By Lee Sun-ho
As an ordinary octogenarian in my mid-80s, I often feel like the eldest in any group I join, whether it's for social gatherings or part of my daily routine in the city.
Like an early bird, I go to the Well & Fitness health club across from my residence in Gangnam District, Seoul, around 5 a.m. for energizing gym exercises, followed by hot water bathing. There I cannot find any members who are older than me. The club members are undoubtedly physically healthier and appear fresher and more attractive than I am, as well as my fellow octogenarians.
Among the many regular opinion column contributors to The Korea Times, I believe I may be one of the eldest. Younger columnists, whether man or woman, Korean or foreign, seem to possess much broader scope of knowledge, more in-depth professional expertise and better, more up-to-date writing skills than I have. The generational gap between younger people and octogenarians can be compared to the shift from personal computers (since 1984) to smartphones (since 2009) or from wireless internet communication (since 2009) to the "brain-robot" interface breakthrough in AI (since 2012).
I remember that even 20 years ago, after retiring from my main career, I was often the eldest in any top management education program I participated in. Whether appointed to a professional committee of a public institution, serving as an outside director for private companies, or attending formal meetings of my former employees' associations, I was automatically chosen as the steering committee chair, board meeting presider or toastmaster, respectively, due to my seniority.
As of 2023, the life expectancy of Korean octogenarians was 83.5 years (80.1 years for men and 86.4 years for women), according to recent official statistics. This means my age is already above the average lifespan, marking the final stage of my life’s journey.
I have concluded that I should learn from younger generations, whose AI-based skills are far superior to those of ordinary octogenarians like myself. Aging is inevitable and accepted as a natural phenomenon, as older individuals tend to become more agreeable and conscientious. However, any frailty due to medical conditions or reduced health can be prevented by an individual's resolute mindset and precautionary actions, even as the centenarian era approaches.
I treat each day as if it were my last normal day, yet remind myself that I’m not too old to move around. I believe that everything I practice should be done in the present and that this ongoing sense of fulfillment will eventually pass, sooner or later. My three guiding principles at my octogenarian age can be summed up as follows: to do something meaningful that leads in a positive direction, to learn something new and helpful for enjoying my twilight years and to contribute something useful to my acquaintances and neighbors. I often murmur to myself, "Pay as I go, as long as I can still stroll on foot by myself."
The writer ([email protected]) is a freelance columnist living in Seoul.
English (United States) ·