VOL.74/2024.09

 

[Book & Media ⑥]

My Brilliant Life

The Story of the Youngest Parent and the Oldest Child

 

2023.07.03

 

 

The book My Brilliant Life (Changbi) is the first full-length novel by writer Kim Ae-Ran, who captured readers’ hearts with her short-story collections such as Run, Father (Changbi) and Mouthwatering (Munji Books). Beloved by readers for more than 10 years since its publication in 2011, the book features the story of a couple who have their child at a young age and sacrifice their youth to raise him. The child has an incurable disease called progeria and is expected to face an early death. Delivering insights into life and love through her unique, simple, and beautiful sentences, the book makes its readers laugh with witty jokes and cry with overwhelming emotion.
The movie “My Brilliant Life” based on the novel, was released in 2014. It is a poignant human drama that emphasizes family and makes you think about death. It’s a heartwarming family movie that delivers a resonating message with good performances from some of the famous actors and actresses in Korea, such as Kang Dong-Won and Song Hye-Kyo. The movie’s favorable reception extended overseas – it was officially invited to the gala presentation in the “Spotlight on Korea” category at the 34th Hawaii International Film Festival. It also achieved positive results in 4 countries after being released in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.

 

 

PlotThe meaning of living

 

Daesu and Mira give up their dreams and youth as they have their child at the age of 17. The young couple tries hard to live life in their own way. However, their son Arum is diagnosed with an incurable disease called congenital premature aging. The couple struggle to afford their son’s medication and hospital bills. Yet, the family sticks together, with strong and determined heart to get by.
Miraculously surviving to the age of 17 and becoming more mature than his parents, Arum decides to appear in a documentary program to raise money for his struggling parents. As their story spreads through the program, the family finally gets to take a load off the rising hospital bills. But, it soon puts Arum into a number of troubles.

 

Book vs MovieImpressive points from the book and the movie

 

#1. Looking at life at an entirely different pace

 

The book spotlights people moving through the world at an extraordinary pace through the characters of Daesu and Mira, who devote their youth to their son Arum as he is born when they were 17, and Arum, who has only lived for 17 years but has a body of an 80-year-old man due to premature aging. What makes the book charming is its unique outlook on life and family, as the story revolves around immature parents and their mature son. So, how about meeting the “brilliant” memories of the family of three, who share their valuable stories that are far from ordinary?

 

#2. A new spotlight on the movie

 

The novel, My Brilliant Life, ponders the life we live with our own beating hearts and focuses on life and death, youth and aging, which we all face. Meanwhile, its adaptation movie focuses on the family and their love, who have become the most extraordinary beings in each other’s lives as they intertwine. Some scenes were added to the movie during the production process as the intention changed. For example, the scenes where Daesu reprimands Arum’s friends for making fun of him, anonymously receives a large sum of money from his biological father, and finds him in 17 years to forgive and reconcile, and where Daesu’s father saves a hat for his grandson, clearly show that the film has put the focus on the love of family. These kinds of changes have made the film a great movie for family members to sit around and watch together.

 

#3. Deep resonation delivered by famous actors and actresses

 

Famous Korean actors and actresses appeared in the movie “My Brilliant Life.” For example, top Korean actor Kang Dong-Won and actress Song Hye-Kyo played the two main characters – Daesu and Mira, Also, actors Kim Gap-Soo, Baek Il-Seop, and Lee Sung-Min, who have long been beloved by Koreans for their good performances, starred in supporting roles, adding depth to the movie. Their performances, worthy of their names, bring their characters to life in a way that resonates with audiences beyond the screen.
Meanwhile, there is also an actor that K-pop fans would be happy to see. It’s Cha Eun-Woo, a member of the group “Astro.” He appears as the imaginary healthy Arum. So, if you are his fan, it will be great to find his young moments in the movie, filmed at a time when he was yet to make his debut in Astro.

 

 

* Trailer of the movie “My Brilliant Life”

 

 

---

Written by Song Su-Hui