K-Book Trends -

Search word : "Trends", Search result : 420

[TREND / TOPIC]

Topic Fandom and Publishing Trend in the Korean publishing market in 2022 2022.09.05 I have talked with a number of editors from publishing companies about “profitable books.” They all said, “The results are mostly determined by how influential the author is. How many readers it can attract is also one of the key points of signing a contract.”While fewer people are reading books, more people hope to write books today. So, among the manuscripts flooding in, the writers who sign the contract at the end are those who are influential. The marketing capacity of the publisher is indeed important. But, in this market where capital decides the marketing power, it is more likely that you must bring in “people that don’t read” to make a book go best seller. Thus, it is clear that a publishing company prefers to publish books by those with a strong fandom, created before publication. ...

VOL.50 / 2022.09

[TREND / EXPORT CASE]

Successful Import Case of Korean Literature in the U.K.

Export Case Successful Import Case of Korean Literature in the U.K. Publishing the best literature from East Asia, be it classic or contemporary 2022.09.05 When we started Honford Star, our original plan was to publish the short stories of Yi Sang, the tragic poet of early modern Korean literature. His bizarre imagery and youthful exuberance attracted us, even though the difference in language and decades between him and us. Unfortunately, we were never able to publish Yi, but our love of offbeat Korean literature continued.At Honford Star, we aim to translate books right at the edge between genre fiction and literary fiction. So when Anton Hur sent us the first two stories in the Cursed Bunny (Arzak) short story collection, we bought the rights as fast as we could. The stories were absurdist masterpieces that showcased author Bora Chung’s ability to mix the fantastical with social critique. Her stories fit in perfectly with our other Korean b...

VOL.50 / 2022.09

[TREND / ONE-LINER QUOTES]

One-Liner Quotes Copyright Agent’s Pick 2022.09.05 As a copyright agent working at the forefront of the copyright business, there is a unique “sense” that years of experience give you. It would be great to give a clear definition for that sense, but as you know, senses are difficult to explain logically. For content to be loved by global citizens crossing the linguistic and geological barriers, a number of elements have to be at play. Among the many elements, if I were to pick only two, I would choose “universal,” and “unique.” Content that has a universally understood story and a specialty differentiated from existing content is highly likely to be loved by readers around the world across borders. Cheon Seon-Ran is the author that I’m particularly paying attention to as a copyright agent. Her book A Thousand Blues (East-Asia Publishing Co.), whi...

VOL.50 / 2022.09

[INTERVIEW / KOREAN PUBLISHERS]

SAMTOH Publishing Co., Ltd.

Korean Publishers SAMTOH Publishing Co., Ltd. Stories That Find Meaning in Everyday Moments 2026.01.05 We are living in an age of “dopamine addiction.” The quiet appreciation woven into everyday routines has gradually faded, replaced by a constant pursuit of stimulation. Yet, isn’t “true dopamine” found instead in the comfort and encouragement we receive at the end of a difficult day? Much like ordinary water, which becomes precious only when we are thirsty, a single sip of spring water can feel invaluable. Perhaps our relentless search for dopamine is not because daily life is too mundane, but because we have let gratitude slip past us as easily as water flowing away. Following is an interview with SAMTOH Publishing Co., Ltd. (“SAMTOH”), a wellspring for small but meaningful stories that find new life in book form. Logo of SAMTOH Publishing Co., Ltd. It’s a pleasure...

VOL.90 / 2026.01

[INTERVIEW / KOREAN AUTHORS]

Writer Taesoo

Korean Authors Writer Taesoo Happiness, Found Despite It All 2026.01.05 It is easy to find research results claiming that Social Media lowers people’s happiness. When we compare ourselves to others, even what we already have can start to feel small. And yet, there is someone who says that through the very same Social Media, happiness can be surprisingly ordinary?and therefore easier to notice. Rather than chasing grand success, writer Taesoo lives by his own standards of satisfaction. Even when life is difficult, he speaks of a life that remains happy nonetheless. Following is an interview with writer Taesoo. It’s an honor to have you with us on K-Book Trends. Please say hello to our readers along with a brief introduction of yourself. Hello. I’m Taesoo, a writer who writes about ordinary moments in life. Somehow along the way, I came to write 1cm Diving (FIKA), Home In Home (PIKA), and most recently...

