
Autobiography 'Best Option'
By Byong Ku LEE

Book Introduction
"If you can't choose the best option, make your choice the best."
From a man with $600 to a CEO of a $70 million company
A 30-year journey of business success
What does it mean to choose the “best option” in business? What if a single choice could change not only your own life, but also the lives of others? The Best Option tells the remarkable success story of Chairman Byong Ku LEE, a South Korean entrepreneur who rose from a childhood of poverty to build a global company.
Chairman Mr. Lee expanded his business beyond Korea into Australia, Japan, Taiwan, and Cuba, pioneering new frontiers in the global healthcare market. In particular, he gained international attention by introducing Policosanol—known as “the blue pill of Cuba”—to the world through collaboration with the Cuban National Scientific Research Institute.
Despite economic crises, legal battles, and countless challenges, he never gave up. Driven by a single conviction—to deliver beneficial products to people—he stayed true to his path.
This book is more than just a story of success; it offers a guide to transforming your life through better decisions. His story of bold choices and unwavering belief amidst uncertainty will deliver profound insights and inspiration to readers around the world.
About the Author
From $600 Immigrant to $70 Million CEO
Byong Ku LEE is the CEO of RAYDEL, a global
healthcare company headquartered in
Australia. With only a night middle-school
education, he emigrated to Australia in 1982
carrying just $600, alongside his new bride. He
opened a small health food store in Sydney in
1986, growing his venture into a global
enterprise with branches in 13 countries,
including Australia, Korea, Japan, China, India,
Canada, Spain, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam,
and the USA. Today, Raydel generates annual
revenues exceeding $70 million.
A 30-Year Battle Against Cholesterol & Hypertension
In 1997, Lee discovered Policosanol on the
Caribbean island of Cuba—a moment that
completely transformed his life and business.
Thus began his personal mission against
chronic disease. Cardiovascular diseases are
the leading cause of death globally, with
cholesterol as a primary risk factor.
Determined to find the legendary "blue pill"
for cholesterol, Lee traveled spontaneously to
Havana, where he learned about Policosanol,
a natural ingredient developed by Cuba’s
National Center for Scientific Research,
credited with protecting cardiovascular health
in the world's renowned centenarian nation.
Could increasing HDL prevent hypertension
and cardiovascular diseases? Could sharing
this discovery save millions? This revelation
became Lee's life's purpose. To this day, he
spends over 120 days annually traveling
worldwide, passionately spreading his
message.
In an era where longevity matters more than
ever, this global healthcare CEO's relentless
quest to create a disease-free world continues
stronger and more fiercely than before. For
Lee, this journey is his "Best Option" for
himself, his family, and humanity.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Nobody Is Useless, No Life Is Insignificant
No One Chooses Poverty 11
A Single Word Can Change a Life 20
Others' Happiness Became My Own 28
"First Succeed Yourself, Then You Can Help Others" 37
Nothing Is "a Given" 47
Sometimes Life Takes Unexpected Turns 56
Why I Went to Australia Without Speaking a Word of English 63
Chapter 2: What Makes an Entrepreneur
Ambition Doesn’t Guarantee Results 77
Everyone Has a Weapon 84
The Best Option 92
When You Hit a Wall, Go Back to the Basics 101
Opportunity Wears an Ordinary Face 112
No One Is Born an Entrepreneur 121
The Price of Trust 133
Chapter 3: Any Place Can Be a Land of Opportunity
nother Opportunity: Cuba’s Blue Pill 145
Cuba, Through Fresh Eyes 155
Cuba: A Medical Haven, a Biotech Powerhouse 167
A Crisis Hits My Business 170
Where Would I Get My Money if You're Gone? 177
Working for Yourself 185
You're Saying I'm Selling Drugs? 193
I Handed You a Diamond—Why Worry? 200
Turning Impossible into Possible 206
How a Shack Theory Gave Rise to a Basic Science Lab 213
Chapter 4: A World Where Even One More Person Can Be Happier
"Life is Short!" 229
Toward a Better Life 246
Cuba and Us—Friends and Family! 264
Publisher’s Review
An ordinary young man with no natural talent becomes the CEO of a world-renowned global company!
Chairman Mr. Lee, a pioneer in the global healthcare industry, emphasizes that life is a series of big and small choices. What matters is not making the best choice from the start, but making the path you’ve chosen the best possible one. His unwavering philosophy through failures and crises ultimately led to success. This book is not just a success story. Through his experiences of overcoming countless challenges and hardships, readers will learn how to seize opportunities and gain the power to turn the impossible into reality.
Key Messages You Can Learn from This Book
✔ Poverty is not a choice, but changing your life through choices is possible.
✔ Entrepreneurs are not born—they are built through trust and experience.
