KJ, KJ
Piano time
It's show time!
It's cold.
Get up.
We're here.
He's fast asleep.
Nice hotel
Our soloist: Ka-Jeng Wong
KJ.
I'm KJ, almost 17.
I want to be a
human being.
I want to have a
meaningful life.
It doesn't mean earning millions dollars for each concert.
That's nothing.
Instead, "meaningful'' means
to stick to my original intention to study music.
I would like to be guided by music
to have a meaningful life.
My life is meaningful.
I know what I'm doing.
I couldn't care less success.
I just want to have no regret when I die.
Ms. Loo is different.
She wants to be remembered after she dies.
She is oriented to society.
No.
That's much better.
Don't be like this.
When I was a kid,
Ms Loo often said, "be excited.''
Now it's so dead.
You look so dead.
Beautiful!
Sit closer.
F minor!
Listen.
G flat minor.
You see this is...
F sharp minor.
But G flat minor is...
See it?
I believe
anyone in this world can be a musician,
if he meets a good teacher when he's a kid. That's all you need.
Really.
You had a good teacher? Yes, without her, I'm nothing.
Who? Nancy Loo.
Ms Loo?
No?
She never answers my calls.
Is it through?
No answer.
To Ms Loo? Yes.
Morning, Ms Loo. It's KJ.
Hi, Ms Loo.
Yes.
Guess who I am.
It took 4 hours to record 2 movements.
It was boring.
Can you listen to my orchestra this Saturday?
You can't. OK.
She doesn't like you.
It doesn't matter.
I'm very, very lucky.
Right here.
Clear?
Unclear
It's like dog barking.
Look
I want it to be the last...
Tell it.
I want it to be the way it is.
But the chord, I want that...
How to say "neat'' in English?
I want that to be very...
Or, Ms Loo will scold me.
Good weather
The air is better.
What a nice day.
You have to set the mood of the piece from the start.
Sing out!
What's up now?
Are you afraid of Ms. Loo?
This is just paper.
I'm a human being and much more interesting.
More!
The music has to speak to you.
You feel it and play it out.
I feel nothing, very straight-forward.
I'm inspiring you to enrich your life
to become colorful, not just black and white.
You can do it, for we are all, all, all
human beings.
We all have feelings.
I see it black; so do you.
Come on. Just like this.
I'm sorry, Ms. Loo. I disappoint you.
No, I'm having fun.
Stand up. Sit down...
OK.
Faster
That was much better!
I've studied music for 12 years, but today I've disappointed my teacher.
What's wrong?
Every time when you play badly, when you fail,
you're one step nearer to doing it better.
Every time they do this, you should say "Great!''
Smile. Don't look so serious.
Follow Ms. Loo.
No, but your thought and face affect your playing
because music is a part of you.
You're great.
You inspire kids with imagination and patience.
I often wish I could be like this.
I love kids. Really?
Be a father.
It should be...
But now...
This is not good.
Can you do that?
OK? Sorry.
That's how you taught me.
But you didn't demonstrate it, so I'm still no good.
She taught me to imagine ribbons, rainbows, lakes and
a music box.
Catch the rest!
It's always the small things that make a big difference.
Only a charming leader can change people's thinking.
But...
Are you a charming leader?
Of course.
Sure I am.
You change people's thinking?
I'm not a superstar, but a charming leader.
Sure.
Again
Intonation
Andrew, you're always out-of-tune,
for you missed rehearsal.
You're scolding me. You're embarrassing me.
Why did I scold you?- Dunno.
Go. Don't play.
I quit.
Again.
Are you god?
No. I just lose interest.
Again.
I did scold... well, comment on him.
I didn't bully him.
He didn't know the music well and at times missed the notes.
Does Jacky bully him?
KJ scolded him.
His mom said it's you...
Not true.
I'm fiive grades older than them and don't know why they argued.
I don't judge.
Does this happen often?
Quarrels happen.
He doesn't take any criticism or
correction.
Do you think KJ goes too far?
No comment.
Well, he did miss lots of rehearsals.
What if you were him?
I can take it. I'm often scolded.
Are you talking about Andrew? Just chatting.
I like that asshole,
he's just like what I used to be.
I used to piss my seniors off, so
I understand his rebellion.
He's quite a character and doesn't obey orders.
That's good. I like it.
Stop playing!
I'm practicing. Wait!
Stop!
I have to practice for the competition.
What's up? Practicing.
