Recopying Youth: A Time to Relive the Hottest Moments (Hardcover)

Author Kim Jong-won · Publisher First Penguin · Publication Date 2025-09-24 · ISBN 9791199349230

Book Introduction

“As long as you believe you can do better,
you are always in your prime.”

Shining memories of youth for those with the courage to start anew

What is ‘youth’? While youth is commonly used to refer to a specific period of life, the youth that author Kim Jong-won speaks of is ‘the belief that one can improve.’ It means that anyone who has the courage to start anew, even when they are older or temporarily brought down by hardship, is in their prime.

All living things
must intensely experience
the summer of their lives.
No life can grow
without passing through intense heat.
A summer that burned so hot
promises beautiful growth that will shine.
The hotter my youth was,
the brighter my tomorrow will be.
I believe in these hot
summer days I am spending.
_From the main text

This is where the power of 『Youth's Transcription』 lies. As we transcribe, letter by letter, the solid and thoughtful sentences laid out by author Kim Jong-won on paper, we are invited into a deep space of reflection where we can look back on the trajectory of our lives and converse with ourselves. And through this process, we finally discover the message of hope that youth is never fleeting, but something that can always be embraced again.

“With just one act of transcription, your life will change astonishingly.”

A story of healing, growth, and leaps that blossoms one by one on paper

The reason author Kim Jong-won emphasizes transcription is clear. Humans are all parents raising a child named ‘me,’ and by transcribing valuable sentences, we get to know ourselves better and can grow through this process. In other words, transcribing the best writings becomes a special record that helps us grow.

“If you don't write, your life won't change. Transcription is a starting point for a brilliant leap, where you can pause, reflect on yourself, and overcome anxiety and fear in this uncertain world.”

Indeed, transcription is about borrowing someone else's words to listen to the voice of your own heart. Sentences chewed over in one's own language grow into a spark of passion in the heart, healing tired minds, awakening forgotten dreams, and providing the courage to shake off and move forward with confidence. And then, we finally realize that the 'me' from those hottest days was never lost, but merely forgotten for a while.
If you want to be reborn as a new you, if you want to encounter a wider and deeper world, open 『Youth's Transcription』 and slowly write it down. The tremor of the words left on your fingertips will surely lead you to a shining and brilliant world of youth.

Table of Contents

Prologue_ The sentences I transcribe determine the world I will live in

Chapter 1_ Relationships
An adult who cannot enjoy being alone is the most unhappy.

The more you refuse, the closer you get to the life you want.
Connections are not expanded, but narrowed.
Break free from people who make you uncomfortable.
You must break free from the obsession with isolation and ostracism.
An adult who cannot enjoy being alone is the most unhappy.
He who works on himself during the time he hates someone else is the winner.
All apologies containing ‘-my’ are fake.
Interpersonal relationships can go wrong no matter how well I do.
If you don’t know what kindness is, show it with kindness.
If you’ve decided, don’t explain in detail.
The best consideration is to be occasionally kind.
A hero is only seen through the eyes of a hero.
People I dislike are disliked by others too.
Why you should cut ties with people who interrupt you.
Don’t put up with absurd things.
7 stories you should never bring up, no matter how close you are.
It’s not that I can’t refuse because I feel sorry for the other person.
Don’t discuss life with someone who fills their day with complaints 5

Chapter 2_ Self-esteem
I was born to have fun with myself.

Humility in youth is rather arrogance.
I shine most like myself when I stand alone.
I was born to have fun with myself.
Truly victorious people radiate light from behind.
Wise people do not doubt themselves.
No matter what anyone says, you’re the one who can do it.
It’s natural to be wrong, so don’t worry about being wrong.
How to never tremble when presenting or giving an opinion.
The worst thing to say is, ‘I’m not the kind of person to work here.’
I must be my own best supporter.
I like people who know my flaws well.
Once you’ve chosen, trust yourself and see it through.
Stop worrying, ‘Is this right?’
If you meet someone with a different opinion than yours.
Let go of the idea of living for your family.
There’s no need to pretend to be bright.
Those who are good struggle with what they can’t do.
You don't start when everything is perfect.

