모든 순간이 너였다

by 하태완

50만 독자의 마음을 다독인 『#너에게』 하태완 작가의 신작!
어쩐지 막막한 밤, 당신에게 공감과 위안이 되는 빛나는 이야기

‘나, 이대로 괜찮은 걸까?’ 바쁜 일상을 살다 보면 문득 내 마음은 돌보지 못한 채, 나의 모든 순간은 정신없이 흘려보낸 채 어두운 밤을 맞이하게 되는 순간이 있다. 『모든 순간이 너였다』는 그런 지친 밤, 누군가 나에게 꼭 해주었으면 싶었던 말을 가만히 건네는 책이다.

SNS와 전작 『#너에게』를 통해 50만 명에 이르는 독자들에게 사랑받은 하태완 작가의 두 번째 에세이로, 위로받고 싶을 때, 설레고 싶을 때, 사람에 사랑에 상처받았을 때… 삶의 모든 순간에 특별한 위로와 공감을 건넨다.

소중한 모든 순간을 나누고픈 사랑하는 사람에게, 미처 의식하지 못했던 지금 이 빛나는 순간을 조금 더 단단해진 마음으로 맞이하고 싶은 나에게, 반드시 선물해주고 싶은 책.

Genres: Love, Poetry, Romance, Nonfiction, Asian Literature, Self Help

287 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Helen (they or he) · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first ever book read in Korean. Can I get a wahoo?

This book caught my eyes a year ago. People kept talking about a drama and this book kept popping up in my recommendations but I didn't buy this book until recently. It's not especially hard to read since it's a collection of short poetry and prose. Some parts of it really resonated with me but some parts are very generic. The illustrations are also pretty. I might re-read it a few times but I don't think I'll be changing my rating anytime soon.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through these poem-like small essays I've been practising my Korean reading/reciting skills :)
They are sweet, although sad, and the illustrations are pretty!
I didn't know it was connected to a Korean drama when I bought this book, but maybe I'll watch the drama later, maybe... ^^

[Tania Perera]

Does it have English translation

[Sandee is Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every Moment Was You is a heartfelt collection of poems and prose that beautifully captures the ups and downs of life. It speaks to the anxiety we all face, the feeling of not being good enough, the joy of falling in love, trying to hold onto that a love that is slowly slipping away, losing the love you thought would stay, and eventually finding a way to move on. This book resonated with me deeply and offered comfort when I needed it the most. Having gone through many of the experiences described, it tugged at my heartstrings quite a lot. I absolutely loved the illustrations. They added an extra layer of emotion to the poems, making them even more impactful.

I read the translated version, and I feel that some nuances might not have come through perfectly in English. As a Korean learner, I understand that certain expressions are nearly impossible to translate accurately. So, my views of this book is geared more towards its content rather than the actual use of syntax in the prose.

This entire collection feels like a warm hug for anyone who has experienced any of the things i mentioned earlier. Every Moment Was You is definitely something I would always come back to reread every once in a while just to feel that warm embrace.

[Mad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though I do not speak or read Korean -- I am learning, but am very much a beginner -- and I was dependent upon tools like Google Translate, this book was gorgeous. I was made aware of it by the fantastic kdrama, What's Wrong With Secretary Kim?, and was immediately intrigued. It's a book that's comforting and wraps you up in a warm blanket, while even at times encapsulating feelings of longing.

I wish the US would embrace more books in this kind of format: poems, short essays, etc. all the while featuring some beautiful, yet unobtrusive illustrations that add to the aesthetic presentation of the book. The entirety of the packaging is stunning and I give big kudos to the design team on that one: very well done.

[Iva · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
Не блести с оригиналност или нещо по-специално, просто чувства и емоции почувствани и записани по красив начин.
Красив ни е езика, не отричам, има такава дълбочина в някои думи, но понякога имам нужда да чета и красиви думи на английски. В тях също има красота, стоят някак по-различно от родния ни език.
Може би дори нямаше да ми звучат така добре ако бяха на български.
Всеки си има демони и тази книжка ми дойде като малко розово хапче, че всичко ще се оправи и ще е добре.
"И това ще мине", както се казва!