He's from a rich family and likes to show off.
He once said to me like this: shut up.
Really? It's OK.
I also said to him: shut up.
Hey, don't leave.
You have no respect to me: half have gone.
Do you think I'm easy?
He really left. He'll be back
KJ.
Are you still mad? No.
You dare.
Hold it.
Softer
More!
Keep it on!
More!
There must be life in every single note.
Music is not something that you practice.
It's not even something that you rehearse.
You have to internalize, and then they become part of you. And then you do it.
Isn't it better,
Samuel?
It's much better
Quiet. Never mind.
Forget our performance to Ms Loo. It's over now.
Look at the audience.
Yes.
Bow sincerely.
Wait.
Count to fiive. One, two...
That's it.
What's the song? Wait.
Let's start.
Hold on.
Play the second track
The second? No... yes, yes.
Pass me the CD.
What?
The CD
I don't have it.
It's Nancy Loo.
It's KJ.
Where did you go?
I went to London and Czech.
Why?
Concert tour.
Don't move when you talk You aren't playing the piano.
You recorded your performance
and brought the CD.
Let's listen to it.
How about the 3rd movement?
Fast! Haha.
Whose fax?
Interesting.
Whose fax?
Interesting.
There's a phone number.
OK. I need to call.
Why?
Who is that? It's KJ.
What's up?
I wonder why you...?
You're still too young.
Your technique is great.
But have you listened to those maestros?
Yes... You're too young to express the music.
You play too harshly.
My 2nd movement is better if I can show you.
I don't think you're patient.
You should be devoted
and forget where you are.
Then you can express the whole world of music.
Thanks.
Who is it? It's Nancy Loo.
We're about the same age.
I used to go to your concerts.
Thanks for calling.
Thank you.
Cheers.
Bye.
Who is that? I don't know him.
You should appreciate him.
He listened seriously and gave you advice.
What makes one to be a successful musician, or simply just a man,
besides talent?
Say it. Devotion.
No.
Devotion. No.
Modesty.
Ms Loo inspired me.
Without her telling me ribbons and music box,
I wouldn't be anything.
She enriches my life.
Hold on.
Freeze.
Keep the mood.
It's music that I'm after.
Music is broad and has no right or wrong, and low or high.
Music is...
hard to defiine.
It relates to many things,
even human existence.
B flat.
Well,
yes, here.
It sounded you weren't confiident.
I'll inspire you.
Come on.
Be serious. Go on.
The 1st movement? No
OK, let's do it.
So? What?
Which movement? 2nd.
OK.
Does KJ give you pressure? No.
He's impossible.
There is a limit.
I didn't bully him.
He wasted our time.
He didn't focus and played too...
He's too cruel to his brother.
Not really. Do you think you're nice to your brother?
I am, but there's a limit.
Limit? I waited too long.
The woodwind are dragging.
Just now?
Dragging.
Missed touch.
You dragged, too.
I know.
It happens.
But he shouldn't.
I play so many notes but still can make it.
Too slow.
Is it the aim to play Beethoven's music fast?
Yes, for this movement.
Can we record again? Afterwards?
Not sure.
What's wrong?
I didn't play well.
Tired?
Sure. We repeated too much.
Said I was too rubato. Come on!
So I played flatly.
- This is not right. - Just a little bit flatly!
Stop!
He wants to know the reason.
Why?
You should've been nicer or complimented them more.
I did. A good leader often compliments others.
I compliment you.
Aren't you a perfectionist?
Nothing is perfect. You think so?
Nothing is perfect in the world.
Perfection means playing notes with the same pitch and timing.
Impossible.
Perfection is beauty, isn't it?
Yes.
Then there's no beauty. Right.
Yiu, play something for us?
OK?
KJ will play the piano.
I conduct.
No way.
Yiu, tune-up fiirst.
There's no mezzopiano or mezzoforte in the score.
It means only paradise and hell.
Tempo
Much better.
Wait.
Stop.
Trust me, please.
To trust me is the beginning of your wisdom.
Right!
Hey!
No matter what, no ritard.
Don't drag. It's connected.
Try this.
You play better than Lap.
Show off now.
Your turn now.
Hold on.
That was really fantastic!
Practice 5 more times tonight, and you'll win tomorrow.
Short.
Good. Excellent.
To avoid stage fright, remember that
you play only for yourself.
It's the last time in your life to play,
for you'll be busy for the graduation exam next year.
