[Books of the Week] "Dreaming Together" and More

Dreaming Together

This is the story of Cosmax, an Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) in the cosmetics industry. It chronicles 33 years of steadfast innovation and growth. The journey behind the creation of global hit products, from luxury cushion foundations to the much-talked-about BB creams, draws particular attention. As of 2024, statistics show that Cosmax is involved in exports amounting to 26% of Korea’s total cosmetics export value-a figure that is truly remarkable. In effect, the company is responsible for a quarter of all K-beauty exports. Starting in 1992 with just three employees, Cosmax has grown into a global powerhouse producing 3.3 billion cosmetic products annually. This dramatic journey is introduced here. (Cosmax and one other | Korea Economic Daily)

I Am an Office Worker, Moved to Gangnam, Ask Me Anything

This is the trial-and-error account of a dual-income couple with a six-year-old daughter as they navigate the process of buying a home. With their daughter about to start elementary school, the parents take on the challenge of selling and buying real estate for the first time. The author is an ordinary office worker-not an entrepreneur, a major corporation employee, or a professional. The book candidly reveals the entire process of selling and buying a home to move to Gangnam. It presents an “error log” filled with lessons learned from site visits, common beginner mistakes, the contract process, and tasks to handle after moving in. The book offers practical advice on how to find a good real estate agent, tips for selling, and the right timing to negotiate brokerage fees. (Written by Daechi Daddy | Page2Books)

Money: The History of Humanity

This is a magnum opus written over five years by renowned Irish economist David McWilliams. The book reinterprets 5,000 years of human history through the lens of “money matters.” Why did the Roman Empire collapse? Why did Europe come to dominate the world? How did the small nation of the Netherlands establish colonies across the globe in the 17th century? Why was the world’s first printing press invented in Germany? The book answers these questions from the perspective of money, revealing the inner workings of the financial systems based on sophisticated credit mechanisms that supported the development of trade. (Written by David McWilliams | Poten Up)

Itami Jun: My Architecture

This is the story of architect Itami Jun, the first Asian to hold a solo exhibition at the Mus?e Guimet in France, recipient of the French Chevalier Order, and the first Korean-Japanese to win Japan’s Murano Togo Prize. In contrast to his illustrious accolades, his architecture is characterized by quietness and simplicity. The book focuses on his life and architectural philosophy. Born in Japan as a second-generation Korean-Japanese, he lived with the identity of an outsider and spent his life contemplating architecture. The book also includes a variety of his writings and photographs from the last years of his life. (Written by Itami Jun | Maumsanchaek)

Porsche: 75 Years

The Porsche 356, introduced in 1948, opened a new chapter in sports car history. This book traces 75 years of Porsche’s benchmarks, technologies, and designs, highlighting how the brand became an icon of modern culture. It explores the evolution of the Porsche brand and its legendary achievements in motorsports. Drawing on decades of accumulated materials, interviews, and an extensive photographic archive, the author covers Porsche’s relentless pursuit of new models and technologies. (Written by Randy Leffingwell | Itdam Books)

The History of AI

Toby Walsh, a world-renowned artificial intelligence (AI) expert, presents the sweeping history of AI’s development since the 1800s. Starting with questions like “Can machines think like humans?” and “Can robots replace human jobs?”, the book offers a broad perspective on the achievements AI research has made over the past century. Addressing whether AI will enrich human lives or take away jobs and make life more difficult, the author expresses concern but believes there is still a long way to go before AI can catch up to humans. (Written by Toby Walsh | Sejong Research Institute)

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