Bestseller Trends in the Four Biggest Online Bookstores in Korea

One book topped the bestseller lists of four major online bookstores in Korea in the third week of June 2021. It is Cho Kuk’s Time, written by Cho Kuk, former Senior Secretary to the President for Civil Affairs. It includes outspoken stories about political affairs he experienced during his term in office. It seems that readers’ curiosity towards the candid feelings of Cho Kuk surrounding several disputes has been the driving factor for its rising popularity. Other books about politics and society joined the bestsellers’ list as well. For example, Illusion of Correction is a book written by “The Guy Who Reads Youtube,” one of the major Youtube channels that introduced Jordan Peterson, the famous writer of Beyond Order, to Korea. It has been gaining great sympathy from male readers in their 20s with stories about the era where the real and fake are mixed up in chaos.
Non-fiction books are also standing out among the bestsellers. For example, Just Let Them Be has been making a comeback in popularity after being introduced in “Hangout with Yoo,” a popular TV show in Korea. The book’s writer – and famous singer – Yang Hee-Eun cheers up her readers by saying, “Just let them be” and “Such things can happen” throughout the book. Meanwhile, novelist Chung Se-Rang’s first essay, The Best Lovers of Earth would be Earthlings is about traveling. It took 9 years for the book to be born as the writer, who is not that fond of traveling, got to go on a journey and began to write travelogues. You will be able to read true stories about the feelings she had while traveling.
Readers are preparing for their vacation as summer has arrived. For those that have limited options to choose from due to the pandemic, some travel books have been published to soothe frustrations. For example, Travel Destinations: Safe & Exclusive, which became a bestseller in the travel category in the third week of June, is a travel guide that introduces safe, less crowded travel destinations instead of popular spots. As individuals’ quarantine has become more important than ever, how about enjoying a safe and healthy summer vacation in hidden, treasure-like travel spots in Korea?

* The rank of bestsellers below was organized after integrating domestic best sellers in the third week of June from the four biggest online bookstores in Korea – Kyobo Bookstore, Aladdin, Yes 24, and Interpark.