Entertainment

I don’t have a high opinion of people who dismiss leisure and entertainment as trivial. Sure, it’s hard to call it a productive activity, but it definitely has its own reason to exist, especially because it helps relieve stress. When you think about it, aren’t most leisure activities and hobbies a part of entertainment?

There are people, like Lee Kyuwan, who lump everything that seems “useless” together, like gambling, games, and sports, and consider them worthless. But I don’t see it that way. Sometimes, entertainment can be a means to boost productivity, or simply an outlet to release the pressure of life.

There was a time when I felt a vague longing and inferiority regarding entertainment. So when the opportunity came, I didn’t shy away, even though I was somewhat embarrassed. Thanks to friends who guided me, I was able to have various experiences.

However, there are two lines I’ve drawn.
First, buying women with money. I’m afraid of treating people like objects.
Second, drugs that can lead to addiction with just one try. I’m afraid of walking down an irreversible path.

Aside from these two, I’m willing to experience any form of entertainment if it’s safe. Of course… quitting smoking is still tough. Haha.

On the other hand, some people view entertainment as dirty or useless. Honestly, that’s just the fear and prejudice of someone without experience. I can respect it when someone tries it out and decides it’s not for them. But most people draw the line out of fear without even trying. I want to distance myself from people with that attitude. Not just with entertainment, but with anything unknown—they end up trapping themselves.

No matter how impressive the exterior may seem, those people are likely hollow inside. I want to be cautious of valuing that ‘shell’ too much.

I’m not claiming that entertainment is inherently good. There are still many things I haven’t experienced. However, the mindset of scorn or disdain for worlds or people unknown to you—that’s something I find hard to accept.

Excuses like “I’ve had indirect experiences” or “I’m getting older now…” don’t cut it. So what did they do when they were young?

One of my strengths is having no prejudices. But because of that, I’ve faced many disadvantages. After all, there are trends in the world, and you can’t ignore the ‘big data’ accumulated in human society.

Still… I hope to remain free of prejudice as I age.

My Place in Society

As time has passed, I’ve found a bit more ease in my work life. Honestly, up until my 7th or 8th year, it was just a string of meaningless days. But then, through meeting someone, a lot of things started to unravel in a strange way.

I think I can continue doing meaningful and enjoyable things until the end of this year. I don’t know about next year, but at least the next three years seem promising.

Lately, the most stable and enjoyable part of my daily life is my job. When weekends or holidays come, I find myself wandering, unsure of what to do. During those times, when colleagues invite me to hikes or meals, they thank me for taking the time out of my busy schedule, but the truth is, I just want to see them, or I’m just bored, so I go. I might not say it, but I’m always grateful.

These days, it feels a bit bittersweet that the only thing I can pour my energy into is work.

In January, I met someone every weekend. That might not be the case now, but perhaps those moments were the ‘joy’ I was searching for in my 30s.

At 36 by Yoon Seok-yeol age standard, my 30s are nearing their end. My teens and 20s passed slowly with many changes, but my 30s seem to have been a straight sprint.

And I suddenly wonder—
Will I end up like the ‘unmarried guys’ left at Samsung Electronics? Most of them are great, but… I think I want to start my own family now.

Passion

Working hard is a given. Success is luck.

I naturally enjoy working hard, so I don’t mind. But whether I’ll succeed… I guess I need to watch a bit longer.

I don’t want to waste any more time. Let’s start with what I can do right now.