Books from South Korea
110 popular south korean books
Travel the world without leaving your chair.
The target of the Read Around The World Challenge is to read at least one book written by an author from each and every country in the world.
All books that are listed here as part of the "Read Around Asia Challenge" were written by authors from South Korea.
Find a great book for the next part of your reading journey around the world from this book list. The following popular books have been recommended so far.
1.
8 Lives of a Century-Old Trickster by Mirinae Lee EN
Country: Asia / South Korea
South Korea
Description:
Slave. Escape-Artist. Murderer. Terrorist. Spy. Lover. Mother. Trickster.Ms Mook made you want to listen to her, but I wasn't sure what to believe. She said she would turn 'one hundred the day after tomorrow', yet she looked at most eighty-seven. She said she'd been a slave, a spy, a murderer and more, but were these just the fantasies of an old woman, eager to fill her obituary with colourful stories?This wildly original and vibrant novel tells stories of captivity, friendship, assumed identities and spying. Moving from a nursing home in contemporary South Korea to WWII Indonesia, Seoul in th... continue
2.
A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur EN
Country: Asia / South Korea
South Korea
Description:
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! June Hur, bestselling author of The Red Palace, crafts a devastating and pulse-pounding tale that will feel all-too-relevant in today’s world, based on a true story from Korean history. Hope is dangerous. Love is deadly. 1506, Joseon. The people suffer under the cruel reign of the tyrant King Yeonsan, powerless to stop him from commandeering their land for his recreational use, banning and burning books, and kidnapping and horrifically abusing women and girls as his personal playthings. Seventeen-year-old Iseul has lived a sheltered, privileged life despit... continue
3.
A Gesture Life by Chang-rae Lee EN
Country: Asia / South Korea
South Korea
Description:
From the acclaimed author of "Native Speaker" comes his second novel about a Japanese World War II veteran who becomes a proper man and upstanding citizen in New York.
4.
A Magical Girl Retires by Seolyeon Park EN
Country: Asia / South Korea
South Korea
Description:
A millennial turned magical girl must combat climate change and credit card debt in this delightful, witty, and wildly imaginative ode to magical girl manga. Twenty-nine, depressed, and drowning in credit card debt after losing her job during the pandemic, a millennial woman decides to end her troubles by jumping off Seoul's Mapo Bridge. But her suicide attempt is interrupted by a girl dressed all in white--her guardian angel. Ah Roa is a clairvoyant magical girl on a mission to find the greatest magical girl of all time. And Park Seolyeon's protagonist just may be that special someone. But th... continue
6.
Accidentally on Purpose: A Memoir by Kristen Kish EN
Country: Asia / South Korea
South Korea
Description:
A tender, cleareyed memoir, Accidentally on Purpose charts a journey full of purpose, belonging, and real love—a “recipe for a life worth living” (Stacy London). Kristen Kish never could have imagined people on the street knowing her name—not when she was a carefree softball-tossing kid, in high school working at a pretzel stand, and not even when she finally found her true calling as a chef. In those early days, becoming a chef meant tethering oneself to a restaurant and working in the back of a kitchen, not a television set. But working in the spotlight happened naturally, even if the attent... continue
8.
Almond : A Novel by Won-Pyung Sohn EN
Country: Asia / South Korea
South Korea
Description:
WALL STREET JOURNAL STORIES THAT CAN TAKE YOU ANYWHERE PICK * ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY'S STAY HOME AND READ PICK * SALON'S BEST AND BOLDEST * BUSTLE'S MOST ANTICIPATED The Emissary meets The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime in this poignant and triumphant story about how love, friendship, and persistence can change a life forever. This story is, in short, about a monster meeting another monster. One of the monsters is me. Yunjae was born with a brain condition called Alexithymia that makes it hard for him to feel emotions like fear or anger. He does not have friends--the two almond-sha... continue
9.
Almost American Girl : A Graphic Memoir by Robin Ha EN
Country: Asia / South Korea
South Korea
Description:
Harvey Award Nominee, Best Children or Young Adult Book A powerful and moving teen graphic novel memoir about immigration, belonging, and how arts can save a life—perfect for fans of American Born Chinese and Hey, Kiddo. For as long as she can remember, it’s been Robin and her mom against the world. Growing up as the only child of a single mother in Seoul, Korea, wasn’t always easy, but it has bonded them fiercely together. So when a vacation to visit friends in Huntsville, Alabama, unexpectedly becomes a permanent relocation—following her mother’s announcement that she’s getting married—Robin... continue
10.
Aloft by Chang-rae Lee EN
Country: Asia / South Korea
South Korea
Description:
Jerry Battle, a suburban middle-aged man from Long Island, loves to fly his small plane solo and just "disappear", but when a family crisis occurs, Jerry must face his disengagement in his relationships and learn what it means to be a father, husband, son, and lover.