Seohyun Reviews A Book About SNSD’s Biggest Fan

Seohyun our favourite maknae decided recently to do a short review about a book that has been catching her academic attention for quite some time to date. 

The book review was part of an interview article that Munhwa News had with Seohyun prior to the Girls’ Taiwan leg of their 2nd Girls’ Generation Asian Tour. The book in question ? It’s none other than “Writing Hope With Eyes” by basketball player Park Seungil. In it, the once aspiring Korean basketball star and coach details the struggles he faced when he contracted Lou Gehrig’s Disease in the prime of his life and career. Heart-wrenching and inspiring at the same time, the book tells a tale of perseverance and hope on the part of Park Seungil as he comes to terms with his disease condition and his future life goals, in the light of this often fatal disease. In addition to the book review, Seohyun also shed a little light on the reading habits of the 9 ladies and even a little tidbit on how she felt when she finally had a chance to meet her lifelong idol face-to-face. With interests and aspirations like these, namely, to seek to continue to improve themselves, regardless of the time constraints imposed on them by their hectic performance schedules, it is little wonder that the 9 ladies have fans from all age groups, having set themselves up as good examples for all to follow. 

The following is the translated transcript of the news article.

Hello. This is Girls’ Generation’s maknae, Seohyun. With Chuseok coming up, we [Girls' Generation] will be holding a concert from the 9th to the 11th in Taiwan to spread K-Pop overseas. Last week, we spread K-Pop through a large concert in front of 150,000 people at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. We are also planning on holding a heart fluttering, dream-like concert in October at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Because it’s a concert that we will be having with fans from all over the world, I’m always nervous. My body is tired, but I am happy because I enjoy stages that make my heart flutter. Within our tight concert schedule, there is a book that I always look for. It is “Writing Hope With Eyes” by basketball player Park Seungil. The book is about Park Seungil being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease and becoming bedridden after being named “Korea’s youngest basketball coach.” It shows how he looked to hope despite the difficult atmosphere he was in. It is a heartwrenching and touching book that shows Park Seungil’s pride and efforts of living by doing his best. I recommend this book as I feel that it will give some insight to those who live busy lives without any time to relax, as well as touch their hearts. I am sure that his records of fighting this disease in particular will comfort those waiting for hope. Along with the rest of Girls’ Generation’s members, I read books between recording and concerts. All of us read, and we always carry one or two books in our bags. Because I like reading, I receive many books as gifts from fans, so whether I’m in the plane or in a car, I read often. I even had an overwhelming moment when I met the person I respect the most, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon. Through books I was able to meet people who give hope and strength, and I think I was able to gain that strength and hope from them.