K-Book Trends -

Search word : "AST", Search result : 978

[TREND / TOPIC]

The Reality and Prospects of K-Mystery Literature

Topic The Reality and Prospects of K-Mystery Literature 2025.08.04 The global popularity of Korean content has spread beyond popular music (K-POP), dramas, and movies to include literature. However, Korean mystery literature is a relatively minor and lesser-known area. Yet, with the increasing attention and translations of Korean crime and mystery novels abroad, there have been comments that Korean mystery literature could be the “next Scandi Noir.” 1) In fact, Korean mysteries have been gaining prominence on the international stage, with Yun Ko-Eun’s The Disaster Tourist (Minumsa Publishing) winning the Dagger Award for Translation by the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) in the UK in 2021. This article aims to shed light on the current state and potential of Korean mystery literature in a global context. I will look at the characteristics of works that incorporate Korean sentiment and social background, as well as notable authors. ...

VOL.85 / 2025.08

[TREND / SPECIAL PROJECT]

A City on the Mirror-Like Surface of Water: Stockholm

Special Project [New Ways of Walking Through Cities ⑧] A City on the Mirror-Like Surface of Water: Stockholm 2025.08.04 The nickname “Venice of Scandinavia” is not quite accurate for Stockholm. While Stockholm and Venice share a common ground in that they are both comprised of several islands and countless bridges connecting them, Stockholm is much smaller and quieter than Venice. People in Stockholm are adept at having conversations without much gesturing, while naturally maintaining an appropriate distance between themselves. However, in the summer, especially in August, the city transforms into a completely different place. The sun shines on the city well past nine in the evening, and people smile and chat with each other at a slightly closer distance than usual. It might be in an outdoor caf?, or on a boat rocking gently, or on the steps of Stockholm City Hall, where the Nobel P...

VOL.85 / 2025.08

[TREND / EXPORT CASE]

How Korean Essays Captured the Hearts of Japanese Female Readers

Export Case How Korean Essays Captured the Hearts ofJapanese Female Readers 2025.08.04 Korean books in the Japanese publishing industry are more dynamic than translations from any other language. There are a wide variety of genres, including fiction, poetry, non-fiction, humanities, self-help, and learning materials, all available in a large number of titles. This is something that translators and publishers in other languages envy. This article focuses on the non-fiction (essay) genre and examines the recent trends of readers in Japan and the reasons for the popularity of Korean essays. The “K-Healing essay” reaches Japanese readers I Decided to Live as Me (Clay House) became a bestseller as soon as it was translated and published in Japan in late 2018. To date, it has sold over 600,000 copies, making it the best-selling essay collection of all time. This was followed by I Want to Die But I Also Want to Eat Tteokppokki (HEUN) and I Almost L...

VOL.85 / 2025.08

[TREND / ONE-LINER QUOTES]

Two Views Capturing the City and Nature in Korea

One-Liner Quotes Two Views Capturing the City and Nature in Korea Travel drawing artist’s pick 2025.08.04 Travel drawing artist “Rimo” is a former software researcher at Samsung Electronics who decided to become a travel drawing artist after traveling to Tibet. He is an artist sponsored by the German stationery company Staedtler, and has created rough drawings for JTBC’s 16-episode drama, “Sketch.” He is currently based in Jeju Island, Korea, where he continues to spread the joy of drawing. His books include Alone, Slowly, Northern Europe (SangSang Publishing), I Hope You’re in Jeju Again (SangSang Publishing), and Start Urban Sketch Today (SangSang Publishing). I am one of the rare illustrators who majored in computer science instead of painting. After graduating from university, I joined Samsung Electronics right away and worked as a res...

VOL.85 / 2025.08

[TREND / TOPIC]

My, Your, and Our ? Last Resort

Topic My, Your, and Our ? Last Resort The 2025 Seoul International Book Fair (SIBF) comes to a successful close 2025.07.07 View outside the 2025 SIBF “A festival for all book lovers.” The 2025 Seoul International Book Fair (SIBF) was held for 5 days from June 18 to 22. Marking the 67th anniversary this year, approximately 530 companies (430 Korean and 100 international) from 17 countries participated in the fair, presenting various programs, including themed and special exhibitions, book talks, and seminars. Approximately 150,000 people visited the fair. General tickets were sold out even during the pre-sale period. Following is my visit to the SIBF, which has become even more vibrant with the rise of the so-called “Text Hip” phenomenon. Gathered together by books, resonating with one another When you reach a dead end, the last resort comes to mind. “When you are struggling or feeling lonely, wha...

