(Not very coherent thoughts)
Out of all the students, I think he might be the one I feel the worst for; even Kruger is able to demolish the crumbling castle and rebuild his own foundations.
Campton feels like a haunted mansion. He cannot let go of what happened to him (not that he isn't entitled to his own experiences). While conducting, the control must feel freeing for a moment. For a second, he can pretend that he has things under his thumb. In a way, he must feel like he is better than Heejae since he at least has the decency of "aftercare" though it makes the art process no less toxic.
Does any art require this much suffering? Or does suffering only hamper the capacity for producing art? Idk, I do not like him, but I certainly pity yet understand him. Maybe he is not just a hero who was rejected; maybe he embodies all of Heejae's past ideals. By hating Heejae, he really became him.
(Sorry for my big yapping seshes. I don't have any irls who are into this story q.q)
You know what? I've been thinking about the lotus motif for Garam. Obviously, it is quite apt as his mode is impressionism and who does not know Monet and his lotuses, but I think the metaphor extends to Garam himself. The lotus, prized for its beauty, can only arise from enduring the mud. It is not Garam's talent that arose from the mud (the pain, the suffering); it is his bountiful grace towards the undeserving Heejae. It took until now for him to realize that he has that capacity to detangle the storm. Maybe soon, Heejae will realize that a knife need not cut; it could also protect.
(Mostly musing really. No spoilers)
Campton is such a tragic character to me because I feel like, in his attempt to "best" his teacher's failings, he is the one who gets stuck in the darkness of the terrible lessons Heejae imparted. Every hero needs their villain even when the villain wants to do better. I wonder what will be his catalyst to truly let go; not for the sake of absolving Heejae of his sins but to free himself from the cycle of resentment. Much anticipation!
Wah!! Isn't this the beginning of the story of Orpheus and Eurydice? The separation which leads to Orpheus going down to Hades, in the Dark, to find her and which he will always fail because he loves her? Will Kim Jeehae finally allow himself to look back? To clearly see Garam for where he stands and not the embodiment of his fears and failures (manager)?
Argh! I love this story so much!
Only at night and whilst drinking... Prof, are you ashamed of Garam or yourself..? I hope he treats Garam better eventually..
Heartwarming! Local old man develops dacryphilia! Showcasing it is never too late to figure out a new kink!
The Prof is deep in the revelry of showcasing a gem to the world, whilst forgetting that he is not the only gem collector out there... I will be praying for Garam
I think I like Claren's characterization quite a bit. I like that she pointed out that the repertoire was tailored as a signifier of the maestro/prof's taste, not to Garam's forte. Maybe I am reading too much into this, but perhaps this is a nudge towards the idea that Garam should get another professor and leave. That instead of him being a poor student and shaming jeehae for a poor performance, he is in a way held back by Jeehae and their sentimentality... hmm codependency.. I like that.