“

Not long ago, I had a long talk with my mom. We mentioned my grandfather who used to be an author. My mother said “You and your grandfather are similar”. My grandfather’s name is Seon Gun Bae, like me, he spoke very little and thinks for awhile before speaking up. He wrote novels such as “Alley”, and also wrote the movie script for “The Land of Korea”, and more. He used written words to express his thoughts. His way of expressing himself is different from others, but very similar to me. Though he had no interest in compromising with the world nor conforming to society, but his appreciation for his family was heart-warming. Maybe it was because I spent a lot of time with my grandfather and felt his warmth, my grandfather was my best friend.

[…]

One day, my mother called me, and told me that my grandfather was deathly ill. I let go of everything and rushed to the hospital. My grandfather’s state had worsened to a point where he was unable to speak. Maybe you knew that you wouldn’t make it past “today”. My grandfather used all his strength and energy to write down the words he wanted to say on a piece of paper:

“Seunghyun ah, give me your autograph”

Though I obliged to my grandfather’s wishes, but my heart was in pain. My grandfather, with shaky hands, wrote his own signature next to mine. Then, using the last of his energy he wrote the following:

“Seunghyun ah, even if I die I will bring this autograph with me as my last memory. So you must pursue your dreams, so that this autograph that I am holding will be truly valuable. It’d be great if my grandson Seunghyun can be like that.”

Holding onto my grandfather’s hands crying, that was his last wish. It was also the best gift he could have given me and the best encouragement. From then one, no matter what I encountered, I faced it strong-willingly. No matter when, whenever I encounter hardships I think of my grandfather, in my heart I have left a place for my grandfather.

”

— Choi Seunghyun, on his grandfather, (2009). (via exhibitop)

  19 June 2015 11:58 pm + 329 notes