Being alive is beautiful
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Description
Book Introduction
- A word from MD
-
Even his last days comfort usA posthumous poetry collection published to commemorate the first anniversary of poet Shin Kyeong-rim's death.
As befitting a writer who opened a new horizon for folk literature, his love for humanity and his attitude of reflection are consistent.
The poems he left behind at the end of his life will tenderly comfort us who are still alive.
'It's all the more beautiful because it will soon disappear into the distance/Everything that lives is beautiful.'May 16, 2025. Novel/Poetry PD Kim Yu-ri
“Still alive, only alive is beautiful.”
The unwavering flame of poetry preserved until the end of life
The sublime songs left behind by the "national poet" Shin Kyeong-rim.
“He always comforted us with his upright posture and low voice.
“It will be difficult for a national poet like this to emerge again in the future.” - Literary critic Yeom Mu-woong
On May 22, 2024, the late poet Shin Kyeong-rim, a "little giant" who left a great mark on the history of Korean literature, passed away.
Since his literary debut in 1956, the poet has walked alongside the marginalized and comforted their pain for nearly 70 years, never putting down his pen until the very end of his life.
The poet's last words to the world were, "Living is beautiful," and this is also the title of this posthumous collection of poems.
This poetry collection, published to commemorate the poet's first anniversary of death, is his first new work in 11 years since his last publication, 『Photo Studio Collection 2nd Floor』 (Changbi, 2014).
In the meantime, the poet Do Jong-hwan compiled a total of 60 works, including poems that were introduced in magazines and newspapers, as well as unpublished posthumous works.
The works deal with profound themes such as life and death, people and nature, yet their uniquely warm language makes them easy for anyone to read.
Through this collection of poems, we can feel the deep breath of life left behind by Shin Kyeong-rim, who wrote the highest poetry from the lowest places of our time.
"Being a poet who writes good poetry until the very end is an important virtue we must learn from poet Shin Kyeong-rim." - Poet Do Jong-hwan (commentary)
The unwavering flame of poetry preserved until the end of life
The sublime songs left behind by the "national poet" Shin Kyeong-rim.
“He always comforted us with his upright posture and low voice.
“It will be difficult for a national poet like this to emerge again in the future.” - Literary critic Yeom Mu-woong
On May 22, 2024, the late poet Shin Kyeong-rim, a "little giant" who left a great mark on the history of Korean literature, passed away.
Since his literary debut in 1956, the poet has walked alongside the marginalized and comforted their pain for nearly 70 years, never putting down his pen until the very end of his life.
The poet's last words to the world were, "Living is beautiful," and this is also the title of this posthumous collection of poems.
This poetry collection, published to commemorate the poet's first anniversary of death, is his first new work in 11 years since his last publication, 『Photo Studio Collection 2nd Floor』 (Changbi, 2014).
In the meantime, the poet Do Jong-hwan compiled a total of 60 works, including poems that were introduced in magazines and newspapers, as well as unpublished posthumous works.
The works deal with profound themes such as life and death, people and nature, yet their uniquely warm language makes them easy for anyone to read.
Through this collection of poems, we can feel the deep breath of life left behind by Shin Kyeong-rim, who wrote the highest poetry from the lowest places of our time.
"Being a poet who writes good poetry until the very end is an important virtue we must learn from poet Shin Kyeong-rim." - Poet Do Jong-hwan (commentary)
- You can preview some of the book's contents.