[Martina Gjomemo · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be honest I thought this was gonna be a novel, and I couldn’t really check when I bought it cause they wrap their books in plastic here in Korea…
Besides that, the poems just felt a bit cliché, very tumblr and cringe as well… some were nice, but I can count them in just one hand

[Sue Oshin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trigger warning! The reading experience is up to readers to accept or not. The writer’s job is only to write what he feels. It’s up to the reader to judge the content in the writing. For me, there are things I agree with the writer’s notes, there are also things that don’t resonate with me. What the writer ‘sampaikan’ is because he is also ‘manusia biasa’ who has his own mistakes.

Before marrying my husband, I experienced many disappointments in love. The same goes for friendship. It turned out that my husband is the only man I’m most afraid of losing him. He is my lover, my husband, and the father of my children.

When i read Every Moment Was You, this is what the reader needs. The writer has a deeper connection with the reader himself. The writer drills down each situation on what happened, who he talked to and what he wants to convey. He doesn’t ‘merapu meraban’.

He thinks about the reader, what’s their problem, their pain point, and what he can offer to make readers better.

So, this book is really worthy of the writer to write. It’s like this “you read my book, it means you are looking for me for a problem need to solve, or something that causes that pain/distress and hope that my book will help them to solve it.” This is what I feel.

The author managed to make this book connect with readers at a deeper level, solves their problem, and leave them feeling empowered & grateful to the writer. He makes life more comfortable by his words to take away readers pain/problem in relationship.

[MonoNoAware · Rating 5 out of 5]

หนังสือเล่มนี้ ทำให้ฉันน้ำตาไหล จนนับครั้งไม่ถ้วน จนต้องหยุดอ่านไปหลายชั่วขณะ เพื่อกลืนกินความเจ็บปวดที่มี

[Lai Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mới cầm trên tay cuốn sách đẹp như vậy đã thấy ưng kinh khủng rồi, và đọc nội dung thì còn thích em ý hơn nữa. Nói sao nhỉ? Nếu bạn là cô gái đang cần chút yêu thương, ấm áp cho tâm hồn, hoặc là chàng trai cần biết thêm nhiều bí kíp “thả thính” thì không thể bỏ qua em ý đâu. Dù nhiều câu công nhận cũng hơi sến một chút, nhưng giả bộ người mình thương (hay crush) nói những câu đó thì chắc cười điên cả một ngày mất.
Mình dành một chút thời gian buổi tối trước lúc đi ngủ, đều đặn mỗi ngày, để đọc em ý. Cảm giác rất dịu dàng và bình yên, như lời tâm tình, an ủi sau một ngày dài “chiến đấu” với công việc và tùm lum linh tinh thứ khác ấy.

[Norshafarina Faharuddin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another comfort book to read as the year comes to a close and the new year begins.

Almost all the poems and prose feel like a hug, soothing, and self-love.

And some of the poems and prose don't go well for me, but I can't blame the author, as this is how he feels about love, romance (relationships), and breakups.

Overall, it's a good and easy read.

 

[Taina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Itseään toistavia, teiniangstisia tekstinpätkiä rakkauden syttymisestä, kestosta ja lopulta erosta. Hetkittäin muistutetaan lukijalle, että "you are magnificent, I support you <3". Keski-ikäisen tädin sydän ja mieli menivät miinukselle.

[Pecha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prozaïsche teksten afgewisseld met zachte, hartverwarmende tekeningen. Ze weten te ontroeren, te verstillen, aan het denken en voelen zetten.
Mooie uitgave om regelmatig opnieuw ter hand te nemen 🧡

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book over time. I loved the art in the book. It was simple yet beautiful. I related a lot to some of the poems. Definitely worth the wait and money!

