100% Pure Rest

In this travel essay collection, Sang Young Park recounts stories of his experiences living in Jeju Island, Bangkok, New York, and other places all over the world after his debut as a writer. Despite starting out as someone who always preferred resting at home and didn't particularly enjoy travelling, Park embarks on several trips across the world to escape the burnout that was exhausting him. This book offers a lighthearted look into his experiences of work, travel and rest, including his unpredictable encounters with different places and people, through which he comes to learn the value of taking intentional 'pauses' in daily life. 

Praise for 100% PURE REST:

“I found myself chuckling one moment, getting a lump in my throat the next, and flipping back to previous pages over and over—afraid it might end. This book is a travelogue. But while depicting the world’s landscapes, Park Sang Young has hidden his inner self within them and layered human stories on top. That’s probably why it was so fascinating. After all, the most wondrous destination in the world isn’t the depths of the ocean, but the depths of the human heart.” 

– Lee Geum-hee (radio and TV presenter)

“Park Sang Young sharply identifies the dark and anxious elements lurking within everyone through his unique observational skills—both of himself and others—and, through his characteristically cheerful and refreshing writing, casually brushes aside things that seem destined to remain forever tangled.” 

– Kim Eana (songwriter)

“It’s truly amazing. Just by reading this book, I’ve been left with such a pleasant afterglow. The moment you open this book, you’ll be led by Park Sang Young’s hand to traverse all manner of places, transcending time and space. You can safely set aside any worries about whether you’ll be able to keep up with this chatty guide. He’s incredibly funny and endearing. If I ever get another chance to join Park Sang Young on a journey, I’ll follow him without hesitation—to wherever he leads! I guarantee that everyone who reads this book will feel the same way.” 

– Bong Tae-gyu (actor)