Chapter 1.6
The most common advice Haewon had heard while playing music was to "interpret it." Music, after all, is a part of the humanities, and without understanding the time period or the composer's situation, it’s impossible to interpret the music properly. One cannot perform music properly with just technique. Emotions need to be infused, and in that moment, you must become the composer. Focusing on the composer’s motives and expression is essential for proper interpretation.
Every time Haewon heard such advice, he thought being a performer was similar to being a student. It’s about immersing yourself in the emotions someone else has created. As Haewon was playing, the professor nodded for him to continue, holding his elbow at the right angle as Haewon drew the bow.
Haewon learned that Kim Jaemin had returned to the U.S. through the last message he sent. He had received several calls, but Haewon didn’t answer. It didn’t seem like Kim Jaemin was the type to leave annoying texts, but when they couldn’t get in touch before he had to leave, he sent a brief message. It simply said, "If you’re planning to visit the U.S., contact me." Haewon didn’t reply. He only checked the message two days later, too late to respond.
In the meantime, Haewon worked on a few jobs. His routine returned to normal. He continued lessons with the professor, maintained his physical fitness with tennis and swimming, attended concerts, and dined at fancy restaurants. He was called to the recording studio several times as a session musician for a fairly famous singer’s album. The pay was decent. Kim Jaemin’s album, which he had produced, seemed to be selling well, and Haewon had received a fair amount of payment from it.
Whether he was short on money or had excess, Haewon never neglected receiving his monthly allowance. On the set date, he went to his father’s house. His father’s car was parked in front of the house. As Haewon got out of the taxi, he came face to face with his father, who had just gotten out of the car.
"Ah, our firstborn. Long time no see. Has it been two months?"
His father asked, looking at Haewon as he adjusted his violin on his shoulder. His father thought that as long as Haewon carried the violin, he was living diligently. Haewon didn’t purposely carry it to please him—it was just that he was coming from a lesson today, so he had brought it along.
"Are you coming back from a business trip?"
"Yeah, it was a longer one this time. About a week."
"You go there often."
"Well, I have to work hard. Our Haejeong is six now. I need to work hard for her."
Haewon almost laughed at the absurdity of it. Even though his father looked at him with a bewildered expression, he didn’t care and handed the luggage to the driver, placing his hand on Haewon’s shoulder and pulling him into the house. Haewon hated being physically close to his father, but he was pulled along by his grip, almost being dragged inside.