Preview
index
Part 1
Red dragonfly
At sunset
You are the one who runs through time
For the hidden things
In the flower garden
Everything alive is beautiful
Soyouyou (逍遙遊)
flower, flower
wilderness
Moonlight
Moonlight 2
Early summer of that year
flock of birds
flock of birds
Return
Part 2
Come to Gobi
The road to Gobi
I see stars
Finding the Stars
Back on the road
My shoes that I miss
It's snowing
Snowy day
snow
white stipple
big zelkova tree
This fall too, there will be a runaway
Because you are here, our tomorrow won't be cold
For a single poplar tree
From far and near
Before the blizzard hits
Part 3
And I am happy
Wild chrysanthemum
A flock of birds fluttering
Travel in the Contactless Era
The night is long and long
Flower viewing
A hazy day with fine dust
During illness
Void
spring
Flower viewing of the year
Escape
Accompanying
Moon of Luxor
One night with the fox
Part 4
That day, ah, that day
We can't send you away forever
Jeju, the most beautiful dream in this country
Song Central Pagoda
We are now
Like a seed, like a tree, like a fruit
I hear your voice
The otter wants to run
round dance
In the lowest place, we all become one
Make my hometown green, make this country beautiful, and make the whole world happy
In an unfamiliar life, our ears become deeper
Your resurrection, your glorious resurrection
The country you dreamed of, the country you dreamed of even after death
Commentary | Do Jong-hwan
Red dragonfly
At sunset
You are the one who runs through time
For the hidden things
In the flower garden
Everything alive is beautiful
Soyouyou (逍遙遊)
flower, flower
wilderness
Moonlight
Moonlight 2
Early summer of that year
flock of birds
flock of birds
Return
Part 2
Come to Gobi
The road to Gobi
I see stars
Finding the Stars
Back on the road
My shoes that I miss
It's snowing
Snowy day
snow
white stipple
big zelkova tree
This fall too, there will be a runaway
Because you are here, our tomorrow won't be cold
For a single poplar tree
From far and near
Before the blizzard hits
Part 3
And I am happy
Wild chrysanthemum
A flock of birds fluttering
Travel in the Contactless Era
The night is long and long
Flower viewing
A hazy day with fine dust
During illness
Void
spring
Flower viewing of the year
Escape
Accompanying
Moon of Luxor
One night with the fox
Part 4
That day, ah, that day
We can't send you away forever
Jeju, the most beautiful dream in this country
Song Central Pagoda
We are now
Like a seed, like a tree, like a fruit
I hear your voice
The otter wants to run
round dance
In the lowest place, we all become one
Make my hometown green, make this country beautiful, and make the whole world happy
In an unfamiliar life, our ears become deeper
Your resurrection, your glorious resurrection
The country you dreamed of, the country you dreamed of even after death
Commentary | Do Jong-hwan
Detailed image
Into the book
A village covered in dust
I came a long way and looked back, and it was a field of forsythia flowers.
The moon is setting in the dark western sky
A single flower petal is stuck to my shoulder like a dragonfly.
--- From "Dragonfly"
Apricot blossoms are in full bloom, and sunlight is shining through the fog.
I dream of going to a faraway country, a faraway country.
In my twenties with you.
All day long I wander the streets.
Sometimes, I get on a train and get off at a mountain station.
Listen to Mozart and read Trotsky.
Don't let go of the dream in your eyes.
You are leading me to my thirties.
The world is dark and the strong wind never stops.
I am a person without a home or a road.
On a long night without moon or stars, when I clench my empty fist, you suddenly appear before me, a person from my forties.
--- From "You are the one who runs through time"
There are things hidden in the crevices of rocks and stones.
It's between the trees and between the walls.
Flowers are hidden, grasses are hidden, and stones are hidden.
Hiding from the wind and the sun, perhaps not.
It is beautiful because it is hidden, and it is even more beautiful because it is invisible.
--- From "For the Hidden"
Things that were not heard by bright eyes and young ears
It's amazing how it finally comes to cloudy eyes and old ears.
I don't know exactly what it is, but
I know that one day I will know it.
I won't be sad, that day is mine
Even if it becomes the day when I cease to exist in this world.
--- From "Xiaoyaoyou"
Going to see the stars at Punggi in Sobaeksan Mountain
Finding the stars hidden between the stars
In search of stars that have lost their light because they are obscured by larger stars
To hear their stories that are too low to be heard
Finding the people hidden between the stars
In search of people who have spent their entire lives trudging around without finding anything
To see their dance, which is too small to be seen
In search of stars that only look up to the big stars from afar
So let's find stars that are neither sad nor unhappy.
