Why I Admire Kwak Dong Yeon

I think I finally figured out why I admire Kwak Dong Yeon so much.

At first, I thought it was because he's a good actor. I've watched him in Vincenzo, seen his cameos here and there, and even stumbled upon his episode on Home Alone. Then I started watching Rented in Finland, a show where a few actors are dropped into a quiet Finnish village and have to live simply, cook for themselves, do their chores, and get by without the comforts they're used to. And it finally clicked.

It's not really about his acting.

It's the way he lives.

I like people who are capable.

Not the "I don't need anyone" kind of capable. I don't even fit that description.

My uncle lent me money so I could start my business. I borrowed money from a childhood friend. My mom still cooks for me, and sometimes she even does my laundry.

The funny thing is... I know how to cook. I know how to do my own laundry.

I'm just exhausted.

There's a difference between not knowing how and simply having nothing left in the tank that day.

Watching Kwak Dong Yeon reminded me of that.

He cooks. He's frugal. He enjoys being alone. He rows across a lake like it's the most normal thing in the world. He seems genuinely happy with simple things. He can adapt easily as well, like using the knife he was given. And he can sing so well, too—he even likes singers like Eric Clapton.

And I realized... that's probably my ideal.

Not because I expect someone to be perfect.

Not because I think people should never ask for help.

But because I admire people who know how to take care of themselves and still appreciate a quiet life.

Maybe that's why Finland looked so attractive in the show.

Or maybe it wasn't Finland at all.

Maybe it was the picture of a slower life.

A cabin.

A lake.

No pressure to impress anyone.

Just enough silence to hear your own thoughts.

I don't know if I'll ever live somewhere like that.

But I do know this.

Sometimes we think we're admiring a person, when in reality we're admiring the kind of life they make us want to live.

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