[Books News] Han Kang dominates annual bestseller lists with multiple titles

Han Kang’s “Human Acts” has topped this year’s bestseller lists in Korea. The Nobel laureate dominated the top three spots, with “Human Acts” in first place, followed by “The Vegetarian” in second and “We Do Not Part” in third, according to the two 2024 year-end bestseller rankings released Monday b

Dec. 4, 2024

2024 Korea Translation Award recognizes 20 translators

The Literature Translation Institute of Korea announced the winners of the 2024 Korea Translation Award on Wednesday, recognizing 20 translators for their contributions to translating Korean literature, including three Grand Prize recipients. This year’s grand prizes were awarded to Lee Seung-min an

Dec. 4, 2024

Literary community blasts Yoon Suk Yeol‘s martial law decree as attack on democracy

South Korea’s publishing and literary sectors have sharply condemned President Yoon Suk Yeol’s sudden declaration of martial law on Tuesday, vowing to resist and protect the country’s democratic values. The Korea Publishers Society, representing more than 490 publishing houses, issued a statement We

Dec. 4, 2024

What to expect from Han Kang‘s Nobel week

With the awarding ceremony just one week away, Han Kang, the first Asian woman to win the Nobel Prize in literature, is about to embark on a monumental week of events in Stockholm and Oslo. A series of official events -- including press conferences, lectures and readings -- will take place as part o

Dec. 3, 2024

Baek Hee-na‘s ’Happy Birthday‘ reminds readers of life’s quiet blessings

Celebrated picture book artist unveils her latest book featuring magical wardrobe BUSAN -- Visitors to the inaugural Busan International Children’s Book Fair were treated to an exclusive first look at “Happy Birthday,” the latest picture book by Baek Hee-na, Korea’s first winner of the Astrid Lindgr

Dec. 2, 2024

‘Absence of text is invitation to endless imagination,’ picture book artist Lee Suzy says

Hans Christian Andersen Award winner talks about color as narrative, latest book BUSAN -- Picture books are not just for children, said celebrated picture book artist Lee Suzy, the first South Korean national to win the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration category in 2022. On the first da

Nov. 29, 2024

Bucheon Diaspora Literary Award winner Mohamed Mbougar Sarr expresses surprise, appreciation

BUCHEON, Gyeonggi Province -- Winning the Bucheon Diaspora Literary Award came as “a complete surprise” for Senegalese author Mohamed Mbougar Sarr, who writes in French. The Goncourt Prize-winning author was on holiday in Senegal with his parents when he received the news. He said he hadn’t anticipa

Nov. 29, 2024

Hanna Cha invites readers into magical world of discovery, inspiration

Caldecott-winning illustrator hopes her work is ‘of service to children’ Reading Julie Leung’s manuscript for “The Truth About Dragons” for the first time, Hanna Cha found herself moved to tears. A few lines from the story -- “Inside your heart is where the two forests meet. Both journeys are yours

Nov. 28, 2024

Award winners Lee Suzy, Baek Hee-na join inaugural Busan Children‘s Book Fair

The inaugural Busan International Children’s Book Fair will be held at Bexco in Busan from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1, with “everyone in the children’s book field participating,” organizers said at a press conference in Seoul on Tuesday. The event is the country’s first book fair dedicated to children’s lite

Nov. 19, 2024

Where is LTI Korea headed after Han Kang’s Nobel win?

LTI Korea sets sights on establishing graduate school for literary translation Winning the Nobel Prize in literature is not the final stop but a beginning, said Chon Soo-young, president of the Literature Translation Institute of Korea, during a press conference marking her first 100 days in office

Nov. 11, 2024

Fresh perspectives take top prizes at Korea Picture Book Award

Picture books with contemporary messages and vibrant, imaginative illustrations were recognized on Monday at the second annual Korea Picture Book Award, co-hosted by the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea and the Culture Ministry. In the fiction category, the grand prize went to "How to Be a True Friend" by Park Hyun-min, a dark comedy set in the snowy Himalayas that follows a mythical yeti. The story explores the coexistence of humans and nature, delivering a satirical tak

Nov. 9, 2024

Books open doors to adventures around the world

In its final few weeks, the Seoul Outdoor Library was transformed into a Travel Library, with weekly programs themed around different countries. The journey began with Denmark in May and continued through Colombia in August, with each week offering unique cultural experiences tied to that week's country. Programs included curated book selections, film screenings, live music, or author talks, all designed to capture the spirit of each destination. In October, the Travel Library resumed, begi

Nov. 6, 2024

Seoul’s Outdoor Library closes the year with music, films, an autumn farewell

This year's chapter of Seoul Metropolitan Library’s beloved outdoor reading program, the Seoul Outdoor Library, comes to an end this week. The program that has transformed some of the city’s most iconic spaces into bustling hubs of literary culture since its April launch is closing its seven-month run with a lively schedule of performances and film screenings from Thursday through Sunday. The outdoor library program enjoyed an unprecedented success, attracting an estimated three

Nov. 6, 2024

Kim Hee-sun wins Daesan Award with dystopian take on post-pandemic world

Novelist Kim Hee-sun won the fiction category of the Daesan Literary Awards on Tuesday for her latest novel "All About 247,” a thought-provoking work that explores a post-pandemic society shaped by the aftermath of COVID-19. Set in near-future Korea, after the pandemic, society has built systems to prevent large-scale outbreaks. A global Disease Control Center now coordinates efforts worldwide to fight infectious diseases. Fever-reducing drugs are banned to curb virus spread, heat sen

Nov. 5, 2024

‘Children have the right to great stories’: Head of Astrid Lindgren Award stands firm against book ban

Speaking out against book bans, Asa Bergman, head of office at the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, expressed strong opposition to banning books at school libraries, emphasizing that “access to literature for children and young adults will always be a precondition for democracy and openness.” “I’m ag

Nov. 4, 2024