What would you do if you knew that you only had a few days or weeks to live? Chances are, you might do some reflecting, or perhaps you might make amends with people you’ve wronged. If it were the Gorilla, he would want to do all of these things too. Many people say that they would do all of the crazy things that they had always wanted to do (like skydiving), but were simply too afraid too try. It’s funny (not really) how the eminence of death can make us change the way we look at life, and that is precisely what a new trend in South Korea aims to do. It’s called “well-dying” and students, as well as businesses, are using the practice to give people a “new lease” on life. The company, Korea Life Consulting Co., holds “mock funerals” in which participants can pay up to $325 to be placed in a coffin, sealed in with nails, and lie there for 15 minutes, while their eulogy’s and family dedications (written by themselves) are read. The idea is that spending 15 minutes lying there sealed in the darkness, makes the participants reflect on their lives thus far, and teaches them to value what life they have left to live. ”I felt really, really scared inside the coffin and also thought a lot about my mom,” said Lee Hye-jung, a 23-year-old woman studying engineering. “I’ll live differently from now on so as not to have any regrets about my life.”
Some businesses are getting on board as well. Companies such as Samsung Electronics sent over 900 of its employees last year, citing that it helps with job performance. ”The experience makes workers more efficient”, said Kim Hee-jin, a personnel manager at the Gumi plant, which makes mobile phones, computer printers, and fax machines.
So, is it just a “fad?” For those of you who think it is, consider this: Ko Min-su, who hosted the ceremony and heads Korea Life Consulting, said about 50,000 people have taken part in his fake funerals since they began in 2004. Most are in their 30s and 40s. There have been a lot of skeptics- and that is certainly understandable. It seems morbid and ridiculous in a way, that people would actually spend money to be nailed into a coffin doesn’t it? But Ko, truly believes in his business. He lost 2 brothers in separate accidents and believes strongly in the fragility of life- and respects it tremendously. ”Anyone can die unexpectedly,” he said. The Gorilla agrees, but isn’t it is a shame that it takes the thought of dying for some to truly appreciate life?