A character in Gangnam Beauty
Played by Cha Eun-woo
Gangnam Beauty · 23 quotes
2nd most-quoted character in Gangnam Beauty: in 12 of its 23 quotes
Most scenes with: Kang Mi-rae (10), Hyun Soo-a (3), Kim Chan-woo (3)
Kyung-seokKang Mi-rae.
[Mi-rae turns around and Kyung-seok walks up to her.]
Kyung-seokBy any chance ... were you a student of Jaryong Middle School?
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.]
Kyung-seokNever mind. You just have the same name as someone I knew.
[Kyung-seok leaves.]
[in her thoughts] He's that Do Kyung-seok after all...
[Kyung-seok is having a conversation with his friend, Woo-jin, over drinks]
Are you okay with your father? Did he say anything about you doing chemistry?
Kyung-seokHe did.
Then why did you do it?
Kyung-seokI'm not sure. I wanted to do it even more when he told me not to.
(rather hesitant) Are you curious about your mother?
Kyung-seokLet's not talk about the dead. She is dead to me.
[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.]
Hello, Senior.
[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.
It's not like that yet.
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.]
Senior—
Oh, hey. Let's just be good friends.
(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.]
Kyung-seok[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.]
Kyung-seokThis is yours, right? [Mi-rae takes the perfume with a sigh.] You dropped it in the cafeteria.
I see.
[Kyung-seok keeps his eyes on Mi-rae.]
(nervous) What?
Kyung-seokAre you really not the Kang Mi-rae from Jaryong Middle School?
[Mi-rae hesitates to answer.]
Kyung-seokThe bus stop. Pomelo.
[Mi-rae remains silent, then she finally speaks.]
Keep it a secret.
Kyung-seokWhat?
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.
(politely) No, I'm fine.
Oh, you're fine?
But who does Jang Won-ho think he is? I'm speechless. It must be tiring to be pretty.
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.]
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.]
Kyung-seokHey, are you having fun?
[All turn their heads at Kyung-seok.]
What do you mean?
Kyung-seokAre you having fun?
Oh, the new semester party? Of course, it's fun.
Kyung-seok"The new semester party"? I'm talking about your behavior.
[her smile fades] I don't know what you're talking about.
Kyung-seokYou're just pretending not to know.
[Soo-a goes silent and looks down, teary-eyed.]
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.]
[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.
[to Soo-a] You didn't do anything wrong.
[to Kyung-seok] Apologize to her, you son of a bitch!
Don't cry, Soo-a. Kyung-seok must have misunderstood.
[Soo-a leaves the venue.]
Soo-a!
[to Kyung-seok] Hey, what's wrong with you?
Kyung-seok[eyes Mi-rae with suppressed anger and disbelief] Are you stupid? What a fool... [leaves the venue]
[The day after the scene at the semester party]
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—
Kyung-seokWhy did you do it?
What?
Kyung-seokWhy did you get plastic surgery on your face?
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.
Kyung-seokWhat exactly do you mean by that? Who says plastic surgery is a must for some and not for others?
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.
Kyung-seok[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.
(dumbfounded and hurt) What did you just say?
[Kyung-seok does not reply.]
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.]
Assume push-up position!
[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!
Then I'll stay too.
What?
I'll stay with her.
Soo-a, this has nothing to do with you. Why would you do that for her?
Then what did I do wrong?
What did you just say?
[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.]
Kyung-seokYou crazy jerk.
[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.]
[Mi-rae treats Kyung-seok at lunch after the incident with Kim Chan-woo at the restroom.]
Kyung-seokWhen you said you owe me, was it about Kim Chan-woo?
Yes... Thank you.
Kyung-seokI thought you'd be mad. What is it that you want to say?
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.
Kyung-seokI'm sorry for talking harshly to you. You know, what I said about your mindset. I'm sorry about that.
Well... What you said about me wasn't wrong.
Kyung-seokBy the way, do people think I'm cool? Who said that? [Mi-rae does not reply] Is that what you think?
(in defense) No. Let's be honest, you were popular back in middle school. Don't you know?
Kyung-seok(as if self-satisfied) I guess I was.
You're annoying.
Kyung-seok(changing his tone) Hey.
What?
Kyung-seokHave you usually thought I was annoying?
(worried) No, sorry.
