K-Book Trends -

Search word : "Mystery novels", Search result : 14

[TREND / EXPORT CASE]

Export Case: Jeong Hae-Yeon’s Success in Thailand

Export Case Export Case: Jeong Hae-Yeon’s Success in Thailand 2026.01.05 Introduction of Eric Yang Agency Founded thirty years ago, Eric Yang Agency is now widely known as one of Korea’s leading literary agencies for introducing international translated titles to the domestic market, including the Harry Potter series and JUSTICE: What’s the Right Thing To Do?. Less widely known, however, is that the agency has also achieved significant results in exporting Korean books to overseas markets for more than two decades. Over twenty years ago, Eric Yang Agency established a branch in China, and today it exports Korean titles across Asia through its offices in Taiwan and Thailand, as well as through local Eric Yang agents based in each market. Building on this stable Asian foundation, the agency has recently expanded its efforts to export Korean books more broadly, including to English-language and European markets. In addition to handling global rights ...

VOL.90 / 2026.01

[TREND / TOPIC]

The Reality and Prospects of K-Mystery Literature

Topic The Reality and Prospects of K-Mystery Literature 2025.08.04 The global popularity of Korean content has spread beyond popular music (K-POP), dramas, and movies to include literature. However, Korean mystery literature is a relatively minor and lesser-known area. Yet, with the increasing attention and translations of Korean crime and mystery novels abroad, there have been comments that Korean mystery literature could be the “next Scandi Noir.” 1) In fact, Korean mysteries have been gaining prominence on the international stage, with Yun Ko-Eun’s The Disaster Tourist (Minumsa Publishing) winning the Dagger Award for Translation by the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) in the UK in 2021. This article aims to shed light on the current state and potential of Korean mystery literature in a global context. I will look at the characteristics of works that incorporate Korean sentiment and social background, as well as notable authors. ...

VOL.85 / 2025.08

[TREND / TOPIC]

From the Margins to the Center: Korean Mystery Literature

Topic From the Margins to the Center: Korean Mystery Literature 2023.08.07 Korean mystery literature originated in the unique conditions of the Japanese occupation. Introduced under the names of spy novels, detective stories, and detective novels, mystery literature was translated and adapted mainly from newspaper serials. A representative work is Arthur Conan Doyle’s Three Students, which Haemongsaeng adapted and published as Faithful Servent on Taeseomunyesinbo in 1918. Most of the works serialized in newspapers at the time were re-translations of works by Ruiko Kuriowa, a Japanese author of adapted novels. By the 1920s, adapted mystery novels moved out of newspapers and were published in magazines such as Hacksaengkye, Chungnyeon, and Dongmyung, and emphasized that they were intellectual works for readers with a certain level of reading ability, such as educated young adults and students.However, the writers who translated and wrote mystery literature w...

VOL.61 / 2023.08

[INTERVIEW / KOREAN AUTHORS]

Writer Cho Young-Joo

Korean Authors Writer Cho Young-Joo A writer with a powerful imagination who has no limits 2025.08.04 No reader can fail to love an author who has such a powerful imagination and tireless productivity. And, if that author’s works are about characters who find peace and redemption through sheer force of will, and if the stories are breathtakingly exciting, the love for the author deepens. This is the case with Cho Young-Joo, who started out writing genre fiction before expanding into young adult fiction. Although her stories take on the appearance of thrillers, Cho has been writing heartwarming narratives about characters who are ultimately redeemed and healed. Here is a look into the whole new world she has created. It’s an honor to have you with us on K-Book Trends. Please say hello to our readers and introduce yourself briefly. Hello, everyone. I’m novelist Cho Young-Joo. I started my career as a w...

VOL.85 / 2025.08

[INTERVIEW / KOREAN AUTHORS]

Writer Kim Hye-Jung

Korean Authors Writer Kim Hye-Jung The Story of Becoming “Me, Different from Yesterday” 2023.12.04 Adolescence is a time of imperfection, making it all the more precious and beautiful because you can envision anything you want in the future. Young adult literature also colors the minds of not only children but also adults with diverse stories that cross genres such as science fiction and fantasy. It is a genre you can pick up and read for fun, and once done, you feel deeply moved. Perhaps it is the perfect genre for Kim Hye-Jung, who became a writer because she loved stories. Listening to the inner thoughts of struggling teenagers and writing their stories with sincerity, Kim hopes that her books will give teenage readers a place to breathe. Her affectionate and warm perspective on the stories of teenagers could be felt throughout the interview. Following is an interview with Kim Hye-Jung, an artist who touches our hearts with each new story,...

