In 15th-century Korea, a farmer named Hyun faced planting season alone. His wife was ill and his brother had died the year before. Without help, his rice crop would fail.

One morning, five neighboring families arrived quietly at his field. Adults and children worked side by side, planting rice under the sun. No one asked for thanks. They shared food and tea when the work was done.

This was pumasi, a tradition of helping one another without payment. It was not charity. It was how the village lived, one season after another.