[Zeinab Ensan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently translated this book into Persian. It was soft, nice and heartbreaking

[Hailey Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

can read this book at any stage of your relationship and thats why its good i wish to read this when im in a relationship

[은비 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is really just a collection of little poems. Personally, I found that they really resonated with me, made me think, and kind of inspired/gave me some encouragement. I actually first came across this book in a K-Drama and decided to pick it up to read. It's not hard to understand, being at an intermediate level of Korean, and it is honestly such a beautiful read. I highly recommend to anyone!

[Violet · Rating 5 out of 5]

이 책을 읽으면서 수많은 감정을 느꼈으니까 5스타을 받을 만하다고 생각해요. 하태환 씨는 감동적이고 아름다운 글로 다양한 감정을 잘 펼쳐줬기 때문에 아주 인상적이에요.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

When they are well written, I really enjoy poetry books that aren’t traditional - but formatted in a lyrical essay style. This book does that in a very honest and accessible way! As the subjects move through the phases of love and loss and the struggles of self awareness and maturing, it’s easy to connect with the emotions of the author’s words. I found myself immediately re-reading several passages, and read the whole book in one sitting with ease. Unrelated to the content of the book — if you’re a fan of K-dramas, the original (Korean) version of this book was featured in “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim”! Books are often prevalent in K-dramas, but are nearly impossible to find in English translation for the most part. This book is one of the few exceptions! I would highly recommend it for readers interested in poetry, as well as fans of K-drama in general.

Favorite Quote:
“Many things have changed

Like the people by my side
The way I ended up in the opposite direction from where I wanted to be
It feels awkward whenever a friend from the past reaches out
In the time we've grown apart
the walls between us have grown taller

Back then I was immature
Not recognising my family's care for me
but now they’re my only sanctuary
These days, I find myself gazing into the far distance
asking myself questions I used to hate

Life's not that bad now
What I lacked I've come to fill
What I wanted I've either achieved or, sometimes, given up caring about
I've climbed to where I wanted to be
Things have been good

But now that I'm spending more time alone
I start to miss many things about the past
And that's the biggest problem

I miss the carefree conversations with friends using the excuse of youth to remain a spoilt child
Instead of money, chasing after
the carefree times of dipping our feet in the cold stream
I keep yearning for the past
and that's what hurts the most

One day, these moments now
will also become memories I'll miss

So I tell myself, again and again

Work hard to fill the emptiness
so that the tough times now
will one day become a fond memory of the past

After all, if it's fated that one day I'll miss these passing hours
instead of regrets
I want to fill the moments with
beautiful nostalgia

And so right now
I'm trying my very best”

[parareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

#EveryMomentWasYou is a heartfelt poetry collection by South Korean poet Taewoan Ha that delicately captures the essence of love, longing, separation, and life. With poignant reflections and tender illustrations, this book offers a quiet yet powerful emotional experience; one that many would consider a comforting companion during moments of vulnerability. It can easily be categorized as a “healing book,” both for its words and the emotional solace it provides.

The 3️⃣ Things:

🍃 𝑷𝒐𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒊𝒏 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒔𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚
The book’s strength lies in its brevity. Each piece is delivered with a soft, poetic touch, concise yet full of depth. I found myself drawn to many of the poems and introspective lines, which gently navigate through emotions like solitude, joy, heartbreak, and recovery. The writer masterfully uses simplicity to convey complex emotions, making the reflections feel deeply personal and relatable.

🫶🏻 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔
The adorable and emotionally resonant illustrations add a visual layer to the experience, making the book not only enjoyable to read but also a pleasure to behold. These visuals enhance the emotional journey, beautifully complementing the poetry as they echo the small, tender moments that define and sometimes unravel a relationship.

