VOL.78/2025.01

 

Chaeksesang Publishing Co.

Dreaming of a virtuous cycle of intellectual growth through books

 

2024.12.02

 

We are living in a globalized world. Many people think that various technological factors are the drivers behind globalization, but there are few mediums that enable people around the world to share sentiments and knowledge across cultural and linguistic boundaries like books. Books are more than just a tool for conveying information or stories - they play an important role in helping people of different backgrounds and values empathize and communicate with each other. This is why the world needs good books. Believing that good books can make the world a better place, Chaeksesang Publishing is committed to publishing books that are timeless and essential for everyone in the globalized world. Following is an interview with Chaeksesang Publishing, a company that strives to create a world of value and intelligence.

 

 

It’s a pleasure to have you with us on K-Book Trends. Please introduce Chaeksesang Publishing to our international readers and provide the meaning of the company’s name.

 

Hello, everyone! Thanks for inviting us to K-Book Trends. Our mission is to “help the world flourish by sharing knowledge and culture through publishing.” The name of the company, Chaeksaesang, has two important meanings. First is “the world (sesang) of books (chaek).” It reflects the belief that we can have an in-depth, extended understanding of the world through books. And the other is “books (chaek) inside the world (sesang).” It is our will to introduce various voices and values in the world through books. Based on this, we pursue publishing that promotes meaningful interactions with readers and constant intellectual growth.
We hope to share this philosophy with our global readers, spreading knowledge beyond the boundaries of different cultures and languages. Believing that books know no boundaries, we look forward to building a better world with all of our readers.

 

You have been publishing a wide range of books in the fields of social sciences, humanities, and classics since the company started in 1986. Chaeksesang Publishing has been making “books that are essential and long-lasting for today’s readers.” What do you think is a “book that makes the world a better place”?

 

We think that “books that make the world a better place” are those that not only provide intellectual stimulation for readers, but also help us reflect on society and individuals. For us, a “better world” is an open society where diverse voices and values are respected and where different perspectives can coexist. Books that play an important role in creating such a society are those that help readers deeply reflect on themselves and society, and inspire them to dream of a better future.
The best examples include books that raise awareness of social issues, books that help readers introspect their own lives through humanistic reflection, and books that convey universal values across time and space, such as classical literature. These books don’t just convey knowledge, but motivate readers to think about new ideas based on that knowledge and put them into practice. Based on the philosophy of making “essential books for today’s readers” and “long-lasting books,” we are focused on providing quality content that is not swayed by short-term trends. We believe that these books can resonate deeply with readers, regardless of the era, and empower them to make the world a better place.

 

 

We hope to spread knowledge beyond the boundaries of
different cultures and languages.

 

 

You have published more than 1,000 titles during the past 30 years. What do you think is the competitiveness and prowess of Chaeksesang Publishing that have helped it stay in business for so long?

 

The first is our commitment to our enduring philosophy and values. As we mentioned earlier, we have always had our motto of “changing the world for the better through good books” at the center of our business, and we have consistently published thoughtful books in a variety of fields, including the social sciences, humanities, and classical literature. This philosophy has been instrumental in establishing us as a trusted publisher that has stood the test of time, rather than being swayed by short-term market fluctuations or trends.
Second is our obsession with high-quality content. Chaeksesang Publishing has been striving to make books that can convey meaning to readers over a long period of time, rather than content that is quickly consumed. To this end, we pursue close collaboration with authors to publish books based on in-depth research and analysis, and seek high perfection not only in the content but also in editing and design. This adherence to quality is what differentiates Chaeksesang Publishing and is an important factor that has earned us the trust of our readers.
Third is communication with readers. Chaeksesang Publishing does not just publish books, but continuously communicates with readers and tries to reflect their needs and demands. We have particularly focused on capturing topics and issues that readers can relate to in line with the changing needs of the times. This has been the prowess of Chaeksesang Publishing, growing with readers and making books that can have a positive impact on their lives.

 

Given that you have published so many books over the years, it seems like your publishing focus may have changed with the times and trends. What are some of the areas and topics that you are focusing on these days?

 

Topics such as inequality, fairness, and justice have recently emerged as important social issues around the world. Chaeksesang Publishing is committed to publishing books that address these topics to help readers gain a deeper understanding of social issues and encourage introspection. Examples include books on the marginalized, discrimination, and fair opportunities. We are also focused on climate change and environmental issues, which have become a global concern; we are paying particular attention to books that address issues of environmental protection and sustainable futures. Issues related to gender, race, and cultural identity are also emerging as important publishing topics. We are publishing many titles that lead the discourse on creating a society that respects diverse identities and helps people coexist without discrimination. Last but not least, as the 4th Industrial Revolution, the development of AI technology, and digital transformation are advancing at a rapid pace, we are also concentrating on books that analyze and prepare for the impact of technology on society and individual lives. These are books that raise philosophical questions about the opportunities and challenges of technological advances and the relationship between humans and technology.

