I read the story of a Filipino grandmother who still looks graceful even after passing 100. She also lives in a quiet rural area. Whether in Korea or abroad, most people who live past 100 tend to live in their hometowns. They constantly move their bodies and stay active. Among the centenarians I have met, there were even some who had never received a single vaccination or taken any medicine in their entire lives.

I haven't seen many people live past 70 who take handfuls of nutritional supplements and pick and choose everything that is said to be good for them. Even for men who are powerful figures or chaebol tycoons, it is not easy for them to live past 80. My own father, who wanted a long life, passed away at 69. The oldest living person on my maternal side is my aunt-in-law, who is currently 94. Since last year, she has said she can no longer travel long distances; looking at it that way, life really is short.

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