In April, I participated in a play with my schoolmates on a stage in Hyewha (혜화). The play’s story was about three girls who turned of age and set out on a journey to find sea waves, a quest that was part of their village’s coming-of-age ceremony. They faced conflict and dangers and were forced to collaborate with each other, putting aside differences that made it challenging.
My role was a girl with a life full of sheltered parental love with not much experience with self-made friendships. Throughout the journey, she makes a brave decision to leave her doll, which represents her past sheltered life, to bravely commit to her newfound friends for life while learning to take responsibility for herself. This play’s story and performance made me realize that we all have some kind of doll. To become an adult, we need to let it go.
The play’s story was about three girls who turned of age and set out on a journey to find sea waves… They faced conflict and dangers and were forced to collaborate with each other.
As our show played out, questions were thrown to Taejae students in the audience:
“What does it mean to be an adult?”
They were immersed, reflecting on their own lives through the play and even tearing up. The play’s use of girls with diverse backgrounds resonated with Taejae students since every one of us comes from different backgrounds and experiences. I hope that the play can provide positive motivation for students and contribute to their efforts to become the kind of students Taejae strives to foster.
.jpg)
The play’s use of girls with diverse backgrounds resonated with Taejae students since every one of us comes from different backgrounds and experiences.
I wonder if becoming an adult could mean meeting people with diverse experiences thinking, “I want to become like them,” trying different things inspired by them, and eventually stumbling on your true self. If that is the case, then what does it mean to not be an adult? What gets in the way of one’s growth?”
My character, Wind (바람), had an iconic line that suggests an answer:
“Isn’t it okay to be wrong sometimes, and okay to be a little slow? I’ll do well in my own way.”
In today’s fast and competitive society, I wish people could find more time focusing on themselves and finding their own way, their own wave. And once they find it, I hope they choose how to face it according to their own values.
This play’s story and performance made me realize that we all have some kind of doll. To become an adult, we need to let it go.