best korean essay books

26 Must-Read Korean Novels in English

By: Author Willow Heath

Posted on Last updated: 19th May 2024

Ask anyone with at least one eye on world literature in translation which countries are putting out the most groundbreaking novels, and they will likely mention South Korea . Korean novels frequently bend and break genres, explore often untouched social and political themes, and speak to our very souls.

If you’re looking for the best Korean novels in English translation, this list of ten is the perfect place to start. Many of the Korean authors (and translators) mentioned here have entire libraries available for you to explore once you’ve exhausted this list.

You can also subscribe to the Korean Literature Now Magazine and browse their website to keep with the latest news, poetry, fiction, and articles.

A note on names: In Korea, family names come first, and publishers of Korean novels in translation seem to often disagree over whether or not to flip them for English language readers. Some do, some don’t. You get used to it.

Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-joo

Translated by Jamie Chang

Approaching a book like Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 is an enormous undertaking; something that should be done with real consideration. The novel has sold over a million copies in its native South Korea, has been adapted into a successful Korean film , and has been a huge spark for the fires of the #metoo movement in South Korea.

Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 is a novel that has achieved so much, done so much good, and is now finally available to English-speaking readers. Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 can be seen as the novelisation of the lived experiences of every ordinary Korean woman for the past forty years. It traces the life of a single woman from early childhood to marriage and motherhood .

The book begins with her being given an appointment with a psychiatrist in 2016 after she has developed a disturbing condition wherein she impersonates the voices of, and embodies the personalities of, the women in her life both alive and dead.

This condition is what initially introduces us to her character, and it is a very clear statement to the reader that Kim Jiyoung speaks for every ordinary woman of 20 th and 21 st Century South Korea. Everything you may have heard about Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 being an impactful and important piece of feminist fiction is true.

It is a book that brings to light the everyday misogyny, sexism, ignorance, aggression, bias, and abuse (both active and passive) that women in South Korea (and, of course, the world over) suffer and do their best to survive in this modern world.

To really get the most out of Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 , one of the most powerful Korean novels, it’s important to first understand the novel’s purpose.

It is not a story with a view to entertaining us. It is a book that enlightens, and encourages anger in, its readers. Kim Jiyoung is not an individual. She is not a character to form a bond with. She is every abuse victim. She is every woman who has encountered sexism at home, at school, in the workplace, and on the street, and who perhaps never even realised it.

Buy a copy here!

Love in the Big City by Sang Young Park

Translated by Anton Hur

Love in the Big City is a queer Korean love story. It is a tale of hedonism and friendship; a book about looking at life from all angles: with love and hate and anger and fear in our eyes.

Divided into four acts, Love in the Big City begins with Young at university, living his best life with close friend Jaehee. The two of them live together, party hard, sleep around, and look out for one another. But, eventually, Jaehee wants to get married and grow up.

This Korean novel’s second act explores Young’s relationship to his mother, now and in the past, and the third act sees him chasing love, finding it, being let down by it, and finding it again.

Translated elegantly and beautifully by Anton Hur, Love in the Big City considers how we live our lives when time is ticking, when there is fun to be had and things to be seen; when there are things to fear and people who want to hurt us.

This is also a novel full of charming details. Young and Jaehee, in their early days, look out for one another. He keeps her stocked with Marlboro cigarettes and she keeps the fridge full of fruits (blueberries are his favourites). Those details aren’t all positive — the novel doesn’t shy away from moments of pain and fear and difficulty. Young encounters homophobia and his relationship with his mother is strain in more ways than one.

Love in the Big City paints a raw and honest but ultimately kind picture of love and life in the modern day, and for that, it is one of the finest modern Korean novels.

Read More: 12 Best K-Pop Books (For Stans Everywhere)

Violets by Kyung-sook Shin

Kyung-sook Shin is one of South Korea’s most beloved and revered authors. One read of Violets and it’s easy to see why. This is a feminist tale about friendship in the modern world, and about the insidious, subtle ways in which men abuse women on a daily basis.

One of the most impactful and changing Korean novels of the past few years, Violets begins with its protagonist, San, as a young girl in 1970. She lives in a small village and is a lonely social outsider.

In the opening chapter, San shares a moment of tender intimacy with her best friend. For San, this is an awakening. For her friend, it is frightening and wrong. They don’t see each other again, and we spend the rest of the novel with San as a twenty-something living in Seoul.

When San takes a job as a florist, she develops a sweet friendship with her coworker, who soon moves in with her. But San is also at the whim of men. She learns how men violate the spaces and bodies of women on a daily basis, in a way that seems almost invisible. Violets has the power to reshape how we all see the social dynamics at play between men and women.

The physical and verbal weapons softly used by men to scare, suppress, and intimidate the women in their lives. It’s a novel that leaves a mark, but also a tender and beautiful narrative.

Watch our full video review of Violets

Buy a copy of Violets here!

Greek Lessons by Han Kang

Translated by Deborah Smith & Emily Yae Won

Han Kang is nothing short of a legend of Korean literature. Her novel The Vegetarian , also translated into English by Tilted Axis Press founder Deborah Smith, won the International Booker Prize in 2016 and the rest is history.

The Vegetarian was the first Korean novel that this writer ever read, and that is probably true for many readers. Han Kang and Deborah Smith opened the door for countless English-language readers to become intrigued by, and seek out more Korean literature.

With Greek Lessons , Han Kang is examining and testing the powers of language itself. This short novel follows two protagonists, one of whom is losing his sight and the other is struggling with mutism. Our mute character, an academic and successful writer, has suffered through the loss of her mother, the breakdown of her marriage, and has just lost custody of her child.

She has chosen to enrol in a class to study ancient Greek as a means of reconnecting with language, and by extension, with herself. Her teacher is our other protagonist, a man who spent his youth in Germany and who, therefore, has always felt a cultural disconnect.

His story plays out in the first person, and hers in the third. This is a striking distinction; wordlessly demonstrating how he is stuck in his mind, his memories, and his anxieties. Conversely, she feels a separation, a disconnect from herself, from her experiences — she is floating and alone, cold and confused.

Greek Lessons is a love letter to language as a means of connection, of understanding, of translating our experiences and our feelings in profound and satisfying ways. Han Kang continues to write some of the best Korean books of the modern day, and Greek Lessons is no exception.

Buy a copy of Greek Lessons here!

Walking Practice by Dolki Min

Translated by Victoria Caudle

Walking Practice is an ingenious piece of speculative Korean fiction that blends elements of horror, science fiction, and satire to create something thematically dense, sometimes funny, often shocking, and satisfyingly allegorical.

Across just 150 pages, this Korean novel tells the story of a nameless and genderless alien which crash-landed on Earth fifteen years ago, after fleeing a war that destroyed their homeworld. After surviving off anything they could get their tentacles on, they found that the most satisfying food available was, in, fact, human meat.

And so, for over a decade, they have been disguising themself as men and women, and using dating apps to seduce people, glean some sexual satisfaction (and occasional companionship), before devouring them in a gleefully gruesome manner.

For the novel’s first half, we follow this pattern a few times, and we see the differences in their behaviour when presenting as a man or a woman; how the unspoken rules of society encourage them to behave.

And also how others behave in response to them. This is an explicit examination of patriarchy and the restrictions of gender expression, as well as social relationships between genders. But it goes deeper than this, as our protagonist admits to their loneliness and seeks love, companionship, community, and a sense of belonging.

With smart and satisfying queer allegories aplenty and some truly astonishing and creative translation work from Victoria Caudle, this is one of the best Korean novels of recent years.

Buy a copy of Walking Practice here!

The New Seoul Park Jelly Massacre by Cho Yeeun

Told from multiple perspectives, The New Seoul Park Jelly Massacre provides the reader with what it says on the tin: a massacre about jelly at a theme park in Seoul. We begin with a young girl whose parents don’t get along. She so wishes they did, and when she gets lost in the crowd, the girl meets a man whose face is out of focus, and is offering visitors to the park a jelly sweet that will keep those who eat them bonded forever.

This turns out to be unsettlingly literal, as the jelly sweet causes its consumers to melt into jelly, and their forms begin to melt into one amorphous thing. We then see this gradual massacre play out from different angles: that of a girl in a difficult romance, that of a fed-up employee who wears a mascot uniform, and even that of a successful CEO who is secretly part of a satanic cult.

Thematically, these people represent dissatisfaction, exhaustion, and frustration—in work, love, and life—and the theme park is their place to escape; the place where dreams come true. But things are never that simple, are they?

I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Sehee

In her introduction to this incredible book, author Baek Sehee notes that her hope is for people to read this book and think, “ I wasn’t the only person who felt like this .” To that end, I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki is an exercise in empathy; in the author opening up her chest and letting her darkest feelings tumble out, in the hope that you will feel understood.

Depression is isolating, frightening, and draining. Knowing there’s someone else out there who has felt this way — who still feels this way — can be incredibly comforting.

I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki is unique amongst these other Korean novels in that it isn’t actually a novel, but rather a kind of epistolary narrative that tracks a woman’s life through therapy. Most chapters begin and/or end with a confession: a personal experience or a feeling related to the author’s depression and anxieties. The rest of the chapter is a transcript of a therapy session.

These sessions divulge personal experiences and opinions, and also provide us with advice and understanding from the therapist as they listen to the author’s experiences. It feels very voyeuristic, getting to know this author’s inner thoughts and feelings so intimately, but the sense of companionship that comes from it all is so appreciated.

Writing something so revealing and honest must have taken incredible courage, but Baek Sehee has done so with the selfless desire to help others feel less alone and unique in their pain. If you struggle with depression, or know someone who does, I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki is a lesson in empathy and a hug from a comrade-in-suffering.

The Plotters by Un-su Kim

Translated by Sora Kim-Russell

The most important thing to note about The Plotters is that it’s billed as a thriller, but it is actually far more than that. Rather than blending genres and emerging as a kind of Frankenstein’s Monster of different styles, The Plotters rather refuses to acknowledge genre.

The Plotters tells the story of Reseng, a successful assassin raised in The Doghouse Library – a library filled with books but empty of people, somewhere in Seoul – by an enigmatic old man known as Old Raccoon. Reseng has grown up knowing of nothing but the business of assassination, and curiously also knowing very little about that, either.

This is a piece of penetrating fiction driven by its eccentric but grounded characters, providing a unique and entertaining setting and circumstance, and telling a story subtly tied to the history and politics of modern day Korea. After the Korean War and the separation of the two Koreas along the thirty-eighth parallel, control of North Korea was seized by the Kim regime.

What is lesser-known, however, is that South Korea too did not have democratic freedom until the 1980s, suffering through martial law for some decades. This key aspect of Korean history plays into the story of The Plotters , as the democratisation creates a power struggle amongst assassins and leaves room for a different kind of man to take charge.

Blending this wild and wonderful story of assassins who work from an old library with real-world political events allows for some subtle commentary on the nature of fascism, martial law, democracy, and even capitalism, with regards to how these things affect the kinds of lives people can lead. Even assassins are not immune to political shifts.

The Plotters is one of the most ambitious Korean novels; something that has to be read to be believed. Its ability to defy genre, allow its plot to be carried along by comedy and eccentric characters, and keep a slow pace that takes time without losing momentum is truly staggering.

It takes influence from the tumultuous events of South Korea’s recent past without becoming dry and melancholy. Most importantly of all, it is fantastically fun.

Buy a copy of The Plotters here!

The Cabinet by Un-su Kim

Translated by Sean Lin Halbert

Un-su Kim’s The Cabinet is a fantastic and engaging blend of speculative short stories and a longer, underlying thread. Our protagonist, Mr. Kong, is a simple office worker who has wound up as the caretaker of a filing cabinet full of accounts of strange people known as “symptomers”: human beings with odd conditions and abilities.

The novel contains many stories dedicated to symptomers: a man with a gingko tree growing out of his finger; people who seem to jump forward in time at random; people who sustain themselves off glass, steel, or gasoline. These stories make up half the narrative, and paint a vivid picture of a world that is far stranger than what we see and believe in our day-to-day.

The broader narrative is about Kong himself. We gradually learn about his life, his boss, his childhood, how he ended up in this position. There is a mystery to uncover here, and as the novel progresses, that mystery gradually unfolds in an addictive, tantalising, and strange way.

The Cabinet is a work of boundless imagination, written by a beloved Korean author and translated brilliantly by Sean Lin Halbert.

Buy a copy of The Cabinet here!

Tower by Bae Myung-hoon

Translated by Sung Ryu

Tower is a truly unique and boundary-pushing piece of Korean science fiction. When we look at Korean novels in translation, too few of them are genre fiction. But that is slowly changing, and Tower is a Korean book you need to pick up and read.

As its name implies, this piece of Korean sci-fi is set entirely in an enormous tower. This titular tower is a nation unto itself, home to 500,000 people. Bae implies that it was built on Korean soil but this is never explicitly stated. The book is divided into a series of interconnected speculative tales, all set within this solitary tower nation known as Beanstalk.

The world-building is fantastic, as the tower needs to be a believable place in order for the author’s disparate tales to work. Infrastructure, economy, politics, and daily life all need to be accounted for and designed in a way that the reader can understand and appreciate.

The six stories in Tower are tied together by the place itself and by recurring characters and events. And each story serves to further build the world while also telling an entirely self-contained tale. In that sense, this is a unique piece of Korean fiction that blends the concepts of the novel and the short story collection.

And each tale also, as all good science fiction does, poses an ethical, political, or philosophical quandary for us to muse over.

Buy a copy of Tower here!

I’m Waiting for You by Kim Bo-young

Translated by Sung Ryu and Sophie Bowman

With the spread of Korean science fiction into the West, through the hard work of talented and dedicated translators like Ryu and Bowman, we get incredible gems like this one. I’m Waiting for You is one of the best Korean novels published in the past few years. Here’s why.

Kim Bo-Young is a legend of Korean literature, and even worked as a script editor on Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-Ho’s Snowpiercer . With I’m Waiting for You , readers can see first-hand why she’s such a special sci-fi author. This collection of four stories is essential reading amongst sci-fi books by women writers.

The four stories in this collection actually work as two pairs. The first and fourth stories — I’m Waiting For You and On My Way to You — are the same tale told from two perspectives: a bride and groom each making their way home to Earth for their wedding ceremony.

The second and third stories — The Prophet of Corruption and That One Life — also the longest and shortest tales respectively, blend religion, mysticism, and science fiction. In these two middle tales, the characters are a set of gods, and it is quickly revealed that they created Earth as a school in which they themselves can learn and grow.

The main protagonist of The Prophet of Corruption , Naban, is a single god whose prophets, disciples, and children all separated from them like cells. Individually, they spend entire lifetimes on Earth, learning and experiencing and dying.

Naban believes in asceticism as a school of learning; their children are reborn in low roles; they suffer and toil and eventually return home. But some are rebelling against this approach to living and learning. What makes these stories so tantalisingly addictive is Kim’s world-building and her attempt at writing gods as characters, with motivations and behaviours different from our own.

The stories that bookend this collection are each written in an epistolary fashion, as letters to the other. In I’m Waiting For You , our nameless groom is trying to make it to Earth, and is updating his bride each time something goes awry (and a lot goes awry).

The same is true in On My Way to You; the bride has her own hurdles to overcome . These two stories are heartbreaking. You’ll root for them, cry for them, hope against hope that things will work out for them.

Your Utopia by Bora Chung

From the author of the wonderfully strange, exciting, and diverse Cursed Bunny , Your Utopia is a science fiction short story collection. The protagonists of this collection vary from far-future space-faring humans to artificially intelligent cars and sentient elevators.

Though these stories are all within the realm of science fiction, they explore an enormous spectrum of style and tone. One story, Seed , is a bleakly funny satire that observes a conversation between a copse of trees and a handful of eugenics-made humans. Another, A Very Ordinary Marriage , follows a newly-married man who becomes paranoid when he catches his wife making secretive phone calls in a language he has never heard before.

The sheer amount of scope and variety in these stories wonderfully showcases the potential of science fiction to tell stories that make readers laugh, scream, and cry. Bora Chung is one of the most imaginative Korean authors, and this imagination is on full display in the stories of Your Utopia .

Buy a copy of Your Utopia here!

The Specters of Algeria by Hwang Yeo Jung

Translated by Yewon Jung

Separated into three acts and an epilogue, The Specters of Algeria begins with a girl named Yul, born during the military dictatorship of South Korea. Yul’s father is part of a theatre troupe, along with the father of her childhood friend Jing. We see the world through Yul’s eyes when the novel first begins.

Like with To Kill A Mockingbird , this naive perspective gives us a blinkered view of Yul’s world, but soon her friend Jing moves abroad and she grows up to own her own dress alteration business. Part two, set in the modern day, follows Cheolsu, a community theatre employee who tracks down Yul’s uncle Osu, a member of the theatre troupe who wrote and directed a play called The Specters of Algeria .

Or did he? As we soon learn, Osu claims that the play was originally written by Karl Marx and was lost to time, until he translated it, claimed it as his own, and directed it during the years of dictatorship as an act of subversion. The Specters of Algeria , like Timerlake Wertenbaker’s Our Country’s Good , is a story about the power of art, specifically theatre, as something that can transcend oppression, push back against it, and bring people together.

Buy a copy of The Specters of Algeria here!

The Age of Doubt by Pak Kyongni

Translated by some of the best Koean-to-English translators working in the industry, including Anton Hur, Sophie Bowman, and Mattho Mandersloot, this is a humbling short story collection. Pak Kyongni was one of Korea’s most celebrated and renowned authors, writing in the decades following the Korean War and through a South Korean dictatorship.

What we have here are six stories and a commentary, all written during the 1950s and 60s, which shed a light on the ordinary lives and tragedies of everyday people during that period. Many of these tales focus on women and their families, such as the titular The Age of Doubt , which follows a woman who lost her husband to the war and her young son to an accident shortly after.

Or the similarly titled The Age of Darkness , which details the intertwined lives of a family shaken by a shared tragedy. Few authors have ever shaken the Korean literary landscape like Pak Kyongni, and to have a selection of her early tales translated in this fashion, in a single collection, is a true gift!

Buy a copy of The Age of Doubt here!

My Brilliant Life by Ae-ran Kim

Translated by Chi-young Kim

Adapted into a Korean film, and now available in English translation by the translator of Kyung-sook Shin’s Please Look After Mother , My Brilliant Life is a gorgeous gut-punch of a literary novel by Korean author Ae-ran Kim.

My Brilliant Life tells the story of Areum, a sixteen-year-old boy with a degenerative disease. He is not likely to live much longer, given that he has the internal organs of a man in his eighties. Before he dies, however, Areum has a gift he wishes to give to his parents:

“My plan was this: write the story of my parents from the very beginning and give this to them on my seventeenth birthday. Instead of awards or a college diploma, I would gift them this story.”

Areum’s parents were childhood sweethearts; they had him when they themselves were only sixteen. Despite being careless, they made a beautiful family together and Areum became a gift. They formed a perfect, loving family together; something truly inspiring.

Thanks to his parents and their love, Areum has lived a wonderful life, despite its length. And he is grateful for this, so he wishes to give them one final present that highlights and celebrates the beauty of their love and their life together.

Throughout Areum’s youth, his parents have romanced him with stories of their own lives, their young years, and their relationship. He uses these stories to build his book. Meanwhile, as he compiles this final gift, he is in and out of hospital with health problems: blindness, heart failure, epilepsy, and more.

Despite how sad this story is, it remains uplifting. It’s a celebration of love and life and family. It teaches us to be grateful for those who show us love and kindness. It reminds us that life is something to cherish and admire and enjoy. For that reason, My Brilliant Life is one of the most poignant and powerful modern Korean novels.

Buy a copy of My Brilliant Life here!