VOL.65 / 2023.12

[TREND / SPECIAL PROJECT]

K-Thriller

K-Thriller The True Suspense of Genre Literature in Korea 2021.04.05 The warm, cozy wind tickles our noses. It’s spring, a good season to read books. Enjoying the warmth of the sun, how about grabbing a genre novel you like, such as Sci-Fi, fantasy, romance, or martial arts, and go out to read? Particularly recommended are genre literature thrillers, mystery, and crime stories that give just the right tension and vitality to your mind and body on such drowsy days. They not only open your eyes wide but with twists entangling each other, the enthralling, cool books will lead you deeper into the world of books. In this chapter, we would like to introduce to you some of the thriller, mystery, and crime fiction that represent Korea. Korea’s genre literature can make readers sympathize and become immersed into a story through the delicate description of emotions. Feel the chill down your spine: Full-length horror & thriller novels T...

VOL.33 / 2021.04

[TREND / TOPIC]

Why K-Books are drawing attention from across the world

Why K-Books are drawing attention from across the world 2020.06.01 Amidst the time when countries are closing gates due to the spread of COVID-19, Korean literature is taking a step closer to overseas readers while drawing attention from the US, Britain, Germany, and Japan. The global interest in Hallyu (Korean Wave) and the Korean culture that once again swept the world with the movie “Parasite” from director Bong Joon-Ho early this year is said to have spread to literature with the outbreak of the pandemic.Corresponding to the phenomenon, diverse genres of Korean literature, including poems, novels, and children’s stories, are winning globally prominent awards, showcasing the potential of Korean literature once again. Poem collection A Drink of Red Mirror (Munji Books) by Kim Hye-Soon which was recently published was nominated for the best-translated book in the US, while the novel A Murderer's Mnemonics (Munhakdongne) by Kim Young-Ha was chosen as the best ...

VOL.23 / 2020.06

[REPORT / COLUMN]

Exports to Southeast Asia

Exports to Southeast Asia 2018.05.30 As publication business exchanges with China have declined exorbitantly over the past 18 months, South Korea's publishing industry has turned its eye towards Southeast Asia and exports to this region have been increasing as a result. Along with efforts to make up for the gap created by declining publishing trade with China, South Korean publishers seem to have come to the conclusion they must expand their territories to move in line with today's changes. Exchanges with those in the publishing industry in Southeast Asia began around 2005 and have been continued ever since. However, one thing that stands out between then and now is the fact that Korean publishers are now creating more diverse content in a number of areas and they are also making more aggressive moves to enter the market in Southeast Asia. On top of this, the 'traveling book fair' project that has been operated by KPIPA over the past several y...

VOL.9 / 2018.05

[TOPIC / EXPORT TRENDS]

Interview with author Kim Tak-hwan

Interview with author Kim Tak-hwan 2018.05.30 Recently, Korean author Kim Tak-hwan's the banggakbon murder case was given a literary prize from France's distinguished Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University. Renowned for his mystery novels, Kim's convincing story structure won over judges and as a result, he has been seen in a new light for his talent and ability. Many of his 25 novels have been turned into movies and television dramas. As an author, he has a wide spectrum, even going on to produce books addressing social issues like It is a lie and He who is beautiful will be a person KPIPA We are pleased to introduce you to our readers. Could you please say hello to our readers and tell us about yourself? Kim Tak-hwan(Kim below) I officially became a writer in 1996 and I am currently a full-time author specializing in full length novels. I've published 25 novels so far and my interest mostly dwells on issues that have taken place long ago. My novels have bee...

VOL.9 / 2018.05

[TOPIC / EXPORT TRENDS]

Interview with author Jung-hyuk Kim

Interview with author Jung-hyuk Kim All-round novelist with sense of humor and smarts 2018.01 It is not an easy feat melding sharp and piercing insight and bright humor into one piece of literature. Novelist Jung-hyuk Kim, the interviewee of this month's issue, debuted in 2000 with Penguin News and since, he has been publishing novels and essay collections to consistently show his work. He also does work related to cinema while giving lectures and working as a podcast DJ. In South Korea, Kim has a wide group of fans thanks to his witty dialog and he is known for being an all-round novelist with knowledge in a variety of areas. The 'star writer' is only bound for more success and this month, we spoke to him regarding exports of his work. KPIPA We are delighted to feature you in our webzine. Can you introduce yourself to industry officials outside South Korea? Kim I am Jung-hyuk Kim, someone who writes novels. I don't like giving long introduc...

VOL.8 / 2018.01

VOL.93/2026.04

SEARCH RESULT