Don't Be Swayed by Others' Returns: 'Peace of Mind Investing' is Key in Difficult Markets

He explained that realistically setting individual investment goals and satisfaction is a crucial factor for investment success.

He mentioned an acquaintance's case who achieved over 100% return with Bank of America and about 44% with Coca-Cola, remarking that such returns are by no means low. However, he added that by late 2025 or around May 2026, these returns might not have seemed exceptionally good, implying that relative evaluation of returns can change with market trends.

Referring to past cases where SK Hynix rose more than 6 times and Samsung Electronics more than 8 times, he stated that SK Hynix surged up to 10 times based on its low point. Accordingly, investors who enjoyed the best returns would have achieved 1,000% or 800%, not 100% or 44.5%. However, he questioned how many people actually realized such high returns completely, emphasizing that there is no need to fall into FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) by comparing one's own returns with unrealistic, hypothetical figures.

This acquaintance made a significant investment in Bank of America at a hard-to-find average price of $30 and reportedly did not frequently check their account. They also invested in Coca-Cola out of personal liking, achieving high returns of 100% and 45%.

He questioned whether this acquaintance could have maintained these returns if they had felt FOMO after seeing Samsung Electronics or others' investment performance on the internet, leading to repeated trading. Expert Hong Myung-soo emphasized the importance of one's own path, one's own investment, and one's own unique approach. He warned that many individual investors tend to invest based on others' standards or comparing returns with others, rather than adhering to their own principles, which can lead to unfavorable situations.

Citing his own transactions from August 10th as an example, he revealed that he achieved different returns for each stock, averaging about 28% to 30% profit. Expert Hong Myung-soo candidly stated that he is not good at ultra-long-term investing and rarely holds investments for a year or more. Therefore, he adopts a strategy of buying stocks at a comfortable point and selling a portion once they reach a certain level of profit. He added that this approach gives him peace of mind.

He conveyed the message that maintaining psychological stability in investing is essential for long-term success.

He pointed out that many investors tend to invest with amounts they cannot afford. For example, if someone has 5 million won in their account but needs to deposit 1 million won tomorrow, they should only invest with 4 million won. However, he explained that often people invest with the full 5 million won, including money they need to use tomorrow. He added that this negatively affects investment psychology, making peace of mind investing difficult.

He mentioned that many are currently investing through B2 credit loans or overdrafts, which are recent issues. He asserted that people investing this way cannot possibly have peace of mind from the start. He emphasized that debt-financed investing amplifies psychological burden, hindering rational judgment, which can ultimately negatively impact investments.

He likened investing to taking an exam: just as one cannot perform well on an exam if they are uncomfortable mentally or physically, one can only invest well if their mind is at ease. He explained that this applies to everything, not just investing, emphasizing that inner tranquility leads to successful outcomes. He reiterated the importance of psychological stability in investing.

He asserted that if one invests with an uneasy mind, following only methods others recommend that don't suit them, and being swayed by FOMO over others' returns, ultimate success is unlikely. He pointed out that such investing blurs objective judgment and amplifies anxiety, increasing the likelihood of failure. He emphasized the importance of psychological stability and personalized strategies.

Expert Hong Myung-soo explained that the reason he emphasizes 'peace of mind investing' at this moment is because the current market is very difficult. He specifically noted that those who get caught up in FOMO by watching others' profits or invest according to others' standards will have an even harder time. From early 2025 to June 2026, 90 out of 100 people said things like 'Buy Samsung Electronics,' 'Buy memory semiconductors,' 'Buy power stocks,' and it was a time when listening to others and investing yielded good results and peace of mind. However, he explained that now, with Samsung Electronics declining and leading sectors also falling significantly, 100 out of 100 people are saying different things. He added that in this situation, those who invested based on others' advice must be experiencing a turbulent and confusing market.

Expert Hong Myung-soo emphasized that the most important thing in investing right now is to invest with a calm mind, explaining the reason for this advice. He stated that if one invests based on others' advice and feels uneasy, and their account also becomes uneasy, they should not follow that person's advice. He advised that now is the time to consider what one's own criteria are and what one's own investment philosophy is.

He stated that it's perfectly fine not to invest until one has finished contemplating their own investment criteria. He added that as a content creator who talks about investing, it would benefit him if there were more investors, but he gives this advice because now is a good time to take a break from investing. This implies that careful preparation should take precedence over hasty investment.

He advised that it's fine not to invest until these considerations are complete, adding that if one invests based solely on others' advice without completing these reflections, they will inevitably feel uneasy. He specifically mentioned that this is especially true in a market like now, where 100 out of 100 people are saying different things, and he, Hong Myung-soo, is included among those 100.

He stated that if one has decided on peace of mind investing, established their own criteria, and believes it aligns well with expert Hong Myung-soo's views, then they are welcome to listen more to his stories. However, for investors who have not completed these prerequisites, he advised taking a temporary break from investing to contemplate thoroughly, make decisions, and dedicate time to studying to establish their own criteria. He emphasized that this is a time when cautious approach is needed rather than premature speculation.

He explained that investing is ultimately a zero-sum game where if someone makes money, someone else loses it, emphasizing that one is not falling behind if they temporarily stop investing. He used the analogy that even if one is in a 'zero' state, the positives and negatives balance themselves out, so investors are simply standing still. Therefore, he said it's okay not to invest right now, conveying a positive message about taking a break without rushing.

He advised engaging in investment after thoroughly considering an investment method that suits oneself. He stated that one needs to formulate concrete plans, such as whether to enter a stock one is truly confident in at a confident price and wait, or whether to repeat the act of entering at a good timing and taking a certain profit, or what criteria to use for trading. He added that the current market is a difficult one with high complexity, so it's a good time to thoroughly consider and then return to the market. He emphasized investment decisions through thorough preparation and self-reflection rather than hasty participation.