Lines by Kang Mi-rae 1
[Mi-rae is travelling on a train with her mother for her plastic surgery. She is wearing a hoodie and a mask, revealing only her eyes. She looks around and sees a pretty woman and instantly starts grading her face.]
Mi-rae[in her thoughts] Double eyelid surgery and all-around canthoplasty... A nose job, face contouring surgery, fat injections, and lip fillers... 75 points out of 100.
[Mi-rae scans the faces of other passengers and sees another pretty woman applying lipstick.]
Mi-rae
[in her thoughts] Double eyelid surgery, epicanthoplasty, a nose job, and the V-shape face contouring surgery... 70 points out of 100.
Scenes with Kang Mi-rae 18
[After Mi-rae's plastic surgery; Freshmen orientation; Mi-rae approaches a group of chemistry newbies: freshman representative Yoo Eun, countryside girl Choi Jung-boon, self-conscious Lee Ji-hyo, and best friends Jang Won-ho and Kim Sung-woon.]
Mi-rae
Hello, I'm Kang Mi-rae.
JHJi-hyo
Are you are freshman, too?
Mi-rae
Yes.
JBJung-boon
Kang Mi-rae? Oh, the one with no profile photo?
Mi-rae
Well, yes...
SWSung-woon
[to the group] No, that can't be. She must be one of the X-Men. [to Mi-rae] Hey. You're an X-Man, aren't you?
JBJung-boon
"X-Men"? What is that?
JHJi-hyo
Those seniors who fool freshmen at the beginning of the semester.
SWSung-woon
[to Mi-rae] You are, right? I bet you are an X-Man.
Mi-rae
No, I'm not. I'm a freshman, too.
SWSung-woon
Then what's your Chinese zodiac sign? 1, 2, 3—
Mi-rae
I was born in the Year of the Rabbit.
[Sung-woon looks around, still doubtful. Mi-rae takes out her social security card and hands it to him.]
SWSung-woon
(in shock) Gosh, she was born in 1999 indeed. [returns the card to Mi-rae]
Mi-rae
I guess I look older than my age.
[Soo-a joins the group. Everyone looks at her with wonder.]
Hello, this is the Chemistry Department, right? I'm Hyun Soo-a. You all look better in person. I almost didn't recognize anyone.
WHWon-ho
[instantly attracted to Soo-a] I'm Jang Won-ho.
[The others introduce themselves while Mi-rae stares at her, doing her usual face scoring.]
Mi-rae
[in her thoughts] 100 points over 100! A super-rare natural beauty. She really is divinely beautiful.
[notices Mi-rae] Oh, you must be Kang Mi-rae.
Mi-rae
Y-yes. Hi.
[looking at Mi-rae's clothes] Oh, my... You're so stylish! [grabs her arm] Let's be friends.
Mi-rae
[in her thoughts] The subtle scent of soap that smells like baby powder ... this can't be from perfume. She's pretty and cute. All guys will fall in love with her... [putting a hand on her chest] Why is my heart fluttering for a girl?
[Mi-rae is outside the party venue, teary-eyed over the appreciation she experienced for the first time from her peers. She receives a phone call from her mother, Eun-sim.]
Mi-rae
[in a quavering voice] Hi, Mom...
ESEun-sim
(worried) What's wrong? Is something wrong?
Mi-rae
(craking up) Mom... [shakes her head to suppress her tears] It's nothing... I'm having fun. (craking up again) People like me, Mom...
[Mi-rae is surprised on an unexpected video call from her father, Tae-sik, who is against and totally unaware that she had plastic surgery.]
[Fearful, Mi-rae brings her face to the camera. Tae-sik is rather surprised and does not recognize her.]
TSTae-sik
Hello? [to himself] I'm sure I called my daughter's number... [to Mi-rae, in formal speech level] Who is there?
Mi-rae
(confused) Oh, well... [thinking on what to say, then in formal speech level] I-I'm Mi-rae's senior.
TSTae-sik
[laughs, still unknowing] I see. Why do you have her phone, by the way?
Mi-rae
Well, that's... [thinking on what to say] The newbies are not allowed to use their phones during the event, so we collected them in the time being.