The Court Dancer by Kyung-sook Shin

Kyung-Sook Shin has a gift for understanding her own people, her own society, with all of its beauty and its failings — this kind of gift is something that might be considered simple for anyone who is from anywhere at all, but that is arguably very far from the truth. With these skills, she has written some of the best Korean novels ever.

For Shin, each new novel demonstrates new strengths she had not previously revealed; new muscles she has not before flexed. This time she makes the telling of historical fiction seem as effortless as pouring crisp cold water into a glass.

Based on a true story — set in the final years of 19 th century Korea as China, Russia, and Japan are threatening the little nation trapped between them —  The Court Dancer is being described as a love story first and foremost: the romantic tale of a man and a woman from two different worlds, colliding in a moment of beauty.

And, sure, that’s fine, but really this is the tale of a woman born without a family, adopted into the courts of the Joseon Dynasty, romanced by a French diplomat, whisked away across the waves to foreign shores, and all the while trying to find the time to understand who she is, what she is, and what she wants out of a life that has never really been hers.

It is a tragic tale that transcends place and time to show people of all cultures that a woman’s life must be fought for. In translation, much of Shin’s earlier writing has allowed non-Koreans to experience and understand the mind and heart of the modern Korean.

With The Court Dancer , she has shown us the heart of pre-modern Korea with all the heart and mind she herself always lends to her writing.

Buy a copy of The Court Dancer here!

Untold Night and Day by Bae Suah

Translated by Deborah Smith

Bae Suah is one of the great contemporary authors of South Korea. Author of A Greater Music, Nowhere to Be Found, and North Station (some of the best Korean novels of all time), she has burst onto the stage that is 2020 with a topsy-turvy surrealist tale that feels uncomfortably in-line with the narrative of the 21 st Century.

Untold Night and Day is, to borrow author Sharlene Teo’s words, a fever dream of a novel; a book that is unknowably yet aggressively familiar to all of us. Ayami is a former actress who has worked for two years at a menial position in a tiny, almost entirely unknown, Seoul theatre which puts on auditory performances for blind audiences.

She’s approaching thirty, anxious, and unsure of herself in every way imaginable. She also soon discovers that she will soon be out of a job. What begins as a vivid setup — a drawing with thick black lines — gently begins to grow fuzzy. Ayami’s own colours start to blend, as do those of the story, and of time itself.

Reality, for us and for Ayami, slips away and loops in on itself. Surrealism, soon enough, has its nails in us and it won’t allow us to wake up. There perhaps isn’t a more apt description of Untold Night and Day than ‘fever dream’. This parallel runs deep.

At 150 pages, the novel is short – a quick read that, like a fever dream, manages to play deceptively with time and progress. You’ll wonder how long you’ve had your head in the book before a chapter break eventually allows you to take a breath. You might even emerge sweating and confused.

Untold Night and Day should be read with a clean and sober mind, then talked about after a few vodka shots. It’s a dirty and cracked narrative that encourages questions about our 21 st Century world and how we’re living in it. The novel is, indeed, a Lynchian fever dream, but it demands perseverance and complete absorption.

And, honestly, even if you were to try and quit it, the book likely wouldn’t let you. Open it up and let it sink into you as you sink into it.

Buy a copy of Untold Night and Day here!

b, Book, and Me by Kim Sagwa

Translated by Sunhee Jeong

Coming-of-age novels, and stories of self-discovery, can take a variety of forms across myriad genres of fiction, but most are typically grounded in realism, following the rules of their world.

b, Book, and Me is a story of a different sort, leaning on a fever dream surrealism that grows in intensity over time, and using ambiguity and a narrative fog to reinforce the strangeness and frustration felt and experienced by young people year after year. It’s a layered and anxious tale that captures the dangers and mysteries of youth better than most.

The titular b, Book, and Me are our three protagonists: b is a teenage girl from a poor family living in a nameless coastal town in Korea; Book is a friend met along the way who has an obsession with reading and collecting books; and the ‘me’ refers to Rang, our initial narrator and best friend of b.

The novel is split into three parts, with the first following a few clear and beautifully depicted days and memories in the life of Rang. The second follows b and begins to stretch itself into a feverish surrealism that mirrors her own unique fears, struggles, and stresses. The third teams the two up with Book as the walls of reality almost fall away entirely.

b, Book, and Me is one of the most creative Korean novels; it does an uncanny job of illustrating the often surreal and frightening life of a teenager growing up somewhere unknown, with vague ideas that there is more beyond their world.

The novel’s dreamlike nature is gently poured into the narrative as it moves forward and serves to reinforce the themes of the plot and the nature of its characters. Our protagonists are likeable, their motivations clear, and their world eerily understandable in spite of its impossible qualities.

Rarely does a novel manage to be so abstract and fluid and yet so clearly relatable. b, Book, and Me is a smart, beautifully written, masterfully translated work of Korean fiction that makes for a frightening yet true-to-life story of self-discovery and friendship.

The Hole by Hye-young Pyun

Here is, perhaps, an entirely new kind of frightening. We’re living in a new golden age of horror films right now, and, if Hye-young Pyun’s books are any indication, a parallel golden age of horror writing as well. The protagonist and narrator of The Hol e is the adorably-named Oghi, whom we learn about in two forms: In flashbacks where Oghi is presented as a successful professor and academic in a marriage falling apart.

This provides the disparity between Oghi’s successes and his wife’s failures which cause an uncomfortable rift between them. And in the present day. We find Oghi after a car crash leaves him unable to move or even speak, only communicating in blinks and the odd twitch of his left hand.

With these contrasting Oghis — the memories of him being confident, at times callous, versus the present day where he is mute and every voice has a patronising tone — create an immediately unsettling paradigm shift. The reader will find that, after each flashback ends, a kind of anti-catharsis sets in as we remember that, in the present day, Oghi is a prisoner in his own body; a narrator who cannot narrate. This is the first terror of the story.

The other terror comes in the form of Oghi’s mother-in-law, both his caretaker and sole remaining family member. After losing her daughter in the same crash that left Oghi paralysed, his mother-in-law is hardly an emotionally stable caretaker. To say more would be to risk spoiling things.

Where  The Hole shines, and wherein lies its true terror, is the state of Oghi’s body and his mind. So much horror and suspense writing relies on running, hiding, chasing, and being lost. But Oghi is not lost, and he cannot run. He is trapped from page one.

In choosing to ignore the tropes which make horror what it has become famous for, Pyun has crafted a very new kind of terror which builds on the writing of Franz Kafka, but with none of the black humour that results in staring into the void.

Instead, it replaces that with true, absolute dread which is maintained like a painfully drawn-out musical note for hours, page after page after page. The Hole is one of my favourite Korean novels, as well as one of my favourite horror novels ever.

Buy a copy of The Hole here!

The White Book by Han Kang

Calling it The White Book feels reductive, almost wrong on purpose. Because The White Book is less a book and more an embracing feeling of familiarity. This book — one of the best Korean novels of our time — is something you live and feel, and all of this is created by its use of empty space.

Han Kang has created a story unlike any you will have read, but beyond being a story it is very much an exploration of the familiar things in life. There are beautiful black and white photos throughout the book, taken by Han Kang, which only add to the experience as you try to grapple with the tone of each beautiful image.

The White Book has real depth and I can’t help but feel that every reader will have a different experience with it. Each tiny chapter of this story is titled with the name of a white thing, and the events and musings of the chapter circle its material theme.

It is this, coupled with the empty space, that so draws the reader into the very feeling of whiteness. A bleak kind of melancholy peacefulness that takes hold and gently squeezes. The narrative flits between first and third person, but always centres on the same lone character: a Korean woman, spending a little time living in an unspecified central European city.

It is here that our nameless narrator spends her time in introspection, though the exact subject of which I dare not say.

The story has nothing in the way of true dialogue, and its chapters are short with the time between them unclear, but what is clear is the way that the character lessens the weight she carries, eases her feelings, and helps the reader lose the tension they perhaps don’t know they are holding onto as they read.

T he White Book is an experience inasmuch as it is a novel. I’d urge all Han Kang fans to read it, but also anyone looking for a very different kind of art; art which is difficult to explain and more difficult to talk about afterwards.

Buy a copy of The White Book here!

At Dusk by Hwang Sok-yong

Hwang Sok-yong is arguably Korea’s most prestigious and well-respected living author. Following the success of his novels Princess Bari and Familiar Things , we arrive here, At Dusk .

The narrative here is split in two, with the books odd-numbered chapters recalling the life and memories of Park Minwoo, a rags-to-riches architect approaching old age, and the even chapters following the story of Jung Woohee, a twenty-eight-year-old woman who is barely making ends meet by working part-time to fund her passion for writing and directing theatre.

These two narratives have seemingly nothing in common. Until they do. Park Minwoo’s story is a familiar one: that of a man born into hardship and poverty, working his way through a series of fascinating and intense trials and labours to arrive at the success he always dreamed of.

The interesting twist in the formula here is that, for Park, the trials have always been passed, and now we are treated to a backwards view of his life from the viewpoint of an ageing man who has become disenchanted by his riches and his current social, political, and financial situation.

As for Jung, her tale takes on a very different narrative flavour. It is at once lighter in tone and heavier. Her struggles are in the present, and the immediacy of her pain and her fight for success is felt with real intensity. All the same, she has a lot of personality on show, and her dialogue and her exchanges are packed with vigour.

The theme of the day here is very much in the steadily increasing gravity of regret that weighs down on Park as he considers his role in the modernisation and transformation of modern day Korea. In his flashbacks he slowly begins to pine for the raw life that he had carved out and survived through in the slums of his childhood, a time when perhaps he felt more alive.

Buy a copy of At Dusk here!

To the Warm Horizon by Choi Jin-young

Translated by Soje

In this harrowing post-apocalyptic novel that brings to mind others of its kind — The Road, Oryx and Crake , I Am Legend — Korean author Choi Jin-young shows us how, against all odds, love can still win out in the end. After a disease has ravaged the entire planet, To The Warm Horizon presents us with two young Korean women who come across one another on the road in the cold wilds of Russia, in the most adverse of circumstances.

Dori lost her parents to the disease and is now in charge of her deaf and mute younger sister. Jina is travelling with her large extended family and childhood friend Gunji. Dori and Jina’s encounter leads to some raw and uncomfortable events, exactly the kind you’d expect to see in a disease-wrought, post-apocalyptic wasteland.

But against and despite all of this, and more,, the love and dedication that grows and is tended between these two women keeps the reader hopeful. This is a beautiful lesbian love story that uses this hook to set it apart from the less hopeful novels that populate the genre of post-apocalyptic fiction, making it an essential modern Korean novel.

Buy a copy of To the Warm Horizon here!

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum

Translated by Shanna Tan

A wonderfully cozy novel which, rather than being led ever onwards by its plot, instead reflects the ebb and flow of ordinary life with charming and astonishing accuracy. This is the story of a woman who, after realising that she is chasing happiness, leaves her job, divorces her husband, and fulfils her dream of opening an independent bookshop.

That woman is Lee Yeongju. Now in her late thirties, Yeongju is the proud owner of the Hyunam-dong Bookshop. And chapter by chapter, we feel as though we are sitting in the corner of her shop as things gently shift and change. She hires a barista, hosts bookclubs, interviews authors in front of a small audience, grows her shop’s social media profile, and builds a steady community of regulars to the shop.

As the cast of characters fills out, we get to know each of them more intimately, and many of them get their own chapters. We watch where they go, listen as they talk through their thoughts and troubles, and admire how they face the choices that appear before them.

Many of the book’s chapters are simple philosophical musings on business, literature, writing, and larger concepts like love and happiness. Our characters talk through their worries with each other and become closer as a result. It is wonderfully true-to-life and a very charming, intimate reading experience.

Endless Blue Sky by Lee Hyoseok

Translated by Steven D. Capener

Korea has seen a tumultuous hundred years, with the Japanese occupation, a civil war, and finally a divide carved across its belly, separating North and South. In the midst of such tumult, it is easy for information to be lost.

Fighting back against all of this information loss, and tearing down the barriers of language and time, is the publishing house Honford Star , who began by translating the short stories of many lost Korean writers into English. Endless Blue Sky is Honford Star’s first full-length Korean novel.

The story of  En d less Blue Sky begins with our protagonist, the writer Ilma, travelling up to Manchuria for the umpteenth time for business and, while he is there, engaging with a Russian dancer, Nadia, whom he is deeply enamoured with.

Conversing mostly in English, their relationship blossoms quickly; and Nadia, through Ilma, has fallen in love with the fascinating world of Joseon (Korea), demanding to be stolen into it so that she might discover its fashion, its theatre, and its art for herself.

Framing this blossoming romance is a colourful cast of characters, the most eccentric of which being the actress Danyeong, a woman obsessed with separating Ilma from his foreign lover and stealing him away.

Her behaviour is so obscenely cloak-and-dagger that the reader cannot help but picture her, finger to her lips, sneaking a few steps behind Ilma, muttering to herself about love and passion from behind a fake nose and moustache.

More than once, as I read, I considered with a smile that Lee seems to exist as a wonderful opposite to Japan’s Yukio Mishima, a man of far-right conservative values who chose to espouse his nationalistic beliefs through aggressive stories of blood and betrayal.

In much the same way, Lee’s politics are not hidden here, but rather exposed for all to see. The difference is in his opposing beliefs. While Mishima worshipped traditionalism and rejected change, Lee welcomed globalisation, socialism, and the eradication of borders.

While Mishima wrote with angst and rage, Lee wrote with love and celebration, though both wrote from the heart all the same. Lee Hyoseok was absolutely one of the more fascinating writers of early twentieth-century Korea; a man of thrilling political philosophies and a delightfully European approach to storytelling.

Endless Blue Sky is a joy to read, with eccentric characters and a love story that twists and turns with real human depth and agency as it moves on at a swift click. One of the best classic Korean novels and a true literary gem.

City of Ash and Red by Hye-young Pyun

From the writer of The Hole  (winner of the Shirley Jackson Award 2017), City of Ash and Red is a phenomenal celebration of all that is dark and wrong, and readers are in for a jolly good dystopian time with this one. This is just more proof of Pyun’s skill as author of the best Korean novels of this century.

Our nameless protagonist (nameless, perhaps, because his name doesn’t matter, or because it’s up for debate), divorced and working as a rat catcher, he is quickly and inexplicably transferred by his company to a country only referred to as C.

Upon arrival he finds the whole country drowning in disease and rubbish, with people being dragged into quarantine, and fear and distrust in the air. For the duration of his transfer, he has been in contact with someone named Mol, but he soon learns that Mol is not so easy to locate – the name is incredibly common in Country C.

This is the first of a hundred problems that our protagonist faces, as he is soon quarantined, released, has his luggage ‘misplaced’, is told not to come into work for ten days, and receives a call from an old friend who had married our protagonist’s ex-wife, only to be told by this friend that their ex-wife was found dead in our hero’s apartment, and he is a prime suspect.

Any fan of Kafka will recognise parallels between this tale and more than one of old Franz’s, with the key link being an overwhelming feeling of confusion, fear, and frustration. Our protagonist seeks answers, but none are to be found.

He wants to explain himself, but nobody will listen — nobody, in fact, cares. He wants to gain a firm grip on the facts, to stop his world from spinning and twisting, but the more desperate he becomes, the more life beats and berates him. You might see why, at this point, calling this book merely Kafkaesque is not enough. City of Ash and Red is something else entirely.

The Color of the Sky Is the Shape of the Heart by Chesil

Translated by Takami Nieda

Note: The Color of the Sky Is the Shape of the Heart was written in, and translated from Japanese so consider it a wild card, but it remains vital to the history and culture of modern Korea. Inspired by the author’s own experiences as a Zainichi Korean in Japan, The Color of the Sky Is the Shape of the Heart sheds a bright light on this subculture of Japanese people.

Zainichi Koreans are Japanese citizens of Korean heritage whose existence came around as a result of the Japanese empire’s occupation of the Korean peninsula. Our protagonist, Ginny/Jinhee Park, was born of Zainichi Korean parents and raised in Japan, speaking only Japanese.

At the beginning of the novel, Ginny lives in Oregon and recounts to us her childhood in Japan, going to both Japanese and Korean schools. From her earliest age, as a Zainichi Korean, Ginny (born Jinhee), faced discrimination and hardship. We see these hardships through visceral and painful vignettes.

We see the way that Japanese people view Jinhee and her people, and the way she was treated at Korean school as a girl who only speaks Japanese. Jinhee is a child of two cultures but feels like she belongs to neither; discriminated against whichever way she turns.

The Color of the Sky Is the Shape of the Heart is a difficult read but it couldn’t be anything else. It asks for sympathy and understanding, and has so much to teach us about Zainichi Korean culture.

In My Korea

10 Must-Read Korean Novels in English That You’ll Love

The literary world of Korea is buzzing with creativity, painting narratives that are profound, captivating, and deeply rooted in the country’s culture and history. As the hallyu wave washes over the world, it’s not just K-dramas and K-pop that deserve your attention. Korean novels, lovingly translated into English, are leaving indelible marks on readers everywhere.

Dive into the rich tapestry of Korean literature with novels that transcends borders and touches hearts. From poignant tales of personal struggle to gripping mysteries and surreal fantasies, these 10 Korean novels translated into English give a curated journey through stories showcasing the soul of Korea.

Let the vivid imagination of Korean authors enrich your reading list and open a window to a culture that’s both fascinating and deeply introspective. I hope this introduction to the world of Korean novels entices you to delve further into the enchanting world of Korean literature. Happy reading!

Table of Contents

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Why Should You Read Korean Novels In English?

Reading novels from Korea is akin to embarking on a cultural expedition without leaving the comfort of your armchair. Literature, in its essence, is a reflection of a nation’s soul, capturing the nuances, beliefs, and stories that have shaped its people over generations.

Experience the angst and rebellion in “Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982”, delve into the haunting surrealism of “The Vegetarian”, or get enchanted by the allegorical beauty of “The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly”. With every page you turn, you’re not just reading a story, you’re immersing yourself in a world where tradition meets modernity, and personal tales intertwine with the larger narratives of society.

Korean novels, for instance, offer readers a mosaic of experiences, from the nation’s ancient folklore and Confucian values to the rapid modernisation and the struggles it brought along. Through the eyes of the characters, one can traverse the bustling streets of Seoul, wander through serene Hanok villages, or even experience the weight of historical events like the Korean War.

When you read a book from Korea…You’re stepping into their world, feeling their history, and connecting with the pulse of their culture.

Whether you’re a seasoned literature lover or someone venturing into the vast expanse of global narratives, these books promise a roller-coaster ride of emotions. Each novel, while uniquely Korean in its setting & sensibility, tackles universal themes and emotions that resonate with readers worldwide.

I chose these stories because they really get to the heart of what it means for the authors to be Korean. They talk about family ties, the importance of honour, and the search for identity. I love it when you dive into a book from another country, like Korea, because you’re not just getting a good story, you’re stepping into their world, feeling their history, and connecting with the pulse of their culture.

Now, without further ado, here are 10 amazing Korean novels translated into English that I’m sure will help you learn and love more about Korean culture. Grab a cosy chair, put up your feet, and find your next literary inspiration from the world of Korean books.

Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 Cho Nam-Joo

Translated By : Jamie Chang | Publication Date : October 2016 | Number of Pages : 192

Since its publication in 2016, Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 has become one of the most popular and well-known pieces of Korean fiction. Kim Jiyoung quickly became associated with the #metoo movement. Because of its feminist agenda, it has also received a lot of criticism here in Korea, and has become quite a controversial talking point.

The novel follows the life of a Korean everywoman, Kim Jiyoung, from early childhood through to marriage and motherhood in modern day Seoul. The story is not action-packed or plot-heavy. Instead, it is quieter and slower paced. Jiyoung herself is somewhat of a blank slate, an image on which to reflect yourself as the reader, as you imagine yourself in her shoes.

