Bestseller Trends in the Four Biggest Online Bookstores in Korea

While literary works including the Dollagoot Dream Department Store series, I Do Not Bid Farewell, and I am a Shining, Little Star are steadily being loved by readers throughout the 2nd week of October, a new title from the field of business and money topped the bestsellers’ list. It is Trend Korea 2022, written by the Seoul National University Consumer Trend Analysis Center led by professor Kim Nan-Do. The Trend Korea series releases a new volume every second half of the year that provides an overview of the year ahead. The series, which started in 2009, has been ranking in the top tier among other bestsellers every time a new volume is released, having a significant influence on the Korean publishing industry and Korean society. The newest volume introduces the 10 keywords representing the consumption trends of the year 2022, starting with “TIGER OR CAT.” It asks its readers, “Will you be a loudly roaring tiger or just a cat?”

Meanwhile, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha 1 and 2 are the unedited manuscripts of the drama currently airing with the same title. Drama “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” is loved by viewers across the world, ranking 9th among global TV shows on Netflix. Featuring the heartwarming story of villagers and the protagonist taking place in a small village by the shore, “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” taps into our “longing for people” in the era of COVID-19. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha 1 and 2 have both joined the bestsellers’ list, proving the popularity of their drama and the power of K-content that does not go away.

On the other hand, among the bestselling self-help books, the new title of Kim Yoo-Jin, a lawyer in the United States who brought about a great sensation of waking up early at dawn with her I Start My Day at 4:30 AM (Tornado Media Group), ranked 2nd on the list. The book, It’s Time for Myself Now, talks about how spending some time for yourself away from the noisy daily life becomes a great driver in your life and helps you realize your potential. Meanwhile, Reconciliation by Oh Eun-Young, published in 2019, has become popular once again as the writer has been appearing on several media outlets giving courage and warm words to many people. The book offers heartwarming advice to people with a wounded mind so that they, who hated themselves for having such a bruised heart, can reach out a hand of reconciliation to their inner selves.

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