Some personal news and an exciting update

Hello, curious minds,This week I share a personal update, what is changing with the newsletter, and how you can support the work.Starting next week, I will publish the first-ever post exclusively for paid subscribers.But first, let me make one thing perfectly clear: The in-depth weekly essays and podcasts you receive every Thursday will always remain free for everyone. That is my promise.At the same time, I’ve long dreamed of becoming a full-time writer, creating deeper stories that require even more time and research. Until now, I’ve been funding this newsletter by taking on other research and consulting projects. But my goal is to dedicate much more of my energy to this space and to a book I’m working on about Korea’s democracy. That’s why I recently turned on the paid subscription option.Even without a single paywalled post, a few of you have already upgraded to paid. I was so touched and grateful for that vote of confidence.As the first step toward this dream, I’m launching a new monthly series for paid members.📚 Unlocking Korea’s Hidden Library: A Series for Paid MembersIn this series, I’ll introduce and deeply analyze books that are essential to understanding modern Korea but are not yet available in English. Each month, I’ll share a piece that explores what the book reveals about Korean society, who wrote it, and why it matters now. Together with my wonderful collaborator, webtoon artist Jihyun Lee, we’ll craft each piece so you can feel like you’re discovering the hidden context within the book itself.🌟 Become a Founding MemberTo thank those who want to support this new journey, I’m offering a special, one-time discount.Become an annual paid subscriber by November 30th, and you can lock in the founding member rate of $30/year forever. On December 1st, the annual price will increase to $50/year. If you join now at the founding rate, your price will never increase upon renewal. Ever.Your paid subscription is the most direct way to support this work, allowing me to dedicate more time to in-depth research and writing. It is the single biggest driver of this newsletter’s sustainable growth.So, What’s Changing?👍 For Free Subscribers (Your great experience continues!)* Weekly essays on Korean history, culture, and politics* In-depth analysis based on Korean-language sources* Podcast-style audio versions of posts so you can listen on the go✨ For Paid Subscribers (Get everything above, plus exclusive benefits!)* [NEW] The monthly members-only series, Unlocking Korea’s Hidden Library* Full access to the entire archive of paid posts* The ability to comment on all posts and join community discussionsOther Ways to Join & Support💰 Group Subscriptions: Better with friends!Get a 20% discount when 2 or more people subscribe together for an annual plan. During the founding member window (through Nov 30), that’s just $24 each!Learn more: Subscribe to Understanding Korea, One Story at a Time💌 Refer Friends, Earn Free Months!If you enjoy Understanding Korea, it would mean the world if you shared it with friends. When you use your personal referral link below (or the Share button on any post), you’ll earn complimentary time on your paid plan:* 3 referrals → 1 month free* 5 referrals → 3 months free* 10 referrals → 9 months freeTimeline at a Glance* Last week of Oct: The first paid-only post from the Unlocking Korea’s Hidden Library series. Get ready: we’ll be diving into a book by a historian who was a direct participant in South Korea’s democratization movement.* Through Nov 30: The founding member price window ($30/year) is open.* Dec 1: The annual price returns to $50.* Mid-Dec: I’ll be taking a short family break for about two weeks. I’ll use the time to refresh, study, and come back in January with even better stories for you!Where to Listen, Watch, and ConnectI recently gathered all my sites in one place.If you’re on social media beyond Substack, let’s connect there too! - https://www.jiwon-yoon.com/links/If you have any questions about the paid plan, please reply to this email. And if there’s a Korean book you think I should evaluate for the new series, don’t hesitate to tell me.Thank you for being here and for joining this journey to make Korea more understandable, one story at a time. Whether you choose to remain a free reader or become a paid member, you are a valued part of the Understanding Korea community.I am so excited about the stories we will continue to explore together.Warmly,Jiwon Get full access to Understanding Korea, One Story at a Time at yoonjiwon.substack.com/subscribe