The novel highlights the sexism and misogyny in Korean society. Jiyoung experiences everyday sexism and microaggressions from a young age, and Nam-joo makes it clear that these experiences are not specific to Kim Jiyoung, but are felt by many Korean women nowadays.

Who is this book aimed at: This book is aimed at young adults and above, especially those navigating the challenges of adulthood and societal expectations. It appeals to both male and female readers interested in gaining a deeper understanding of gender dynamics in Korea.

Who will enjoy this book: If you appreciate contemporary fiction with strong feminist themes, you’ll certainly enjoy this book, as well as those interested in understanding the societal pressures faced by modern Korean women. I think it’s suitable for anyone looking for a compelling character-driven narrative that offers deep insights into everyday life.

Why you should read this book : It offers a raw and unfiltered look into the life of an ordinary Korean woman, making it a significant cultural commentary. Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 has sparked crucial conversations about gender equality in Korea and beyond, making it an essential read for you if you’re keen on understanding contemporary societal shifts.

The Vegetarian Han Kang

Translated By : Deborah Smith | Publication Date : October 2007 | Number of Pages : 160

The Vegetarian , arguably the most well-known Korean novel in translation and perhaps my favourite Korean novel, famously won the International Booker Prize in 2016 . The story follows an ordinary woman, Yeong-hye, and her husband. One night, Yeong-hye has a horrifying nightmare, after which she categorically announces her status as a vegetarian.

Her husband, the narrator of the first section of the book, finds it shocking and often belittles her efforts to remove meat products from the house. We really get the sense that her decision is not being taken seriously. This is just the start of Yeong-hye’s declining mental state.

It’s really a social commentary on what it means to be human, and Yeong-hye’s growing animosity towards humanity. Though Yeong-hye is the protagonist of the book, each chapter is from someone else’s perspective, so as readers we’re also observing her as outsiders, becoming increasing confused by her actions and the reasons behind them.

Who is this book aimed at : If you’re the kind of reader who’s drawn to stories that make you think and question the world around you, The Vegetarian may be your next favourite book. However, I wouldn’t recommend this book to young readers due to its adult themes.

Who will enjoy this book : While this book might resonate more with mature readers due to its deep themes and somewhat dark undertones, anyone curious about the intricacies of mental health, relationships, and personal boundaries, as well as Korean society, will find it engrossing.

Why you should read this book : Because it’s not just a novel; it’s an experience. Han Kang isn’t just telling us a story about a woman who has become a vegetarian; she’s challenging us to question our beliefs. It’s no wonder the book clinched the esteemed Man Booker International Prize in 2016. If you’re a fan of Haruki Murakami, I expect that you’ll love this book.

Almond Sohn Won-Pyung

Translated By : Joosun Lee | Publication Date : March 2017 | Number of Pages : 272

Almond tells the story of Yunjae, a young boy with a brain condition that limits his ability to feel emotions due to the almond-shaped neurons in his brain. We follow Yunjae through childhood and into his teenage years when his life suddenly changes.

Yunjae retreats into himself, and lives a solitary life, until the arrival of a new bully at his school, Gon. Gon is seemingly totally different to Yunjae. He is driven by emotions, he is loud, and he is antagonistic. Over time, the two discover that they have more in common than they first realised, and they begin to form an unlikely and unusual friendship.

The story unfolds as the two learn more and more about each other and themselves. Yunjae’s is a unique and fascinating perspective to read from. He is direct and emotionless, leaving the reader with the unique opportunity to see other people emotion’s through Yunjae’s eyes.

Though there are some uncomfortable scenes of violence, the novel’s moral is an important one. It tells us to put aside our judgement of others. Let’s not judge books by their covers, as it were.

Who is this book aimed at : Those who find solace in stories that delve deep into the human mind and emotions will enjoy this Korean novel’s gripping narrative that’s both touching and enlightening.

Who will enjoy this book : This Korean novel is primarily crafted for a mature audiences, drawing in readers who appreciate tales of personal growth, resilience, and the intricate dance between trauma and healing. It’s definitely a compelling read and will those who are interested in human psychology.

Why you should read this book : Sohn Won-pyung brilliantly brings to light the struggles and triumphs of living with a condition that affects emotional recognition, offering you a fresh perspective on empathy, humanity, and connection.

The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly Sun-Mi Hwang

Translated By : Chi-Young Kim | Publication Date : January 2000 | Number of Pages : 134

The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly is a wonderfully charming and heartwarming tale about identity, belonging and found family. It follows an array of animal characters, including a weasel, a rooster and a duck. Our main character is a brave and loving hen named Sprout, whose journey to motherhood is an unorthodox one. Sprout grows tired of a life where she lays eggs for farmers day in and day out, and dreams of a life of freedom.

One day, she is able to escape the confines of the barn, but makes an enemy in the determined weasel. Sprout discovers an egg, and finally has the chance to become a mother herself. This book has been compared to Charlotte’s Web and Watership Down and for good reason. It is heartwarming and delightful. Much like these beloved animal stories, Sprout’s tale is timeless, one to be enjoyed by all ages.

Who is this book aimed at : This enchanting fable, with its vibrant characters and captivating narrative, is perfect for those who enjoy stories that speak to the soul and evoke childlike wonder.

Who will enjoy this book : Readers of all ages will love this book and it’s just as suitable for younger audiences as it is for older ones, holding a particular charm that’s easily accessible. If you’re ever dared to dream big, then this tale will resonate with its gentle, dreamlike quality.

Why you should read this book : At its heart, it is a story about love and loss. It’s about freedom and choice. But above all, it is a tale about family. Sun-Mi Hwang brilliantly weaves a tale about love, sacrifice, and the courage to follow one’s heart. It’s a poignant reminder that sometimes the most unlikely heroes have the most incredible journeys.

Please Look After Mom Shin Kyung-Sook

Translated By : Chi-Young Kim | Publication Date : January 2008 | Number of Pages : 272

The international best-seller Please Look After Mom begins with the disappearance of 69 year-old So-Nyo amongst crowds at a bustling Seoul subway station. Her husband and adult children are saddened by her disappearance and try their best to find her. Shin uses 1st-person, 2nd-person, and 3rd-person narration to tell the story from these different perspectives.

As they try to discern where she might have gone, they start to realise that they maybe didn’t know her as well as they thought. Who was this woman they called Mom? Throughout the novel, we also see the rapid modernisation of Korea. So-Nyo and her peers struggle to keep up with a society that is leaving them behind.

Born into a world that’s hugely different to the modern Seoul she disappears in, we see So-Nyo struggle to come to terms with her home country becoming more unrecognisable to her as years go by. This is ultimately a story about motherhood, family, love, and loss. It asks the question: how well do we really know the people in our lives?

Who is this book aimed at : This book is aimed at those who understand the bonds between parent and child. If you’ve ever felt the complexities of family ties, the deep-rooted love, and the inevitable misunderstandings that come with it, Please Look After Mom will resonate deeply with you.

Who will enjoy this book : Adult readers who enjoy dissecting the intricacies of relationships, particularly between children and their parents, will find this Korean tale especially poignant. The narrative, though rooted in Korean culture, has a universal appeal that transcends borders and anyone who has sacrificed themselves for their children will certainly make a connection with this book.

Why you should read this book : I really enjoyed the way the narration of each chapter is told from a different perspective, with different family members detailing their search for So-Nyo and reminiscing about their lives together. It makes this Korean novel both unique and fascinating.

The Disaster Tourist Yun Ko-Eun

Translated By : Lizzie Buehler | Publication Date : October 2013 | Number of Pages : 200

This lesser-known eco-thriller, The Disaster Tourist , is a short but exciting novel with feminist leanings. It follows Yona who works for a travel agency in Seoul that specialises in organising trips to environmental disaster zones, areas that had been devastated by the likes of volcanoes, tsunamis, etc.

Following an incident with a predatory and exploitative male boss, Ko-Eun agrees to take a business trip to a desert sinkhole on the island of Mui, Vietnam to determine why its success as a tourist destination has been waning in recent years. Upon arriving in Mui, she finds the sinkhole underwhelming, recognising this as the reason why the destination is losing popularity.

She soon becomes embroiled in a plot to create a new, more exciting, more catastrophic manmade sinkhole. This is a novel of two halves: a story of a working woman and the sexism she encounters in modern-day Seoul, that soon becomes a fast-paced, action-packed eco-thriller unlike anything you’ve read before.

Who is this book aimed at : Travel enthusiasts and those with a penchant for dark humour, satire, and suspense will find The Disaster Tourist an intriguing read. This Korean novel is definitely suitable for readers who crave a fresh perspective on the world of tourism and its grim underbelly.

Who will enjoy this book : For modern-day globetrotters and readers who enjoy thought-provoking narratives, this book offers a critical look at the ethics of disaster tourism. I like that it’s not just another travel tale but an exploration of the moral dilemmas that arise when tragedy becomes a spectacle.

Why you should read this book : You should read this Korean novel because it brings to light many questions about the exploitation of other cultures, the value of life, and even the concept of reality itself. Ultimately, it brings to light the link between global tourism and capitalism, and the impact of this on our natural environments and local communities.

Love in the Big City Sang Young Park

Translated By : Anton Hur | Publication Date : October 2021 | Number of Pages : 218

Longlisted for the International Booker Prize in 2022, Love in the Big City is Park’s first novel to be translated into English. Rather than one coherent narrative, this book is actually four short stories not chronologically told, each about someone the main character loves, be it romantically or not.

The protagonist of this Korean novel is a young gay man, exploring and coming to terms with his sexuality and identity, whilst caring for his ailing mother and maintaining a friendship with his roommate, Jaehee. Over time Jaehee becomes less and less recognisable to our protagonist, and his mother is ashamed of his sexuality.

He has two romantic interests at different times in the story. One is cold and distant, and one might be the love of his life. All his relationships, whether they be romantic or not, are overshadowed by his queerness and his positive-HIV diagnosis.

Who is this book aimed at : This story primarily speaks to those navigating the complexities of adulthood, friendship, and romance in a bustling metropolis. Written with humour and heart, it resonates with city-dwellers, young adults, and those who’ve felt the dizzying highs and lows of love.

Who will enjoy this book : This novel is a treat for readers drawn to vibrant urban tales, bursting with life, love, and the challenges of modern relationships. If you’re enchanted by the allure of city lights or find yourself lost in the maze of urban life, you might see yourself reflected in these pages.

Why you should read this book : Love in the Big City is a story of LGBTQ+ lives in modern Seoul, a romp through Itaewon nightclubs, a plethora of Tinder matches, and the loneliness and shame that comes with it. It’s a reminder that amidst the city’s cacophony, finding oneself and true love can be the most challenging yet rewarding adventure.

Untold Night And Day Bae Suah

Translated By : Deborah Smith | Publication Date : April 2013 | Number of Pages : 160

Untold Night and Day is a short, disorienting fever dream of a novel. Its loose plot follows Ayami over one sweltering day and night in Seoul as she searches for her German-language teacher. It begins with her completing her shift at Seoul’s only audio-theatre shortly before it is due to close for good. Characters pop in and out of the story with little explanation.

The vivid descriptions of the summer heat are claustrophobic and suffocating. Bae’s use of repetition leaves the reader with a strange sense of déjà vu, whilst time and location seem to jump about in unexplained ways. Anyone who has experienced the summer weather in Korea can sympathise with her struggles. The writing itself is dreamlike and ambiguous, often leaving the reader with an unsettling feeling and questioning what is and isn’t real.

Who is this book aimed at : This novel is aimed at those readers who appreciate avant-garde literature and unconventional storytelling, allowing themselves to be taken away to another world through well-crafted narrative structure and poetic prose.

Who will enjoy this book : If books that venture beyond the conventional, twisting day and night, fact and fiction, are your cup of tea, then you’re sure to enjoy this mesmerising tale. This book is perfect for those who appreciate the abstract, surreal writing that digs into the meaning of our existence.

Why you should read this book : With her unique voice, Bae Suah beautifully crafts a Korean novel that challenges our perceptions of the world around us. As the story unfolds, you find yourself pondering the nature of identity, boundaries of consciousness, and complexities of the human psyche.

Concerning My Daughter Kim Hye-Jin

Translated By : Jamie Chang | Publication Date : September 2017 | Number of Pages : 176

Concerning My Daughter , the first Korean novel by Kim Hye-Jin to be translated into English, is a slice of life narrative about a struggling and ageing mother. When her daughter approaches her and asks to move back in with her due to financial struggles, our main character is disappointed.

Why has her daughter not got married and had children yet? Why is she still working? Surely a husband would bring financial security. But when her daughter brings home Lane, her long-term girlfriend, the disappointment of our protagonist deepens and she begins to feel an almost palpable hatred towards Lane that can only be explained by the fact that she’s not a man.

When not at home, our protagonist works at a nursing home, caring for an elderly dementia patient, Jen, who used to be a very important and prominent diplomat who travelled the world. She is then faced with the realities of living a non-traditional life. Jen has nobody in her life to care for or look after her in her old age. Who will look after our protagonist when she reaches the end of her life?

Who is this book aimed at : If, like me, you enjoy novels that have a penchant for deep emotional tales, brimming with introspection and insight, you’ll really enjoy this Korean novel. It’s as relevant for a younger adult dealing with difficult parents as it is for those parents facing their own mortality.

Who will enjoy this book : Whether you’ve experienced struggles in your family relationships or not, this book appeals to a wide audience and I think anyone can relate to the challenges and realisations produced in this book. The nuanced portrayals of love, sacrifice, and time make it a captivating book that’s not just about Koreans, but also about humans the world over.

Why you should read this book : This Korean novel inspires you to reflect on your own relationships, the sacrifices you make for those you hold dear, and our inescapable end. It’s a story about complex family dynamics, a changing society, women’s roles and LGBTQ+ communities in Korea, something that’s often not discussed enough in Korea’s conservative society.

Cursed Bunny Bora Chung

Translated By : Anton Hur | Publication Date : March 2017 | Number of Pages : 251

Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung is a collection of 10 short stories of varying genres, though they all contain some unsettling horror elements. The first story is a shocking and disturbing tale of body horror. The second, a worrying medical issue that leads to discussions on a woman’s place in a patriarchal society.

No two stories are alike, and each has its own unique twist of an ending, leaving you trying to figure out what could happen next. Bora Chung’s language is shocking and grotesque at times. Now and then I found myself wanting to look away but a morbid curiosity had me returning to page after page until I’d finished every story. I’d never read anything like it before and found it utterly original, though not for the faint hearted.

Who is this book aimed at : Fans of horror will be sure to love these chilling tales set with a Korean twist, as will those who want to dig under the skin of Korea’s traditional culture. Definitely not for the faint-hearted, but if you like your humour dark and disturbing, this book is for you.

Who will enjoy this book : Those who are brave enough to read Cursed Bunny will be rewarded with entertaining, often unsettling tales from Korea that are laced with suspense and surprise. If you like stories that challenge the norm, this book feels like a treasure found in a hidden alleyway in Seoul.

Why you should read this book : Why pick up this book on your next Korean novel spree? Because Cursed Bunny gave me chills like no other. The blend of Korean folklore and contemporary unease kept me hooked. Reading it felt like exploring a haunted palace at midnight – eerie, mesmerising, and utterly captivating. If you want a novel that leaves an imprint, this is a must-buy for you.

More Korean Novels You Might Enjoy

As someone who has lived in Korea for a long time, I’ve learnt that this country has an incredible depth of storytelling that intertwines Korea’s traditional past with an emerging modern culture that’s coming to terms with its place in a global society. This conflict has resulted in some fascinating Korean novels.

From the strong feminist themes in Kim Jiyoung to the horrifying descriptions in Cursed Bunny, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in these Korean books in English. Korean translated fiction has taken remarkable strides in recent years, and I’ve no doubt that the future is bright.

If these English language Korean novels have whetted your appetite for more Korean literature, then you don’t need to worry about running out of things to read. I’ve still got a lot to read, with these books by Korean authors on my to-read list. I’ll share them here as I think you might enjoy them as well.

• Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong
• Crying In H Mart by Michelle Zauner
• Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
• The Mermaid from Jeju by Sumi Hahn
• Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim
• Seven Years of Darkness by You-Jeong Jeong

So, whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just someone with a deep love for profound tales, keep venturing into the world of Korean literature. It’s a journey that I promise you won’t forget.

Safe travels and happy reading!

Incidentally, if you’re interested in learning about Korean culture, why not check out these fascinating facts about Korea or what unique Korean experiences you can have when you travel to Korea. If you’re totally in love with Korea, then check out my Korean dating advice for a quick chuckle.

Planning to visit Korea? These travel essentials will help you plan your trip, get the best deals, and save you time and money before and during your Korean adventure.

Visas & K-ETA: Some travellers to Korea need a Tourist Visa , but most can travel with a Korean Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA). Currently 22 Countries don’t need either one.

How To Stay Connected : Pre-order a Korean Sim Card or a WiFi Router to collect on-arrival at Incheon Airport (desks open 24-hours). Alternatively, download a Korean eSIM for you travels.

Where To Stay : For Seoul, I recommend Myeongdong (convenient), Hongdae (cool culture) or Gangnam (shopping). For Busan, Haeundae (Beach) or Seomyeon (Downtown).

Incheon Airport To Seoul : Take the Airport Express (AREX) to Seoul Station or a Limo Bus across Seoul. Book an Incheon Airport Private Transfer and relax to or from the airport.

Korean Tour Operators : Tour companies that have a big presence in Korea include Klook , Trazy , Viator , and Get Your Guide . These sites offer discounted entry tickets for top attractions.

Seoul City Passes : Visit Seoul’s top attractions for free with a Discover Seoul Pass or Go City Seoul Pass . These passes are great for families and couples visiting Seoul – you can save lots.

How To Get Around : For public transport, grab a T-Money Card . Save money on Korea’s high speed trains with a Korea Rail Pass . To see more of Korea, there are many rental car options from Klook , EconomyBookings , and RentalCars .

Travel Money : Use money exchanges near Myeongdong and Hongdae subway stations for the best exchange rates. Order a Wise Card or WOWPASS to pay by card across Korea.

Flights To Korea : I use flight comparison sites such as Expedia and Skyscanner to find the best flights to Korea from any country. Air Asia is a good option for budget flights from Asia.

Travel Insurance : It is important to insure your trips to protect yourself against the unexpected. World Nomad is a specialized travel insurance provider with options for different coverage for travellers from around the world. You can also purchase cover when you are already travelling.

How To Learn Korean : The language course from 90 Day Korean or Korean Class 101 both have well-structured lessons and lots of useful resources to help you learn Korean.

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Best Korean Textbooks for Language Learning

Last modified: Apr 29, 2024 | 21 min read | By 90 Day Korean

Looking for the best books to learn Korean ? If your answer was a big “ YES !” then you’ve come to the right place.

But which one should you get? With many different ways of learning Korean , it can be challenging to pick the Korean textbook that matches your learning style best.

Not to worry, we’ve got a comprehensive list below to make sure you get the Korean book that is best for you .

With that in mind, we’ll introduce you to the best books to learn Korean  below!

Below is a free Korean PDF guide that you can download and review as many times as you want:

• 1.1 Active Korean
• 1.2 Korean Made Easy
• 1.3 Sogang Korean
• 1.4 Yonsei Korean 1 (English and Korean Edition)
• 1.5 2000 Essential Korean Words
• 1.6 Korean for Beginners: Mastering Conversational Korean
• 1.7 Learning Korean Through Traditional Fairy Tales
• 1.8 Korean Grammar for International Learners
• 1.9 Korean From Zero!
• 1.10 Korean Slang: As Much as a Rat’s Tail
• 2.1 List of Learn Korean ebooks
• 3.1 Identify Your Focus
• 3.2 Choosing A Korean Textbook
• 3.3 Stick to Your Choice
• 4 What About TOPIK?
• 5 Do I need a Korean Tutor?
• 6 Where to Buy Korean Books
• 7 A Goal Without a Plan is Just a Wish

List of Korean Textbooks for Self-study

Below are some of the best textbooks for learning Korean that are currently available. We’ve included an explanation of the type of student that they are likely to be best for. These Korean books are not ranked in any particular order.

