AMGWPM 09

Episode 9. In an Unknown Land (4)

“Hmm… So, it’s something that happened before Heeseong was born.”

My father’s calm voice mixed with the classical music, making the inside of the car a bit warmer. I quietly listened to my father’s words.
According to him, Jung Mi-rae was a genius. She followed an elite course without a hitch, and her age at the time was 16.

“When Teacher Mi-rae appeared on TV, everyone was shocked.”

Though she became known late in Korea, abroad she was called things like Mozart’s reincarnation. With grandiose modifiers, her name could easily be seen in newspapers, magazines, cellphones, etc., he said. After being on everyone’s lips for a year, she reached the peak at an international piano competition. A young 17-year-old girl beat all the participants and took the championship. The first in Korea, at the youngest age. She proved her skills and declared proudly to everyone.

“She probably said something like, ‘I have overcome prejudice.'”

Jung Mi-rae spoke about her past hardships. During her study abroad, she received no support and had to endure alone. The days she had to endure and overcome amidst countless discrimination and verbal abuse.

“Wow… Teacher Mi-rae was really amazing….”

I was genuinely impressed. I could also understand why Ayeon praised Jung Mi-rae so much. Even in the past, making your name known to the world wasn’t easy. Having your name called by others due to your skill, even in a small village, was a tremendous honor. But Jung Mi-rae did it. And at the young age of 17.
For two years after that, she was active. She appeared on broadcasts, participated in interviews, and gave solo and joint performances.

“During that time, she gained countless fans. Dad is one of them too. Of course, Dad is also mom’s enthusiastic fan. You know?”

Father winked through the mirror. Knowing it was an action in case mom found out, I laughed.

“Haha. But Teacher Mi-rae had her last performance and then disappeared. That was probably… November 23rd.”
“…You remember that?”
“Because that’s the day Dad first bought a piano. Of course I should remember.”
“Wow… Dad’s memory is awesome….”
“Right? Dad’s the best, huh?”

I gave a thumbs up in admiration.

“There was no news of Teacher Mi-rae after that. But, Dad has one doctor among his close friends.”
“Really?”
“Of course? Dad was quite something back in the day? Anyway, the doctor friend told me. Teacher Mi-rae came to the hospital.”
“Was she badly hurt? That’s no good then…”

I spoke sincerely. Listening to my father’s words, I could naturally infer that some accident had happened to her. Whether it was a big or small accident, I would know by listening to my father.

“Hmm… She was in a lot of pain back then, but she’s fine now! That’s why she’s at the kindergarten to teach Heeseong, right?”
“Phew… That’s a relief.”
“Dad was also really surprised when Heeseong mentioned Teacher Mi-rae. I had only heard she was hurt.”

While inwardly impressed, I realized my father hadn’t told me the whole truth. I didn’t know what kind of accident it was, but it seemed like she had experienced a serious one. However, it seemed my father didn’t know much after that either. He must have searched the internet, but couldn’t get any information, and was extremely surprised when Jung Mi-rae’s name popped out of my mouth.
Looking out the window, I fell into thought again.

‘I should ask her tomorrow.’

What’s the fastest way to get information? Nothing is more certain than asking the person involved.
Imagining talking to Jung Mi-rae, I swung my legs and arms to the song playing. However, a noise disrupting the melody came from the front seat.

“Oops! I have to go to the supermarket! I’m gonna get scolded by my wife again.”

…My image of talking to Jung Mi-rae blurred a little.
It seemed my father’s memory was also blurring a little…

The next day, I went to the still unfamiliar kindergarten.

“Son, Dad will be a little late picking you up today. You can not cry, right?”
“Yes.”

Because I urged my father to go early, sleepiness hadn’t left yet. Due to that, I answered in a half-asleep state and entered the Peony Class.
Was it because I came too early? There were no children in the class. Ah, exactly one.

“Heeseong, hello.”

A cute child with long black straight hair, droopy eyes, and wearing adorable overalls was sitting. Sitting down plop next to Ayeon, who was hugging a doll and looking sulky about something, I also greeted.

“Yawn… Hello. You came really early.”
“Mom’s busy.”
“I see. What are you doing?”
“Watching the teacher.”

Ayeon briefly informed me of what she was doing. Observing the teacher, just watching, she said.
She’s really peculiar too.

“Ah, right. Dad said Teacher Mi-rae is really amazing.”

As soon as my words ended, Ayeon turned her head sharply and spoke. The sulky expression disappeared, and her eyes were wide open as if shooting lasers. As if saying, ‘Right? Now you know too?’ That was actually correct.

“See. Teacher Mi-rae is really amazing.”
“She’s the best player in the world. Really amazing.”

I respected her, and since Ayeon’s role model was Jung Mi-rae, the two of us spent time with Jung Mi-rae’s name on our lips. Like that, other children entered one by one.

“Hey, hey, hello…!”

Some children among them mustered the courage to greet. Well, having more friends was good, so I also greeted the children. Ayeon next to me, perhaps not wanting to, half-greeted as if not.
As the last child entered the class like that, Teacher Yura spoke.

