[Kim Heeyoon's Bookshelf] A Warm 'Farewell Trip' Between an X Generation Father and an MZ Generation Son

Life Riding Senior Father’s Message to Son
"Son, to keep your balance, keep pedaling continuously"

Friend, Eat and Stay (A Story of Accompanying a Bicycle Journey Across the Country for Parting with My Son) / Lee Taeseon / Haengbok Energy / 20,000 won

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] "As a senior in society, as a senior in life, and as someone with much experience, I wanted to share wisdom rather than knowledge."

As family structures become smaller and individualism becomes widespread, many say that the parent-child relationship is not what it used to be. Considering that even living in the same house, there are often almost no conversations, it is not easy but beautiful for parents and children to communicate as equals like friends and have a positive influence on each other's lives.

Lee Taeseon, CEO of Blackbox Korea and a real estate developer and rental businessman, planned and carried out a 'farewell trip' with his son and published a book titled Chingu Meokgo Gase based on that travelogue.

From June 20 to 26, over 6 nights and 7 days, the author spent meaningful time with his son by cycling a total of 633 km across the country, from the Han River to the Namhan River, Mungyeong Saejae, and the Nakdong River. This trip was not just a simple journey but a ‘farewell trip’ between father and son. Although it refers to a trip between a father and son before the son enters society and becomes independent, it could be misunderstood as provocative at first glance.

The author explains, “Through this trip, I earnestly hoped that my son would truly attempt to stand on his own from his parents. Because of that strong wish, I did not hesitate to use the word ‘farewell’ which carries a twist of parting through companionship.”

Traveling across the Korean Peninsula solely by bicycle and the power of their own legs, from their home in Bundang, Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province, to the Hilton Hotel in Busan, was not easy for either the aging father or the young son. The author confesses that despite long and repeated preparations before departure, there were many crises during the journey such as a tire puncture, leg cramps that made movement impossible, and getting lost which required route adjustments.

Nevertheless, through communication and mutual help, the author successfully completed the 633 km bicycle tour with his son and throughout the book shares the life wisdom he desperately wanted to convey to his son, as well as life tips he learned firsthand after losing his father early and facing challenges himself.

From ‘The Power of Preparation and Warm-up’ to ‘Sometimes Stop Sprinting and Look Around!’, the seven chapter titles in the book show the commonalities between cycling and life, providing valuable tips to wisely cope with the vague journey of life.

Though very different, the X-generation father and MZ-generation son travel together as equals and learn about life, and this rare and precious travelogue spreads positive influence to many families experiencing communication breakdowns and conflicts, while also presenting an ideal model of communication.

Chingu Meokgo Gase (A Bicycle Cross-Country Farewell Journey with My Son) / Lee Taeseon / Haengbok Energy / 20,000 KRW