To see their smiles that are blurry and invisible
--- From "In Search of the Stars"
All that I miss is in the falling snow.
There is a forest of poplar trees and a long path.
There's a roaring wood stove and four wet gloves.
All beauty lies in the piling snow.
There is a cafe with wide windows and four voices.
There is a sound of a miracle and the sound of the wind
--- From "It's Snowing"
When I was young, I used to wander the streets aimlessly
I also went to the river and watched the water birds flying over the river.
And how happy I was
I also wander around the back alleys of Casablanca.
Because I also heard the cries of flocks of birds in Lake Baikal
When you grow old, your dreams come true
Go to Lake Baikal and dip your hands in the cold water.
Go to the Sahara and bury your feet in the sand
I even got drunk on wine in a remote cafe in Paris.
Even then I was happy, every night in my dreams
Get drunk secretly in the back room of your friend's shabby tavern
Or dig a ditch and catch freshwater shrimp with a net.
--- From "And I am happy"
Summer comes and winter goes again
As time passes like this, we
He became a strong tree firmly rooted in the ground.
It also boasts flowers, leaves, and fruits according to the season.
Enduring the snow and rain on a cold winter day
Leading children with dreams to the stars
For our weary neighbors
It gave me shade
Spring comes and fall goes again
Now we are all here
Stand like a tree
Our lives opened with red berries
Looking back
Thinking of the old days when we gathered together as seeds
Like a seed, like a tree, like a fruit
I came a long way and looked back, and it was a field of forsythia flowers.
The moon is setting in the dark western sky
A single flower petal is stuck to my shoulder like a dragonfly.
--- From "Dragonfly"
Apricot blossoms are in full bloom, and sunlight is shining through the fog.
I dream of going to a faraway country, a faraway country.
In my twenties with you.
All day long I wander the streets.
Sometimes, I get on a train and get off at a mountain station.
Listen to Mozart and read Trotsky.
Don't let go of the dream in your eyes.
You are leading me to my thirties.
The world is dark and the strong wind never stops.
I am a person without a home or a road.
On a long night without moon or stars, when I clench my empty fist, you suddenly appear before me, a person from my forties.
--- From "You are the one who runs through time"
There are things hidden in the crevices of rocks and stones.
It's between the trees and between the walls.
Flowers are hidden, grasses are hidden, and stones are hidden.
Hiding from the wind and the sun, perhaps not.
It is beautiful because it is hidden, and it is even more beautiful because it is invisible.
--- From "For the Hidden"
Things that were not heard by bright eyes and young ears
It's amazing how it finally comes to cloudy eyes and old ears.
I don't know exactly what it is, but
I know that one day I will know it.
I won't be sad, that day is mine
Even if it becomes the day when I cease to exist in this world.
--- From "Xiaoyaoyou"
Going to see the stars at Punggi in Sobaeksan Mountain
Finding the stars hidden between the stars
In search of stars that have lost their light because they are obscured by larger stars
To hear their stories that are too low to be heard
Finding the people hidden between the stars
In search of people who have spent their entire lives trudging around without finding anything
To see their dance, which is too small to be seen
In search of stars that only look up to the big stars from afar
So let's find stars that are neither sad nor unhappy.
To see their smiles that are blurry and invisible
--- From "In Search of the Stars"
All that I miss is in the falling snow.
There is a forest of poplar trees and a long path.
There's a roaring wood stove and four wet gloves.
All beauty lies in the piling snow.
There is a cafe with wide windows and four voices.
There is a sound of a miracle and the sound of the wind
--- From "It's Snowing"
When I was young, I used to wander the streets aimlessly
I also went to the river and watched the water birds flying over the river.
And how happy I was
I also wander around the back alleys of Casablanca.
Because I also heard the cries of flocks of birds in Lake Baikal
When you grow old, your dreams come true
Go to Lake Baikal and dip your hands in the cold water.
Go to the Sahara and bury your feet in the sand
I even got drunk on wine in a remote cafe in Paris.
Even then I was happy, every night in my dreams
Get drunk secretly in the back room of your friend's shabby tavern
Or dig a ditch and catch freshwater shrimp with a net.
