K-Book Trends -

Search word : "Seoul", Search result : 430

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Topic Korean Literature: From Page to Screen 2025.09.04 In the Korean film industry, the label “based on a novel” is no longer unusual. Over the past decade, films adapted from literary works have steadily reached theaters, making secondary rights sales a significant revenue stream for publishers. For filmmakers, novels are an attractive source material because they offer strong narratives and existing recognition, all within the constraints of limited budgets. As a result, adaptations have not only drawn audiences to cinemas but also reignited book sales, often sending older titles back up the bestseller lists. Since the success of adaptations such as Gong Ji-Young’s The Crucible (Changbi Publishers) and Kim Ryeo-Ryeong’s Wandeuk (Changbi Publishers), which achieved both commercial popularity and social impact, literary-based films are no longer regarded as “exceptional undertakings.” This month’s article reviews prominent examples from the last ten...

VOL.86 / 2025.09

[TREND / EXPORT CASE]

Paving the Way for Exports Through People-to-People Exchange

Export Case Paving the Way for Exports Through People-to-People Exchange The export case of Don’t Worry About Me 2025.09.04 Korean picture books have recently gained worldwide attention by winning international picture book awards. In 2022, illustrator Lee Suzy became the first Korean winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award (HCAA). Her works were translated and published in Japan, Taiwan, and France. In 2020, Wave (BIR Publishing) was selected for Taiwan’s OpenBook Good Book Awards. In 2025, Borders (Bearbooks) by Gudol (writer) and Haerang (illustrator), and Mo Story (Atnoonbooks) by Choi Yeon-Ju became the first Korean works to win France’s Prix Sorci?res. Yet many outstanding Korean picture books remain unknown abroad. With 2025 designated as the “Year of the Picture Book” in Korea, this article examines an export case of the particular picture book Don’t Worry About Me (Bombyeott Publishing). How Don’t Worry About M...

VOL.86 / 2025.09

[TREND / KNOWLEDGE]

A Thriving Metamorphosis of Queer Literature

Knowledge A Thriving Metamorphosis of Queer Literature The growth and prospects of Korean queer literature 2025.09.04 Refreshing history: joining hands with feminism The queerness of Korean literature continues to reach new heights. Recent works published in literary magazines, almost without exception, embody a feminist consciousness and a queer-friendly stance. Novels that feature gay, lesbian, and transgender characters as central figures are also steadily on the rise. Of course, whether a work can be called “queer literature” simply because its characters are named and categorized as queer remains a question that requires ongoing reflection. Over the past ten years, however, the demographic composition of the literary world created by Korean literature has gradually shifted from cisgender heterosexuals to characters where queerness, disability, and feminism intersect. Given that the visibility of queer identities begins wit...

VOL.86 / 2025.09

[TREND / ONE-LINER QUOTES]

Two Views Capturing the City and Nature in Korea

One-Liner Quotes Two Views Capturing the City and Nature in Korea Travel drawing artist’s pick 2025.08.04 Travel drawing artist “Rimo” is a former software researcher at Samsung Electronics who decided to become a travel drawing artist after traveling to Tibet. He is an artist sponsored by the German stationery company Staedtler, and has created rough drawings for JTBC’s 16-episode drama, “Sketch.” He is currently based in Jeju Island, Korea, where he continues to spread the joy of drawing. His books include Alone, Slowly, Northern Europe (SangSang Publishing), I Hope You’re in Jeju Again (SangSang Publishing), and Start Urban Sketch Today (SangSang Publishing). I am one of the rare illustrators who majored in computer science instead of painting. After graduating from university, I joined Samsung Electronics right away and worked as a res...

VOL.85 / 2025.08

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My, Your, and Our ? Last Resort

Topic My, Your, and Our ? Last Resort The 2025 Seoul International Book Fair (SIBF) comes to a successful close 2025.07.07 View outside the 2025 SIBF “A festival for all book lovers.” The 2025 Seoul International Book Fair (SIBF) was held for 5 days from June 18 to 22. Marking the 67th anniversary this year, approximately 530 companies (430 Korean and 100 international) from 17 countries participated in the fair, presenting various programs, including themed and special exhibitions, book talks, and seminars. Approximately 150,000 people visited the fair. General tickets were sold out even during the pre-sale period. Following is my visit to the SIBF, which has become even more vibrant with the rise of the so-called “Text Hip” phenomenon. Gathered together by books, resonating with one another When you reach a dead end, the last resort comes to mind. “When you are struggling or feeling lonely, wha...

