Isn’t this obvious? You committed a crime, so you must pay for it. Inspector Han Ju Won.
BEYOND EVIL (2021)
My favorite part about that 3rd gif is their eyes.
I know it may be the acting choice of Shin Hakyun and Yeo Jingoo themselves—both stellar, talented actors in their own right—and if it was, that nuanced acting in their eyes makes all the difference in the characterization of Lee Dongsik and Han Joowon.
Notice how Dongsik looks at Joowon first and foremost. It’s Joowon who first turns to look at Han Kihwan, and it’s only when Joowon does that Dongsik follows suit.
It’s such a miniscule microexpression but it’s such nuanced acting that reflects the bigger picture of their relationship at this point in the story: despite how Dongsik has known, even as early as then, that Han Kihwan had something to do with his sister’s murder—he has always known, because why would the Chief of Munju station at the time cover it up so quickly 20 years ago—
Even when Dongsik had always suspected Han Kihwan, he had never, not once, acted without Joowon’s consent.
It’s a testament to how much he respected—how much he trusted—Joowon that any action they did towards Han Kihwan, they did it in Joowon’s terms.
Because Han Kihwan is still Joowon’s father.
Even if Dongsik had all the right in the world to do what he wants with his sister’s killer, he had always—still—deferred to Joowon.
Part of it is his trust that Joowon is the kind of person who would still do the right thing. Part of it is the naive hope that Joowon won’t betray him, or any of the people he loves and protects.
But mostly because Dongsik knows—he has always known, from the very beginning—that whatever happens to Han Kihwan will directly affect Joowon too.
The main reason why Dongsik had always deferred to Joowon’s decisions regarding his father is simply because Dongsik wanted to protect Joowon, too.
And it shows even in something as simple as this scene: the way he would always, always look at Joowon first.
(also available in Russian btw) Dongsik visits Juwon in Seoul and everyone can see how different Juwon is with Dongsik. Getting together fic, very cute.
He had just seen her. Ran into her by chance, or was it fate he wondered. Actually, if she hadn’t approached him first he might not have been able to recognize her. She looked lovely, he thought. He hadn’t been able to stop smiling since then. He still felt the warmth of her hand in his and it sent a shiver all over his body. His steps felt lighter as he walked back to work. His team members and now workers at his own company had noticed his change and bombarded him with questions about what had put him in such a great mood. The ever quiet Park Dong Hoon had said nothing. When he had started to smile to himself, his teammates wondered if he was finally loosing it.
The team did notice however how he would just look at his phone every few seconds. He had been itching to text or call her since he saw her. He didnt want to come on too strong though so he decided to wait.
It wasn’t until the end of that day that he was found out. They had been in a meeting and his cell phone pinged with a text. The screen had flashed “Ji An” and Park Dong Hoon almost tripped over himself trying to get to his phone. In the brief second that it took him to pick it up from the table both Assistant manager Kim and Chief Song had caught a glimpse.
“Ji An” Manager Kim had said outloud,
“Oh, Lee Ji An?! Are you talking to her again?”
Chief Song more perceptive than the rest just looked over his flustered boss and chuckled. He had deciphered their relationship long ago, even if he still hadn’t. Trying his best to at least act cool Park Dong Hoon mentioned that he had seen her earlier. His team looked around at each other and collectible let out and “Oh” of understanding.
“It’s no big deal” he had said nonchalantly but Chief Song had pointed out he was clutching his phone awfully hard. The team broke out in giggles and decided that was enough teasing for now. They got up and let their boss have some privacy.
Before closing the door Chief Song poked his head in and said that he still owed Ji An that hug. And there it was, the annoyed look on his boss’s face, exactly the reaction that he was expecting. Chief Song chuckled and quickly said to let her know that they should have drinks soon.