Let’s get to it!

Active Korean

This series goes all the way up to the lower intermediate level , so it’s good for anybody studying Korean for the long haul. Although the lessons are very clear, it works best if you have a tutor to help you when using it.

It was started by the Seoul National University Language Institute, so you can be sure it’s one of the best Korean books out there.

All of the material inside the book has been thoroughly tested before publication, and the reading content has been well thought out.

If you are studying Korean on your own, then this book is easier to use than the Sogang series of books. You can be sure that you’re receiving a quality textbook education due to the extensive thought and planning that went into putting it together.

However, the later textbooks covered some difficult grammar concepts (such as reported speech) a bit too quickly. Therefore, you need to be careful to ensure that you fully understand the basic grammar fundamentals in Korean and have assimilated the content before moving on.

If you continue through the series and come across grammar content that you don’t fully understand with the textbook explanation alone, you should consider supplementing your studying with online and video resources that can help you understand higher-level grammar concepts better.

Korean Made Easy

Designed for self-study, this textbook has great reviews and is well thought out. The author taught at Sogang University and also started several of the Sogang textbooks.

This book is easy to use and is a good choice for beginners, especially if you prefer to work through a textbook without skipping around from section to section. It covers common Korean words and grammar for everyday conversation.

The listening and reading sections are based on the KLPT (Korean Language Proficiency Test), so this could be a great companion textbook for anyone preparing for the exam.

Sogang Korean

This series consists of some of the best books for learning Korean . These Korean textbooks are highly regarded and will take you from beginner to advanced. If you have a tutor and ample time on your hands, then these are the books for you! Many Korean students get started with this series.

There are twelve levels (1A up to 6B), each with a Korean language workbook. That means there are plenty of lessons and content to get you to an advanced level in Korean.

Sogang lessons focus on speaking, and these Korean textbooks are designed to be used with a tutor or in a small Korean class. As a result, they may not be the best choice if you’re planning on learning Korean by yourself. When learning words, it’s hard to nail correct grammar and pronunciation of Korean words if you don’t have a tutor to practice and speak Korean with.

It’s also best to listen to spoken Korean when you’re working with a tutor rather than watching video lessons and listening to dialogue that way. You just can’t break down the conversation you just heard in the same way if you’re watching a video compared to a teacher.

These Korean books don’t contain a writing section, as this was only added recently to the Sogang University course itself.

However, they’re still very extensive and a great series to commit to for serious Korean learners. Consider supplementing the textbooks with an additional Korean writing resource rather than passing them up altogether.

Yonsei Korean 1 (English and Korean Edition)

Also amongst the best textbook series for those learners who are getting started in Korean, Yonsei Korean is a series of textbooks developed and created by the Korean Language Institute at Yonsei University. Yonsei is one of the best and top universities in Korea.

The institute’s primary aim is the study and teaching of the Korean language. These books aim to help students develop well-rounded abilities in Korean communication.

They provide lessons and exercises that target listening, speaking, reading, sentence structure, and writing skills. Aside from the communicative skills that are targeted in these Korean books, the Yonsei series also incorporates lessons on learning about Korean culture. If you are interested in learning Korean culture alongside learning Korean, then this Yonsei book series will best suit you. 

Because of their academic nature, these Korean books are best used in a Korean classroom environment or with a tutor. Its lessons are packed chock full of vocabulary words and grammar concepts. 

The beauty of Yonsei Korean is the continuity of Korean learning that it provides to students. The Yonsei Korean textbooks are made up of 12 books divided into 3 language levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.

If you are learning Korean at a beginner level, the Yonsei Korean 1 and 2 textbooks are best for you. Each textbook is made up of 10 units with 5 lessons each. Lessons in these textbooks are highly focused on the essential Korean grammar and vocabulary that will help students to develop a basic understanding of the Korean language .

Once you complete the beginner levels, Yonsei Korean 3 and 4 are available for the intermediate level, and Yonsei Korean 5 and 6 for the advanced level after that. This Korean language series is a complete curriculum of lessons that are useful in helping students learn to communicate in Korean.

2000 Essential Korean Words

This is one of the best books for learning vocabulary words. It’s not specifically a Korean language textbook. This book is best for learning Korean in conjunction with a quality grammar-based textbook. You may also want to pair this book with the ‘2000 Essential Korean Words’ list on Memrise.com to boost your vocabulary.

It contains many vocabulary words that don’t translate easily into English, so it’s a useful tool for giving yourself a solid Korean vocabulary base .

If you’ve recently found yourself trying (and struggling) to translate a phrase or vocab word into Korean from English (or vice versa) , this may be one of the best books to have by your side.

Korean for Beginners: Mastering Conversational Korean

If you want to learn about spoken and conversational Korean, then this book is for you. While most textbooks start with “ My name is Steve, I’m a student, I’m from England ,” the actual first bit of language learning you are likely to need is going to revolve around ordering food or finding the bathroom.

The fact that this Korean language textbook starts by talking about food is a welcome relief. It also covers Korean emoticons rather early on (before teaching Hangul, the Korean alphabet) and is written with a sense of humor .

Not necessarily the best textbook for a structured approach to learning Korean; its lessons are designed more around getting you up and running in the Korean language quickly with sentences you’ll be using from day 1 in Korea.

Learning Korean Through Traditional Fairy Tales

If you’re not a fan of straightforward vocabulary lists and you want to experience a little bit of magic while you’re studying, this is the textbook for you!

It’s way easier to feel motivated to sit down and learn Korean when you’re following a story, so this textbook’s ability to weave traditional Korean fairy tales with concise and pointed language direction is a great introduction to learning Korean and keeping you motivated.

This textbook also has an interesting approach to introducing new vocabulary that helps ensure the learner will retain the information.

Rather than listing a Korean word and a definition side by side (which, face it, makes it easy to quickly forget a vocab word), this textbook introduces a new vocabulary word by providing context to help the reader guess the meaning of the Korean word.

Then, after providing the meaning of the vocab word, there is an exercise that asks the learner to practice the pronunciation of the vocab. It’ll definitely be hard to forget new vocabulary after that!

Korean Grammar for International Learners

A bit different from the other Korean learning textbooks on this list, the primary focus of this textbook series is a deeper understanding of how the language works.

This grammar book is definitely not for those who want to get up and running in Korean as quickly as possible, but it’s an invaluable reference for those who want a complete understanding of Korean sentences.

This also isn’t a beginner textbook, and you should only move on to this series after you know the basics of Korean or at least can read Hangul (there is no romanization ).

While the book is a bit short on explaining grammar points in detail, it makes up for that in an abundance of example sentences! This helps give a better sense of when and how, different Korean grammar would appear in use.

Although not the textbook to start with, as you progress in Korean learning and want to become more fluent in the Korean language you’ll need a good reference textbook. They don’t get much more comprehensive than this series.

Korean From Zero!

This series of Korean language books are available in both Kindle and paperback format. One of the best things about Kindle books is that you can first download a sample of the book and see if it’s a good match for you.

The Kindle version has pages, notes, and flashcards, which are nice features to personalize your study experience. The book could be good for you even if you know how to read Hangul already. The text guides you and suggests you skip pages if you already know the Korean alphabet.

Audio is included, making this an all-around good book to start out with and learn the foundations. There are volumes 2 and 3 as well if you want to continue studying using this series.

Korean Slang: As Much as a Rat’s Tail

This is one of the best books to learn Korean slang . It’s useful once you’re comfortable with basic Korean sentences and have a solid foundation of grammar . We recommend using this once you’re at least at a high beginner level. It’s a good supplement to a structured textbook or course to add some fun Korean slang to your vocabulary.

You can get this book in both Kindle and paperback format. The digital version is really nice if you want to live a minimalist life or take it with you as you travel. The paperback works well if you are the type of person who likes to take notes.

Learn Korean ebooks

Some people find it easier to learn digitally rather than in the traditional way. That’s when ebooks come in handy. Aside from traditional textbooks, you can also learn Korean through ebooks. Since ebooks can be accessed through your PC/laptop, phone, or tablet, it makes learning more accessible and can be done anytime.

List of Learn Korean ebooks

There are a good number of learn Korean ebooks nowadays, and we’ve listed some of them below. If you find it more effective to learn through ebooks, this list will be helpful to you!

Korean Made Simple

This textbook is best for beginners who have just started to learn Korean. It’s very easy to follow and has some basic grammar and reading sections. You will be able to learn quite a lot early on as the lessons focus on modal verbs and questions first.

Because of how the book is segmented, it works best for learners that need some assistance structuring their studying. You won’t have to bounce around sections or “go with the flow” if you commit to studying this book.

If you want to reach a decent level of Korean language ability quickly, such as grammar and vocabulary, then this book would be useful. Its grammar lessons are in-depth and easy to understand.

However, there may be a little bit too much in the way of explanation in some areas, particularly the section about learning basic Hangul (the Korean Alphabet).

Feel free to skim some of the more detailed lessons if you feel like you’re not getting anything out of them — they’re very interesting and can sometimes help you remember concepts by providing context that you’ll remember, but they’re not the best thing to focus on unless you want some additional knowledge.

Korean Honorifics aren’t tackled until the second textbook (Korean Made Simple 2), which helps prevent confusion early on. It was published in 2014, so it has up-to-date content and will provide you with relevant examples of conversation.

There is no audio with any of these textbooks, but you can download MP3 files for free on the author’s website. There are levels 2 and 3 for this series, as well as a workbook.

Integrated Korean

This foreign Korean textbook was written by the University of Hawaii and is used to teach Korean grammar lessons at SOAS (the leading U.K. school for Korean Studies).

Audio is not included, but you can download it for free from the author’s website.

It can be used on its own without a tutor since it explains everything in detail, but it may feel too stuffy and academic for some Korean learners.

Some of its content is also outdated, and some rarely-used Korean words, phrases, and expressions pop up more often than they should. If you’re interested in a textbook that focuses on more modern Korean conversation and current Korean cultural trends , consider a different textbook.

However, this Korean textbook is still a solid choice for any motivated self-learner.

Elementary Korean

Like “Integrated Korean,” this textbook has more of an academic feel to it, so it doesn’t score high on the fun meter. Although it was published quite recently, most of the book was actually written around two decades ago!

It still tops the “best Korean language textbook” lists because of how well-structured the lessons are and how thorough they can be without being too wordy.

It’s a great starter textbook for Korean learning and has a strong foundation in grammar.

Once Upon a Time in Korea

The Once Upon a Time in Korea textbook is one of the best textbooks for learners who are just beginning to venture into learning Korean. It could also be a great choice for learners who aren’t entirely committed to learning Korean.

The book is fun, colorful, and anything but boring, so it does a great job enticing readers who are true beginners or readers who are on the fence about committing to their Korean language learning journey. You just won’t want to put it down!

Rather than being structured around different aspects of the Korean language, this book uses the unique approach of centering each of its sections around a different story from Korean folklore.

Folklore is a great way to become familiar with a new culture because you’re not only exposed to the language that the story is written in but also the morals and values that are being passed on for generations through the story. This can reveal important aspects of Korean culture that will provide some interesting context for your studies.

Ewha Korean

This series of textbooks published by Ewha Women’s University in South Korea covers six levels of fluency, from those just getting started to the advanced. So, if you decide to invest your time studying Korean, you’ll have five subsequent books to take you step-by-step through your Korean language journey.

The Ewha textbooks are some of the best for self-study. Every aspect of the book is designed in a clever and well-thought-out way that can be enjoyed without a tutor.

From the table of contents to the illustrations and explanations used to introduce and explain concepts, these books were designed for a self-starter who wants to learn Korean fast but the right way .

One thing that sets this particular textbook apart from others is that rather than dividing up sections based on grammar, tenses, and other aspects of Korean language learning, the book is divided into real-world scenarios that you’ll encounter, like making a daily schedule and making meals.

Then, you learn different things about the Korean language through activities, exercises, and conversations centered around these various tasks. The flow of the book is very narrative, so it’s great for readers who get bored with Korean textbooks that are too dry.

Consider investing in this textbook if you want to practice speaking Korean, but don’t have a tutor — there are very brief “try what you learned” speech sections at the end of each chapter that give you an opportunity to try out the phrases and expressions you’ve been reading .

Korean Textbooks: So Many Choices!

Now that we’ve listed the best books to learn Korean, the next thing is to determine which one is best for you? With the explosion of popularity of all things Korean and interest in the country itself , there is a huge selection of new Korean textbooks written by some of the very best teachers out there.

However, many books are just reprints of older textbooks that let you learn very traditional Korean. That means they wouldn’t be the best choice because they may be out-of-date or overly formal. The Korean language is wrapped up in the culture, so the best Korean textbooks help you learn the cultural nuances of the language, along with the language itself.

For example, there are about half a dozen different ways to say “thank you” in Korean. It’s important to know which one is best to use so you sound polite and not offensive. The right book will help you with that.

Identify Your Focus

Another thing to think about is why you’re learning Korean . If you’ve decided that taking a course is best for you, then you can follow the structure laid out for you. However, if you’re starting out on your own, you’ll need to best understand how you learn to keep yourself motivated.

For example, if you want to be able to just talk in Korean , then grammar-focused books will not be the best choice. On the other hand, if you want to gain a more academic understanding of the Korean language, then a conversation book will probably leave out details you care about.

Studying what you will use helps maintain your motivation to learn Korean. Identifying your focus will help you determine what kind of resources best fit your language learning needs .

Choosing A Korean Textbook

It’s best if you can preview the contents of a textbook before buying it. You might also choose something recommended by someone you trust or who learns in a similar way to you. Choosing the wrong textbook will frustrate you or put you to sleep.

Also, consider how long you intend to learn Korean . Do you want to just spend a few months learning so you can get around on a short trip to Seoul , or want to become fluent enough to understand K-pop songs and K-dramas without translation?

While a longer series may divide concepts into several volumes spanning months or years of study, a standalone or beginner book may cover everything you’d want to know in a shorter period. Think about how long you want to learn and what level you want to get to at that time .

Stick to Your Choice

Once you choose a textbook series, it’s best to stick with that series in order to learn Korean effectively. Textbooks often have a planned out roadmap for what you’ll learn and when. Mixing different books can make you study topics you’ve already learned, or it may confuse you with the order of contents.

If you plan to study Korean for a while, then it’s best to choose a series of books that go up to the level you want to reach. You can always switch to another series later when you understand Korean (and your own study habits) better.

What About TOPIK?

You may have noticed that there are no textbooks mentioned that focus on the TOPIK Korean language test. The TOPIK is the Test of Proficiency in Korean . It’s the official test used for gauging a non-native’s level in Korean in business and academia.

If your goal is to score highly on the TOPIK, then you’ll be studying very differently than you would if studying for fluency. You would be best off studying for the test itself and the types of questions you’d encounter. An example of this would be to download the previous year’s tests and study those.

The TOPIK test, at high levels, will have questions on Korean vocabulary and grammar that you’d likely rarely (or never) encounter in daily life. The assumption is that if you know that level of Korean, you would already be familiar with the simpler aspects of the language. Even native Korean speakers can get a poor score on the TOPIK if they’re not prepared for it.

Also, the TOPIK test questions change every year, rendering most Korean books on the market out-of-date (you have been warned!).

Do I need a Korean Tutor?

Some of the textbooks work best if you have a Korean tutor to help you explain some of the concepts. That’s because some of them were written to be taught in a classroom setting.

If you don’t have a Korean tutor and want some help with learning the language, then check out the 90 Day Korean Inner Circle. It’s a structured online course that will teach you how to have a 3-minute conversation in the first 90 days. Membership includes personal coaching.

Where to Buy Korean Books

You can order them at Amazon or Kyobo Bookstore . We provide the Amazon link in the description above, where available. You can also go to Kyobo Bookstore and pick them up in person if they have the books in stock.

A Goal Without a Plan is Just a Wish

Remember, before choosing a textbook, it’s best to have a plan for how you’ll study. This makes learning Korean a lot easier than you think . The best textbook in the world won’t help you learn Korean if you don’t study it regularly.

Keep in mind that some textbooks are designed for self-study, while others are best used in Korean classes or with a tutor. Consider how comprehensive the textbook is and how much support you might need to answer questions about it before you decide to add it to your study plan.

Most importantly, choose a book with content that will keep you interested and engaged. You’ll be a lot more effective at learning Korean when you can enjoy the process. Eventually, you’ll find yourself able to read books on Korean history, Korean novels, historical fiction, or Korean literature too!

This list of the best Korean textbooks is by no means every textbook out there, and most language schools produce their own textbook. Of course, as well as using a textbook, you can study Korean in other ways, such as enrolling in a university course, joining a Korean learning program, or online course. Here is a fantastic way to get started .

Textbooks for learning Korean are also good gift ideas for oneself and for others who wish to learn Korean. You may also give yourself or other language learners you know a Korean gift card for an online course .

Do you have a favorite textbook that you use to learn Korean? What is your pick among the best books to learn Korean? Let us know in the comments below! And best of luck with your Korean language learning adventures!

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23 thoughts on “Best Korean Textbooks for Language Learning”

Hello! I need help and was wondering if you could help me.. I’ve just started learning Korean (like 2 weeks ago) and I want to buy a book. I’m between Elementary Korean and Korean from Zero. I am studying without a tutor. I love vocabulary and grammar. Your vocabulary has helped me a lot, thank you for that! Unfortunately I can’t find them (I want to flip through them) so I’ll have to order them online. Which one should I choose? Can you help me? Please?

Sure, happy to help. You can find our resources on Korean vocabulary and Korean grammar in the following links: https://www.90daykorean.com/korean-words/ https://www.90daykorean.com/korean-grammar/

I am more of a high beginner/intermediate level learner and i feel talk to me in koren doesnt give enough examples for each lesson. What do you suggest in terms of other textbooks in using?

Hi, Louise! The books listed above are for beginners. You can try that was published in Hollym. ^^

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20 Unforgettable Korean Novels That Will Change Your Life

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What are some of the best Korean novels translated into English?

Korean literature has long been considered one of the greatest literary traditions in the world. The country boasts over 100 years of history, and its writers have produced some of the most influential books in modern times.

Korea has a rich tradition of writing, and many of its authors have become household names around the globe. In fact, Korea is home to some of the most famous novelists in the world. These include Hwang Sunwoo, who wrote the critically acclaimed “A Tale of Two Sisters” (1958), and Kim Young-ha, whose “Spring, Autumn, and Dreams” (1988) was awarded the prestigious Man Asian Literary Prize.

You may like to subscribe to the  Korean Literature Now  Magazine and browse their website to keep up with the latest Korean novels, poetry, fiction, and articles.

Disclaimer: Flyintobooks is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost to you.

1. Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-joo

Translated by Jamie Chang

Kim Jiyoung, born 1982 begins very oddly, just like Han Kang’s The Vegetarian. A man observes his wife, Kim Jiyoung, behaving in an extremely strange way. She sometimes talks like she is someone else or makes inappropriate comments when they visit their family. What is its origin? She used to be so nice before– what happened to her now?

We then go back in time and watch Jiyoung through the story her life. She puts everything she has into becoming an independent worker with her own income. She sees herself facing challenges after challenges; she gets rejected after rejection. She sees herself as a victim of predatory boys and handy teachers. We see fetuses aborted because they’re the wrong gender and women being asked about their periods during job interviews.

