VOL.83/2025.06

The Winds of Change Blow in Korean Society

Best seller Trends in the Three Biggest Online Bookstores
in Korea for the 1st Week of February, 2025

2025.03.10

It is the first week of February, and amidst the final bitter cold snap, people have been slowly saying goodbye to winter and looking forward to spring. Although the cold air and piles of snow are still around, the anticipation for the seasonal change grows as ipchun* passes. This is also a great time to get closer to a good book to enjoy the excitement of waiting for spring, and to reaffirm the resolve to read that you had at the beginning of the year.

* Ipchun (立春): The first of 24 solar terms in the lunar calendar, considered the beginning of spring in Korea

A new title has overtaken Han Kang’s novel at the top of the best seller list after only a few months. The book, A History for Progressives, is a wake-up call to the growing sentiment that is shaking up Korea’s identity by glorifying the Japanese occupation and vilifying independence fighters. The author, who has been on the front lines of history, constantly battling the forces that distort history, brings the truth to light. The book is aimed at preserving Korea’s identity and passing on the correct history to future generations, and it quickly became the top best seller in Korea as soon as it was published. Another book, STOP THE STEAL, which reached the No. 8 spot on the best seller list, was co-authored by four lawyers and is a point-by-point critique of the Supreme Court’s decisions.
Meanwhile, Adult Happiness is Quiet has hit the best seller lists of all three major online bookstores, as the perfect essay to stretch your mind, replenish your emotions, and heal your soul. The book is a much-loved guide to pursuing mature happiness. Another book about happiness, You Will Become So Happy That You Will Question Whether You Deserve It, by Illhong, came in at No. 4, reflecting the desire for happiness in the hearts of readers waiting for spring. The tie for second place between A Transcription Book for Those Who Want to Use Better Vocabulary and Goethe’s Poems for the Days to Come demonstrates readers’ thirst for good writing and their desire to enjoy the contemplative time it provides.

* K-Book Trends Vol. 78 – Go to the article about Adult Happiness is Quiet

* The rank of best sellers below was organized after integrating domestic best sellers in the first week of February from the three biggest online bookstores in Korea – Kyobo Bookstore, Aladdin, and Yes 24.

Top 10 best sellers for the 1st week of February
1		A History for Progressives Author│Hwang Hyun-Pil Publisher│Yeokbayeon Genre│History / Culture
2		The Buddha’s Voice Reinterpreted in Modern Words Author│Ryunosuke Koike Publisher│Forest Books Genre│Humanities
3		Human Acts Author│Han Kang Publisher│Changbi Publishers Genre│Fiction
4		Unstoppable Author│Brian Tracy Publisher│Hyundae Jisung Genre│Self-help
5		The Vegetarian Author│Han Kang Publisher│Changbi Publishers Genre│Fiction
6		We Do Not Part Author│Han Kang Publisher│Munhakdongne Genre│Fiction
6		Adult Happiness is Quiet Author│Taesoo Publisher│Page 2 Books Genre│Poetry / Non-fiction
8		STOP THE STEAL Author│Do Tae-Woo, Park Joo-Hyeon, Yoon Yong-Jin, Hyun Sung-Sam Publisher│Sky Publishing Genre│Politics / Society
9		Hackers TOEIC Vocabulary: TOEIC VOCA Author│David Cho Publisher│Hackers Education Group Genre│Foreign Language
10		One Page a Day: A Transcribing Note for Your Vocabulary Author│Yoo Sun-Kyong Publisher│Wisdom House Genre│Humanities
10		Contradictions Author│Yang Gwi-Ja Publisher│Tsuda Publishing Genre│Fiction

 

TOP 5 Top 5 non-fiction for the 1st week of February
1		Adult Happiness is Quiet Author│Taesoo Publisher│Page 2 Books
2		A Transcription Book for Those Who Want to Use Better Vocabulary Author│Lee Joo-Yeon Publisher│Big Fish
2		Goethe’s Poems for the Days to Come Author│Kim Jong-Won Publisher│First Penguin
4		You Will Become So Happy That You Will Question Whether You Deserve It Author│Illhong Publisher│Bookrum Publication
5		365 Tao: Daily Meditations Author│Deng Ming-Dao Publisher│Book Pleaser