Han Jung-soo discusses the meaning of money at the Hankook Ilbo office in downtown Seoul. Hankook Ilbo

Han Jung-soo, 32, achieved what many office workers dream of: becoming part of the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement. After joining Shinhan Card in 2018, he capitalized on the global financial market turmoil caused by COVID-19, earning 3.5 billion won ($2.6 million) through domestic and international stock and cryptocurrency investments. He resigned in March 2021, marking four years since leaving his job.

His new book, "Fired," co-written with another FIRE member, Kang Ki-tae, is not a financial guide on making money quickly. Instead, it delves into the stories of FIRE members who discovered that wealth alone does not guarantee happiness. "Many people in Korean society believe that money can solve everything, but my experience showed otherwise," Han said in a recent interview with the Hankook Ilbo. "I wrote this book to discuss our attitudes toward money and the philosophy behind it."

Price of happiness keeps rising

Initially, Han believed that wealth would bring him happiness. He began crossing off items from his wish list — things he could never afford on a regular salary. As an avid photographer, he bought a Leica camera worth 20 million won, splurged on luxury shoes and dined at high-end omakase restaurants without checking price tags. However, the excitement was short-lived.

"It lasted only three days. I realized that happiness from material possessions is fleeting. Once you get used to it, you need to buy something new to feel that happiness again. But over time, the threshold for satisfaction rises, making it harder to feel fulfilled," he said. Instead of viewing money as a means for acquiring goods, he started seeing it as a tool for securing intangible values like time. "I earned 30 years of my life through investments," he explained. "I gained a few extra chances to fail and try again."

Han Jung-soo shows his book at the Hankook Ilbo office in downtown Seoul. Hankook Ilbo

Han eventually reentered the workforce, founding a drama production company called Yeondu Company, where he now works daily. His decision stems from a long-held dream of directing films and dramas. "I realized that work and happiness are not mutually exclusive. Work is not just about earning money," he said. "Becoming part of the FIRE movement actually made me reflect more seriously on the meaning of work."

He also noticed a common trait among the wealthy young individuals he met — they all continued to work. Han runs an investment community for asset holders born in the 1980s and 1990s, requiring a minimum net worth of 3 billion won for membership. While these individuals could afford a lifetime of leisure, none of them chose to do so.

Han Jung-soo discusses the meaning of money at the Hankook Ilbo office in downtown Seoul. Hankook Ilbo

"Having a lot of money does not automatically lead to a happy ending. Life goes on," he said. "Some people obsess over accumulating wealth at the cost of their health and personal relationships. But once they achieve financial freedom, they feel deceived. They thought money would bring ultimate happiness, but it didn't. Some even assume they just need to earn more money, leading them into a cycle of unhappiness."

For this reason, his book does not define financial independence simply as having enough money to stop working. Instead, it promotes "pursuing wealth without becoming enslaved by it." The book's title, "Fired: Financial Independence, Release Economic Dominion," reflects this philosophy. "Money is just a tool for happiness, and one should not abandon personal goals for the sake of accumulating it," he said. "I hope this book helps people avoid being controlled by money and instead find joy in the process of earning it."

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.