Twenty-four in 2024 is a series on the lives, hopes and fears of 24-year-olds around the world in a year of election uncertainty, conflict and climate change.
Where do you live?
I live in Jeonju, South Korea. It’s famous for its traditional Hanok houses, Korean cuisine including bibimbap and its film festival. I used to live with my family, but for the past two years, I’ve been living alone in a studio near my university.
What do you do?
I major in industrial and information systems engineering. I did my compulsory 18-months military service around my studies, and I have one year to go. I’m learning about production scheduling, quality management and the growing importance of AI and big data, especially related to South Korea.
What apps do you use?
“KakaoTalk” is a Korean messaging app that every single person uses. No jokes. And a food delivery app… which might be making me lazy. I’m always on YouTube and might have a slight addiction to Instagram All these short videos … it’s hard to take a break.
What do you listen to?
I’m all about K-pop! I lean more towards tunes that aren’t overly upbeat but still carry a certain charm. Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of tracks by a singer named Yerin Baek. Also highly recommend Square that’s sung in English.
What do you eat?
I absolutely love traditional Korean food. I’m almost obsessed with kimchi stew, but no one makes it better than my mum. Living alone now, I try to make the dish at home, but a few months ago, a local man started selling it to broke students for just 3,000 won (£1.80; $2.25) right in front of my house! So my home cooking has … taken a bit of a backseat shall we say? If you come to Korea, come to Jeonju, you’re in for a culinary treat.
How do you socialise?
My friends and I usually hang out at restaurants or bars. We also have an unspoken rule we bring to every gathering – “meme studies”. Memes are an integral part of our identity; we just can’t define ourselves without them, and by “studies” I mean laughing and having a good time lol. But we also do some serious talking. Since we all want jobs in the corporate world, job-related discussions have dominated recent conversations. It’s something I’m really worried about.
What do you wear?
Koreans really love their padded jackets, especially those in their 20s and 30s. I have a couple. Winters can be really dry, and in some places, temperatures can easily drop below -10°C. With the biting cold wind, it feels like your skin could tear apart. My wardrobe is mostly dark-coloured. I also prefer comfortable or oversized clothes. Guys my age hate skinny jeans, and you’ll definitely never catch me wearing them!
Tell us about your Saturday
If I’m not meeting friends and it’s not cold, I usually start with a light 3-5 km run. I’m not the type to stay at home all day, so after eating, I like to grab the camera my dad gave me when I was younger and go out exploring. I love capturing spaces I find appealing. Then, I like to sit in a quiet spot and listen to music. My friends are going to tease me by asking, “When the hell were you ever like that?” but I’m serious. When I’m alone, I tend to do these things occasionally ... haha!
How do you relax?
Either lying in bed watching Netflix or going out for walks and taking photos. Meeting friends and indulging in yummy foods. But what I really love is travelling, that’s my ultimate way to unwind. I have a special affection for Jeju Island, a short flight away. It’s really beautiful, and I find solace in just staring at the sea there. I’d love to live there someday.
What do you want?
I want a career. As graduation approaches, I know I need to secure a job.I’d love to pursue a career in production management. But more immediately, what I want most are diverse experiences. Experience shapes us, right? I crave a variety of experiences because they enrich and diversify who I am.
What do you fear?
Me five years from now. I wonder how I’ll perceive myself then. Even though I’m determined to gain experiences now, I worry if I’ll look back and say, “Yes, that was the right path; I did well.” However, since I can’t predict what will happen tomorrow, let alone in five years, I know I need to walk the path I’ve chosen with confidence and give it my best shot.
What do you want to tell us?
There’s a famous story in Korea about a Buddhist monk called Wonhyo who took shelter in a cave during a rainstorm on his way to China to seek enlightenment. During the night, he was thirsty and drank what he thought was fresh water from a bowl. The next day he realised it was actually putrid water from a human skull, and that the cave was actually a tomb. This torment led him to realise “All is what comes from the mind.” I’ve realised that I’ve been needlessly anxious about my plans for this year, forgetting this simple truth.
What’s next?
I’ll continue learning. But I plan to take a break from my studies, and I want to try out a working holiday in Australia. Apart from China and Japan, I haven’t been abroad.
What does the world in 2024 look like to you?
I hope that in 2024 we can reduce our suffering. I believe that through dialogue with mutual respect, interest in one another, and an open mind, we can alleviate pain arising from various conflicts such as those based on religion, generation, gender, ideology and so on. I guess such actions start with myself, right?
