Ebury pre-empts Korean sensation I Decided to Live as Me by Kim Suhyun

Ebury’s Self Hub will publish the Korean bestseller I Decided to Live as Me, written and illustrated by Kim Suhyun and translated by Booker Prize shortlistee Anton Hur. 

Editor Evangeline Stanford pre-empted UK & Commonwealth rights from Sabila Khan at Penguin US. It will be a lead title for Ebury’s Rider imprint this autumn and will publish in hardback and e-book on 19th November 2024. Suhyun is represented by Eric Yang Agency, South Korea. 

The book, which has sold more than a million copies in Korea, is full of Suhyun’s "realistic and achievable advice to empower readers to set healthy boundaries, shake off other people’s unachievable expectations and be kinder to themselves".

Stanford said: "As soon as I read the first pages of I Decided to Live As Me and saw Kim Suhyun’s delightful illustrations, I knew this was a book I wanted to publish at Ebury. If you liked The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down and I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki, you will love this remarkable book filled with Kim Suhyun’s life-affirming advice and inspiring illustrations!"

Suhyun said: "I’m very excited that my book will be published in English. I feel blessed and grateful to have collaborated with a great editor, translator and the best team. The journey to truly love and respect myself has never been easy. However, I believe it is the most rewarding journey of all. It is an honour for my book to accompany readers on their journey. I hope it brings inspiration and support, and I eagerly look forward to meeting readers all around the world."

Translator Hur said: "I am honoured to play my part in bringing Kim Suhyun’s I Decided to Live as Me to English readers, as this is a book that has helped many people in Korea and around the world. We live in a highly anxious world, and I can personally attest that this book has helped me in dealing with stress, social anxiety and existential dread—it is comforting, invigorating and liberating, all at the same time. The problems we face may be greater than what can be solved from reading a book, but I still believe reading a book is the best way to start!"