K-Book Trends - 1st Week, December 2020

1st Week, December 2020

Bestseller Trends in the Four Biggest Online Bookstores in Korea

2021.01.04

With another freezing cold winter settling in, the new year of 2021 has come. While various Korean books are found on the integrated list of bestsellers announced by four major online bookstores in Korea for the first week of December 2020, the top ranks were dominated by foreign books. For example, First Person Singular, the come-back novel of Haruki Murakami after 6 years, who is a Japanese writer but has a Korean fan base as well, topped the list, followed by The Tyranny of Merit: What’s Become of the Common Good? by Michael J. Sandel who has become a huge sensation in Korea. These are real examples of Korean readers’ enthusiasm towards new works of popular overseas writers.
Recently in Korea, books related to stocks and investment are at the center of attention, reflecting the uncertain economic market due to the pandemic while in line with the end-of-the-year season. Celltrionism is a book about “Celltrion,” a bio company that is being accentuated across the world in the current situation. With the sub-title, “How does Celltrion work?,” this book includes A to Z of how Celltrion grew to become a global enterprise that has changed the paradigm of the bio-drug market. Also, Mr. Market 2021 is a book about prospects for the stock market next year written by “the Three Professionals TV (Sampro TV),” which is the top YouTube channel for economy boasting 150 million cumulated views. It has been spreading fast among readers as it is known to include information about 15 prospective industries for investment in 2021.
Meanwhile, essays that thaw the icy cold winter can be found among the bestsellers as well. For example, Just Be Nice to Those Who Are Nice to You is mainly about how to cope with interpersonal relationships. It talks about how important it is to take care of yourself rather than trying to become a good person for others. Even though it has become difficult to gather around with people as usual due to the pandemic, how about sharing warmth with precious people around you by giving books as a present?

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

Bestsellers
1		*First Person Singular* Author \| Haruki Murakami Publisher \| Munhakdongne Genre \| Fiction
2		*The Tyranny of Merit: What’s Become of the Common Good?* Author \| Michael J. Sandel Publisher \| Mirae N – Wiseberry Genre \| Politics/Society
3		*Dollargut Dream Department Store* Author \| Lee Mi-Ye Publisher \| Factory Nine Genre \| Novel
3		*Trend Korea 2021* Author \| Kim Nam-Do, Jeon Mi-Young,Choi Ji-Hye, Lee Hyang-Eun, Lee Joon-Young, Lee Su-Jin, Seo Yu-Hyun, Kwon Jeong-Yoon, Han Da-Hye Publisher \| Miraebook Genre \| Economics & Business Administration
5		*See What They Mean, Say What You Mean* Author \| Oh Eun Young Publisher \| Gimm-Young Publishers Inc. Genre \| Home & Childcare
6		*Celltrionism* Author \| Jeon Ye-Jin Publisher \| Smart Books Genre \| Economics & Business Administration
7		*Poem of Mindfulness* Author \| Ryu Si-Hwa (edited) Publisher \| Suo Books Genre \| Poem
8		*The Mysterious Candy Store 9* Author \| Reiko Hiroshima Publisher \| Gilbut School Genre \| Children
9		*Mr. Market 2021* Author \| Hanyoung, Kim Hyo-Jin, Lee Da-Sol, Lee Hyo-Seok, Yeom Seung-Hwan Publisher \| Page 2 Books Genre \| Economics & Business Administration
10		*Just Be Nice to Those Who Are Nice to You* Author \| Kim Jae-Sik Publisher \| Wisdom House Genre \| Essay