WEBVTT 00:00:00.075 --> 00:00:01.385 Hello, everyone! 00:00:01.412 --> 00:00:03.422 I'm a composer, Ha Eun Jee. 00:00:03.422 --> 00:00:04.872 So good to see you! 00:00:04.872 --> 00:00:06.985 [Ha Eun Jee, composer Q&A :)] 00:00:07.146 --> 00:00:10.666 My channel finally reached 10,000 subscribers. 00:00:10.666 --> 00:00:11.566 (Clap) 00:00:11.566 --> 00:00:17.356 It's been 8? or 9 years, since I debuted in 2013. 00:00:17.547 --> 00:00:20.017 It's been a while. 00:00:20.167 --> 00:00:24.167 I started composing full time when I was 17. 00:00:24.250 --> 00:00:26.810 So it's been almost over 10 years. 00:00:26.833 --> 00:00:29.593 But I've never made videos like this, 00:00:29.637 --> 00:00:36.487 so I'm here to say hello to you celebrating a milestone of 10,000 subs. 00:00:36.876 --> 00:00:38.956 Actually I'm feeling awkward right now. 00:00:38.987 --> 00:00:41.467 I don't know what to say or if I'm doing it right. 00:00:42.151 --> 00:00:43.451 [Back to the story] 00:00:43.456 --> 00:00:46.086 Thankfully, many asked me questions. 00:00:46.154 --> 00:00:50.974 I chose some of them and decided to make a short video. 00:00:50.974 --> 00:00:53.004 [What is your special tip on composing?] 00:00:53.018 --> 00:01:00.638 In fact, I didn't take formal lessons nor go to music school 00:01:00.638 --> 00:01:04.638 following any formal curriculum. 00:01:04.761 --> 00:01:07.001 I started composing for fun at first 00:01:07.001 --> 00:01:10.901 I just loved music and it made me so happy. 00:01:10.901 --> 00:01:12.732 That's how I started making music. 00:01:12.732 --> 00:01:15.552 I don't think I have a special tip on it, 00:01:15.893 --> 00:01:18.883 but I do have something that I think matters most. 00:01:18.946 --> 00:01:21.270 First, listen to music as much as you can. 00:01:21.270 --> 00:01:22.810 Whenever I get this question, 00:01:22.810 --> 00:01:28.490 I always say, "Listen and appreciate music all the time." 00:01:28.699 --> 00:01:31.936 In my case, I listen to my favorite composers' music 00:01:31.936 --> 00:01:35.936 along with that of diverse musicans 00:01:35.936 --> 00:01:39.936 without discrimnating specific genres. 00:01:39.936 --> 00:01:41.956 I try to listen to all kinds of music. 00:01:41.956 --> 00:01:46.296 In turn, those experiences resonate through my music 00:01:46.296 --> 00:01:47.842 as much as I listened. 00:01:47.842 --> 00:01:49.312 So I can give you this tip. 00:01:49.312 --> 00:01:53.230 Try to listen to all kinds of music 00:01:53.230 --> 00:01:55.190 as much as you possibly can. 00:01:55.190 --> 00:02:00.475 That's the important tip I personally recommend. 00:02:00.475 --> 00:02:02.525 [Who's your favorite composer?] 00:02:02.551 --> 00:02:04.941 I love many different kinds of music. 00:02:05.013 --> 00:02:09.013 Of all the musicians, I love two composers most. 00:02:09.233 --> 00:02:13.233 One is Enrio Moricone who passed away recently. 00:02:13.353 --> 00:02:16.626 The other is a Japanese composer, Ryuichi Sakamoto. 00:02:16.753 --> 00:02:22.373 Many pieces of my music were influenced by their musicality. 00:02:22.556 --> 00:02:24.616 While I was studying music hard, 00:02:24.616 --> 00:02:30.556 I listened, analyzed, and imitated their music deliberately. 00:02:30.556 --> 00:02:33.246 I studied on my own just like that. 00:02:33.246 --> 00:02:39.876 The two composers have influenced and inspired me greatly in a good way. 00:02:40.095 --> 00:02:41.785 So I love them so much. 00:02:41.899 --> 00:02:44.779 [What is your favorite piece of music?] 00:02:44.862 --> 00:02:47.452 There are so many pieces of music I like. 00:02:47.610 --> 00:02:54.260 I can't pick just one favorite music of mine. 00:02:54.336 --> 00:02:57.736 If I had to pick one, 00:02:57.972 --> 00:03:04.282 it'd be Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence by Ryuichi Sakamoto. 