[Book Review] I Hate People

The title was so powerful that it immediately caught my eye. 'People are annoying!' While it's undeniably a negative statement, I didn't think the underlying meaning was necessarily negative. Upon reading the book's flap copy, I learned that the author is a lawyer, which gave me a slightly better idea of the meaning behind the sentence. It seemed like I might be able to hear the reasons why the author became so disillusioned with people.
This book had many unexpected aspects.
First, I was surprised when the author declared this in the preface: “Lawyers are writers.” Like many others, I had only perceived lawyers as individuals who were skilled at articulate speech. However, since their main job involves meticulously searching through legal texts for relevant laws related to cases and drafting legal documents before trial, the explanation that they are a type of writer and translator made sense.
I was also surprised to find words in the table of contents that I never would have imagined being there. The four parts were named after familiar titles from Wong Kar-wai films – 'Fallen Angels,' 'Chungking Express,' 'In the Mood for Love,' and 'Happy Together.' Because of my curiosity about the reason behind this organization, I wanted to quickly delve into the main text.
But just how complicated and sorrowful are the stories experienced by lawyers?

Before diving into the main text, I noticed a statement indicating that all stories had been fictionalized to protect personal information in accordance with the Lawyers Act. However, the descriptions were so detailed and the emotions so genuine that it was difficult to perceive that the stories had been altered.
“Clients demanding unconditional empathy and support. The professional obligation to step back, view the situation objectively, and respond calmly. They clash. The conflict is more intense than one might imagine. It can even threaten the relationship itself, becoming critically serious. Sometimes, I see lawyers getting so emotionally invested in the case that they seem like the plaintiff themselves and explode in court. It's like watching a play. Of course, there are also performance-oriented lawsuits where the goal is to vent emotions in front of everyone, regardless of winning or losing. However, all you gain is a temporary sense of relief after spending money and time. I don't recommend it. Even if the client feels offended, I try to minimize disparaging remarks about the opposing party as much as possible. Emotional appeals are saved for last. It's an attempt to maintain a positive image. Naturally, it isn't as satisfying. But isn't being able to smile when you receive the verdict what truly defines a winner? That's the real job of a lawyer.” – Excerpted from the text

Fortunately, I haven't had to seek legal counsel yet, but if I ever do, I think I'd want to find a lawyer like this one. This is because I've often thought that appealing to emotions is a trap that Koreans, in particular, easily fall into. In court, expressing emotions or seeking empathy must be avoided to increase the likelihood of success. Emotional outbursts are often irrelevant to resolving the issue and can hinder you from reaching your destination.
The 'Brokers Don't Eat Burgers' section was quite intriguing. Legal brokers are a completely foreign concept to me, but it was fascinating to learn that they exist. After understanding why they exist and how they operate, it reinforced the idea that the world is vast, people are diverse, and there are many things we cannot know. Perhaps the relationship between lawyers and brokers is similar to that of a crocodile and a plover. However, it's crucial to remember that such a symbiotic relationship can be misused and become detrimental to users.
Son Soo-ho, the author (or rather, lawyer), states, 'You never know when you might get stabbed' and 'It's a world where it's hard to stay sane.' Despite this, he strives to maintain a glimmer of hope. That is why he continues to fight on the field. Will his writing have made his heart a little lighter? I hope so. Since this world is filled with people who don't act rationally and lawsuits and accusations never cease, good lawyers are absolutely necessary.



※ This review is based on a book provided by the Naver Cafe Culturebloom https://cafe.naver.com/culturebloom/1377302 and written honestly.