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Born of this land : my life story
This book is an English Edition of Hyundai Group founder Chung Ju-Yung's autobiography "Born of this Land." It is now possible to read in English the journey of leaving home penniless and creating Hyundai Group only with his two mottos, sincerity and credit. From starting the first car repair shop that burned down, to constructing the Soyang River Dam and Gyeongbu Expressway, to establish Hyundai Motor and Hyundai Heavy Industries, the Seosan Reclamation Project, the 88 Olympics, and the cattle drive to North Korea, we can meet the wisdom, indomitable will, and positive thinking. The book, which consists of nine chapters, contains records of efforts and struggles to create businesses and countries in South Korea as a new country that suffered chaos through Japanese colonial era and the Korean War. Along with his story as an entrepreneur who made Hyundai a global company, readers can also get a glimpse of his personality as the eldest brother of seven siblings, as the husband of a wife, and as a father.
357 pages, Unknown Binding
Published April 23, 2019
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744 people want to read
About the author
Chung Ju Yung
3 books12 followersChung Ju-yung was a South Korean entrepreneur, businessman and the founder of all Hyundai Groups of South Korea.
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January 3, 2025
Great autobiography to kick off the year.
I should have known from the title of the book that this is no ordinary biography about Hyundai. Rather, it was an ode to South Korea by a man who deeply loves his country. Although Chung did not succeed in his presidential bid, his story merits deeper study. He undoubtedly belongs in the pantheons of great nation-builders, alongside figures like Mandela and Lee Kuan Yew. This is a story of how Chung helped build a nation using the power of private enterprise.
The following are some key takeaways:
First, to build something truly great, profit incentive is insufficient. When Jobs launched each successive revolutionary product in his second term at Apple, it wasn’t profit that motivated him, but rather, it was the pursuit of excellence, the drive to craft something truly beautiful and transformative, and his relentless desire to reshape how people interact with technology. When Musk and his crew at SpaceX faced repeated failures with Falcon 1 but bounced back and persevered each time, it wasn’t personal wealth that motivated everyone, but an unwavering commitment towards the mission of enabling humankind to be a spacefaring and interplanetary species. Similarly for Chung and Hyundai, it was that the fate of the country’s economic future rested on their shoulders; that they were not just toiling hard for their own pockets or immediate families, but for future generations lucky enough to call themselves South Korean.
The path towards success in business is non-linear and never smooth. As Marc Andreessen says, “you only ever experience two emotions: euphoria and terror” when building a business. The problem comes when the troughs are so low that there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. It is at this point when the following question becomes poignant: what are you and your company fighting so hard for?
Second, the importance of reputation and trust. “If I have to choose between reputation and money, I’ll always take reputation. Finishing on time is how we protect our reputation and honour. So let’s give it a shot.” Early into his career, Chung upheld this mantra, often at great personal financial cost. In this case, he made the difficult decision of continuing with the Goryeong Bridge restoration project despite floods and runaway inflation turning it into a loss-making endeavour. “We had contracted to do the job for 547,800 won but wound up 650,000 won in debt”. While we shouldn’t expect that these difficult decisions yield immediate results, it did become a watershed moment in Hyundai’s early history, as it gave the company a lot of credibility and a strong reputation, culminating in the Ministry of Interior awarding them a high credit score and subsequent projects.
Finally, this is a little difficult to wrap my head around but Chung’s visit to North Korea to see his relatives did provoke a few questions I’ve had about the global geopolitical divide. When Chung visited his relatives in a modest house in Mt. Geumgang, they gathered in a corner and sang prayers to their North Korean leaders in unison, like a choir. “It was only then that I fully felt the tragedy of 40 years of national division and the vast differences between the two political systems.” Chung’s visit underscored the profound impact of political divisions on individual lives.
As the book drew to a close, Chung reflected on unwavering support of his wife, whose quiet strength sustained him through the most challenging moments of his life. On her deathbed, Chung recalled the promise he had once made to reconnect her with her long-lost family in North Korea when they had made enough money - a promise he painfully acknowledged as “a cruel promise that [he] could not keep”.
