Rhee Kun-hoo poses for photos during an interview with The Korea Herald, in Seoul, in April. (Im Se-jun/The Korea Herald)
이건후가 4월 서울에서 열린 코리아 헤럴드와의 인터뷰에서 사진을 위해 포즈를 취하고 있습니다. (임세준/더 코리아 헤럴드)
People are now living longer, well up to the age of 100. Many things have changed compared to 100 years ago, but the pursuit of happiness remains a constant thread.
Rhee Kun-hoo was in his 70s and retired from a prestigious career in psychiatry when he took up writing.
Born in 1935, the 88-year-old lived in a pastoral society in his youth, survived the Korean War (1950-1953), witnessed turbulent events in Korean history and even served time in prison for opposing the country’s totalitarian government.
1935년에 태어난 88세의 그는 젊은 시절에 목회 사회에서 살았고, 한국 전쟁 (1950-1953)에서 살아남았고, 한국 역사의 격동적인 사건들을 목격했고, 심지어 전체주의 정부에 반대하여 감옥에서 복역했습니다.
He dedicated himself to fixing Korea's fledgling mental health system and was the first to introduce an open-ward system in psychiatric facilities in the country. He also raised four kids.
Despite nearing his nineties, Rhee said that life still surprises him. For one thing, his 2018 bestselling essay is now set to hit bookshelves in 16 countries in 16 languages, including an English edition which will be released in May.
90대에 가까워졌음에도 불구하고, 그는 삶이 여전히 그를 놀라게 한다고 말했습니다. 우선, 그의 2018년 베스트셀러 에세이는 5월에 출시될 영어판을 포함하여 16개 언어로 된 16개국의 책장을 강타할 예정입니다.
When asked how it felt to meet readers globally, Rhee said, “I don’t know if there are similar proverbs elsewhere, but there is a proverb in Korea: ‘Praise makes even the whale dance.’ I feel like I am a whale now,” in an interview with The Korea Herald in Seoul in April.
칭찬은 고래도 춤추게 만듭니다. 저는 이제 고래가 된 것 같습니다."라고 4월 서울에서 열린 코리아 헤럴드와의 인터뷰에서 말했습니다.
“People like it when they receive compliments. I feel like I'm dancing even at this age. It feels good.”
The second surprise, he explained, is how the international publication came from a "truly serendipitous encounter." Rhee and the Korean-English translator Suphil Lee Park's mother had been writing to each other for some time after a member of Park's family with a neurodiverse condition required regular help from mental health facilities. The two met when Rhee went to Boston to give a lecture.
Rhee said, "As a Korean saying goes, it's like ‘Even a petty rock that meets the toe of your shoe is a work of fate.'"
The English editions of "If You Live To 100, You Might As Well Be Happy," by Rhee Kun-hoo, translated by Suphil Lee Park (Ebury, Union Square & Co.)
Secret to happily ever after
In the book, Rhee writes about the often overlooked value of aging and shares his wisdom and philosophy for achieving a fulfilling life, exploring forgiveness, how to persevere (but also know when to quit), facing insecurities and opening oneself to the simple joys available every day.
Since the book became a bestseller in Korea, one of the most common questions Rhee gets is, "How do you manage to have so much fun?"
“And my answer is always the same: ‘When did I ever say I had fun? I said I want to have fun,’” he laughed.
“There are depressing things that make you sad and unhappy, so you try to stay happy. That's how you live on. What other people misunderstand is that they think I just smile all the time and live happily.”
In fact, one could say that Rhee has experienced some hard times. He is currently battling eight diseases, including chronic illness and visual impairment. His left eye started going blind 20 years ago after an accident in Nepal, and he began to lose sight in his right eye five years ago.
사실, 누군가는 이가 약간의 힘든 시간을 겪었다고 말할 합니다니다. 그는 현재 만성 질환과 시각 장애를 포함한 8가지 질병과 싸우고 있습니다. 그의 왼쪽 눈은 20년 전 네팔에서 사고를 당한 후 실명하기 시작했고, 그는 5년 전 오른쪽 눈을 잃기 시작했습니다.
Some eight years ago, he slipped while walking downstairs and hit his head. He had thought that was the end for him, but thankfully, he recovered after a month of hospitalization. Still, he is always aware that death is looming.
“Now, I am biologically close to the terminal point of my life.”
But he doesn’t always want to think about that, he said. To keep such thoughts at bay, Rhee maintains a busy schedule: He goes to the office at 10 a.m. every day, works at the office until 4 p.m., and gives scheduled talks on YouTube three times weekly, although he is currently on hold for new updates because his YouTube partner is taking a break. He also has four lectures and book talks scheduled for May.
“When a really happy guest comes on the show, I forget about death for a moment, get a little excited and talk for a long time. Then the joy lasts for a few days. As soon as it subsides, the thought comes to my mind again.”
Yet, for Rhee, there's a certain satisfaction in combating anxiety. And that’s the fun part, according to Rhee.
“Happiness is not something grand. Aren't you happy when you do what you want to do? But people are creating this mirage by making happiness too grandiose. Happiness is when something small that you want comes true.”
Even the simple act of waking up each day sparks joy.
"행복은 거창한 것이 아닙니다. 여러분이 하고 싶은 일을 할 때 행복하지 않나요? 하지만 사람들은 행복을 너무 거창하게 만들어서 이 신기루를 만들고 있습니다. 행복은 여러분이 원하는 작은 것이 이루어질 때입니다."
하루하루를 깨우는 단순한 행동도 기쁨을 유발합니다.
"When I open my eyes, the first thought that comes to me is gratitude. And I think about what I am going to do when I go out today. It stil