[BOOK REVIEW] I Decided to Live as Me by Kim Soo-hyun

As I was cleaning our kitchen, it suddenly hit me that I’m going to become 25 soon. After so many failures and wounds, I have learned that the reason for my unhappiness is because I keep living to fulfill the expectations of others.

So as I was wiping the countertop, I thought, “I should start living my own brand. People should have accepted me by now. I’m tired of getting bossed around.” It slipped my tongue, “I should already live as myself.” Oh wait, that sounds familiar. “I decided to live as me. Isn’t that a book?” Yep, it is. And before I finished my cleaning, I have already ordered the book, along with several others.

So, here’s the book “I Decided to Live as Me” by Kim Soo-hyun. I’m lucky that I live in a place where it gets shipped. This book arrived the next day I ordered it. I finished it throughout a long weekend. This is probably the first book in my current shelf I have actually finished ever since living on my own. Here’s why.

The message is clear

Throughout the nearly 300 pages of this book, the author has been consistent with her message. She distinguishes between living selfishly and living truthfully. She introduces her ideas through personal stories, analogy and observation. The book delivers the ideas in a clear and straightforward way. Each section has an imperative title—be this, don’t be that, start doing this, stop that—and these titles are presented in the contents page as “to-do lists”. As we read the book, we don’t get astray from the core message—which is to live in our own terms. The author shows how this core message represents many pieces of our lives, and at the same time all boils down to one goal—our internal peace.

The flow of ideas is systematic

From the beginning, we are introduced with six checklists—starting from accepting the imperfectness of life in general, living with our relationships with others, up to being at peace with ourselves. They conceptually represent the same sequence of living as ourselves.

The words don’t alienate the reader

To be honest, the ideas inside are not new concepts—one way or another, we already know them. Yet, these ideas resonate with the readers because the book validates us. Whether we practice them or not, the book reminds us of these ideas and what we need to do, as most of these are actualized through habit. The book (or at least the translators do) uses plain and normal language, which makes it even more relatable.

The book is technically efficient

We’re now looking at the technicals here. Each section presents a back story or reference, an analysis of the experience, a reflection in the real world, and a call to action. The book uses sans serif light font, reader-friendly font size and line spacing, and boldfaced colored text for titles and conclusions. Each section is written in short, digestible length to allow the readers to finish a section (and tick a to-do) in one sitting.

Cute drawings offer meaning

The book is not simply plain text. It has cute drawings, since the author is also an artist. Illustrations also serve as section breaks, summarizing the concluded section and introducing the next. At the same time, each illustration also carries its own meaning.

Each section is an essay itself

The book gives us many bite-sized sections which are complete thoughts on their own. We can finish any section and still feel satisfied no matter where we stop for the day. It doesn’t leave a feeling of emptiness, because each section has a closure. Nor does it leave the reader an urge to keep reading for the sake of finishing early. Or at least that’s what I think. The book didn’t spark any sense of rush for me, unlike fiction we love to read which keeps us awake all night. Rather, it held my peace throughout the journey. Each section offers a moment to reflect.

Visit Kim Soo-hyun on Instagram @liveinlove217

Downside – Price

Objectively speaking, the book is kinda pricey. Its normal price is USD 49.99 on Amazon. I mentioned earlier that the book is simple and short. Most people would think it’s expensive with those considerations.

I personally don’t mind the price, since I don’t link word count with price. The book also comes with illustrations and the artist deserves a premium for her ideas. However, since its target audience are the young adults and those who are just starting to explore adulthood, it’s kinda pricey.

That is the only downside I see. I just happened to have some privilege to read this book. How good would it be if more young adults can have the same chance to read this.

Overall, the book is brief, clear and efficient. It talks about the struggles of our generation. It also introduces some Korean culture which are relevant to understanding the emptiness we usually feel. The book is introduced as a “guide for novice adults”. The author stated that she wishes the book to become a solace and comfort to the readers.

Some readers would say, “It taught me a lot of things.” For new adults just starting to live on their own or struggling to build their own identity in the cruel workforce, this book will definitely help you understand the ways of the world. It even provides personal experiences which are quite universal (happen not just in Korea).

As for me, what I read are things that I already know. The problem with me is that, while I know them, that’s it, I cannot execute. Rather than “teaching me”, I am thankful for this book for speaking the things I couldn’t say. It provides me a validation that, even if I cannot put my feelings into words, they are valid.

I stopped giving numerical ratings to things unless protocol, so I can’t give a number over 10 or something. To conclude, this book is a good read. I am not fond of self-help books, but I recommend this book for all the reasons I stated earlier.

Fast fact:

BTS Jungkook introduced this book to the world. He was seen reading this book during Bon Voyage 3. It provided the book an avenue to be read by the rest of the world.

PS: I actually finished this book and wrote this blog on August 31, 2021. I posted late. I’m so sorry. T_T