 

You have been leading the liberal arts market with paperback series such as Our Time (우리시대) and The World of Classics (고전의 세계). Since paperback covers a small segment of the Korean publishing market, why did you choose to publish these two series in paperback, and what are the advantages of this format?

 

The reason why Chaeksesang Publishing published Our Time and The World of Classics series in paperback was to make knowledge and liberal arts more accessible to readers. Even though paperbacks represent a relatively small portion of the Korean publishing market, we chose this format for its many advantages and possibilities. Modern readers are eager to learn knowledge and culture in their busy lives, but they often find it difficult to carry thick books around with them. However, paperbacks can be easily picked up and read anytime and anywhere, supporting readers’ daily reading. So, the Our Time and The World of Classics series, which cover a wide range of topics, are a great way to gain exposure to a vast amount of knowledge without much effort.
The series Our Time tackles key issues and humanistic topics in contemporary society, while remaining accessible to readers. And, The World of Classics series provides brief introductions to important works from classical literature, philosophy, and history, while still keeping the essentials simple enough for readers to understand quickly. This condensed delivery of essential knowledge and liberal arts is another advantage of paperbacks.

 

 

In addition, paperbacks are available at an affordable price. This enables readers interested in a wide range of topics to easily purchase multiple books and build their knowledge. In the liberal arts market, the paperback format offers readers an affordable option, contributing to the popularization and spread of knowledge. It also helps to increase the sense of accomplishment in reading and build sustainable reading habits, as books can be completed in a short time. For these reasons, Chaeksesang Publishing aims to expand the scope of the paperback market with its paperback series, making knowledge more accessible and familiar to readers.

 

Our Time, in particular, has covered more than 100 topics. It has recently been published as a re-covered edition. There are many books in the Our Time series that analyze and interpret Korea’s complex modern history through various approaches. Which books do you think can help international readers understand Korea in particular?

 

Most books in the Our Time series attempt to analyze socially important issues through a critical lens. This helps you see the topic in a more dimensional way. The series covers a variety of topics, but we would like to introduce some books that may be especially helpful for international readers who want to understand Korean society more deeply and dynamically.
The book, Hakbul in South Korea: A New Caste System?, tackles one of the darker aspects of Korea’s educational achievements - “hakbul (academic elitism, usually based on the level of university)” - to critically analyze how the overemphasis on education and “hakbul” have affected Korean society while offering alternatives. Another book, Diet and Gender Politics: Beauty Pressure in South Korea, analyzes the experiences of women who diet to improve their appearance, highlighting the emphasis on physical appearance in Korean society, especially for women. Also, Crafting Korean Musical Aesthetics: Instrumental Innovation in the Three Kingdoms focuses on the improvement of traditional instruments and the unique musical aesthetics of Korea, noting that although Korean traditional music is heavily influenced by Chinese music, it is not a passive adaptation, but rather an active reception through creative transformation.

 

 

Chaeksesang Publishing has been publishing not only books by Korean authors, but also quite a few translations. How do you think this creates synergy in the overall publishing business?

 

Publishing many translated books as well as books by Korean authors is an important factor that creates various synergies across the publishing business and enhances the competitiveness of Chaeksesang Publishing. We would like to explain the positive impact of publishing translated books on the company in several aspects.
To begin with, translated books introduce works that have already been recognized abroad to Korean readers, giving them a chance to experience global knowledge and new perspectives. Also, Korean readers can be exposed to knowledge in various fields such as history, society, culture, and science from other countries through translated books. This plays a huge role in broadening their knowledge and horizons, and as a publisher, we get the opportunity to participate in global discourse.
Plus, working on translated books serves as an opportunity to facilitate the exchange of literature and knowledge at home and abroad. By introducing international trends to Korea through translations, new ideas and discourses can be presented to Korean readers. This contributes to filling the domestic publishing market with more diverse and rich intellectual resources, and as a publisher, it also plays an important role in strengthening our connections to the global market.
For Korean authors, too, it provides opportunities to learn about global publishing trends and to naturally understand the topics, styles, and formats that work in the global market, giving them inspiration and creative opportunities. It also increases the chances of their work entering the international market. Other benefits include enhancing the publisher’s brand value and building a complementary relationship between translated and local books.

