Magazine 'Byo:mat' shares stories of young people battling illness

In a society that often pressures young adults to meet specific life milestones, the magazine "Byo:mat" (병맛) offers a different narrative: the experiences of those in their 20s and 30s navigating serious illnesses. The publication, whose title is a playful yet poignant Korean slang term, aims to capture the multifaceted realities of young individuals facing conditions like cancer and rare autoimmune diseases.

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In our country, there's a strong notion that 'people in their 20s and 30s should do this much.' You have to get a job after graduating, get married after getting a job. If you deviate even a little, you're criticized, so how would those who are ill at a young age be treated?

Launched by Studio Eojunggan, "Byo:mat" goes beyond simple reporting, using interviews, essays, short stories, photography, and illustrations to express the journeys of these young patients. The magazine's distinctive approach is reflected in its cover designs, which feature bold colors and thematic titles. The first issue, "Red, Hot and Spicy," highlighted stories of passionate resilience, such as a writer who found a new path through writing after battling lupus nephritis while studying law. The second issue, "Teal, Numb and Tough," explored the complex relationship between illness and life, including a roundtable discussion among young patients about the challenges of job hunting and career development.

Editor Kim Ga-hyun explained that the "color and taste" concept was chosen to convey the visceral, sensory experience of illness. "The intimate experience of illness approaches us through our five senses," she said. "We wanted readers to feel that sensation too." The magazine uses everyday imagery, a rose on the street, chili peppers, cityscapes, or pharmacy signs, to connect these personal struggles to the broader world, emphasizing that these are not isolated stories but part of a shared human experience.

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The intimate experience of illness approaches us through our five senses. We wanted readers to feel that sensation too.

"Byo:mat" consciously avoids offering "hasty consolation" or portraying patients through a lens of tragedy or pity. Instead, it seeks to present "clues" for understanding. The magazine highlights how illness can sometimes lead to a profound re-evaluation of life. One contributor shared how cancer treatment prompted a deep introspection about identity and life design, ultimately leading to a more intentional path. The upcoming third issue will focus on the perspectives of those surrounding young patients, family, friends, and partners, exploring the complex, sometimes burdensome, yet essential relationships that shape the experience of illness.

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We are wary of hasty consolation and aim to provide clues.

Ultimately, the creators of "Byo:mat" aim to convey that the narrative of illness is not confined to the patient alone. "Illness is a story for all of us," Kim stated, emphasizing that anyone can face sickness. The magazine aspires to be a space where everyone can read and understand, reinforcing the message that the experience of illness is a universal aspect of the human condition, not an isolated event for a select few.

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After cancer treatment, the process of choosing a career, that is, thinking about who I am and what kind of work I should do, allowed me to define myself and redesign my life accordingly.