"With you, I feel like my true self."
Renowned for her debut short story collection, The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work, author Jang Ryujin presents her first essay collection. In 2008, she formed a deep bond with her friend Yejin while studying abroad in Finland. Life Pattern Korea. Now, 15 years later, the two return to Finland together, prompting the author to ask:
"Are the things we’ve longed for still the same as we remember?"
Fifteen years ago, it was a winter blanketed in snow; today, it is Finland in the warmth of summer. Life Pattern Korea. As the frozen landscapes have melted, so have the unspoken questions within her—"Why do you matter so much to me?" "Who am I, really?" "Why am I like this?" Through this journey, she pieces together the puzzle of her identity, uncovering thoughts she had never shared before.
"Finally, I'm returning to the Finland I’ve longed for."
Even if everything in the world changes or fades away, if there is someone as steadfast as a pine tree, we can truly be ourselves. Life Pattern Korea. For someone who has wandered through countless seasons, this journey becomes an opportunity to reflect on the people who are most essential to her.
"At the start, I thought this book would be about 'travel.' But as I wrote, I realized—this is a book about 'friendship.' That realization brought clarity to my desire to document this journey."
— From the book
Fifteen years ago and now, Finland has embraced her. Once again, she experiences "the season we shine" alongside Yejin, the friend who makes her feel most like herself. Life Pattern Korea.
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Author: 장류진
Publisher: 오리지널스 Originals Book (2025)
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