“The world had changed a great deal, but the little rules, contracts and customs had not, which meant the world hadn’t actually changed at all.”

Kim Jiyoung, born 1982 is packed with so many interesting topics! One of the aspects I enjoyed most was the portrayal of Kim Jiwon’s mother. It must have been really hard for her to be a mother in between. To have been born in a time when women had no choices or opportunities and then to try to raise daughters who have some choices but still face prejudice and gender bias. Do you push them to be better? Or do you set realistic expectations?

For me, the most devastating part of Kim Jiyoung, born 1982 was the footnotes. Whenever the author referred to a statistic about Korean gender imbalances, she always provided the relevant source. It’s important to note that these statistics exist, but it’s even more important to include the data that backs them up. Plus, I can’t help but wonder if she feels compelled to write this because she expects male readers to doubt her experience and words. We know women don’t really need to be told these things; they’ve lived them.

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2. Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung

This Korean Book was translated by Anton Hur

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anton Hur (@antonhur)

‘ I feel like I’m being given permission to stay alive. ’

If you lift up stones of reality, you’ll often discover evil lurking beneath. Bora Chung seems to have a map to these vicious hot spots and details them across the various stories in her outstanding collection Cursed Bunny.

From body horror to sci-fi, these ten stories in this Korean book will both dazzle and disturb you across their surreal landscapes of ghoulish narratives. Translated brilliantly into English by Anton Hur, these are stories that will worm into your subconscious and haunt you long after reading them. They latch onto primal fears and social orders of patriarchy and capitalis­m to dredge up their insidious nature.

Like all great stories, in Cursed Bunny. there’s a whole lot of meaning hidden in the strangeness. When Bora Chung’s characters become greedy for power or money, they usually end up suffering. Very badly. Since the stories in Cursed Bunny. are written like fairytales, it makes sense that there is a lesson embedded within them.

Bora Chung is quite impressive. The South Korean author is a professor of Slavic literature and teaches English language and literature and science-fiction studies at Yonsei University. She has also translated Russian and Polish into Korean and has written three novels and storybooks. Anton Hur has always been great, having received a PEN/Heims grant. Cursed Bunny. shows the love of language from both authors.

3. Violets by Kyung-sook Shin

Translated by Anton Hur

Like all of Kyungsook Shin’s Korean novels translated into English, VIOLETS is a story of isolation. But here we find an even more solipsistic take on the subject where a character wrestles with the simultaneous discomfort and comfort of being unseen.

In VIOLETS , San is a character who is growing in self-awareness and self-confidence, but whose actions may be impulsive. She is restless and defensive, but she is fixated on finding something that will help her feel better. Her story culminates into something that is dark and dangerous, forcing her to claim a new sense of herself.

( Discover the gripping and buzz-worthy Asian thriller, Yellowface by RF Kuang, that will leave you breathless and craving for more! )

The writing in VIOLETS mirrors the duality in San’s life. Sentences that are briskly written express urgency, whereas a plethora of adverbs suggest passiveness. It’s an interesting textured illustration, showing how life happens to San. But San wants to make life better for himself. A malleable narrator narrates the story, sometimes recounting the events as they happened, sometimes reflecting on them years later. Her writing is delightfully post-modern which makes this an amazing Korean novel to read!

4. The Prisoner by Hwang Sok-yong

This Korean book was translated by Anton Hur and Sora Kim-Russell

In the Prisoner , Hwang Sok-yong jumps around his life and relates to us his involvement (he was not just a mere spectator) in various historical events in the peninsula. For example, the division of the peninsula, Korea’s participation in the Vietnam War and the Cold War (when Korea went through dictatorships), the inter-Korea reunification talks that happened when Kim Dae-june was president and even the candle light protest in 2016.

Hwang Sok-yong is also very familiar with most writers and poets Korea has ever produced. Some chapters in the Prisoner seem to be an address book indicating where he has met each author.

The chapters in this Korean book that interested me were the ones where he recounts his meetings with Kim Il-sung, the leader of North Korea, his exile, and the discovery of his vocation as a novelist. He had some interesting things to say about the inter-Korean negotiations.

It was an amazing experience reading the Prisoner . It’s fascinating how things started out innocently enough, but then got worse and worse for the writer. It shows the true impact of censorship on artists and stunts creativity. The Prisoner is not just a memoir; it’s also a warning.

5. To the Warm Horizon by Choi Jin-young

Translated by Soje

To the Warm Horizon (온 햇빛은 악몽) is a dystopian, post-apocalyptic novel originally written in Korean, and the first queer novel translated into English.

In To the Warm Horizon an epidemic has broken out overnight. There are 100,000 deaths per day in Korea, and 500,000 the following day, with the virus mutat­ing with every new vaccine.

The world as we know it is collapsing. And this new world isn’t safe, depressing, and illogical—and some people even believe that eating the livers of children will provide immunity.

Translated by Soje, To the Warm Horizon is a literary commentary on the fragility of modern society, how dysfunctionally we live, and the effects of global catastrophe. To the Warm Horizon is told in a succinct way, touching on the essentials without unnecessary embellishment. The kind of writing that I like best, so thanks to Soje for translating this particular tone.

In To the Warm Horizon each chapter tells its own story using five characters, each named after one of them. They have fled from Korea, along with thousands of other refugees, after a viral outbreak has killed many people. The chaos of the virus caused a rise in crime, so life became unbearable. Their arduous journeys through the wilderness and the brutal experiences they undergo create a dystopian scene. Their journeys overlap in both good and bad ways. One of the main characters is Jina, a young woman who falls in love with Dori, another young woman.

To the Warm Horizon has been labelled as queer for this relationship and is one of the only books in Korean literature to feature a gay couple. However, that is only one aspect. Their relationship is handled with delicacy, conveying the gentle wonder and slightly forbidden nature of the characters’ feelings for each other amidst horrific circumstances, rather than focusing heavily on their sexuality. Their love for each other keeps them together, even when they are apart.

Jina and Dori’s love story isn’t an epic, but when put into context of the end of the world, we’re reminded that love is both fragile and resilient, just like humanity.

6. Untold Night and Day by Bae Sua

Translated by Deborah Smith

‘’By the time the heatwave came to an end, nothing remained of the people but ash. They became fused into panes of glass: grey and opaque.’’

Untold Night and Day is a quiet tale of a struggling Korean middle-class youth becomes a disorienting fable of identity, art, and love. At the intersection of Kafka and Murakami, Bae Suah has created her own corner of contemporary Korean literature . She has both a gentle side and a sharp wit, but she also has a high literary power comparable to that of Marquez. She has an incredible way of conveying rich detail, elegant economy of language, vivid characterizations, and dream-like magical realism all at once.

In Untold Night and Day , Five people search the city streets of Seoul for something they can grab onto. A woman, a man, a teacher, a filmmaker, a writer from another country. A group of people who share a common experience of loneliness, unfulfillment and the fear of change.

Who are they? Why are they wandering around a city smothered in an absurdly hot heatwave? There are no birds singing, no colours in the skies, and no wind. A radio turns on and off by itself; blindness and haziness walk together with surreal dreams, apparitions, faces with scars and bloody clothes.

Untold Night and Day is organized like a piece of music. The refrains help us remember the songs, but they also establish certain symbols. These interesting moments show us that the passage of time in our world is not linear. Suah weaves together disparate occurrences in interesting ways—whether it’s an encounter in a theatre, a magical bus ride through town, or the existential dilemma faced by a dreaming poet. Temperature crops up frequently throughout the novel, enhancing the characters’ distorted view with irony, hyperbole and sympathy.

If you aren’t familiar with Sua’s writing style, the aimless or “random” aspect might trick you into thinking this masterful Korean novel is messy. But in fact, Untold Night and Day is an enchanting, mesmerizing, dreamlike experience, a dream of living, where emotion and memory collide.

7. Lemon by Kwon Yeo-sun

This Korean novel was translated by Janet Hong

Kwon Yeo Sun’s novel ‘Lemon’ , which is less than 200 pages long, is a gripping exploration of life, gender and privilege in contemporary Seoul. Kim Hae-On was murdered in 2002. Her endearing beauty was blemished by a murderer who remains free today.

Lemon follows Da-on, the younger sister of Hae-on, as she tries to understand her sister’s last moments. We also hear from two of her classmates who were in the same class as her and in the years which followed.

The bitter questions and debates raised about Lemon ‘s allure and deliberate detachment from the main events of the story have cemented its status among literary critics as one deeply divisive novel. Kwon Yeo Sun raises uncomfortable questions about the relationship between authors and their readers. How much do storytellers owe to their audiences? Are they justified in keeping us in the dark? Does this make us want to read more or push us away from the page?

Lemon is not a straightforward, chronological story. We discover pieces of the story in fits and starts, and sometimes we don’t know which narrator is telling us the truth. It is not the identity of this killer which makes this book so chilling , but rather the lasting impact this murder has had on these people’s lives as they move forward into 2019.

What made me fall in love with Lemon was its thematic issues, including the privileges and disparities between genders and classes, and the manifestation of grie­f after a brutal trauma. It was amazing how the different voices allowed for the exploration and experimentation of various reactions to loss, while at the same time allowing for experimental narration that took Lemon to the next level!

8. b, Book, and Me by Kim Sagwa

Translated by Sunhee Jeong

A face as stiff as a boulder, stiff with boredom— that’s the face of an adult. Adults don’t think about the ocean even when they watch it. Their minds are full of other things.

With its direct, piercing style, Sagwa’s novel b, Book, and me is deftly handled by translator Sunhee Jeong. Fans of Sagwa’s previous translated books will recognize the author’s skill at depicting teenage life: her rendering of youth is unflattering and deeply felt, authentically complicated, weighed down by the world, the whole world, and everyone in it.

The plot in b, Book, and me is pretty simple. b and Rang are best friends. They go to the beach together. They get beaten up by boys wearing baseball caps. They talk about becoming Fish. They live in a city that wishes it were Seoul. The other kids dress just like they’re from Seoul. They drink soft drinks and pretend they’re in Seoul. They dress like Seoul. They dream of living in Seoul. B and Rang don’t care much about Seoul. It all seems rather pathetic, trying to keep pace with Seoul like that.

b is poor. Her sister is sick. Rang is slightly better off. She writes a poem for b, her best friend b doesn’t like it. The friends part ways temporarily. They meet again in the end, where the crazy people and outcasts live, meet a new guy named Book (he introduces them to coffee and his impressive book collection) and they find each other and themselves again.

b, Book, and me is an engaging story that combines the perspectives of two teenage girls. The author blends real-life experiences with fantastical stories to create a wonderful ride of friendship and growing up.

This Korean book was brutal, amazing, but bittersweet.

9. Love in the Big City by Sang Young Park

Set in Seoul, Love in the Big City tells the story of its narrator as he grows up over the course of his twenties and thirties.

Love in the Big City is a Korean novel divided into four parts, each of which could conceivably be read as a short story on its own. Love in the Big City introduces the friendship between Park Young and Jaehee, a female college student who, like Young, spends most of her free hours drinking and hooking up.

The two move in and share everything, and their love for each other is palpable. Young keeps Jaehee’ s favorite Marlboro cigarettes in stock and Jaehee buys him frozen blueberries. After years of living together, Jaehee unexpectedly decides to settle down and marry. Young feels betrayed and unanchored, which leads to several ill-fated romances.

Love in the Big City is another of the International Booker 2022 long-listed titles that resonate with me like no other. It’s a story of friendship, love, lust, and navigating all of this in a large city. It’s messy, noisy, and often unpleasant as well – the way all love is supposed to be, but Sang Young Park and Anton Hur give love another dimension – that of painful realisations and temperaments that constantly hang out on the page.

10. My Brilliant Life by Ae-ran Kim

Translated by Chi-young Kim

In My Brilliant Life , Ae-ran Kim writes with a poetic lyricism that flows with the rush and power of a river. It may be slow and steady sometimes, but you are nevertheless propelled forward into unknown waters, regardless of whether you’re moving slowly or quickly.

My Brilliant Life is a story told by Aerum. He has been diagnosed with progeria, a rare genetic disease that causes him to grow rapidly and experience premature aging. Aerum tells us about his parents’ meeting and how they’ve dealt with his declining health since he was diagnosed with progeria when he was just two years old.

It’s all there in My Brilliant Life – from the characters, setting, and narrative to the writing style. As a story that focuses on a terminally ill teen, Kim injects the right amount of heartwarming humor.

This Korean book surprised me and captured my heart! In My Brilliant Life , Ae-ran Kim has taken ordinary moments and made them beautiful through her writing. The result is a moving story full of wit and wisdom, and a powerful reminder to live life fully whatever the circumstances may be.

11. Tower by Bae Myung-hoon

Translated by Sung Ryu

Tower is a satirical science fiction novel and was originally published in South Korea in 2009 with this English translation coming out recently.

The text in Tower itself consists of six connected short stories, plus some supplementary material, set in Beanstalk, a 674-floor skyscraper, 2.4 km tall (around five times the height of the current tallest tower in Seoul), home to 500, 000 people, and now a separate country in its own right.

The setting of Beanstalk and the ideas explored by Bae in Tower were so inspiring to me, like the introduction of the idea of tagging expensive alcohol bottles and 3D scanning a building to visualize the flow patterns of electricity. Recurring concepts from this Korean book include the idea of the horizontalist vs the vertical mindset, which has implications for transportation, military operations, politics, and economics.

The writing in Tower flows well and is very witty and humorous even when it tackles some disturbing topics. Tower is a deep read with lots of themes including race relations, political factions, economic warfare, religion, social behaviour, media control, power balances and corporate corruption.

Tower is above everything else deeply human and has made me feel like my heart has been opened up by exploring how we form communities and interact with each other.

12. I’m Waiting For You by Kim Bo-young

Translated by Sophie Bowman and Sung Ryu

‘ Without the will to live, life is meaningless. ’

I’m Waiting For You is a genuine joy that resonates on every level of emotion and thought. It pulls at the heartstrings as powerfully and deeply as its abstract visions touch the brain.

While technically a collection, there are overarching themes that run through this collection in a way that makes it more than the sum of the individual pieces. These include individuality, power hierarchies (and their effects), assigning meaning to life, the gift of memory, and the role of language in shaping our perceptions of reality.

I’m Waiting For You opens with a letter written by a man who takes a quick lightspeed trip from Earth to arrive back on Earth a short time later (but four Earth years later).

It’s now normal to skip time. Convenient for people who say they need the market to turn round or, like the letter-writer, want to speed up to their wedding while they wait for their fiancé on her several year return journey to earth.

They’re tossed about by fate, but their arrivals are offset and delayed as they skip forward through time. Eventually, economies and nations collapse, and humanity collapses as the story turns into a cosmic horror of survival, loneliness, and desperation adrift in space still trying to find his fiance.

According to the author in her postscript, the story was written for a friend who wanted to use it as part his proposal. It is a good start, where love is established as an emotion to sustain us and gives purpose to what seems like meaninglessness.

Each story in I’m Waiting For You stands firmly on its own, but when combined they form an amazing whole. The interplay of the themes in I’m Waiting For You is unpacked through multiple angles, which keeps us engaged throughout the entire book.

Even when it is a little slow, those moments are so mentally stimulating that your heart races as if you were watching an action movie. While they may be separate stories, the pairs appear to line up, and I’d like to believe that the lover’s story is an excellent example of what Naban meant about a singular life being just as beautiful and valuable as all eternity. I’m Waiting For You is one of the best Korean novels to read this year!

13. The White Book by Han Kang

“Why do old memories constantly drift to the surface?”

Music is often associated with memory. When I hear a song, I’m often taken back to a time when I was young, to a place where I used to live, to a person who was once special to me, to an experience that will always be lost in the endless stream of life. White is an important colour for Han Kang because it opens up the floodgates to the writer’s imagination and allows her to pour out torrents of memories.

Han Kang is haunted both by her past and by her memories of the dead. She has a certain sense of guilt for having lived when another had not. It hangs over the writing in the White Book , but the author’s conscience forever digs outwards from the back of her mind: it’s a blazing reminder, one that she endures with every single step.

Exploring such an obvious idea as a colour, one that embodies so much to the writer, allows her to explore the darker recesses of her mind, and comes to terms with emotions and experiences that have hung over her all her life.

The beauty of the clouds, the mystery of the mist. Our white blood cells, these God-given marvels that construct our very being. So strong and yet so frail. The white of a mother’s milk, the very essence of life that keeps us alive when our bodies need it most.

The White Book is a powerful evocation of the human spirit and of human suffering, but it‘s also a book about living with our demons and our darkest experiences. The White Book is a book for living, and it’s also a book about dying: It’s a book about the small bit of stark white that separates the two.

14. The Plotters by Un-su Kim

Translated by Sora Kim-Russell

The Plotters takes place in a futuristic Seoul where an elite group of politicians and corporate executives conspire to kill people. They may select their targets as their enemies or simply inconvenient ones.

Our main character in The Plotters , Reseng, is a 32-year old hitman who reads a lot. He never had much chance at a different career path. He was raised by the nuns until age 4, then adopted by an old man who trained him in the art of assassination. Raised in an enormous library that doubles as a cover for the real business of assassination for cash.

“When a request comes in, they draw up the plan.”

In The Plotters there’s always someone above them telling them what to do. And above that person is another person who tells him what to do.

One day, Reseng was walking down the street only afraid of the police. Next, he realizes that the different assassins in and around Seoul are now actively trying to kill each other, so he’s now become an active target. We’re in a rush to the end. He meets many characters along the way, but his most memorable encounter is with the barber.

Set in the murky world of hired assassins in Korea, this Korean novel has some pretty exciting scenes. And the thoughts of the many inhabitants of the aforementioned society are poetic. The page-turner novel is alive and well. But it is no accident that it is fresh, realistic, and Korean. The Plotters is a Korean book worth reading.

15. The Hole by Hye-young Pyun

It was an amazing experience reading this Korean book – the Hole by Hye-young Pyun. From beginning to end, the story in the Hole is so uncomfortable, and the characters are so compelling that you just don’t know what else will happen next.

Oghi who used to be a cartographer and a professor is left a broken man by a serious car accident that killed his wife. He is left at the mercy and care of his mother in law who on the surface takes care of his needs but she also appears to have an ulterior motive.

What really got me was the details of a person’s life and career, the things that push them to get angry, jealous and go off their path. The description of being 40 years old and living that decade based upon what you’ve accomplished (and haven’t) was well written.

The staggering loneliness of an adult man; the suddenness in which everything loses its meaning and how you awake one day seeing the remains of your life; the nuances between relationships – wife, friend, colleague – they’re all carefully crafted and detailed within less than 200 pages.

It was the descriptions of what made us human in the Hole that I found most compelling. There’s plenty in that to worry about.

The horrors that we encounter are in our everyday lives, and the monsters that are created sometimes begin within ourselves, and sometimes close to us, which haunt us forever. The Hole is one Korean book that you must pick up today!

16. The Court Dancer by Kyung-Sook Shin

Wow! The Court Dancer is an excellent historical fiction that takes readers to 19th century Korea.

Being loved by the Queen as though she were her own daughter, Yi Jin grows up into a court dancer and becomes one of the most beautiful girls serving the Queen.

Victor Collin de Poulney is the French Consul General in Korea. He was sent there to supervise and ensure communication between France and Korea. He falls in love at first sight when he sees Yi Jin for the first time and asks the king to marry her and take Yi Jin home with him to France.

Yi Jin has been studying French for years, so she is happy to accept Victor’s request.

Even though she is fascinated by everything she sees in Europe, her heart still lingers back at home in Joseon, and it’s hard for her to leave the Queen and all of her loved ones behind.

She’s so homesick that she starts sleepwalking, and Victor takes her back to Joseon to cure her disease. But once there, she realizes that she doesn’t want to leave again.

