Jaysek, Reborn

This is the first coming-of-age novel for youths by the writer, Goh Jeong-uk. The hero, Jaysek is a seventeen-year-old high school student, angry at the world because of family problems and poverty. He is also a fighter, one of the toughest in a violent school gang. But one day, he gets punished for something that wasn't his fault. The uptight principal orders him to community service--no, not volunteer work, but community service--a punishment fit for criminals. Jaysek is to serve at the Hwayeong Welfare Center for the Elderly.

Working at the welfare center, Jaysek meets old people with disabilities. Watching them, Jaysek learns persistence and determination, which keep him from despairing no matter how tough the situation. Jaysek is also motivated to change by the sight of Buraqui with his artificial limbs, endlessly fighting his own self to become a better person while teaching people who are in difficult circumstances. His encounter with Bodam motivates him to get rid of his bad habits and brings him to dream of a sound relationship with her. Bodam also helps him learn how to communicate with the world by reading, which in turn gets Jaysek to dream about his life.

In particular, the author expressed his wishes for young people to blossom by planting good habits, from small habits like going to bed early and rising early to getting rid of bad habits, and also reading and working to realize one's dream. He also stressed the importance of a sound intimate relationship and elaborates on how important reading is in life through the books Demian and Zorba the Greek recommended by Bodam.

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