[Book Sip] 'Interstellar' Kim Ji-su Asks and They Answered... 18 People's 'Great Conversation'

Editor's NoteSome sentences encapsulate the entire content of a book, while others instantly reach the reader's heart, creating a connection with the book. We excerpt and introduce such meaningful sentences from books.

This is an interview collection by Kim Jisoo, a 28-year veteran journalist who has won the love of millions of readers through the interview series "Interstellar" serialized since 2015. Eighteen outstanding figures from various fields were selected to capture their curiosity, romance, and wisdom of life. The protagonists include elders of the era such as Lee O-young (literary critic), Pascal Bruckner (novelist and philosopher), Charles Handy (management thinker), as well as notable intellectuals and experts like Min Jin Lee (writer), Daniel Pink (futurist), Paul Bloom (psychology professor), and Susan Cain (writer). The book features deep and warm conversations between the interviewer and the interviewees.

Life is a gift, and I return to the primordial Milky Way that touches the empty space of the cup. But to confess humbly once again, I spoke of death as a living consciousness. True death is... a state where even sorrow cannot be perceived, and that is why it is truly sad. Before reaching that sorrow, I convey this: I enjoyed watching the stars with you. Just as the positions of the stars in the sky are mysteriously orderly, do not forget that the moral law, the star of your heart, is also so within your body. Believe that "humans are good." Sharing that heart, I bid you farewell. - p.43, Believe that good people win_Lee O-young

Every morning we receive the sun as a gift. On summer mornings, when I wake up early to run or walk briskly, I feel infinite happiness. This is how I fight against a world where time is the protagonist. However, the best way to find my subjectivity within time is to love. To live, share love. You cannot hold onto slipping time, but happy moments always want an "encore." Repetition is the promise of time, and as long as we can immerse ourselves in good illusions, there is hope. - p.55, Living is loving_Pascal Bruckner

My motto is to be a fresh grandmother who is not worn out by life. Life is heavy even without being scared. Young people have it even heavier. So at least speak lightly. Without self-esteem, society is even more exhausting. - p.125, Obstacles eventually become stepping stones_Jang Myung-sook (Milanonna)

No one can order you what to do. Decisions are yours, and rewards are proportional to effort. Sometimes I recall moments when I doubted whether I could do something before trying. Later, I realize even worse scenarios. "What if I hadn’t tried something I could have done?" - p.151, Always move forward one step at a time_Bernd Heinrich

Though I don’t want to admit it, we have a misconception. That the purpose of humans is to feel pleasure. Absolutely not. The purpose of humans is survival. Regret has great adaptability. The sooner we escape self-deception, the more we can learn and grow. - p.165, Regret makes us more human_Daniel Pink

Great Conversations | Written by Kim Jisoo | Saenggakuihim (Power of Thought) | 384 pages | 17,000 KRW