A series of tragic accidents occur and Yi Jin loses everything she has. The end is for you to discover.

The Court Dancer is a beautifully written portrayal of the life away from home, of the love for two people of different cultures, and the loyalty towards one person you love as your own. If you love historical fiction and Korean novels, then this book is for you!

17. Endless Blue Sky by Lee Hyoseok

Translated by Stephen D. Capener

Endless Blue Sky takes place during the 1940s in colonial Korea and Japanese-controlled Manchuria. It tells the story of an unlikely romance between a Korean writer and a Russian cabaret performer. Endless Blue Sky is an exciting drama with a hint of Korean soaps and a wide range of diverse characters.

First of all, I was amazed at how Hyoseok painted such a colourful picture of the cultural differences between Joseon and Harbin. He touched on the lives of Russian refugee families and the Russian architectural influence in Harben, the influence of French movies and Western musical composers on the society, as well the rich appreciation in the media industry (movies, songs, novels etc.). Indeed, I’ve learned a lot. Googling maps of where each city is, looking at old photographs of the towns, the buildings mentioned, etc. Endless Blue Sky is so interesting!

The writing in Endless Blue Sky is poignant and philosophical, yet still easy to read! It has a certain kind of charm reminiscent of some classic novels, such as Far from the Madder Crowd or Brideshead Revisited.

Endless Blue Sky is also filled with philosophical ideas on love, marriage, adversity, ambition, and fulfillment. It was surprising to see how pro-European and advanced the ideologies presented by HyoSeok were. Despite most of the female characters having questionable morals earlier in the book, they all exhibit very strong values of proto-feminist ideals. As a Koren novel, Endless Blue Sky was way ahead of its time.

18. City of Ash and Red by Hye-young Pyun

This Korean Novel was translated by Sora Kim-Russell

“And he grew unhappy at the thought that he might never again run his fingers along the fine grain of ordinary everyday life.”

We have a pandemic in the City of Ash and Red . It’s a quiet killer, but a deadly one nonetheless. Our main character, whose name we don’t know, is promoted, but his promotion takes him to a country plagued by disease – a country he doesn’t know and can barely speak the local language.

Once there, he finds out that his ex-wife has been murdered and he is the prime suspect.

What we have here in City of Ash and Red isn’t an actual murder mystery. Instead, as our unnamed character escapes into the city and encounters an apocalyptic wasteland, we have a bleak, horrifying apocalypse—and the story of a lost, unfamiliar stranger who has no idea what to expect and must deal with horrors beyond belief.

City of Ash and Red is a disgusting book—literally. The setting, the mood, and the main character are all literally disgusting. It’s an odd feeling to read something that makes you want to hate it but is still compulsively readable. The translation is excellent and the plot is compelling. 

19. At Dusk by Hwang Sok-young

At Dusk is a political examination of life in South Korea from the perspective of two characters in the novel: Minwoo, a successful architect who has risen from poverty, and Woohee, a struggling playwright. As the story unfolds you discover the connection between the two characters. At Dusk is a deeply nihilistic, deeply melancholic story.

In At Dusk Park Minwoo grew up in a poor neighbourhood surrounded by poverty and gangs but went on to become a successful architect.

Parallel to this is Jung Woohee, a 29-year-old playwright and director, who struggles to earn a living by doing the night shift at a 7-Eleven store while trying to realize her artistic ambitions.

What’s interesting about these two stories is how they intertwine to say a lot more about how our values and wants can become so twisted over time. As we strive to create a better life for ourselves and our families, we become enmeshed in society’s progress, which has a way of erasing history and people who fall behind. At Dusk says something profound about how our collective and individual values change over time.

Before reading At Dusk I think it would be helpful to know a little bit more about Japan’s occupation of South Korea from 1910 to 1945 and the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. If you compare South Korean culture today with how it was in the past, you would be amazed at the rapid modernization.

It’s a bitterswee­t affair because, for some of these older people, the only traces of the past are now in their fading memory.

20. Catcalling by Lee Soho

Korean Poetry Book translated by Soje

‘ I opened some quote marks And cried only in your sentences. ’

Catcalling by South Korean poet Lee Sohoz is an award-winning collection that shakes up readers and society in order to reveal hard truths.

Catcalling is a dark and often distressing collection of poems and experimental prose that feels quite intimate in its stream-­of-­consciousness style, often emphasizing the tightrope walk ­between confessional and close-­guarded secrets of her own words.

Soho writes this Korean book to show how families and relations can look good on paper, but have a hidden barrage that silences women to maintain the facade.

Catcalling takes a bold look at the various forms of catcalling in our society and the dark undercurrents of them. Domestic abuse, rape, affairs, and other forms of misogyny pervade the poems, with the speakers reacting to these assaults in real-time. The responses come from different sources, including children’s sing song-like rambles and one long play about an 1887 London case where a businessman was unjustly acquitted for rape.

The five sections in Catcalling cover a speaker from childhood with her sister through adulthood into a dysfunctional relationship. This structure shows abuse as something that can resonate throughout generations, with an abusive father, an unfaithful husband, and then an abusive grandfather. It also shows how women are expected to be objects in the family rather than people with feelings.

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Peace! A.J. McMahon . . .

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World » Asia » Korea

The best korean novels, recommended by bruce fulton.

The Penguin Book of Korean Short Stories ed. Bruce Fulton

Korean popular culture—television, film, and music—has been sweeping the globe. But Korean literature is darker and more serious than you might assume, given the fun and irreverent nature of 'K-pop.' Here, the respected translator and academic Bruce Fulton highlights five key Korean novels that offer insight into the culture and troubled history of the Korean peninsula.

Interview by Cal Flyn , Deputy Editor

Hwang Chini by Hong Sŏkchung, translation Bruce and Ju-Chan Fulton

The Guest: A Novel by Hwang Sok-yong, translated by Kyung-ja Chun and Maya West

The Dwarf by Cho Se-hǔi, translated by Bruce and Ju-Chan Fulton

One Left: A Novel by Kim Soom, translated by Bruce and Ju-Chan Fulton

Togani by Gong Ji-young, translated by Bruce and Ju-Chan Fulton

1 Hwang Chini by Hong Sŏkchung, translation Bruce and Ju-Chan Fulton

2 the guest: a novel by hwang sok-yong, translated by kyung-ja chun and maya west, 3 the dwarf by cho se-hǔi, translated by bruce and ju-chan fulton, 4 one left: a novel by kim soom, translated by bruce and ju-chan fulton, 5 togani by gong ji-young, translated by bruce and ju-chan fulton.

I want to begin by thanking you for selecting five of the best Korean novels. Could you tell us about the criteria you used to compile your reading list?

I guess, if you were to choose a single criterion, you might describe it as ‘translations that matter.’ We want our translations to make a difference. And at a time when Korean popular culture is arguably driving popular culture worldwide , we tend to forget that much of the oral and performative elements of Korean popular culture derive from the Korean oral tradition, reflected in Korean literature from its earliest days. So, yes, another criterion would be simply to maintain visibility for Korean literature in the greater fabric of Korean culture and tradition.

Yes, as you say, interest in Korean culture has blossomed in the West in recent years. That must be quite satisfying for someone like you, who has worked so hard for more than forty years to bring Korean literature to a wider audience.

We are ever hopeful. But we also have to remember that the tradition of Korean recorded literature—that is, apart from oral literature—continues to be an elite, conservative, and patriarchal tradition. The reason for this is that, until about 500 years ago, Korea did not have a script of its own. So for those who were literate on the Korean Peninsula, the literary language was classical Chinese.

How did Koreans go about learning the Chinese literary tradition? Well, first of all, you had to be male. The goal of becoming literate was to pass the government civil service examination in traditional Korea—an exam that was only open to men. So any self-respecting clan would sequester the oldest son, who would devote their childhood to mastering classical Chinese. If you think about the percentage of the population that could afford to do that in a traditional agrarian society, it’s infinitely small. Modern Korea, to a large extent, inherited this elevated status of recorded literature, whether prose or poetry, and this can prove intimidating to everyday readers. Only recently have women writers beaten down the doors.

“The tradition of Korean recorded literature continues to be an elite, conservative, and patriarchal tradition”

There’s a strictly defined entrance to writerhood in Korea. But in the last ten years or so, we’ve begun to see more diversity—what we might think of as ‘genre fiction.’ But very few Korean fiction writers have achieved financial success. The ones who have usually write multi-volume novels that are serialised in newspapers or literary journals. The author of one of the books I’ve selected recently confided that she’s happy if she sells more than 3000 copies of a story collection or novel in the Korean edition. And surveys suggest that Korean readers spend less than an hour a week on print materials. Just about everything is accessed on smartphones. So I don’t think it’s realistic to expect Korean literature, especially fiction, to find as much recognition as music and food. But that won’t stop us trying.

Yes, you recently released The Penguin Book of Korean Short Stories , the first work of Korean literature to be published by Penguin World Classics in the UK.

Yes, Penguin US has published a few Korean volumes in the last twenty years or so, but this is a first for Penguin UK. When people abroad think of Korean literature these days, they tend to think of books like The Vegetarian , an English version of a work by Han Kang—which, as a recipient of a major English literary prize, got everyone very, very excited. But what’s wonderful about the Penguin anthology is that finally we have a sampling of some of the stories that have brought modern Korean fiction to a very high point of development, the short story form.

This needs a little bit of context; back in the old days, fiction was not divided by genre or by length. It was simply fiction. The works that were recorded could be a few pages long, or they might be hundreds of volumes long—usually family histories, which were very popular among court women during Chosŏn, the most recent kingdom. But with the start of the modern period in Korea, which we usually date to the late 1800s and early 1900s, we see the western-style short story coming into Korea by way of Japan . Russian short fiction was very popular in Japanese translation in colonial Korea.

Another anomaly in world colonial history: Korea was the first sovereign nation to be colonised by a non-western power: Japan annexed Korea in 1910 and their occupation of the Korean Peninsula lasted until 1945. During those 35 years, young Koreans interested in literature were reading Western literature in Japanese translation, because Japanese was the language of instruction in the colonial Korean educational system. But it was the short story that proved especially engaging to the young Korean literati, and quite quickly Korea developed a very solid tradition of short fiction.

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The Penguin anthology contains 25 stories,  one or two of them verging on novella length, as well as an excerpt from a novel. What is historic about this excerpt is that this is not a South Korean novel, but a North Korean one.

This is one of the Korean novels you’ve chosen to recommend—also called Hwang Chini —by Hong Sŏkchung, which is in the process of being translated by yourself and Ju-Chan. An excerpt is available on the Asymptote Journal site. 

Hwang Chini is an iconic figure in Korean tradition, and it is notable that the author—instead of writing a novel of socialist realism about present-day life in Korea—chose to go back 500 years or so. I think this is what made it possible for this novel to be published in North Korea. The writing is superb. And we should remember that the author’s grandfather was Hong Myŏnghǔi, also a writer of note. The grandson has obviously inherited the grandfather’s gift for storytelling.

He was the first North Korean writer to win South Korea’s Manhae Literary Prize. Should we consider literature from North and South Korea as being one and the same?

The second Korean novel you wanted to recommend was Hwang Sok-Yong’s The Guest , translated by Kyung-Ja Chun and Maya West. Why have you selected it?

Earlier I mentioned that our number-one criterion for translating a novel was that it should somehow make a difference. But we couple that with what we believe to be an appropriate literary style for the subject matter. On the surface, this book would be about a disturbing aspect of civil war—a massacre, or what you might call an ideological cleansing. This novel is based on a historical incident that took place about two months after the June 1950 outbreak of the war.

This incident took place in a small city in present-day North Korea. North Korean historians blamed it on United Nations forces pushing north—those UN forces were primarily US military. But subsequent research revealed that the UN forces had nothing to do with those killings; their advance was used as pretext by hardline communists to purge those who were found to be lacking in commitment to the People’s Army and to the ‘Dear Leader.’ So, a disturbing but not uncommon historical incident.

So how does the author handle this material? Simple historical description is going to be of little use, because to anyone with any first-hand experience of the atrocities of the Korean War this will be nothing new. It will be a sad reminder of tragedy and possibly personal loss. So Hwang resorted to native Korean spirituality; this is significant for a number of reasons. Firstly, the practitioner of Korean spirituality, the mudang —often called a shaman in the west, although I don’t like that term— is by definition female. So, in a society with a traditional, patriarchal class system, it’s significant that practitioners of native spirituality are female.

“Until about 500 years ago, Korea did not have a script of its own. For those who were literate, the literary language was classical Chinese”

One of the most important functions of a mudang is to mediate between those of us still here on Earth and the souls of those who have died prematurely or unnaturally, who are thought to be floating up there somewhere, unable to journey to their final resting place. The practitioner will perform a ritual in which she tells a story, and part of that story involves the voices of the souls who are floating around there; the mudang will channel those voices as part of her performance. This has long been an aspect of Korean culture. But what Hwang Sok-Yong has done is to allow the protagonist, who was separated from his brother in North Korea, to find out exactly what happened in this small city, to effect reconciliation with his brother and with those whom he left behind.

The way this happens is that somehow he begins to hear these voices. There’s no mudang; instead the author is playing the role of mudang by allowing the protagonist—and us the readers—to hear the stories of the people who were massacred. The stories are not woeful, emotive, hysterical, they are told in a very calm, factual way. There was animosity, a misunderstanding. The UN soldiers were not involved. And once the various souls are satisfied their stories have been heard—they gather together and perform a kind of triumphant finale—they can journey to the afterlife.

That sounds like a very interesting text for our readers, a novel that offers a great deal of insight into both Korean culture and history. Shall we turn our attention to Cho Se-hǔi’s’s The Dwarf next? It was published in 1978 and was a bestseller in Korea. It functions as a series of linked short stories. Can you tell us more?

The early 1970s—more than halfway through the Park Chung Hee dictatorship —was a time when a writer could get in trouble for criticising the military dictatorship and restrictions on civil liberties. Several notable Korean poets and fiction writers served time in jail during the Park Chung Hee era in the 1960s and 1970s.

Cho Sehǔi had something very important that he wanted to talk about, the ‘little people’ who made possible Korea’s rapid journey from poverty. You have to remember that it wasn’t until the mid-1970s that South Korea’s economy caught up with the North Korean economy. He wanted to showcase the factory workers, male and female, who helped this monumental change in South Korea.

“It wasn’t until the mid-1970s that South Korea’s economy caught up with the North Korean economy”

He wanted these stories, which he gathered into a book, to be read by the widest possible readership. And to stay out of jail, he adopted a very terse, concise, syntactically simple writing style. Anyone with a middle school education could read this book. But as you might expect, it’s heavily overlaid with irony. The committed reader will find something of interest.

So it’s not just about the workers, those at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder. It’s also about the people at the very top, the people who own these conglomerates in a variety of industries—tech, textiles, and so forth. Also playing a prominent role in these twelve or thirteen stories is the emerging middle class, which we see identified with some of the first generation of consumer goods.

When you say ‘little people,’ you are talking both literally and figuratively.

Like most writers, Cho Sehǔi is careful in the words he uses. Presumably his focus on the dwarf represents disproportionate development. If he’s talking about the Korean economy—and most of us agree that this was his goal— Cho Sehǔi is asking us to think about the course of its development, which was distorted during this time.

He first published these stories in literary journals, from 1976 to 1978. Then in 1978 he went to perhaps the most prestigious publisher of literary fiction in South Korea at the time, and the book went through more than a hundred printings. Practically everybody who went to school in South Korea has read this book, or at least knows of it.

He wanted readers to understand what made possible the South Korean ‘economic miracle,’ a phrase often heard when Seoul hosted the Summer Olympics in 1988. So we see some of the stories describing the working conditions of the factories in explicit detail. It reminds me of my mother—she grew up in the years leading up to World War Two and worked for the Boeing aeroplane manufacturing company during the war. In order to navigate the huge buildings in which these planes were built, she and the other women workers had to wear roller skates. Cho Sehǔi adds these sorts of telling details that give readers a sense of exactly the responsibilities that these factory workers had.

In a couple of the stories involving this emerging middle class, we see Shinae, a mother, protecting the dwarf as he’s being beaten by a man who owns a plumbing shop.  Shinae comes out with a kitchen knife and slashes the thug across the arm. These examples of cross-class solidarity occur so infrequently that I think this is one of the most triumphant moments in modern Korean fiction.

Thank you for putting it on our radar, I think a lot of our readers will be interested. But for now, let’s move onto the fourth Korean novel you’d like to recommend, Kim Soom’s One Left.

One of the reasons that some people find Korean fiction dark and depressing is that it covers some of the worst episodes of modern Korean history. Many people still have very negative feelings about the Japanese colonial period. Millions of family members remain divided by the Korean War. There were many who were incarcerated, and in some cases, tortured, during almost thirty years of military dictatorship.

What is significant about books like One Left is that the author is retrieving a significant population of Koreans from historical oblivion, and—once again—giving them voices, like Hwang Sok-Yong did in The Guest.

Believe it or not, it’s estimated that more than 200,000 Korean girls were taken from their ancestral villages after the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937. They were physically taken, or manipulated by promises of a good job in a factory somewhere, where they could send money back to their families and their villages. Most of them ended up on trains that delivered them to so-called ‘comfort stations’ in Manchuria, where they were forced to sexually service as many as fifty Japanese soldiers a day. Not until 1991, 46 years after World War Two ended, did the first of the survivors go public. Only a small percentage ever made their way back to Korea.

For these girls inducted into sexual servitude, the euphemism ‘comfort women’ came into being; they’re more properly understood as sex slaves, women in indentured sexual servitude.

Not until five years ago was there a novel that focused exclusively on these women. Kim Soom researched all of the survivors’ commentaries, testimonies, newspaper articles, memoir-type essays. At least one of the women she cited gave testimony before the US Congress. And so all the detail in the book is based on historical evidence.

So, historically, the account is accurate, but Kim Soon has placed the story in the present, in a neighbourhood undergoing redevelopment. Most of the residents have moved out in advance of the demolition. The narrator is an unregistered former comfort woman, and most of the novel consists of flashbacks of the protagonist. In the present, she’s keeping count of the surviving women. As the novel begins,  there are more than 50, but by the end there is only ‘one left,’ the title of our translation. The Korean title is, literally, ‘One Person.’

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At the end of the novel the protagonist decides to go to the university hospital where the last woman lies close to death, to tell her that when she’s gone, there will still be one left: she herself.

On the way to the hospital, she remembers a time when she and some of the other girls from the Manchurian comfort station were on their way into a nearby town to serve the soldiers stationed there, and they had to cross a river in a boat. On their way back, the boat encountered rough water, and the protagonist was thrown overboard. She thought she was done for, but felt arms taking hold of her, and heard voices calling out her given name, a name she had not used or even thought of for seventy years. So in this way she is reclaiming her identity, the name she was given at birth, reclaiming those twelve or thirteen years spent in her childhood village. And by doing so she stands for each one of the 200,000-plus girls who were taken away. That’s the meaning of Kim Soom’s ‘One Person.’

I think that brings us, finally, to the final Korean novel we’re going to be discussing, Gong Ji-young’s   Togani. The title translates as ‘The Crucible’; it was first published in Korea in 2009 and your and Ju-Chan’s translation was released from the University of Hawai’i Press in spring 2023.

Once again we have a combination of compelling subject matter and an appropriate literary style for the subject matter. The novel is based on a real case of what you might call a sexual reign of terror at an institute for special needs children in South Korea. The victims were primarily hearing- and speech-impaired children, some of whom also had psychological disabilities. The perpetrators were twin brothers, sons of the Christian minister who founded the ironically named ‘Home of Benevolence.’

The protagonist of the novel ends up at this school as a kind of temporary teacher by happenstance. On his very first day at the school he hears a girl screaming from the women’s bathroom.

