SEOUL, September 24 (AJP) - He arrived not in a wheelchair, but on his own two feet. At 105 years old, Professor Kim Hyung-seok, a living icon of South Korean philosophy, took the stage at a Seoul auditorium this week to a standing ovation, ready to share his blueprint for a meaningful life.
Professor Kim, born in 1920, is more than a centenarian; he is a testament to the power of a disciplined mind and a well-nourished soul. With a clarity that defies his age, he captivated the audience by reflecting on a life that has spanned Korea’s colonial era, its devastating war, and its meteoric rise as a global power.
His most surprising revelation? He considers his "golden age" to have been between 65 and 75. It was a period, he explained, when financial stability met professional mastery, allowing him the freedom to pursue work he truly loved.
This, he argued, is when a person can transition from being an "economic slave" to finding genuine happiness in the value of their labor.
While acknowledging the physical decline that comes after 75 and the loneliness that can settle in after 85 as friends pass on, he delivered a powerful message of perseverance: "Happiness can continue as long as you can do your own work."
To that end, he offered three essential lessons for a fulfilling "second life" starting in one's 60s: study, cultivate a hobby, and stay active. He singled out reading as the key to personal growth, declaring that "only reading can cultivate you and allow you to live a rewarding and happy life."
Professor Kim’s wisdom isn't just theory. It's born from a life of experience, from studying alongside Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan to pioneering philosophical education at Yonsei University. He has long credited his vitality to a simple, consistent diet of half a glass of milk, a soft-boiled egg, and steamed potatoes, a breakfast he has eaten for 40 years.
As he continues to write and lecture, his message resonates deeply with a society grappling with an aging population.
Professor Kim stands as a living reminder that age is not an end, but a new beginning — a time to discover, create, and find purpose beyond the pursuit of wealth.
reporter
Cho Bo-hee
jobo@ajupress.com
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