Professor Ryu Seong-ho, South Korea’s most representative forensic scientist, has unveiled his debut children’s educational fairy tale, “The Human Body Exploration Project.” Understanding the “human body” is not merely memorizing the names of organs; it is a journey to comprehend “myself.” Why does the heart beat tirelessly? Why can we hear its rhythm? And why does it seem to drop when we’re startled? These are not textbook questions—they are right at the center of our everyday lives. When children grasp the phenomena unfolding within their own bodies and come to know themselves, they develop a proactive sense of health care. This fosters an appreciation for the preciousness of life and opens their eyes to the value of medicine.

With the whimsical premise of a genius doctor transforming into a child, this book vividly and engagingly reveals the exquisite, astonishing principles that keep our bodies functioning. Each chapter includes a “Human Body Report” to help readers deepen their understanding of essential anatomical knowledge. As they turn page after page, children will no longer view what happens inside their bodies as something strange or frightening, but rather as intriguing subjects worthy of exploration.

The most solid first step toward truly understanding “my body,” which will accompany us throughout our lives—“The Human Body Exploration Project.” Let us embark together on this intellectual adventure into the wondrous, awe‑inspiring world of the human body!

Forensic Scientist's Human Body Exploration series currently include:
Digestive System—The Body's First Secret
Circulatory System—Thump-Thump, The Never-Stopping Heart!

In an era of rapidly evolving medical paradigms, this book demystifies the fundamental principles of the human body for children.

Today, public interest in the human body has reached an unprecedented level. From GLP‑1‑based obesity treatments to personalized mRNA therapies, news about developing new drugs by harnessing the body’s own mechanisms is everywhere, and even children can easily come across such information. Yet, despite our enthusiasm for cutting-edge medical technologies, we often fail to truly understand how our bodies actually work.

Health, growth, and disease—these vital aspects of life all begin with a grasp of the human body. For children, learning about the body is far more than acquiring knowledge; it is about nurturing a healthy curiosity. As they seek answers to questions like “Why do we feel hungry?” “Why do we get out of breath?” and “How does a wound heal on its own?”, they begin to care for their bodies and gradually develop a respect for life. This book will guide children on a journey of discovery, opening the door to scientific thinking and serving as their first step toward loving themselves and understanding the world.

We use our bodies every day, yet know so little about them. Forensic scientist Professor Ryu Seong-ho has crafted this fairy tale to unveil the mysteries of the human body. As a professor in the Department of Forensic Medicine at Seoul National University College of Medicine and one of Korea’s most distinguished forensic experts, Professor Ryu consistently emphasizes that “understanding the human body is understanding life.” As a child, he was deeply captivated by the principles of the human body in a bookstore, which set him on the path to medicine; that same curiosity ultimately led him to a lifetime of exploration. Drawing on these experiences, he wrote this book to help growing children gain a correct understanding of their own bodies. Consequently, rather than simply teaching the names and functions of organs, the book reveals the scientific principles behind the bodily changes we experience each day. Thoughtfully structured, it invites children to naturally explore the secrets of the body through everyday questions: “Why does rice taste sweeter when chewed for a long time?” “Why does the stomach ache when we’re nervous?” “Why does being hungry make us feel irritable?” —this is the most unique lecture on the human body ever delivered by Professor Ryu Seong-ho of Seoul National University College of Medicine.

Ryu Seong-ho graduated from the Seoul National University College of Medicine and completed his internship and residency at Seoul National University Hospital, earning a specialist certification in pathology. He regards forensic medicine as both his vocation and his destiny; over the past 27 years, he has performed more than 3,000 autopsies. He is Korea’s most prominent forensic pathologist, handling autopsies and providing expert consultations in major incidents and criminal cases. He currently serves as a professor in the Department of Forensic Medicine at Seoul National University College of Medicine and concurrently holds the position of Distinguished Forensic Medical Examiner at the National Institute of Scientific Investigation.

Driven by the hope that children will come to understand their own bodies from an early age and develop the ability to think independently about health, he conceived this book. For him, understanding the body is not merely the acquisition of knowledge; it is the starting point for respecting life and adopting a scientific mindset. His publications include “The Testament Notes of Forensic Pathologist Ryu Seong-ho,” “I Go to See Corpses Every Week,” and “Corpses Do Not Lie,” among others.

Author’s Note – 10
Character Introductions – 12

Episode 1: The Ori One Heart Football Tournament – 12
Human Body Report #6: What Is the Heart?

Episode 2: Pay Attention to the Heart’s Alarms! – 28
Human Body Report #7: How Does the Heart Beat?
Trivia Quiz: Seeking the Truth!

Episode 3: A Suspicious Note for Han Jie – 49
Human Body Report #8: Arteries and Veins—What’s the Difference?

Episode 4: The Virus That Invades the Heart—Myocarditis – 64

Episode 5: How to Stop Bleeding in an Instant – 78
Human Body Report #9: Capillaries, Connecting Arteries and Veins
Trivia Quiz: Crossword Puzzle

Episode 6: Protecting the Largest Bone in Our Body – 99
Trivia Quiz: Human Body: True or False

Episode 7: Toxins Spreading Throughout the Body with the Blood! – 115
Human Body Report #10: Blood Circulating Within the Body

Epilogue: The Mysterious Nurse from the City – 134