Award-winning Bestseller 'Wisdom of Classics for Life Transformation', Recognized Alongside Nobel Laureate, Released in Japan
On May 24, 2026, Discover 21, Inc. published the Japanese edition of the best-selling book 'Wisdom of Classics for Life Transformation' by Go Myung-hwan, which has sold over 150,000 copies in Korea and received the 'Author of the Year' award. Based on the author's personal experience of turning his life around after a terminal diagnosis, the book offers guiding wisdom for life through the study of classics.
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Discover 21, Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Naomi Taniguchi) published 'Wisdom of Classics for Life Transformation' (authored by Go Myung-hwan, translated by Fujiko Ogasawara) on May 24, 2026 (pre-released online on May 22).
Life's answers are all hidden in the 'classics'—the Japanese translation of this hit work, which sold over 150,000 copies in Korea and was awarded the '2024 Kyobo Book Centre Publishing Award: Author of the Year' alongside Nobel Prize winner Han Kang, has finally arrived.
■ A true book of self-transformation written by the embodiment of 'the power of classics'
Author Go Myung-hwan had the experience of losing everything after being told he had only three days to live due to a traffic accident. It was the 'classics' that saved him from that bottom. Having drastically turned his life around through the knowledge gained from reading classics, the author is the embodiment of 'the power of classics.'
■ Classics provide answers to all of life's worries
The author states that there are classical books for every area humans seek answers in, such as how to make money, interpersonal relationships, and a happy life.
We cry when we are sad and laugh when we are happy. The essence of humans never changes over time.
In other words, the root of human worries remains the same across time and place—that is why we can reach the answers if we open the classics.
When you get your hands on the classics, which are the strongest weapons containing thousands of years of experience, you will be able to take a step into a new stage filled with confidence.
This book is a guide for each reader to find where they belong, using the words of the classics as a compass, centered on three questions: 'Who am I?', 'How should I live?', and 'What should I do?'.
■ Recommended for those who:
Have lost their direction in life and don't know where to go.
Feel that nothing changes even after reading self-help books.
Are interested in classics but think they are too difficult to read.
◎ Book Overview
[Table of Contents]
Introduction: All answers to life are in the 'classics'
Chapter 1: Knowing your true self—Who am I?
Chapter 2: Knowing how to live like yourself—How should I live?
Chapter 3: Knowing what only you can do—What should I do?
Conclusion: Find where you should be
Classics mentioned in this book
[Author Information]
Go Myung-hwan
He is an icon of self-improvement and a top contemporary motivational expert, having recorded one million views on a YouTube video in just one day and received invitations for lectures from dozens of places just over a month after his first publication. For nearly five years, he has shouted positive affirmations every day and shared life advice with over 100,000 subscribers. He travels anywhere if someone needs his story, generously sharing his know-how with people of all ages. He visits everything from large corporations like Samsung, Wolsan Construction, and Meritz Fire & Marine Insurance to SMEs, associations, universities, elementary schools, and reading groups, without hesitation if the theme is related to books. He works happily in various fields including restaurant chains, writing, lecturing, and performance planning and production. His next goal is to build a chaotic library and become its director.
In 2024, he won the 11th Kyobo Book Centre Publishing Award 'Author of the Year' for this book, alongside Nobel laureate Han Kang. He is the author of many books including 'Books are the Strongest Weapon to Survive Life' (Discover 21).
[Translator] Fujiko Ogasawara
MA in German Literature, Sophia University Graduate School. Currently, she serves as a German language instructor at Keio University, Kokugakuin University, and others, while actively involved in Korean-to-Japanese publishing translation. Her many translations include 'I Decided to Raise Myself Like a Plant', 'Books are the Strongest Weapon to Survive Life' (both by Discover 21), 'Morning Piano: Diary of a Beauty Specialist', 'Manga to Understand English from Zero', and 'Morning 'Me Time' Changes Life'.
[Book Information]
Title: 'Wisdom of Classics for Life Transformation'
Release Date: May 24, 2026 (Online pre-release May 22)
Publisher: Discover 21, Inc.
Specifications: Hardcover (soft cover) / 280 pages
ISBN: 978-4799332818
Life's answers are all hidden in the 'classics'—the Japanese translation of this hit work, which sold over 150,000 copies in Korea and was awarded the '2024 Kyobo Book Centre Publishing Award: Author of the Year' alongside Nobel Prize winner Han Kang, has finally arrived.
