“K-Style: Living the Korean Way of Life”

By Choi Jung-wha

Designhouse (30,000 won, $26)  

Professor and interpreter Choi Jung-wha introduces Korean lifestyle to English-speaking audiences in her latest book.

Divided into four chapters -- spring, summer, autumn and winter -- the book traces what it is to live a distinctly “Korean” life in modern times, following both significant events that take place each season and everyday joys like watching “meokbang,” or broadcasts of people eating food, on television.

During her distinguished career as an interpreter of French and Korean, Choi noticed that Korea had “an almost nonexistent global presence,” she writes in the preface of “K-Style.” Choi then embarked on a “new and special goal” after 20 years or so working as a conference interpreter and professor of interpretation, to “promote Korea’s image in the minds and thoughts of people around the world.”

The book answers many questions she received from foreign acquaintances on Korea’s “unique tradition and culture, or Koreans’ lifestyle and customs.” The book attempts to facilitate “cultural communication by offering answers that satisfy foreigners’ curiosity about why Korean and Koreans are the way they are.”

Choi was the first Korean woman to receive the Legion d’Honneur in 2003 from the French government for her contribution to education, communication and cultural exchange. She is currently a professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and the president of the nonprofit Corea Image Communications Institute. 

“K-Style” has been translated into English by Lee Sang-won and Kim Hanna of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Graduate School of Interpretation and Translation. A French language edition is also available.

By Rumy Doo (doo@heraldcorp.com)