Learning the Meaning of Life from 'My Brilliant Life', a Novel that Once Adapted into a Film Starring Song Hye Kyo

Kapanlagi.com - One and a half years have passed since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Covid-19 as a pandemic and a global problem. Since then, human life has changed. Covid-19 can attack anyone, anytime, in any condition.

The virus cannot be seen, it is difficult to avoid if we do not take good care of ourselves. Out of 213 million cases worldwide (08/26), 4 million of them occurred in Indonesia. Indonesia is also recorded as one of the countries with the highest death rate.

A while ago, a video circulated on social media. The video showed the situation of a public cemetery for Covid-19 victims in Rorotan, Jakarta. Many people reacted to the presence of this video.

Some chose not to watch it because it would cause anxiety, while others, because of this video, reflected on life or the remaining time that can be lived before leaving this world.

My Brilliant Life (Haru Publisher, September 2021) by Kim Aeran is a book that can trigger similar reflections.

1. My Brilliant Life

Credit: Haru Publisher

The book by the writer dubbed the miracle of Korean literature tells the story of a teenager named Areum who knows that his life is not long. He suffers from progeria, a disease that makes a person grow faster than their age.

Areum is 17 years old, but his body is like an 80-year-old grandfather. Because he knows he won't be able to live long, he tries to make the most of his time by doing things he likes, including finishing his writing about the story of his parents.

Through his writing, Areum pours out his thoughts about his parents and how happy he is to have parents like them.

2. Synopsis

This extraordinary book, chosen by the Korean Culture and Arts Commission, is written from Areum's innocent point of view. He invites readers to give more meaning to life.

Maybe for Areum, he can't do everything in the world because of his limitations, but he can make his life more meaningful for himself and the people around him. Areum is like inviting us to live
to the fullest, by making people around us happy and loved.

There are many reasons why we need to reflect on the remaining years of life. In that reflection, humans usually think about how to live the rest of their lives. Doing good to everyone, creating a work so that others can remember through that work, making people around happy, or others.

As a reflection of life, if you know the remaining years of your life, what would you do to make your life more meaningful?

(kpl/ssm)