I Decided to Live as Me

by Kim Suhyun

In a world where it can seem impossible to feel that you are ever good enough, and where it’s easy to judge yourself by the unrealistic standards of social media, I Decided to Live as Me offers guidance and encouragement for celebrating yourself and feeling comfortable in your own skin.

With her charming illustrations and words of comfort, Kim Suhyun has reached millions of readers—including Jung Kook from the K-pop band BTS—who have found inspiration in her journey of self-love. She offers a checklist to guide you on your own journey, with advice including:

Don't be kind to those who aren't kind to you.
Remember that no one lives a perfect life.
Don't be swayed by others' opinions.
Crack corny jokes sometimes.
Don't try too hard to get along with everyone.

Through these tips and more, I Decided to Live as Me teaches you that by freeing yourself from the pressure of other people's expectations, you can focus on what truly matters: living not for anyone else, but for yourself.

272 pages, Paperback

Published November 20, 2025

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

The concept of this book is good, and there are some truth bombs in it that are a 10/10. However, I think it’s aimed at much younger generations. I felt it lacked depth, and it was a bit boring. The illustrations are cute, tho.

[Alannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book raises some valid points but the points are often extremely brief – hence it only being a checklist. I found myself speeding through the book without retaining much, as everything is short, fast-paced, and strangely repetitive. That said, when it comes to tips like “don’t be too sad” (just be sad the necessary amount!) the brevity is almost a relief, as advice that vague is not especially helpful and certainly does not need an entire chapter. Much of the book is closely tied to Korean cultural norms, which do not always translate to my European experience. It may also be that I am simply not the target audience, as it feels more suited to a younger readership.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobooked :)
Interestingly other reviewers here have commented that this is more a commentary on Korean culture and how the author chooses to break free of this- however I didn’t find this off putting at all. I could hear how her experiences mirrored those we can have across cultures to a degree, so spoke to the nature of being human. This is a lovely book, one I might want to return to in future.

[Mk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jungkook made me read it.
Book made me realise I’m too old for it.

[marie ★ · Rating 1 out of 5]

in my humble opinion, this book isn't worth your money and time. it's rather underwhelming and generic

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know, this book has some good tips. I might try to use some of them in the (near) future.