00:03:04.598 --> 00:03:08.898 When I was a 3rd or 4th grader... I still remember when it happened. 00:03:08.917 --> 00:03:12.917 While I was taking a piano lesson, I happened to encounter his music, 00:03:13.438 --> 00:03:15.698 and I got shocked to hear it. 00:03:15.698 --> 00:03:19.068 I was so surprised to know that such a beautiful melody ever existed. 00:03:19.068 --> 00:03:21.381 To this day I'm still enjoying it. 00:03:21.394 --> 00:03:26.004 This music makes me feel like I'm in a movie every winter. 00:03:26.004 --> 00:03:28.217 Am I the only one to feel that way? 00:03:28.217 --> 00:03:29.474 Hope I'm not alone. 00:03:29.474 --> 00:03:35.964 Every time I listen to it, it feels so new and evokes novel emotions. 00:03:36.016 --> 00:03:39.086 That's why this music means a lot to me. 00:03:39.109 --> 00:03:41.479 So I chose this music as my favorite one. 00:03:41.755 --> 00:03:44.985 [Is it true that you don't know how to read notes or chords?] 00:03:45.057 --> 00:03:49.887 To get the bottom line, I can read notes of course. 00:03:49.986 --> 00:03:52.816 This is a bit of misinformation. 00:03:52.945 --> 00:03:56.884 I didn't know how to write notes a few years ago. 00:03:57.059 --> 00:04:00.329 So I knew how to read notes, I just didn't know about writing them. 00:04:00.329 --> 00:04:01.589 Remember it's in the past. 00:04:01.957 --> 00:04:04.787 Because I started learning music by myself, 00:04:04.793 --> 00:04:09.403 I got used to writing music in Korean. 00:04:09.667 --> 00:04:15.897 Now I'm able to write a music sheet with help of a scoring program. 00:04:16.841 --> 00:04:23.541 Regarding chords, believe it or not, I know nothing about them. 00:04:23.829 --> 00:04:25.429 I just know the very basics. 00:04:25.429 --> 00:04:27.179 C major means do, mi and so. 00:04:27.179 --> 00:04:28.959 D major means re, fa and la. 00:04:28.959 --> 00:04:33.429 It is not that I didn't try to learn on purpose. 00:04:33.529 --> 00:04:36.292 As I first experienced music by listening, 00:04:36.332 --> 00:04:43.192 I believe it seems natural that music flows out of me. 00:04:43.511 --> 00:04:49.351 I once actually bought popular books about musical harmonics, 00:04:49.476 --> 00:04:52.706 and some of my friends lent me books about it. 00:04:52.706 --> 00:04:55.046 I just closed them away right after a few pages. 00:04:55.046 --> 00:04:55.856 (Laughter) 00:04:55.856 --> 00:04:57.926 It was so hard, to be honest. 00:04:57.926 --> 00:05:03.226 I think it is much better to express my own music comfortably. 00:05:03.491 --> 00:05:06.151 [What inspires you to compose?] 00:05:07.249 --> 00:05:08.999 When it comes to inspiration, 00:05:08.999 --> 00:05:14.469 it doesn't mean that a string of melodies comes to my mind all of a sudden 00:05:14.469 --> 00:05:16.839 while walking on the street. 00:05:16.987 --> 00:05:20.047 Some of genius people might compose like that. 00:05:20.231 --> 00:05:27.951 I believe inspiration is to express what I want to show from deep in my heart. 00:05:27.951 --> 00:05:29.811 So it is not something grand to me. 00:05:29.811 --> 00:05:35.361 Everything in my daily lives matters. 00:05:35.361 --> 00:05:37.711 [When will you have a concert?] 00:05:38.366 --> 00:05:43.526 I do want to have a concert. 00:05:43.699 --> 00:05:46.199 You know we didn't have one last year either. 00:05:46.199 --> 00:05:51.659 Usually I used to perform once a year, a regular concert. 00:05:51.659 --> 00:05:57.239 I called each concert, the first star, second star, third star and the like. 00:05:57.239 --> 00:06:01.239 But now the stars just stopped due to the Covid-19. 