“Now! Everyone. Today, you’ll also play piano with Teacher Mi-rae and have snacks! Are you looking forward to it?”
“Yes!”

The children answered energetically.
After waiting a bit, Jung Mi-rae entered the class, and like yesterday, after waiting a little, we lined up in front of the door.

“Ayeon, let’s stand at the front!”

Hearing my words, Ayeon smiled and nodded. If you stood at the very front, you could talk with the teacher.
I ran to the door before anyone else and stood in line.
Anyway, since Jung Mi-rae was also a teacher, she guided the children. She said things like ‘Be careful on the stairs!’ or ‘Did you eat breakfast?’ to Ayeon and me at the very front.
On the way to the music room like that.

“Teacher! Teacher!”
“Huh? Did you call, Heeseong?”

I said to Jung Mi-rae what I had wanted to say since yesterday.

“Teacher, what song have you listened to the most?”

The most listened-to song.
This was important.
Usually, you’d ask what their favorite song is. However, favorite songs change very easily. If you discover a song you like more than the one you were listening to, that song soon becomes your favorite. But the most listened-to song doesn’t change easily. Even if there’s a recent song you’re into and listen to a lot, it can’t surpass a song you’ve listened to for a long time. So, listening a lot means looking into the past. Being immersed in memories of a time, or feeling calm or excited when hearing that melody.
Because it has been accumulated over a long time, the memories contained in that music are countless.
I was curious about that.

‘What are your memories?’

I wondered what memories she had while listening to music, and with what feelings she played the piano. I also wanted to know the story held in her right hand.
At my question, Jung Mi-rae thought for a moment and then spoke.

“Teacher thinks the song she has listened to the most is ‘From an Unknown Land.’ Were you curious about what song teacher likes?”

“Yes! I’ve heard that song too!”
“Me too!”

Ayeon next to me also answered. Perhaps wanting to talk to Jung Mi-rae, she kept watching and then started asking questions she wanted to ask. While she was throwing out questions a 5-year-old girl might ask and questions a child playing piano might ask at least once, I fell into thought.

‘Schumann… From an Unknown Land.’

The song she mentioned was one I already knew. It was a piece from 1838 by a composer named Robert Schumann, part of a collection of 13 short pieces called ‘Scenes from Childhood.’ Here, ‘short piece’ refers to short and simple pieces. Meaning, they are pieces easy for beginners to start with. ‘From an Unknown Land’ was the 1st piece in ‘Scenes from Childhood,’ and that’s probably why it was the song Jung Mi-rae listened to the most.

‘But why has she listened to that song until now?’

I was curious.
Why was this the song she listened to the most?
I wanted to ask what memories and stories this song held.

“Now, everyone! Enter the music room in order! You can sit in the same spot as yesterday or sit with a friend!”

As soon as Teacher Jung-ah’s words ended, the children ran to the pianos.
Ayeon and I sat in the seats we sat in yesterday.

“Heeseong, what are you gonna play?”
“Hmm…”

At Ayeon’s words, I pondered. I propped my chin, turned my body.
I could see Jung Mi-rae’s figure. She was waving her hand gently, calling me.

“I’ll be right back.”

I said to Ayeon and then approached where Jung Mi-rae was. Letting out one sigh of admiration at the grand piano’s majestic figure, I sat on the bench.
Jung Mi-rae looked at me, slightly raising the corners of her mouth, and spoke.

“Heeseong, what song do you want to play?”
“Hmm, I’m thinking.”
“Really? Looks like you’ve learned piano.”
“That’s right! My dad taught me.”

Jung Mi-rae asked various other things besides that. Favorite music or genre, when I started playing piano, mainly when I play, what song I’ve been playing lately, etc.
I answered her questions sincerely.
After Jung Mi-rae’s questions ended, just as she was about to say, “Shall we play now?” I also asked her a question.

“Teacher, why did you listen to that song a lot?”

“Huh? Are you talking about ‘From an Unknown Land’?”
“Yes, I’m curious.”
“Hmm… In the past, it was a song to warm up with, but at some point, it became the song I listened to the most.”

Jung Mi-rae kindly explained.
Playing to warm up. That was also a performance ingrained in the body. A kind of routine. An action to clear the mind and create better pieces.
I also had one such song. I’ll talk about that song later. Right now, matters about Jung Mi-rae were important.

“Then, Teacher. How do you feel when you listen to this song?”
“Well… Let’s do well today? Heeseong, why are you curious about this?”
“Uh… I want to be like Teacher!”
“Phew! Really? Heeseong wants to be like Teacher too?”

I nodded.
I wanted to say more to her, but since there were other children, I stopped the questions.
I faced forward and gently placed my hands on the keys.
And I thought.
Memories and recollections, old music.
I felt around inside as if scanning the keys.
The bewilderment when first hearing a certain piece, the numbness in the fingertips, and the emptiness of the era when no one believed in me.
And the present Jung Mi-rae.
Did she also live bearing the same pain as me?
I don’t know.
However, a musician’s hands are, in the end, that person’s life.
So, what memory I would play with was…

Dan-♪

…already decided.