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Music. An art of sound in time that expresses ideas and emotions in significant forms through the elements of rhythm, melody, harmony, and color.
To some people, music is fun and gives them joy.
But Shin Yechan started to see it as a burden.
It was fun when he was an elementary school boy hearing the violin sound for the first time. His mom took up a violin class but it turned out that Yechan is the one gifted in it, one may even call him a prodigy.
Since then, Yechan’s life started to be filled with lessons and practices, and eventually, he started to win competitions here and there. At first, he was hungry – he wanted to learn more and master the difficult classical pieces. But as he grew up, he started to wonder: what is the purpose of his playing? Just about competition and more competition?
A nudge on his shoulder brought Yechan back to the present. He blinked and found himself in the practice room having lessons. His teacher frowned. “How many times should I tell you, Yechan? Don’t slouch, hold your violin properly," he hit Yechan's back shoulder with a cane, "Don’t form bad habits. It will hurt you in the long run, it doesn’t look good, and they will deduct points for bad posture.”
Filled with shame, Yechan nodded and tried to straighten his posture. It got harder recently, especially with his losing steam. The tips of his fingers were hurting, his arm felt stiff. He knew practice and discipline make perfection, but over time practice became a burden, wearing him inside out… and the worst thing is he didn't know how to shake off that slump.
Another nudge. The teacher gave him a stern look. “Shin Yechan. Focus.”
Yechan heaved a sigh. He looked at the violin in his hand and pondered: does this spark joy?
He didn’t know anymore. He couldn’t do this anymore. Maybe he should drop the violin altogether.
“Ssaem, can I take a break for a while? I need some fresh air.”
Without waiting for an answer, Yechan packed his violin and left the room, ignoring his teacher calling him. He stepped outside, away from the confines of the building and pressure.
The sky had turned dark, he just realized he had been in the practice room the whole day. His life had always revolved around home, school, violin lessons, and competition venues. But he didn’t feel like going home yet and he didn't know where else to go, so he just let his feet bring him around the area.
The lights had come to life, stalls had popped up here and there, and the streets were filled with people who just got off work and school. Even though there were a lot of people around him moving with destinations in mind whether it was home or dinner place, Yechan felt alone and lost.
In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the street, suddenly, he heard someone singing. It was a sweet tenor voice accompanied by a guitar, so entrancing Yechan unconsciously followed the direction. He found the source – a young man sitting on a long concrete bench near the train station entrance with an acoustic guitar in his hand.
As I sit by the window at sunset
I see the clouds floating far away
I draw out the old memories that I want to find
In the cold blowing wind, if you get lonely
I will always stay by your side
I won’t leave you
There was something in the man’s singing that was like magic. It reached him, warming his heart, and relieving him of his worries for a moment.
As the song came to an end and everyone clapped, Yechan just stood there stunned, processing everything. It was just a song with a simple guitar and singing, but how can music be this beautiful, warm, and comforting? He hasn’t felt like this in a long time.
When the crowd dispersed, Yechan approached the young man. “Hi,” Yechan greeted, trying to put on a smile. “Nice performance.”
“Thank you,” the man replied. He had a round face, full cheeks, and a red pouty mouth which reminded Yechan of a squirrel. He looked young, like in his early twenties, probably the same age as Yechan. “I did a lot more covers on my page, you can check it out.” He pulled a board next to him with Choi Sang Yeop Yeop written on it. “I’m Sangyeop.”
“I’m Yechan. Nice to meet you, Sangyeop. You did well!”
“Thanks again!” Sangyeop flashed a bright smile which caught Yechan off-guard. Suddenly, Sangyeop’s expression shifted to curiosity. “Wait, what instrument are you carrying?”
“It's the violin.” Yechan slid down the strap from his shoulder. He put his white violin case on the long seat beside Sangyeop and opened it.
“Wow.” Sangyeop’s face was filled with wonder as he caressed Yechan’s violin with care. He looked up to meet Yechan's eyes. “So you’re a musician too! Do you busk?”
“Busk?”
Sangyeop nodded. “Yes. Busking! Like what I’m doing here.” He gestured to the simple mic stand and a portable amplifier in front of him.
“No, I’ve never done it before.” Usually, he has always performed on stage in a hall, wearing a formal outfit with spotlights shining on him and a piano accompanist. Yechan sat next to Sangyeop. “How do you do it?”
