Kwak Sae-mi’s journey of bold reinvention offers a compelling narrative about embracing fearless challenges that refresh and invigorate life. After leaving a company where she had worked for five years, she embarked on an extraordinary 505-day journey, travelling to 28 cities across five continents with nothing but a yoga mat. This daring adventure was not merely an escape but a transformative life chapter that set the stage for her subsequent entrepreneurial success.

Drawing from her deep well of travel inspiration, Kwak founded Yoga Verde on Jeju Island, South Korea, a location often likened to Bali in its allure. Remarkably, she started this venture without any initial capital, blending entrepreneurship with migration. Now, a fifth-year resident of Jeju, she balances her roles as founder and CEO of the yoga centre, a mother to young twins, and a committed practitioner. This multifaceted lifestyle underscores her message that yoga transcends physical exercise; it becomes a holistic approach to healing, restoring self-esteem, and nurturing the soul in daily life.

Yoga Verde has become a beacon for yoga enthusiasts, particularly among the younger generations in their 20s to 40s, who seek more than fitness—they are pursuing self-care and meaningful work through yoga. The studio, under Kwak’s direction, has catered to over 5,000 visitors, offering a variety of classes in English, from one-hour sessions to private training. The serene setting and personalised guidance create an environment where participants can rejuvenate and find inspiration. According to listings on platforms such as Airbnb, Yoga Verde’s popularity is bolstered by Kwak’s international training and her ability to connect deeply with students from diverse backgrounds.

In her book, I Can't Live Happiness, But I Can Yoga, Kwak shares not only her physical journey but also the practicalities of establishing a yoga centre—from marketing and customer management to class development—offering valuable insights for aspiring instructors and entrepreneurs. Her aim is to inspire others to live authentically and pursue their passions with courage and resilience.

Similarly embracing change and self-discovery is Jihoon Choi, whose book I Left for London in Search of a Dream chronicles his own leap from a stable, predictable life as a developer to studying design at the Royal College of Art in London at age 35. After 16 years of steady work and military service, Choi sought to fill an unspoken emptiness and reclaim a sense of direction by embracing new challenges. His narrative is less about sightseeing and more about experiencing London as a living, breathing classroom for creativity and personal growth. The book also serves as a guide for international students, offering practical advice gleaned from his own journey.

These stories, highlighted in a series called 'Book and Book,' reflect a growing cultural trend: a shift from comfort zones to bold reinvention as a means of personal and professional fulfilment. Both authors exemplify how stepping into the unknown—whether through travel, entrepreneurship, or academic pursuit—can lead to richer, more meaningful lives.

Together, Kwak Sae-mi and Jihoon Choi provide valuable perspectives on how challenges that may initially seem reckless can ultimately nurture growth and happiness. Their experiences underscore a shared truth: that rejuvenation often requires leaving behind the familiar to embrace the transformative power of new beginnings.

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Source: Noah Wire Services