I had a conversation a few months back with my friend’s partner about the future of humanity might look like. I took a stab and envisioned a world not fractured by political divide but united by a common identity of the human race. A nation is ultimately a social construct; there is nothing inherently “American” or “South Korean” baked into our genes, but what we can unequivocally say is that we are humans. Yet, the international divide has had such severe ramifications on the world - what with all the wars, strife, protectionism. Maybe I’ve been reading too many sci-fi books in recent times, but Seveneves and the Three Body Problem did prompt me to ponder about what world can achieve if all humans were all united towards a common goal. How would that future look like, 1000 years, 10,000 years, 100,000 years from now? Just a thought.
There are so many memorable quotes from this book, spanning the topics of life philosophy, work ethic, managing employee morale etc. I’ll list just a few most poignant ones:
“‘Time is a form of capital provided equally to everyone.’ I couldn't agree more. If I can be considered a successful person in my chosen profession, it is only because I was able to do my very best, based on strong convictions, and made the best use of this ‘evenly distributed capital’. "
“‘Do it until nothing more can be done. Give it your all 'til the very end.’ This thought is the very essence of me as a person and the fundamental principle of my life.”
“When your parents who bore you and raised you suddenly passes away, you are overcome with regret and self-blame for having been an unfilial child, failing to appreciate all that his parents had done for him. Never again would I hear from clearing his throat with an ‘Ahem’ when I could come home in the middle of the night. I missed him terribly and felt empty. I always assumed that he would live longer and look over me.”
“Thinking that anything is possible is the first rule of a successful person. If you doubt yourself, then you will only be able to accomplish as much as your doubts let you. If you think you can’t do something then you won’t be able to do it.”
“In the absence of Hyundai, the Korean economy would have lagged behind by at least a decade or two. We are not merely merchants out for a buck. We are a group of gifted individuals united by the call to lead our country, to build our national economy, and to serve as the backbone of our economic prosperity.”
“Are you considered a happy person if you’re rich? No. I think otherwise. What circumstances a person was born into, what position he is in, or what he does for a living, does not matter. Only when he gives his best and lives fully in the present is a man truly happy. A man who lives fully in the present while dreaming of a brighter future, a man who enjoys his work and who finds happiness in the smallest of things, that man will find success in whatever he does. Such a man is one that lives well. Whether you’re a mid-level or highly skilled engineer, a Chinese food delivery boy, a student, or an executive, it’s the same.”
“The first condition for happiness is good health … Second, you must empathise with others and try to live your life with a pure heart … The third condition is endless self-improvement … The fourth condition is illustrated by the proverb: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” There are very few things that go according to plan. Everyone is bound to face fierce trials throughout their lives. But when the times get tough, you must keep your chin up and press forward.”
I should have known from the title of the book that this is no ordinary biography about Hyundai. Rather, it was an ode to South Korea by a man who deeply loves his country. Although Chung did not succeed in his presidential bid, his story merits deeper study. He undoubtedly belongs in the pantheons of great nation-builders, alongside figures like Mandela and Lee Kuan Yew. This is a story of how Chung helped build a nation using the power of private enterprise.
The following are some key takeaways:
First, to build something truly great, profit incentive is insufficient. When Jobs launched each successive revolutionary product in his second term at Apple, it wasn’t profit that motivated him, but rather, it was the pursuit of excellence, the drive to craft something truly beautiful and transformative, and his relentless desire to reshape how people interact with technology. When Musk and his crew at SpaceX faced repeated failures with Falcon 1 but bounced back and persevered each time, it wasn’t personal wealth that motivated everyone, but an unwavering commitment towards the mission of enabling humankind to be a spacefaring and interplanetary species. Similarly for Chung and Hyundai, it was that the fate of the country’s economic future rested on their shoulders; that they were not just toiling hard for their own pockets or immediate families, but for future generations lucky enough to call themselves South Korean.
The path towards success in business is non-linear and never smooth. As Marc Andreessen says, “you only ever experience two emotions: euphoria and terror” when building a business. The problem comes when the troughs are so low that there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. It is at this point when the following question becomes poignant: what are you and your company fighting so hard for?
