[Updated after Rise's passing]
Remembering EunB and Rise, I see a lot of people saying to "not miss your chance" because you don't know when something will be taken away. I find that is a slightly selfish understanding, yet also accurate, even if perhaps an
incomplete perspective that we should take away from such things.
Take a look at this page on Elvis Presley. He also died too soon, although he had more years in his work than EunB and Rise, years at the top. Even so, here is one of the biggest names in all music history and a massive influence upon it, someone who attained about everything a person who enters the field could ever dream for... and yet it is all so simply summarized here, on one page of a website.
The fact is that everyone, even those who live out their lives to the fullest thought as possible, can only live so long. So everyone who makes their life in sharing art is pouring themselves out with their moments, just as EunB and Rise have, though their opportunity ended so suddenly. We know that a summary on a website doesn't capture all that is "Elvis" in this world, not the full legacy or impact or experience. The same is true of EunB and Rise with their short time as active idols, and of anyone still working as one.
When we share in the arts, even if somewhat cynically produced to appeal to as many people as possible, we are looking into the potential of the human imagination. We look to the dream, the hope that there can be a more beautiful kind of existence, and draw out of our desire and creativity to make it happen, even if but for a few moments on a stage. Performers are rarely wholly responsible for the music, the design, and dance at once, but they do always function as windows into that more beautiful place existing truly only as something longed for in the human heart.
As far as we know, we are the only beings around to appreciate the universe; plants don't even grow anywhere else of which we are aware. Without us to view it in our wonder, the wonder of this world would not be, and just as we bring wonder, we bring that dream of something even more wondrous that we struggle to convey and can yet never truly fulfill in full. We are not only the one small bit of the universe that can be aware of itself, but the only bit with a notion to try and make it better.
So while one can look at things in common views, taking things for granted in the matter-of-fact standards and ideas of comparative achievement we have in civilization, I think in matters of life and death we need to stop and look at the simple fact of our rare and unique existence and the precious gift that it is. In looking at this, we can see what grand gifts EunB and Rise gave to the universe through their work, even if cut short, and yet also through understanding that, to more appropriately appreciate the gift of art from all performers and our chance to celebrate this effort of crafting a more lovely or meaningful existence.
In these dark times with international conflicts, economic and environmental strain, terrorism, corruption, and more problems, a person who makes the whole of their endeavors to bring something lovely and enjoyable to others is a noble sort. Likewise, looking at the unique nature of humanity to create art, to express ideas and feelings, to be an actual living impact on existence, we see the whole of a person isn't limited to their time of sharing, but is also truly in what they shared and where it goes. It is not just a cheesy sentiment; EunB and Rise have left us with a part of themselves in the songs and videos and memories and feelings they gave.
Let us hope that Sojung can recover well along with Ashley and Zuny after this traumatic event. Whether or not the girls will be able to perform again, this all applies to them as well. All their past givings are already, indeed, the past, and yet living with us. So our concern for them is in regard to the future, yet whether there remains opportunity for more from them or not, the preciousness of their gift does not change. The same is true of every gift we share and celebrate.
Let EunB and Rise's passing remind us of how valuable every moment and song we have to experience together truly is, as all things must pass and are even now passing into what is next.
