[This Week's Books] "Spring Comes to Your Space, Too" and More

Spring Comes to Your Space, Too

"A cactus does not blame the desert. The greatest luxury in my life was my dream." This is the phrase most often repeated by Vicky Jung, CEO of Wild Dia and Korea's first-generation event space designer. She shares her journey, which was far from smooth, on her way to realizing her dream of creating glamorous and luxurious spaces. She started her first business at the age of 27, but faced repeated setbacks and challenges at a time when event space design was an unfamiliar concept in Korea. Through these moments of challenge and perseverance, she encourages readers: "Spring will come to your life, and flowers will surely bloom." (Written by Vicky Jung | Saebit)

What Has Broken Capitalism?

This book begins with the premise that modern capitalism is neither free nor fair. Ruchir Sharma, a leading Wall Street investor and chairman of Rockefeller International, argues that excessive government fiscal intervention and monetary easing policies have weakened market autonomy and competition, concentrating assets in the hands of a few. He points out that this reality has led to the widespread belief that "capitalism has failed." Sharma identifies misguided government intervention that distorts principles as the core problem, and he examines the history of capitalism over the past 40 years to uncover its flaws. (Written by Ruchir Sharma | Korea Economic Daily)

The Illusion of Growth

South Korea has achieved remarkable growth, heralding the "Miracle on the Han River" and rising to become one of the world's top 10 economies. However, as of 2024, the country ranks 52nd in the World Happiness Index, has the highest suicide rate among OECD countries, and suicide is also the leading cause of death among teenagers. The author raises the question: "Has South Korea truly grown?" Looking beyond growth narratives centered on GDP, export performance, and technological innovation, the book examines how the logic of capital has undermined communities and human lives. (Written by An Hogi | Deulnyeok)

Technology Against Uncertainty

The author, a statistician, argues that probability is essential for navigating the world, yet it is impossible to predict the future with complete accuracy. For example, it was anticipated that a global trade war would erupt if President Trump returned to office in the United States, but even with such predictions, inadequate responses often led to major disruptions. The author presents numerous historical cases involving probability, highlighting how probability is often misused or distorted by human ignorance or bias. He asserts that simply acknowledging what we do not know can significantly reduce the likelihood of making mistakes. (Written by David Spiegelhalter | Saenggakuihim)

Musical Gyeongseong

This book explores the music concerts held in Jongno and Honmachi (now the Chungmuro area) during the modernization period of colonial Gyeongseong from 1920 to 1935, within political and social contexts. By analyzing Jongno, which was centered on Koreans, and Honmachi, which was centered on Japanese residents, the book delves into the daily lives of Koreans who indulged in Westernized Japanese culture. It also examines the dual urban nature of Gyeongseong under Japanese rule through the culture of Japanese residents in Korea. The book offers insights into how the music culture enjoyed by Japanese people during the colonial period was adopted in Joseon. (Written by Cho Yoonyoung | Somyung Publishing)

Every Family Has a Story

The author, a leading British psychologist and bereavement expert who has met with clients for 30 years, has discovered one commonality among them: most people's problems originate from their families. Tracing the pasts of those who sought her help for immediate distress, she found that their histories were always intricately connected to their families' pasts. The author asserts that every family has its own set of issues. She also argues that the power to change the family, which is often a source of both love and pain, lies within the family itself, and she shares methods for doing so. (Written by Julia Samuel | Sideway)