The whole morning went by
“I’ll listen in a bit” came up several times. In the end, all that remained between them was the morning that had passed.
Yuna tries to bring up what she needs to say to her husband, but Minseok keeps putting it off for later. After the morning ends, she begins looking back with the counselor at how the day unfolded.
On Sunday morning, Yuna tries to talk to Minseok. He puts off the conversation after exercising, after unpacking a delivery, and even after lunch. When Minseok finally asks, Yuna talks about the morning that has already passed. Cheongun looks at how the two of them moved through the same stretch of time differently.
When the conversation keeps getting pushed back
Instead of only counting how late the conversation became, look at who did what beforehand. The next thing to say may become a little clearer.
On the day the conversation was put off, what was happening when you first tried to bring it up?
What stayed with me from that scene was how Yuna had waited for so long, then kept waiting for the next turn even after she spoke first. In a couple’s conversation, looking at who stopped first and who left first, along with what was said, keeps it from becoming only one person’s silence. If you’ve had a similar morning, you’re welcome to share what happened then.
Scenes
- 01 · A Morning Promise A Morning Promise — As soon as Yuna sat at the table, she tried to talk to Minseok. He put his coffee cup in the sink and went to the entryway. Yuna: Can we talk for a moment this morning? Minseok: Sure. I’ll listen when I get back from exercising.
- 02 · In a Bit In a bit — When Minseok came back, Yuna brought the coffee from the table into the living room. As he opened the box, Minseok put off what Yuna was trying to say again. Minseok: I’ll listen after I put this away. Yuna: Okay.
- 03 · Words Before Lunch Words Before Lunch — Only after putting the box away did Minseok call Yuna over. The words put off all morning caught in her throat again beside the cold coffee. Minseok: What you were going to say earlier—say it now. Yuna: The whole morning went by.
- 04 · Separating the Sequence Separating the Sequence — Yuna described that morning as one single block. Cheongun suggested laying out separately who spoke first and who left first. Cheongun: In that scene, which of you spoke first? Yuna: I did.
Stories by Cheongun
- Cheongun
- When childhood comes up, we say less as we each search for an answer.
- On my birthday morning, the talk turns to caring for my parents again
- When someone believes you’re in pain
- I came home without apologizing to my child.
- Different standards for tidiness, choosing dinner at the convenience store
- In the waiting room, before deciding who should apologize
- I’m not sure how much to tell my spouse about the get-together with my friends.
- When I bring up the money I lent, our walk comes to a stop.