Singer-actor found his way into books through love stories. Now, he reads at his own pace
Jinyoung did not grow up as an enthusiastic reader. In fact, he only turned to books after becoming an idol.
The repetitive rhythm of life as a performer had started to wear on him. Days were filled with rehearsals, schedules, makeup and performances, often following much the same pattern. Despite the demands of the job, he felt his mind growing sluggish.
"I felt like my brain was swelling," he said. "We tend to work in similar patterns. We're freelancers, working on contracts, and even without a regular commute, we go wherever our schedules take us, get our makeup done and work. After a while, I started to feel like a machine."
It was around this time that people around him suggested he try reading novels.
Books had once seemed intimidating, so he started with love stories. Young and sensitive to matters of the heart, he was drawn to the novels of French writer Guillaume Musso, including "Save Me" and "Girl on Paper." What began with romance soon opened up a wider literary world.
Books that stay with him
One book Jinyoung has repeatedly named as a personal favorite is Osamu Dazai's "No Longer Human," a novel he describes as an unlikely source of comfort.
The 1948 novel follows Yozo Oba, a troubled man who is incapable of being true to himself and instead hides behind a facade of hollow jocularity, eventually descending into alcoholism and drug abuse.
"The novel feels almost like a series of scribbles," he said, laying bare the messiness of a mind at odds with itself.
"People's feelings are complicated, and Yozo is constantly struggling with himself. But I think those feelings are universal, and that's what makes him human. In a strange way, that makes the book reassuring."
Jinyoung is also drawn to the novel's shifting perspectives on what it means to be good or bad, sane or strange.
"Things can be seen as good or bad depending on how you look at them. To survive in such a world, you almost have to become a little crazy," he said. "I like the idea that what might seem crazy to other people could also be seen as a kind of innocence."
Another of his top picks is Han Kang's "Human Acts," which explores the violence of the May 18, 1980, pro-democracy uprising in Gwangju and its lasting consequences.
There's a saying that to understand people's lives, you have to understand the society and the times they lived in, Jinyoung said. "The descriptions and emotional shifts are so delicate that the more you read, the more painful it becomes."
Reading with his voice
Not surprisingly, given his low, understated voice, Jinyoung has recorded audiobooks for Naver AudioClip, including "The Little Prince" and "Pinocchio." Numerous videos of him reading aloud can also be found on YouTube.
Reading aloud, he said, has changed the way he engages with a text.
"When I read silently, there are times when I come across something I don't understand and just move on," he said. "People talk about the five senses, or even a sixth sense. Sometimes, looking at the words alone isn't enough to make something click. But when I read with my eyes and voice, the words sink in more deeply."
Pleasure of taking his time
For Jinyoung, reading is less about how many books he finishes than what he takes away from them. He reads at his own pace, picking up a book when he feels like it and finding ideas that stay with him long after he has put it down.
"I enjoy the act of reading, but I don't read quickly or get through a lot of books. I'm a slow reader," he said. "A lot of people ask me to recommend books, but I mostly read well-known titles, so chances are you've already heard of them."
So his other favorite is Milan Kundera's "Slowness," a philosophical exploration of modernity, technology, memory and sensuality.
For someone who tends to take life at a slower pace, the book offers a welcome sense of reassurance.
"We live in such a fast-paced time, and this book tells us that we should live more slowly. I tend to take things slowly myself, so it was comforting."
Celeb Reads explores how K-pop stars, actors and other public figures are reshaping the publishing world through heartfelt book recommendations that revive forgotten titles and create new bestsellers. The series highlights the books that shaped them — and may shape your next read. — Ed.