TSTae-sik
(chuckles) Oh, I see. I'm sorry.
Mi-rae
Not at all... I'm sorry.
TSTae-sik
Well, goodbye then. [hangs up]
Mi-rae
(worried) Dad...
[Mi-rae turns around and Kyung-seok walks up to her.]
By any chance ... were you a student of Jaryong Middle School?
Mi-rae
What? [in her thoughts] What do I do? What do I do?
[Kyung-seok and Mi-rae just stare at each other, then Kyung-seok breaks the silence.]
Never mind. You just have the same name as someone I knew.
[Kyung-seok leaves.]
Mi-rae
[in her thoughts] He's that Do Kyung-seok after all...
[During the entrance ceremony, Tae-sik realizes, in shock, that Mi-rae had plastic surgery. He walks away in disappointment, ignoring Mi-rae.]
Mi-rae
[crying, following Tae-sik] Dad... Dad! Dad! [she catches up with him] Dad... I'm sorry.
TSTae-sik
(coldly, in formal speech) I don't know you.
[Chan-woo treats Mi-rae at lunch in the cafeteria. While Mi-rae goes to the restroom to contemplate how to reject his romantic advances, Soo-a approaches their table to do her secret plan. At a nearby table, Kyung-seok is discreetly listening to their conversation while having his lunch.]
[quickly stands up to meet her] Oh, Soo-a.
Senior, you are in our General Chemistry class, aren't you?
Oh, I'm not actually in it. I just dropped by today.
Oh... I was wondering why you were in a first-year class.
[begins to like her] Were you wondering that? Oh... Sit down. Let's talk. [pointing at Mi-rae's seat]
Okay. [takes Mi-rae's seat, notices Mi-rae's unfinished lunch] But isn't this someone else's seat?
It's Mi-rae's, but she went to the restroom.
Senior, you like Mi-rae, don't you?
Well, she's a cherished junior of mine. So are you. And why are you calling me "Senior"? Treat me like a big brother.
I think you and Mi-rae would look good together.
I'll cheer you on, Senior. [looks down, pretending to be sad] I'm a little sad, though.
[flustered] What do you mean?
Oh, it's nothing. I should get going. [stands up]
Wait, hold on. [grabs Soo-a's arm to stops her from leaving] What do you mean by that? What do you mean you're sad? Oh, sorry. [lets Soo-a's arm go] What is it?
Well, the truth is ... when I saw you at the orientation, (softly, as if she is shy) I thought you were cool...
[Chan-woo is in shock.]
But please don't take it so seriously. I got over you already, so don't worry about it. [runs away]
Wait... [to himself] She likes... [He tries to finish his lunch but, dissatisfied, stands up and lifts his tray. Just in time, Mi-rae returns to say her rejection.]
Mi-rae
Senior—
Oh, hey. Let's just be good friends.
Mi-rae
(taken aback) Pardon?
It was actually my mistake when I told you that I like you. I got confused for a little bit. I actually like someone else but things turned out this way. I'm sorry. You'll understand, right? I'm sorry if you took it seriously. You're okay, right? Finish your food.
[Chan-woo leaves Mi-rae, who is quite confused that Chan-woo rejected her first. Suddenly, Chan-woo stumbles onto the floor, surprising Mi-rae and everyone in the cafeteria. Fuming with rage, Chan-woo looks around and sees Kyung-seok's left foot streched intentionally into his path.]
[to Chan-woo, sarcastically] Oh, my bad.
[Kyung-seok returns to Mi-rae her pomelo-scented perfume she accidentally dropped in a scene at the cafeteria.]
This is yours, right? [Mi-rae takes the perfume with a sigh.] You dropped it in the cafeteria.
Mi-rae
I see.
[Kyung-seok keeps his eyes on Mi-rae.]
Mi-rae
(nervous) What?
Are you really not the Kang Mi-rae from Jaryong Middle School?
[Mi-rae hesitates to answer.]
[Mi-rae remains silent, then she finally speaks.]
Mi-rae
Keep it a secret.
Mi-rae
My old face. Keep it a secret.