Second, the importance of reputation and trust. “If I have to choose between reputation and money, I’ll always take reputation. Finishing on time is how we protect our reputation and honour. So let’s give it a shot.” Early into his career, Chung upheld this mantra, often at great personal financial cost. In this case, he made the difficult decision of continuing with the Goryeong Bridge restoration project despite floods and runaway inflation turning it into a loss-making endeavour. “We had contracted to do the job for 547,800 won but wound up 650,000 won in debt”. While we shouldn’t expect that these difficult decisions yield immediate results, it did become a watershed moment in Hyundai’s early history, as it gave the company a lot of credibility and a strong reputation, culminating in the Ministry of Interior awarding them a high credit score and subsequent projects.
Finally, this is a little difficult to wrap my head around but Chung’s visit to North Korea to see his relatives did provoke a few questions I’ve had about the global geopolitical divide. When Chung visited his relatives in a modest house in Mt. Geumgang, they gathered in a corner and sang prayers to their North Korean leaders in unison, like a choir. “It was only then that I fully felt the tragedy of 40 years of national division and the vast differences between the two political systems.” Chung’s visit underscored the profound impact of political divisions on individual lives.
As the book drew to a close, Chung reflected on unwavering support of his wife, whose quiet strength sustained him through the most challenging moments of his life. On her deathbed, Chung recalled the promise he had once made to reconnect her with her long-lost family in North Korea when they had made enough money - a promise he painfully acknowledged as “a cruel promise that [he] could not keep”.
I had a conversation a few months back with my friend’s partner about the future of humanity might look like. I took a stab and envisioned a world not fractured by political divide but united by a common identity of the human race. A nation is ultimately a social construct; there is nothing inherently “American” or “South Korean” baked into our genes, but what we can unequivocally say is that we are humans. Yet, the international divide has had such severe ramifications on the world - what with all the wars, strife, protectionism. Maybe I’ve been reading too many sci-fi books in recent times, but Seveneves and the Three Body Problem did prompt me to ponder about what world can achieve if all humans were all united towards a common goal. How would that future look like, 1000 years, 10,000 years, 100,000 years from now? Just a thought.
There are so many memorable quotes from this book, spanning the topics of life philosophy, work ethic, managing employee morale etc. I’ll list just a few most poignant ones:
“‘Time is a form of capital provided equally to everyone.’ I couldn't agree more. If I can be considered a successful person in my chosen profession, it is only because I was able to do my very best, based on strong convictions, and made the best use of this ‘evenly distributed capital’. "
“‘Do it until nothing more can be done. Give it your all 'til the very end.’ This thought is the very essence of me as a person and the fundamental principle of my life.”
“When your parents who bore you and raised you suddenly passes away, you are overcome with regret and self-blame for having been an unfilial child, failing to appreciate all that his parents had done for him. Never again would I hear from clearing his throat with an ‘Ahem’ when I could come home in the middle of the night. I missed him terribly and felt empty. I always assumed that he would live longer and look over me.”
“Thinking that anything is possible is the first rule of a successful person. If you doubt yourself, then you will only be able to accomplish as much as your doubts let you. If you think you can’t do something then you won’t be able to do it.”
“In the absence of Hyundai, the Korean economy would have lagged behind by at least a decade or two. We are not merely merchants out for a buck. We are a group of gifted individuals united by the call to lead our country, to build our national economy, and to serve as the backbone of our economic prosperity.”
“Are you considered a happy person if you’re rich? No. I think otherwise. What circumstances a person was born into, what position he is in, or what he does for a living, does not matter. Only when he gives his best and lives fully in the present is a man truly happy. A man who lives fully in the present while dreaming of a brighter future, a man who enjoys his work and who finds happiness in the smallest of things, that man will find success in whatever he does. Such a man is one that lives well. Whether you’re a mid-level or highly skilled engineer, a Chinese food delivery boy, a student, or an executive, it’s the same.”
“The first condition for happiness is good health … Second, you must empathise with others and try to live your life with a pure heart … The third condition is endless self-improvement … The fourth condition is illustrated by the proverb: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” There are very few things that go according to plan. Everyone is bound to face fierce trials throughout their lives. But when the times get tough, you must keep your chin up and press forward.”
March 20, 2025
Probably the most incredible entrepreneurial biography out there. Rags to riches stories don’t get any better than this. Perseverance, risk taking, hard work and bravery culminating in a journey from poverty stricken farmers boy to the richest man in Korea and even that only tells a small part of the story. Does one star for the very dry style of writing, not sure if this is a cultural thing or a translation thing but the writing and editing dots not quite do this man’s life work justice
January 5, 2026
Highly Recommended Autobiography, although, good luck in finding a copy of the book!
