My Brilliant Life by Ae Ran Kim is a poignant coming-of-age novel about love, family, and mortality. The story follows Areum, a 16-year-old boy who suffers from progeria, a rare genetic condition that causes rapid aging. Despite his physical frailty, Areum possesses a deep wisdom and maturity beyond his years.
Raised by his young and loving parents, Mira and Daesu—who had him as teenagers—Areum spends his days writing their life story as a birthday gift for them. As he documents their struggles and sacrifices, he also grapples with his own limited time, seeking meaning in his existence while navigating the challenges of growing up too fast.
With tender prose and heartfelt emotion, My Brilliant Life is a meditation on family bonds, resilience, and the beauty of ordinary moments. It’s a deeply moving novel that lingers in the reader’s heart long after the final page.