Little by little, I am becoming beautiful.

Acceptance and Understanding of Aging

Perception of aging has been continually readjusted according to changes in times, cultures, and societal structures. Today, we still define the concept of 'beauty' within a very narrow framework. This limited standard often denies or turns 'aging', the natural flow of life, into a source of fear. However, there is a truth we must remind ourselves of. Aging is neither a shame nor a disgrace. It is another beauty of human existence, filled with the depth and wisdom accumulated over the years.

Changes in Social Stereotypes

This article examines the structures of social stereotypes regarding aging that span across the past and present, and suggests a new perspective toward the future. We all deserve to greet that time, which we will eventually reach, with greater dignity. To achieve this, both individual inner change and shifts in societal perceptions are necessary.

Aesthetics of Youth and Consumer Culture

The ancient aesthetics of the West regarded the young and harmonious body as the ideal beauty. Ancient Greek sculpture and Renaissance painting persistently repeated this, visually imprinting the formula 'youth = value'. Later, as the logic of industrialization and capital reconfigured the standards of beauty to fit the market, youth became a 'consumable ideal' rather than just a biological state. Since the mid-20th century, the beauty and medical industries have commercialized 'anti-aging', compelling society to pursue youth obsessively. Wrinkles are smoothed, skin is tightened, and natural aging is defined as a 'flaw' that must be managed.

Images of Aging Created by the Media

Digital media has ignited this trend. The individuals in advertisements are always young, sleek, and vibrant. The presence of older individuals has become an obstacle to the ‘ideal’ and has gradually disappeared from screens. This perspective has rendered aging invisible across media and culture, and at times, it has expressed mockery and fear. Particularly for women, maintaining youth has been imposed as a 'reason for existence', while older women have often been excluded from social value.

Social Isolation and Age Discrimination Issues

A culture where aging is a virtue and old age is a deficiency. This is not just a matter of taste but a reproduction of structural age discrimination. As a result, many have come to accept aging as a personal failure, and the stagnation of loneliness and self-esteem has become a social disease. However, the problem does not lie with the individual. We are all standing before a common choice about how to accept this journey that no one can escape.

Naturalness of Aging and the Value of Dignity

Ageing is a biological reality and at the same time a cultural possibility. A wrinkled face holds the margins of life, and a slowed step carries the depth of time endured. If there is a beauty we should truly cherish, it is the inner wisdom and dignity that cannot be hidden by makeup. What is now needed is a shift in societal perception. Media should depict a greater diversity of age groups with natural and respectful perspectives. When characters in dramas and advertisements do not solely represent youth, and the presence of middle-aged and elderly individuals is accepted as one form of 'normal,' we can finally realize the true aesthetics of inclusivity.

Self-acceptance and the Reconstruction of Relationships

The most fundamental key to accepting aging is self-acceptance. The moment one accepts themselves, they are already in the most beautiful state. The wisdom, compassion, and ease gained through the various stages of life provide a dignity that even the youngest face cannot possess. Furthermore, old age is not a time of disconnection, but a time for reconstructing relationships. Sharing and listening to one's story within the bonds of friends, family, and society is a way to affirm one's existence and a path toward becoming the center of the community again.

Future Diversity and Inclusion

Technology is evolving rapidly. We are now at a crossroads where we can either dismiss aging as a disease or respect it as a way of being. What matters is values, not technology. Depending on the direction society chooses, aging can become a source of anxiety or a place of blessing. Inclusion and diversity are not just slogans for the younger generations. Respecting different life cycles and creating conditions where everyone can live their time beautifully is true progress. We must erase the equation of 'aging = separation' and instill the understanding that 'aging = an expanded form of life.'

The beauty and respect of aging

In the end, the most fundamental question we must face is this: 'Do I respect the person I am becoming with age?' When we can nod in agreement to this question, we can finally accept life as it is and experience true peace within it. Just as nature does, humans also change and flow in the face of time. However, that change is not about becoming old but about becoming deep. It is not about disappearing but about filling.

A life that holds more light

The light of the exterior may fade over time, but the light that accumulates within becomes stronger and clearer through the years. I dare to call that light 'beauty.' And now, we must create a world that knows how to respect that light.