[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. We introduce such 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 solid attitudes toward life learned from countless people met on the road. From homeless people to presidents, the author has carried a camera for over 15 years, traveling across Korea and abroad, selecting stories to share with those who want a life without regrets. It introduces what kind of attitudes toward life are good to live a solid life, what ultimately gives us the strength to live, the minimum courtesy toward oneself, others, and one’s life, and how one wants to age in the future.

After the broadcast aired, messages supporting cancer patients poured in from viewers. At that moment, 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 never 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 leave after doing his ‘part’?”

“Yes, he did everything fully.”

In fact, 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 doing my part when I die? Will someone be able to say that I did all I had to do?

- From ‘The Meaning of Death Learned from Children’

Elderly people do not say they are lonely even if they are. But there is a moment when you realize how lonely they truly are.

“When we visit the elderly for home visits, they don’t offer coffee at first. They give a cup of 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. Then, while drinking the coffee, we can spend a bit more time together. He quietly sits down and drinks the coffee offered by the elderly, chatting softly.

- From ‘Why Grandmother Gives Coffee to the Doctor Just Before Leaving’

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