Han Jung-soo discusses the that means of cash on the Hankook Ilbo workplace in downtown Seoul. Hankook Ilbo
Han Jung-soo, 32, achieved what many workplace staff dream of: turning into a part of the FIRE (Monetary Independence, Retire Early) motion. After becoming a member of Shinhan Card in 2018, he capitalized on the worldwide monetary market turmoil brought on by COVID-19, incomes 3.5 billion received ($2.6 million) by way of home and worldwide inventory and cryptocurrency investments. He resigned in March 2021, marking 4 years since leaving his job.
His new guide, „Fired,“ co-written with one other FIRE member, Kang Ki-tae, shouldn’t be a monetary information on making a living rapidly. As an alternative, it delves into the tales of FIRE members who found that wealth alone doesn’t assure happiness. „Many individuals in Korean society imagine that cash can clear up every little thing, however my expertise confirmed in any other case,“ Han mentioned in a current interview with the Hankook Ilbo. „I wrote this guide to debate our attitudes towards cash and the philosophy behind it.“
Value of happiness retains rising
Initially, Han believed that wealth would convey him happiness. He started crossing off objects from his want listing — issues he may by no means afford on an everyday wage. As an avid photographer, he purchased a Leica digicam value 20 million received, splurged on luxurious footwear and dined at high-end omakase eating places with out checking worth tags. Nevertheless, the joy was short-lived.
„It lasted solely three days. I noticed that happiness from materials possessions is fleeting. When you get used to it, it is advisable to purchase one thing new to really feel that happiness once more. However over time, the edge for satisfaction rises, making it more durable to really feel fulfilled,“ he mentioned. As an alternative of viewing cash as a method for buying items, he began seeing it as a instrument for securing intangible values like time. „I earned 30 years of my life by way of investments,“ he defined. „I gained just a few further probabilities to fail and take a look at once more.“
Han Jung-soo reveals his guide on the Hankook Ilbo workplace in downtown Seoul. Hankook Ilbo
Han ultimately reentered the workforce, founding a drama manufacturing firm referred to as Yeondu Firm, the place he now works every day. His determination stems from a long-held dream of directing movies and dramas. „I noticed that work and happiness aren’t mutually unique. Work isn’t just about incomes cash,“ he mentioned. „Changing into a part of the FIRE motion really made me mirror extra significantly on the that means of labor.“
He additionally observed a standard trait among the many rich younger people he met — all of them continued to work. Han runs an funding neighborhood for asset holders born within the Eighties and Nineteen Nineties, requiring a minimal web value of three billion received for membership. Whereas these people may afford a lifetime of leisure, none of them selected to take action.
Han Jung-soo discusses the that means of cash on the Hankook Ilbo workplace in downtown Seoul. Hankook Ilbo
„Having some huge cash doesn’t mechanically result in a cheerful ending. Life goes on,“ he mentioned. „Some folks obsess over accumulating wealth at the price of their well being and private relationships. However as soon as they obtain monetary freedom, they really feel deceived. They thought cash would convey final happiness, but it surely didn’t. Some even assume they only have to earn extra money, main them right into a cycle of unhappiness.“
For that reason, his guide doesn’t outline monetary independence merely as having sufficient cash to cease working. As an alternative, it promotes „pursuing wealth with out turning into enslaved by it.“ The guide’s title, „Fired: Monetary Independence, Launch Financial Dominion,“ displays this philosophy. „Cash is only a instrument for happiness, and one shouldn’t abandon private objectives for the sake of accumulating it,“ he mentioned. „I hope this guide helps folks keep away from being managed by cash and as a substitute discover pleasure within the strategy of incomes it.“
This text from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Instances, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Instances.