✔ Opportunity comes in an ordinary form; those who recognize it first succeed.
✔ The power to turn the impossible into possible comes from making the right choices.
✔ Maintaining trust creates greater value than short-term profits.
✔ Life is short. Happiness is the top priority, and good health is essential for happiness.
✔ To stay healthy for a long time, keep your cells and blood vessels healthy!
If you dream of a better future than today, you too can create the “Best Option.” This book will help ensure your choices lead to the best possible outcomes.
Praise for the Book
Myung-min Kim (Actor)
I affectionately call the author "Byung Ku." His speech is humble, even a bit shy, yet
his stories have an irresistible charm. At 70, his honesty and contagious passion
captivate you, effortlessly transforming strangers into customers, friends, and
brothers. After reading his 30-year journey with Cuba, you will undoubtedly become
a fan—as I am.
Monk Gihu (Jeongbeopsa Temple, Sydney, Australia)
Compassion for life manifests through respect and love, accompanied by deep
reflection, numerous trials, and perseverance. Chairman Byung-gu Lee has chosen this
path resolutely, and this book beautifully captures the hope, peace, and love from his
footsteps of struggle. This is a sacred and heartfelt gift.
Yong-won Yoo (Member of the National Assembly)
"Nobody is useless, no life is insignificant." Overcoming severe childhood poverty and
numerous trials, Byung-gu Lee built a global business and even became a respected
civilian diplomat. His life story offers powerful lessons for everyone, especially the
young people who will shape Korea's future. I highly recommend this inspiring read.
Reader Reviews
A collection of reviews from Kyobo Bookstore, department stores, overseas readers, and social media (arranged by date)
I have come to admire the author—an ordinary person who has lived an extraordinary life. His journey has been incredibly dynamic, and despite countless hardships, he has achieved remarkable accomplishments. I find myself wanting to learn from him.
The book is filled with profound quotes that made me underline line after line. I’m also grateful for the valuable, eye-opening information he has shared with us.
This is not a book you read just once. It’s a deeply moving story that makes you want to read it two, even three times.
Through the author’s dramatic life, I gained many insights and lessons. I feel fortunate to have come to know someone who is living such a meaningful and successful life.
This book has inspired me to dream of my own “Best Option.”
I highly recommend reading it.
March 19, 2025 | Kyobo Bookstore Purchase Review | by kw********
I started taking Policosanol quite by chance, and then a friend gave me the book The Best Option as a gift. Reading the story of Chairman Mr. Lee, who overcame difficult circumstances with unwavering determination and perseverance to build a global company, deeply moved me.
It made me realize I had made the right choice. From now on, I am determined that my husband and I will continue taking RAYDEL Policosanol to raise our good HDL cholesterol together.
March 19, 2025 | Kyobo Bookstore Purchase Review | by la****************
He is truly an outstanding CEO.
A remarkable person who has sacrificed in every way for his family and his business.
The future of RAYDEL looks promising, and this autobiography even offers a hopeful vision for our country’s development.
March 19, 2025 | Kyobo Bookstore Purchase Review | by so******************
“Don’t just choose the best option—make your choice the best!”
I used to worry a lot about whether my decisions were the best ones. After reading this book, I realized that a choice doesn’t end with just one decision; it requires continuous effort to make that choice the best it can be.
I had always been interested in Policosanol since many people around me have high cholesterol. It was fascinating to learn the behind-the-scenes story of how such a product was created.
In these times, it’s rare to find a book that truly moves you. I applaud the author’s unwavering determination that brings genuine inspiration.
March 19, 2025 | Kyobo Bookstore Purchase Review | by li********
"Is there such a thing as a perfect choice?"
This book is about the journey of making the best out of the choices we make.
From a poor boy to a global CEO, he gave his best effort in every decision he faced. The story of discovering Policosanol in Cuba and pioneering the global market is especially fascinating.
As I was reading, I found myself thinking, "Maybe I should try this product." So I looked it up—and guess what? My mom has been taking it for years!
Clearly, mothers always make the right choices. 😆
If you’re at a crossroads in life, this book will offer some valuable hints.
March 19, 2025 | Kyobo Bookstore Purchase Review | by do********
Despite difficult and challenging circumstances, I was deeply moved by his passion to embrace his choices without regret and to always do his best with the right mindset.
When he pushed through with a headbutt during a physical confrontation with much bigger opponents, I thought, honestly, that takes some serious guts.
In today’s world where it’s easy to give up, this book offers a powerful lesson.
March 19, 2025 | Kyobo Bookstore Purchase Review | by lj******************
I have been taking RAYDEL Policosanol for a long time, but learning about the CEO’s story made me trust the product even more. It truly feels like a great choice.
In times like these, he is exactly the kind of person we need.