■ A true book of self-transformation written by the embodiment of 'the power of classics'
Author Go Myung-hwan had the experience of losing everything after being told he had only three days to live due to a traffic accident. It was the 'classics' that saved him from that bottom. Having drastically turned his life around through the knowledge gained from reading classics, the author is the embodiment of 'the power of classics.'
■ Classics provide answers to all of life's worries
The author states that there are classical books for every area humans seek answers in, such as how to make money, interpersonal relationships, and a happy life.
We cry when we are sad and laugh when we are happy. The essence of humans never changes over time.
In other words, the root of human worries remains the same across time and place—that is why we can reach the answers if we open the classics.
When you get your hands on the classics, which are the strongest weapons containing thousands of years of experience, you will be able to take a step into a new stage filled with confidence.
This book is a guide for each reader to find where they belong, using the words of the classics as a compass, centered on three questions: 'Who am I?', 'How should I live?', and 'What should I do?'.
■ Recommended for those who:
Have lost their direction in life and don't know where to go.
Feel that nothing changes even after reading self-help books.
Are interested in classics but think they are too difficult to read.
◎ Book Overview
[Table of Contents]
Introduction: All answers to life are in the 'classics'
Chapter 1: Knowing your true self—Who am I?
Chapter 2: Knowing how to live like yourself—How should I live?
Chapter 3: Knowing what only you can do—What should I do?
Conclusion: Find where you should be
Classics mentioned in this book
[Author Information]
Go Myung-hwan
He is an icon of self-improvement and a top contemporary motivational expert, having recorded one million views on a YouTube video in just one day and received invitations for lectures from dozens of places just over a month after his first publication. For nearly five years, he has shouted positive affirmations every day and shared life advice with over 100,000 subscribers. He travels anywhere if someone needs his story, generously sharing his know-how with people of all ages. He visits everything from large corporations like Samsung, Wolsan Construction, and Meritz Fire & Marine Insurance to SMEs, associations, universities, elementary schools, and reading groups, without hesitation if the theme is related to books. He works happily in various fields including restaurant chains, writing, lecturing, and performance planning and production. His next goal is to build a chaotic library and become its director.
In 2024, he won the 11th Kyobo Book Centre Publishing Award 'Author of the Year' for this book, alongside Nobel laureate Han Kang. He is the author of many books including 'Books are the Strongest Weapon to Survive Life' (Discover 21).
[Translator] Fujiko Ogasawara
MA in German Literature, Sophia University Graduate School. Currently, she serves as a German language instructor at Keio University, Kokugakuin University, and others, while actively involved in Korean-to-Japanese publishing translation. Her many translations include 'I Decided to Raise Myself Like a Plant', 'Books are the Strongest Weapon to Survive Life' (both by Discover 21), 'Morning Piano: Diary of a Beauty Specialist', 'Manga to Understand English from Zero', and 'Morning 'Me Time' Changes Life'.
[Book Information]
Title: 'Wisdom of Classics for Life Transformation'
Release Date: May 24, 2026 (Online pre-release May 22)
Publisher: Discover 21, Inc.
Specifications: Hardcover (soft cover) / 280 pages
ISBN: 978-4799332818
FAQ
『どん底から最高の人生に変わる「古典」の知恵』とはどのような本ですか？
韓国で15万部を突破し、2024年の教保文庫出版アワードで「今年の作家賞」を受賞した自己啓発書です。交通事故による余命宣告から人生を立て直した著者コ・ミョンファンが、古典の知恵を人生の悩み解決の道標として活用する方法を説いています。
著者のコ・ミョンファン氏はどのような経歴を持っていますか？
交通事故で余命3日と宣告されたどん底の経験から、古典を通じて人生を好転させた現代のモチベーション専門家です。YouTubeや講演を通じてノウハウを伝えており、ノーベル文学賞受賞者のハン・ガン氏と並んで「今年の作家賞」を受賞しました。
本書の刊行日はいつですか？
2026年5月24日に発売されました。なお、オンライン書店では5月22日より先行発売が行われています。
本書はどのような悩みを抱える人におすすめですか？
人生の方向性を見失っている方や、従来の自己啓発書に効果を感じられなかった方、古典に興味はあるが難解で読めなかった方などにおすすめの一冊です。
本書の構成はどのようになっていますか？
「私は何者だろうか（正体）」「どう生きればいいのか（生き方）」「何をすればいいのか（自分の役割）」という3つの問いを軸に、古典の言葉を道標として自分自身の居場所を探求する構成となっています。