As it's the last time, you shouldn't think of comparing yourself to others.
Bullshit!
As it's the last time, you must play for yourself.
If you still think of comparing, you're not a human being any more.
You're just wood,
with no response and no feelings.
He's diffiicult.
Like? Like...
He's hysterical.
His life...
is kind of out of order.
Like,
He didn't go to school, and
the teachers came to ask me.
My father and I told him to withdraw from the school. He ignored us.
He's troublesome.
Since...?
... he started to learn music.
I have a good friend. He's a Christian.
He's pious, and I'm not against it.
We just have different paths,
both of which are meaningful.
His path is God; mine is humans.
Viola, the word that kills me.
VIOLA
I see. Got it, Samuel?
Who are you?
You are a violist.
You have to be a human before you can be a good violist.
Whose words?
KJ's
Samuel, since we were kids,
I've been telling you that the audience feels
you're too flashy.
You often bully Samuel. Yes, that's the way.
Right, Samuel?
We've been like this for six years.
One bullies, and the other take it.
Why you take it? Good question.
With what I bear, I can't answer you in a short time.
Listen, Samuel.
I try to be his Ms. Loo
I'm trying to bring him into another dimension of musical playing
and another dimension of human self.
Do you believe that?
Somehow yes.
Samuel, don't look around. It's your fault.
I think deep, so I learn a lot, much more than him.
That's why I play better music than you.
But somehow he thinks I'm mean and fucking ego.
I do want to be receptive.
For six years...
as an executive offiicer on the top of the whole music apartment,
in public, I have to accept an inferior's...
insults. Yes.
Well,
I really put down all my dignity just to receive what you say.
You aren't receptive, fiirst thing,
because you don't believe in me.
But he has faith. Actually,
religion narrows his thinking.
He thinks he's god?
That's exactly his problem.
The reason why Ms Loo plays the piano is to glorify god.
Is there any god?
Yes...
yes... no...
I think about it a lot.
I didn't pick this friend. It's God's will.
Glorifying god?
Is the world so simple?
Is it just bullshit?
For "religious status'' in my Facebook, I wrote "truth-seeking.''
hether you seek it our or not is unimportant.
Seeking is about processes, experiences, feelings,
growth, and fiinally music.
Music is everything. Music is all-inclusive.
So, studying religion
and the Chinese horoscope are important.
Humans can't act against nature.
Things are fated.
ou can't fiight against the fate
You're a fatalist. Perhaps.
How does studying horoscope affect your music?
If everything is fated,
I don't need to worry about my decision
to choose music as major, and
I won't be depressed.
Homeless?
I won't be.
If it really happens, just let it be.
No,
the world is never hopeless.
Let's thank our parents.
Music...?
What can music bring us?
The Kingdom of Music...
DBS!
I'm not after the spirit of DBS.
It's based on competition.
We want to win in the music festival.
This desire is above our pursuit of music.
We feel together when we win, team spirit. That's all.
But what I want is
everyone to be after the music
we care only about music,
not winning
Then our music can be different.
Since I was a kid, I've had this theory.
I know people despise me,
so I don't say anything.
But I'll influence them
not to play the music for competition.
When they experience real music,
high level music,
they'll realize that
competition-based music is meaningless.
Sorry, I'm late.
Happy New Year!
It's the fourth day of the New Year.
I've no cello.
Where are they?
Can you come?
Our cellist is here.
Can you come?
Will you come?
Come, please.
This is the last time
that I conduct. Please help.
He won't play.
Which piece?
All.
Quiet.
Please call for me,
or I can't rehearse.
I beg you.
Where's the clarinet?
Shit.
What a day.
Yes!
How about your quintet?
Great? Great.
You're confiident.
Well,
I can't believe that
they can all understand
my ideas and play them out.
It's...
out of this world.
Really
Crazy
Will you win?
Come on.
The music runs over-time, so we're at a disadvantage.
I did it on purpose, so nobody will choose it.
And then, I...
don't need to prove myself by winning.
I'm ten times better.
Disqualifiied?
How much over-time?
2 minutes.
He doesn't care. I won twice and used the pennants
to wipe my ass.
I chose this music
because I think that we will learn a lot,
but not because we can win.
We did not choose this piece not for the competition.
Then why join the competition? Well...
it's a tradition, but we have a different attitude.
Why compete...
He comes to beat people.
Samuel, you're jealous of me.
Why compete?
For the music.
For myself.