 

Interaction with readers has also become a very important part of the publishing industry. What kind of programs, platforms, and communication channels does Chaeksesang Publishing use to interact with readers? Also, please tell us about the impact of these efforts on your business, including book publishing.

 

Chaeksesang Publishing recognizes interaction with readers as an important business element in the publishing industry, and has been strengthening interactions with readers through various activities, programs, and platforms. Such interaction plays a crucial role in building trust between publishers and readers, and in publishing books that reflect readers’ needs. Online platforms, in particular, are an important channel to communicate directly with readers; we share news about new books, book-related events, and collect reviews and feedback from readers to reflect them in our marketing strategies - all of which helps to generate interest, understanding, and purchase of books. We are actively engaging with readers through participatory programs such as book review clubs, online book talks, and meet & greets with authors, as well as cooperative activities with independent bookstores and offline activities, sharing the experience of creating books together. The feedback from readers during these processes helps us keep up with market trends.
Chaeksesang Publishing is partnering with independent bookstores to further build connections with readers offline. We are building close relationships with local readers through activities such as specifically featuring Chaeksesang Publishing’s books in independent bookstores or hosting reading clubs inside the bookstore. This local-based interaction helps to create a more personal and intimate relationship between the publisher and readers. Also, our recent marketing strategy using re-covered editions is a way to strengthen our interaction with readers. By republishing readers’ favorite books with new covers and designs, we are able to give them a new collectible value and attract the attention of both existing and new readers.

 

 

Chaeksesang Publishing has been keeping up with the constantly changing publishing market and continues to publish books of various genres. What are some books that Chaeksesang Publishing is particularly proud of and would like to introduce to international readers?

 

Although we have many books by Korean authors, we would like to recommend some of the books that can show the identity of Chaeksesang Publishing, especially to international readers who are interested in Korean society and culture.
Chaeksesang Publishing is a publisher that has published the complete works of Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche in 21 volumes, and continues to publish Nietzsche-related books. Among them, Thus Spake Zarathustra: A Commentary and Analysis is a good guide to understanding Nietzsche’s ideas, as philosopher Jung Dong-Ho, who translated Thus sprach Zarathustra, which is considered to be a condensed compilation of Nietzsche’s philosophy, provides a thorough commentary that follows the structure and flow of the original works.
The next book, Mom, What Color Do You Want to Wear When You Die? is an essay that begins with a mother caring for her demented mother, who travels to her daughter as an escape. Hearing about her grandmother’s dementia and her mom’s stories of caring for her grandmother, the author shares casual and relaxed conversations with her mom about what preparation and hard work goes into caring for an aging parent, what a good death is, and what she would want her own end of life to look like, which will inevitably come at some point.
It’s been a while since its publication, but Voices from the June Democracy Movement: A Memory History of 1987 is not to be missed. It reexamines the June Struggle for Democracy in 1987*, one of the most influential moments and events in the structural transformation of Korean society, through the methodologies of “memory” and “narrative.” Instead of focusing on the grand discourses of “direct rule, democratization, protest, and martyr,” that have historically defined the movement, the author recreates the struggle by focusing on what those who lived through the period (but not recorded in history) remember and what stories they hold.

 

* The June Struggle for Democracy in 1987: A series of democratic movements that rose up across the country against the government.

 

 

You have been doing business by specializing in different areas over time. Could you tell us about the way in which Chaeksesang Publishing hopes to shape the world through books, as well as your future goals and upcoming plans for new titles?

 

It has been Chaeksesang Publishing’s mission for the past 30 years to publish insightful books in various fields and share knowledge with readers. We aim to keep this philosophy and publish books that create new values that are in line with the changing times.
With a focus on spreading knowledge, Chaeksesang Publishing plans to publish books that make complex social and philosophical issues more accessible to all. To achieve this, we will continue to update our liberal arts series, such as the Our Time series, and cover new topics. We also plan to publish books on the environment and sustainability to meet the needs of the times. The rapidly changing digital era and technological advancements are having a profound impact on society as a whole, so we will be publishing books that encourage readers to reflect on the relationship between humans and technology as well as the future of society, while also focusing on diversity and inclusion, covering topics such as gender, race, and cultural identity in depth. Last but not least, we will continue to interact with younger generations. We will make the most of digital content and Social Media platforms to reach out to younger readers accustomed to digital media and mobile environments, and design books that reflect their interests and concerns, providing them with content they can relate to.
Chaeksesang Publishing will continue to be a partner in making the world a better place by publishing meaningful books in various fields to help readers gain the knowledge and insights they need in changing times, just as we have been all along.

 

 

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