Finally alone he read her message,
“Can I call you later tonight?” You are a CEO now and I don’t want to bother you.“
He surprised himself by sighing loudly. Even though he was incredibly happy that she had texted him he’d have to wait even longer to hear her voice again. He’s quick to reply that “It’s ok, she could call him anytime. He would wait.” And adds that “she could never bother him”
Once he got home his mind replays the winter when they had first met. They had found each other when they were living the worst moments of their lives. She had given him the push to get his stalled life going again. And he had let her go, begrudgingly, to live a new life, a life she most certainly deserved. A life away from him. Going over their relationship he admitted he had always know what his feeling for her were even when he tried to bury them they would just bubble to the surface and make his heart clench painfully. Back then he just wasn’t in a place were he could share them freely with her. She deserved everything and he didn’t want to be in the way. He wonders if it might be too late. He tells himself to snap out of it. He would have to wait and see what their meeting had in store for them.
That night she calls him and hearing her soft voice sends a tingling feeling all over his body again. She’s quiet and shy, then he realizes she had been listening to his breathing. “Ji An…” he start to say says and he can hear her take a breath.
“Ahjusshi” comes out softly, “can I buy you something delicious tomorrow?” She asks almost hesitantly.
“Yes, let do that” he replies and his cheeks start to hurt from smiling so much.
They decide to meet in a new place near her work. It’s very similar in atmosphere to the neighborhood bar they always went to before. She is surprised to see him there already waiting for her. She looks at him from head to toe taking him in and stops when he spots her, their eyes lock and his face breaks out into that beaming smile from the previous day.
She’s a little awkward, but his cheerfulness relaxes her. She realizes how different things are. And remembers the time when he told her he had been on the verge of dying. How true that had been for both of them. He looks good, too good she thinks and that smile on his face that hasn’t left since she got there makes him look younger. She mentally scolds herself as she tries to stop her foolish heart from running wild.
“You seem happy ahjusshi” she says.
“I am happy” he says and hi eyes meet hers, “I’m happier here, right now…with you”
She’s stunned silent and her heart beats wildly in her chest. She had hoped against hope for so long.
He takes a breath ready to say everything he’s been holding on to for far too long. The day he let her go, he had been devastated. It was then that he realized the depth of his own feelings for her. So, he had made a choice to live his life differently. And promised himself that if they ever met again he would use his opportunity to at least let her know that every time she confessed to him his heart had wanted to reach out. That he hadn’t been in a position to accept her feelings for him even if he was right there along with her.
“Ji An, I’m not married anymore” he blurts out. He takes a deep breath and says I’ve been living alone for quite a while now. Ji Seok’s mom went to the states to live with him. He falters as he says “I know I’m and older man and you could do so much better than someone like me, but… he’s stopped by her small hand on his lips. He panics a little, his eyes scanning her face. She’s silently crying and takes a breath to compose herself before she says,
"I love you ahjusshi”
He covers her hand with his own and kisses her palm, overwhelmed by the intensity of her feelings for him. He let’s the words wash over his heart and says
“My heart has loved you far longer that I let myself believe” “I love you too”
She smiles her eyes shining with tears and he hears her say,
“Ahjusshi” before she let’s out a sob. He holds her hands in his, tears streaming down his own face.
“Ji An” he says, “let’s be happy…let’s be happy together” she looks up at him a radiant smile gracing her face and nods her head in agreement.
“What’s got you in such a good mood Dong Hoon Ah? You keep smiling” Jae Chul asks late one night at Jung Hee’s bar.
“Nothing” he had been quick to reply taking a swig of his drink.
Jae Chul gives him the once over tsking as he says,
“I don’t know, you really are acting strange today”
He didn’t think he was too different, I mean yeah he had been seeing Ji An since the day they ran into each other a few weeks ago. But he was trying to keep that private for the time being. They had just had a particularly spectacular date and he couldn’t stop thinking about her. The flashes in his mind of her lips on his and her hands tangled in his hair were making him flushed. Luckily he could use alchohol as a cover. He thought the conversation would move on but instead he was startled with a loud,
“Are you dating?”
