Author’s Note: Hello and thank you for choosing to read this. This was an assignment I had to present and perform in my Speech and Debate class during my senior year of high school. Thematic – having or relating to subjects or a particular subject. When I was completing this assignment, I knew I wanted my subject to be deep and moving. And since I was going to graduate, the topic of farewell messages came to my mind. Within this assignment, I used Shigatsu Wa Kimi No Uso’s Kaori Letter, Uncontrollably Fond’s Shin Joon Young Future Video, Descendents of the Sun’s Yoo Shi Jin Will, and Running Man’s Goodbye Letters to Kang Gary as my examples. To be honest, when I was performing this in my class, I also cried too because I began to get into my feelings. Anyways enjoy!

15 Minutes Read

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Manting Xiong
Goldmann
Speech and Debate
9 November 2016

Thematic Interpretation: Farewell Messages

I apologize beforehand, my theme might bring you unwanted feelings or mood changes.

Introduction: There is without a doubt that you will experience a tragic loss of a loved one in your lifetime. There’s no other way to get around it; everyone dies for various reasons, some are reckless and they die young, or you grow old and slowly fade away. The loss of a loved one could be someone who inspired you, it could be a role model, your best friend, a family member, basically anyone that is important to you. We all know that sooner or later the inevitable will come for all of us. There are a lot of stages in the event of losing a loved one. The five stages, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance are a part of the framework that makes up our learning to live with the one we lost. But I don’t believe that those are the most important part of losing a loved one. It’s the unexpected and unwanted news that is told to you, but through all of that, they somehow manage to still provide you with a gift that they leave for you. The letter, video, or will that they record to be given to a particular person. Sometimes it’s not them who are saying goodbye to you, it’s you having to say goodbye to them.

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– Title of Piece: Kaori’s Confession Letter

Dear Arima Kousei,

It feels weird writing a letter to someone you were just with…

You’re the worst.

Indecisive. Gullible. Twit.

The first time I ever saw you perform, I was 5 years old. It was at a recital for the piano school I was going to. This awkward, clumsy kid came onto the stage and accidentally hit the piano stool with his butt. It was too funny. He turned to the piano that was way too big for him and the moment he played that first note, I was drawn in.

The sound was beautiful, like a 24-colour palette. The melodies danced.

The girl next to me started crying. I wasn’t expecting that at all.

And even so, you gave up the piano. Even though it totally changed other people’s lives. You’re the worst. Indecisive. Gullible. Twit.

(Cut to Kaori as a kid, telling her parents she’s giving up piano for violin because she wants Kousei to play again.)

When I found out we were in the same middle school, I was ecstatic. But how would I ever come to talk to you? Maybe I’d hang out at the lunch concession. Instead, I just watched you from afar. I mean. After all. You all seemed to get along so well. There wasn’t really any space in there for someone like me.

When I found out we were in the same middle school, I was ecstatic. But how would I ever come to talk to you? Maybe I’d hang out at the lunch concession. Instead, I just watched you from afar. I mean. After all. You all seemed to get along so well. There wasn’t really any space in there for someone like me.

When I was a kid, I had to have an operation and I started having to be at the hospital for regular check-ups. In the first year of middle school, I collapsed and I was admitted over and over. With every visit, I was there for longer and longer. Really, I didn’t get to class much in middle school, I spent more time at the hospital. And I knew something was wrong with my body.

One night, I saw my parents crying in the waiting room and I knew that my time was running out.

That’s when I ran away.
I didn’t want to bring my regrets with me to heaven, so I stopped holding back from what the things I always wanted to do.
I wasn’t scared anymore to get contact lenses.
I ate what I wanted instead of always worrying about my weight.
And I took the music with all its high and mighty directives and played it the way I wanted.

And then I told a lie. Just one.
I lied and said that I, Miyazono Kaori, liked Watari Ryouta.

And that lie brought you to me.

Please apologize to Watari for me… though I’m sure he’s forgotten me by now
I think I need someone more wholehearted and earnest than him. I think we’d be fine as friends though.

