Kim Tae-ho (PD at production company TEO, former MBC PD)
Who can resist an author who makes even studying fun? For those who wonder, “How much English can I really use in everyday life?” this book offers a resounding answer: you can do so much—and in an incredibly exciting way. In a world filled with pretense, he is a “genuine person” who runs straightforwardly on the right path with simple yet unwavering determination. Reading this book doesn’t just improve your English skills; it feels as though your entire life will be transformed as well.

Kim Sung-ryung (actress)
When you start learning English later in life, there are so many obstacles. You can’t help but compare and weigh which methods are more effective or strategically sound. But this book tells you: Don’t ask why—just start memorizing. All the excuses I’ve been using to avoid studying English have crumbled. The first half of the book says that things may not get better immediately, but you will become a better person—and it’s precisely this message that kept me from putting the book down halfway through. After finishing the book, I truly feel that I’ve become a better person. “Stop talking and just memorize a book first”—this advice is both refreshing and clear, and it perfectly captures the style of PD Kim Min-sik.

Jang Na-ra (actress)
PD is like a dream-chasing youth who is always in the present continuous tense. Even when faced with sudden turns or dead ends in the winding alleyways of life, he never panics, gets angry, or stops moving forward. This passionate adventurer, who is constantly seeking new things, is brimming with enthusiasm and knowledge. As for PD’s highly successful English-learning challenge—rather than whipping himself into submission, he approaches it as a hobby to enjoy—I completely resonate with the effectiveness of this approach.

Park Sang-jun (Director of the Seoul SF Archive)
The best kind of motivation should touch the heart, not just the mind. This book deeply shakes the soul. I’ve known PD Kim Min-sik for over 20 years—even before he became a PD—and he has always been an astonishing person. Through this book, some of the mystery surrounding him has faded, but my sense of awe has turned into deep respect. This is not just another English-learning book. For those who see themselves as full of flaws, this book will bring tremendous positive energy.

A blockbuster bestseller chosen by 200,000 readers makes a powerful comeback!
Rekindle the fading passion for learning English!
Includes methods for using AI tools such as ChatGPT and learning apps for self-study in English
New appendix: Master English conversation simply by memorizing just 30 lessons

Lately, more and more people feel that learning English is no longer essential. With the advent of translation apps and AI, you can now translate a confusing menu on the spot just by snapping a photo with your phone, or have hotel staff’s words instantly translated by pointing a microphone at them. Yet despite these technological conveniences, many still feel immense pressure and continue to invest money in learning English—only the way they study has changed. Instead of attending traditional language schools, people are increasingly turning to apps and AI-powered tools to learn English. However, no matter how the learning methods evolve, mastering English still ultimately comes down to memorizing words and sentences.
But the core insight behind “memorizing an English book” lies in understanding that “memorization” is not the same as “rote learning.” Rote learning is about “storing information in memory,” which is a form of input. Memorization, on the other hand, is about “saying what you’ve memorized out loud,” which can be seen as a form of output. In our English learning, we tend to focus almost exclusively on input—on memorizing—but neglect the crucial step of output: actually speaking English. The new edition of “Have You Ever Memorized an English Book?” reveals that memorizing an English book is not about rote learning but about recitation—and through its appendix, it helps readers effortlessly practice spoken English.

The new edition of “Have You Ever Memorized an English Book?” does more than just add an appendix. It incorporates the author’s extensive experience in foreign language learning gained from traveling around the world and interacting with people from different countries after leaving MBC, while also reflecting the changing landscape of English learning. New methods using ChatGPT and AI-based learning apps have been added to the book.

When you master English, confidence naturally follows.
A miraculous English-learning method that can open up even the most blocked paths in life.

If you ask people who are fairly proficient in a foreign language what their secret is, they’ll likely tell you, “Memorization.” One of the most common pieces of advice students hear from teachers is, “Just memorize it without question.” The author Kim Min-sik’s secret to mastering English also lies in memorization. You don’t need to start with difficult sentences or advanced textbooks. If your goal isn’t to pass an exam but to use English in everyday conversations—to communicate freely while traveling or on business trips abroad—then the author is convinced that simply memorizing the appendix in the new edition of “Have You Ever Memorized an English Book?” is enough to overcome your fear of speaking English, build your confidence, and help you break the ice in conversations.

