Last May, when the biopic film *Michael* was released, I visited the cinema with great anticipation.
To be honest, before walking into the theater, my mind was crowded with various thoughts and questions. Recalling his performance in the musical film *The Wiz* and the classic tale of *The Wizard of Oz* from his youth, I had intended to reflect on his journey and draw meaningful insights regarding work, career growth, and leadership.
Yet, as the final credits rolled and I found myself unable to leave my seat, all those pre-planned reflections quietly dissolved away.
Rather than complicated layers of interpretation, only one simple and undeniable emotion remained.
I just loved it, from the very depths of my heart.
The unadulterated memories of childhood enthusiasm for his music, the pure thrill of loving the melodies and dance without needing any justification—that raw sensation came alive throughout the entire runtime.
Reconnecting with the Emotions of That Era
It felt less like watching a movie and more like witnessing Michael performing live right before my eyes. After every song, spontaneous applause surged from deep within. Leaving the theater, the lingering resonance was so profound that I wanted to book another ticket for that very same day.
The life of Michael depicted on screen was far from merely a series of glittering, glamorous stages.
Seeing his younger self during the Jackson 5 era, burdened with the heavy weight of the world far too early, filled my heart with a quiet tenderness and empathy. When he grew into a young man, stepped out from his father’s shadow, and forged his own path with unwavering resolve, I felt a deep desire to offer him my heartfelt, standing ovation.
Even after reaching the pinnacle of global stardom, his attitude—choosing to look downward toward the vulnerable, cherishing children, and singing for peace rather than resting comfortably at the heights—still lingers long in my mind. While marveling at his intense perfectionism and complete immersion on stage, the overwhelming loneliness and fierce solitary battles he had to endure to maintain that position left a quiet ache in a corner of my heart.
As we walked out of the theater, a casual remark from my wife summarized the day’s whirlwind of emotions with absolute clarity:
“I think Michael Jackson was simply Michael Jackson from the moment he was born.”
Indeed, he was the eternal ‘King of Pop’ who needed no other adjectives or modifiers.
Why Do We Always Search for Reasons First?
Looking back, we often find ourselves habitually attaching elaborate meanings and justifications to everything we do, both in the workplace and in daily life.
Why it must be this specific job,
Why we must like it and what value we need to prove,
What analytical explanations and justifications must follow.
Yet, the movie that day gently reminded me of the most primal, instinctive state of mind that always precedes such explanations:
“Loving something simply because you love it.”
When we were children and became deeply immersed in something, there were no grand manifestos, complex strategies, or calculated motives. Perhaps the purest and most formidable energy human beings can generate does not come from logical justifications, but from that honest, spontaneous pull where the heart responds first.
As the seasons turn and we stand at the threshold of early autumn, I find myself savoring the memory of that day once again.
Whenever my mind becomes crowded with complex interpretations and busy thoughts, I want to remember and hold dear that pure sensation of having poured my whole heart into something—simply because I loved it.