[Book Sip] From Homeless to President... People Met on the Street Over 15 Years

Some sentences encapsulate the entire content of the book itself, while others instantly reach the reader's heart, creating a connection with the book. Here, we introduce meaningful sentences excerpted from the book. - Editor's note

This book is written by an author who has worked as a documentary director for KBS's "Documentary 3 Days" and tvN's "You Quiz on the Block," compiling the meanings of life and resilient attitudes learned from countless people met on the road. From homeless people to presidents, over more than 15 years carrying a camera and traveling across Korea and abroad, the author selected stories to share with those who desire a life without regrets and included them in this book. It introduces what kind of life attitudes are good to have to live a strong life, what ultimately gives us the strength to live, the minimum respect for oneself, others, and one's life, and how one wishes to age in the future.

After the broadcast aired, messages supporting cancer patients poured in from viewers. At that time, I learned that it is possible to create good broadcasts by caring for people without using or harassing them to do the job well. Therefore, no matter how much you meet someone through work, you should not treat people as means out of greed to do the job well. We must not forget that work is ultimately done by people. This is why people must come before work.

- From "Never Treat People as Means at Any Moment"

“What does death feel like to you?”

“It means having done everything in this world. Having done all the things one had to do.”

“Did your grandfather complete his ‘share’ before he left?”

“Yes, he did it fully.”

Actually, it was a question asked without much expectation, but hearing the child's words brought tears to my eyes. Though just one sentence, it seemed to clearly penetrate the meaning of life. Will I be able to leave after fulfilling my share when I die? Will someone be able to say that I did all I had to do before I left?

- From "The Meaning of Death Learned from Children"

Elderly people do not say they are lonely even when they are. However, there is a moment when one can feel how lonely they truly are.

“When we make house calls to the elderly, they don’t offer coffee at first. They only give coffee just as we are about to leave after the consultation.”

In other words, they offer coffee right before we leave because they want us to stay a little longer. That way, we can spend more time together while drinking the coffee. He quietly sits down, drinks the coffee the elderly person offers, and chats softly.

- From "Why Grandmothers Give Coffee to Doctors Just Before They Leave"

A Truly Admirable Attitude | Written by Park Ji-hyun | Maven | 312 pages | 16,800 KRW