I've learned a lot from KJ
the details of chamber music.
Also, I like to be on stage.
I have a strong desire to perform.
I love to perform.
Play with all your misery.
Listen.
Slow down unwillingly.
KJ broke the rule on purpose...
He has his reasons.
We just play. We can't help it.
Do you want to win? Sure.
It's OK.
He's just too young to see my wisdom.
He'll see.
I'm teaching
all the Hong Kong string guys what chamber music is.
I come to educate these kids. I educate them.
Look at them! Look at the music that they play!
Then compare to the others,
and you'll see.
in 15 minutes.
Why do you love music? It's fun,
to play solo, chamber music and with an orchestra.
My dream is to be a big entrepreneur,
which will give me an incomparable
sense of success. I want to enjoy it.
Music is a big satisfaction,
but money is a small satisfaction.
We need both.
Money is for living and enjoyment.
Music is life...
life.
Just you two.
Don't loosen up.
That's crucial.
Listen...
Your fly.
broken
Let's just go out
and play the fucking music. Take your time.
Don't let them interrupt us.
If they use microphone to stop us, ignore it.
I agree with the deduction.
But please let us complete the whole piece of music.
Don't interrupt us. Thanks.
It's just...
He'll cry.
No.
I'm glad, not because we can win,
but I set a great record.
I'm not joking.
I set a great record.
It's done under my leadership.
I chose the right piece, didn't I?
It's diffiicult. A true master piece.
It's my best competition
in these ten years.
Done.
Magic!
Joy!
The happiest time in my life.
The fiirst place, we give it to No.25...
I thought these guys really
Embody what ensemble playing is about.
I think its' also important to say, these guys actually did go overtime for a little bit.
And we did take that into account when we made the fiinal tally.
It wasn't very much. But they still won. So congratulations to them!
Whisper.
Good luck!
Are you the next team? Yes.
You can enter now.
OK. Who's the teacher?
He's praying. Don't disturb.
I need no praying.
I believe in myself.
I don't need that.
But they're praying...
It's good to unite them.
It's not my style.
You're together... So?
Do I sing?
The winner: Diocesan Boys' School.
I played well.
It's too loud. Close the cover?
No.
No way. It won't work
I played well. uh...
Do you have any grade?
Well, I don't take any tests.
You're cool.
I listened to you before. You're great!
A plane!
Diocesan Boys' School!
Are we the best? Yes.
The Kingdom of Music...
DBS...
Are you fiilming now?
Is fiilming your life?
Yes, similar to you.
Is music your life?
A half.
And the other half?.
To be a human.
1/3 of my life is to live.
1/3 is music; 1/3 is money.
What?
He said that yesterday.
How about pa and ma?
A part of to live
So little.
You have pa, ma, brother and sister.
So.
What? So.
I get nothing. No.
How about friends?
Included.
Let's divide into quarters: friends, life, money, music.
And girlfriend? No.
What? a part of friends.
Be accurate.
Follow the winds.
But they drag.
You have to follow anyway.
If I drag too...
How much do you practice?
You often say "no'' to practice.
1 to 2 hours.
Really?
I already know the music.
I only need to think about it.
You just started the piece a month ago.
I only need to think
When do you think? Always, like, now.
You're talking now. I also think
Think about music? Yes.
Which 1/3 of your life you are now in?
Which 1/3?
3/3 now.
Crazy.
Who's the best pianist? Me!
You may mind if I say:
You really shone when you were 11,
but recently...
compared to other pianists, you're...
People have said that
My father was the fiirst one.
Once, he angrily said, "look at Rachel,
you beat her before, but now...''
I remember that.
He yelled,
"Look at other pianists!''
I remember that very well.
Then I became lost for 2 years.
Very good.
Good.
Made in China.
Eat Some? OK.
I get you a plate.
Any pita?
The concerto needs...
Arsenal lost.
To Manchester.
Understandable, too many injured.
Can they use substitutes?
No, all are injured.
The next game is...
in the European Cup? Yes.
Which team? AC Milan.
They're doomed.
How to use the wrist?
Guo knows.
Unbelievable.
What? Nothing.
Wrist? Nothing.
About computer games?
Do you watch any porn? Damn no Just play games.
You have an exam tomorrow.
Ready?
Just Chinese.
It's important.
You'll defiinitely fail.
So? You can't fail the Chinese.
But the teacher said:
with all the students in the class,
it never happens that...
all pass. Yes.
