NECESSARY LIE, Escape for freedom and love

By DOOHYUN KIM & JIYEON MAENG
with HEIDI TUCKER

As the boat glided through the water beyond the middle of the river toward China, Doohyun felt his soul rip in half. How he had longed for freedom! The buildup had taken years, and he was now so close to that dream, but Jiyeon was beneath the stars over North Korea. He was torn between the fires of release and remorse. The memory of her disappearing figure at the train station and the torrid release of his tears on the train car balcony flooded forward in a vivid remembrance. It was the hardest moment of his entire life. The necessary lie of his two-week business trip to protect his wife still hurt, and Doohyun promised himself that he would use that ache to find freedom and bring his sweet wife into his arms again.

“Doohyun and Jiyeon’s extraordinary love story shows us that bravery and heart can triumph, even during the most unfathomable of hardships. It is an illuminating, gut-wrenching and hopeful glimpse into life in North Korea.”
- Catherine Haena Kim, Actress

“An impossible story of a daring escape with miracle after miracle that will keep you turning page after page.”
- Steven Sharp Nelson, Award-winning Cellist, The Piano Guys

“In the midst of all the hatred of the world, of distrust and betrayal, this story gives us all inspiration and hope.”
- Mark A. Petersen, Emeritus Professor, Korean Studies, Brigham Young University