Park Dong Hoon choked on his drink hard. All eyebrows in Jung Hee’s bar rose at his reaction.
Ki Hoon who had been studying him is quick to say,
“She’s back, isn’t she?
He doesn’t reply instead busying himself with cleaning his clothes. He finds that Ki hoon would not be easily discouraged by feigning ignorance.
“I bet you that’s it. You’re seeing her” he stated, clearly pleased with himself for having figured it out.
“Seeing who?” He could hear from the group.
“Ya, you bastard”, he warns. He really doesn’t want to share this just yet. It’s too new, too exciting and terrifying at the same time.
“I need a smoke”
Ki Hoon says and pats his brother on the shoulder signaling he should follow him outside. He takes this chance to get away, since the questions from everyone have not stopped yet. He figures if he is to have this conversation, his younger brother would be at least understanding. Lighting a cigarette, Ki Hoon ponders and after taking a long puff he says,
“I already told you once to be careful, but I feel like I dont have to worry about that with that girl right? It’s clear she loves you. I could see that…we all could”
Park Dong Hoon is taken aback. The nature of their relationship had been blurry from the start. He had struggled with his feelings for her for so long. Only willing to accept them fully once she was gone. While hers had always been out in the open for everyone to see.
“Are you happy?” Ki Hoon asks,
“Hyung, you know you are allowed to be happy right?”
After a long pause and a defeated sigh he replies,
“Yes, I am happy” And that is all he is willing to say.
Ki Hoon chuckles, patting him on the back,
“I knew it! Well, then that’s all that matters isn’t it. Bring her by when you are ready. I’m sure everyone here would love to see her. She was a good fit, the last time she was here.”
And that she was, he thought. While his ex wife had just wanted to isolate him with her form of affection, Ji An had accepted him whole. He had always been Park Dong Hoon +family +neighborhood. He was a loyal caring friend, and in turn people loved him as well.
Two weeks later be brings her by. They are holding hands as they leisurely walk the road that saw them together long ago. He can tell she’s nervous, and he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t as well. They had talked about their new relationship status. Unable to keep dodging questions, he had come out clean about them last week. And while some were puzzled by their pairing, most had known this was coming. They had also all been equally excited for him, for them.
As Jung Hee’s bar gets closer, he asks her if she’s ready. Her big beautiful eyes meet his and she nods. He kisses the hand that he was holding, smiling at each other as he gets ready to open the door.
The jingle of the bells announces their arrival. They are met with the lively bunch all cheering for them. He laughs and she’s a little startled when she’s almost yanked out of his side, plopped into a chair, given food and drinks, and congratulatory pats on the back. She looks back at him still standing there taking it all in. He beams at her, pleased that she is so welcomed. Jung Hee approaches him and says quietly
“I’m glad for you Dong Hoon Ah. She’s a lovely girl, and has a big heart…just like you”
He smiles at her fondly and thanks her. He knows how much Jung Hee adores her.
He marvels at his life now. It most certainly wasn’t what he had expected. But like Gyeomduk had once told him he had to live the life he wanted, and he ultimately was. She had been instrumental in that development. Everything that happened led them both here. Even though he had missed her desperately when she was gone their separation was a time much needed to sort everything out. Life had brought them together again as better versions of themselves. And here she was, finally, with him. His friends treating her as if she had never left, as one of their own.
Ji An smiles back at him, joy shinning in her eyes. She is soon distracted though by Jae Chul merrily handing her another drink. Park Dong Hoon finally comes in and takes the seat next to her. In that small neighborhood bar the warmth that surrounds them is not because of the changing seasons. It’s because of the people who inhabit it, and for that he is very grateful.
“Is this it? Is this all we’re going to be?” She had said and it had left him stunned. They had been walking home late from another…date.
