[Power K Woman] Bestselling Author Yoon Seonkyung: "Compromise with Reality, But Always Consider What You Can Learn"

Over 250,000 Copies of 'Transcription Notebook' Sold
Transcription: A Longstanding Reading Method Engaging the Body
Fascinated by Transcription Since Elementary School
Backpacking Journey Amid "Why Should I Live?" Reflections
Returned Home Thi

The word "human" inherently contains the meaning of relationships formed between people. Humans cannot exist in isolation; rather, we must establish ourselves as independent individuals within the context of our relationships with others. Conversation is essential for this. However, due to a lack of communication skills or self-understanding, it is often difficult to form genuine human connections.

Perhaps for this reason, books on vocabulary have recently been gaining significant attention. Among the authors in this field, Yoon Seonkyung stands out. Her "Vocabulary for Adults" (2020), "Emotional Vocabulary" (2022), "One Page a Day: Transcription Notes for My Vocabulary" (2024), and "The Dignity of Questions" (2025) have collectively sold hundreds of thousands of copies as part of the "Vocabulary·Transcription·Questions" series. These books do not merely teach conversational skills with others. Instead, they first guide readers to engage in self-dialogue to truly understand themselves, and then, based on that understanding, to communicate themselves to others. Notably, these works are not hastily planned projects that simply follow trends. Even when the concept of "transcription" was still vague, she began practicing it on her own, enduring intense growing pains in her search for her "true self." She has long recognized the importance of expressiveness, and this awareness has now met the needs of the world, shining brightly at this moment. After working as a radio writer for over 30 years, Yoon Seonkyung has devoted herself full-time to writing in recent years. We spoke with her about what it means to be one's true self.

Artist Yuseon Kyung is being interviewed at Asia Media Tower in Chungmuro, Seoul. Artist Yu has long recognized the importance of expressiveness and has published books on vocabulary, selling hundreds of thousands of copies. Photo by Heo Younghan

- I heard you have a new book coming out soon. Could you tell us about it?

▲"One Page a Day: Transcription Notes for My Vocabulary," published last year, received overwhelming love, selling over 250,000 copies. The upcoming "One Page a Day: Transcription Notes for My Expressiveness" builds further on this content. Vocabulary is the smallest unit of speech and writing. Most of our thoughts and actions are abstract. To make them concrete and relatable to others, expressiveness is essential. This book focuses on how to develop expressiveness using vocabulary.

- Why do you think transcription is so popular right now?

▲Personally, I see transcription as a long-standing reading method that engages the body, but these days, readers say they do it as a form of digital detox. I think it's a counterbalance to the digital world.

- What is your daily routine like?

▲My days are always the same. In my twenties and thirties, I was constantly on the move, but now I spend almost all day at home. My writing schedule is packed until 2027. For the past five years, my days have been a continuous cycle of one project leading to another. Except for when I exercise, I spend most of my time at home reading and writing.

- I heard you started transcription when you were in middle school. What was the atmosphere around transcription like at that time?

▲In the early 1980s, the concept of transcription didn't exist in my surroundings. I didn't even know the term. I would simply copy good passages from books into my notebook as I read. For me, it was another way to immerse myself in writing.

- What drew you to transcription, and how did you practice it?

▲I learned to read Korean early and started reading on my own at the age of six or seven. There weren't many children's or youth books at the time, so after reading what was available, I quickly moved on to adult literature. In fourth grade, I read books like Hemingway's "For Whom the Bell Tolls." I wasn't drawn to them because I understood everything, but rather because I liked the rhythm and atmosphere of the sentences. I started copying sentences instinctively. I would transcribe passages as if caressing the sentences, adding my own thoughts like a diary. I thoroughly enjoyed those moments of transcription, and I still practice it regularly today.

- You worked as a radio writer for over 30 years. For someone who loves books and writing, that seems like a natural path, but why radio writing in particular?

▲From a young age, people told me I was a good writer, and everyone assumed I would pursue literature. But I always liked the calm and clear voices of certain people. In my first year of high school, I was listening to "Hwang Inyong's Young Pops" when the DJ mentioned "our writer." That was the first time I realized there were writers in radio, and from then on, I dreamed of becoming one. In my third year of college, a writer I knew asked me to write a radio script, even though I didn't know the format. I was told, "You write well." That's how I started my career as a radio writer.

Artist Yuseon Kyung is being interviewed at Asia Media Tower in Chungmuro, Seoul. Artist Yu has long recognized the importance of expressiveness and has published books on vocabulary, selling hundreds of thousands of copies. Photo by Heo Younghan

- What was it like when you actually started? Did you find satisfaction in the work?

