[This Week's Books] 'Joyonghan Toesa' and 3 More Titles

◆Quiet Resignation=Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 4 million workers in the United States have been voluntarily quitting their jobs every month, continuing the so-called "Great Resignation." Even those who have not left their companies are experiencing similar trends. The phenomenon of "quiet resignation" is gaining attention. This refers to "psychological resignation," where employees do not quit their jobs but choose to work only within their set hours and job scope. As this trend spreads beyond the U.S. to the rest of the world, the author explains that the Great Resignation corresponds to "divorce (離婚)," while quiet resignation corresponds to "graduated marriage (卒婚)." The focus is on the unique values of the MZ generation, who prioritize personal life and happiness over promotions or rewards at work. The book provides a detailed analysis of why the MZ generation leaves organizations, how to retain them, and how to let them go if necessary. (Written by Lee Hogun · Monday’s Dream)

◆Battery War=The author, a senior analyst in the battery sector at market analysis and financial services firm S&P Global, examines the battery industry from two perspectives. He carefully follows the entire process of the so-called "materials, parts, and equipment" (소부장) and unpacks the global value chain of the battery industry. "Materials, parts, and equipment" refers to everything from key "materials" like lithium, nickel, and cobalt to various "parts" of batteries and related "equipment (facilities)." The discussion also expands to energy hegemony, outlining the blueprint of the "new energy economy." The book covers the challenges posed by resource-rich countries aspiring to become the second oil producers, the current connections with the electric mobility industry, competition among major economic players influencing market prices, and the sparks of resource wars. Based on the electric vehicle market growing over 50% annually and countries’ policy efforts to achieve carbon neutrality within 30 years, the author declares the "era of infinite battery competition." (Written by Lukas Bednarski · Wisdom House)

◆Japan is Shaking=The author, who has studied Japan for a long time, diagnoses that Japan is shaking. According to him, Japan’s per capita GDP has sharply declined over the past decade, its digital technology is deteriorating, and its education and international competitiveness are retreating. There are also criticisms labeling Japan as a backward country in terms of judiciary, human rights, and environment. The author asserts that Japan has "become a backward country in the blink of an eye." He examines the fundamental problems and signs of decline in Japan, which is being evaluated as an "all-round backward country" after the yen’s value dropped to its lowest level in 20 years, through economic, policy, industrial, and demographic issues. The book deeply analyzes Japanese government statistics, expert reports interpreting them, and media commentary articles to explore the phenomena and causes. It offers profound insights, emphasizing that these are not problems unique to Japan but a future that may come to Korea as well. (Written by Jung Younghyo · Hankyung B&P)

◆The Ultimate Semiconductor Investment Guide for Immediate Use=Lee Hyungsu, CEO of HSL Partners and an expert in IT and semiconductor investment, compresses practical information for semiconductor investors into this book. It comprehensively covers investment strategies, analysis of key stocks, future outlook, as well as the history of semiconductors, the birth of Silicon Valley, the U.S.-China semiconductor war, recent industry issues, and trends. According to the author, in recent years, the semiconductor market has benefited from technological advances and stricter environmental regulations that have driven the transition from internal combustion engines to electric motors. Autonomous driving technology, expected to be commercialized within a few years, has also had an impact. Autonomous vehicles require more than five times the semiconductors compared to traditional internal combustion engine cars. The author advises that although the current boom has temporarily slowed, now is precisely the time to prepare for the upcoming semiconductor supercycle. (Written by Lee Hyungsu · Heritage Books)