Sangboon | Korea

At 82, my grandmother got hit on. She was strolling through Kyungdong Market when an elderly gentleman noticed her. He followed, mustering the courage to ask for her number.

My mom and aunt were appalled. “Strange old man,” they muttered. But my grandmother just turned to me and asked, “How should I reply to this?”

I smiled and showed her how to read and send a text. In that moment, I realized—no matter how old you are, the heart remains young.

My grandmother was born on October 1, 1929. She lived through the Japanese occupation, once hiding behind an earthenware jar to escape a Japanese officer. She survived the Korean War. Through it all, she carried a quiet strength that grounded our family.

Her father believed that girls didn’t need an education, but she longed to learn. So, she secretly slipped into the forest to teach herself how to read and write. Learning became her love, and she never stopped. In her later years, she attended a senior university, where she painted and folded origami, proudly sharing her creations with us.

Since my parents worked full-time, my grandmother raised me. She was there for my kindergarten sports day, cheering me on. When my mom hesitated to join me on amusement park rides, my grandmother eagerly took her place—enjoying them even more than I did. She loves soccer, waking up at dawn to cheer for her favorite team. When I moved to Singapore, she flew to visit me, exploring Marina Bay and Gardens by the Bay with childlike excitement.

I absolutely adore my grandmother. She has many wonderful qualities, but my favorite is the way her eyes sparkle. Whenever she sees something beautiful, they light up with pure joy. She stays curious, finds beauty in the smallest things, and embraces life with an open heart.

I’m incredibly proud of her. I hope to carry that same sparkle in my eyes, no matter my age—to stay curious, fall in love with the world again and again, and always remain open to learning and exploring. Through her, I’ve learned that true youth isn’t measured by age but by the heart’s capacity to keep growing, discovering, and embracing life.