10th in Economy, Last in Happiness - Can AI-Collaborative Coaching Rewrite Korea's Definition of Happiness?

The Paradox of Unhappiness Amid Prosperity

The fact that Korea ranks in the top 10 globally in economic power yet scores significantly low in happiness indices is no longer surprising news to us. Despite high GDP, an excessively competitive social atmosphere and the proliferation of SNS that encourages constant comparison with others have increased psychological stress and amplified feelings of unhappiness in Korean society.

What's even more concerning is that Koreans, who have overcome difficult historical hardships and now live economically comfortable lives, still lack psychological satisfaction and stability within that comfort. Against this backdrop, social problems such as lonely deaths, increasing single-person households, and declining birth rates continue to intensify.

The Vicious Cycle of Isolation Created by Competition and Comparison

A social atmosphere that views others solely as objects of competition and comparison further isolates individuals. When adulthood begins, people distance themselves from the emotional support and guidance they received from their parents, and they struggle between the social independence expected of them as "adults" and the need to appear mature. This creates a vicious cycle leading to greater isolation and anxiety about life.

The historical hardships experienced by previous generations, for whom survival was paramount, have been passed down intact to the next generation. The "truly good life" became defined by "stable" choices meant to prepare for uncertain situations that might arise at any moment. These values have become deeply rooted in the lives of individuals living in the present.

We must now ask ourselves why, despite becoming economically prosperous, we still struggle psychologically and cannot fully experience happiness.

Influence Passed Down Through Generations

Society is composed of individuals of countless ages, and adults inevitably influence younger generations in some way. As time passes, the younger generation becomes the older generation, and they design their future lives by observing their predecessors.

This is why we desperately need a helping hand to correct misconceptions about happiness and provide new perspectives on how to live our lives.

In an Era of Transformation, Past Definitions Are No Longer Enough

The world now stands on the brink of tremendous change.

The cyber world is making humans more isolated, and the flood of information may raise generations even more confused than today. Humans are beings who fundamentally seek stability and freedom. We are always anxious about the unpredictable future and constantly worry and search for solutions to alleviate that anxiety.

The time has come to truly worry about what we cannot see.

The world is facing an era of tremendous transformation, yet are we still trying to hold onto the human ideals of the past, the well-being of the past, the "good life" of the past, and the definition of happiness from the past?

Rewriting the Definition of Happiness

Some have already become adults with fixed mindsets, while children are still developing their thoughts. Others are living through times of regret, having accumulated enough experiences to realize that those fixed thoughts were wrong.

Shouldn't individuals of all these diverse ages now establish a new definition of what it means to "live well"?

The process of rewriting this definition is not something that only outstanding experts in certain fields can accomplish. It should be a journey where each individual establishes their own definition of the world in which their life unfolds, and within that, finds the value of life and the life they desire.

AI-Collaborative Coaching: The Beginning of New Possibilities

Couldn't coaching play that guiding role at this very moment?

If more people need to engage in the work of rewriting the definition of happiness, wouldn't the collaboration with AI in the field of coaching be welcome news?

In 2026, Korea declared it would become the world's third-largest AI powerhouse with a massive budget. It's like laying a wide and expansive AI highway. However, the vehicles traveling on it should not be limited to only certain fields.

It must establish itself as a path that broadly benefits humanity, connects the world, and brings people together.

AI-collaborative coaching is not merely technological advancement, but can become a companion in the journey toward finding the "psychological well-being" and "personalized happiness" that Korean society truly needs. It's a new tool that helps people discover genuine meaning in their own lives without being bound by past values.

In this era of transformation, we must rewrite the definition of happiness. And if AI-collaborative coaching can accompany us on that journey, it will become the key to opening a truly human-centered future beyond mere technological progress.