He had stood there rooted to the spot. How could she be so blunt, he wondered. Words always had seemed to fail him, to not be the right ones, when it came to them. They were so opposite that way. They had been dancing around this thing between them for a while. Months really, and too long if he was being truthful. And it was always one step forward and two behind.
After their first meeting at that coffee shop they had seen each other too often to call it nothing. He knew he loved her, desperately wanted to be with her. But his inability to star something romantic with her stemmed from his paralizing fear to fail again. To fail with her. Even if he had been able to get a divorce and slowly moved on with his life he knew that if this thing that they had didn’t work out he would most certainly die. It was different that way with her, she made him feel so much. He couldn’t lie to himself any longer, she meant too much to him.
They had argued, she had made herself clear again. She didn’t want to hope anymore. It wasn’t fair, and he knew it. He really had to do something, say something,
I…you…know… he struggled to get the words out.
“What” she challenged.
“I…care about you…a lot”
She sighs because she knows this. She is painfully aware that their feelings are mutual. She’s been patient and understanding. She’s also been steady in her affection. He’s the one who’s still hesitating.
“Well, I love you ahjusshi…you know that” she says.
She won’t settle for less, she knows he loves her too. He tries to be subtle but she can see it in his every action. She can feel his desire too. Everytime they part it takes longer to leave one another. They are in constant touch, with messages and phone calls that last hours. She can sense his apprehension to take the next step though, and she’s had it, so she’ll push hard if she has to.
Her face falls, his words are not enough and he knows it. He has to let go, allow himself to be free and just live. Because imagining a life with her not in it snaps something deep inside him. He’s lost her once. He knows how much that hurts. He can’t do that again. He strides over to her gathering her in his arms kissing her fiercely. She’s surprised for a moment but responds with all her might, tears springing to her eyes.
When the part they are breathless.
“Ji An” he says his voice cracking, laced with so much pent up emotion.
“I…I can’t ever loose you. It would destroy me” he finally confesses with a shaky breath.
“And I’m afraid, so afraid that one day you’ll realize that I’m just an old man and…”
“Ahjusshi” she says softly a hint of a smile on her face. “That won’t happen” she grabs his hand and places it over her heart.
“You feel this?” She asks looking up into his eyes.
“It’s yours. You have it, all of it. You can’t keep doing this to yourself, to me. Don’t doubt me. I am sure, I just want you. Forever.”
Forever was what haunted him though. He had already lived half his life. He knew his age and hers and it tormented him.
She could see the conflict in his eyes like a raging storm.
“Ahjusshi” she says softly and as if she had the ability to really read his thoughts says,
“Just promise me one thing and one thing only”
“What” he replies tightly.
“In your next life…in our next life… find me sooner” She gives him a small smile.
“Let’s be childhood sweethearts, born in your neighborhood”
“Ji An…” he says his voice cracking again, lips trembling. It’s too much, her devotion to him astounds him.
“But in this life, just love me and let me love you…please. Let’s live this together"
Park Dong Hoon is overcomed with tears. How can she love him so deeply, how can she be so unwavering in her feelings. He’s just so amazed by her.
He crushes her to him, this tiny super woman that has the ability to love with her whole being, and tells her,
“Until you.. I didn’t want to be reborn. But now, I do. I promise…I promise you I’ll find you every time…”
“And we’ll be happy?” She asks gently looking up at him, wrapping her arms around him.
“Yes…yes, the happiest” he replies burying his face in her hair.
“What about now, are we going to be happy now too?”
He smiles tenderly at her, he licks his lips and kisses her gently, deeply.
“Yes” he says when they part. “We’ll be happy now too”
He vows with all his heart to keep his word. Even is he lives 500 lives like she had said once, he will find her because she is home.
Welcome to my little space of personal heaven! Hannibal used to be my only love until I discovered Beyond Evil. So here you'll find a mix of those two beauties. I ship Hannigram and JWDS with all my heart. I'm Caro @MyloveShk on Twitter, lease follow me if we're mutuals there or if you're here in case the bird app actually dies.
