[New Release] "Are You Still Seoul?"

Life in the Countryside Shines Bright Despite No Home and Failed Farming
The Story of a Rural Man Living in Gurye

[Asia Economy Reporter Sim Nayoung] In the winter of 2011, Jieun and her partner, carrying a small car filled with blankets, clothes, books, and a laptop, impulsively moved down to Gurye. Over the past 10 years, they have compiled writings about the people, events, and incidents they encountered in Gurye.

The new book, 'Neon Ajik Seoulini' (Are You Still in Seoul?), was written by a countryside man who, despite having no house of his own or even a patch of land to cultivate, enjoys the leisure of sitting under the shade of flowers from morning and having a drink. The author, Ahn Youngsam, chose to return to farming entirely for himself. He said, "Each day in the countryside was increasingly a continuation of days lived for myself."

Even after failing at various kinds of farming, he nurtured hope by touching the land again, offering his body, mind, and labor fully, and sharing wisdom in mingling with others. He acquired lively freedom, peculiar abundance, and confident boldness in the countryside.

'Neon Ajik Seoulini' states that the measure of success cannot be explained. It tells that there is something shining despite poverty, insignificance, and humility.

"Before you know it, it becomes the end of March, and azaleas start blooming red here and there on the mountain slopes, preparing for the splendid week of cherry blossoms. After a few days of some branches bursting a few flower buds under good sunlight, on a windless, warm, and cozy midday, if you briefly drink coffee and step out onto the street, some crazy cotton candy vendor has spread out a million-won-worth extra-large cotton candy as if it were a road covered with sheep. .............(omitted) The week when cherry blossoms bloom is when the world goes crazy. Strangely, only the 'eccentric' people come as customers at this time. Sitting at a pavilion by the Seomjin River where cherry blossoms are in full bloom, they drink daytime alcohol." (From the book)

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.