[In a semester party among chemistry students, Mi-rae rejected her admirer Jang Won-ho's proposal. She, Mi-rae, Ji-hyo, Jung-boon, Yoo Eun, Chan-woo, and other seniors in the department talk about it over drinks.]
Soo-a, you must be startled. There are always stubborn guys like him.
[Mi-rae discreetly rolls her eyes, knowing how bad Chan-woo can be.]
If you're uncomfortable, do you want to get going? I'll drop you off.
JHJi-hyo
But who does Jang Won-ho think he is? I'm speechless. It must be tiring to be pretty.
FSFemale senior
Yeah, Soo-a's face looks like someone made it.
Pardon? I didn't get anything fixed, though. [looks at Mi-rae] Mi-rae is prettier, both her face and body.
[Mi-rae looks at her, surprised by the sudden namedrop. The others look at each other uncomfortably, knowing that Mi-rae's plastic surgery was quite obvious on her face. Jung-boon and Yoo Eun look at Mi-rae with concern.]
SSeniors
That's true. Mi-rae's pretty.
(innocently) Mi-rae did not get anything fixed either.
[Mi-rae beco mes nervous. The freshmen and the seniors go silent. Kyung-seok arrives at the table, sets a dish on it, and confronts Soo-a.]
[All turn their heads at Kyung-seok.]
Oh, the new semester party? Of course, it's fun.
"The new semester party"? I'm talking about your behavior.
[her smile fades] I don't know what you're talking about.
You're just pretending not to know.
[Soo-a goes silent and looks down, teary-eyed.]
SSeniors
Soo-a, are you crying?
(getting angry) This son of a bitch...
[Kyung-seok remains unnerved, staring at Soo-a. Mi-rae, Jung-boon, and Yoo Eun get worried.]
SSeniors
[to Soo-a] Don't cry. Why are you crying? [to Kyung-seok] What's wrong with you, Kyung-seok? Apologize to her.
[raising his voice] Hey, Do Kyung-seok! [stands up and puts his glass on the table with force]
[to the seniors] I'm sorry. I must have done something wrong.
SSeniors
[to Soo-a] You didn't do anything wrong.
[to Kyung-seok] Apologize to her, you son of a bitch!
Mi-rae
Don't cry, Soo-a. Kyung-seok must have misunderstood.
[Soo-a leaves the venue.]
Mi-rae
[to Kyung-seok] Hey, what's wrong with you?
[eyes Mi-rae with suppressed anger and disbelief] Are you stupid? What a fool... [leaves the venue]
[Soo-a had told Chan-woo that she cannot accept him since Mi-rae likes him. Not knowing it was a big lie, Chan-woo confronts Mi-rae.]
Mi-rae
(surprised) Pardon?
Do you like me? Do you want to date me?
Mi-rae
No.
Then did you say that to Soo-a to screw me over?
Mi-rae
(confused) What?
Soo-a said she can't date me because you like me.
Mi-rae
Who said that? I never said that.
Then go tell that to Soo-a. Tell her that you don't care if she dates me.
Mi-rae
Why should I do that? [turns around to leave]
(angered) Hey! Stop right there!
[Chan-woo grabs Mi-rae's arm to stop her. Mi-rae swings her arm out of Chan-woo's hold.]
Mi-rae
(in fear) What are you doing?
Mi-rae
What did I do wrong?
"What did I do wrong?" Hey, I know you're behind this! Don't play dumb, you wench! Did you think we were going to work out just because I was nice to you? What a joke. Gangnam is infested with girls like you. [acts to slap Mi-rae] Gosh, you plastic monster!
[Overwhelmed by the insults, Mi-rae slams her handbag at Chan-woo who instantly falls into the ground. Mi-rae is breathing laboriously in rage and despair.]
Mi-rae
What gives you the right to curse at me? What did I do wrong? WHAT DID I DO WRONG?! [leaves Chan-woo behind]
[The day after the scene at the semester party]
Mi-rae
You somehow keep getting involved in my problems. I hope you can stop overreacting. With the Teaching Assistant, and Soo-a, too... Don't get the wrong idea about Soo-a. She really didn't know. Anyone could tell that I got work done on my face, but anyway—
Mi-rae
What?
