Kim Ran-do consoles 'adult child'

Kim Ran-do, author of bestselling "You Are Suffering Because You Are Young", published a new book "It Takes 1,000 Struggles to Grow into an Adult".
/ Courtesy of OUA

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By Kwon Mee-yoo

It is difficult for young college graduates to land a decent job in Korea. However, those who do find one continue to agonize over troubles with bosses, low salaries and difficult work. They find themselves asking Kim Ran-do, a mentor of young Koreans why the workplace is not easy to deal with.

In his new book "It Takes 1,000 Wobbles to Grow into an Adult" (OUA, 14,000 won), Kim gives advice to those in their late 20s and early 30s, who struggle with work, family, love and self-realization.

The Seoul National University professor's lectures are among the most popular at the prestigious university. His previous book "It Hurts Because It's Youth" is a bestseller in Korea, about to reach sales of 2 million. The books convey his compelling yet comforting lectures in written form.

While his first book targeted university students, the latest one aims to help those new to the workforce. He calls them "adult children" who have suspended fundamental thoughts about themselves in cutthroat competition in order to find a job and jump into society.

According to Kim, growing up is the most fundamental thing in life, more important than money, honor or power. "I want to tell young people that it is important to grow up steadily, gradually", he said at a press conference to introduce the book, Monday.

He said young people these days postpone agonies. "Their adolescent worries are delayed until entering university and university students' problems are postponed until getting a job", he said. "Such a fierce, competitive society has made youngsters lay aside their life plans. High turnover rates despite the unemployment crisis and people getting married late are of a similar context as youngsters postpone decision-making in relation to their careers and marriage".

Kim shares a letter to one of his students who wanted to quit his first job to pursue his "real dream" in the book.

"You said it would be better to quit the job that you acquired by sacrificing your college life ... But why do you think so? Reflect on yourself objectively. ... Do you want to quit the job to find your childhood dream or do you rationalize your weakness by citing your dream? If it's the latter, you are being cowardly to yourself and those who trusted you. You don't quit a job because you can't bear it but when there is no vision for growing up", he writes in the book.

Kim does not claim to give the right answer but rather shares his experiences and other people's stories when they were new hires to help these "adult children" find the right way.

There has been criticism of his books as he ignores problems in the contradiction of social structure and only offers individuals so lace. Though Kim recognizes such comments he said, "It is important to remove cancer surgically but the patient should care about his health. As I cannot write about both stories, I chose to write about personal introspection".

His previous book was translated and published in China, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan and the Netherlands, topping the Amazon China chart for 16 weeks.

"When I heard my book was popular in other countries, I thought the pain of the young was structural and generational", he said.

Kim's next project will be "Trend Korea 2013" in November and a collection of essays for the middle-aged.