I first encountered the book “Quatre-Septembre” by Japanese author Yoshio Ōsaki during the summer vacation. While attending school, I suddenly thought, “When was the last time I read a book?” Amidst writing blog posts, preparing for employment, and meeting people, I realized that I hadn’t read a book in a while. Suddenly, with this thought in mind, I visited the ...
In the 2010s, South Korea experienced a period of fascination with the concept of “healing.” The culture of providing comfort to youth and young adults, extending even to comfort for adults facing the challenges of life, dominated the mainstream for a while. While the societal atmosphere is now shifting towards offering “realistic alternatives” due to harsh realities, during that time, ...
Starbucks is not only a personally inspiring space but also a place that garners significant attention. Originating from a small coffee shop in Seattle, the brand transformed its narrative by conceptualizing cafes as a “third space.” In South Korea, the Starbucks phenomenon began on July 27, 1999, with the opening of its first store in front of Ewha Womans University ...
Recently, when it comes to the most influential figure in Silicon Valley, one might think of Elon Musk. Now, he is not only making waves in Silicon Valley but also stands out globally as one of the most significant figures. Elevating Tesla into a successful electric car company, managing the private space industry with SpaceX, and delving into eco-friendly energy ...
I came across the book “Words of Writing” by the author Eunyu during my travels to Jeju Island. The catalyst for this discovery was a bookstore called “Pulmujeol,” which I had learned about through a friend of a friend. Originally a small bookstore located in front of Sungkyunkwan University in Myeongnyun-dong, Seoul, Pulmujil had transformed. The owner, Mr. Eun Jong-bok, ...
Amazon is considered one of the top 10 companies globally, having even claimed the top spot in market capitalization worldwide at one point. Although it currently competes with giants like Google, Facebook, Apple, and Microsoft, Amazon remains a significant leader in the business world. While the general public may perceive Amazon primarily as an e-commerce company, it is also a ...
As we go through life, organizing our surroundings is incredibly important. In an unorganized daily life, it’s challenging to lead an organized life. Personally, despite my desire to be good at organizing, I’m not particularly skilled at it. Although I wish for a neatly organized space to work and relax, it’s difficult to achieve when life is hectic and busy. ...
Kim Kwan-young, who is currently serving as the governor of Jeollabuk-do as I write this, is also a senior from my university days. I first met Kim Kwan-young during the fall semester of 2011 at Sungkyunkwan University during the festival. At that time, the university invited several notable figures to give lectures. The author of the once-popular book “Because It’s ...
There is a book titled “The Power of Alone Time,” and from the title alone, it seems like a book that resonates with many aspects of life. Until the pre-COVID era, there was a prevalent cultural aversion to being alone, to the extent that a new term, “FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out),” emerged. Since the pandemic, numerous aspects of society ...
Once upon a time, mentioning Starbucks might evoke negative images like “beanpaste girl” or “beanpaste boy.” However, Starbucks has successfully overcome such stereotypes, becoming the most famous and thriving cafe in South Korea. “Why could Starbucks succeed in South Korea despite the recession?” This book explores the reasons behind Starbucks’ success in the South Korean market, even during economic downturns, ...
While SpaceX has now evolved into a global corporation, it was once just a small startup. The idea of a private company launching rockets into space seemed implausible, yet SpaceX managed to overcome these challenges. SpaceX has not only launched rockets into space but has also gone beyond, deploying satellites like Starlink to provide internet coverage worldwide. Notably, during the ...
I had the chance to encounter the author Park I-cheol, who always writes the phrase “Happiness is always a choice.” I received his book as a gift. Park I-cheol is known for writing about positive psychology, such as “The Little Prince Who Became a Janitor,” and he also delivers lectures at places like Gangnam-gu Office based on these themes. “It’s ...