Chunhe’s mother struggles to accept his independence because she has always seen him as someone who needs constant care and protection. From the time he was born with cerebral palsy, she has carried a deep sense of guilt and fear about his future. She worries that the world is too harsh for him and that he will not be able to survive on his own. This fear makes her overprotective, and instead of encouraging him to grow, she holds him back. She believes that if she lets him go, he will face disappointment, rejection, and failure. In her mind, she is protecting him from pain, but in reality, she is preventing him from living his life the way he wants.
Her struggle with acceptance is not just about Chunhe’s condition. It is also about her own emotions and regrets. She has never fully processed her feelings about having a child with a disability. Deep down, she feels responsible for his struggles and perhaps even blames herself. Instead of working through these emotions, she tries to control Chunhe’s life, thinking that if she makes decisions for him, she can somehow make things easier. But her actions only create frustration and distance between them. Chunhe, who is intelligent and ambitious, constantly feels like he has to fight not only against society’s doubts but also against his own mother’s lack of belief in him.
This tension is clear when Chunhe applies to Normal University. His mother immediately dismisses the idea, believing that he will not be able to handle the challenges of university life. She does not even consider the possibility that he might succeed. This rejection is painful for Chunhe because he wants nothing more than to prove that he is capable. Every time she doubts him, it makes him feel like he is not enough. Her lack of support is one of the biggest obstacles he faces, even more than his physical limitations.
Despite the constant conflict, their relationship is filled with complicated emotions. Chunhe loves his mother, and she loves him, but their love is buried under layers of misunderstanding and fear. She wants what is best for him, but her definition of “best” is different from his. She sees safety and dependence as the only way he can live, while Chunhe wants freedom and the chance to make his own choices. This difference in perspective creates emotional distance between them. Chunhe feels frustrated and suffocated, while his mother feels like she is losing control over the only thing she has ever been sure of—taking care of him.
A turning point in their relationship comes when Chunhe’s mother gives birth to another baby. This changes the family dynamic and forces her to confront her feelings about Chunhe. For so long, she has defined herself as his caretaker, but now she has another child to care for. She must now rethink her role as a mother. The presence of the new baby also makes Chunhe reflect on his own place in the family. He wonders if he will always be treated as the one who needs extra care, or if he will finally be seen as someone who can stand on his own.
By the time Chunhe is accepted to university, it becomes clear that their relationship has changed. His mother still struggles to fully accept his independence, but she begins to see his strength in a new light. While she does not openly celebrate his victory, there is a quiet shift in her attitude. She starts to realize that no matter how much she wants to protect him, she cannot stop him from living his life. Chunhe, on the other hand, understands that his mother’s doubts are not because she does not love him, but because she is scared. He learns to push forward despite her fears, proving not just to her but to himself that he is capable.
Their relationship is complex, filled with love, pain, and growth. Chunhe’s journey is not just about proving himself to the world but also about changing the way his mother sees him. In the end, Big World shows that independence is not just about moving away or achieving success—it is also about being seen, understood, and accepted by the people who matter most.