00:06:01.318 --> 00:06:04.088 The next star is waiting to rise... 00:06:04.088 --> 00:06:08.998 Actually I was planning to have a concert this fall, 00:06:09.067 --> 00:06:13.409 yet the situation hasn't been better. 00:06:13.409 --> 00:06:16.776 I needed to reconsider the schedule. 00:06:16.776 --> 00:06:19.159 For now I don't have a fixed schedule. 00:06:19.159 --> 00:06:21.859 I really want to see you at the concert. 00:06:21.859 --> 00:06:25.859 I hope we can meet some time soon. 00:06:25.859 --> 00:06:27.329 Thank you for asking! 00:06:27.841 --> 00:06:30.231 [What was your childhood like?] 00:06:31.267 --> 00:06:39.097 I was very outgoing and a bit like a boy. 00:06:39.344 --> 00:06:41.726 I preferred playing outside to staying indoors. 00:06:41.726 --> 00:06:47.674 I literally climbed and roamed hills catching dragonflies. 00:06:47.674 --> 00:06:49.854 I gathered kids to hangout together. 00:06:49.854 --> 00:06:54.364 At that time, a type of kickboard was very popular, called Sing Sing Board? 00:06:54.364 --> 00:06:56.245 You know, a board with two handlebars. 00:06:56.245 --> 00:07:00.905 I roamed all corners of the town with it. 00:07:00.905 --> 00:07:04.905 I liked roller-staking so much, 00:07:04.905 --> 00:07:07.775 and going to the ice rink with friends. 00:07:07.775 --> 00:07:12.215 I liked outdoor activities and I never stayed still. 00:07:12.351 --> 00:07:14.725 I think I was in trouble very often. 00:07:14.885 --> 00:07:16.995 Not so serious but kiddish trouble. 00:07:16.995 --> 00:07:19.335 I loved music when I was very young. 00:07:19.335 --> 00:07:20.435 Just like I do today. 00:07:20.435 --> 00:07:26.485 My father loves listening to music, though he is not a musician. 00:07:26.682 --> 00:07:29.742 That's how I could experience a lot of music. 00:07:29.742 --> 00:07:35.822 My father used to collect DVDs or CDs, which is not often used today 00:07:35.822 --> 00:07:39.912 Classical music, Jazz, traditional Korean music, Pop opera, and so on. 00:07:39.912 --> 00:07:44.642 So diverse melodies always filled the house. 00:07:44.642 --> 00:07:47.233 As I was exposed to the musical environment, 00:07:47.233 --> 00:07:51.713 I could feel it through my body naturally rather than through theory. 00:07:51.713 --> 00:07:56.603 After school I caught dragonflies playing passionately, 00:07:56.603 --> 00:08:00.983 and then I listened to the whole songs from Sound of Music alone 00:08:00.983 --> 00:08:02.973 when coming back home. 00:08:02.973 --> 00:08:10.533 I really liked Pop opera singers, Charlotte Church and Josh Grovan. 00:08:10.533 --> 00:08:12.653 I loved these two singers. 00:08:12.754 --> 00:08:16.754 When I was a kid, I wanted to get their music CDs so badly. 00:08:16.842 --> 00:08:20.842 I remember getting them at the music store. 00:08:20.842 --> 00:08:23.742 I saved my pocket money to buy the CDs. 00:08:23.742 --> 00:08:29.992 I think my passion for music began as a child. 00:08:30.150 --> 00:08:37.084 Music was just like a friend or air to breathe to me. 00:08:37.414 --> 00:08:39.854 [How can I learn to play the piano by myself?] 00:08:40.544 --> 00:08:46.184 In fact, I'm a composer, not a pianist. 00:08:46.310 --> 00:08:51.070 So I personally think I'm not in a position to give you any advice 00:08:51.070 --> 00:08:53.886 on how to play the piano or basic knowledge about it. 00:08:54.203 --> 00:08:58.203 Piano is my best friend that I am always by its side. 00:08:59.005 --> 00:09:03.005 Yet I find it so hard, 00:09:03.689 --> 00:09:12.559 I often used to consider deeply about my own compositions for the concert, 00:09:12.559 --> 00:09:16.559 thinking why I wrote it this way. 00:09:17.278 --> 00:09:20.068 I have rather small hands. 