“Well, for starters, you can pick a spot, a song, and just… play.” Sangyeop gave Yechan an easy smile and chuckled. “You can play any song that you want.”
“Any song that you want…” Yechan repeated.
Sangyeop nodded eagerly. His eyes were still on him, waiting, smiling. Encouraging.
This was Yechan’s first time busking. Was there a right or wrong thing to do? He wasn’t sure. However, with an eager audience in front of him, it awakened the performer inside him – the need to show the audience something.
Yechan picked up his bow, twisting the tip, and tightened the bow hair. He made sure his strings were in tune, then he stood up and placed the violin on his shoulder with ease from years of practice. He closed his eyes and played the first song that came into his mind – "Merry-Go-Round of Life", a soundtrack from an animated movie that he knew by heart.
In that short few minutes, he immersed himself in the music, letting himself be taken by the melody from his memory. He even improvised some parts, just playing to his heart’s content. Probably he slouched again, probably his posture wasn’t perfect, and probably his tempo was all over the place.
But there was no teacher to scold him, no one to judge him.
He was free.
The piece came to an end and he opened his eyes. To his surprise, he was greeted by loud applause from the crowd. He didn't expect this many people to gather around when he was playing.
“That’s awesome!” he heard someone cheer.
Even though his performance wasn’t precise and very lacking compared to his usual prim and proper on stage, people stayed to watch him play and appreciated him. The atmosphere was so different from competitions. Instead of the critical gazes of the judges looking to scrutinize his playing, he saw delight in people of various ages and backgrounds. It made him smile too, filling him with warmth. And he liked it. Yechan shyly waved and bowed, which was met with another round of applause.
Yechan turned and found Sangyeop staring at him in awe, his eyes sparkled and his mouth opened wide. “What was that?? You’re incredible!” He nudged Yechan playfully and something warm bloomed in Yechan’s heart.
“Thank you,” replied Yechan bashfully, his ears warming up at the praise. He has gotten many compliments and accolades before, but somehow this felt different. It made him… happy.
Sangyeop gave him a warm smile. “If you want, next time you can join me busking when you’re free! Maybe we can arrange something with violin and guitar and play together.”
An invitation, to something other than just a routine of attending lessons and going home.
Yechan was searching for a purpose, a reason for his playing. And this might be the first step to finding his answer.
He returned Sangyeop’s smile. “I’d love that.”
🎻🎸
It’s true that nobody knows where life brings you. Not long after Yechan’s first meeting with Sangyeop and being introduced to busking, his life changed. He now has his own group of friends who busk with him doing crazy pieces that went viral on the internet. He went to a competition – for a band this time, and got to know a lot more talented people in music.
And he met Sangyeop once again. The man who started it all.
Together with two other talented musicians Wonsang their producer and bassist, and Gwangil their drummer-vocalist, the four of them are now in a band called LUCY. It’s exciting to be part of a team that is just as passionate about music as Yechan is. All the members are very supportive and open to trying new things, from doing song covers and writing songs together, to doing experimental things in order to get certain ambient sounds for their music. Knowing their band’s uniqueness is having a violinist, Yechan often gets solo violin parts which he always nails without a hitch.
It has been two years since their band debuted. Yechan can play violin however he wants and he enjoys every moment. The slump that once haunted him? He hasn't felt it ever since.
And today is the last day of their Childhood encore concert.
During their song “You’re right”, Sangyeop usually steps back and lets Yechan take on his solo violin part in the middle of the stage. But on that day, Sangyeop does the unexpected. Suddenly, he slides his guitar to his back and half-kneels on the extended stage. His hands are open, gesturing to Yechan to come up.
“Are you sure?” Yechan asks with his eyes.
Sangyeop grins wider and pats his thigh. “Come here.”
So Yechan does, putting his foot and faith on Sangyeop’s knee and off he plays – letting his fingers dance on the fingerboard and his bow project every note into the air.
The fans scream and go crazy around them. But to Yechan, all the noise fades into the background, he focuses on his music and the person right in front of him.
Sangyeop looks so ethereal and princely clad in a dark blue velvet suit with his black hair styled. Just like the day they first met, Sangyeop looks at Yechan with awe and pride, nodding, assuring – supporting him and letting him shine the brightest.
Yechan feels so lucky to have him.
On that stage under the spotlight, it’s just him, Sangyeop, and the music – all the things that he holds dear, the reason for his playing.