The song that currency played was the opening of a period drama. The show had been recently airing one hour-long episode every other two days, during the late evening hours.
It told the story of a crown prince who fell in love with the daughter of the Chief Councilor. After the crown prince's uncle rose up to usurp the throne, he was almost caught by the King. In order to escape being accused of treason and dying by poison, the usurper used the girl's father as a scapegoat. Thus, the Chief Councilor was sentenced with beheading and his entire household was turned into slaves, including the man's wife and daughter.
The plot was filled with the usual drama, misunderstandings and tear-jerking moments. Both Su-Jin and Mi-Suk enjoyed watching this period drama mostly for the actors and the romance.
Yet, in spite of all the good points of the show, there were still some aspects that annoyed them to death. Such as the string of never-ending family drama, the crude mentality of some of the villains, as well as the obvious dragged out plot points.
Today, though, it appeared that the episode was mostly focused on the romance between the two protagonists. At the present time, the show portrayed the somewhat tragic forbidden love between a Crown Prince and a former aristocrat's daughter, now turned slave.
"Ah, being star-crossed lovers is so romantic." Mi-Suk sighed longingly.
"Don't you mean tragic?" Su-Jin inquired, quirking an eyebrow.
Seriously now, she had always known that her best friend's preferences in romance were sometimes rather peculiar. But this time, Mi-Suk's train of thought simply baffled Su-Jin to no end.
Who would want to live such a love story as shown in the TV drama and even call it romantic?!
"Don't you mean stupid?" Min-Jun unexpectedly chimed in from the doorway.
All this while he had been in the kitchen, preparing three bowls of freshly cut fruits. Now, he was walking towards the table in the living room with a nonchalant gait.
As he advanced holding the bowls, two in one hand and one in the other, Min-Jun's poisonous tongue didn't stop attacking the subject.
"Why would anyone enter a relationship that's already set to fail from the very beginning? Isn't it smarter to avoid it in the first place, before anyone can get hurt?"
Su-Jin nodded, silently giving her brother a thumbs up for his insight.
'For the first time I actually agree with you on this one, Min-Jun. Fighting battles that are already doomed from the beginning is kind of stupid indeed.'
"I can imagine why Min-Jun thinks it's stupid. That's just so like him." Mi-Suk scowled at the young man, then swiftly looked back at her friend for support. "But why do you think it's tragic?"
"How can it not be?" Su-Jin rolled her eyes at the other woman. "Just imagine, being lucky enough to find someone you love and who loves you back but, due to all sorts of external factors, you two can never be together."
Su-Jin stopped to let out a long sigh.
"That's why I think it's so tragic."
"What a coincidence, sis, that's also why I think it's stupid. Especially if those people already love each other so much. If you can stop the car from running in the first place, that's great. But if you can't and it's already moving, then it's stupid to crash it against a tree by your own free will."
However, both brother and sister ignored their friend's laments, choosing to face each other instead.
"And why is that, Min-Jun?" Su-Jin demanded crossing her arms.
"Just think about it. What possible external reason could keep two people, who really love each other, from being together? Unless it's a life or death situation nothing should be able to intervene in true love's affairs."
What he said was somewhat reasonable and it was difficult to refute.
Su-Jin squirmed uncomfortably in her seat. Even though barely a few seconds ago she was almost ready to agree with him, now she insisted on countering her brother's words.
Then, thinking about her previous conversation with Ji-Won she suddenly got an idea.
"What about wealth and social status?" she asked.
Right now Su-Jin was very curious to know what her brother's thoughts on the matter really were. She held her breath, waiting for a couple of seconds, only to see Min-Jun raising a hand in the air, much as how they used to do when answering a question in class.
"Only snobbish people care about those things. Both men and women who are truly in love with someone shouldn't place importance on what their partner's status is. At least not to the point of giving up their relationship without a second thought."
Min-Jun's voice sounded resolute. It was pretty clear that he strongly believed in what he just said. Thus, Su-Jin was once again stumped for words.
But being a stubborn person, she still persevered in challenging him.
"Then what about peer pressure? What if their family and friends don't approve of their relationship?"
"That's even more idiotic than the first argument." Min-Jun actually snorted a laugh. "What intelligent person would let family and friends decide for him what kind of partner he wants? Are we still living in the Joseon period, having to go through arranged marriages?"
As he finished saying that, he threw a mocking glance at the TV screen.
There, the Crown Prince was currently battling his feelings of love, trying to give up on the female protagonist due to their difference in social status, but ultimately unable to do so.
"Ugh aren't you a smart one!" Su-Jin grumbled, then finally exploded. "Fine! I have the perfect argument for you."
Min-Jun finally pulled his eyes away from the TV. He leaned back against the sofa and crossed his arms expectantly.
"Let's hear it." he said.
"What if health was an impediment for the two people's relationship?"