[Korean Drama] Itaewon Class: Still Fighting It

 

2020/03/07 - [Weekly Interests] - [Korean Drama] Itaewon Class: A Comprehensive Review

After the review of Itaewon Class in the previous article, I thought it would be worth it to talk about one of the OSTs that made the farewell scene between Saeroi and his father engaging and beautiful.

Like me, many would've wondered the artist behind the still yet elegant music behind. So I Googled right away and found out that it was a song called "Still Fighting It" by Ben Folds, released all the way back in 2002. According to Folds, he wrote the score as a "bittersweet ode to the pain of adolescence dedicated to his son Louis." His purpose serves well in Itaewon Class as his song heals PARK Saeroi in saying farewell to his late father. 

 

EPISODE 15

In almost two decades after losing his father, Saeroi is finally near his goal of making his company as the number one food company in Korea. However, JangGa is still there on top -- being an obstacle to Saeroi's I.C. Corp.'s climb. Still, JangGa's heir is threatened by I.C.'s climb. Converged with previous hatred towards Saeroi, JANG Geunwon decides to recruit his prison inmate as a hitman to kill Saeroi. 

Recruit is accepted by the gang boss, but it turns out he was also an inmate of Saeroi before. Nevertheless, Saeroi arrives at the place JANG pinned in order to find CHO Iseo, who was kidnapped. Though severely hit by a car, Saeroi survivies but is unconscious. 

 

 

 

Here Comes Ben Folds

While Saeroi struggles to survive while lying in bed unconscious, he meets his late father -- and goes on a journey of reminescence. After the journey, the scene turns to a mystic bridge where Saeroi's father tries to cross together, persuading Saeroi that everything would be calm and peaceful in the otherworld. At this point, "Still Fighting It" is tuned and Saeroi tells his father that he has more things to fight for in his life. 

Here, the scene touches the viewers' hearts as it brings sympathy on the nature of our lives -- by touching how it hurts to grow up in this harsh world, but pointing out the ultimate reason for why we keep fighting to live. 

 

Music Video

Original Version by Ben Folds

 

MV From Itaewon Class

 

Lyrics

 

 

Good morning, son
I am a bird
Wearing a brown polyester shirt
You want a Coke?
Maybe some fries?
The roast beef combo's only nine ninety five
But it's okay
You don't have to pay
I've got all the change

Everybody knows
It hurts to grow up
And everybody does
It's so weird to be back here
Let me tell you what
The years go on and
We're still fighting it
We're still fighting it

And you're so much like me
I'm sorry

Good morning, son
Twenty years from now
Maybe we'll both sit down
And have a few beers
And I can tell
You 'bout today
And how I picked you up
And everything changed
It was pain
Sunny days and rain
I knew you'd feel the same things

Everybody knows
It sucks to grow up
And everybody does
It's so weird to be back here
Let me tell you what
The years go on and
We're still fighting it
We're still fighting it

You'll try and try
And one day you'll fly
Away from me

Good morning, son
(Good morning, son)
I am a bird
(Good morning, son)
(Good morning, son)

It was pain
Sunny days and rain
I knew you'd feel the same things

Everybody knows
It hurts to grow up
And everybody does
It's so weird to be back here
Let me tell you what
The years go on and
We're still fighting it
We're still fighting it, oh
We're still fighting it
We're still fighting it

And you're so much like me
I'm sorry