--- From "And I am happy"
Summer comes and winter goes again
As time passes like this, we
He became a strong tree firmly rooted in the ground.
It also boasts flowers, leaves, and fruits according to the season.
Enduring the snow and rain on a cold winter day
Leading children with dreams to the stars
For our weary neighbors
It gave me shade
Spring comes and fall goes again
Now we are all here
Stand like a tree
Our lives opened with red berries
Looking back
Thinking of the old days when we gathered together as seeds
Like a seed, like a tree, like a fruit
--- From "Like a Seed, Like a Tree, Like a Fruit"
Publisher's Review
In search of hidden beauty
Shin Kyeong-rim, who stands on the side of those who disappear until the very end
The poet wrote poetry with a bright eye that discovered the beauty that is always around us but not easily visible.
His poetic insight, “Flowers that were hidden behind flowers become visible, and roads that were hidden from view become visible” (“Sunset”), perfectly reflects his life of discovering and protecting the most precious things in dark places throughout his life.
Even in the last moments of his life, the poet set out in search of something new, in search of the star of life.
But the star the poet seeks is not a big, towering star.
“Stars hidden between the stars.”
“Stars that have lost their light because they are obscured by larger stars.”
I go to hear the stories of those who are “too low to be heard,” to see their dances that are “too small to be seen,” to see their laughter that is “too dim to be seen” (“In Search of the Stars”).
That is why his poetry always conveys a deep and sincere resonance to readers.
His belief that “beautiful and ugly things should mingle” (“Moonlight”) and that even dirty and sad things can become beautiful shine with boundless compassion and affection for life and existence.
Through the paradoxical confession, “It is all the more beautiful because it will soon disappear into the distance” (“Everything Alive Is Beautiful”), poet Shin Kyeong-rim urges readers to affirm the finiteness of life and live fully in the present.
“I will not be sad, even if that day is the day I cease to exist in this world.” - Excerpt from “Xiaoyaoyou”
Poetry continues even at the end of life.
The greatest legacy left behind by Shin Kyeong-rim
The poet walked the road until the end of his life.
The poet, who said he was happy even on his sickbed, thinking of the road and people, endlessly searched for the deep truth of life that “shadows shine brighter than light” (“Back on the Road”).
The recollection that “the village I passed through covered in dust” was “a field of forsythia flowers” (from “Dragonfly”) proves his exceptional insight in finding beauty in a difficult life.
This posthumous collection of poems is a precious legacy left by poet Shin Kyeong-rim and a valuable treasure that Korean literature should preserve for a long time.
In particular, the poems written on the sickbed are rich with the emotions of deep reflection and gentle compassion that become even more profound at the end of life.
The poet's attitude of affirming life even in the midst of pain and regret comes to the reader as a humble and firm confession of existence.
The words, “Still alive, only alive is beautiful,” are not limited to the poet’s last words.
It is a comfort and encouragement that will always be by our side.
The belief that because it is life, there are tears and sweat, and that all traces of it come together to form the depth of existence.
Shin Kyeong-rim's poetry is based on that very belief.
This collection of poems, left behind in the poet's wake, brings to mind the warm gaze and unwavering poetic attitude that embraces the small and insignificant.
Without pretense or decoration, his language, which was directed toward the lowly throughout his life, leaves us living today with profound questions and a quiet gaze.
This is why the resonance of the short sentence, “All that is alive is beautiful,” is deeper and broader than any political slogan or moral declaration.
The final poems left behind by Shin Kyeong-rim are now up to the readers to complete.
Through this collection of poems, we return to our place in life.
Even though I'm shaking, I walk again, and even though I'm sad, I love again.
That may be the most human legacy left behind by the poet Shin Kyeong-rim.
Meanwhile, a special limited edition of Shin Kyeong-rim's first poetry collection, "Farming," which has established itself as a classic of Korean folk poetry since its publication in 1975, will also be published simultaneously.
"Farming" has been moving countless readers for nearly 50 years, keeping pace with the times, and is the starting point and essence of Shin Kyeong-rim's literature. It resonates even more deeply when placed alongside this posthumous collection of poems.
