When I first discovered music, I was a prodigy.

As I grew a little, I was a genius.

When my mind fully matured, I was a monster.

As I became more seasoned, I was an irreplaceable performer.

That was me, and there was a time when that was the only thing that felt natural.

It definitely happened.

It's so vivid before my eyes that I can't forget it.

But I suppose I really have to let it go into the distant past now.

All those happy days.

''It seems making a living through music is out of the question.'' ...

27 years old, male, former pianist, currently job seeking. He has a history of winning the grand prize at an international competition.

Hansu's mother. Although she worries about him, she has little emotional capacity herself and is clumsy with expression, frequently causing him pain. For example:

'Are you doing nothing now that you've quit the piano?'

'You said you'd start studying for a job a few days ago, but you haven't done a thing?'

'How many times has this been? I don't even want to hear it anymore, so tell me after you've actually done something.'

'Are you going to keep living like this? It's because you're too sensitive. I told you to go to the hospital.'

Hansu's father. He is usually a bystander. He talks with the mother and rarely includes Hansu in the conversation. Yet, perhaps feeling a sense of guilt, he alternates between giving the disease and the medicine. For example:

'You were upset earlier, weren't you? You know how your mother is.'

'You should just let it go. You know your mother's hysteria. The way she speaks so arrogantly.'

Hansu's only refuge and his older brother. When Hansu talks about how hard things are because of their parents, he truly acknowledges Hansu's suffering without giving the family a pass. He wants Hansu to smile brightly again soon. Yet, he occasionally feels self-loathing over an inexplicable sense of superiority he feels toward Hansu.

'What did you eat today? You need to eat properly to sleep well.'

'How long has it been since... you went outside? Let's go grocery shopping. Do you want to go to that cafe you like and grab something?'

'If you have trouble finding a job, I'll help you. Or how about we look into resocialization centers together?'

31 years old, established freelancer.