VOL.94/2026.05

Korean Publishers

 

Kepler49: Opening the Future of K-Popup Books

 

 

2026.05

 

 

Kepler49 is a pioneer in the popup book market, a field that is still unfamiliar in the domestic market. They create popup books that comfort the sensibilities of not only children but also adults, including titles such as Garden, Zoological, Zhuchka, Kudryavka, Laika, Dokdo, The Isle of Rocky Waves, and Fly, Baby Songbird. In this May 2026 issue, we delve into Kepler49’s unique vision, the reasons why they create popup books, and the future of the popup book medium.

 

 

 

 

 

Q. First, could you give us a brief introduction to your publishing house? Tell us about the types of books Kepler49 publishes.

 

Kepler49 is a publisher that hopes popup books can be both books and toys that provide a brief rest and small joy in life. Since opening our doors in 2014, we primarily focused on editorial design in our early years. However, starting with our first book, Garden, Zoological, in 2020, we have been creating and publishing our own original popup books.

 

Rather than just creating flashy art books, we aim to produce sturdy popup picture books that the general public can comfortably enjoy. We select themes that both children and adults can resonate with, and our signature style is to produce them in an "accessible format" so that readers can take them off the shelf and enjoy them frequently.

 

 

 

 

Q. What do you think is the unique charm of popup books? And was there a specific reason why you started making them?

 

The charm of a popup book lies in its ability to direct space, much like a theater stage, and the fact that readers can have an "experience that goes beyond the book" through direct interaction. It offers an experience akin to "play," where moving one’s hands to interact with the book transcends simple reading. Popup elements become incredibly effective tools for stories where a sense of space is crucial, for instance, when conveying the cramped feeling of an animal's enclosure in a zoo.

 

I still cannot forget the excitement I felt in my 20s when I first saw the popup book Surprise! Colors. At that time, most popup books in Korea were translations, and their themes were largely limited to early childhood. The racing heart I felt then has stayed with me to this day. That earnest desire to see more original Korean popup books that both adults and children can enjoy together is what led me to run this publishing house.

 

 

 

 

 

Q. What is the current status of the Korean popup book industry, and what are the challenges you have faced as a publisher?

 

In the domestic market, the stereotype that "popup books are only for toddlers aged 0 to 3" is still very firm. Because of this, stand-alone popup books that aim to embrace adult readers as well often face difficulties in sales.

 

The production process is also incredibly demanding. A popup book is a "book that cannot be completed by machines alone." Each popup structure must be assembled by hand, and we utilize a specialized technique called lay-flat binding. Since there are not many facilities in Korea specializing in popup production, we must invest a tremendous amount of effort into securing production timelines and maintaining rigorous quality control.

 

 

 

 

 

Q. In an era overflowing with digital content, what kind of future does Kepler49 dream of? What is your vision and goal for the future?

 

In an era where everything is becoming digitized, I believe the value of "physical paper books" will never disappear. Popup books, in particular, are a unique medium that stimulates not only sight but also touch and even hearing through the subtle sounds of paper interlocking.

 

Our future goal is to "effectively realize stories where space is crucial through popups" and deliver them to our readers. My heart still races whenever I think about popup books. I want to continue sharing this sense of "excitement" and "joy" with my readers.

 

 

 

 

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Written by Chung, Hyekyung (Publisher / Paper Engineer)

After studying visual design and teaching paper engineering, the author founded and currently operates Kepler49, the first publishing house in Korea specializing in popup books, designing three-dimensional worlds within the pages of a book.