VOL.84 / 2025.07

[TREND / SPECIAL PROJECT]

The Most Remote Place Travelers Dream Of: Antarctica

Special Project [New Ways of Walking Through Cities ⑦] The Most Remote Place Travelers Dream Of: Antarctica 2025.07.07 If you love traveling, you must have imagined yourself slowly making your way to Antarctica. No matter where you start from, it will be a long journey, but that is why there is no other place that stimulates curiosity as much as Antarctica. Antarctica is a unique and special place unlike any other. It is a much harsher environment for sustaining life than the Arctic, which is also a polar region. That is probably why so many people have ventured toward the barren South Pole. As a place that ignites the imagination and spirit of adventure, creative works set in Antarctica are all extraordinary. Characters who awaken something unknown or experience mysterious phenomena beyond understanding appear in these works. Readers readily accept such settings simply because the story is se...

VOL.84 / 2025.07

[TREND / EXPORT CASE]

Translating Moon Pops and the Rise of Universal Korean Picture Books

Export Case Translating Moon Pops and the Rise ofUniversal Korean Picture Books 2025.07.07 When I first encountered Baek Hee-na’s Moon Pops (Storybowl), I didn’t think of it as a “Korean” picture book in the narrow sense. Rather, I felt I had been given a small, poetic universe that could speak to anyone?child or adult, regardless of where they live or what language they speak. The idea of the moon melting on a hot summer night and being scooped into popsicles by a kind grandmother is not only magical?it’s universally human. It captures longing, generosity, and wonder in a way that needs no cultural translation. And this, I believe, is the quiet power of today’s best Korean picture books: they carry the ability to transcend boundaries without ever flattening their identity. English and Korean covers of Moon Pops As a Professor of Korean Linguistic...

VOL.84 / 2025.07

[TREND / ONE-LINER QUOTES]

Conditions for Timeless Books

One-Liner Quotes Conditions for Timeless Books Korean book critic’s pick 2025.07.07 Lee Kwon-Woo is a book critic who has devoted himself to reading the vast number of books published to date and selecting those that hold value for our society to share, spreading the knowledge of these books far and wide. His books include Master of Book Reading: Homo Bookers (Odos Books), Writing Class Beginning From Reading Books (Hankyoreh Publishing Company), Reading of Discovery (Odos Books). Having made reading books my profession, I look back and realize that I have read countless books. Although my major was literature, my interests leaned toward the humanities, and I also developed an interest in science, in line with the trends of the time. Most of the books I read were translations, but I also encountered some notable works by Korean authors. I was always delighted to read books by authors who could write about profound topics in a way that was ac...

VOL.84 / 2025.07

[TREND / KNOWLEDGE]

From Upcoming New Releases to Sales Statistics

Knowledge From Upcoming New Releases to Sales Statistics The Korea Publishing Information System: Powering Korea’s Publishing Infrastructure 2025.07.07 What is the first place readers, bookstores, and libraries should look if they want to know about new releases coming out next month or the most popular bestsellers these days? Vice versa, what is the first thing a publisher that is about to release a new book should do if they want to publicize the book in advance to readers, bookstores, and libraries, and use the feedback to decide on the number of copies to publish or develop a marketing plan? The answer is to visit the Korea Publishing Information System.The Korea Publishing Information System is a publishing distribution platform that supports all processes from book production to distribution and sales. Since its launch in September 2021 by the Korea Publication Industry Promotion Agency (KPIPA), it has been dedicated to facilitating t...

VOL.84 / 2025.07

[TREND / TOPIC]

60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Korea and Japan: Today and Tomorrow of the Publishing Trade

Topic 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations betweenKorea and Japan: Today and Tomorrow of the Publishing Trade 2025.06.02 This year marks the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese occupation (1910-1945) and the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries since 1965, when they restored diplomatic relations. In Korea, there is a tradition of celebrating the 60th birthday of a person with great festivity, and the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries is also considered an important milestone. As such, while various commemorative events are taking place, the publishing sector will be organizing Korean book exhibitions, exchanges between Korean and Japanese authors and publishers, and special sales of translated Korean books in Japanese bookstores in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, under the leadership of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the Publication Industry Promotion Agency o...

VOL.83 / 2025.06

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