00:09:20.068 --> 00:09:22.408 They just appear longer on screen. 00:09:22.434 --> 00:09:28.504 Some left comments saying, "You have long fingers." 00:09:28.749 --> 00:09:32.749 I wish I had bigger hands. 00:09:33.237 --> 00:09:37.597 [Back to the story] So how to learn piano on your own.... 00:09:37.768 --> 00:09:43.268 Unless you want to become a world-class piano player, 00:09:43.291 --> 00:09:51.321 and if you want to love and enjoy music for life, 00:09:51.321 --> 00:09:56.261 it'd be a good start to practice music 00:09:56.261 --> 00:10:00.261 of your favorite musicians as much as you can. 00:10:01.574 --> 00:10:03.834 It may sound so simple. 00:10:03.834 --> 00:10:10.683 If we start music with comfort, we'll become better at playing. 00:10:10.683 --> 00:10:13.463 Our ability will grow as we practice along the way. 00:10:13.463 --> 00:10:17.463 In particular, it applies to music. 00:10:17.716 --> 00:10:20.941 Listening and practicing much is 00:10:20.941 --> 00:10:25.426 I think about how we become good at playing the piano. 00:10:25.426 --> 00:10:28.517 [Have you got pieces of music that had been unfinished or discarded?] 00:10:28.566 --> 00:10:34.446 I've got many pieces I stopped writing in midway on my laptop. 00:10:34.460 --> 00:10:38.460 Very often I would complete a piece in just 10 minutes. 00:10:38.552 --> 00:10:43.592 Other times I would keep pondering over just one bar of music for months. 00:10:43.595 --> 00:10:47.595 I have many more pieces of music that I think are not yet complete. 00:10:47.617 --> 00:10:50.407 [Which one of your music do you love most?] 00:10:50.586 --> 00:10:54.586 It's Run in the Wilderness. 00:10:54.761 --> 00:11:00.711 However, I've often said that I hate to play it. 00:11:00.851 --> 00:11:04.851 It's so hard to play because of too many leaps. 00:11:05.100 --> 00:11:09.100 I'm the one who wrote it that way, so I can't help it.... 00:11:09.551 --> 00:11:12.751 Run in the Wilderness was the first official music 00:11:12.751 --> 00:11:16.751 after I decided to become a composer. 00:11:17.002 --> 00:11:21.002 To my surprise, many people like this one so much. 00:11:21.182 --> 00:11:26.332 It's so special to me because you love it. 00:11:26.736 --> 00:11:29.746 [What makes you drop out of high school voluntarily?] 00:11:29.979 --> 00:11:35.379 Those who have known me so long would be well aware of it. 00:11:35.670 --> 00:11:39.670 I dropped out of school voluntarily when I was in 10th grade. 00:11:39.833 --> 00:11:43.833 I'm being careful talking about this topic. 00:11:43.833 --> 00:11:51.203 The educational system seems to be tuned into only the SAT. 00:11:51.766 --> 00:11:55.596 Although I was young, I got tired of that system. 00:11:55.692 --> 00:11:59.572 So I decided to focus my time and energy 00:11:59.572 --> 00:12:03.452 on what I love and can do well to be happy. 00:12:03.696 --> 00:12:11.916 In fact, a high school drop-out didn't seem to be acceptable in Korea. 00:12:11.987 --> 00:12:20.467 Now things have changed a lot that we cheer those who go their own way. 00:12:20.638 --> 00:12:26.458 But just 10 years ago, even though it wasn't so log ago. 00:12:27.150 --> 00:12:31.150 The decision to drop out did affect many things personally and socially. 00:12:31.150 --> 00:12:36.980 People used to put a social stigma on the drop-outs. 00:12:37.346 --> 00:12:43.586 Many actually doubted whether my decision was right. 00:12:44.198 --> 00:12:50.418 Through those times, I rather grew firm in the choice I made. 00:12:51.314 --> 00:12:54.314 I wanted to make it. 00:12:54.314 --> 00:12:57.064 I was determined to make it. 00:12:57.064 --> 00:12:59.084 There are many other ways. 00:12:59.084 --> 00:13:03.084 And I believe that every one of us has our own way. 