Redesigning the Daily Life of Middle-Aged Men... Nowon-gu Operates Free Flight M5060

Desires of Middle-Aged Men to Find and Express Themselves, Seeking Daily Change Together
Over Half of Solitary Deaths Are Men in Their 50s-60s... Cultural and Artistic Activities Reflecting 'Self' Bring New Energy
Unique Experiences Like Life Turning Point Consulting, Profile Photo Shoots, Self-Branding Books... "Did I Have This Charm Inside?"

Nowon-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it will operate the 'Free Flight M5060' program to help men in their 50s and 60s discover their latent self-worth anew.

This is to help overcome the period when feelings of emptiness and loneliness in life are easily felt through cultural and artistic sensibilities. According to the 2024 solitary death survey statistics released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, more than half of all solitary death victims were men in their 50s and 60s.

The workshop, held eight times from November 25 to December 18, will take place at the Nowon Cultural Foundation and local cultural spaces, and any man aged 50 or older can participate free of charge.

Main activities include ▲‘Movement’ to open body, mind, and dialogue ▲Nonviolent communication training for communication with loved ones ▲Creating a ‘Self Branding Book’ where participants become both the protagonist and the author ▲New hairstyling and profile photography ▲Free Flight ‘Takeoff Ceremony’ to share participants’ transformation processes.

At the beginning of the program, participants start with ‘physical activities’ and ‘nonviolent communication’ to naturally express emotions and learn mutually respectful communication methods with others. Through this process, participants explore their own charm and preferences, recognize inner desires they had not been aware of, and come to understand life positively.

The ‘Life Hair Consulting’ is promoted in collaboration with the Broadcasting Hair and Beauty Arts Department of Induk University in the region. Induk University students provide customized hairstyling consultations to participants and document their transformed appearances through profile photography.

Participants organize their stories in writing and photos at each stage of the 'Free Flight M5060' process to create a ‘Self Branding Book.’ This is to calmly organize experiences and impressions, closely capture inner changes, and have the experience of rediscovering their social self.

Residents wishing to participate in Free Flight M5060 can apply through the Nowon Cultural Foundation website by November 18.

District Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “Cultural and artistic activities in daily life centered on ‘middle-aged Korean men’ have been relatively scarce,” and added, “We will accelerate the creation of Nowon as a cultural city where all generations can enjoy culture and arts that suit them.”