This is the autobiography of Chung Ju Yungor the founder of Hyundai (The bulldozer as he was known among his people). He was born in 1915 in Korea starting his life working on a farm with his father in poverty with little education. He ended his life as one of the founders of the strong economy that South Korea has today. Chung ran away from his home at the age of 19 and moved to Seoul working in many jobs to get on his feet. He carried rocks, worked in a rice shop, worked as a delivery boy, and held many other jobs. Eventually, he built a construction company which he called Hyundai. His company quickly moved from constructing roads, power plants ,and ports to building ships. Building the first car came later. I am not going to dwell too much about his accomplishments, you can google it yourself. But I will mention a few things about his unique character. Chung life was full of struggle and difficulties which shaped his character. The best part of the book was his early life struggles. There were many touching parts in the book such as the one where his father trying to convince him to stay on the farm instead of moving to the city. I thought that was very touching scene between a father and a son.
Just to give some idea about this guy, I’ll mention few characteristics that I thought led to his success:
1-He was an absolute optimist
2-He was a high risk taker- He would risk it all just to succeed in something.
3-He needed money in his early life, but later, it was never his aim. He wanted to create jobs and build his nation.
4-He woke up very early (sometime at 3:00 am in the morning).
5-He had little education, in the village, the bulk of his education came from reading books and work.
6-He was stubborn and very hard to stop when he makes up his mind
7-He worshiped work, and put all his power into it
8-He was humble, and very caring toward the regular workers
9-He was a very direct boss and very tough, even hurting the feeling of others if necessary (he actually apologized for his toughness in the book).
10-He was an excellent planner
11-He loved his country a lot, a fact that’s clear in all the pages of the book, he was a patriot.
There are many things that you can mention about him, but I hope the above will be sufficient to get an idea about his character. I will also mention few things that came up in the book which I thought were interesting facts:
1- Hyundai built many things in Saudi Arabia including the Jubail Industrial Port which was one of the biggest construction contracts in the 20th century.
2- Chung desperately tried to unify the two Koreas but failed in his attempts. Chung old village sits today in North Korea with many relatives still living there. He visited them with the approval of North Korean government.
3- Hyundai first car was an attempt to launch the South Korea automobile industry which was a large failure. Only later, they succeeded in their endeavor.
4-Chung had a very loyal wife who never complained. She lived a simple life although his husband was a billionaire.
I will put few highlights here to give an overview of what to expect in the book:
A nation that can build cars can also build airplanes or pretty much anything
Time is the capital that must be managed most wisely
I don’t trust anyone who is lazy
Even though my education stopped after the sixth grade, I’ve always enjoyed reading great books. If my first mentors were my parents, then my second mentors were books
Half measures, compromises, cutting corners, or “being realistic” do not exist in my world
Success is 90% determination, 10% confidence
There is an end to every beginning, war is no exception
The root of failure is planted the moment you achieve your goal
If a loss yields experience, then it is not truly a loss
You cannot succeed without taking risks
This is the autobiography of Chung Ju Yungor the founder of Hyundai (The bulldozer as he was known among his people). He was born in 1915 in Korea starting his life working on a farm with his father in poverty with little education. He ended his life as one of the founders of the strong economy that South Korea has today. Chung ran away from his home at the age of 19 and moved to Seoul working in many jobs to get on his feet. He carried rocks, worked in a rice shop, worked as a delivery boy, and held many other jobs. Eventually, he built a construction company which he called Hyundai. His company quickly moved from constructing roads, power plants ,and ports to building ships. Building the first car came later. I am not going to dwell too much about his accomplishments, you can google it yourself. But I will mention a few things about his unique character. Chung life was full of struggle and difficulties which shaped his character. The best part of the book was his early life struggles. There were many touching parts in the book such as the one where his father trying to convince him to stay on the farm instead of moving to the city. I thought that was very touching scene between a father and a son.
Just to give some idea about this guy, I’ll mention few characteristics that I thought led to his success:
1-He was an absolute optimist
2-He was a high risk taker- He would risk it all just to succeed in something.
