«'Captures South Korea’s triumphant postwar ascent from abject poverty and trauma.’»

The Guardian

«'This is a book by someone who adores South Korea and has done so since his first trip there as a student. […] Pacheco Pardo captures the remarkable scope of recent triumphs that give South Korea both agility — as Moon’s diplomacy has shown — and the affection of a global audience.'»

Financial Times

«'[An] engaging account.'»

New Statesman

«'[A] well-told story of South Korea’s rise to spotlight.'»

The Korea Herald

«''Shrimp to Whale' is an enthusiastic and breezy book that trumpets the success of South Korea... It surveys the country's complex and fascinating story, and its rise from the bottom to where it is today.'»

Diplomatic Courier

«'A wonderful introduction to contemporary Korean history. This book shows how a small "hermit nation" in Northeast Asia has transformed into a vibrant, dynamic society. A must-read for those who want to understand Korea today.'»

Sung-Hwan Kim, Chairman of the East Asia Foundation, former South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs

«'A fluid and informative read. Pacheco Pardo's recounting of Korea's remarkable odyssey is accessible to a general audience, as well as an important contribution to the scholarship in the field. Highly recommended!'»

Victor Cha, author of 'The Impossible State', and former Director for Asian Affairs, US National Sec

«'A wide-ranging, lucidly written history. The author tracks South Korea's dizzying and rapid transformation into one of the world's most notable middle powers and regional dynamos--from independence to the Covid-19 pandemic.'»

Ankit Panda, author of Kim Jong Un and the Bomb

«'Pacheco Pardo observes Korea with empathy and admiration, as only a Spaniard might. He understands the profound pain that was inflicted on the Koreans by a civil war, and the dictatorship that preceded the feisty democracy they enjoy today. In this beautiful account, he celebrates the uncommon resilience and courage of the Korean people, giving the world the benefit of their genius and industry.'»

Meredith Woo, East Asian politics expert and President of Sweet Briar College

«'With passion, comprehensive depth and a bird’s eye view from afar and up close, this is a valuable read for anyone with an intellectual curiosity in South Korea and its remarkable journey, achieving in several decades what has taken others centuries or millennia.'»

Eun Mee Kim, President of Ewha Womans University, Seoul

«'Since the Korean War, Korea has established itself as a "Global Korea". This book introduces Korean politics, economy and democratisation, and the global phenomenon K-pop, which have transformed from shrimps to whales. Pacheco Pardo's book will be an insightful guide for the general public as well as experts who seek to gain a deeper understanding of Korea.'»

Sang Hyun Lee, President of the Sejong Institute