Why did you get plastic surgery on your face?
Mi-rae
What do you mean why I got plastic surgery? Why are you even asking? You know that I had no choice but to get plastic surgery.
What exactly do you mean by that? Who says plastic surgery is a must for some and not for others?
Mi-rae
Well, I just mean that— (hesitates) You know what I used to look like. I never even dreamed of becoming as pretty as Soo-a is. Not even Ji-hyo. I would've been happy if I just looked like Jung-boon or Eun. Had I looked like them, I would've never gotten anything done. But my face was far below the average, you know.
[realizing Mi-rae's insecurity and negative thinking] You... Do you grade other people's faces? It sounds like what needed surgery is your unhealthy mindset.
Mi-rae
(dumbfounded and hurt) What did you just say?
[Kyung-seok does not reply.]
Mi-rae
It's none of your business. Why do you even care about what I think? [Mi-rae quickly leaves Kyung-seok]
[In an outright abuse of his seniority, the deluded Chan-woo brings the chemistry freshmen in the restroom to "punish" them for Mi-rae and Kyung-seok's acts of "disrespect" . Kyung-seok is not present among the freshmen, who are standing in front of Chan-woo in three lines. Chan-woo is shouting orders.]
[The freshmen remain silent and still.]
What? Is the space too tight? (beat) All of you girls can leave. I never punish girls. [The freshmen remain still] Get out! [The girls start to walk out of their lines] Except for you, Kang Mi-rae.
[The girls stop at the door. All look at Chan-woo and Mi-rae. Chan-woo imperiously approaches Mi-rae.]
Girls who think they're pretty despite all the work they got done need a serious lesson. Your face is a reflection of your heart. Am I wrong? Answer me!
Soo-a, this has nothing to do with you. Why would you do that for her?
Mi-rae
Then what did I do wrong?
Mi-rae
[bursts out in anger] AND WHAT DID THESE GUYS DO WRONG?!
[Chan-woo gets angrier]
Guys, leave us. [No one moves] Get out!
[The remaining freshmen rush towards the door and, with the girls, watch Chan-woo abuse Mi-rae. The two glare at each other with equal loathing, though Mi-rae is already fearful. A sophomore arrives and worriedly watches the scene.]
[grabbing Mi-rae by the collar with one hand] You should really be begging me for forgiveness. How dare you say that you've done nothing wrong? [shaking Mi-rae] Shall I make your face go back to how it used to look?
[Eun and the sophomore try to stop Chan-woo, but he fights back and even slaps the sophomore.]
(to Mi-rae) You're the one who told all freshmen to call me "son of a jerk," aren't you? It was you, wasn't it? [Mi-rae remains silent] I know it was you! [throws Mi-rae onto the floor] You and Do Kyung-seok are the most arrogant ones in your year.
[With him knowing, Kyung-seok enters the restroom.]
Fine, I'll punish you for Kyung-seok not showing up as well.
[At once, Kyung-seok throws a kick at Chan-woo.]
[Chan-woo fights back, but Kyung-seok drags him into a cubicle. Jung-boon and Yoo Eun rush at Mi-rae's side. After a few moments of noise, Kyung-seok comes out of the cubicle, throws a heavy look at Mi-rae and leaves. Won-ho and Sung-woon goes to the cubicle and sees Chan-woo lying weak on the toilet, eyes closed and breathing faintly.]
[Soo-a talks to Mi-rae on how Kyung-seok saved Mi-rae from Chan-woo.]
I must say, it seems like Kyung-seok gives you special treatment. Aren't I right?
Mi-rae
What do you mean?
Are you two going out by any chance?
Mi-rae
(taken aback) What?
The time when I made that mistake at our frosh week party, and this time, too. It's almost as if he can't stand seeing you in difficult situations.
Mi-rae
Well, that's...
Are you two still testing the waters?
Mi-rae
[smiles in defense] What? It's not really what you think.
But I've seen the two of you talking about your secrets.
Mi-rae
Secrets? When?
That day in front of the vending machine, when you were with Eun and Jung-boon.