If “Living is Beautiful” is the spark the poet left behind, “Farming Fog” is the root of the poetry he pursued throughout his life.
Shin Kyeong-rim, who stands on the side of those who disappear until the very end
The poet wrote poetry with a bright eye that discovered the beauty that is always around us but not easily visible.
His poetic insight, “Flowers that were hidden behind flowers become visible, and roads that were hidden from view become visible” (“Sunset”), perfectly reflects his life of discovering and protecting the most precious things in dark places throughout his life.
Even in the last moments of his life, the poet set out in search of something new, in search of the star of life.
But the star the poet seeks is not a big, towering star.
“Stars hidden between the stars.”
“Stars that have lost their light because they are obscured by larger stars.”
I go to hear the stories of those who are “too low to be heard,” to see their dances that are “too small to be seen,” to see their laughter that is “too dim to be seen” (“In Search of the Stars”).
That is why his poetry always conveys a deep and sincere resonance to readers.
His belief that “beautiful and ugly things should mingle” (“Moonlight”) and that even dirty and sad things can become beautiful shine with boundless compassion and affection for life and existence.
Through the paradoxical confession, “It is all the more beautiful because it will soon disappear into the distance” (“Everything Alive Is Beautiful”), poet Shin Kyeong-rim urges readers to affirm the finiteness of life and live fully in the present.
“I will not be sad, even if that day is the day I cease to exist in this world.” - Excerpt from “Xiaoyaoyou”
Poetry continues even at the end of life.
The greatest legacy left behind by Shin Kyeong-rim
The poet walked the road until the end of his life.
The poet, who said he was happy even on his sickbed, thinking of the road and people, endlessly searched for the deep truth of life that “shadows shine brighter than light” (“Back on the Road”).
The recollection that “the village I passed through covered in dust” was “a field of forsythia flowers” (from “Dragonfly”) proves his exceptional insight in finding beauty in a difficult life.
This posthumous collection of poems is a precious legacy left by poet Shin Kyeong-rim and a valuable treasure that Korean literature should preserve for a long time.
In particular, the poems written on the sickbed are rich with the emotions of deep reflection and gentle compassion that become even more profound at the end of life.
The poet's attitude of affirming life even in the midst of pain and regret comes to the reader as a humble and firm confession of existence.
The words, “Still alive, only alive is beautiful,” are not limited to the poet’s last words.
It is a comfort and encouragement that will always be by our side.
The belief that because it is life, there are tears and sweat, and that all traces of it come together to form the depth of existence.
Shin Kyeong-rim's poetry is based on that very belief.
This collection of poems, left behind in the poet's wake, brings to mind the warm gaze and unwavering poetic attitude that embraces the small and insignificant.
Without pretense or decoration, his language, which was directed toward the lowly throughout his life, leaves us living today with profound questions and a quiet gaze.
This is why the resonance of the short sentence, “All that is alive is beautiful,” is deeper and broader than any political slogan or moral declaration.
The final poems left behind by Shin Kyeong-rim are now up to the readers to complete.
Through this collection of poems, we return to our place in life.
Even though I'm shaking, I walk again, and even though I'm sad, I love again.
That may be the most human legacy left behind by the poet Shin Kyeong-rim.
Meanwhile, a special limited edition of Shin Kyeong-rim's first poetry collection, "Farming," which has established itself as a classic of Korean folk poetry since its publication in 1975, will also be published simultaneously.
"Farming" has been moving countless readers for nearly 50 years, keeping pace with the times, and is the starting point and essence of Shin Kyeong-rim's literature. It resonates even more deeply when placed alongside this posthumous collection of poems.
If “Living is Beautiful” is the spark the poet left behind, “Farming Fog” is the root of the poetry he pursued throughout his life.
GOODS SPECIFICS
- Date of issue: May 16, 2025
- Page count, weight, size: 152 pages | 186g | 125*200*10mm
- ISBN13: 9788936425180
- ISBN10: 8936425188
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