This study was aimed at revealing the aspects of time experience of the elder while playing Hwatu in
the senior citizen center as a phenomenological study and the meaning of the learning by playing. The
study used participatory observation and in-depth interview for the purpose. The time experience during
Hwatu can be summarized into "Autonomy" and the process of Hwatu was "Time killing", "slow and
joyful moment", "conflict", "flow experience", and "creative thinking" in the time sequence. The elder's time
experience from the point of view of learning by playing First, helps them escape from isolation and
loneliness through making relationships. Second, the relationships were connected to 'saving time', instead of
'killing time' through the immersive process for them to stay autonomy and independent. Third, intrinsic
self-expression, according to individual personality and a ten-won difference in value etc. This significance
of time experience during Hwatu in the senior citizen center proves that the elder can utilize time by
playing and making a relationship. The elder’s play in senior citizen center changed the participants and led
them to their vibrant life. The play creates time that Old age is not the end of life but the begining of a
new experience of life.