❤️‍🩹 𝑨 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆
If there was ever a book I wished I could hug, it would be this one. Every Moment Was You is a book I know I’ll return to, not just to reread its lines, but to revisit the comfort it offers. It’s the kind of book that quietly waits on your shelf, ready to support you when you need it most.

This book is a balm for the soul. A gentle reminder of how love shapes us, breaks us, and ultimately, heals us. Whether you’re nursing a broken heart or simply searching for quiet reflection, this book will meet you where you are.

✍🏻: @letterwoan
👩🏻‍💻: @2eightytwo
📠: @piatkus_living
📄: 286 pages
⭐️: 3.8/5 stars

Thank you @definitelybooks & Izah for the review copy. 🫰🏻✨ #pansing #parareads #parabaca #bookstagram #definitelybooks #koreanliterature

[Rana · Rating 3 out of 5]

OKAY I’d like to state that a huge part of such a low rating is due to the fact that I’m not fluent in Korean. Hence, it was rather difficult to get through the book which caused a slight boredom to manifest.

The entries in this book felt like journaling, except it was a poetic expression rather than mindless ranting. There wasn’t much literary terms (that I understood at least) so I felt like there’s much more proses out there that would definitely feel more expressive.

Although a big part of this book revolved around romantic feelings, it had many entries regarding other everyday thoughts and impressions. I really enjoyed how Ha Tae-wan expressed the innocence of these feelings without overcomplicating it with big bulky words and metaphors.

Overall, fun read, would have been more entertaining if I didn’t stutter every few minutes.



Quotes I liked (I think)

•“누군가의 상처를 안아줄 줄만 알았던 나는, 정작 나 자신의 아픔을 위로받는 방법은 알지 못했던 것이다.”

•“외로움’을 ‘사랑’이라고 착각해서, 아무에게나 마음 주지 마.”

•“믿기지 않을 수도 있겠지만, 사랑은 굳이 억지 노력으로 찾으려 하지 않아도 다가오게 되어 있다.”

•“사랑은 다시 펼 수 없을 만큼 심하게 구겨진 삶도, 마치 새 종이처럼 깨끗하게 만들 수 있는 유일한 것이니까.”

•“여름과 가을과 겨울만 있는 세상에서, 이제는 그 누구도 잃어버리지 않을 거야.”

•“우리의 어색함은 아름답다 착각하자. 착각이더라도 분명하다 확신하자.”

•“지금의 이 ‘익숙함’을 이제는 사랑이 아니구나, 라고 착각하지 않기로 해.”

•“두 번 다시 같은 곳에 같은 상처는 남기지 말아야지”

•“그러니까 그 사람이 당신에게 연락이 없다는 건, 자신의 삶 속에 당신을 끼워 넣을 여유나 마음이 없다는 말이 되는 거예요.”

•“나는 이제 그 사람이 밉지도 않고, 물론 좋지도 않다. 그냥, 지난날에 잠시 한 번 마주 봤던 사람으로 남겨뒀다. 그러니 그 사람도 이제는 나를 좀 그만 미워하고, 잠시 스쳤던 계절 정도라고 생각해줬으면 좋겠다.”

[Inn Auni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Every Moment Was You felt like listening to a close friend quietly open up about love, heartbreak, and all the little emotions we often don’t know how to put into words. Ha Tae-Wan’s writing is gentle and sincere—it doesn't try to be overly poetic or dramatic, but somehow still manages to hit you right in the heart. If you've ever loved someone deeply or lost someone quietly, this book will feel like a warm echo of your own thoughts.

What I really appreciated was how easy it was to connect with. The short, thoughtful passages let you pause, reflect, and even come back to your favorites when you need them most. It’s the kind of book you don’t have to read all at once. I found myself flipping to random pages on quiet nights, and more often than not, it said exactly what I needed to hear.

If you’re going through something emotional—or even if you’re just feeling a little nostalgic—this book is like a soft companion for your heart. It doesn't offer big answers, but it makes you feel understood. And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.