Chapter 3_ Happiness
Happiness has no season.

The most interesting movie in the world has already begun.
It’s perfectly fine not to leave anything behind.
Things that change when you look at the world with gratitude.
Is it too late to start at thirty?
Laughter is the small daily interest that must be received.
You don’t need to worry for more than 3 minutes.
Happiness has no season.
People of high caliber don’t get depressed looking at others’ SNS.
5 things you should realize before you turn forty to avoid regret.
If it’s not about dying, everything passes.
Things you thought were useless but turned out to be precious later on.
True growth is only possible when you are honest about your desires.
You must distance yourself from people who only blame others.
A person with nothing to lose is the scariest.
If you want to make your sensitive self comfortable.
How to find true friends who will be with you into old age.
If I change myself, everything around me changes.

Chapter 4_ Passion
Start your day without rules or fear.

I am spending the summer of my life passionately right now.
You have to keep going even if it doesn't feel like things are going well.
Start your day without rules or fear.
The power to add dignity to life and look at the world wisely.
The one who just does it is the most powerful.
Life is a game where the one who recovers first wins.
Failure is like the hole in a donut.
Someone who keeps repeating will succeed even by mistake.
The time I fell and cried is my true competitive edge.
A misconception you must look back on to live as an adult.
Wandering is the time to build a foundation for miracles.
Cling to something no one expects.
A splendid life comes when you dream your most passionate dreams.
There is never mental strength that surpasses physical strength.
Giving up also becomes a habit if repeated often.
I am a person who can do anything.
Something worth investing 10 years in with a smile.
Morning exercise creates a high-quality life.

Chapter 5_ Intellect
The size of one's qualifications is equal to the size of one's fear.

The most dangerous thought that ruins me.
You need to achieve this before you turn forty to have an easy life.
The reason why there are many who are learned but few who are enlightened.
A reasonable amount of shame is actually beneficial to me.
Passion led by intellect is necessary.
In youth, you should hear these words often.
An enlightened person doesn't say things I don't want to hear.
Life ends the moment experience is replaced by skill.
The size of one's qualifications is equal to the size of one's fear.
When you connect with someone at the top, you see this.
Don't spare money to experience the best service.
Why you should meet someone who observes meticulously.
Someone who finds my value that even I don't know.
A fleeting moment you realize after turning forty.
How the wise attain truth.
This word prevents eternal growth.
My life regresses the moment I talk about the past.

Chapter 6_ Love
You have to be able to sway to avoid breaking.

Can youth be spoken of without love?
Why you need to be kind to yourself when things are tough.
To you who worry about things that haven't happened yet.
You must live as your most attractive self.
Find the 'life kick' that is emotion.
The best way to spend your twenties brilliantly.
The wisest way to achieve your desired goals.
The sad desire to be loved by everyone.
Everything will get better day by day.
Create your own space where your mind can be at ease.
To you who became alone because you didn't want to get hurt.
You have to be able to sway to avoid breaking.
Let's love ourselves first, not anyone else.
You must spend today, which will never return, brilliantly.
Who is the most knowledgeable person in the world?
Others don't care much about me.
7 things that are surprisingly difficult but essential in life.

Chapter 7_ Language
It's not that it's not there, it's that I haven't seen it.

Redefine important words yourself.
Read all the books by one author.
The harmful phrase, 'I just had a convenience store lunch.'
If you look at the posts on SNS, you can see their tomorrow.
You can only start real writing by discarding 3 misconceptions.
The most creative act in the world is 'writing comments.'
5 phrases that make your twenties shine more colorfully.
It's not that it's not there, it's that I haven't seen it.
Meet someone who embraces you with words, like a blanket.
If someone keeps making mistakes, say this.
Conversations with generous people are enjoyable.
A sarcastic tone can ruin your life.
What happens to me when I write a 'find a better way' diary.
The conditions for writing that keep the meaning of my life.
The single question that changes a sensitive person's life.
Why you get criticized for bragging when things are going well.
Talent and environment are not very important.