THE MOVIE “Architecture 101” ends with a song that symbolizes the naive but sincere first love of the film’s two protagonists. Kim Dong-ryul’s “Etude of Memories” is the song that brings the film’s two teenagers one step closer to adulthood and love. The piece contains the recollections of passion, dignity and hardships that come along with one’s first love; the composition is truly a study of the memories of the main characters, and a beautiful melody that unites them even from miles away. Like the film’s two protagonists, we who live in the real world have certain songs that help us recall special moments from the past. What song will always hold a special place in your heart?

Kwak Pearl (Soph., Dept. of Dentistry)
One Republic’s “The Good Life”
This is one of my all-time favorite songs. I used to listen to it over and over during the high school senior’s graduation trip to Thailand. It fit perfectly with the memorable time I was having there, and is definitely a song full of memories for me. Since its meaning is about the great adventures and excitements of life, the song is very optimistic and heightens my mood even now.

Lee Yae-rim (Fresh., UIC, Underwood Div.)
Elgar’s “Serenade for Strings in E Minor”
During my senior year of high school I participated in the “Festival Disney” held at Universal Studios in Florida as a member of the school’s orchestra. The song was extremely hard to learn and the orchestra members complained about how the date of the competition overlapped with our college application deadlines. In the end, however, we won first place and I was proud of myself, our team and our progress. Even though learning the song was stressful in the beginning, it is one that none of us will ever forget. It now reminds me of those times, and all my close friends from the orchestra back in America that I have not had the chance to visit for years.

Choi Gyo-jin (Fresh., Dept. of Applied Statistics)
Kim Jong-hwan’s “For love”
The song I remember best is called “For love.” When I was young, my dad used to sing it often at home to my mother. I would listen to it so many times each day, either playing it myself or hearing my father sing out loud. “For love” talks about a middle-aged man’s sincere love towards his wife that remains constant throughout time, and it reminds me of the sweet love my parents share even today.

Noh Ha-young (Soph., Dept. of Biology)
Lee Han-cheol’s “Superstar”
This is a song of compassion, aiming to comfort a child coming to Seoul for the first time from his hardships and fears. I would listen to this song while studying, especially when I was a senior at a Korean high school. I would plug in my earphones and cry while listening to its lyrics. Even today, when I listen to “Superstar” my eyes tear up because it reminds me of those times and gives me strength to persevere through whatever troubles me.

Baek Dong-hwan (Jr., Dept. of Theology)
Pokémon soundtrack “The Beginning of the Adventure”
The song I always remember is the theme song from the animated series “Pokémon”. When I was an elementary school student, “Pokémon” was so popular that we would buy absolutely anything sporting the characters from the series – stickers, labels, cards, even snacks. “The Beginning of the Adventure” was very popular at the time and it is a catchy, fast-paced song that signaled the beginning of each “Pokemon” episode. Even when I listen to the song as a university student, it brings back memories from my childhood, making me feel once again like a young child with no worries or concerns.

Lee Jung-hwan (Fresh., Dept. of Econ.)
Kim Kwang-seok’s “My Song”
This is a song filled with personal memories for me. Even though I do not listen to music very often, I like this song as its lyrics are more powerful than most pop songs produced today, and it is about the meaning music can add to one’s life. My grandmother used to own a small pub, and often played this song while working. I used to listen to it passively, but ended up enjoying it, as it is a bright and happy song. Unfortunately, my grandmother passed away at a young age, but this song reminds me of her humming along to the lyrics while at her small pub.

Lee Seon-hee (Sr., Dept. of Business)
Shin Seung-hoon’s “Invisible Love”
This song was included on the first cassette tape I bought together with my mother. It starts with a deep, manly voice singing in German – something which impressed me as a young child. I would listen to this song over and over again, to the point that the tape became stretched out and could no longer be used. When I hear the melody from time to time, I cannot help but reminisce about the past, thinking to myself, “Oh yeah, there were times like these.”

Park Hae-rim (Sr., Dept. of Business)
Sechs Kies’ “Hunch”
The melody of this song pops into my head from time to time, as I associate it with an experience related to my closest friend. During a fieldtrip as elementary school students, my friend and I sang this song at a mini talent show. Even though we were initially reluctant to participate in the show, as we prepared together and eventually performed the song, we became very close. We have been friends for about 14 years now, and my friend has planned to travel from the countryside to visit me in Seoul next week. Maybe this is why “Hunch” is the first song that came to my mind today.

Yang Min-young (Soph., Dept. of Computer Science)
G.O.D’s “Candle”
This song led my entire family to become true fans of G.O.D. We still have each and every G.O.D. album at home, and still listen to them from time to time. As a big fan of the song even today, I performed “Candle” during a student club festival last September. I could see that not only me, but all the members of the audience were carried away by their memories dating back to the time when this song was released.

*                 *                 *

   Music learned on the piano, a song a loved one used to sing, or a tune that brought comfort in the midst of hardship – these are all songs we cherish. As testified by Yonseians, some songs can lead us on a journey of precious recollections. These are compositions of a special, personal significance that will never be erased from our hearts no matter the number of years that pass.