[Angeli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contrary to popular opinion, this was just okay to me. Maybe it's my current circumstances and/or maybe some of the essence of this tome was lost in translation, but I couldn't really feel engaged as I read through this. I did love the art though! Generally, this seemed like a compilation of mundane musings, not particularly profound, but reflective of the moment they were conceived. It's not a bad thing, though it didn't quite satisfy the craving for something poetic that I was looking for. The text could sometimes seem too patronizing. So, I think this might be better read at random; when you're in a mood, flip through the pages and stop at random to see if the text fits your mood.

[Livia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finally. I’m probably in the minority who did not like this book. Idk if it’s bc some of the text was maybe lost in translation or the lack of my love life but I feel like most of the pomes weren’t poetic but rather cringe and very cliché to the point of them hurting my soul. The Korean version is maybe probably better idk.

I also feel like the poems were very basic and of things every self love influencer has already talked about like a million times. This was the shit (especially about the relationships) some page on tumblr back in 2014 would write to be fake deep.

What I did love tho was the art in this book!

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love at first sight with this book because of its gorgeous cover 💖

But sadly it's true when they say not to judge a book by its cover. I thought this would be an enjoyable, heartfelt and breezy read but got none of that.

Instead of holding my interest or keeping me engaged, I kept putting the book down and getting distracted. I liked the start and thought this was a promising read, but the more I went on, the greater the disconnect for me. I also did not find any of it romantic. The illustrations are beautiful though.

There was also no note or anything from/about the Singaporean translator, which is disappointing as she's part of the reason I wanted to read this book.

[Deni. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every Moment Was You is a heartfelt collection about love, loss, and the spaces in between, but it left me wanting more. It’s an easy, comforting read that touches on the tenderness of relationships, but I couldn't shake the feeling that it stayed too much on the surface. The reflections on love and parting felt a bit rushed, almost like scribbled notes that didn’t fully explore the complexity of the emotions at play. It’s possible some of that depth got lost in translation, which might explain the simplicity of the writing. While the book has its moments, I didn’t find the emotional depth I was hoping for.

[gizelle ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a gem. It's been in my to-read list for a really long time and I wasn't expecting to be able to finish it in a day. The transition from self-love, to being in a relationship, and to break up was smooth. I gained a lot of new perspectives from this book.

"Contacting less simply means 'negligence' in the disguise of 'familiarity'." is one of my favorite quotes from this. This book may be primarily about relationships, but the context can also be applicable to friendships. I, too, want to experience that "every moment".

[Joshi Kirti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Moment was you. Korean best seller since 2018!
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Got to know this book via a drama series and this becomes the first book I read using Google translation services. Although the translation have definitely degraded the quality of Poem formation but still this book make me resonate with many of its poetry and prose parts about love and relationship.
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The illustrations inside are also very pretty.
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Want to grab an hard-copy in English soon. As English version has published lately.
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soothing Read !

[Ka8leen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Voor iedereen die vaak piekerend wakker ligt. Voor iedereen die op dit moment van iemand houdt. Voor iedereen die warmte en troost nodig heeft. Voor iedereen die door de liefde is gekwetst. Voor iedereen die gelukkiger zal zijn dan wie ook. Voor al diegene schreef de auteur rakende, maar ook ondersteunende teksten neer. Gescheiden soms door hele mooi krachtige illustraties in zachte, helende kleuren. Korte teksten soms ook die je kan gebruiken om iemand toe te sturen die je die troostende of liefhebbende woorden wil toefluisteren. Een warm boek om af en toe open te slaan en in te lezen. Mooi!

[S.J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. It's like reading someone's journal with his/her collection of random thoughts about his/her life and love. I read the translated version and not the original korean so I cannot comment on how it was written. I appreciated the art in the book it was like therapy when reading it. However, I don't think that it will leave an imprint in me but if I have an opportunity to reread it again, why not? Let's see.