VOL.93/2026.04

Homilbooks Publishing Co. – The Pillar of Busan's Humanities and the Unique Stories

 

 

2026.02

 

 

 

Publishing from a region outside the capital is not simply a matter of one’s address. It is a matter of which voices to curate, which readers to envition, and the pace at which books are brought to the world. Based in Busan, Homilbooks Publishing Co. has steadfastly engaged with deep discourses across the humanities, sociology and the arts. From the philosophy behind the name "Homil" and the criteria for selecting titles, to the realities and opportunities facing regional publishing — Representative Jang Hyunjung shared his story with us.

 

 

 

 

 

Q. What is the meaning behind the name "Homilbooks," and how is it reflected in the publishing direction?

 

The name "Homilbooks" has two meanings. One refers to "a space where anyone can run and play freely," inspired by the novel The Catcher in the Rye. We aim to be a sanctuary where diverse voices can breathe — whether they are the quiet whispers of the marginalized, voices of awakening that challenge absurd conventions, or deep philosophical insights honed in silence. The second meaning relates to "rye" (homil). Just as farmers plant tough, resilient crops like rye to transform barren land into fertile soil, the name reflects our aspiration to cultivate and enrich the cultural soil of our society through pioneering and experimental endeavors.In accordance with this philosophy, Homilbooks is dedicated to discovering local narratives and non-mainstream discourses from Busan and beyond, supporting the debut of new writers, and introducing lesser-known international works, such as Turkish literature.

 

 

 

 

Q. What are the advantages/opportunities of operating a publishing house in Busan? Conversely, what is the biggest challenge?

 

Busan's location outside the capital serves as an optimal vantage point for capturing the lived experiences of researchers, artists, and local residents who exist outside mainstream discourse. While planning and production were often dependent on the capital area in the past, we have now established a structure where everything from planning to distribution is completed within Busan. Homilbooks actively utilizes this opportunity to connect and expand the achievements of the city government, cultural foundations, research institutes, universities, and cultural city initiatives into new publishing businesses that did not exist before. Through this process, we have built Homilbooks' unique methodology called "Social Editing," which involves editing the city's entire cultural resources from a fresh perspective. Of course, there are significant challenges. Physical distance creates hurdles in distribution, promotion, meetings for new releases, and managing bookstore display. Additionally, the slow speed of information flow compared to the capital and the difficulty in recruiting skilled talent, such as capable editors and marketers, remain challenges we must continue to overcome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q. If you had to pick the top threecriteria for selecting a manuscript, what would they be and why?

 

The most important factor is originality. I priotize irreplaceable stories — narratives that only that specific author can tell. Second, I examine whether the work addresses critical issues closely related to life "here and now." I am not drawn to abstract grand narratives or stories that are excessively subjective. Instead of being pedantic or vague, the writing must embody the local context, daily life, on-site experiences, and physical sensations. Finally, I look for enduring value — content worth keeping and reading for a long time. A newspaper’s information expires after a day; weeklies last a week; and monthlies a month. However, I believe a book should contain insights that remain resonant even when opened three, five, or even decades later.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q. What do you value most in the collaboration between editor and author? Also, are there any non-negotiable principles you maintain regarding the book’s physical design?

 

Some authors view editing as merely "the work of fixing," but at Homilbooks, editing is "the process of completing thoughts together." There is a strong culture here of treating authors not just as providers of manuscripts, but as colleagues who share a critical awareness of our times and the field. Regarding the physical design, we pursue a "modest elegance" rather than excessive glamour. This is because we believe that classic forms — such as black-and-white interiors, Shinguk-pan (standard book size), and traditional fonts — best reveal the essence of a book. However, we do actively support and encourage the creative experiments of new editors and designers.

 

 

 

 

Q. What topics/agendas do you feel need to be read more in Korean society today?

 

There would be too many to list. But if I had to pick just one, I would say "Korean thought and culture." Now that K-Culture is receiving global attention, I believe that,paradoxically it is Koreans themselves who need to pay deeper attention to their own thoughts and philosophy. Also, publishing in Busan makes me frequently reflect on the identity of the "local." Broadly speaking, Korea itself has long been a "local" player in the global market of knowledge and culture. I believe this is a time when we need to focus more on theKorean worldview — our culture, arts, philosophy, and thought.

 

 

 

 

 

Q. Which or your books would you like to introduce to international or or non-Korean readers?

 

Considering the global rise of far-right movemnets, I would like to introduce a recent release titled October – Illustrated Chronicle of the Busan-Masan Democratic Uprising. It usese illustrations to document the Bu-Ma Uprising, one of South Korea’s four major democratic uprisings. I also recommend Yabozi (Duck Neck) by the Korean-Chinese novelist Jeon Chunhwa. I had spent a long time searching for a Korean-Chinese author to publish, and after much effort, I found Jeon and produced her debut work with great care. It has been incredibly rewarding to see her emerge as a significant figure in Korean literature, winning the Kim Man-jung Literary Award following this collection. For those who want to fully enjoy the charm of our city, I recommend books like 101 Ways to Love Busan, 101 Busan Dialect Phrases That Make You Smile, MaMaMa, Busan, and The food of Busan. Finally, I would like to suggetst The Sentences of the Sea, a slim but profound essay collection that captures the core identity of Busan and the ocean.

 

 

 

 

 

Q. What are your key planning directions or collaboration plans for the next year or two?

 

As mentioned earlier, I am planning books centered on Korean thought, culture, and the arts. I also intend to actively publish titles on contemporary art through collaborations with artists. Furthermore, I aim to expand our children’s and young adults lineup, a genre we had previously approached more modestly with only two or three titles a year. Above all, because Homilbooks has consistently priotized the identity of Busan and the local, we will continue to steadfastly record the stories of life and community in Busan, along with the achievements of researchers. Meanwhile, with the growing international interest in Korea and Busan, we are also preparing projects specifically tailored for global readers. We are always open to brilliant ideas and collaboration proposals, so please feel free to reach out to us!

 

 

 

 

P.S. Homilbooks Representative Jang Hyunjung...

 

Active as a rock band vocalist starting in his late teens, he turned to sociology in his late twenties. He earned his master's degree with a thesis on indie culture and his Ph.D. through research on local publishing. He continues publishing, cultural planning, and research activities under the motto of "social editing," which expands the concept of "editing" into cultural arts and urban strategy. He served as the inaugural president of the Busan Publishing Culture Industry Association and has authored several books, incluidng The Boy's Philosophy, Rocking Society, and The Sentences of the Sea (Vol. 1 & 2). He also translated The Case for a Four Day Week and A Brief History of Fascist Lies into Korean.

 

 

 

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Interview by The Contents Factory Co., Ltd.