What do you think of the word "freedom"? Is it about being free-spirited? Or perhaps even about being neglectful of responsibility? Or maybe, it's the kind of freedom that is truly needed by people. To be honest, I think I never fully understood the value of freedom or what true freedom really meant until now.

Let me share a story I’ve experienced. Recently, I had to visit the hospital regularly, and I received treatment at a university hospital every 2-3 months. The professor there asked me, "What brought you here?" I replied, "Well, I play the guitar a lot, and I also type a lot for work, which is why I came."

The professor then started reminiscing about his younger days, sharing stories about his music activities, such as mentioning Kim Tae-won and Dae-cheol, and talking about the guitars he used to play. While leaving the consultation, I overheard a remark: "When I was young, I used to grow my hair long like that."

At first, I didn’t understand. Why was he telling me all this while treating me? But looking back, I realized it might have been an expression of his envy for the freedom and youth I had.

This shows that even those who are well-established and financially comfortable still long for freedom. Youthful freedom, freedom of expression, the freedom to not worry about others' opinions, and the freedom to do what one desires, even if it causes pain. I believe the professor unconsciously felt the kind of freedom I had, which he might have lost over time. He is doing such great work, but he’s always busy with patients, with no time to rest. Perhaps seeing a free-spirited patient like me helped him feel refreshed.

The freedom one person offers has a significant impact. It can give others the dream and hope that "I want to be free like that." That’s why children are the hope of society. I, too, have often been amazed by the unique freedom that children possess.

These days, when I look at children, I see their freedom from societal constraints, their unguarded self-expression, and their freedom to live without worrying about others. I think that I have lost some of that freedom over time, which is why I envy the kind of freedom that children have.

Since I was young, I’ve always instinctively sought freedom, sometimes to an excessive degree. There have been both good and bad aspects of this. The good part is that I pursued a kind of freedom that many people, especially those living in Korean society, don’t often seek.

I’ve been involved in music from a young age, so I often experience the ecstasy and catharsis that music brings. When I play the guitar for about 30 minutes, I feel this intense euphoria, and by the end, I’m covered in sweat. It’s similar to the amount of sweat released from 20 minutes of aerobic exercise.

However, an important point to remember while seeking freedom is that just as my freedom is important, the freedom of others is equally important. If I violate others' freedom in order to gain my own, that is not true freedom.

I hope that those reading this can become true free individuals as well. Of course, in modern society, it’s incredibly difficult to experience pure freedom. But even so, I hope you can enjoy your own true freedom and be happy every day.