And please apologize to Tsubaki for me too.
I want for there to be no hard feelings. And there was one thing I could never ask of her, to ask her directly to introduce the two of us.
I don’t think she would’ve had an answer for me.
After all, she was in love with you.
We all knew that.
I think the only people who didn’t know were you and her.
That underhanded lie brought me to you didn’t work out the way I had imagined.

It was darker.
And meaner.
And denser.
And more stubborn.
And more perverted.

And softer.
And more masculine.
And sweet.

Remember that bridge we jumped off? The water was so cool and refreshing.
Racing each other alongside the train. I really thought I could win.
The moon was saw from the music room that night, like a delicious-looking bun.
Singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star with you as we rode on that bike together. Then falling out time. We’re awful singers.
At the school at night. I’m still sure there was something there. The falling snow, just like cherry blossoms.

It’s strange to be a musician, but then to have your heart so filled by something that comes from off-stage
They’re unforgettable scenes to me. But they’re such little things. It’s weird, isn’t it?

What do you think?
Do you think I made it into anyone’s heart like that?
I wonder if I made it into yours.
I wonder if you’ll still remember me.

If you forget me, I’ll just come back and..
No, I don’t want to start over.
Please don’t forget me.
Promise me you won’t forget me.

I’m glad it was you.

I hope this reaches you, Arima Kousei.

I love you.
I love you.
I love you.
I’m sorry we couldn’t eat all those canelés.
I’m sorry I hit you so much.
I’m sorry I was so selfish.

I’m so, so, so, so sorry.

Thank you for everything.

Miyazono Kaori

Transition #1: The significance of this piece is the fact that when you have something important to say to that person, say it. You never know when that person is going to be gone from your life. You never know how much you impacted their life. Kaori decided to keep everything inside and not reveal her true feelings for Kousei. She lied to him, and we all know that we were taught at a young age to not lie. But a lie could always be better than the truth… right? Kaori helped Kousei regain his ability to play the piano again, and for that, she was satisfied. These types of confession letters are “killers,” “no pun intended”, but these serve a greater purpose. These types of letters let you know how they truly felt about you. Not all farewell messages are happy, some are made to reassure their loved ones that they were happy til the end.

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– Title of Piece: Shin Joon Young’s Future Video

This is Shin Joon Young.

Um well, a few months ago I received word from a doctor that I don’t have much more time to live.

I was shocked but…

I mean, everyone dies eventually.

The thing I’m most worried about is that people that I love will think I was miserable in my last days.

I was truly happy.

And…

I was able to enjoy a lovely time. In some ways, realizing how finite one’s time is…

That it reveals truths that one has kept buried within them.

This illness is a blessing that granted me courage.

The doctor told me I have three months to live. Yesterday was the last day the doctor said that I would live to.

If you’re watching this video, I am alive?

Also what kind of life is the woman that I love, No Eul, is living now?

Transition #2: For those of you who don’t know what finite means, it’s having limits or bounds. Shin Joon Young was diagnosed with a terminal illness. He kept this secret from the people he loved the most until his final moments. For the most part, people usually assume that when a person is living the final days of their life, they may tend to think that, that person is probably really sad. He wanted his family and loved ones to know that he died happily. That the time Joon Young had left, he used them wisely. But now you bring in the what ifs… What if a person was perfectly fine, but couldn’t keep their promise of not dying? Will it still be ok, if they died in the line of duty? Some farewell letters maybe that person’s last will.

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– Title of Piece: Yoo Shi Jin’s Will

Before we go on a mission, we write a will.

In the end, I hoped this letter would not find its way to you.

I haven’t kept my promise, my promise for you not to be worried, the promise to not be hurt, the promise not to die, and the promise that I would come back for sure.

Before we go on a mission, we write a will.

In the end, I hoped this letter would not find its way to you.

I haven’t kept my promise, my promise for you not to be worried, the promise to not be hurt, the promise not to die, and the promise that I would come back for sure.

I haven’t kept any of those promises, I’m sorry. In the place that you are, it is always bright.

I met you and I loved you. And for being apart from you, I’m really sorry for that.

I know that it’s shameless, but I’d like you not to cry for too long.

More than anyone else, you have to live well and brightly.

And don’t remember me for too long, I am asking for a favor.

