K-Book Trends - 2nd Week, March

2nd Week, March

Bestseller Trends in the Four Biggest Online Bookstores in Korea

2020.04.06

Due to the globally threatening virus COVID-19, Korea is campaigning for “Social Distancing.” Kindergartens and schools are postponing the new semester, and office workers are refraining from going outside, working at home, having a time-out moment from their busy lives. What books are Korean readers reading while overcoming the tough situation today?
The top best seller for the 2nd week of March in the four major bookstores in Korea was The Plague, a famous novel written by a French author Albert Camus. This book became a hot issue again after having been introduced in a TV program “Book Reading for You (tvN).” The book is mainly about a city devastated by an infectious disease called “The Plague.” Due to its background similar to the situation of Korea currently struck by COVID-19, it was highly relatable to many readers which is why it seems to be ranking top on the list.
Another book that draws attention on the bestseller list is When the Weather Is Fine written by Lee Do-Woo published in 2018. This book was republished as a Special Edition commemorating the launch of a TV series broadcast by JTBC that is based on the book. A special volume comes together with the edition where you can find the after-story of the novel. Thanks to this, the fans of the TV series gave new momentum to the popularity of the novel.
Also, as people have more time spent at home due to COVID-19, many readers are looking for books that suit their taste. Books that target children readers including Seol Min-Suk’s Great Adventure in Korean History 13 and 100% Winning Random Capsule Vending Machine, and also books of various genres such as liberal art, essay, self-development, and politics including You’re Right and Myungri Psychology were listed as best sellers.

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

Best sellers
1		*The Plague* Author \| Albert Camus Publisher \| Minumsa Genre \| Novel
2		*Seol Min-Suk’s Great Adventure in Korean History 13* Author \| Seol Min-Suk, StoryBox Publisher \| I Human Genre \| Children
3		*You’re Right* Author \| Jeong Hye-Shin Publisher \| Hainaim Genre \| Liberal Arts
3		When the Weather Is Fine (Limited Edition Commemorating TV Series) Author \| Lee Do-Woo Publisher \| Sigongsa Genre \| Novel
5		The secret of the top 1% in Harvard (Re-Covered Edition) Author \| Chung Ju-Yung Publisher \| The Korea Economic Daily Genre \| Self-development
6		*When I Don’t Even Know What I Want* Author \| Jeon Seung-Hwan Publisher \| Dasan Books Genre \| Liberal Arts
6		*Leadership in Turbulent Times* Author \| Doris Kearns Goodwin Publisher \| Connecting Genre \| Politics
8		*1cm Diving* Author \| Taesoo, Munjung Publisher \| FIKA Genre \| Essay
9		*Myungri Psychology* Author \| Yang Chang-Soon Publisher \| Dasan Books Genre \| Liberal Arts
10		*100% Winning Random Capsule Vending Machine* Author \| Kwak Yu-Jin Publisher \| BIR Genre \| Children