Gong Ji-young handles this potentially explosive subject matter by writing what you might call a novel of manners—a novel in which we see different elements of society interacting. Readers interested in how Korean society functions will find it interesting for that reason. We see, occasionally in the form of amusing anecdotes and dialogues, how the upper crust of this provincial city comes together to shield the twins when this pattern of sexual abuse becomes public.

But there are a couple of elements to the narrative that are rare in modern Korean fiction. There’s a prolonged courtroom scene… Now, I know that many readers in the UK are happy with police procedurals— The Inspector Lynley Mysteries , Vera … we’re big fans of the Midsomer Murders over here and have recently become addicted to the American Law and Order show.

In the climactic courtroom scene, one of the children is asked to identify which of the two identical twins assaulted her. In other words, the defense counsel is asking how she could know which of the identical twins was the perpetrator. The girl thinks about this, and signs a request to the judge: may she examine them closely? It’s granted. So she goes up to the two twins very closely and begins signing to them, and one of the men’s faces turns red. She points to him and says: he’s the one.

This is very unusual. It’s an example of how, little by little, we see what we might think of as genre elements coming into Korean literary fiction. There are also two long letters, which of course reminds us of the epistolary novel—novels that take place primarily through letters. I think that’s what makes this novel so significant as a work of literature. It was also made into a film which was a huge success and returned the novel to bestseller lists.

Many Korean citizens became outraged at the light sentences given to the two twins—six-month suspended sentences, with no jail time. So many Koreans demonstrated against this injustice that the Korean National Assembly passed a series of laws to strengthen the penalties. These laws did away with the statute of limitations on crimes involving the sexual abuse of minors, and relaxed the stringent requirements governing admissible evidence.

As a result, they came to be known as the Togani Laws , after the title of the novel. So here we see not only literary success but the power of literature to effect change in national law.

That’s a remarkable story. Thank you for sharing that. I think it brings us to the close of our discussion of these five Korean novels that everyone should read. But is there anything else you’d like to add, in terms of advice for those reading Korean fiction for the first time?

Yes. Some of what you will read may be disturbing. It’s dark. But if you are able to exercise empathy, to hear what’s being said, to feel what’s being felt, perhaps you will find some commonalities with your life.

What you read won’t necessarily be cheerful, but the way the authors treat the material leaves us with hope by shedding light on places that have gone dark to the detriment of an understanding of, and compassion for, what our fellow citizens have experienced.

July 7, 2023

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©Oliver Mann

Bruce Fulton

Bruce Fulton is the Young-Bin Min Chair in Korean Literature and Literary at the University of British Columbia. He is the co-translator, with Ju-Chan Fulton, of numerous works of modern Korean fiction, most recently Togani ; recipient of a Manhae Grand Prize in Literature; and editor of The Penguin Book of Korean Short Stories .

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The 26 Best Books to Learn Korean

There are tons of incredible ways to learn a language nowadays—many of them digital.

Of course, learning a language with a textbook is still beneficial.

In fact, many textbooks now come with digital components, so it’s easy (and helpful) to combine methods to make the most of your language studies.

If that sounds appealing, then check out these recommendations for the 26 best Korean learning books!

Korean Books for Beginners

1. “living language korean”, 2. “integrated korean: beginning 1”, 3. “korean from zero 1”, 4. “korean made easy for beginners”, 5. “korean for dummies”, best korean textbooks, 6. “ewha korean”, 7. “my korean 1 & 2”, 8. “korean language 1a”, korean books for vocabulary & phrases, 9. “essential korean vocabulary”, 10. “korean made simple”, 11. “let’s speak korean”, 12. “handbook of korean vocabulary”, 13. “the kpop dictionary”, korean books for reading and writing skills, 14. “korean short stories for beginners”, 15. “easy korean reading for beginners”, 16. “learn hangul in one hour”, 17. “korean alphabet with writing workbook”, 18. “korean alphabets in a picture”, 19. “beginner hangul writing practice workbook”, 20. “korean reader for chinese characters”, korean books for other language skills, 21. “read and speak korean for beginners”, 22. “talk to me in korean level 1”, 23. “korean grammar for international learners”, 24. “catch with topik vocabulary intermediate”, 25. “500 basic korean verbs”, 26. “korean language for academics in business administration”, faq about learning with korean textbooks, why should i use textbooks to learn korean, how will textbooks improve my korean language skills, what other benefits do korean learning books provide, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Focal area: General Korean textbook

Features: Multiple books, audio CDs, additional learning materials

This Korean textbook boasts some seriously positive reviews and it certainly makes sense why. It’s not just a textbook— it’s an entire learning package!

By purchasing “Living Language Korean,” you get four books, nine audio CDs and a free “Language Lab” that comes with additional learning materials like quizzes, games, flashcards and more.

Complicated grammar and difficult vocab are broken into easy-to-digest pieces with simple, clear explanations. You can go from beginner to advanced with this one complete course, using techniques that have been tested and proven effective.

Focal area: Korean textbook for beginners

Features: Accompanying workbook, audio files

This textbook is ideal for absolute beginners with no prior Korean experience. It was created by Korean linguists and teachers to use effective teaching techniques to get the information across.

Lessons are based around certain topics, each of which contains a dialogue, relevant vocabulary, explanations of the grammar and cultural notes, as well as an additional passage to present the new information in context.

Each new edition of the book has been improved and enhanced based on user feedback. The current book includes attractive visuals and an accompanying workbook. You can also download audio on the website.

Features: Accompanying workbook, audio files, online resources

“Korean From Zero! 1” is a good choice for beginning learners who want more bells and whistles than a simple textbook.

This beginner-centric book contains a workbook, audio, online help, grammar lessons, character practice sheets, bilingual glossaries and more.

The “From Zero” part of the title holds true. This book will get you started even if you have no experience with Korean. It starts slowly and goes over every aspect of reading, writing and understanding as you learn grammar concepts and vocabulary through beginner-friendly phrases.

Features: Quiz sections, audio files

This textbook is designed to be completed in a short amount of time. It contains 20 lessons, a list of the 38 most common Korean phrases and a link to audio files for pronunciation help.

The textbook works up to basic conversation skills through listening, writing and reading instruction, which includes the chance to test yourself on your progress. Lessons can easily be done as part of a self-study regime .

With entertaining, cartoony illustrations, this textbook would be ideal for children who are learning Korean, but it works for adults too!

Focal area:  Korean basics for business & travel

Features:  Accompanying CD, Korean-English mini-dictionary

The iconic “Dummies” series is based on the concept that you should have fun while studying, and the Korean version is no different.

This “anti-manual” offers an inspiring and effective method to learn the fundamentals of the Korean language and start communicating very quickly.

It includes useful vocabulary and idioms, phonetic spelling of Korean words, a review of common sentences and expressions, plus helpful cultural tips and business etiquette.

The book includes a CD which features recorded Korean dialogues to help you fast-track your pronunciation and improve your listening skills.

Focal area: Comprehensive textbook covering all language skills

Features: Dialogue prompts, step-by-step guides, downloadable MP3s from website

Widely used both in Korea and abroad, these well-structured, step-by-step guides make learning Korean fun and approachable.

The Ewha series features six levels of fluency as well as a focus on all four language skills. Each unit is divided into relevant topics, such as family, food and hobbies. Vocabulary is taught through a series of friendly, recurring characters and plenty of color and illustrations. Units also include listening scripts and answers.

Each unit  includes a “Try it” section which focuses on speaking without too much memorization. The books also use a unique approach to teaching grammar, with targeted questions to prompt students to think about a grammar rule rather than be told about it. You’ll also find sections dedicated to culture and literature for a well-rounded learning experience. 

Focal area: Everyday conversations

Features: Full resource is free to download, easy grammar explanations, comics & dialogues

Monash University’s “My Korean” textbooks, developed with the support of the Korea Foundation, are a fantastic introduction to modern Korean, with a special focus on spoken usage for everyday situations.

They’re officially available for free download, but you can also buy them from Amazon ( book one and book two ) if you’d rather have physical copies. The textbooks adopt a four-skill approach to learning Korean using situation dialogues, comics and easy grammar explanations.

The textbooks are organized into 10 units composed of three situation dialogues, grammar explanations and various activities such as role plays, listening and writing. Also featured are some useful appendixes that summarize fundamental grammar, conjugation and writing points.

Focal area: Listening skills & grammar

Features: Accompanying CD & MP3s, glossary with example sentences, listening practice

The Korean textbook series made by Seoul National University (SNU) provides a comprehensive overview of grammar and vocab. It does so through an excellent balance of interactivity, structure and fun, rich content.

This is a do-it-all textbook which is well structured, nicely designed, suitable for self-study and takes you through Korean grammar without compromising vocabulary.

With a focus on listening practice, lessons are accompanied by audio recordings, which are offered on CD and as downloadable MP3 files. Each book in the series has its own detailed word bank which includes the word, its meaning in English, examples in context, and even, in some cases, the hanjas that compose the word.

Focal area: Common vocabulary

Features: 8,000 words, colloquial usages, tips on grammar

Perfect for beginners, this user-friendly vocabulary book is geared toward greater fluency in spoken and written Korean.

Words are arranged by topic and feature numerous examples to help you better understand how to use them in context.

Whether you’re studying by yourself or with a tutor, this book will get you started on learning the most common Korean words and expressions.

You can create your own flashcards to memorize the vocabulary. Write the Korean word in Hangul (and its Romanized form, if needed for pronunciation) on the front, and an image or the English translation on the back. Don’t forget to quiz yourself regularly!

Focal area: Common vocabulary & phrases

Features: 1,000 basic Korean words & phrases, 20 simple lessons

Do you enjoy simplicity? Korean may seem complicated, but this book breaks the language down into simple, easy-to-understand chunks of information .

“Korean Made Simple” is perfect for learners of all ages, but beginning learners will probably benefit the most from reading it.

There are roughly 1,000 basic Korean words and Korean phrases in this book, which are broken down into 20 simple and fun lessons.

Features: Charts, engaging drawings

This great little textbook, which comes with audio track access, can help beginning learners master over 1,400 Korean expressions.

The textbook is great for learners who prefer to rely on the visual aspects rather than blocks of text. “Let’s Speak Korean” is packed with charts, cute drawings and color-coded elements to make learning easier.

We suggest this book for younger learners, as well.

Focal area: Word recognition & comprehension

Features: Pronunciation guide, root lists

“Handbook of Korean Vocabulary” helps second language learners remember Korean words by their roots.

Arguably the most effective approach to learning Korean vocabulary, this “root dictionary” contains over 1,500 words indexed into lists. Each list is organized around a particular hanja/root morpheme and presents a set of words (mostly noun compounds) formed from that root.

Korean words are very logical if you know the root system. This system quickens the word recognition process, will help you memorize words faster and can even help you guess the meanings of new words.

Focal area: Korean phrases & slang

Features: Pronunciation guide

If you’re getting into Korean culture and language because of K-Pop, you’re not alone!

This book is good for Korean learners who love listening to K-Pop. (Even if you’re not a big fan, using music to study can be a great way to add some variety to your learning.)

This vocabulary/phrasebook compiles 500 modern Korean slang words that appear often in K-Pop music.

Beware that there’s no grammar instruction here. Also, the example sentences are presented in English with only the one Korean term included—but they’re silly and light-hearted. This little book is a fun companion to a more serious textbook.

Focal area: Reading for beginners

Features: English translations, audio files

“Korean Short Stories for Beginners” is an awesome short story textbook.

This compilation of 30 engaging, entertaining stories features paragraph-by-paragraph translations so beginners can study each paragraph as they go and make note of unfamiliar characters.

Through these short stories, the book aims to teach over 1,500 essential vocabulary words. You’ll also get typical sentence structures and grammar concepts used in context and audio files for each story read by a native Korean speaker.

Features: Designed for Korean learners

Produced by the Talk to Me in Korean team, this text features 30 short stories written for students who have been learning Korean for at least a month and want to start reading but find most authentic written material too difficult.

“Easy Korean Reading for Beginners” is best suited for upper beginners to intermediate learners, and is meant to be used to boost reading skills and comprehension.

The short stories cover relatable topics and will push your Korean language skills without being too challenging.

Focal area: Hangul reading & writing

Features: Breakdown of hangul into elements and sounds

It may sound impossible, but you can learn 한글 (hangul) in under an hour! This book prides itself on being a complete guide for teaching yourself the Korean writing system in only an hour.

However, in our opinion, this book works best as a supplement to another 한글 resource in order to effectively learn it in such a short period of time.

Still, this book is worth it as it breaks down the sounds of the alphabet and the various elements of 한글. It won’t teach you comprehension, meaning and grammar, but this inexpensive guide is still handy to have.

Features: Drawings & visuals, basic words & phrases

“Korean Alphabet with Writing Workbook” is a useful introductory guide to Korean characters.

We suggest this book if you’d prefer to take an easygoing approach to learning Korean characters.

You can pick one character to learn per day. For each vowel and consonant, you’ll learn to memorize the proper pronunciation and stroke order with the assistance of drawings and visuals. Then, you’ll move on to words and phrases.

Focal area: Korean writing system

Features: Illustrations as mnemonic devices

How can you, a native English speaker, memorize complex Korean characters? Associate each character with an image!

With this extremely visual book, you’ll learn different vowels, consonants, compound vowels, consonant variations and much more.

Due to how visual this book is, kids will be able to learn with it very well. However, beginning learners of any age can surely benefit from this textbook.

Focal area: Korean writing practice

Features: Guided writing practice

You can never have too many Korean writing workbooks! Writing characters by hand is a great way to build muscle memory and memorize different hanguls.

“Beginner Hangul Writing Practice Workbook” has every hangul listed with stroke order and pronunciation, followed by extensive worksheets and quizzes on what you’ve learned.

This practice workbook was designed with both beginning and intermediate learners in mind.

Features: Writing guide, English translations, review sections

This book is a good introduction for studying the hanjas, which are the Chinese characters that form the majority of Korean words.

“Korean Reader for Chinese Characters” details the 500 most common hanjas used in modern Korean. You’ll start with the basics and gradually move on to more complex hanjas.

Beyond the meaning of the roots, the book also provides clear instructions on how to write every hanja, stroke by stroke. Additionally, each of the 40 lessons begin with a reading extract featuring the hanja vocab.

While not essential for beginners, it’s a good option if you’re interested in Korean literature or want to learn more about this important aspect of the Korean language.

Focal area: Reading & speaking skills for beginners

Features: Flashcards, audio files, games & puzzles

The newest edition of this book is a refined textbook course that aims to make Korean language learning more approachable for beginners. 

The textbook covers eight main themes that’ll get you speaking everyday conversations about common topics like yourself, your family, directions, descriptions and more. It’s also graphic-heavy, featuring elegant illustrations of key terms.

Along with the textbook, you’ll be able to access games and puzzles so you can have fun while reinforcing your studies. This textbook also includes flashcards, making it an excellent all-in-one package!

Focal area: Listening skills

Features: Audio files, accompanying workbook

You may have heard of the Korean learning podcast and program by the same name. This textbook is based on that program and is complete with audio files, grammar lessons and exercises.

If you’re studying solo, good news! This book was designed to be used for self-study. It also comes with sample dialogues and exercises that are easy to do on your own.

This textbook specifically focuses on spoken and conversational Korean, and will get you speaking by the time you finish it. Free audio is available online and an accompanying workbook can be purchased separately if you want even more practice.

Focal area: Grammar

Features: Multiple indexes, accompanying workbook

This book from Korea’s very prestigious Yonsei University is the best resource to learn and master Korean grammar.

Incredibly comprehensive and designed for foreigners, this text will help you no matter your level. Use it to build a solid foundation from the start, or review a structure you’ve forgotten.

Grammar, conjugation and spelling rules are presented with simple explanations and numerous examples. Grammar structures and roots are conveniently indexed for easier look up.

You can put this theoretical knowledge to practice with the accompanying exercise workbook . Learn the function first and then use the workbook the next day to make sure you fully understand the rule.

Focal area: TOPIK vocabulary

Features: Idioms & proverbs, vocabulary with definitions & example sentences

This very comprehensive vocabulary book will prepare you for the TOPIK (or just expand your Korean vocabulary) by easing you into high-frequency Korean words.

This no-frills textbook helps you broaden your understanding of common Korean words through definitions and model sentences. It also includes sample test questions which follow the format of the exam.

We particularly love the section dedicated to four-character idioms and proverbs from previous exams, which are hard to find anywhere else.

Focal area: Verb conjugations

Features: Reference tables, multiple indexes

Korean conjugation can be challenging, especially in the beginning. “500 Korean Verbs” is a great way to learn the most common Korean verbs and use them in context.

This comprehensive guide to Korean conjugation explains how to conjugate the most useful verbs by tense, mood and speech level. They’re conveniently listed by topic and interest.

The text includes conjugation rules, reference tables of basic Korean verb types and three indexes (Romanized, Hangul and English) for pronunciation.

Focal area: Korean business administration schooling

Features:  Upper-level academic vocabulary, glossary, audio files

This book is aimed at advanced non-native Korean speakers who are or will be studying business at a Korean university.

The overview of the South Korean education system includes class structure and tips on taking notes as well as how to write a report, get good grades and register for classes. It also details the language commonly used by professors in classrooms.

The 14 highly informative chapters cover the basics of business administration (marketing, economics, HR, etc.). Each lesson has a glossary of terms with definitions, charts, a detailed article, listening practice and other exercises similar to what you’d find in actual Korean business administration classes.

Textbooks are still used for a reason. As you’re probably aware, university language courses use a tried-and-true textbook as the core of their curriculum. That’s because textbooks get results. If it isn’t broken, why fix it?

A good textbook will guide you through the essentials of the language in an orderly fashion to give you a solid foundation for continuing your Korean language learning—with or without more textbooks.

Many Korean textbooks provide dialogue sequences to help learners improve their reading fluency. Textbooks are excellent for helping students learn how to read and write in their target language.

When we look at languages like Korean from an English-speaking perspective, there’s a lot to learn. From characters to Romanization, reading and writing in Korean is best learned with a book.

To blend reading in Korean with other kinds of media, try reading transcripts of podcasts or videos before listening to them.

For example, the authentic video-based learning program FluentU uses both transcripts and interactive subtitles to reinforce your reading skills.

FluentU takes authentic videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.

You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app or Android app.

P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

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This kind of authentic learning is crucial for getting more context for any book learning you do. It allows you to internalize new vocabulary and grammar structures and feel more confident using them yourself when the chance arises.

Reading Korean textbooks can help provide cultural context for your Korean language studies.

You might be learning the language because you’re a fan of Korean culture, because you want to become an expat in Seoul or because you plan to travel to a South Korean city for business .

If these are your reasons for learning, it’s vital to know more about Korean culture to accompany the language. And even if you’re just learning for fun, knowing more about the culture can help you understand the language better!

These resources are great for Korean learners who want to use a textbook approach for learning the language.

Pick up one of these books to learn Korean and get started!

If you enjoyed this post, you're already halfway to having the time of your life learning Korean with FluentU !

FluentU makes it possible to learn with K-pop videos, funny commercials, entertaining web series and more. Just a quick look will give you an idea of the variety of FluentU videos on offer :

FluentU really takes the grunt work out of learning languages, leaving you with nothing but engaging, effective and efficient learning. It's already hand-picked the best videos for you (which are organized by level and topic), so all you have to do is simply choose any video that strikes your fancy to get started.

Each word in the interactive captions comes with a definition, audio, image, example sentences and more.

Access a complete interactive transcript of every video under the Dialogue tab, and easily review words and phrases from the video under Vocab .

You can use FluentU’s unique Quiz Mode to learn the vocabulary and phrases from the video through fun questions.

FluentU keeps track of what you're learning, and tells you exactly when it's time for review, giving you a 100% personalized experience .