Mi-rae
[remembers the day] Ahh, that was about my perfume container—
Kyung-seok must have confessed his feelings for you. [In disbelief, Mi-rae does not reply.] Does he have a one-sided crush on you?
Mi-rae
Hey, stop talking nonsense! [her tongue slips her secret] That's because were alumni— [in her thoughts] I must be out of my mind.
(amazed) Alumni? Did you guys go to the same school?
Mi-rae
(hesitatingly) Yes...
Oh, really? I had no idea. Which school? In high school, I assume?
Mi-rae
No, middle school. [in her thoughts] I asked Kyung-seok not to tell anyone, but I ended up exposing my past myself.
[Mi-rae treats Kyung-seok at lunch after the incident with Kim Chan-woo at the restroom.]
When you said you owe me, was it about Kim Chan-woo?
Mi-rae
Yes... Thank you.
I thought you'd be mad. What is it that you want to say?
Mi-rae
I hate myself, too, for being like this—judging people by their looks and labelling them. People like you who are considered cool even when they don't follow the rules wouldn't understand a life like mine.
I'm sorry for talking harshly to you. You know, what I said about your mindset. I'm sorry about that.
Mi-rae
Well... What you said about me wasn't wrong.
By the way, do people think I'm cool? Who said that? [Mi-rae does not reply] Is that what you think?
Mi-rae
(in defense) No. Let's be honest, you were popular back in middle school. Don't you know?
(as if self-satisfied) I guess I was.
Mi-rae
You're annoying.
Mi-rae
What?
Have you usually thought I was annoying?
Mi-rae
(worried) No, sorry.
I was just asking. Are you intimidated again?
Mi-rae
What?
You keep getting intimidated for nothing.
Mi-rae
(in defense) When did I? I'm not the type who easily gets intimidated.
Then live the way you originally are.
[After her company’s event, Na Hye-sung invites Mi-rae for a drink and they go to the bar owned by Kyung-seok’s friend Woo-jin.]
HSHye-sung
I reread what I had written and I realized it was just full of bluff. I was talking about the trend and some other stuff that I didn’t really mean. But I came to my senses as soon as I talked to you. I realized that I’m just someone who likes perfumes more than I am a businesswoman.
[Mi-rae pours the liquor into Hye-sung’s shot glass but it was filled only halfway. Hye-sung orders for another bottle.]
HSHye-sung
I always drink my shots in one go. This is why they say it’s hard to change old habits.
Mi-rae
I think it’s great.
HSHye-sung
I’ve aged and deteriorated in many ways, but I’m still good at drinking.
Mi-rae
I envy you so much.
Mi-rae
Because you’re living your dream.
[Hye-sung ponders on what she said with her head down and her smile fading away.]
HSHye-sung
Being envious… [looks at Mi-rae] …is also a sad thing. Being envious of something that is ordinary … is sad.
[Mi-rae ponders on what Hye-sung said, then the memories of her painful past return to her, overwhelming her to the verge of tears. Among the reminiscence was her attempt to commit suicide over the Han River due to the pressure driven by the insults and discrimination on the basis of her looks. She remembers how Hye-sung approached her and comforted her, saving her from her suicide attempt. Hye-sung notices Mi-rae’s teary eyes.]
Mi-rae
(wipes off her tears) Yes… Ms. Na, I have something to tell you.
[Kyung-seok arrives in the bar to help Woo-jin and notices Mi-rae but not his mother. He passes by their table, and Mi-rae sees him. Hye-sung turns around and is shocked to see Kyung-seok, who eyes her with equal shock and with hate.]
Mi-rae
[to Hye-sung, not knowing the relation between Kyung-seok and Hye-sung] He’s my classmate. This is—
HSHye-sung
[stands up and looks at him with longing] You’ve grown up so much.
[gives his mother one last look and turns around to leave; to Woo-jin] I’m sorry but I don’t think I can help out today. [leaves the bar]
WJWoo-jin
Kyung-seok. Kyung-seok…
HSHye-sung
[turns back to Mi-rae] I’m his mother.
Gangnam Beauty · 23 quotes
