Never Give Up.

          “Never Give Up”. A phrase that I am sure everyone knows. Three simple words that gives us motivation (strength) and could even change our lives for the better. That was the advice given to me by Lee Juhan, A Korean musician, when I had the opportunity to ask him about his advice to aspiring musicians. Truly, we have to hang on and wait for the breakthrough of our lives because that is what “never giving up” means. 

         We all have dreams and we all want to accomplish them. I mean, who does not? But at times, we concentrate too much on our weaknesses or our limits and we feel like giving up. My dad never really wanted me to be too inclined with music. Before, when I was in High School, I asked him “Dad, what if I take Music for college?”. “I think you better make that as your sideline instead”, he replied. From then on, I never again thought of music as a “career option”. Until when I had the opportunity to ask Lee Juhan about it through Arirang Radio. To give you a bit of a background, Lee Juhan is a jazz-musician and leader of a Korean Jazz band, Winter Play. He plays the trumpet and is specially trained in the genre Jazz. I asked him “What is your advice to aspiring musicians? Especially to those who’s parents disagree?”. This was the most “serious” question out of all the other given ones during the broadcast. “Maxine!” he says, You know what, my parents... never really supported me in music completely. But, I just went on. I majored in Mechanical Engineering but, I still played music. My advice is... Music? The work of art which you're in Sam (the DJ) and which you know He-Won’s in is no easy job. And even if you hit the stardom it’s never easy. There’s low times and high times. So my advice is just simply...Don’t give up! You can’t give up.” “There’s no one way of accomplishing. There’s no one solution. The only one solution that I know is don’t give up! Don’t give up! What is my point in writing this essay? It’s because I know as first year college students, we are still finding ourselves and discovering our purpose of living! I want music but, at times I think I don’t really “have” enough capabilities like the other aspiring musicians or musicians themselves. But, again... what will I lose if I try? What if we “never give up” on our dreams and passion. Just like what Lee Juhan said to me, the only solution I know... is to never give up.

           In accomplishing something, we always experience bumps on the way. But, let us be strong and courageous admits the obstacles we face. If you want to be a professional football player, dedicate an hour or two for practice. If you want to be a doctor, start reading books and increase your knowledge of your dream field. If you want to be a musician... work hard, practice and never lose your passion to it. Whatever your dream is... Never Give Up. I know I won’t on mine. 

Maxine Chua. A56A