Cheat day

Be Happy (2)

***

The YouTube channel WooJenius, which covers all kinds of knowledge, began its live broadcast.

“Hi, hi. It’s really cold today. Are you confident about tomorrow’s discussion panel? Of course.”

While chatting, around 10,000 viewers gathered.

“Did anyone see the interview with Chan-yong that was posted yesterday?”

Bae Woo-jin opened the article about Ban-chan-yong’s interview.

“He said that even when he was an editor, he earned a lot of money but didn’t feel successful. He thinks that his current happiness isn’t just because he earns more money. It’s a good topic, so today we’ll talk about the relationship between money, success, and happiness.”

Bae Woo-jin took a sip of his coffee.

“Research on money, success, and happiness has been conducted for quite some time. One of the most famous studies was published by Dr. Angus Deaton’s research team from Princeton University in 2010 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.”

Bae Woo-jin showed the relevant article to the viewers.

“They surveyed 450,000 Americans from 2008 to 2009 and found that while happiness increases with income up to $75,000, there’s little change beyond that.”

└How much is that in Korean money?

└About 100 million won?

└If I made 100 million a year, I’d be satisfied.

└For real, lol.

“But a few years later, a slightly different result came out. In Boston, the threshold was $75,000, but in LA, New York, and Seattle, it was found that you need an annual income of $105,000 for happiness to stop increasing.”

└What does that mean?

└Money! More money!

└Isn’t it just because of the depreciating value of currency? There’s a time gap between the two studies.

“While we can’t be sure if more money is required over time, it’s reasonable to conclude that once a certain income level is reached, happiness becomes influenced by other factors like self-actualization and health.”

Bae Woo-jin referred to data presented by a Purdue University research team in 2015-2016.

“But recently, an entirely different study was published. According to Matthew Killingsworth, a Harvard psychology researcher, happiness continues to increase with income up to $500,000 a year.”

└Crazy, lol!

└$500,000?????

└If money doesn’t bring happiness, maybe it’s time to rethink that you weren’t lacking in money.

└How much is $500,000?

└About 660 million won?

└That’s strange. More money is usually better.

└I guess I’ll never be happy in my life.

└What kind of work would make you earn 660 million a year, lol?

“There are many factors to consider. First, there’s a time gap between these studies. We can factor in currency value changes, and the development of social media probably played a role as well. In fact, in 2011, when the first study was conducted, Bhutan had the highest happiness index in the world. But by 2019, when the third study was conducted, Bhutan dropped to 95th place. The introduction of the internet made it possible for the people there to see how others lived, leading to a drop in happiness levels. This is often viewed as the influence of social media.”

└So happiness standards are based on others?

└That makes sense. In the past, if someone was well-fed and living well, they were satisfied with an annual income of around 100 million, but comparing themselves to others now raises that to 660 million.

“Again, I want to stress that this is just a possibility. Among people with annual incomes over $100,000, those who felt unhappy often faced issues unrelated to money, such as losing family members or suffering from depression. So now the question arises: if I earn over $500,000, does that mean you can’t be happy?”

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└?

└LOL!

└You talk big.

└T-bagging, lol!

└Someone kick the host.

“This question connects back to Chan-yong’s interview. In 2012, EBS and Professor Kwak Geum-joo from Seoul National University conducted a study. To summarize, they divided kids into groups A and B. Group A was given 50,000 won to buy whatever they wanted, while Group B was sent on a 50,000 won worth trip where they played in the mudflats and grilled meat and clams. Which group do you think was more satisfied?”

└It’s obviously Group B.

└For real, haha, it has to be Group B.

“That’s right. Even three weeks later, Group B showed higher happiness levels. This means that regardless of the amount of money, spending it on experiences or investing in oneself yields higher satisfaction. Now, let’s apply this to Chan-yong.”

Bae Woo-jin placed a picture of Ban-chan-yong during his prime, weighing 138 kg, alongside a current photo.

└Crazy, lol!

└I get it immediately.

└Wait, his skin color is different.

└Are they even the same person?

└Comparing a bullfrog to a human.

“Chan-yong has managed his body in a way that could be considered miraculous over the past 14 to 15 months. He lost 58 kg and has been taking care of himself, going to beauty salons and baths, buying new clothes, and managing his skin and physique. It’s safe to say he’s spent all the money he would have on food—about 35 million won—on body maintenance instead.”

