The Hustle

This is a story about the lives of workers-our own lives, our families, and our neighbors-that we all thought we knew, yet no one truly spoke about. Without diving into controversial issues or grand social debates, the book presents these stories through the lens of the author's family members, offering us a clear and honest reflection-like looking into a mirror. Even if you're not particularly interested in labor or social issues, I recommend this book as a moment to pause, reflect, and offer comfort to the lives of your own family or neighbors-much like checking in with yourself when you look in the mirror. The stories of the protagonists, who work tirelessly as members of society yet cannot escape poverty, feel deeply personal-like the stories of my own family and friends. It made me realize that poverty is not just an individual problem. Despite not having dramatic twists or novel elements, the book never felt boring. It is a concise retelling of a family's life story, based on true events. The narrative weaves in the lives of three generations-three daughters of the author's parents' generation and their children-while subtly intertwining modern and contemporary Korean history. By objectively analyzing poverty and hard labor, which reflect both the author's family and my own, I found comfort in realizing that these struggles aren't caused by laziness or personal failings. At first, I thought the topic might be heavy, but I found myself reading quickly because the writing flows so smoothly. What stood out most is that it's not a hard, academic read-it's a relatable story about people we know, people like our families. The author presents their family's labor history with an objective yet gentle touch, yet throughout, I felt the warmth and care of an artist. This made the reading experience deeply emotional.