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The optimal way to observe stars is by surrounding oneself with darkness. It is not at all simple. To experience the beauty of the stars, one needs to see a minimum of 450 stars simultaneously, as our vision has been affected by urban lighting. Nevertheless, after adjusting to the darkness, the stars in the sky appear as if the sky is collapsing, becoming distinct, and one understands the nature of what seems like a faint cloud spread out. On October 1, 2025, at 1 a.m., I witnessed the aurora for the first time while on a ship traveling to ‘Catchkan’ in Alaska.

I found out it was the aurora because a friend shared their experience of traveling all the way to ‘Yellow Knife’ in Canada to witness it. My friend was let down by the aurora they saw with their own eyes. This was because the image captured by the camera appeared clearer and more stunning. This situation also confused me. It seemed as though it was implying that artificial beauty is superior to that of nature.

There is always a contrast between what one perceives instantly and the mental image one creates. I was no different. Yet, as I looked at the sky, my eyes adjusted to the darkness, and vibrant lights started to shimmer and move. When I aimed the camera, the lights became even more vivid. Green, blue, and yellow lines flowed across the sky. The aurora that painted the Alaskan night sky reminded me of Proust’s words, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes,” and Van Gogh’s *Starry Night* simultaneously.

I have always focused on themes of goodbyes, and I came to understand that this column was also a long journey starting with the idea of “parting to meet again.” It spanned 429 weeks. How can I show appreciation to those who were with me through this extended period, from joyful moments and satisfying experiences to painful events like ‘COVID-19’ and the ‘Halloween tragedy’? If they were close by, I would just reach out with a warm greeting. I express heartfelt thanks to everyone who shared ‘words and writing’ with me. Now, I wish to embrace silence and return to being a reader in order to write more compelling pieces. Neither the aurora nor the stars vanish. They simply close their eyes for a moment until we adjust to the darkness once more.

Concluding the series ‘Baek Young-ok’s Words and Writing’. Thanks to the readers and the author.