Hwang Young-mi (2023) 'Honor Student Survival: 13 Rules for Surviving Youth' (Translated by Kim In-hye), Hyoronsha

It is shocking to get a glimpse of how children in South Korea are caught up in fierce educational competition.
Even if they manage to enter a prestigious preparatory school, there are exams from the very day of the entrance ceremony, night study sessions, and they are tutored by famous private tutors paid with high fees.
Rankings are revealed after every exam, and there are self-study rooms that only the top students are allowed to use.
Although it is forbidden to hold classes early in the morning or late at night, some students attend cram schools that operate with the curtains drawn.

They try to push themselves to keep up with that competition and achieve good grades, but things rarely go well.

However, blessed with friends and family, they decide to face their studies and their lives in their own way.

The truly survival-like high school life almost makes me feel exhausted just reading about it.
When things get tough, I deeply realize how much the presence of those around you helps.