Swing the Sword Outward
Shohei Ohtani never once shouted that he was "the best in Japan." He simply went abroad and proved himself in the Major Leagues—and Japan only grew bigger for it.
Swing your sword outward.
Shohei Ohtani never once shouted that he was "the best in Japan." He simply went abroad. And he proved himself in the Major Leagues. And then Japan grew bigger.
BTS and Son Heung-min are no different. They didn't shout. They just went out.
Strong countries have something in common. Quiet on the inside, aggressive toward the outside. At home they sharpen their blades and raise their quality of life; abroad, they swing those blades.
Korea is the opposite. Inside, we aim our swords at one another. Politics, generations, gender, region—all of it. The energy that should be directed outward goes entirely to the person next to us.
Korea is small not because of its geography, nor because it sees itself as small. It's because the direction of its energy is wrong.
Chanting "Republic of Korea" within our own borders is closer to self-consolation. It may stir emotion, but the pie doesn't grow.
Sharpen your sword quietly. Don't show it off. And swing it outward.