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This review may contain spoilers
"Change No Circumstances in my Life"
It’s somewhat ironic that most people are obsessively focused on changing their life situation rather than being focused on changing themselves. Kobe Bryant was once asked in an interview if he were given the opportunity to go back in time to change something, what would he change. He replied, “I would never use it. It would undermine and destroy everything I’ve worked so hard to be. Without those challenging circumstances, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”
Ha Eun Gyeol is a young man who is a great student, and thanks to a mysterious man he meets in a local music shop, he finds that he has a love and passion for music. He is a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults). His parents are deaf as well as his older brother. Life isn’t easy for Ha Eun Gyeol as he is blessed with the burden of often being the translator for his parents and his brother.
The one time Ha Eun Gyeol attempts to live for himself, rather than constantly being there for his family, he incurs his father’s anger when he finds out that Ha Eun Gyeol has been sneaking out to play in a school band. And then, one mysterious moment, Ha Eun Gyeol finds himself suddenly transported back to 1995 when both of his parents were in high school. Yes, the series does have common themes and storylines to “Back to the Future,” but while the great film trilogy was largely fun and entertaining, the series endeavors to go much deeper. I’m sure that if most people were given the opportunity to go into the past to change something, they’d jump at the chance.
Ha Eun Gyeol makes the mistake of trying to “fix” everything, especially in regard to both of his parents, not understanding that everyone has burdens. Everyone has struggles, but that it’s those struggles that make a person who they are. It strengthens them. A diamond can only be created by immense pressure. So, too, can the human spirit be strengthened in helping a person realize who they are.
Ha Eun Gyeol finds that he’s not the only “time traveler.” On Eun Yu is another soul in great despair, believing that her life is nothing but a tug-of-war between her parents, she gives up wanting to live, and so her ulterior motive for returning to 1995 is to find a way to, either change it to her benefit, or give up trying.
The series is remarkable in how it demonstrates how so many people believe that something in their life needs to be fixed or changed. Both Ha Eun Gyeol and On Eun Yu find that their mysterious benefactor—the man who arranged to have them sent into the past—refuses to really help them. Thus, leaving them to come up with their own answers. Such is the method of a true teacher. Find your own way.
There are many heartfelt and touching moments throughout the series. Ha Eun Gyeol is a young man who wears his heart on his sleeve. He’s prone to breaking down into tears, which is a true strength and not a weakness. However, he’s also prone to taking the blame for every “bad” thing that seems to happen, and thus he carries a tremendous weight on his shoulders. Only in the end does he realize that nobody can live anyone else’s life for them. Everyone walks their own path, and no two paths look exactly alike. People impel, but they do not compel.
We have more than enough to do with focusing on ourselves. Of course, offer help and advice when asked, but never intrude upon someone else’s path. It may seem noble to carry someone else’s burden for them, but the interesting thing about carrying a burden is that sooner or later, it will make you strong. However, when you carry someone else’s burden for them, don’t ever expect them to get strong enough to be able to carry on without you.
The budding romance between Ha Eun Gyeol’s parents is especially touching and poignant, especially when we see the abusive circumstances that his mother lives with. Ha Eun Gyeol spends so much time trying to help his parents, that he scarcely has time for anything else.
This is truly a beautiful series with some very deep spiritual truths, and the music is captivating with some great songs. I can easily understand why this series is beloved by so many. By the time you reach the end, hopefully, you will make it a point to focus on your own life rather than everyone else’s.
Ha Eun Gyeol is a young man who is a great student, and thanks to a mysterious man he meets in a local music shop, he finds that he has a love and passion for music. He is a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults). His parents are deaf as well as his older brother. Life isn’t easy for Ha Eun Gyeol as he is blessed with the burden of often being the translator for his parents and his brother.
The one time Ha Eun Gyeol attempts to live for himself, rather than constantly being there for his family, he incurs his father’s anger when he finds out that Ha Eun Gyeol has been sneaking out to play in a school band. And then, one mysterious moment, Ha Eun Gyeol finds himself suddenly transported back to 1995 when both of his parents were in high school. Yes, the series does have common themes and storylines to “Back to the Future,” but while the great film trilogy was largely fun and entertaining, the series endeavors to go much deeper. I’m sure that if most people were given the opportunity to go into the past to change something, they’d jump at the chance.
Ha Eun Gyeol makes the mistake of trying to “fix” everything, especially in regard to both of his parents, not understanding that everyone has burdens. Everyone has struggles, but that it’s those struggles that make a person who they are. It strengthens them. A diamond can only be created by immense pressure. So, too, can the human spirit be strengthened in helping a person realize who they are.
Ha Eun Gyeol finds that he’s not the only “time traveler.” On Eun Yu is another soul in great despair, believing that her life is nothing but a tug-of-war between her parents, she gives up wanting to live, and so her ulterior motive for returning to 1995 is to find a way to, either change it to her benefit, or give up trying.
The series is remarkable in how it demonstrates how so many people believe that something in their life needs to be fixed or changed. Both Ha Eun Gyeol and On Eun Yu find that their mysterious benefactor—the man who arranged to have them sent into the past—refuses to really help them. Thus, leaving them to come up with their own answers. Such is the method of a true teacher. Find your own way.
There are many heartfelt and touching moments throughout the series. Ha Eun Gyeol is a young man who wears his heart on his sleeve. He’s prone to breaking down into tears, which is a true strength and not a weakness. However, he’s also prone to taking the blame for every “bad” thing that seems to happen, and thus he carries a tremendous weight on his shoulders. Only in the end does he realize that nobody can live anyone else’s life for them. Everyone walks their own path, and no two paths look exactly alike. People impel, but they do not compel.
We have more than enough to do with focusing on ourselves. Of course, offer help and advice when asked, but never intrude upon someone else’s path. It may seem noble to carry someone else’s burden for them, but the interesting thing about carrying a burden is that sooner or later, it will make you strong. However, when you carry someone else’s burden for them, don’t ever expect them to get strong enough to be able to carry on without you.
The budding romance between Ha Eun Gyeol’s parents is especially touching and poignant, especially when we see the abusive circumstances that his mother lives with. Ha Eun Gyeol spends so much time trying to help his parents, that he scarcely has time for anything else.
This is truly a beautiful series with some very deep spiritual truths, and the music is captivating with some great songs. I can easily understand why this series is beloved by so many. By the time you reach the end, hopefully, you will make it a point to focus on your own life rather than everyone else’s.
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