They say that time heals all wounds.

For young musician hopefuls such as Lee Hyung-jin and Lee Hyun-soo, not only time but also music has helped them overcome their personal difficulties and allow their scars to heal as they discovered their gifts.

Both coming from poor backgrounds with their parents constantly working long hours, the lives of Hyung-jin and Hyun-soo, who are not related, were never easy. Hyung-jin lives in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, and Hyun-soo in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province.

They were once rebels with no adults to control them and prevent them from misbehaving. Hyung-jin smoked when he was in elementary school, and Hyun-soo often got into fights with his brother and kids at school.

“It seemed useless even after we tried to talk to him and (have him) receive professional counseling,” Hyun-soo’s mother said.

There seemed to be no hope for these two kids until a local welfare center asked for a chance to teach them how to play some musical instruments.

When Hyung-jin was in first grade in middle school, a teacher of the local welfare center showed him a violin, a guitar and eventually a contrabass. Meanwhile, Hyun-soo was also given the chance to learn how to play the trumpet.

What started out as a hobby turned into their lifelong dream as they became immersed in the world of music, with Hyung-jin practicing the contrabass and Hyun-soo the trumpet.

Both of their teachers said they certainly had the “physiques of tall and strong athletes” to play such challenging instruments that require a lot of endurance and strength.

As they were able to continue playing the instruments thanks to their welfare mentors and SK hynix’s social music programs for children, without having to worry about the expenses, Hyung-jin got into Chungbuk Art High School. Hyun-soo, meanwhile, started to get along with his peers and improve his grades in elementary school.

“(Entering art school) was the happiest day of my life. I really have to (practice) harder from now on,” said Hyung-jin.

Both still play the instruments today under the continuous guidance and support of chipmaker SK hynix’s music programs, which have so far helped nearly 80 Korean children from low-income families fall in love with music.

By Park Hyong-ki (hkp@heraldcorp.com)