Korean Literature for Beginners

The Hallyu wave introduced Korea to the world, and ever since, K-Beauty, K-Pop, and K-Drama have been at the forefront of general public consciousness, driving trends abroad and firmly establishing Korea as a cultural powerhouse on the world stage. One aspect of K-Entertainment marked its arrival with less fanfare but no less significance: K-Literature.

Korean literature has a unique way of inviting foreigners into the psyche of those raised within the culture, providing deeper insights than can often be gleaned from the glamorous world of K-Pop and K-Dramas. As Korean literature becomes more widely translated, readers and lovers of literature alike can fall even more in love with Korea.

DallerGut Dream Department Store - Lee Mi-Ye

What if your dreams aren’t a product of your imagination, but the product of someone else’s? The DallerGut Dream Department Store is a cozy fantasy novel in which a department store in our collective subconscious sells dreams to a wide variety of customers. The novel follows Penny, a new employee at the department store, as she learns the ropes of her new role & witnesses the healing effects a good night's sleep and the right dream can have in restoring hope in those who feel adrift in life.

Healing Fiction is becoming increasingly popular in Korea, featuring protagonists who step away from the rigid requirements of a successful life in favor of self-discovery and deep contemplation of what kind of life they truly desire. In the most competitive society in the world, healing fiction gives readers permission to rest and dream of a slower, quieter future.

The most sold book in Korea in 2021, DallerGut Dream Department Store has cemented itself as a bestseller in the Healing Fiction genre, selling over 1 million copies and maintaining its position on Kyobo’s bestseller list.

The Vegetarian - Han Kang

Korean literature can’t be discussed without mentioning Nobel Prize-winning Han Kang. Han Kang was the first Korean writer to win the Man Booker International Prize in 2016 with her breakout novel, The Vegetarian. 

The Vegetarian follows Yeong-hye, a homemaker, whose decision to stop eating meat after a nightmare leads to the destruction of her familial relationships. Yeong-hye herself never narrates the three-part novel. Rather, the audience comes to know her through the eyes of others and their failure to understand the root of Yeong-hye’s perceived defiance of social norms. 

According to sales data released by Kyobo, Korea’s largest bookstore, Han Kang continues to rank as Korea’s number one best-selling author.

Cursed Bunny - Bora Chung

A collection of ten short stories, not for the squeamish or faint of heart. Cursed Bunny blends horror and science fiction to address the cruelties of modern society. Opening with a short story about a woman’s bodily waste turned sentient and vengeful, Bora Chung delivers a genre-bending mix of magical realism and everyday situations. The novel’s name is a nod to the original challenge that inspired the collection - an Asian zodiac-themed writing competition. 

Each story in the collection is a bit grotesque and steeped in poignant critique of capitalism, womanhood, misogyny, corruption, and society’s obsession with youth. Chung’s expertise in Slavic literature and passion for activism color the collection, making it a bit unusual within traditional Korean literature. Cursed Bunny was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize in 2022.

Love in the Big City - Sang Young Park

Love in the Big City follows Young and JaeHee, his female roommate, as they explore life, love, and identity in this four-part coming-of-age novel.

Love in the Big City finds itself among the highest-selling debuts in Korea. Published in 2019 and since adapted into an 8-episode television series, Love in the Big City is unique in that it is one of the few mainstream Korean novels to center the queer experience. Reviewers and readers alike have praised Park for not framing Young’s queer identity as a problem to be solved or an intentional choice to rebuff mainstream social norms.

Love in the Big City was longlisted for the 2022 International Booker Prize alongside Bora Chung’s Cursed Bunny.

Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 - Cho Nam-Joo

Those even vaguely familiar with Korean Literature have likely heard of the last title on the list. The Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982, follows our protagonist, Kim Jiyoung - a name notable for its commonality in the 1980s - as she struggles against Korea’s traditional gender roles inspired by Korea’s long history of Confucianism.

Interestingly, though the novel is fiction and not based on the life of any particular woman, Cho Nam-Joo cites real South Korean government statistics on gender inequality in the footnotes. 

Published in 2016, Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982, quickly shot to literary stardom among women. It was hailed as an icon of Korean feminist literature, though it quickly drew backlash from anti-feminist groups who viewed the novel as an exaggeration or an attempt to sow societal discord. 

Despite the backlash, many influential celebrities recommended the book or were seen reading it publicly during its height of popularity. RM of BTS is often credited with contributing, in part, to the novel's success after discussing it during a 2017 livestream, giving it an international boost among K-pop fans.

At Daebak, we’re passionate about sharing Korean culture with the world. Beyond the glamour and bright lights of Seoul, we’re looking to connect you with the facets of culture that make Korea truly unique. If you’re looking for more literature recommendations, cultural insight, or want to stay up to date with the latest trends in Korea, be sure to explore our other blogs.