3-He needed money in his early life, but later, it was never his aim. He wanted to create jobs and build his nation.
4-He woke up very early (sometime at 3:00 am in the morning).
5-He had little education, in the village, the bulk of his education came from reading books and work.
6-He was stubborn and very hard to stop when he makes up his mind
7-He worshiped work, and put all his power into it
8-He was humble, and very caring toward the regular workers
9-He was a very direct boss and very tough, even hurting the feeling of others if necessary (he actually apologized for his toughness in the book).
10-He was an excellent planner
11-He loved his country a lot, a fact that’s clear in all the pages of the book, he was a patriot.
There are many things that you can mention about him, but I hope the above will be sufficient to get an idea about his character. I will also mention few things that came up in the book which I thought were interesting facts:
1- Hyundai built many things in Saudi Arabia including the Jubail Industrial Port which was one of the biggest construction contracts in the 20th century.
2- Chung desperately tried to unify the two Koreas but failed in his attempts. Chung old village sits today in North Korea with many relatives still living there. He visited them with the approval of North Korean government.
3- Hyundai first car was an attempt to launch the South Korea automobile industry which was a large failure. Only later, they succeeded in their endeavor.
4-Chung had a very loyal wife who never complained. She lived a simple life although his husband was a billionaire.
I will put few highlights here to give an overview of what to expect in the book:
A nation that can build cars can also build airplanes or pretty much anything
Time is the capital that must be managed most wisely
I don’t trust anyone who is lazy
Even though my education stopped after the sixth grade, I’ve always enjoyed reading great books. If my first mentors were my parents, then my second mentors were books
Half measures, compromises, cutting corners, or “being realistic” do not exist in my world
Success is 90% determination, 10% confidence
There is an end to every beginning, war is no exception
The root of failure is planted the moment you achieve your goal
If a loss yields experience, then it is not truly a loss
You cannot succeed without taking risks
February 8, 2025
Memorable quotes by different topics:
On taking small tasks seriously:
-No matter how small the task, such as delivering rice on a bicycle, I pour all my energy into achieving the best possible result. Half measures, compromises, cutting corners, or "being realistic" do not exist in my world. Do it until nothing more can be done. Give it your all 'till the very end. This thought is the very essence of me as a person and the fundamental principle of my life.
On conviction:
-Success is 90% determination, 10% confidence. I remind myself of this every time I start a new project. There is absolutely no room, not even 1%, for doubt or apprehension.
-Thinking that anything is possible is the first rule of a successful person. If you doubt yourself, then you will only be able to accomplish as much as your doubts let you. If you think you can't do something, then you won't be able to do it.
On how to live life:
-Even if life doesn’t stop for a moment, everybody wants to enjoy life comfortably at a leisurely pace. However, I think there is nothing more foolish than living a life according to the mantra of “doing enough just to get by,” not knowing how precious one’s tome is. In one lifetime, we can become a revered, immortalized politician, a scholar, a revolutionary, a writer, a musician, a painter, or a businessman like those that we admire. These remarkable people did not take two or three lifetimes to accomplish what they did. They did it in one. To be sure, individual aptitude, ability, environment, or excellence differs from case to case. Not everyone can pull off such deeds in a single lifetime. However, if you make full use of your time by living diligently, you can excel in any field. Such a life would be considered a successful one.
-I am someone who believed that if a person limits themselves to the fixed idea inherent in common sense, they will not be very creative. People with a strong will to succeed have unlimited potential and creative abilities. By bringing together all of this potential, the collective energy of a people can be unleashed.
-What does it mean to say someone lives well? What does it mean to live well? What circumstances a person was born into, what position he is in or what he does for a living does not matter. Only when he gives his best and lives fully in the present is a man truly happy. A man who lives fully in the present while dreaming of brighter future, a man who enjoys his work and who find happiness in the smallest of things, that man will find success in whatever he does. Such a man is one who lives well, whether a mid-level or highly skilled engineer, a Chinese food delivery boy, a student, or an executive, it's the same.
On the value of diligence and time management:
-Time is the capital that must be managed most wisely. I make a plan, jump head first into it, and finish a project in a shorter amount of time than other people. When others are hesitating, I have already begun working. It's not an exaggeration to say that my life was defined by "time" rather than "age.". This is how I have lived and this is how I have succeeded.
