Bestseller by Lee Jae-moon, recipient of the Korean Youth Literature Award and the Four Seasons Literary Award!
What happens when a friend sweeter than ice cream becomes a rival hotter than spicy hotpot?
A stunning reversal concerning one's only true friend and a dazzling saviour!

Lee Jae-moon, recipient of the Korean Youth Literature Award and Four Seasons Literary Award, whose novel The Monster's Child sold 100,000 copies and garnered widespread acclaim, presents his latest work, My Guardian. Drawing upon his experiences as a primary school teacher, the author crafts authentic children's stories rooted in real-world observations from the classroom.

My Guardian: For You Who Bravely Say ‘No’ vividly portrays the complex, nuanced inner world of a thirteen-year-old boy at an age when friendship means everything. It chronicles the journey of Gyeonhwa—a child who once endured the pain of exclusion—as he breaks free from the emotional pressure imposed by his best friend Do-mi, whom he once believed to be his ‘only true friend’ and saviour, and rediscovers his own centre. This work imparts the steadfast conviction that ‘I can stand alone.’ It teaches readers how to safeguard their own selves in any circumstance, portraying the protagonist's moving journey through dark times, experiencing falls and rises, ultimately achieving radiant growth.

One day, my gentle, special “only true friend” changed. She began manipulating me at will, treating me like a toy. In this relationship, all the power to choose seemed to lie solely in her hands. How could I break free from this emotional pressure, reclaim my selfhood, and stand firm? The author tenderly soothes children's anxieties at an age when friendship is paramount, drawing readers into this captivating tale.

What defines a true friend? Is it the popular classmate who exploits their influence to manipulate others? Or the child who stands firm in their convictions yet remains perpetually alone? While exploring the criteria for friendship, the author keenly captures that emotional pressure—the psychological manipulation within close relationships—where one knows they should sever ties yet finds it impossible to break free. This book addresses real-world issues among adolescents—cyberbullying, makeup anxieties, weight-loss pressures—while teaching children to guard their selfhood and embrace growth, unafraid of others' gazes. Paired with illustrator Moody's captivating artwork, it now stands ready to meet its readers.

Protecting Oneself in a Faltering, Imperfect Relationship

My Guardian: For You Who Bravely Say "No" tells the coming-of-age story of thirteen-year-old Eun-ha, a girl once scarred by bullying, as she breaks free from the emotional grip of Da-mi—the girl she believed was her "only best friend" and savior—and reclaims her sense of self.

Eun-ha and Da-mi became inseparable after sharing a secret in math class. But beneath their close bond lay Eun-ha's constant fear that Da-mi might leave her one day. Before Da-mi came along, Eun-ha felt like she was drowning in the deep sea without a life jacket—she was her only lifeline. In Eun-ha's universe, Da-mi was the sun, the center of her world.

To keep her close, Eun-ha began to compromise: wearing clothes she didn't like, putting on makeup she didn't want. She handed all the choices in their relationship over to Da-mi. Even though Da-mi treated her more casually than anyone else, Eun-ha found it impossible to say no to her. Yet amid this growing imbalance, there was one thing Eun-ha refused to yield—her love for dance, her emotional sanctuary.

But Da-mi used their friendship as a bargaining chip, demanding that Eun-ha give up her center position in an upcoming dance competition. Hoping to mend their strained bond, Eun-ha reluctantly agreed. Yet as she did, unfamiliar emotions began to stir inside her.

Determined to reclaim her place and her voice, Eun-ha embarks on a journey to rediscover her own center. Step by step, she musters the courage to stand tall in her own way—to become her own "guardian."

Through Eun-ha and Da-mi's fragile relationship, the author builds a compelling narrative that delves deep into the turbulent emotions of a girl learning to protect herself. Can Eun-ha become the guardian of her own world?

Our Thirteenth Year:
A Story Full of Resentment, Misunderstanding, and Entanglement

The rift between Eun-ha and Da-mi began when Eun-ha grew curious about I-jin—the only person Da-mi openly disliked, the girl everyone avoided. At school, I-jin was like a ghost; most people acted as if she didn't exist. When Eun-ha was assigned to a group project with I-jin, even Da-mi warned her: "Stay away from her—she does whatever she wants."

But through math class and a field trip, Eun-ha saw another side of I-jin: a bright smile, strong opinions, and a shared love for the idol group "Guardian." The more she learned about I-jin, the more curious she became—not about what I-jin had done wrong, but why she and Da-mi had grown apart.

Deep down, Eun-ha knew the truth: everyone avoided I-jin because they were afraid of crossing Da-mi, the most popular girl in school. No one really knew why I-jin was disliked—there were only tangled rumors and misunderstandings.

Wanting to untangle the knots for I-jin—and for everyone—Eun-ha finally asked Da-mi: "Can't you two make up?"

In response, Da-mi ordered her to publicly criticize I-jin online and cut ties with her completely. It was then that Eun-ha saw a frightening side of Da-mi she had never known.

Feeling the familiar sting of loneliness return, Eun-ha realized something essential: her savior wasn't Da-mi, nor was it I-jin. The one who could love her, protect her, and help her stand again—was herself.

Awakened to this truth, will Eun-ha find the strength to truly change? What choice will she make now?

Lee Jae-moon
As an "adult outsider" living in the nation of "school," where children and teenagers form the vast majority, I have always aspired to observe, understand, and connect with them. I am passionate about transforming what I witness in this world into stories, while continually exploring and refining my own narrative style.
Notable Works: My Guardian, Child Mayor Dolph, Monster’s Son, My Sister is an Alien, Hidden: The Secret of Kkada Island, Young Adult Novels: Six-Pack Abs, Our Witch’s Workshop.

Illustrator: Moody
A creator dedicated to capturing the everyday moments of youth. Moody is an illustrator committed to preserving and cherishing every fleeting beauty of adolescent life, using their brush to immortalize the radiance of youth in all its forms.

Illustration Work: My Guardian