Nonononono wasn’t the military exemption part just for winning the contest?? It’s irrelevant to why he plays music but that is truly a real question.
From my perspective (talking about this after forgetting some plot cuz I was waiting for the updates so I forgot), I think he plays music because of the sounds that he heard. Like when he died I’m pretty sure there was music playing? And when he regressed there was music playing, that made him think that the music felt familiar and he knew it or smth (I don’t remember correctly). At first he did it as a hobby cuz his family didn’t have the money. But he still liked music. It made him feel free I think. Free from the past and rekindled with his family and stuff (at this point idk what I’m saying. Wrecking my brains trying to remember things and explain them☠)
We all know that he genuinely really likes music, it's just now, he's not in the right time to pursue music.
But yeah, I get why the judge asked him that.
We all know it's because he simply wants to get military exemption. But Hyun needs to understand, why exactly does he play music? Why did he pick up that violin? What is music to him? If he doesn't get it, his music won't be as solid.
I know it sounds like I'm talking out of my *** right now but for me, I genuinely like music. When I play my instrument, I feel free, and I feel happy. And I like making people feel what I feel. They don't have to understand music, but feeling emotions is enough to feel music. It's the same way with art. I like people looking at my art and appreciate it. If anything, I'm sad that my musical journey ended long ago. All that's left are just the memories.