▶ “Story Room of Life” has become a place of communication and empathy for middle-aged and senior members of the Korean community.
“Sharing Lives, Connecting Hearts”
Dr. Myun-Ki Kim gives a lecture on humor during the Story Room of Life gathering held at Golden Living on the 16th.
Opened last March for middle-aged and senior participants, the Story Room of Life has become a warm space of comfort and laughter, establishing itself as a venue for communication and connection within the Korean community.
On the 16th, about a dozen attendees from the Washington area—including Maryland and Virginia—gathered at Golden Living in Columbia to share wisdom from their lives, spending a time filled with empathy and laughter.
The event, hosted by Maryland Long-Term Care Commissioner Soo Song, featured a lecture by psychiatrist Dr. Myun-Ki Kim on the topic of “Humor and Healing.” Dr. Kim spoke in a gentle and accessible way about the healing power of humor in daily life, the importance of mental health in later years, and methods of managing stress.
Dr. Kim said,
“The purpose of the Story Room is to share our life stories sincerely, casually, and with humor—to understand life more deeply, and to live with joy and meaning. True healing comes through a life where we smile and share laughter, which is the best medicine.”
He went on to describe the differences between men’s and women’s lives across various age groups with humor, emphasizing the importance of striving for a meaningful and happy life.
After the lecture, participants took time to naturally share their own life stories and experiences. They opened up about memories and challenges accumulated over the years, exchanging deep empathy and comfort.
The participants said,
“It feels like we’ve found a new gathering place where we can share similar life stories and feel great comfort. Thanks to Dr. Kim’s uplifting lecture, our hearts feel much lighter.”
Commissioner Song added,
“This Story Room is more than just a lecture—it’s a meaningful opportunity to reaffirm the power of communication and healing within our community. We plan to continue holding regular sessions so that seniors can support one another and share their hearts in a warm, caring space.”