Min Byoung-chul, widely known as a multicultural educator and for his practical English teaching, released his autobiography on Tuesday.
Written in Korean, the book, “Solid Success Comes from a Chance Encounter," describes over 60 chapters how crossing paths with strangers in life led him to new opportunities.
It expands on his interview in January this year on tvN talk show “You Quiz on the Block,” hosted by comedian duo Yoo Jae-suk and Jo Se-ho.
The last chapter of the book contains the answer to Yoo’s question during the interview: “What is one English phrase you always keep in mind?”
The answer is Min’s favorite quote by American architect Louis Kahn about the Sydney Opera House, “The sun did not know how beautiful its light was until it was reflected off this building.” True happiness comes from shining after making others shine, Min explained.
The book also introduces readers to everyday English phrases as they read about Min’s chance encounters.
All royalties from the book will be donated to the Sunfull Foundation, which was established by Min in 2007 to put an end to cyberbullying, hate speech and human rights violations online.
He recently launched a campaign for diversity in Korea dubbed K-Respect to promote inclusivity and understanding of multicultural families and all ethnic groups here.
The K-Respect campaign was highlighted at his book launch at Lotte Hotel in central Seoul on Tuesday.
National Assembly members, including floor leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties, as well as ambassadors from various countries. Diplomats who attended the event were: Ambassador Murat Tamer of Türkiye, Ambassador Chring Botum Rangsay of Cambodia, Ambassador Gandi Sulistiyanto from Indonesia, who was virtually present, and Romulo Victor, Minister and Counsul General from the Philippines on behalf of the Ambassador Maria.
University heads including Chung-Ang University President Park Sang-gue, Hanyang University Chairman Kim Jong-ryang, Incheon Jaeneung University President Lee Nam-sik, Kwangwoon University President Kim Jongheon were also present.
Students from Korea and seven other countries attended to support campaigns against cyberbullying and hate speech, while promoting a message of harmony and respect toward one another, in continuation of the K-Respect campaign initiated by Min Byoung-chul earlier in March this year.
Notably, every member of the National Assembly from both parties signed to support the Sunfull Internet Peace Movement in Korea.
Min, who is an endowed chair professor at Chung-Ang University's Business School, was a pioneer in Korea’s private English education industry, focusing on teaching real conversation skills.
In the 1980s, his “Practical English” book series introduced learners to “wanna” and “gonna” instead of “want to” and “going to," which were taught in local textbooks. An educational TV show bearing his name attracted millions of people who aspired to learn “real” English as spoken by Americans when it aired from 1981 to 1991.
The book will be available at both online and offline book stores across the country and on Amazon.
