“Have You Memorized an English Book?” by Kim Min-sik

April 28, 2024 22 Views

Kim Min-sik is a producer at MBC. After working as a variety show producer in 1996, he moved to the drama department in 2007. In the early days of his career, he was active in comedy dramas that were popular at the time, and later gained popularity with sitcoms that combined jokes and drama elements.

One of his representative works is “Nonstop,” which gained popularity and brought him recognition as one of the star producers. “Nonstop,” which featured actors such as Jang Nara, Yang Dong-geun, Jo In-sung, and Park Kyung-lim, attracted considerable attention. Kim Min-sik’s major works include:

Variety Shows
- Exclamation Point
- Sunday Sunday Night
- Nonstop
- Nonstop 3
- Rainbow Romance
Dramas
- Queen of Housewives
- Still Marry Me
- Gloria
- Queen’s Flower
- Farewell My Love

“Have You Memorized an English Book?” by Kim Min-sik

In 2017, Kim Min-sik also published a book related to “English study.” Around the same time, alongside Seung-yeon Jo’s “Fluent,” it rose to bestseller status.

Kim Min-sik’s book, titled “Have You Memorized an English Book?” introduces his methods for studying English. However, the content and approach presented in the book are quite different from Seung-yeon Jo’s “Fluent.”

While Seung-yeon Jo naturally encountered various cultures while living abroad from a young age and naturally came into contact with English, Kim Min-sik studied English purely domestically and even graduated from an interpretation graduate school. Because their paths are completely different, the content and storytelling approach in the book differ.

“Rational ‘Fluent’ vs. Experiential ‘Have You Memorized an English Book?'”

Both books deal with “English learning,” but the way they approach the subject is entirely different.

Seung-yeon Jo’s “Fluent” takes a rational approach, reflecting on “why we find English study difficult,” and then discussing methods to overcome it. On the other hand, Kim Min-sik’s book primarily relies on “personal experiences” rather than theoretical or philosophical reflections.

While discussing the benefits of being proficient in English and acknowledging the challenges of English study, Kim Min-sik mainly focuses on experiential content, detailing how he overcame difficulties.

“A Book Unveiling Kim Min-sik’s English Study Experience”

Ultimately, the content of the book is closer to a narrative of Kim Min-sik’s experiences in studying English. It’s a book that unfolds his experiences along with his life philosophy, touching not only on simple English education but also on attitudes towards life.

“Little by little, steadily…”

The book emphasizes the importance of studying diligently in our lives. Despite our busy lives, it suggests that setting aside time for English study or any other desired study is beneficial.

It also advises sticking to the basics, advocating starting with at least memorizing one English book as the first step towards proficiency in English.

Rather than fixating on something much more difficult than our level or being overwhelmed, the book suggests lowering the level, solidifying the basics first, and then gradually improving and expanding one’s English skills.

“The Method to Conquer a Foreign Language in 6 Months”

The book also introduces the content of a TED talk titled “The Method to Speak a Foreign Language Well in 6 Months.” Ultimately, mastering a foreign language comes down to consistent and diligent effort. The core points from the TED talk are:

Language is a tool. Study with content that is relevant to you.
Language is a tool for communication. Start using it from day one.
When you understand a language from the beginning, you unconsciously learn it.
Learning a foreign language is more akin to physiological training than studying.
Approach language study with a relaxed mindset.

“Resources to Utilize for English Study”

The book also introduces resources helpful for English study. However, as the author suggests, it’s best to master at least one English book to build a solid foundation before utilizing resources such as:

Reader’s Digest
CNN
TED

Kim Min-sik’s book is not only about “English study” but also encompasses attitudes towards life. It emphasizes the importance of consistent effort and perseverance in learning, ultimately serving as a guide to both English study and life.

If you’re curious about Kim Min-sik’s methods for overcoming English, it’s worth checking out his book “Have You Memorized an English Book?”

“Have You Memorized an English Book?”