[Books of the Week] "It's Not Even Our House Anyway" and More

It's Not Even Our House Anyway

Housing is a fundamental element of human life, yet soaring home prices and widespread rental fraud have pushed many people into housing insecurity. This new anthology features five stories by writers Kim Euikyung, Jang Kangmyung, Jeong Myungsub, Jung Jinyoung, and Choi Yuan, each unraveling the uncomfortable truths about 'home' and 'living.' The stories vividly expose the cracks we have ignored: tenants evicted due to pet bans, communities collapsing from rental scams, marriages and lives shaken over a single house, class and desire revealed through the 'shadows' of others, and the unstable housing reality facing young people amid the shift to monthly rent. Through honest storytelling, the authors bear witness to today's housing crisis. (Kim Euikyung et al. | Hyundae Munhak)

AI, Robotics, and Semiconductors: The Big Three Investment Trends

The author analyzes the AI revolution not as a single technology, but as an interconnected system: AI (the brain), semiconductor and data center infrastructure (the neural network), and robotics and physical AI (the hands and feet). From the perspective of investors and engineers in the United States, the book demonstrates how AI is already reshaping industrial structures, power grids, and employment, revealing its economic substance. Moving beyond the dot-com bubble debate, it examines the competition for supremacy in AI infrastructure and semiconductors, the rapid growth of the robotics industry, and provides a roadmap for investment and business strategies over the next decade. (Choi Junghyuk et al. | Hans Media)

Alexander

This biography by classical scholar Philip Freeman vividly reconstructs the life of Alexander, who ascended the throne at 20 and built a vast empire stretching from Greece to India in just over a decade. The author meticulously examines ancient sources while depicting Alexander's conquests and setbacks, leadership, and human struggles as an epic narrative. The book covers his exemplary leadership fighting alongside his soldiers, his vision of embracing other peoples to create a world empire, and his humanity shaken by the death of a friend. Alexander's legacy of uniting Eastern and Western civilizations and his 'yearning for the unknown' offer profound insights for today's leaders. (Written by Philip Freeman | 21st Century Books)

The People the State Could Not See

This reportage is a record of lives left outside the state's gaze, written by journalist Ham Yunho, who has covered the Jeonbuk region for over 20 years. Calling Jeonbuk "one-seventeenth of Korea," the author tracks more than 80 cases exposing the blind spots of welfare and public interest, including disability mobility rights, non-regular school workers, rental, environmental, and labor issues. Through voices heard not in studios but in rural alleys, collapsed factories, and strike sites, the book raises the fundamental question of why the state failed to respond. It is a record that calls forgotten people back to the status of 'citizen.' (Ham Yunho Jaum | Inmul Gwasangsangsa)

Awkward Classical Music Class 10

This book explores why a classical music scholar chose The Beatles as the subject of his final lecture. By contrasting contemporary music, which became estranged from audiences amid war and ideology, with the emergence of The Beatles from youth street culture, it sheds light on the transformation of 20th-century music. The Beatles' music, combining experimentalism and popularity, is interpreted as 'modern classics,' presenting a new definition that surviving art is what becomes classical. This music guide reminds readers how music has communicated with its era through The Beatles and why we should listen to them again today. (Written by Min Eunggi | Sahoipyongron)

Why Are We Enthralled by False Justice?

This book by psychologist Kim Taehyung dissects today's discourse on justice-including meritocracy, mechanical fairness, and feminism debates-from a social psychology perspective. The author traces the rise of individualistic justice amid survival and respect anxiety, analyzing the sense of justice among young people and the psychology of various groups. The book criticizes the reality where fairness has replaced justice, and proposes restoring true justice through communal solidarity and basic income. It poses fundamental questions to Korean society, which has lost its way amid confusion over justice. (Written by Kim Taehyung | Galmaenamu)

Harmonizer

This book presents the organizational management philosophy of Vice Chairman Cho Seok, who rapidly turned HD Hyundai Electric from a deficit to a profitable company. Vice Chairman Cho attributes his success to "people above all," proposing 'Harmonizer Leadership' based on harmony, communication, and trust. The book introduces a leadership model that finds optimal solutions by receiving signals from team members in real time, similar to a navigation system, and shares real cases of organizational culture innovation such as reverse mentoring, DNA programs, and communication events. Centered on five principles-balance, tolerance, action, creativity, and trust-it offers management insights for building a sustainable organization. (Written by Cho Seok | Medici Media)

The Economist: World Outlook 2026

This is The Economist's flagship global outlook, simultaneously published in 25 languages worldwide. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the international order reshaped after Trump's return to power and the key issues the world will face in 2026. Covering a wide range of topics-geopolitics, economics and finance, trade, AI and climate crisis, sports ethics debates-the book sharply examines rapidly changing global trends such as US-China rivalry, weakening free trade, fiscal crises, and the potential for an AI bubble. Featuring a special section, "Mapping 2026," it offers a multidimensional perspective on anticipated conflicts and technological changes, serving as an optimal compass for preparing for the future. (Written by The Economist UK | Korea Economic Daily)

Contract Review Methods in the AI Era

In today's rapidly changing business environment, the ability to accurately interpret contracts and identify risks in advance is essential. This book systematically guides readers through the entire contract process-from basic knowledge to practical review, risk management, negotiation strategies, and AI utilization. It presents criteria for assessing advantages, legal, and management aspects to help readers easily identify complex legal terms and problematic clauses, and details procedures for reviewing contracts using AI and verifying AI-generated results. This practical guide provides essential instructions for legal professionals, entrepreneurs, and practitioners to immediately apply in real-world situations, enabling the establishment of safe and advantageous business relationships. (Written by Kim Daeho et al. | Atempo)