March 19, 2025 | Kyobo Bookstore Purchase Review | by ah***************
I had some time to spare before my next appointment, so I went to Kyobo Bookstore. As usual, I browsed my favorite sections, then got ready to leave when a billboard caught my eye—showing a figure who looked like an enlightened monk. I didn’t have time, so I moved on, and that memory was soon buried under others.
The next day, while searching Kyobo Bookstore’s online site for books to study, I came across that same “monk.” I had already filled my cart with books I planned to buy, but on a whim, I added his book too—thinking I might as well get some merchandise along with my order. It turned out, he wasn’t a monk at all, but a businessman.
His book followed the usual autobiography stereotypes: a poor childhood, the frustration of limited education, studying with sleepy eyes, early entry into the workforce, business crises, and eventual success. But there was something special in his story—a pure passion not found in typical success stories. He wasn’t a made-up hero, but an ordinary man, which made his story unique to me.
I was deeply moved by his sense of responsibility toward the products he sells. He said if he ever felt ashamed of his product, he would feel sorry for the consumers who spent their time and money on it. Because what consumers really want is a healthy life, it’s irresponsible for anyone claiming to offer health to sell a product without accountability. So he constantly tests and improves his products, striving to make the best choices.
I was also impressed by his bold strategy. Only a company that sells honest products can make such a move, and that made it truly special. In a market flooded with countless similar products, he chose to build trust in his product. Instead of glamorizing an ordinary product through research labs or academic conferences—things other companies do—he focused on creating a truly trustworthy, top-quality product.
His success is undoubtedly something no one else could replicate. But more than the achievements and insights, his attitude toward his product and people resonated with me the most. Perhaps adding The Best Option as the final piece in my shopping cart was, in fact, my own true “best option.”
March 19, 2025 | Kyobo Bookstore Purchase Review | by ta****
I was deeply moved by the author’s story of overcoming countless hardships with determination and passion to achieve his goals.
As someone working in a company, this book gave me a strong wake-up call against the periodic feelings of burnout and weakness I often experience. It is an autobiography of a successful business leader who achieved success through continuous failures and reflections on life’s attitude toward the present and future.
I highly recommend this book to all working professionals. The latter part contains important information that makes you realize what is necessary for a healthy life.
Born in a humble stable like Jesus, the author rose to become the CEO of a global healthcare company. If possible, I hope he will give lectures to young people who live in uncertain times and worry about an unstable future, sharing his life and business story.
March 18, 2025 | Kyobo Bookstore Purchase Review | by lh***************
An impressive book chronicling the life of a man who dedicated himself globally to human health. This book clearly explains why he became so passionate about Policosanol.
March 18, 2025 | Kyobo Bookstore Purchase Review | by ym***
I gifted this book to my parents, who have been taking Policosanol consistently. After reading it, they said it gave them more confidence in the product.
I hope RAYDEL Policosanol continues to grow and improve in the future.
March 17, 2025 | Kyobo Bookstore Purchase Review | by ju*****
What touched me most about The Best Option was its message: “Don’t choose the best option—make your choice the best.”
Many people focus on finding the perfect choice, but what truly matters is the effort to make any choice the best it can be. This book shows that successful people don’t start from perfect conditions; instead, they continuously develop their decisions and lead them to the best outcomes.
It’s not just a success story—it teaches how to carve your own path no matter the circumstances. With a positive attitude and a growth mindset, those who don’t give up in the face of hardship and seize even small opportunities ultimately achieve their goals.
The key lesson is not to wait for perfect conditions, but to make the best out of the opportunities you have now.
This is an easy-to-read book that can benefit everyone.
March 17, 2025 | Kyobo Bookstore Purchase Review | by po******************
While Cuba created Policosanol, I believe it was Byong Ku Lee who turned it into a global health product.
Out of many countries, he formed a special connection with Cuba, and reading this book to the end reveals why he came to discover Policosanol. I think the relationship between him, Cuba, and Policosanol was destined.
Through the twists and turns of his life, the choice he made in Cuba proved to be his best decision, as shown by his success today as the CEO of a global company.
March 17, 2025 | Kyobo Bookstore Purchase Review | by in*****
He was the driving force behind bringing Cuban Policosanol to South Korea.
This is a success story born from Byong Ku Lee’s relentless dedication to healthy blood vessels and high-quality HDL, as the sole seller of Cuban Policosanol in Korea for many years.
At first, I thought it was just another story of a middle school graduate’s success. But through this book, I learned about the life of a man who overcame hardship and adversity in Korea, and ultimately traveled far and wide—from Australia to Cuba—with a passionate desire to contribute to the health of people worldwide.
Because of that passion, Cuban Policosanol arrived in Korea, and many have come to know about its benefits.