Never
Chinese? Yes.
Lap, then? No problem.
You guys like to boast. No, I don't.
You never study. No need.
No need?
No need.
Do you still go to school? Yes.
You go? Yes.
We'll visit aunt now.
No. She made dinner.
No.
Come. Competition tomorrow.
Whose competition? Someone.
You must go? Yes.
KJ, eat more then.
Eat more noodles.
When will you be back?
9:30
7:30?
9:30
10:30? 9:30
Will you attend the class tomorrow?
I've a competition
What? Just watching
uh...
Can you skip the class? Yes.
Absent? Uh?
You'll be absent?
Offiicially, what are you?
He doesn't go to school.
Yes, I do.
The classes are fucking boring.
Who will go with Yiu tomorrow?
Can you? Absolutely no.
I have to come from the hospital.
She can go by herself.
I'll go.
Yiu, eat something.
Give me $100.
Sure.
It's your European debut.
Remember to
calm down.
You're often calm.
First group: Diocesan Boys' School.
Are you going? later.
The chairman will come.
Not yet.
You used it up. So?
Remember
the 2nd movement...
Who's nervous?
Pa. I'm not.
KJ, calm down. Concentrate.
Come.
No.
Better.
Good.
On stage now.
My hands hurt.
Life is meaningless.
How come?
Really.
Be serious.
I have the piano, but lots of people are bored.
Why were there humans in the beginning?
The existence of humans, Why?
From a big bang? When did you start wondering about this?
Since when? 7.
As soon as you started piano? Yes.
You're unhappy?
I'm happy.
But many are unhappy.
You're unhappy for them? No.
Is the world unfair?
No. Imperfect?
Yes, the world is imperfect.
It is a satisfaction of my life
to be a concert pianist.
"Pianist'' is too general a term.
How much do I need to perform?
Occasionally or lots of tours?
Then I'm not playing music for the music itself.
My ultimate goal is to be a human being
with conscience and humanity.
People should have humanity.
It's good that all people die.
Why? Really.
KJ
Your pa loves you. I know.
Your family is good.
But at the end...
We die. Why not now?
The world is imperfect.
Death is perfect.
But...
is the 2nd movement of Beethoven beautiful?
Yes.
It would be perfect if everybody knew music.
No war.
But you mean all die together.
Yes. So I often imagine that
after I grow up,
I'll gather the whole world
and tell them about this.
When did you move? 3 years ago.
Why did you move?
You want to know?
Because
My parents divorced.
Why?
Why? Why divorce?
You want to know?
You want?
My father had another woman.
What do you think? Me?
You want to know?
I learned the most from it.
The most.
I witnessed the divorce.
I learned the most from it.
No matter a doctor or musician,
it was wrong
to cheat on his wife,
insult his family and shirk his responsibility.
These things tell me that he has no humanity.
When I was a kid, he forced me to join competitions.
I should join, but he only cared about winning.
He loves winning.
This influenced my life.
At dinner, there were only two topics:
One, music;
two, football.
This love-to-win personality is in his genes.
My attitude to music
focused only on competition.
I hated to talk only music at dinner.
Music was only for competitions and exams.
I hated music a lot in those 2 years.
KJ inherited pa's character.
They're similar.
They aren't satisfiied with themselves.
But pa is more stubborn than KJ.
He often...
swore at us
He yells at KJ.
Last year, it was really nasty.
Pa ignored KJ's birthday.
We don't talk
There's nothing to say.
So KJ plans to go abroad.
Sure, I respect him.
He gave me the best,
taking me to concerts and piano lessons.
I respect him.
But
he is wrong.
I never heard you talking like this.
I'll talk to you more.
He's serious.
I'll talk to you more.
Handkerchief.
Do we take you for a child...
No.
But you're really clever.
No.
You think more than adults.
Why can my fiingers play?
Why do they move?
Why can I speak?
Did Adam and Eve exist?
If there's no god, can science explain music?
Why does the sound changes if I focus enough?
Isn't playing piano just about hitting the strings?
If god exists, why is there unfairness?
Why do humans exist?
Science can't explain.
Why?
It's a sensitive issue.
Do you know?
I've been pursuing the answer.
For the rest of your life, you...
I'll end it early,
commit suicide.
No.
Really.
It's heart-breaking.
We've the right to end our life.
Good question:
Why do we survive?
Your answer?
I won't commit suicide.
Why?
To live a little bit longer.