▲Initially, I thought I would work on music programs, but I ended up working on current affairs programs for about ten years. The 1990s were an intense political era. When I was 26, the team leader of the top-rated show told me to start writing the opening remarks from the next day. I wasn't entirely uninterested in current affairs, so I took on the challenge. Back then, there was no internet, so I would review preview editions of newspapers and books, writing up to 30 pages of scripts on A4 paper. That was excellent training. After ten years of doing live broadcasts six days a week, the work became second nature. My goal was to gain various experiences, so once I felt I had done enough in one area, I moved on. I worked on every radio genre: drama, documentary, current affairs, culture, music, and more.

- It seems you didn't face any major setbacks in your career...

▲In reality, I was fired many times. I absolutely refused to do work I didn't want to do. (Laughs) If someone told me to do something, I just couldn't stand it. That's why I worked even harder on the things I wanted to do. Freedom is more important to me than money or fame. I prioritize freedom in both life and work.

- What was the biggest ordeal or turning point in your life?

▲From the age of 19, for about three years, I was deeply troubled by the question, "Why should I live?" After finishing my sophomore year of college, I wondered why I was even attending school and took a leave of absence. I constantly thought about death. Looking back, I realize that both society and my family influenced me. When I was ten, I moved from Buan, North Jeolla Province, to Seoul, and at that time, the 5·18 Democratization Movement occurred. When we moved to Yeouido, I experienced a huge gap between rich and poor, and during the 12·12 military coup, I was terrified by the sight of soldiers. My goal was to leave Korea. I took a leave of absence on a whim, but my parents didn't scold me. After much deliberation, despite our family's financial struggles, they sent me to my aunt in Germany. It was the year after overseas travel was liberalized, and with the collapse of the Eastern European communist bloc, I met all sorts of exiles in Germany.

- What gave you the strength to endure and overcome such hardships?

▲In Germany, I set out on a backpacking trip with 400,000 won left after buying a train ticket. I traveled for 40 days with a 15kg backpack, living like a pauper. I only ate at restaurants once every two days and often slept outdoors. It's unimaginable now, but at the time, it wasn't so dangerous. When I returned to Korea, my family and friends told me I had become stronger. Before that, I used to think, "What's the point of living? Is life worth it?" But after that difficult journey, I started to think, "I should try living." I was 20 then. In situations where I had to make choices, decisions, and take responsibility on my own, I encountered both risks and kindness. I realized, "It's not so bad living among people."

- You have published many books on vocabulary, transcription, and the art of questioning, and have emphasized their importance. How much do you think these elements influence a person's ability to stand as an independent individual in life?

▲Whether it's vocabulary or transcription, the underlying theme is the same. Expressiveness is essential to living as your true self. This has been a core theme for me since childhood. I have always been interested not just in living, but in living "well" and "safely." Living safely means being able to recover easily from unavoidable situations. To understand long texts, vocabulary is necessary. Without it, you cannot select high-quality information and apply it to your life. It's not just a matter of communication-it's essential for self-realization. If you lack the ability to concretize abstract thoughts into words, it's hard to identify your emotions. You lose confidence in your thinking. To live as an independent individual, you must know yourself and understand others and human existence. For example, the phrase "I'm annoyed" contains both anger and sadness, each requiring a different solution. You must accurately identify your emotions to find the right solution.

- In your book "The Dignity of Questions," you emphasize the value of asking the right questions. What questions have you asked yourself to reach where you are now?

▲As I mentioned earlier, I delved deeply into the question, "Why should I live?" After a long period of reflection, I realized that if my wandering continued, it meant I was asking the wrong question. Life itself has no inherent meaning-I have to create meaning for myself. From then on, I began to ponder, "How can I create meaning in my life?"

- Is there a question that women who actively carve out their own lives should always keep in mind? Do you have any personal advice?

▲Don't only do what you want or wish for; sometimes, making reasonable compromises with reality can be a wise choice for the future. When doing so, consider: "Does this benefit those around me?" and "Can I find joy and learning in the process, not just the outcome?" Above all, I hope you continue to think creatively every day. Listen to music or appreciate art. Even just ten minutes of creative activity a day can make your life much richer.

- You have expanded your content from vocabulary to transcription and questioning. What are your future plans?

▲My schedule is full with book contracts until 2027, so I will continue writing on these topics for a while. After that, I want to try something different. I have had an idea for ten years-I've always been interested in world mythology. Cautiously, I am considering creating a new mythology of my own.

About Yoon Seonkyung

Born in 1970, Yoon Seonkyung began her career as a radio writer after graduating from university and worked in the field for over 30 years. She contributed to programs such as "Hello, This Is Bong Dowan," "Yuyul's Music Album," "Jung Yongshil's Culture Focus," "Jun Hyunmoo's Freeway," "Start FM Together," "All the Music in the World," "World Music Journey," and "Radio Literature Hall." After retiring as a radio writer in 2023, she has been working as a full-time writer. She has published bestsellers such as "Vocabulary for Adults," "Emotional Vocabulary," and "One Page a Day: Transcription Notes for My Vocabulary."