-Unless your life goal is wasting time, then the first thin I recommend is to be diligent. Being diligent forces you to move a lot, think a lot, and work a lot. Diligence mirrors your sincerity about living a full life. So I don't trust anyone who is lazy. If you are diligent in attending to your daily needs, then over time you will become credible and reap the benefits of your diligence. I believe this applies to every individual, every business, and every country.
On fate and luck:
-There is no such thing as fate or destiny. I cannot fathom how your year, month or date of birth determines your destiny. There is a good and bad side to everything, just as there is night and day, darkness and light. You determine your fate.
-I believe luck is the result of effort. Luck is about knowing when to seize the right moment. I believe that "good" luck or "bad" luck only arises from how you manage time. Apart from those who die young ,we all have roughly the same amount of time on earth to develop ourselves, just as we are all born equal. And within our lifespans, I believe each person also undergoes roughly equal amounts of good times and bad times.
-Self-development is contingent on one's ability to make the most of the good times through hard work and diligence. When times are bad, all we can do is assess our situation and carry on. By doing so, we can overcome the bad times without needing to rely on luck. The course of one's life is not determined by the timing of one's birth, but by the choices he or she makes in both good times and bad.
-People who work hard understand how to take advantage of good timing. Even when times are bad, they still make an effort to minimize and avoid adverse consequences, appearing to come away unscathed. This is why these kinds of people always seem lucky to others. In contrast, lazy people miss the opportunities presented during the good times and are oblivious to the pitfalls of the bad times. Thus, their lives seem like one long series of unfortunate events.
On taking small tasks seriously:
-No matter how small the task, such as delivering rice on a bicycle, I pour all my energy into achieving the best possible result. Half measures, compromises, cutting corners, or "being realistic" do not exist in my world. Do it until nothing more can be done. Give it your all 'till the very end. This thought is the very essence of me as a person and the fundamental principle of my life.
On conviction:
-Success is 90% determination, 10% confidence. I remind myself of this every time I start a new project. There is absolutely no room, not even 1%, for doubt or apprehension.
-Thinking that anything is possible is the first rule of a successful person. If you doubt yourself, then you will only be able to accomplish as much as your doubts let you. If you think you can't do something, then you won't be able to do it.
On how to live life:
-Even if life doesn’t stop for a moment, everybody wants to enjoy life comfortably at a leisurely pace. However, I think there is nothing more foolish than living a life according to the mantra of “doing enough just to get by,” not knowing how precious one’s tome is. In one lifetime, we can become a revered, immortalized politician, a scholar, a revolutionary, a writer, a musician, a painter, or a businessman like those that we admire. These remarkable people did not take two or three lifetimes to accomplish what they did. They did it in one. To be sure, individual aptitude, ability, environment, or excellence differs from case to case. Not everyone can pull off such deeds in a single lifetime. However, if you make full use of your time by living diligently, you can excel in any field. Such a life would be considered a successful one.
-I am someone who believed that if a person limits themselves to the fixed idea inherent in common sense, they will not be very creative. People with a strong will to succeed have unlimited potential and creative abilities. By bringing together all of this potential, the collective energy of a people can be unleashed.
-What does it mean to say someone lives well? What does it mean to live well? What circumstances a person was born into, what position he is in or what he does for a living does not matter. Only when he gives his best and lives fully in the present is a man truly happy. A man who lives fully in the present while dreaming of brighter future, a man who enjoys his work and who find happiness in the smallest of things, that man will find success in whatever he does. Such a man is one who lives well, whether a mid-level or highly skilled engineer, a Chinese food delivery boy, a student, or an executive, it's the same.
On the value of diligence and time management:
-Time is the capital that must be managed most wisely. I make a plan, jump head first into it, and finish a project in a shorter amount of time than other people. When others are hesitating, I have already begun working. It's not an exaggeration to say that my life was defined by "time" rather than "age.". This is how I have lived and this is how I have succeeded.
-Unless your life goal is wasting time, then the first thin I recommend is to be diligent. Being diligent forces you to move a lot, think a lot, and work a lot. Diligence mirrors your sincerity about living a full life. So I don't trust anyone who is lazy. If you are diligent in attending to your daily needs, then over time you will become credible and reap the benefits of your diligence. I believe this applies to every individual, every business, and every country.
