Kwak Jung-eun: 'Dining alone at a 5-star hotel is a ritual for myself'

Writer and broadcaster Kwak Jung-eun has shared her philosophy on solo dining, explaining why she enjoys eating alone at 5-star hotels. She defined time spent eating alone not as a mere way to satisfy hunger, but as a period of "self-care" to respect and look after herself, noting that as one ages, the ability to distinguish between solitude and loneliness becomes increasingly important.

Recently, Kwak released a video titled "The reason why I go out of my way to eat alone at 5-star hotels" on her YouTube channel, 'Kwak Jung-eun's Private Life.'

In the video, she candidly shared the reasons why she enjoys dining alone, while also conveying her thoughts on modern life and relationships.

Kwak opened by saying, "The reason I like eating alone is that there is no need to persuade anyone."

She explained, "There is no need to worry about what to eat or to match someone else's tastes, nor do I have to worry about adjusting my eating pace or what conversation to continue. That time is purely a time when I am with myself."

She continued, "Rather than rushing through a meal, simply eating the food I want to eat at my own pace is enough to treat myself properly."

Kwak emphasized that the meaning of time spent alone has changed, especially as she gets older.

"While meeting people and sharing energy is certainly precious, a time to recharge my own energy without saying a word is absolutely necessary," she stated. "Such time feels even more precious as I age."

She added, "Eating alone is not a lonely time. Rather, it is a time to go meet myself again."

Her remarks align with the recent social shift in perception regarding "living alone."

In the past, the act of eating or traveling alone was often viewed as a symbol of loneliness or social isolation. However, with the rise of single-person households and a culture that respects individual lives, lifestyles that actively enjoy solo time—such as 'honbap' (solo dining), 'hon-sul' (solo drinking), 'hon-cance' (solo hotel vacations), and 'hon-haeng' (solo travel)—are becoming established cultural phenomena.

In psychology, specifically, 'solitude' (voluntarily chosen being alone) is explained as a concept entirely different from 'loneliness' (being disconnected from others). Research has consistently shown that self-chosen solitude can have a positive impact on emotional recovery, stress relief, and self-reflection.

Kwak also interpreted solo dining as a method of self-care rather than consumption within this trend.

The "5-star hotel" she mentioned is read not merely as a luxurious space, but as a symbolic place to gift herself a good environment and time. It carries the message that she intends to place value on the attitude of respecting herself and the experience, rather than the expensive meal itself.

Kwak is a figure who has consistently shared stories about human relationships, love, psychology, and lifestyles for a long time.

She has worked as a writer, publishing various essays, and has gained empathy through realistic dating advice and psychological analysis on television. She has also communicated with the public through various variety programs, such as KBS Joy's 'Love Naggers' and IHQ's 'Sister Sells!', with her characteristic direct yet warm advice.

In this video, rather than talking about special success or consumption, she posed the question, "How do you treat yourself?" Pointing out that oneself can be the easiest target to neglect in a busy daily life, she delivered the message that even a single meal eaten alone can be an attitude of respecting oneself.

The "hotel solo dining" mentioned by Kwak is ultimately not a story about expensive meals, but a suggestion regarding the value of time spent slowing down the pace of life and focusing on oneself. Her philosophy of accepting time alone as a time for recharging rather than a deficiency is gaining empathy by presenting another way of life to modern people exhausted by relationships.