Kyung-seokI was just asking. Are you intimidated again?
What?
Kyung-seokYou keep getting intimidated for nothing.
(in defense) When did I? I'm not the type who easily gets intimidated.
Kyung-seokThen live the way you originally are.
[Kyung-seok and his younger sister Kyung-hee accompany their politician father Do Sang-won, who made talks with a Christian priest and a Buddhist monk in preparation for the national elections. Kyung-seok is disgusted by his father’s tactics.]
So what is our religion?
Kyung-seokWhat do you think? Of course, that which is believed by more people.
[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.]
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.]
I always drink my shots in one go. This is why they say it’s hard to change old habits.
I think it’s great.
I’ve aged and deteriorated in many ways, but I’m still good at drinking.
I envy you so much.
Why?
Because you’re living your dream.
[Hye-sung ponders on what she said with her head down and her smile fading away.]
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.]
[to Hye-sung, not knowing the relation between Kyung-seok and Hye-sung] He’s my classmate. This is—
Kyung-seokWhat are you doing here?
[stands up and looks at him with longing] You’ve grown up so much.
Kyung-seok[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]
Kyung-seok. Kyung-seok…
[turns back to Mi-rae] I’m his mother.
[Kyung-seok asks Mi-rae for a talk after class, the day after he had seen his mother and Mi-rae at the bar.]
Kyung-seokHow do you know that woman?
[keeping her first real meet-up with Hye-sung years ago a secret] I met her for the first time at the perfume sampling event that day. Our Teaching Assistant was there, too. He introduced me to her, saying she was our alumna.
Kyung-seokYou had a drink with someone whom you met for the first time that day?
Well… It happened that way by accident after the event.
Kyung-seokIs that all?
Yes. She left right after that as well.
[Kyung-seok sighs.]
Are you okay? I was worried.
Kyung-seokWhy would you be? It’s none of your business. Don’t tell the others about this.
I won’t. Why would I tell such a thing to others?
Kyung-seok(getting angry) You asked me not to tell the others that we went to the same school, but you revealed it first.
Well, that’s because it was my problem. It didn’t harm you either.
Kyung-seokAre you the type who changes words like that, too? I hate those who don’t keep their promises.
I also hate those who vent their anger on others.
[Upon Hye-sung’s request, Mi-rae invites Kyung-seok for a drink to convince him to make amends with his mother. Kyung-seok keeps looking at Mi-rae.]
What?
Kyung-seokSorry.
For what?
Kyung-seokFor getting mad at you for meeting that person even though it wasn’t your fault.
[Mi-rae does not reply, though she is pleased to hear Kyung-seok’s apology.]
Kyung-seokAren’t you mad?
I have a pretty big heart.
[Mi-rae forces herself to drink more liquor, which Kyung-seok notices.]
Kyung-seokWhat’s wrong?
Don’t get mad at me, okay? (beat) Do you really have no interest in talking to your mom?
Kyung-seokIs that why you asked me to go for a drink? When you said “a big heart,” I guess you meant you’re very nosy.
I know it’s nothing compared to your situation … but I couldn’t see my dad for a while either. He was against me getting plastic surgery, so I did it secretly after telling him I was going to study abroad. And then I saw him for the first time at the entrance ceremony … but he got mad and left. When family members hate each other, it’s usually out of disappointment. (teary-eyed) He must have had a really hard time. Much more than me.
Kyung-seokSo, are you satisfied?
With what?
Kyung-seokWith your plastic surgery.
I wouldn’t say I’m satisfied…
Kyung-seokWhy not?
It’s too obvious that I did it. (beat) You made fun of me, too.
Kyung-seok(taken aback) I did? When?
Forget it.
Kyung-seokNo, tell me. I won’t let you go until you tell me. Tell me when I did that.
That time … at the bus stop. You laughed at me. You probably don’t remember, but for me—
Kyung-seokI do. I clearly remember it, but I never made fun of you. It wasn’t your face. It was your feet.
[Mi-rae glances at her feet. Kyung-seok chuckles softly.]
Kyung-seokYour feet were funny. I’ve never seen anyone else dance like that. That’s why I asked you at the orientation. It seemed like you. In middle school, I only remember laughing once, and it was because of you.
These quotes come from Wikiquote's Gangnam Beauty pages and are available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.
