China Wasn't the Problem. I Was

Why did my arrogance only surface in China?

This unexpected question marks the beginning of a candid, often humorous, and even philosophical journey into a country that many find intimidating or misunderstood. China's rapid rise can feel overwhelming, but perhaps the best way to understand it today is to revisit the years when its transformation first began-during the Reform and Opening-Up era.

In this book, the author offers keen insights into a nation in transition. From the streets and local parks to airports, restaurants, hospitals, banquet tables, and even meetings with Chinese top officials, he captures the moments that reveal how a society was remaking itself. And for anyone interested in doing business in China or learning Chinese, there are plenty of engaging stories along the way-insights into navigating Chinese business culture and fascinating tales about the language itself come as delightful bonuses.

Through 30+ vivid episodes, readers discover:

What life looked like when the "Reform and Opening-Up" policy first reshaped the countryHow encounters with officials, taxi drivers, a doctor, or a caregiver revealed larger truths about a society in fluxWhy spicy food isn't just a flavor but a social hierarchyHow Chinese officials, a doctor, a prosthetic eye maker, and even a caregiver reshape the author's perspectiveWhy doing business in China demands more than strategyEven how learning the language became more than a linguistic challengeDeeper themes emerge:Why China's path from the 1990s to the early 2000s still shapes how the world sees it todayHow a "love-it-or-hate-it" herb like cilantro-or even stinky tofu-became a symbol of cultural acceptance, a reminder that different doesn't mean wrongWhy what once looked like outdated political slogans now feels, for many Chinese, like sacred reflections of life itselfIf you've ever wondered how China's changes began-or what life was really like back then... If you've ever felt uneasy about China but couldn't quite articulate why... Then this book is for you.

China Wasn't the Problem. I Was isn't a history book or an academic study. It's something rarer: a smart, funny, and emotionally resonant account of how encountering another culture can reshape our assumptions-not just about "them," but about ourselves.

About the author

The author is one of the rare civilian experts on modern China. He began his journey in Chinese language and culture after majoring in Chinese in Korea and studying mass communication in Taiwan. His career began as a Korean-language announcer and producer for the Overseas Division of the Broadcasting Corporation of China in Taiwan.

He later worked across Korea, China, and the U.S. as a regional representative for LG and the LS Group, two major Korean conglomerates. His work occasionally brought him into rooms with China's top leadership, but it was the insights gained in airports, taxis, restaurants, streets, and even restrooms-in unexpected conversations with coworkers, strangers, and friends-that stayed with him the longest and taught him the most enduring lessons.