Introduction:

In South Korea, military service is not a choice for young men—it’s mandatory. From the very first day, the military makes this clear. When I started basic training, an officer told us plainly, “We can’t convince you to want to be here. You didn’t choose this.”

​

He continued, "Your life, however, hasn’t stopped just because you’re here. It’s still moving forward—just in a different place. So try to experience as much as you can while you’re serving, and when you return to your real life, don’t let this time be wasted. If you spend the next year and a half feeling defeated, nothing good will come from it.”

​

Military service didn’t stop my life—it simply changed its setting. I turned this crisis into a chance to grow. I  volunteered to serve on the front lines of the DMZ—one of the toughest and most demanding posts in the military. In that new world, I pushed my limits and began to rediscover what I truly love—ecology, philosophy, biology, creative writing, and drawing.

​

This "Writing in Military" section isn’t simply about my military life. It’s an expression of the things I love—and a personal record of growth, discovery, and purpose.