'Bookstore Keeper' Moon Makes YouTube Debut... Why He First Recommended the Poetry Collection "Now, I Go Home"

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Former President Moon Jae-in, who has transformed into a bookstore keeper, has made his YouTube debut as the first former president to do so. On November 17, a video titled "The First Summer with Children Who Became Poets, Wanju" was released on the official YouTube channel of Pyeongsan Bookstore, "Pyeongsan Bookstore TV." The video features a conversation between former President Moon and Tak Hyunmin, former Blue House Protocol Secretary (currently a special professor at Mokpo National University). The video was produced by Humble Broadcasting Station, run by broadcaster Kim Eo-jun.

Former President Moon Jae-in, who has transformed into a bookstore keeper, is appearing on the YouTube channel 'Pyeongsan Bookstore TV' and having a conversation. YouTube

The video begins by showing the scenery of Pyeongsan Village. In the following conversation with former Secretary Tak, former President Moon recommended the poetry collection "Now, I Go Home" as his first book suggestion. This book is a collection of poems written by 76 youths from the Gyeongnam Youth Probation Center, who received protective custody dispositions at juvenile protection trials. He commented on the book, saying, "If adults show more interest and affection, children will grow up upright."

Former President Moon stated, "These children are at a crossroads-whether they will return to normal lives or continue down a troubled path. What is absolutely lacking is someone to listen to their stories. Even just listening can make a difference for them." The poem that left the strongest impression on him was the title poem "Still," which includes the lines, "My eyes opened, I breathed, and that was all." He added, "It feels like the child is not simply resigning to isolation, loneliness, or helplessness, but has the strength to rise again. I also remember the two poems titled 'Bad Daughter' with the same title."

The second recommended book was "I'll Be By Your Side," compiled by Ryu Ki-in, Chief Judge of the Juvenile Division at Changwon District Court, and others. He explained, "It is a collection of writings by the chief judge of the juvenile division, the director of the youth probation center, teachers, mentors, and graduates who completed the program at the youth probation center. I recommend reading it after 'Now, I Go Home.'" He continued, "If the book sells well, we could even give the children some royalties. I hope they can live with the pride of saying, 'I'm a poet. My poetry collection was published, and I even received royalties.'"

Former President Moon harvesting sunflower seeds at Pyeongsan Bookstore located in Yangsan, Gyeongnam. YouTube

In April 2023, ahead of the first anniversary of former President Moon's retirement, a bookstore opened in Pyeongsan Village, Jisan-ri, Habuk-myeon, Yangsan, Gyeongnam, where his private residence is located. As the bookstore keeper, he has personally greeted customers and hosted book talks. In May, he visited the Pyeongsan Bookstore booth at the Seoul International Book Fair, attracting the attention of citizens. In the latest video, he is also seen greeting local residents and harvesting sunflower seeds, showing scenes from his everyday life.

As of the morning of November 18, the video had recorded over 18,000 views and received about 2,800 comments. The comments include positive reactions such as "The warm atmosphere of Pyeongsan Bookstore comes through perfectly," as well as critical voices like "If you want to be forgotten, then be forgotten."

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