VOL.69/2024.04

2nd Week, November 2023

Bestseller Trends in the Four Biggest Online Bookstores in Korea

2023.12.04

For the second week of November, books that have been the center of attention dominated the list of bestsellers. The book Reading Schopenhauer at Forty quickly rose to the top of the list after being recommended by actor Ha Seok-Jin on the popular Korean TV show “I Live Alone.” On the show, he was shown to be very dedicated to self-management - exercising, studying, and enjoying his hobbies - which likely inspired viewers to purchase the book. The book features 30 pieces of advice from philosopher Schopenhauer, who has inspired countless people. It offers wisdom for those entering their 40s with mixed feelings to realize the true meaning of life.
Han Kang’s I Do Not Bid Farewell, published in 2021, won this year’s Medici Prize in France, again ranking 7th on the overall bestseller list. The Korean publishing industry is rejoicing at the news of yet another honor for Han, who became the first Korean author to win the International Booker Prize in 2016 for her previous book, The Vegetarian (Changbi). The Medici Prize is a literary award that recognizes fresh and experimental works - and this time, Han was the first Korean writer to win in the Foreign Literature category. The book tells the story of a desperate love that makes us human after all, and is beautifully depicted in the writer’s eloquent sentences. Come and experience the touching story of Han Kang’s new book, which has been widely recognized around the world.
The top five in the non-fiction category were books that kept up with trends in Korea and met reader demand. Two photo essays about Fu Bao, the panda at Everland Zoo who has been sweeping Korea with love for the Bao family for months, made the top five. The first place was taken by Omniscient Fu Bao Perspective, and the fifth place was taken by Fu Bao, Hope You Are Happy Every Day, both of which feature cute photos of the panda and heartwarming texts that make readers feel touched and chuckle. Meanwhile, Let’s Shout Out for Victory chronicles LG Twins’ long road to victory, as the team won the Korean Baseball Series finals for the first time in 29 years. Even if you are not a fan of LG Twins, the story is one that any baseball fan can relate to.

* The rank of bestsellers below was organized after integrating domestic best sellers in the second week of November from the four biggest online bookstores in Korea – Kyobo Bookstore, Aladdin, Yes 24, and Interpark.

Top 10 bestsellers for the 2nd week of November
1		Reading Schopenhauer at Forty Author│Kang Yong-Soo Publisher│Uknowbooks Genre│Humanities
2		The Mind Author│Hawaii’s Palace Publisher│Woongjin Jisik House Genre│Self-help
3		Trend Korea 2024 Author│Kim Nando and others Publisher│Mirae Books Genre│Business
4		Aphorismen zur Lebensweisheit Author│Schopenhauer Publisher│Page 2 Books Genre│Humanities
4		Be Your Future Self Now Author│Benjamin Hardy Publisher│Sangsang Square Genre│Self-help
6		Omniscient Fu Bao Perspective Author│Song Young-Kwan Publisher│Wisdom House Genre│Non-fiction
7		I Do Not Bid Farewell Author│Han Kang Publisher│Munhakdongne Genre│Fiction
8		The City and Its Uncertain Walls Author│Haruki Murakami Publisher│Munhakdongne Genre│Fiction
9		Chainsaw Man 14 Author│Tatsuki Fujimoto Publisher│Haksan Publishing Genre│Comics
10		Psychology for Grown-ups Who Think Too Much Author│Kim Hye-Nam Publisher│Maven Genre│Humanities
10		Sayno Love Author│Sayno Publisher│Day One Genre│Self-help

 

Top 5 non-fiction for the 2nd week of November
1		Omniscient Fubao Perspective Author│Song Young-Kwan Publisher│Wisdom House
2		Dike’s Tears Author│Cho Kuk Publisher│Dasan Books
3		Language of Winter Author│Winter Gyeoul Kim Publisher│Woongjin Jisik House
3		Psychology for Grown-ups Who Think Too Much Author│Kim Hye-Nam Publisher│Maven
5		Fu Bao, Hope You Are Happy Every Day Author│Everland Zoo Publisher│Sigongsa Junior
5		You are, After All, Someone That Can Do Anything Author│Kim Sang-Hyeon Publisher│Feelm
5		Let’s Shout Out for Victory Author│Yoon Se-Ho Publisher│Creta