Ultimately, the majority of investors who survive long-term in the stock market invest in US indices..

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In other types of posts, my purpose or the reason for writing was clear,
but in my previous posts about stocks, I had just one single purpose.
When the KOSPI goes from 4,000–5,000 to 7,000–8,000.
Out of goodwill toward those who seem like stock beginners—those who rush in like moths to a flame.
My sole intention was to tell them not to use leverage or go all-in.
I engaged in casual small talk in the comments, but the point of my stock posts was strictly this.
To briefly talk about my personal investing.
(I can provide verification, but since I find the mockery and belittlement that follows too bothersome, just take my word for it that there is someone making this claim.)
I started investing bit by bit in 2018–2020 through pension funds with QQQ and S&P.
I started investing seriously in 2021.
As of now, my investment strategy is:
Initially, only Nasdaq 100 (QQQ). Since mid-2024, I sold some QQQ and added SCHD at a 20–30% weight.
I just manage the ratio between QQQ + SCHD.
My main focus is US stocks listed in Korea, pension funds, and ISA.
I only do direct US index investing with small amounts of leftover money that exceeds deposit limits.
Through a combination of lump-sum and periodic investments,
my principal has doubled.
As far as I know, achieving this level of results for an individual investor is not easy.
Rather than bragging, I wrote this to provide an example that this is the best outcome relative to the mental energy and time I have invested.
Regarding the ISA portion,
I am planning to switch the SCHD portion slightly to TIGER K-QLD this time.
This isn't about saying "I'm great because I made a lot of money through stocks."
Rather, compared to my previous experience with individual Korean stocks,
I am listing these arguments because I am certain I could never have made these US index returns if I had stayed in the Korean market.
To summarize the point that my ultimate intention regarding stock investing is purely goodwill:
1.
Unless you personally have the temperament of a gambler—
meaning you are confident you won't even blink if tens of thousands of dollars vanish in a single day—
investing in US indices is the best option.
-> Ultimately, whether it's indices, individual stocks, or leverage, investing is more than half about psychology.
(Since the reason is linked to your own personality, you should find out and conclude that for yourself..)
2.
Even if you feel confident, I recommend avoiding leverage as much as possible.
If you absolutely must, based on my experience running "scout" positions, I only recommend up to the maximum limit of QLD.
3.
Make 1 and 2 your absolute principles.
And 3 is the most important.
Do not invest in Korean stocks, whether it's indices or anything else.
The reason I say never to invest in Korean stocks is ultimately linked to your own personality, so you should find out for yourself,
but based on my experience of paying "tuition" by losing 15 million won out of 20 million won over 4–5 years in the early 2010s,
in my opinion, I would only recommend Korean stocks—whether indices or individual stocks—to my worst enemies.
I tell my family and acquaintances to only do US indices.
And to never, ever touch Korean stocks.
This is my absolute principle. If you insist on doing it, it is your choice,
and if you fail, I won't care or ask.
Everything that goes wrong will be your own choice.