The story shows the Korean society during the mid 1980s.
Regardless how Korea appear to outside world,
I guess it may be still the same or similar even today.

"...세계를 누볐고, 상도 받고 명성도 얻었다. 하지만 그러다 보니 놓친 것이 있었다.
내 곁에 친구가 한 명도 없는 것이었다. '이런 날 마음 터놓고 이야기 할 벗이 있다면
얼마나 좋을까'. 아쉽고 또 아쉬웠다. "

Above comment tells well about him.
But, at least, he realized what was missing in his life.
I knew him. He was solitary and apparently stayed that way even afterwards.
He might have been a victim of his success in his hobby and profession.

We, all, should remember what he said here. It's not just his problem.
Especially, at the very latter part of life, keeping friends around us are "Sine Qua Non."