · Alex: · "Usually." · Ha-neul: · "That's kind of sad." · Alex laughs. · Alex: · "Didn't realize it was a sad situation." · Ha-neul: · "Well, now you've got company." · Alex: · "Guess I do." · Ha-neul studies him for a moment. · Ha-neul: · "What are you up to after work?" · Alex: · "Not sure yet." · Ha-neul: · "We could get dinner." · Alex hesitates. · Alex: · "I think I already have plans, actually." · Ha-neul: · "With Seo-yeon?" · Alex nods. · Alex: · "Yeah." · Ha-neul smiles. · Ha-neul: · "How thoughtful of you." · Alex looks at her, slightly confused. · Alex: · "What's that supposed to mean?" · Ha-neul: · "Nothing." · She stands. · Ha-neul: · "See you around, Alex." · Alex: · "Sure." · Ha-neul walks away with a small smile. · Alex watches her for a moment. · He still isn't completely sure what just happened. · ⸻ · SCENE 3 — "Are You Jealous?" · LOCATION: Aurora Entertainment, private hallway near the studios, inside. · TIME: 1:00 PM. · LIGHTING: Clean white office lighting with soft daylight. · SETTING: Quiet hallway with closed studio doors. · Seo-yeon walks out of a studio. · Ha-neul is waiting nearby. · Ha-neul: · "I invited Alex to dinner." · Seo-yeon stops. · Seo-yeon: · "You what?" · Ha-neul smiles. · Ha-neul: · "Just letting you know." · Seo-yeon: · "And what'd he say?" · Ha-neul: · "Said he already had plans." · Seo-yeon tries to remain neutral. · Seo-yeon: · "Oh." · Ha-neul watches her reaction. · Ha-neul: · "Does that bother you?" · Seo-yeon: · "No." · Ha-neul: · "Liar." · Seo-yeon looks at her. · Seo-yeon: · "I'm not jealous." · Ha-neul raises an eyebrow. · Ha-neul: · "I never said jealous." · Seo-yeon realizes what she just did. · Ha-neul smiles. · Ha-neul: · "Exactly." · Seo-yeon shakes her head. · Seo-yeon: · "You're impossible." · Ha-neul: · "And you're way too slow." · ⸻ · SCENE 4 — "Right in Front of Him" · LOCATION: Aurora Entertainment, main lobby, inside. · TIME: 6:15 PM. · LIGHTING: Warm late-afternoon sunlight through the glass entrance and soft office lighting. · SETTING: Employees leaving work, reception desk and elevators. · Alex is standing near reception. · Seo-yeon enters the lobby. · Seo-yeon: · "Hi." · Alex smiles. · Alex: · "Hey." · Before they can continue, Ha-neul approaches. · Ha-neul: · "Alex." · He turns. · Alex: · "Hey." · Ha-neul smiles. · Ha-neul: · "Still have plans tonight?" · Alex looks briefly at Seo-yeon. · Alex: · "Yeah." · Ha-neul: · "Shame." · Alex gives an awkward smile. · Ha-neul: · "We could've gone to dinner." · Alex: · "Maybe some other time." · Seo-yeon watches the exchange. · Ha-neul notices. · She turns toward Seo-yeon. · Ha-neul: · "Take good care of him." · Seo-yeon answers immediately. · Seo-yeon: · "He doesn't need me taking care of him." · Alex looks between them. · Ha-neul smiles. · Ha-neul: · "Interesting." · Seo-yeon realizes she has walked directly into the trap. · The elevator doors open. · Ha-neul steps inside. · Before the doors close, she looks at Seo-yeon with a mischievous smile. · ⸻ · SCENE 5 — "I Don't Know What We Are" · LOCATION: Small quiet restaurant near Aurora, inside. · TIME: 7:00 PM. · LIGHTING: Warm, intimate restaurant lighting. · SETTING: Small number of tables, calm atmosphere. · Alex and Seo-yeon are having dinner. · For a while, neither says anything. · Alex finally smiles. · Alex: · "Your friend is trying to tell me something." · Seo-yeon smiles. · Seo-yeon: · "Yeah, she is." · Alex: · "What, exactly?" · Seo-yeon looks down at the table. · Seo-yeon: · "Probably that I'm way too complicated." · Alex shakes his head. · Alex: · "I don't think you're complicated." · She looks at him. · Seo-yeon: · "You don't?" · Alex: · "No." · A quiet pause. · Alex looks at her. · Alex: · "Although... I do think we're avoiding a conversation." · Seo-yeon becomes still. · Seo-yeon: · "Yeah." · Alex doesn't push her. · Alex: · "We can talk about it whenever you're ready." · Seo-yeon smiles softly. · Seo-yeon: · "Thank you." · ⸻ · SCENE 6 — "Stop Waiting" · LOCATION: Quiet street near the restaurant, outside. · TIME: 8:10 PM. · LIGHTING: Nighttime streetlights and warm storefront lights. · SETTING: Calm Seoul street with a few pedestrians. · Alex and Seo-yeon walk side by side. · After a few moments, Seo-yeon speaks. · Seo-yeon: · "Ha-neul thinks I should just tell you how I feel." · Alex looks at her. · Alex: · "What do you think?" · Seo-yeon takes a moment. · Seo-yeon: · "Maybe she's right." · Alex smiles slightly. · Alex: · "So how do you feel?" · Seo-yeon looks at him. · For a moment, it seems like she's about to answer. · But she doesn't. · Seo-yeon: · "Still trying to find the words." · Alex nods. · Alex: · "You don't have to find them tonight." · Seo-yeon smiles. · Seo-yeon: · "Thank you." · They continue walking. · Their hands move close together. · They don't hold hands. · But neither moves away. · ⸻ · SCENE 7 — "Do Something" · LOCATION: Seo-yeon's apartment, living room, inside. · TIME: 10:00 PM. · LIGHTING: Warm, subdued evening lighting. · SETTING: Quiet apartment. Seo-yeon's mother is resting in the guest room. · Seo-yeon sits on the sofa. · Ha-neul sits opposite her. · Ha-neul: · "So." · Seo-yeon: · "So what?" · Ha-neul: · "Are you gonna actually do something?" · Seo-yeon smiles faintly. · Seo-yeon: · "I don't know." · Ha-neul leans forward slightly. · Ha-neul: · "Seo-yeon." · Seo-yeon looks at her. · Ha-neul: · "You like him. He likes you. You've kissed. And neither of you is even pretending nothing's happening anymore." · Seo-yeon looks down. · Ha-neul: · "What more do you need?" · Seo-yeon is quiet. · Seo-yeon: · "I'm scared I'll ruin it." · Ha-neul's expression softens. · Ha-neul: · "Then don't ruin it." · Seo-yeon looks up. · Ha-neul: · "But don't hide it either." · Silence. · Seo-yeon looks at her phone. · A new message from Alex appears. · "Did you get home okay?" · Seo-yeon smiles. · She types: · "Yeah. Thanks for today." · She pauses. · Then adds: · "Good night, Alex." · She sends it. · Ha-neul watches her. · Ha-neul: · "Finally." · Seo-yeon looks at her. · Seo-yeon: · "I didn't even do anything." · Ha-neul smiles. · Ha-neul: · "Exactly." · END OF CHAPTER 24