[Current & Culture] Perhaps Our Lives Are All About Attitude

Last fall, I went to give a lecture at a high school in a certain area of Gangwon-do and met a Korean language teacher named L. He was a man just one year older than me. After listening to my lecture until the end, he offered to give me a ride to the station in his car. I remember his face was very kind. He kept talking to me in the car. He said he liked my writing, wanted to have a meal together someday, and that he saw on SNS that I was a fan of the KT Wiz, while he was a fan of the Lotte Giants and loved baseball, so he really wanted to play catch sometime. Although we had just met that day, he approached me like that.

I really ended up having a meal with L. Knowing that I would be passing nearby, he invited me to his home. That day, he showed me the writing he had done and talked about his life. Like most Korean language teachers I know, they are sophisticated readers and good writers. He was no exception. He would probably have done well even if he had worked in writing rather than teaching. He said he wanted to write about the 12 years he spent with his students and wanted to create that book together with me. Until then, I had responded somewhat casually, saying, “Ah, sure, please show me your writing,” but after hearing one of his episodes, I said, “Let’s make it together.”

“Many kids come to school wearing sportswear instead of uniforms.” “Ah, yes. There are kids like that. Maybe it’s because it’s more comfortable.” “No. Kids who can neatly iron and wear their uniforms come in uniforms. But there are kids who don’t receive proper care and have to come in wrinkled uniforms. They don’t want to show that to their friends or especially to teachers they like. Reading those feelings is my job as the head of student affairs.”

I met with L several more times after that, and a few days ago he contacted me. He said he had almost finished the manuscript and wanted to meet. Strangely, when he says, “Hyung, we have to meet,” I feel drawn to those words. He handed me a bundle of manuscripts and said, “I usually just look at students’ writings when grading, but this is what it feels like,” and drank soju as if his throat was dry. I read a few pieces and at one point, I just cried. I have planned or created several books, and in doing so, I developed an accidental rule: if I cry while reading a manuscript, I must make it into a book.

I raised my glass to him and asked why he wanted to publish a book with me. Then, clinking glasses, he answered me, “Hyung, even as we toast now, your hand is reaching out to me. You never let my hand pass over this hot grill. You’ve always been like that. If I’m with someone like you, I can do anything.” While drinking with someone, he never let his hand pass over the hot grill to reach me. L was the first to recognize that and say he wanted to be with me. So we fell for each other’s attitude and decided to work together. Yes, maybe our lives are all about attitude. That moves people, and such writing moves people’s hearts as well. The book we will create together will be like that too.

Kim Minseop, Social and Cultural Critic

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.