Korean Legends, by Jossiv Kim.

The importance of myths is often underestimated in our society and culture. We forget about the fact that every myth addresses fundamental and challenging questions every human being asks. Who am I? Where am I coming from? Why am I living here? What is the correct way of living my life on Earth? Our ancestors have created myths as an attempt to share their knowledge and wisdom with later generations. We are not the first to face this kind of questions, and myths are the answers. This is how myths and legends originate – these are stories peopled by great men and women who are fighting their deeply hidden animalistic fears. Albert Einstein has once stated ‘If you want your children to be intelligent - read them myths and legends. If you want to make them even smarter - read them more myths and legends’. I followed his advice diligently up to the moment I discover a book I would like to tell you about.

Recently I had an opportunity to read ‘Korean Legends’ written by Jossiv Kim, a writer originating from a Korean family living in Dagestan, Russian Federation. Having in mind the long and durable cultural relationship between Russia and Korea, I thought that there might be some first-hand stories in this book. I purchased the book to learn something new from the captivating world of Korean myths and symbols as their civilization is indeed amazing. On the first pages of the book though, my enthusiasm started to disappear, and by the end of the book, I had to admit that purchasing it was a mistake. Let me tell you why. None of the aforementioned traits and symbols are attributable to any myth I found in ‘Korean Legends’. This book has nothing in common with the pantheon of Korean legends and myths and distorts the deep meaning of mythological symbols and archetypes. In this way, the written monster created by Jossiv Kim jeopardizes the moral and ethical value of Korean myths. In my honest opinion, I never previously had an opportunity to read such a shitty book. It has nothing to do with the Korean mythology and is a violation of the mythological background of Korea or a mock to Korean people historical past and civilization.

As a conclusion, I would like to recommend you to throw “Korean Legends” by Jossiv Kim directly to the trash bin, as this is the place it deserves to be. The book is written either due to a willingness to make a financial profit from the book’s publication in spite of lack of any meaning in it, or to manifest a narcissistic impulse. “Korean Legends” by Jossiv Kim looks more like a diary of a lunatic than a Korean legends compilation. Coupled with an amateurish style of writing, this book is not even worth a penny. Of course, I am not a professional and do not try to judge things I am not really good at, but the style in which “Korean Legends” were written reveals an amateur writer who lacks both skills and experience to write a decent piece of work. If you were considering buying this book my advice is not to do this.