On fate and luck:
-There is no such thing as fate or destiny. I cannot fathom how your year, month or date of birth determines your destiny. There is a good and bad side to everything, just as there is night and day, darkness and light. You determine your fate.
-I believe luck is the result of effort. Luck is about knowing when to seize the right moment. I believe that "good" luck or "bad" luck only arises from how you manage time. Apart from those who die young ,we all have roughly the same amount of time on earth to develop ourselves, just as we are all born equal. And within our lifespans, I believe each person also undergoes roughly equal amounts of good times and bad times.
-Self-development is contingent on one's ability to make the most of the good times through hard work and diligence. When times are bad, all we can do is assess our situation and carry on. By doing so, we can overcome the bad times without needing to rely on luck. The course of one's life is not determined by the timing of one's birth, but by the choices he or she makes in both good times and bad.
-People who work hard understand how to take advantage of good timing. Even when times are bad, they still make an effort to minimize and avoid adverse consequences, appearing to come away unscathed. This is why these kinds of people always seem lucky to others. In contrast, lazy people miss the opportunities presented during the good times and are oblivious to the pitfalls of the bad times. Thus, their lives seem like one long series of unfortunate events.
February 24, 2025
If you ever need proof that sheer determination can overcome impossible odds, Born of This Land is it. Chung Ju-Yung’s firsthand account of building Hyundai isn’t just a business success story—it’s a testament to resilience, vision, and an unshakable belief in progress.
His journey is beyond extraordinary. From growing up in extreme poverty to surviving the Japanese annexation of Korea, enduring the horrors of the Korean War, navigating Chinese incursions, and pushing forward through dictatorship and political upheavals—he faced every kind of adversity imaginable. And yet, through it all, he built Hyundai into a global powerhouse, driven by his deep patriotism and a commitment to nation-building.
What makes this book truly compelling is Chung’s mindset. He didn’t always have the resources, the knowledge, or even the right circumstances, but that never stopped him. He tackled challenges head-on, turning obstacles into opportunities, and proving that limitations are often just a matter of perspective.
This isn’t just a book for entrepreneurs—it’s for anyone who feels like the odds are stacked against them. Chung’s story is living proof that persistence and purpose can move mountains. Highly recommend this read for a serious dose of inspiration!
August 14, 2024
Đối với tôi, không có chuyện "chừng đó là được rồi","như vật là đủ" hay "chỉ thế thôi"
"Cố gắng hết sức, làm đến cùng cho đến khi không cần làm gì thêm nữa". Đó là nguyên tắc cơ bản của tôi trong suốt cuộc đời.
"Dĩ nhiên là kinh nghiệm cũng quan trọng, nhưng khi chưa có kinh nghiệm, chỉ cần suy nghĩ bằng cái đầu thì đã có thể đưa đến kết quả tốt hơn nhiều so với việc có kinh nghiệm mà thiếu tư duy"
"Tôi luôn tin rằng con người phải làm việc để sống một cuộc đời trọn vẹn. Bản thân công việc đã là món quà trời ban" - Đọc lúc đang thất nghiệp nên thấy đúng :) kk đùa thui :)) sẽ thật vô nghĩa nếu sống mà không cống hiến :>
"Cố gắng hết sức, làm đến cùng cho đến khi không cần làm gì thêm nữa". Đó là nguyên tắc cơ bản của tôi trong suốt cuộc đời.
"Dĩ nhiên là kinh nghiệm cũng quan trọng, nhưng khi chưa có kinh nghiệm, chỉ cần suy nghĩ bằng cái đầu thì đã có thể đưa đến kết quả tốt hơn nhiều so với việc có kinh nghiệm mà thiếu tư duy"
"Tôi luôn tin rằng con người phải làm việc để sống một cuộc đời trọn vẹn. Bản thân công việc đã là món quà trời ban" - Đọc lúc đang thất nghiệp nên thấy đúng :) kk đùa thui :)) sẽ thật vô nghĩa nếu sống mà không cống hiến :>
March 25, 2025
An incredible autobiography about the founder of Hyundai.
It’s amazing how a dirt-poor farmer with no formal education built one of Asia’s largest companies—responsible for bridges, roads, dams, nuclear plants, ships, and of course, cars.