Author Kim Min-sik is not only fluent in English but also in Japanese and Chinese, and can even travel using Spanish, earning him a reputation as a true language prodigy. His secret to mastering multiple languages lies in the same principle: memorizing basic conversation books. Even if you memorize just 10 sentences a day, you’ll have mastered 300 sentences in a month. These 300 sentences accumulate like “compound interest,” and one day, miraculously, you’ll find yourself speaking English naturally and effortlessly. The author shares practical tips on how to memorize 10 sentences a day during spare moments like your commute, reveals a method for reading English novels that rapidly improves your conversational skills, and shows how to memorize sentences enjoyably through popular songs when studying feels tedious. He also introduces free resources like TED talks that allow you to practice English listening without spending a dime.

After reading this book, TEO PD Kim Tae-ho of the production company said, “It’s not just your English ability that improves—it feels as though your entire life will truly change because of it.” This book not only offers proven techniques for mastering English; as you read about how the author’s life was transformed by English, you’ll also gain confidence and begin to envision a brand-new future for yourself.

Preface to the New Edition: How Hard Is It to Make Up Your Mind to Learn English?
Foreword: Will a Good Command of English Lead to a Smooth Life?

Chapter 1: It's Never Too Late to Learn English
The Secret to Mastering English Lies in a Sense of Urgency
Persevere Until You Encounter the First Step
No Effort Is Ever Wasted
With the Resolve That This Is Your Last Chance, Take on the Challenge Once More
Only Through Repeated Falls Does Fear Disappear
Why Adults Must Try to Learn English
Memorize with Your Body, Not Just Your Mind
The Three Kinds of Joy That English Brings

24-Hour Immersive Self-Study Abroad Camp

Chapter 2: Start by Trying to Memorize a Book
Don't Ask Why—Just Memorize Unconditionally
You Don't Need to Set Grand Goals at the Beginning
Try Memorizing Just 10 Sentences a Day
Don't Mistake Mental Understanding for Actual Memorization
What Kind of Book Should You Choose to Memorize?
Break the Text into Meaningful Segments and Memorize in Sections

The Secret to Pretending You're Fluent in English

Chapter 3: Turn Even Your Spare Time into an Ally
Only Time Can Buy Certain Things
Take Control of Your Life Through Time Management
Develop the Habit of Gaining Time Three Times a Day
The Secret to Memorizing a Book Lies in Making Use of Spare Time
Rather Than Cramming at the Last Minute, Seize Every Available Moment
Use the Pomodoro Technique to Create Focused Time for English Study

How to Master a Foreign Language in 6 Months

Chapter 4: If You've Already Perfectly Memorized a Book
Learn While Having Fun
The Children's Reading Room—A Treasure Trove of Reading Materials
The Method of Reading English Novels That Rapidly Improves Your Speaking Skills
English-English Dictionary vs. Wikipedia
The Secret to Scoring High on English Exams
If You Want to Master English, You Must Keep Going
When You Get Tired of Practicing Speaking, Try Popular Songs
My English Teacher—ChatGPT
The Duolingo Method for Learning English

One TED Talk a Day

Chapter 5: At the End of the Day, English Is About Confidence
The Capital of Learning Is Perseverance and Self-Esteem
Don't Go Against the Laws of Evolution
Forced Teaching Does Not Lead to Progress
It's Never Too Late to Start, Even in Later Years
A Solid Native Language Is the Foundation for a Solid Foreign Language
Small Achievements Are the Cornerstone of Life
The Trivialities of Daily Life Are Not Trivial
Thanks to English, Life Is Happier

How to Use Tutoring Centers Smartly

Afterword: Until the Day English Becomes a Hobby
Acknowledgments
Appendix: The Miracle of 100 Days of English Memorization