Amid the recent global and Korean economic crises, it is more important than ever to care for our health and prevent chronic diseases to reduce social costs.
The Policosanol introduced in this book appears to be an essential ingredient for improving both the quality and quantity of HDL, crucial for the health of the Korean people.
I hope others will learn from this book how to make their choices the best and how to protect their health.
March 17, 2025 | Kyobo Bookstore Purchase Review | by km****
Chairman Byong Ku Lee’s miraculous story of recovery after two of the three main arteries to his heart were blocked amazed even his doctors.
What impressed me most was that this was not just luck, but the result of his relentless effort and dedication to researching and maintaining his health.
The biggest takeaway from this book was learning why managing HDL is so important and how crucial healthy blood vessels are. Honestly, if I hadn’t read this, I might have just overlooked it. But after reading, I felt motivated to take action for my health.
Naturally, I started looking into Cuban Policosanol. Hearing the story of how he has been the sole supplier of this ingredient in Korea and has devoted himself to continuous research for healthy blood vessels built my trust. This is not just a health book—it’s a heartfelt story born from real experience, which made it all the more meaningful.
If you truly care about your health, I highly recommend reading this book at least once.
March 17, 2025 | Kyobo Bookstore Purchase Review | by li*****
Before reading this book, I had no idea why managing HDL was important. But now I’m convinced—it’s a must-read for anyone who wants to live a healthy life.
What became crystal clear to me after finishing this book is that the first step in preventing chronic diseases is taking care of your blood vessels—especially your cholesterol and blood pressure.
This book helped me realise that the key to staying healthy and avoiding cardiovascular disease and dementia lies in managing these things well.
More than someone born into wealth or someone highly educated, Chairman Byong Ku Lee—who had little but walked his path with unwavering belief in his choices—delivers far more insight and impact through his writing.
Unlike many bestsellers that show off knowledge or wealth with difficult words and a self-righteous tone, this book is refreshingly honest, grounded in real-life experiences, and quietly powerful. I think that’s what makes it a true masterpiece.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone.
March 17, 2025 | Kyobo Bookstore Purchase Review | by jj*****
I found it fascinating to learn the backstory of how Cuban Policosanol came to be sold in Korea.
The moment I finished the last page and closed the book, I suddenly wanted to know my own HDL level.
March 14, 2025 | Kyobo Bookstore Purchase Review | by si*****
RAYDEL Policosanol 20 is a health supplement I regularly give to my parents, who both suffer from high blood pressure and high cholesterol. So when I came across the book Best Option at Kyobo Bookstore, I naturally found myself wondering, “Who is the person behind this product?” Wanting to better understand the philosophy and vision behind something I trust and purchase so often, I immediately decided to buy the book.
After finishing it, what impressed me the most was Chairman Byong Ku Lee’s unrelenting spirit of challenge and determination. His almost reckless level of perseverance is what eventually led to the creation of a product we can trust today—and realizing that this has played a part in protecting my family’s health made me unexpectedly emotional.
I gained a great deal of trust from the part where he discovered the so-called “blue pill of Cuba” while searching for ways to help his older brother’s health, then researched it thoroughly and tested it on himself before even starting the business. The fact that it all began not from a desire for profit, but out of care for his family, left a deep impression on me.
I read the book in just a few hours and immediately recommended it to people I know. I had assumed that a global healthcare company CEO would come from a privileged background, but Chairman Lee’s story—building everything from scratch, armed only with conviction—truly earned my respect.
There were countless moments in the book where I thought, “If it were me, I would’ve given up.” But time and again, he chose to believe in his decisions and saw them through to the end—and that grit and passion ultimately transformed his life. I was left in awe.
March 14, 2025 | Kyobo Bookstore Purchase Review | by wu*******
This short book left a deep impression on me as it vividly captures the incredible journey of the author—who, despite only finishing middle school, went on to receive a medal often referred to as the “Cuban Nobel Prize.”
As someone who has always been interested in HDL cholesterol and blood pressure, I also found the information about Policosanol to be very valuable.
For anyone just starting out in business, this book offers practical insights on how to launch, sustain, and eventually expand a business. It’s an inspiring and informative read.
March 14, 2025 | Kyobo Bookstore Purchase Review | by lm*****
Now I understand why the Policosanol I had been taking didn’t feel all that effective!
After reading this book, I realized what truly sets authentic Cuban Policosanol apart.
From shining shoes as a child to doing cleaning and odd jobs as an immigrant in Australia, the author overcame countless challenges. I believe the driving force behind his journey to becoming the CEO of a global company was his unwavering commitment to offering genuinely good products made with quality ingredients.
I recommend this book to anyone striving to live a healthy life or those who are working persistently toward success in their own field.
March 14, 2025 | Kyobo Bookstore Purchase Review | by sh****************