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:08.580 It's not fair to say that there's only one right way. 00:13:08.580 --> 00:13:13.430 When people blame those who are out of the so-called right way, 00:13:13.430 --> 00:13:18.150 labelling them the maladjusted or losers, 00:13:19.631 --> 00:13:24.021 I felt a bit bad and sad. 00:13:24.209 --> 00:13:28.989 That's when I became more determined to make it. 00:13:28.989 --> 00:13:33.129 I wasn't sure of how far I could reach out 00:13:33.129 --> 00:13:37.269 or how much I could achieve. 00:13:37.677 --> 00:13:41.677 Yet it was my life and I chose to live my way. 00:13:42.025 --> 00:13:52.635 I wanted to prove that there could be another way and life. 00:13:52.635 --> 00:13:55.205 It was never an easy decision at all. 00:13:55.205 --> 00:13:59.205 There were many obstacles, if not too serious. 00:14:00.423 --> 00:14:07.903 At that time, I wrote a 10-page report for my parents 00:14:07.903 --> 00:14:11.903 about the future plan, what I'd learned at school, 00:14:11.903 --> 00:14:15.903 what I wanted to do out of school, how I hoped my life would be, 00:14:15.903 --> 00:14:19.903 and including my dreams. 00:14:19.903 --> 00:14:22.953 I showed them to my parents. 00:14:22.953 --> 00:14:25.073 They felt reassured to know my plans saying, 00:14:25.073 --> 00:14:27.502 "We believe you would be alright with these plans. 00:14:27.502 --> 00:14:31.391 Do everything freely as you hope to." 00:14:32.105 --> 00:14:35.075 I was 17 when I stopped going to school. 00:14:35.075 --> 00:14:39.435 Since then I could focus on composing full time. 00:14:39.543 --> 00:14:42.043 I have been running my own marathon until now. 00:14:42.043 --> 00:14:46.043 I do believe that there are many things we can learn 00:14:46.043 --> 00:14:48.123 from the textbooks and public education. 00:14:48.123 --> 00:14:50.460 And that's also important I think. 00:14:50.529 --> 00:14:52.999 We should cherish everything we have. 00:14:52.999 --> 00:14:55.859 Still, I studied so hard 00:14:55.859 --> 00:14:58.999 focusing on myself with my own standard. 00:15:00.193 --> 00:15:04.913 I kept thinking about what my life should be like, 00:15:04.913 --> 00:15:08.143 my life's color, scent and more, 00:15:08.447 --> 00:15:13.277 which led to the decision to drop out. 00:15:13.475 --> 00:15:19.535 That big turning point sort of made me what I am now, 00:15:19.535 --> 00:15:24.285 which in turn influenced my mind toward music 00:15:24.285 --> 00:15:31.575 broadened my view on the world and people I guess. 00:15:31.575 --> 00:15:34.535 [Are you going to continue writing books along with music?] 00:15:34.535 --> 00:15:35.495 Yes. 00:15:36.546 --> 00:15:40.546 One of my dreams after I turned 17 00:15:40.546 --> 00:15:45.506 is to publish a book with my name on it. 00:15:45.506 --> 00:15:48.476 I planned to write three books in my 20's. 00:15:48.476 --> 00:15:50.566 It's an ongoing project. 00:15:50.566 --> 00:15:53.086 I've published two novels so far. 00:15:53.086 --> 00:15:58.586 While writing music, stories hit upon me based on the music. 00:15:58.586 --> 00:16:00.666 It's also wonderful to come up with music 00:16:00.666 --> 00:16:04.666 that fits in the scenes I imagine. 00:16:04.686 --> 00:16:08.086 Music and writing seem to go hand in hand organically. 00:16:08.086 --> 00:16:13.446 They are precious tools to express what's in my mind. 00:16:13.446 --> 00:16:19.736 I've been writing a diary for long. 00:16:19.736 --> 00:16:25.386 I think I'll keep writing alongside the music. 