[One Thousand Characters a Day] The Life Cutoff Line Is Enough at 60 Points <1>

Editor's NoteAttorney Kim Tae-min is the only person in Korea who majored in food science and also has work experience at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Over the past 30 years, he has obtained multiple certifications including lawyer, patent attorney, tax accountant, nutritionist, Korean cuisine chef, and insurance planner, and has worked in more than ten different professions. Even now, he juggles various roles while continuously developing his expertise. After work and on weekends, he focuses on family life as a father of four children and participates in a book club. He has attended Korea National Open University and a drama writer training institute, and has also challenged himself as a YouTuber and live commerce host. When asked how he manages to accomplish so many things, Attorney Kim simply says it’s easy. He advises not to try to do everything perfectly but to focus on what is currently enjoyable and easy to learn.
Attorney Kim’s book, “A Passing Score of 60 Is Enough in Life”, is based on his experience that many of the qualification exams he took did not require a perfect score; passing with just 60 points was sufficient. Whenever he had spare time, he started with small goals and exams that could be passed comfortably with 60 points, enjoying a sense of achievement. Through these experiences, he came to believe that a happiness cutline of 60 points is enough in life. His words, “60 points is a very reasonable passing score for respecting oneself and growing,” will offer great comfort and empathy to those struggling with life under standards set by others. Word count: 786.

He believes in the “law of total energy” in life. You cannot sprint at full speed like a 100-meter dash all the time. Depending on needs and plans, there may be times when you must focus with all your might and pour everything you have into something. But why should you constantly push yourself throughout a long life? He thinks it is essential to take breaks and be lazy at times during the race of life. Even if it seems selfish, you need to take time to care for your body and mind comfortably and look around you.

If you focus all your effort and energy only on what you are doing right now, you might fail, so it is wise to keep some margin as insurance. Through many experiences, he has learned that having some leeway allows you to prepare for unexpected situations or manage your emotions.

Our lives naturally have ups and downs. Therefore, even if you don’t want to, you will hit rock bottom multiple times, and when you fall and get back up, speed and stamina are important. What you need at this time is the mental margin.

Even if you fail to pass an exam by not reaching the 60-point cutline, because you did not overexert yourself, the wounds and setbacks are not too severe. This makes it easier to shake it off and get back up. This is why he has always started with small goals and exams that can be passed comfortably with 60 points whenever he had some margin. Through this, his sense of achievement grew, and through frequent recovery experiences, his resilience became strong.

So don’t be intimidated by only looking at big and high goals. Rather than hesitating and worrying, it is better to just try.

- Kim Tae-min, A Passing Score of 60 Is Enough in Life, Melight, 14,000 KRW