Transition #3: Yoo Shi Jin died in the line of duty. Serving his country with pride, while keeping a promise. Some promises can’t be kept to the end. And he understood that, and with his unselfish personality. Shi Jin wanted his girlfriend not to mourn for him for too long. But losing someone doesn’t mean that they have to necessarily have to die. Now let’s move on to something more relatable. I’m guessing that all of you have best friends correct? “Show of hands please if you have a best friend”? “How many years have you been friends with your best friends”? “You’re basically family right”? “Thank you”. After many years of being together your best friend suddenly tells you that they want to pursue their passion. And they will be leaving to pursue that passion. How will you respond to that?

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– Title of Piece: Goodbye Letters to Kang Gary

I will only be using 2 of the 6 letters instead of all 6. *Letters that are going to be used.

*Lee Kwang Soo’s Letter: (Male)
Dear Gary hyung, I still can’t believe that you’re leaving. I regret that I haven’t expressed enough of my gratitude and apologies to you. I won’t get to see you every Monday from now on, but we’re already a family. I’ll call you more and I hope that we see each other more often. Dear Gary hyung, thank you so much. I love you forever.” – Kwang Soo

Kim Jong Kook’s Letter: (Male)
“Gary, you know how I feel. It’s so difficult to write a letter like this to you. You worked hard for a long time. Stay healthy. Good luck in everything you do. We’ll still see each other, so let’s not be sad. I bought you a face massager so use it and become handsome. I hope you will transform.” – Jong  Kook

Ji Suk Jin’s Letter: (Male)
“Gary, I still can’t believe it. During the last seven years, we talked about many things. We shared a room together during mud games and waited for our turns to shower. On one hand, I was angry when I heard that you’re quitting, but I also understood you, so I was confused about what I felt. I’ll have to respect your wish. I love you, Gary.” – Suk Jin

Ha Dong Hoon’s Letter: (Male)
“Gary, I can’t believe it. When the ratings weren’t that high in the beginning of Running Man, we spent the night at Han River. We prayed for things to turn out well at my house. We rolled on the floor laughing. I miss the times when we dreamed while drinking soju. I hope you’ll be healthy and have a wonderful family after you get married. Let’s grow old together. I love you. From Haha who’s more handsome than you.” – Haha

Yoo Jae Suk’s Letter: (Male)
“Gary, it’s been seven years since we’ve been on Running Man together. Gary, I’ll think of you during next week’s recording. As I know what you want to achieve in the future, the other members and I support you in all your endeavors. Call me any time you want to be back on a variety show. Ok Gary? See you. It’s too embarrassing for me to continue, so I’ll stop here. See you again. I’ll call you. You did a good job.” – Jae Suk

*Song JI Hyo: (Female)
“Gary, Gary, Gary oppa, this is Ji Hyo. I was very shocked when I heard that you’re leaving, so I was in a daze for a few days. I took for granted that until the very end, which we don’t know when, all of us would stay on this show. Perhaps, I was lost in that belief. I was upset and cried, but now that I think about it, I realized how difficult it must have been for you to make such a decision. I’m sorry about the things that I didn’t know about. I felt bad thinking about how hard it must have been for you. Now that you won’t be where you always used to be for the last seven years, I’ll feel sad and lonely, but I’ll stay strong. If you miss us too much, come back any time. No one can fill your place where you’ve been for the last seven years, so I’ll leave it for you.” – Ji Hyo

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Transition #4: Kang Gary has been on the South Korean variety show Running Man for the past seven years. He devoted his heart and soul to the show. He has created unbreakable bonds with the other cast members. Though it wasn’t easy, he decided to leave the show so that he can further pursue his passion in music, respecting his decision, his cast members allowed him to leave the show.

Conclusion: When that time comes, when you lose someone who you care about, and they leave a gift for you, cherish it. Whatever it may be, it’s their last message for you. There are a lot of seniors in this class. We’ve gone through four years of high school. And that time is coming to an end. Soon, we will be the ones to say goodbye. Juniors, your time to say goodbye will also come. And when the time comes when you have to say goodbye to that person. Make it meaningful, and worthy of being a farewell message. Thank you.

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Hello, I would appreciate it if you would give me feedback on what you enjoyed and what you didn’t. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to comment or email me too! Thank you.