VOL.90 / 2026.01

[INTERVIEW / KOREAN PUBLISHERS]

Storybowl

Korean Publishers Storybowl A bowl that holds thoughtful, heartwarming stories 2025.12.01 Everyone, at least once in childhood, would have imagined something like this: a drawing on a blank sheet of paper suddenly popping out and speaking to you. Picture book author Baek Hee-Na brings that very imagination into reality - she creates three-dimensional dolls of her characters and places them into her scenes. With her fingertips, she delicately builds the world of her stories, transforming imagination into something tangible. In 2005, she was selected as “Illustrator of the Year” at the Bologna Ragazzi Awards, gaining recognition not only in Korea, but also abroad. In 2020, she became the first Korean recipient of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, often called the Nobel Prize of children’s literature. Storybowl, a publishing house Baek Hee-Na founded to ensure a more creative and independent environment, is expanding the artistic universe beyond Korea and...

VOL.89 / 2025.12

[INFORMATION / BEST SELLERS]

2nd Week, August 2022

Best Sellers 2nd Week, August 2022 Bestseller Trends in the Four Biggest Online Bookstores in Korea 2022.09.05 Familiar titles could be found on the best sellers’ list for the 2nd week of August. Writer Kim Hoon returned with his new book Harbin, about the life of An Jung-Geun (Korean independence activist) that he has been working on for a long time. The book talks about An Jung-Geun as an ordinary human being, not as a national hero or a great man of history, reorganizing historical facts with writer Kim’s imagination and unique writing style. Also, the book Pachinko, which went out of print due to the end of the publication contract, returned to meet Korean readers in a totally new outfit. Describing the life of a Korean immigrant family, the book well reflects Korean-American writer Lee Min-Jin’s hope to deliver “stories of Korea.” Meanwhile, writer Kim Ho-Yeon’s Uncanny Convenience Store, which has been continuously soothing the hearts of readers...

VOL.50 / 2022.09

[TREND / BOOK TRIP]

“Lotus in the Library” in Jeonju

Book Trip [Korean Libraries with Themes ③] “Lotus in the Library” in Jeonju The Beauty of Hanok Blossoming in the ‘City of Books,’ Jeonju 2022.08.01 Jeonju, a city located in Jellobuk-do, is a place that holds Korea’s traditional style. Many visit the city to feel and experience Korea’s classic beauty. It is also where many visit to leave great memories by taking photos of graceful hanok (traditional Korean housing) as a background while wearing colorful hanbok (traditional Korean clothing). Jeonju announced that it would identify itself as the ‘City of Books’ last year and continues its efforts to become the ‘Travelers’ Book City.’ Lotus in the Library, a hanok library that opened last June in Deokjin Park, is a 10-minute drive from Jeonju Station. The library captures both the identity of Jeonju as the ‘City of Books’ and the style and grace of Korea’s tradition. The green scenery of Deokjin Park, lotus flowers blossoming in a ...

VOL.49 / 2022.08

[INTERVIEW / KOREAN AUTHORS]

Poet Na Tae-Joo

Korean Authors Poet Na Tae-Joo Poetry, a language of longing shaped by what is missing 2025.12.01 Poetry is the most distilled form of language - words that can express the heart with absolute clarity. How romantic is someone who knows a poem by heart? And, what if so many people know the very same poem? If we were to choose the single poem most widely known among Koreans, it would likely be Na Tae-Joo’s Wildflower. Ever since it appeared on the well-known message board on the exterior of the Kyobo Life building in Gwanghwamun, it has become a nationally beloved poem - yet it continues to linger deeply and resonate with quiet force. The following is an interview with poet Na Tae-Joo, who has engraved poetry in the hearts of the Korean people for more than 55 years. It’s an honor to have you with us on K-Book Trends. Please say hello to our readers along with a brief introduction of yourself. It’s a p...

VOL.89 / 2025.12

[INFORMATION / BEST SELLERS]

2nd Week, July 2022

Best Sellers 2nd Week, July 2022 Best seller Trends in the Four Biggest Online Bookstores in Korea 2022.08.01 Quite familiar books could be found on the best seller’s list for the 2nd week of July. For example, The Uncanny Convenience Store by Kim Ho-Yeon has been continuously soothing the hearts of its readers, and Farewell by Kim Young-Ha is still beloved by readers. Meanwhile, Kim Yonggyun and Kim Yonggyuns debuted on Aladdin’s “Reader’s Book Fund” last June. The book, published in the hope of ensuring the safety of workers and preventing unfortunate accidents, is an essential book for the world that we should all read. * K-Book Trends Vol. 44 ? Go to the interview with writer Kim Ho-Yeon Meanwhile, different genres have also caught readers’ attention, such as non-fiction, self-help, and humanities books. For example, Kim Da-Seul’s Manage Your Feelings to Manage Your Life teaches how important it is to take care of one’s feelings, ...

VOL.49 / 2022.08

VOL.93/2026.04

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