Even though the book was written decades ago, I loved its unapologetic focus on grit, long hours, and overcoming insanely tough situations. It’s a powerful reminder of how entrepreneurship can uplift an entire country.
It’s a bit pricey due to limited editions, but 100% worth it.
It’s amazing how a dirt-poor farmer with no formal education built one of Asia’s largest companies—responsible for bridges, roads, dams, nuclear plants, ships, and of course, cars.
Even though the book was written decades ago, I loved its unapologetic focus on grit, long hours, and overcoming insanely tough situations. It’s a powerful reminder of how entrepreneurship can uplift an entire country.
It’s a bit pricey due to limited editions, but 100% worth it.
October 26, 2025
Exceptional autobiography by the former CEO of Hyundai. One of the best ways to see how South Korea grew in the 70s, genuinely inspirational.
Started as largely a construction company. Enjoyably unfiltered throughout; talks about working 365 days a year and falling asleep in shoes, and barely offering words of encouragement to his workers. And yet he built major dams, huge motorways and a successful campaign to bring the Olympics to Seoul (often extremely quickly).
Understands the value of positive contagion: keen on never complaining and the importance of positive mindsets.
Started as largely a construction company. Enjoyably unfiltered throughout; talks about working 365 days a year and falling asleep in shoes, and barely offering words of encouragement to his workers. And yet he built major dams, huge motorways and a successful campaign to bring the Olympics to Seoul (often extremely quickly).
Understands the value of positive contagion: keen on never complaining and the importance of positive mindsets.
January 24, 2026
A straightforward autobiography of Chung Ju Yung, the Hyundai founder, that goes over his many accomplishments over the years including his building of Ulsan shipyard and his establishment of the Hyundai automobile business. He is rightfully boastful of his accomplishments without false modesty.
Quotes:
- Development led by the private sector does not imply that the private sector will assume government functions. The fundamental role of the government is to create a balanced society.
- Every day needs to be a journey towards growth. If we pause today, it is a step backward.
Quotes:
- Development led by the private sector does not imply that the private sector will assume government functions. The fundamental role of the government is to create a balanced society.
- Every day needs to be a journey towards growth. If we pause today, it is a step backward.
August 28, 2025
The miraculous growth of Korea is associated with the country’s large conglomerates, with Hyundai considered the leader at that time. The book describes how hard Chung worked to build both Hyundai and Korea from nothing.
November 1, 2025
De las mejores biografías que he leído.
Un gran ejemplo de ser humano, principios, humildad, sencillez, resiliencia, valentía, tenacidad, optimismo y trabajo duro.
Mi más grande admiración y respeto por la mentalidad de este señor.
Un gran ejemplo de ser humano, principios, humildad, sencillez, resiliencia, valentía, tenacidad, optimismo y trabajo duro.
Mi más grande admiración y respeto por la mentalidad de este señor.
October 24, 2023
1 quyển sách hay kết thúc challenge của 2023, rất hài lòng
May 12, 2024
I learned so much about Korea. That said - as impressive as he is - I’m sure there is a but slant which makes the book fairly biased.
October 3, 2024
reading this book reminded me of my father. it also opened my eye about once you reached a certain level, how close you are to the government and political changes.
January 15, 2025
Hands down the best biography I ever read.
This is what you want in bios - someone who came from nothing, crashed and burned multiple times, but achieved incredible success by sheer of pure will.
This is what you want in bios - someone who came from nothing, crashed and burned multiple times, but achieved incredible success by sheer of pure will.
January 25, 2025
Inspiring...
May 11, 2025
Wonderful book!!!
Beautiful and sincere biography!!!
His three values:
1 Dilligence.
2 Frugality
3. Affection.
Great men build great companies and great countries.
God bless Chairman Chung!!!
Beautiful and sincere biography!!!
His three values:
1 Dilligence.
2 Frugality
3. Affection.
Great men build great companies and great countries.
God bless Chairman Chung!!!
August 7, 2025
Extremely inspiring
August 31, 2025
The best book I've read!
January 2, 2026
Unbelievably inspirational story. Loved hearing the stories of Ching's childhood and early business years. Was so inspiring to hear everything he overcame.
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