Korean writer Lee Geun-hoo believes that happiness is a alternative. That is the identify of his newest e-book If I may stay to be 100 years outdated, I is perhaps glad. (Penguin Random Home, 2024). The 90-year-old psychiatrist-turned-author has really had a really tough life. He skilled wars (World Struggle II and the Korean Struggle), typhoid fever, poverty, chapter, and even went to jail. In his early 20s, Mr. Hu was sentenced to 10 months in jail for taking part within the democracy motion in opposition to the dictatorial regime of South Korea’s first president, Syngman Rhee. However regardless of all the things, he has lived and grown by all of it, slowly however absolutely.
Creator Lee Gun Hoo
Lee spent most of his life working as a psychiatrist in hospitals and psychiatric hospitals throughout the nation, essentially revolutionizing the psychological well being ecosystem. Alongside the way in which, she married, raised 4 kids, and now lives in an house constructing in Seoul with dozens of grandchildren. In some methods, he is the proper individual to speak a couple of lengthy, glad life. In her e-book (translated by Saphir Lee Park), Lee writes concerning the typically missed worth of growing old, shares knowledge and philosophy for dwelling a satisfying life, and explores forgiveness, persistence, and the small joys of on a regular basis life. Edited excerpts from the interview:
You began writing books in your 70s and have become a best-selling writer. How did you get into writing late in life?
I’ve at all times been concerned with writing. Once I was in school, I belonged to a poetry membership. Nevertheless, it was not till I turned a psychiatry resident that I started writing in earnest. At the moment, South Korea didn’t but have sufficient details about neurodiversity, household planning, and intercourse training. My mentor inspired me to jot down educational papers associated to those matters. He then centered on translating psychiatric principle right into a language extra accessible to most of the people, and has now revealed roughly 15 books.
In 2013, I obtained a request from Galleon Publishing, a well-known Korean publishing firm, to jot down a e-book on a particular matter. I need to get pleasure from it till I die. After this e-book turned a bestseller, I obtained many requests for lectures and contributions. And so my profession as a author started.
In my newest work, I wrote extensively about how folks can plan for the second act of their lives, which occurs to align nicely with the general public curiosity at this second. Most of what I write is predicated on my experiences, realized theories, and observations from treating psychiatric sufferers. I take into account myself a psychiatrist at the start, and solely reply to readers who want to hear extra of my insights on these topics.
Do you suppose there’s a lack of happiness on the earth in the present day?
I do not consider that lack of happiness or unhappiness per se is widespread. In case you settle for your self and do not attempt to stay past your means when it is out of your attain, you’ll be able to at all times discover alternatives to get pleasure from life below most circumstances. When folks can’t let go of unattainable objectives and wishes, they typically declare that they haven’t any likelihood of happiness. Strictly talking, it’s dissatisfaction or dissatisfaction, not unhappiness. The reason for dissatisfaction can at all times be eliminated. It’s because the causes of dissatisfaction typically contain objects or circumstances that may immediately dissolve the connection.
In your e-book, you speak about looking for pleasure and enjoyable in on a regular basis life. Are you able to give some examples out of your day by day life?
Happiness is an summary idea, an invention. That is to not say it would not exist, however it might not really feel the way in which some folks count on. The bottom line is to know your skills and limitations and let go of bothersome wishes.
For instance, a buddy of mine buys complete books directly and is at all times annoyed as a result of he cannot end studying them. I suggested him to start out with one quick e-book so he may really feel the satisfaction of ending it. This was to free myself from the irritating and repetitive conditions I discovered myself in. And when this reason for dissatisfaction is eliminated, a state of contentment could be reached, which over time progressively results in nice achievements and nice pleasure.
You speak about the way you began writing emails to your grandchildren. Would you suggest it to different dad and mom and grandparents?
Previously, older folks had been seen as leaders, however in in the present day’s quickly altering world, youthful folks typically adapt extra simply and shortly. In different phrases, it’s important for us, the older technology, to know the existence and values of the youthful technology.
Once we began dwelling collectively as a household, we thought we’d see one another day-after-day, however since everybody has work and faculty commitments, the period of time we will spend collectively is restricted. Now we have household gatherings twice a yr, within the spring and fall, and we take turns internet hosting household dinners on the weekends. Nevertheless, even once we cannot meet, we nonetheless be in contact by way of e mail usually. E-mail is a handy method to keep in contact even in case you stay in the identical villa. There aren’t that many members of the family close by. If my household and I nonetheless discover e mail and textual content messages to be dependable technique of communication once we stay below the identical roof, why not reap the benefits of trendy know-how once we do not stay shut collectively?
On this e-book, you speak about the way you wooed your spouse and what occurred after that. Do you take into account your self a romantic?
Haha, I do not know if I can name myself a romantic. My spouse and I met once we had been kids, so we noticed one another as brothers for some time, nevertheless it took a very long time for romantic emotions to develop. I consider that the true energy of our relationship comes from our wholehearted assist for one another, particularly it doesn’t matter what imaginative and prescient the opposite individual has. I believe they’re extra like-minded associates than a romantic couple.
The interviewer is a journalist based mostly in Delhi.
issued – January 2, 2026 8:28am IST
