K-Book Trends -

Search word : "Non-fiction", Search result : 214

[TREND / TOPIC]

A New Vision Rooted in Tradition: The Evolution of Korean Picture Books

Topic A New Vision Rooted in Tradition:The Evolution of Korean Picture Books 2026.05 Who is searching for Korean picture books? The Korean Pavilion at the 2026 Bologna Children’s Book Fair was consistently bustling with publishing professionals from around the world. In addition to those visiting the booth for pre-scheduled copyright consultations, it was not uncommon for visitors to be drawn in by the on-site author talks or workshops and request a meeting on the spot. On the second day of the fair, at the Networking Day hosted by the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea, participants were asked about the strengths of Korean picture books. They remarked that the books are not only delicate in their expression but also diverse in their thematic approaches, providing readers with a "challenging reading experience." This is a remarkable turnaround compared to the early ...

VOL.94 / 2026.05

[TREND / KNOWLEDGE]

The Present and Future of Korean Non-Fiction Publishing

Knowledge The Present and Future of Korean Non-Fiction Publishing 2026.05 Non-fiction has long played a pivotal role in the publishing market as both a knowledge infrastructure and a forum for public discourse, yet its status has recently begun to falter. Although the number of new titles published remains steady on the surface, the decline in actual sales volume and market share indicates that the non-fiction market is weakening from within. This phenomenon is difficult to explain solely by a decrease in the reading population or a shift away from traditional media. Rather, it should be viewed as a structural inflection point occurring in the process of fundamentally reorganizing the systems of knowledge production, distribution, and consumption due to accelerated digital transformation (DX). Ultimately, the stagnation of non-fiction symbolizes a paradigm shift in the publishin...

VOL.94 / 2026.05

[TREND / TOPIC]

Why People Seeking Advice from ChatGPT Still Turn Their Backs on "One-Click Books"

Topic Why People Seeking Advice from ChatGPT Still Turn Their Backs on "One-Click Books" 2026.04 AI Publications Denied for Legal Deposit The legal deposit system in Korea is a mandatory system where all books issued an International Standard Book Number (ISBN) must be submitted to the National Library of Korea and the National Assembly Library. The purpose of this system is to preserve library materials as national literature for future generations and to support parliamentary activities. The libraries receive two copies from the publisher and provide compensation for the cost of one copy. However, an investigation by the Hankook Ilbo revealed that last year, for the first time since their opening, both the National Library of Korea and the National Assembly Library refused the legal deposit of AI-generated publications. In particular, it caused a significa...

VOL.93 / 2026.04

[TREND / SPECIAL PROJECT]

Non-fiction on Emotions Selected by Critics Across Generations

Special Project Non-fiction on Emotions Selected by Critics Across Generations 2026.03 For the March issue Special Project, we feature a total of four non-fiction books on emotions, with one title selected by a critic representing each of the four generations. The theme of this issue focuses on emotional exploration, introducing a curated selection of books that delve into seclusion and isolation, the journey toward self-identity, the process of reaching adulthood, and various narratives regarding the human body. The 20s Perspective – Sollim Lee, Cultural Critic “Faint, Yet Not Gone: Existential Presence” Faint Existences Emotions harden when left untended. Left unexplained ...

VOL.92 / 2026.03

[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 / SPECIAL PROJECT]

The Land Where Grain and Words Grow: Iowa

Special Project [New Ways of Walking Through Cities ⑪] The Land Where Grain and Words Grow: Iowa 2025.11.03 University of Iowa (Source: University of Iowa website) The State of Iowa, located in the midwestern part of the US, might be unfamiliar to most Koreans, but it is one of the most critical regions for American agriculture. Iowa is both the heart of the “Corn Belt” - known for its vast cornfields - and one of the main pillars of the “Grain Belt,” which is responsible for much of the nation’s crop production. Iowa is one of the few regions where the Corn Belt and the Grain Belt overlap. Anyone visiting Iowa for the first time would be astonished by the vastness of its farmland - so immense that even after driving for hours, you would see no end to it.The population of Iowa steadily increased from the late 19th to the early 20th century with the influx of agricultural immigrants, but urbanization later bro...

VOL.88 / 2025.11

[TREND / EXPORT CASE]

How Korean Essays Captured the Hearts of Japanese Female Readers

Export Case How Korean Essays Captured the Hearts ofJapanese Female Readers 2025.08.04 Korean books in the Japanese publishing industry are more dynamic than translations from any other language. There are a wide variety of genres, including fiction, poetry, non-fiction, humanities, self-help, and learning materials, all available in a large number of titles. This is something that translators and publishers in other languages envy. This article focuses on the non-fiction (essay) genre and examines the recent trends of readers in Japan and the reasons for the popularity of Korean essays. The “K-Healing essay” reaches Japanese readers I Decided to Live as Me (Clay House) became a bestseller as soon as it was translated and published in Japan in late 2018. To date, it has sold over 600,000 copies, making it the best-selling essay collection of all time. This was followed by I Want to Die But I Also Want to Eat Tteokppokki (HEUN) and I Almost L...

VOL.85 / 2025.08

[TREND / KNOWLEDGE]

The Korean Children’s Book Association Marks its 45th Anniversary

Knowledge The Korean Children’s Book Association Marks its 45th Anniversary Reading, sharing, and promoting books 2025.08.04 The Korean Children’s Book Association (KCBA) is an organization founded in 1980 that promotes a culture of reading among children in Korea. It marks its 45th anniversary this year. The 1970s, the period before the KCBA’s founding, was a time when human rights were severely violated in Korea, with freedom of speech and publishing being taken away amidst the oppression and repression of the dictatorship. Against this backdrop, teachers formed reading circles focused on children’s books to discover and introduce to children literature that captures Korean sentiments and culture. Then, in 1980, the KCBA was formed to carry out the campaign for children’s reading culture in earnest.The KCBA’s activities spread from teacher- to parent-oriented in the 1990s, and local clubs named “Adults Reading Children’s Books (동화읽는어른모임)...

VOL.85 / 2025.08

[TREND / TOPIC]

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

VOL.94/2026.05

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