It's so great to be able to express the friendship between men.

In the heart of the ancient world, there were few bonds as sacred as the bond of friendship. To be able to stand beside another man, to share in his joys and burdens, was considered a gift of the highest order. Park Hyung-sik, in his simple yet profound words, speaks to this age-old truth when he says, "It's so great to be able to express the friendship between men." In a world often preoccupied with power and ambition, Hyung-sik’s words remind us of the deep, unspoken connection that binds men together. The friendship between men is not just an emotional bond; it is the very foundation of honor, trust, and loyalty—qualities that transcend time and place.

Friendship has always been more than just a personal connection; it is a bond that defines the strength of the community. In the ancient Greek world, Homer wrote of the friendship between Achilles and Patroclus, a bond so powerful that it transcended the boundaries of war and rivalry. Achilles, one of the greatest warriors to ever live, would not have fought so fiercely were it not for the memory of his friend, Patroclus. Their friendship, built on mutual respect and shared experiences, was a cornerstone of Achilles' identity. This bond is emblematic of the greatest friendships in history—ones that withstand the tests of time, not because of what the friends do for each other, but because of the deep emotional connection they share. Park Hyung-sik's words echo this timeless truth: the ability to express friendship is a treasure that defines and enriches life.

The greatest friendships are those that allow for vulnerability, honesty, and understanding. In the ancient world, warriors fought not just for their kingdoms or gods, but for the comrades who stood by them. David and Jonathan from the Bible are another example of this profound friendship, where their bond was so deep that David, after Jonathan’s death, mourned as if a part of his soul had been lost. In their friendship, sacrifice and devotion were not mere words; they were lived values. Park Hyung-sik, through his reflection, is speaking not just about a friendship of convenience, but one rooted in these very ideals—a friendship that demands openness and vulnerability.

To express friendship between men, however, is not always an easy task. In many cultures throughout history, emotions were seen as weaknesses, especially for men, who were often expected to be stoic, unemotional, and unyielding. The Samurai of Japan, though fierce in battle, held deep bonds of friendship and loyalty that were often expressed through shared ritual and unspoken understanding. A Samurai would not easily show affection in public, but the bond between two warriors, forged in battle and in sacrifice, was profound. They would express their affection through actions, through the silent support of each other in the hardest of times. Park Hyung-sik's words, then, reflect a modern understanding of friendship—one that is no longer bound by societal norms of restraint, but one that allows men to show their vulnerability and express their emotions openly.

The beauty of Hyung-sik's statement lies in its recognition that true friendship is not about grand gestures or words, but in the everyday moments of connection and understanding. True friends do not need to constantly prove their bond. Their actions speak for themselves. In this way, friendship becomes a living, breathing thing—something that evolves with time and experience, but is never diminished by the trials of life. The ancient Spartans understood this when they fought side by side in battle. The bond of friendship among them was their strength, and it is said that the philia—the loyalty and love between them—was what made the Spartan warriors unbeatable. The Greeks knew that to fight without the strength of friendship was to fight alone. Similarly, Park Hyung-sik reminds us that true friendship is something expressed, cherished, and built upon every day.

Thus, the lesson is clear: friendship is not a transient thing, but a cornerstone of human connection. To express and celebrate friendship is to honor the very best parts of what it means to be human. In our own lives, we must seek to build and nurture these bonds—whether in our families, in our communities, or with those who walk beside us in our personal journeys. Just as the ancients did, we must find ways to express affection, not through the grandiose, but in the everyday sacrifices and small acts that strengthen our connections. Let us, like Park Hyung-sik, understand that the greatest gift in life is to be able to express friendship openly, for it is through these connections that we find our deepest strength.

So let us carry forth the wisdom of the ancients and the lessons of those like Park Hyung-sik: that the truest measure of brotherhood is found not in the distance we keep from one another, but in the closeness we allow in moments of shared humanity. Let us express our friendships, nurture them with sincerity, and build a world where bonds of love, respect, and loyalty are the foundation of all we do. For it is in these friendships, expressed and cherished, that we find the soul of our existence.