When walking on the street, riding the train, walking in the park. I feel that I am conscious of the situation each time and the gaze of others, and act according to the "standard" of how I should behave. I have a desire to be free from rules and constraints, but on the other hand, there is also part of me that restricts myself from what I think is the way things should be. Following standards is an easier way to survive in society, but it also blocks out the train of thought about what you really want to be. I would like to question my body again about the oppression of society and the oppression that I have created.

I was inspired by the people I met in Seoul and Beijing who were able to convey their feelings and thoughts to others. During the two weeks of fieldwork as I travelled along with the project members, I noticed that I often prioritise what the other person is thinking and what they want to do rather than what I want to do. In fact, I wish I could behave more honestly without being too considerate than necessary. But what does it mean to be honest with yourself? If I can play a role in the team and produce good output as a whole, then it’s enough for me.

When I was in my twenties, I lived in Tokyo for about a year. As a young person, I remember seeing Tokyo as a vibrant and fashionable city. However, coming back to Tokyo for the first time in a long time, I noticed the change in time which made me wonder about my life in the future. Spending time with my family is as valuable as working with friends and colleagues which I try to maintain a balance between work and personal life. After the age of 50, who do I want my life to be surrounded by and how do I behave in society? Through this fieldwork, I would like to think about the future of my own happiness and that of society.

The movements of the people in Tokyo are seemingly in order, however I felt a series of "hidden rules" behind them. Similarly in Korea, there is a "tacit understanding" to be considerate when it comes to age difference. I want to be as free as possible from such restrictions by being honest about my thoughts and feelings and be true to my own feelings. As I observe how people communicate in Tokyo and Beijing, I want to focus my interest on the behaviour of expressing emotions.

Since we cannot live without belonging to society, what does it mean to live and to be human? In the process of growing up, people gain a sense of fulfilment by playing a part in society such as families, schools, and companies. On the other hand, some individuals may suffer from the pressure of demands in society, such as working too much causing to harm their bodies and minds. What should we do to value the individual in society? I would like to focus on the behaviour between society and the individual.

The morning rush hour in Tokyo: a large number of people are sucked into the train all at once in an orderly manner like a school of fish. We are naturally bound to build ways to behave in society based on our education from an early age, the media influences, and other experiences through our lives. It is somewhat like a programme, or a code installed in our body. I want to work towards discovering the code embedded unconsciously in our minds and how to break free from it.