VOL.84 / 2025.07

[TREND / EXPORT CASE]

Translating Moon Pops and the Rise of Universal Korean Picture Books

Export Case Translating Moon Pops and the Rise ofUniversal Korean Picture Books 2025.07.07 When I first encountered Baek Hee-na’s Moon Pops (Storybowl), I didn’t think of it as a “Korean” picture book in the narrow sense. Rather, I felt I had been given a small, poetic universe that could speak to anyone?child or adult, regardless of where they live or what language they speak. The idea of the moon melting on a hot summer night and being scooped into popsicles by a kind grandmother is not only magical?it’s universally human. It captures longing, generosity, and wonder in a way that needs no cultural translation. And this, I believe, is the quiet power of today’s best Korean picture books: they carry the ability to transcend boundaries without ever flattening their identity. English and Korean covers of Moon Pops As a Professor of Korean Linguistic...

VOL.84 / 2025.07

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60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Korea and Japan: Today and Tomorrow of the Publishing Trade

Topic 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations betweenKorea and Japan: Today and Tomorrow of the Publishing Trade 2025.06.02 This year marks the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese occupation (1910-1945) and the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries since 1965, when they restored diplomatic relations. In Korea, there is a tradition of celebrating the 60th birthday of a person with great festivity, and the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries is also considered an important milestone. As such, while various commemorative events are taking place, the publishing sector will be organizing Korean book exhibitions, exchanges between Korean and Japanese authors and publishers, and special sales of translated Korean books in Japanese bookstores in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, under the leadership of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the Publication Industry Promotion Agency o...

VOL.83 / 2025.06

[TREND / EXPORT CASE]

How Korean Books Are Conquering Russia: The Experience of MIF

Export Case How Korean Books Are Conquering Russia: The Experience of MIF 2025.06.02 In recent years, Korean literature has been steadily capturing the hearts of Russian readers. One of the advocates of K-literature in Russia is MIF Publishing House. In this article, we explore how MIF made the strategic decision to publish Korean books, the titles that have already resonated with readers, and what the future holds. Who We Are MIF Publishing is one of Russia’s largest independent publishing houses. Since 2005, we have been producing high-quality nonfiction for adults and children, including books on self-development, business, psychology, art, and science, as well as fiction for adults, young adults, and younger readers.Our backlist includes more than 5,000 titles, and we publish around 400 new books each year. Our authors range from bestselling international names to renowned Russian writers. We are active participants in the world’s leadin...

VOL.83 / 2025.06

[TREND / KNOWLEDGE]

Your Good Sense of Backing in Good Books

Knowledge Your Good Sense of Backing in Good Books Based on the example of online bookstore Aladin 2025.06.02 Why “Book Fund”? Online bookstore Aladin’s Book Fund program was first launched in 2012. The initial program allowed accounts to back up to 50,000 won to fund publishing projects. Publishers benefited by being able to raise money for pre-publication production costs, customers benefited by being able to earn up to 130% of their support back as bookstore credit if the book they funded became an overall bestseller, and booksellers benefited by being able to build an early audience of avid readers willing to support in upcoming titles. However, this design could not have a direct influence on the success of the book after publication, as it did not directly link the Book Fund to actual purchases of the book.In 2022, the web novel Return of the Blossoming Blade (Luff Media) was widely publicized in the media for its book f...

VOL.83 / 2025.06

[TREND / EXPORT CASE]

The “Anxiety of Youth” Crosses National Borders

Export Case The “Anxiety of Youth” Crosses National Borders 2025.05.07 What defines independent publishing? As publishing formats diversify and formerly “self-published authors” begin to compete by starting their own publishing houses, the question of what constitutes independent publishing has become a hot topic. In the absence of objective indicators, independent publisher Balcony defines independent publishing as follows: publishing that can entice readers with its own narrative without large-scale capital investment. In this sense, Yeon Jeong’s Tomorrow’s Sun Will Rise, But What About Tonight? can be considered one of the clear success stories of independent publishing.Before it was published by Balcony in 2020, Tomorrow’s Sun Will Rise, But What About Tonight? was an independent publication that Yeon Jeong wrote as a palm-sized book and distributed on a small scale. The publisher at Balcony discovered the book, which had been dis...

VOL.82 / 2025.05

VOL.93/2026.04

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