French author Bernard Werber, center at the podium, speaks during a special lecture as part of the 2026 Seoul International Book Fair at Coex in southern Seoul, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Anna J. Park
French novelist Bernard Werber encouraged readers to pursue their unique calling rather than material success, arguing that true happiness comes from discovering the talent each person is born to develop.
Speaking at a special lecture during the 2026 Seoul International Book Fair, Thursday, where France is this year's guest of honor, the bestselling author shared his lifelong fascination with spirituality, a recurring theme in many of his novels.
Werber said he began exploring yoga, Buddhist meditation and other spiritual practices at the age of 13, leading him to believe there are two fundamentally different ways of living: one driven by materialism and another guided by spirituality.
"A materialistic life revolves around finding a job, earning money, building a family and repeating the same cycle," he said. "A spiritual life begins by asking why we were born, why we are here and what only we can contribute to the world."