00:16:25.723 --> 00:16:30.693 One of my goals is to become a music director 00:16:30.693 --> 00:16:35.633 of movies or animated movies adapted from my own books. 00:16:35.633 --> 00:16:38.563 This is my dream in the faraway future. 00:16:38.563 --> 00:16:41.123 [What does your motto, 'Good Impact', mean?] 00:16:41.123 --> 00:16:46.553 The concept of giving impact on someone wouldn't be too big. 00:16:47.113 --> 00:16:54.133 Like saying hello or thank you with a bright smile to bus drivers, 00:16:54.133 --> 00:16:59.113 if that makes them happy and their life beautiful 00:16:59.113 --> 00:17:02.313 then it could be called Good Impact. 00:17:02.313 --> 00:17:08.723 I believe each one of us has certain impact wherever we are. 00:17:08.723 --> 00:17:12.103 It depends on how we use it in our lives. 00:17:12.103 --> 00:17:19.153 In that respect, I earnestly hope my music to flow 00:17:19.153 --> 00:17:25.253 with good impact wherever or whenever it spreads. 00:17:25.253 --> 00:17:31.863 The reason I want to do better and reach in higher position in the future 00:17:31.863 --> 00:17:36.653 is that I can reach out to much more people 00:17:36.653 --> 00:17:38.653 sharing good impact. 00:17:38.653 --> 00:17:44.423 So I'm trying hard in taking care of my mind and writing music. 00:17:44.423 --> 00:17:48.423 Even if I'm not perfect, I'm trying to be honest. 00:17:48.423 --> 00:17:50.483 Even if I sometimes lose, 00:17:50.483 --> 00:17:54.483 I'm desperately trying to be in good spirit. 00:17:55.143 --> 00:17:58.139 Because I put my heart into the music 00:17:58.139 --> 00:18:02.139 it is inevitable to reveal 00:18:02.139 --> 00:18:08.529 what I normally think or how I live my life. 00:18:08.529 --> 00:18:12.529 Music is like meeting soul to soul I believe. 00:18:12.529 --> 00:18:16.529 It is magical that the whole-hearted music 00:18:16.529 --> 00:18:20.529 can tap into someone's heart. 00:18:20.529 --> 00:18:27.839 Although there are many things that are noble and precious, 00:18:27.839 --> 00:18:33.319 I personally think art is so beautiful. 00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:37.319 And I feel responsibility as such. 00:18:37.331 --> 00:18:41.331 Am I being too serious all of a sudden? 00:18:41.647 --> 00:18:44.867 Anyways, I want to keep this mindset. 00:18:44.867 --> 00:18:50.202 In so doing, I've forced myself live that way. 00:18:50.952 --> 00:18:53.832 I'd like to let you know today 00:18:53.832 --> 00:18:58.402 that I've been writing music with this attitude all the time. 00:18:58.402 --> 00:19:01.242 I know you're cheering me on. 00:19:01.242 --> 00:19:03.298 I really appreciate it. 00:19:03.298 --> 00:19:05.728 That's what I wanted to tell you. 00:19:09.021 --> 00:19:13.021 It's been my Q&A time. 00:19:13.021 --> 00:19:15.781 It was so meaningful to me. 00:19:16.073 --> 00:19:18.803 It's been possible all because of you. 00:19:19.348 --> 00:19:21.838 Thank you so much for loving my music 00:19:21.838 --> 00:19:29.358 and for supporting me many ways wherever you are. 00:19:29.358 --> 00:19:35.218 That's why I can continue my journey of music. 00:19:35.316 --> 00:19:42.496 I hope my music helps you have dreams and courage. 00:19:42.496 --> 00:19:44.086 Thank you so much. 00:19:44.086 --> 00:19:46.316 Hope you are happy all the time. 00:19:46.316 --> 00:19:48.666 I'm here to support you as well. 00:19:48.666 --> 00:19:49.674 Thank you! 00:19:51.204 --> 00:19:54.390 [It's going to be alright. Wipe away your tears. 00:19:54.390 --> 00:19:58.840 The cold will heal and a butterfly is flying on your bruised heart. 00:19:58.840 --> 00:20:03.124 Now we're stumbling, but someday we'll blossom dazzlingly 00:20:03.124 --> 00:20:06.364 stepping over today's hardship.]