Study Thief Jang Hoe-ik Finds His Master Key in Physics

Physicist Jang Hoe-ik likens himself to a "study thief," a concept borrowed from a Joseon Dynasty tale about a father teaching his son to steal. However, Jang's thievery is aimed at the vast treasure trove of knowledge, with physics serving as his coveted "master key."

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I want to enter the treasure house of all the world's knowledge and steal only the essence of knowledge. The problem is, how do I get into this treasure house?...

His journey began with early disruptions. The Korean War forced him to leave school in 1950, leading to a period of self-study in a rural village. Despite lacking formal recognition, this experience instilled in him the fundamental understanding that learning is primarily a personal endeavor, achievable even in isolation. This self-reliance proved crucial for his later pursuit of creative scholarship.

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There is no master key, but there is something very close to a master key. That is physics.

Paradoxically, his decision to attend an industrial high school, a choice made out of youthful ignorance, became a pivotal moment. A teacher's loan of a calculus textbook allowed him to grasp complex concepts, and the lack of physics instruction at the school itself pushed him to explore the subject independently. This self-directed study ignited his passion for physics, ultimately leading him to major in the field at Seoul National University.

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Learning is fundamentally something I do, and something I can do alone.

Jang's narrative highlights the importance of perseverance and self-directed learning. He draws parallels between his own experiences and those of scientific giants like Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein, who also faced educational interruptions and pursued knowledge independently. For Jang, overcoming these obstacles was not just about acquiring knowledge but about developing the resilience and resourcefulness necessary for groundbreaking intellectual work.

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Creative scholarship is work that I must do on my own.