[K-Women Talk] The Power of Laughter to Transcend Suffering

Foreigners See “Angry Koreans”
We Must Bring Laughter Back to Korea
Laughter Is a Vital Health Asset in the Age of Longevity

Eunha Park, Former Ambassador to the United Kingdom

If I were to name a film that leaves a beautiful, calm yet intense memory, I would choose the Italian movie Life is Beautiful. The protagonist tries to shield his young son from the horrific reality of a Nazi Jewish concentration camp by turning it into a game, teaching him that life is a beautiful thing worth living. The protagonist’s constant efforts to bring laughter to his son and dilute the tragedy of the camp movingly demonstrate how humor and love can wield great power even amid suffering. Even if our reality is not as dramatic as in the film, we start the day reminded that laughter can help us overcome many hardships and gain courage and joy.

In fact, every morning when we open our eyes, the world is spinning wildly. The situation in the Middle East is unpredictable due to the war in Gaza, Israel, and oil prices are fluctuating again. The U.S. presidential election, less than a month away, is swinging back and forth, putting liberal democracy and global leadership at a crossroads.

Just as the long, suffocating summer seemed to be retreating, we are told the coming summer will be longer and hotter. Grim warnings about climate change leading to human extinction are emerging everywhere. AI is advancing through deep learning, and the singularity?the point at which AI surpasses human intelligence?is said to be approaching within decades.

Our country’s situation is equally turbulent. The medical crisis remains trapped in a seemingly endless tunnel, and with the world’s lowest birthrate, even theories about the disappearance of South Korea are circulating. When buried under such news, it’s hard to find anything to smile about no matter how much you look around.

When foreigners are asked about their negative impressions of Korea, it is rare to see anyone smiling; some even say everyone seems angry. Comedy programs are disappearing from television broadcasts. It seems we have become a society that no longer laughs. Is it because reality is harsh that Koreans are stingy with laughter? According to Gallup surveys, fortunately, Koreans still laugh about 6 to 10 times a day on average. The countries that laugh the most are South American nations like Paraguay and Mexico, all of which have high happiness indices. Economic wealth does not bring happiness. Perhaps they are happy not because they laugh a lot, but they laugh a lot because they are happy.

We tend to think of laughter simply as an expression of joy, but laughter holds power beyond that. We laugh because we are happy and joyful, but we also laugh to sublimate the pain of harsh realities. Efforts to overcome difficult situations through humor can be found in our traditional Korean humor culture, such as Dongnae Talchum and Hahoe Talchum mask dances. Let’s examine the benefits of laughter.

First, laughter reduces stress and lightens the mind. In today’s stress-ridden society, laughter relieves tension, enabling us to solve difficult problems with a fresh mindset and develop the ability to find small happiness in daily life.

Second, we feel happiness through bonds with others, and one of the most important mediators of those bonds is laughter. Laughter creates empathy and connection, forming deeper relationships. Is there any bond stronger than crying and laughing together?

Finally, laughter is beneficial to health. According to various studies, laughter boosts immunity, promotes heart health, and brings psychological stability. People who laugh often tend to think more positively and live healthier lives physically, making laughter an invaluable health asset in the era of longevity.

Let us remember Charlie Chaplin’s words: “A day without laughter is a day wasted.” Let’s laugh right now.

Park Eun-ha, Former Ambassador to the United Kingdom