└How could food expenses reach 35 million won?

└That’s real, lol. The other day, he shared that.

└Spending that much on food is like someone’s annual salary, lol.

“In 2022, Chan-yong barely went outside. He worked in front of the computer every day. But last year, he engaged in a lot of activities. He did lunch box sales with the Sadan family and participated in long-distance walking events, gradually increasing his public engagement. This means he managed his body and experienced a wider variety of activities, which likely contributed to his happiness.”

└Oh.

└But honestly, wouldn’t spending 35 million won on food also make him happy?

└For real, he probably ate beef every day.

“Of course, he must have been happy back then as well, considering he spent 35 million won on food. But he claims he’s much happier now. From what I see, he seems more confident and healthier than before, both physically and mentally.”

Bae Woo-jin checked the chat to wrap up the first topic.

“So, even with the same amount of money, how we choose to use it and what experiences we pursue can contribute to our happiness. Let’s move on to the next topic.”

***

“Back in the day, I was happy.”

Muk-ji’s eyes widened.

“I never had to worry about whether to get fried or seasoned chicken. I would just order one of each and a soy sauce one.”

“Why is soy sauce even an option?”

“Because it tastes good.”

Muk-ji stared at me and pulled my hand.

We were performing a stretch where we faced each other, alternating between pulling each other’s legs to relax the hamstrings.

“Ugh. But now, I can barely finish even one.”

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“I can’t understand why Chan-yong struggles.”

“Do you really not know?”

“Nope. You’re eating less, saving money, and it’s perfect to share one order with me, right?”

“……That’s true?”

“It is.”

This time, as I pulled Muk-ji’s leg, I reflected on why I felt so sad.

“I think I had a sense of pride in eating a lot. I felt a sense of achievement from it.”

“That’s no different from someone bragging about their drinking capacity.”

“Right? What’s there to boast about eating a lot?”

I followed along with the movements from the YouTube video playing on TV.

“But as a mukbang YouTuber, I think my pride is a bit hurt.”

“…….”

Silence followed.

Maybe it was because the posture was hard, but I slowly relaxed my strength.

“Chan-yong, you’re not a mukbang YouTuber anymore. Didn’t you shift directions when you were diagnosed with diabetes?”

Now it was my turn.

As we leaned back against each other, Muk-ji bent forward. I had to raise my arms above my head and stretch my upper body while bending my knees and lifting my hips.

I understood why Muk-ji had trouble responding.

I was tense, worried about Muk-ji feeling heavy.

I quickly released the stretch.

“You’re right. I didn’t notice, but I think it’s time to let that go.”

“That’s correct. It’s not good to refuse food like I did in the past, but it’s also not good to eat too much like you did before.”

“That’s true. In the past, diabetes was only a disease that well-off people got.”

“Phew.”

“Phew.”

We both sat comfortably.

I thought it would be silly to do bodyweight exercises, even yoga, at 100 kg, but once I started, my body warmed up quite a bit.

“But isn’t today the day the Sadan family exercises?”

“Woojini has to do a broadcast, and Jiseung-hyung can’t come because Taerin is sick.”

“Is he doing badly?”

“He has a stomachache from eating too much zero bingsu.”

It seems Taerin loved the zero bingsu I made recently, so I gave him a bowl after breakfast, another after lunch, and yet another after dinner, which likely caused the upset stomach.

“I’m worried about Jiseung.”

“Right? I hope he’s still alive.”

I think it’s a relief as long as he’s not dead because of his wife.

“Are you all set for tomorrow’s Baekban Debate?”

“Yeah. I did it all in advance so I could play with you.”

“…I’ll wash up first.”

Mukeunji didn’t respond and briefly looked away before heading to the bathroom.

“Do you want to wash up and then go watch a movie?”

“If you go, it will cause a scene, so I’ll pass.”

“Come on.”

I think that’s unlikely, but I’ve been worried after experiencing similar situations quite a bit recently.

I thought about going for a walk, but I just exercised and took a shower, so I don’t feel like walking.

“Then shall we play board games at home?”

Mukeunji nodded eagerly.