Review sessions use video context to help embed the words in your memory.

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17 Best Korean Novels in English: Explore the Latest in K-Literature

Vivid descriptions and characters who immediately seem real are hallmarks of the best Korean novels in English—we’ve compiled a list of our top picks.

Korean authors are known for bending genres, writing in a first-person style that draws the reader in from the first sentence, and exploring social themes that often go untouched. Many Korean novels have been translated into English, allowing people in the United States and beyond to explore Korean literature. Whether you’re looking for romance, crime, or time travel, you’ll find what you’re looking for in modern Korean literature.

1. The Vegetarian by Han Kang

2. the plotters by un-su kim, 3. the disaster tourist: a novel by yun ko-eun, 4. kim ji-young, born 1982 by cho nam-ju, 5. untold night and day by bae suah, 6. diary of a murderer: and other stories by kim young-ha, 7. pachinko by min jim lee, 8. human acts: a novel by han kang, 9. flowers of mold by ha seong-nan, 10. the white book by han kang, 11. my brilliant life by ae-ran kim, 12. at dusk by hwang sok-yong, 13. if i had your face: a novel by frances cha, 14. please look after mom by sin gyeongsuk, 15. love in the big city by sang young park.

• 16. Almond: A Novel by Sohn Won-pyung

17. Drifting House by Krys Lee

The Vegetarian  explores how a young woman’s choice to stop eating meat makes her a societal and familial outcast. Protagonist Yeong-hye has a dream about animals being slaughtered and decides that she no longer wants to eat meat. Eventually, Yeong-hye is admitted to a mental hospital after deciding that she wants to live life as a plant instead of a human.

“It was cold enough as it was, but the sight of my wife was even more chilling. Any lingering alcohol-induced drowsiness swiftly passed. She was standing, motionless, in front of the fridge. Her face was submerged in the darkness so I couldn’t make out her expression, but the potential options all filled me with fear.” Han Kang,  The Vegetarian

The Plotters  delves into the hitman industry in South Korea and takes a lighthearted approach to serious and violent topics. The book explores how tough financial times in South Korea lead many to choose career paths they could never have imagined—including lives of crime. Murder is seen as a job in  The Plotters —nothing more and nothing less. If you enjoyed our round-up of the best Korean novels, we have many more articles on the best authors from around the globe. You might want to check out our list of the best Korean authors . Or use the search bar at the top right of the page to search for authors in a country or region you are interested in.

“He couldn’t decipher what was coming his way. Could be a wild boar. Or a wildcat. Reseng disengaged the safety and pointed his rifle at the darkness, toward the approaching sound. He couldn’t pull the trigger yet.” Un-su Kim,  The Plotters

Yona, the main character in  The Disaster Tourist , has an unusual job: coordinating travel arrangements for an agency that sends tourists to areas devastated by natural disasters. She’s sent to a resort where she discovers a plan to create an imitation natural disaster, and she’s forced to decide between her job and her morals.

“Recently, whenever Yona went into work, she’d felt like a dandelion seed that had somehow drifted into a building. The chair she sat in each morning was definitely hers, but for some reason, sitting in it was awkward, like this was the first time she’d ever touched the piece of furniture.” Yun Ko-eun,  The Disaster Tourist: A Novel

Living on the edge of Seoul, Kim Ji-young, Born in 1982 , is about a woman who seems to have it all—a seemingly happy marriage, a new baby, and the ability to leave her white-collar job to stay home with her little one. Her family and friends are alarmed when Kim speaks in the voices of other women, dead and alive. The book is known for launching the new feminist movement in Korea.

“The four brothers were born and raised at a time when mere survival was a struggle. As people died, young and old, of war, disease, and starvation, Koh Bonsoon worked someone else’s field, peddled someone else’s wares, took care of domestic labor at someone’s home, and still managed to run her own home, fighting tooth and nail to raise the four boys.” Cho Nam-ju,  Kim Ji-young, Born in 1982

Untold Night and Day is a novel about 24 hours in the life of Ayami, a 28-year-old woman living in Seoul. She and her boss are on a search for a missing friend. The book follows the pair’s conversations around love, life, food, and the political turmoil between North and South Korea. The book quickly and scandalously blurs the lines of reality, and readers wonder what’s true and what’s in Ayami’s head.

“Ayami didn’t know much about her predecessors. She’d never seen their faces, and didn’t even know their names. All they’d left behind were a few ballpoint pens rolling about in a drawer, and a couple of sheets of notepaper bearing scribbled curses directed at no one in particular.” Bae Suah,  Untold Night and Day

Diary of a Murderer: And Other Stories contains four short stories with opposing themes, including good and evil and life and death. In the book’s title story, the protagonist is a serial killer who is dealing with memory problems yet is determined to correct his past wrongs. He decides that he’s sure his daughter’s boyfriend is a serial killer and sets out to permanently stop him from causing more harm.

“I decided that if the class was lame I would kill the instructor, but thankfully, it was interesting. The instructor made me laugh several times, and he even praised my poems twice. So I let him live. He probably still doesn’t know he’s living on borrowed time.” Kim Young-ha,  Diary of a Murderer and Other Stories

Pachinko takes readers on the journey of a Korean family that moves to Japan and race stereotyping and racism as they attempt to settle in their new home. The book was published in 2017, was incredibly well-received by critics, and became a finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction. The story was also made into an Apple TV+ series released in 2022.

“The matchmaker brought it up first. So there was that unfortunate matter of his foot and broken lip, but Hoonie was clearly a good boy—educated and strong as a pair of oxen!” Min Jim Lee,  Pachinko

Human Acts: A Novel explores the connections between mercy and violence. As a young boy, Dong-ho is violently murdered in the middle of a South Korean uprising. This novel is partly based on the true events of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising and explores the way unexpected murder affects families, friends, and society. The book won Italy’s Malaparte Prize and Korea’s Manhae Prize.

“This morning, when you asked how many dead were being transferred from the Red Cross hospital today, Jin-su’s reply was no more elaborate than it needed to be: thirty. While the leaden mass of the anthem’s refrain rises and falls, rises and falls, thirty coffins will be lifted down from the truck, one by one.” Han Kang, Human Acts: A Novel

Flowers of Mold is a collection of ten short stories that explores various aspects of Korean culture, including the pursuit of dreams, sexual assault, violence, family issues, substance abuse, and more. The book takes typical daily circumstances and inserts odd and unusual aspects that make the reader think about normal life in a new light. Readers will notice repeated themes and symbols across stories, although the characters are not connected from one story to the next.

“There is a flower basket on top of the bedside locker. ‘We wish you a full and speedy recovery.’ It looks like you’ve had a visit from the club; the words Icarus Wings Hang Gliding Club are written on the pink ribbon from the basket. The roses are withering to a blackish red.” Ha Seong-nan,  Flowers of Mold

The White Book  is an emotional and challenging read. It follows Kang’s journey as she recalls her older sister’s death as told to her by family members. Her sister died at just two hours old, and while Kang never met her, she’s been deeply affected by how her sister’s death rippled throughout her family for the coming decades. The book can be viewed as a meditation and a story of grief, loss, and family.

“Standing at this border where land and water meet, watching the seemingly endless recurrence of the waves (though this eternity is in fact illusion: the earth will one day vanish, everything will one day vanish), the fact that our lives are no more than brief instants is felt with unequivocal clarity.” Han Kang,  The White Book

Readers love Kim’s humor and humanity throughout  My Brilliant Life . The book follows Areum as he experiences life through conversations with his neighbor, who he affectionally calls his Little Grandpa, his parents, and through reading books about places he’ll likely never get to see.

Throughout the book, Areum pieces together his piece of writing that details the love story of his parents. Readers find themselves rooting for Areum through the ups and downs of his life and falling in love with his close-knit family. If you enjoyed this guide on the best Korean novels, you might be interested in our round-up of the best British authors .

“I don’t know who had a bigger impact on my being born, my dad or my mom. All I know is that neither was decisive. Sometimes in life, the answer we search for so avidly reveals itself elsewhere, and the question we ask is born from a context that has nothing to do with the answer.” Ae-ran Kim,  My Brilliant Life

Korea has undergone massive modernization in recent years, and  At Dusk  follows the story of Park, a director of an architectural firm who remembers Seoul the way it used to be. When his company is investigated for fraud, Park has to consider whether modernizing his city is right. While under investigation, he receives a message from an old love, and he’s forced to consider whether he should return to the way things once were. The novel forces readers to consider whether forward progress is always the way to happiness—or if some things are better left alone.

“He’d come out of surgery in a coma. It might have been a blessing in disguise. He was due to appear before the prosecutor in a week. Most likely, whoever else was involved would thank their lucky stars when they heard the news.” Hwang Sok-yong,  At Dusk

If I Had Your Face: A Novel is Cha’s first novel, and it explores the seemingly impossible beauty standards held by many people in Korea. The story follows four friends who are constantly striving to meet the standards of Korean society while also thriving in their personal and professional lives. You’ll love meeting Kyuri, Miho, Ara, and Wonna and watching how their friendship with one another keeps them stable and strong as they navigate the ups and downs that come with living as a young woman in Seoul.

“Sujin is still complaining about her eyelids. She has been unhappy about them almost the entire time I have known her—before and after she had them stitched…About a dozen girls got their eyes done there that year because the teacher offered us a 50 percent discount. The rest of us with monolids couldn’t afford even that.” Frances Cha,  If I Had Your Face: A Novel

An international bestseller with more than 1.5 million copies sold around the world, Gyeongsuk’s  Please Look After Mom   follows the story of a family searching for their 69-year-old matriarch, So-nyo. Her family struggles to understand how she disappeared, and they argue with one another over how to go about finding her. The multiple narrators in the story allow readers to see different perspectives, including that of So-nyo herself.

“How far back does one’s memory of someone go? Your memory of Mom? Since you heard about Mom’s disappearance, you haven’t been able to focus on a single thought, besieged by long-forgotten memories unexpectedly popping up.” Sin Gyeongsuk,  Please Look After Mom

Love in the Big City  follows the journey of Jaehee and Young, who spend nights out over drinks and cigarettes, where they discuss love, life, anxiety, and family. Eventually, Jaehee decides it’s time for her to settle down, leaving Young to fend for himself in Seoul. He struggles to find happiness alone and finds himself hopping from relationship to relationship to find someone to fill his best friend’s place. The book was nominated for the 2022 International Booker Prize.

“But two months in he said he loved me but couldn’t bring himself to love me when I was drunk (when I’d sing on the street and kiss him and curse and make a scene before inevitably collapsing into tears at the end) and therefore couldn’t see me anymore, which left me with a very rational grudge against all DJs. Jaehee, who had no inkling of my complex feelings, spoke about her new boyfriend with a face filled with joy and animation.” Sang Young Park,  Love in the Big City

16. Almond: A Novel   by Sohn Won-pyung

Beloved by the BTS fandom,   Almond: A Novel  follows the story of Yunjae, who was born with a brain condition that makes it nearly impossible for him to feel negative emotions. He struggles to make friends but is close to his mother and grandmother. When Yunjae turns 16, his world is forever changed by an act of violence, and he finds himself alone for the first time. An unexpected friendship—and a possible romance—show Yunjae that life beyond tragedy is possible.

“He had chosen to be the last victim of his manic bloodshed. He stabbed himself in the chest hard and, like most of the other victims, died before the ambulance came. I simply watched the whole thing unfold before me. Just standing there with blank eyes, as always.” Sohn Won-pyung,  Almond: A Novel

In this collection of short stories, Drifting House author Krys Lee expertly allows readers to fall in love with characters living through difficult times, including the North Korean famine and the South Korean financial crisis. The difficulties that come with living in the Koreatowns in large cities in the U.S. Lee’s writing deals with themes of relationships, family, and crisis.

While many of her characters meet a not-ideal fate, the humanity of her stories shines through, providing situations that force readers to examine the difficulty that life has been for many Korean people over the past century. Looking for more? Check out our round-up of the best travel authors !

“She tolerated Mr. Rhee’s arm around her shoulder, his parched white hair like the roots of spring onions, the dry-cleaning chemicals on his plaid shirt—a professional hazard of running Pearl Express, a dry-cleaning business. His garlicky breath scraped her nose. He, too, must have endured her stale travel smells.” Krys Lee,  Drifting House

Amanda has an M.S.Ed degree from the University of Pennsylvania in School and Mental Health Counseling and is a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer. She has experience writing magazine articles, newspaper articles, SEO-friendly web copy, and blog posts.

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Korean Books: Start Reading in Korean

Knowing how to read Hangeul and being able to read Korean books are two entirely different things. Many people claim to learn Hangeul in just 24 hours. However, getting to the point where you can actually read Korean books takes years. But, reading is the best way to take your Korean language skills to the next level. Slowly going through a book, searching for the meaning of words you don’t know, and then piecing together the gist of a whole word or sentence – this is how you become fluent in Korean. The journey to start reading isn’t easy. If you overreach, it can have a detrimental effect on your language confidence. And so, here are some tips on choosing Korean books to help you get started.

Best Genres of Books for Korean Learners

My genre of choice when first learning how to read in Korean was short poetry or essay books, also known as 시집 or 에세이집. They’re typically split into individual passages instead of long chapters. As a result, each passage is short and sweet, and easy to read without needing a lot of context behind the text.

Although some people may start with children’s books or picture books, I find them boring. Plus, I wanted to challenge myself vocabulary-wise with more advanced words. I wanted to learn words that adults use in social situations or at work. These books have served me well over the years while learning Korean.

The beautiful language used in these books also helped me learn how to better express myself. Being able to express yourself in a second language is one of the biggest problems people have. Now, I am able to express myself while both making sense and sounding good. Reading books has opened my eyes to different ideas and viewpoints that have allowed me to challenge the way I think and become more open as a person. You often read of Korea being a culture of sameness, lacking diverse perspectives and opinions. However, through reading Korean books you will find that that simply is not true.

Here are a few books I loved reading throughout my journey learning Korean. 

I Decided to Live as Me: Kim Soo-hyun 

나는 나로 살기로 했다: 김수현.

A staple amongst learners of the Korean language, this particular book of essays has enjoyed immense popularity. It has perpetually stayed near the top of the charts for years now.

I first picked up this book when I wasn’t that good at reading Korean. The short passages, simple language, and the adorable caricatures caught my eye. Later on, as I worked my way through it, I realized that it was formatted like a to-do list of sorts. Essentially, it is a list of things to do to stay true to yourself instead of losing who you are due to society’s rules and demands.

A lot of the passages in it were written regarding the author’s own experiences. The little things she had seen and done in life prompted her to think against societal constructs that people mindlessly follow for a more peaceful life. Although living guided by expectations is safe, it may not be happy. The parts of ourselves that we sacrifice lead to small unhappinesses or grudges. 

This book was actually harder to read than I had first anticipated. The beginning few passages contain easier words and phrases. But, as I went on reading, I found a lot of words that I had never heard of before. While working through it, I managed to learn a lot of vocabulary as I had wished, and so I was satisfied with my reading experience. 

I Want to Die, but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki: Baek Se-hee

죽고 싶지만 떡볶이는 먹고싶어: 백세희.

Among Korean books, this one is also immensely popular. It is written in the form of dialogue. The conversation is between a patient suffering from a severe mental illness, and her psychiatrist. It is said to have been written from the author’s point of view and shows her personal story in her battle with mental illness.

The book really opened my eyes to other perspectives. Reading the perspective of someone with a mental disorder was fascinating. I found the parts where she ponders and reflects on the things she had done and the thoughts that she has had really illuminating. She felt uncomfortable with her own thoughts, but at the same time wanted to reexamine them thoroughly.

The language may be a bit difficult to understand at times, but the story was truly compelling. With such an interesting story, I really wanted to understand the vocabulary that was being used. It was a great motivator to compel me to put in the extra effort needed to search up the meaning of the words in an attempt to understand it fully. Sometimes I felt like I related to the author, and reading her story gave me comfort. It helped me look at my own thoughts differently and prompted me to undergo a reflection of my own. 

Reminder While Reading Korean Books

When beginning to read Korean books, the most important thing to remember is; to take your time. It’s difficult to get started and even more difficult to keep going and finish. Instead of focusing on wanting to know the story, focus your energy on knowing the meaning of each word, sentence, paragraph, and page.

Have you read any Korean books lately? If so what were some things you struggled with and how did you get past them? Let me know in the comments below!

Looking for an interesting place to buy your books from? Click Here to read all about some of Seoul’s most interesting bookstores and libraries!

through waves of emotion

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10 Essential Books for Korean History Beginners

When I tell people that I’ve studied Korean history, they’re usually surprised, interested and then curious to know more. After moving to Korea, the reaction I most typically got was: ‘You’re so lucky. I would love to study that.’ In case you haven’t read my post on how you can study that, just click here . Unfortunately, we don’t all have the resources and time to go back to academia. But what is the one that thing your friends and family always complain they should do more of…? Read. There’s actually a fair amount written on Korean history available for English readers; I know it can be overwhelming to choose where to begin. Obviously, if you have a niche interest such as fashion, shamanism, pop music, etc., you can hone in on those specifically. Yet for a more general understanding, I’ve compiled a list of my top 10 English-content books about Korean history . Some of these are primary sources and novels, while others are more rooted in analysis. I hope it can motivate you to get started on your self-led journey, and if there was ever a book that inspired you enough to make it in your top 10, leave a comment below! Keep on learning!

1. Letters From Korean History

“These books have a perfect balance of text and pictures that makes them easy to read, interesting, and informative. Also, the voice in the writing makes the content easy to understand. They do a great job of telling the story of Korea, starting from the Neolithic times, as well as narrating the stories of the various Korean dynasties in a clear, organized way. A very welcome change compared to the Eurocentric history classes taught in my high school. Would highly recommend!” -Amethy K

2. An Anthology of Modern Korean Literature

This book is a collection of samples from major genres of poetry and prose written from around 600 C.E. (modern, people!) to the end of the nineteenth century. You’ll read myths and legends, historical essays, romance stories, stunning poetry, satire pieces, and adventurous tales from some of Korea’s greatest writers, as well as scribblings from the quieter, rural sides of life.

3. Anthology of Traditional Korean Literature

One of my favorite things about this book is its divided sections. You can choose from one of four: verse, prose, fiction and oral literature. Oral literature is particularly engaging as it is composed of famous pansori narratives, shaman songs, and love poems from Goryo legends. When we think of literature we think of something read, not heard, but this book makes sure to value both.

4. Korea Old and New: A History

“ Was seeking a quick primer to give me some insight on the history of Korea and its relationship with Japan. This is the best I have found so far. Readable, fact-filled, no fat. Simultaneously published in 1990 by Ilchokak Publishers and the Korea Institute of Harvard University, written by a team of Korean and Western scholars, it gives deep insight of an inadequately chronicled culture. Extremely relevant today. “ -Hawks Gull

5. Korea’s Place in the Sun

While I could talk about ancient Korean history forever, the modern history of Korea is what captures the attention of most of the world. Korea’s 20th century was not entirely full of sunshine. Among colonization, the Cold War, the Korean War and economic crisis, positive moments are often overlooked. However, despite these difficult times, South Korea continues to grow as a economic powerhouse and cultural icon, collecting fans’ and historians’ attention from all over the world.

6. Korean Art from the 19th Century to the Present

Written by my academic mentor in London, Dr. Charlotte Horylck concisely and eloquently summarizes the Korean art scene during arguably its most dynamic time. With a growing interest in contemporary Korean artwork around the world, this book is a fantastic resource for those more creatively inclined. Dr. Horlyck explores a wide range of art forms from traditional ink paintings, to Korea’s first oil painters, all the way down to more recent video art. It’s a fascinating read for old and new historians alike, as well as those who are interested in the arts more generally.

7. The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyong

Ever heard of Prince Sado? There is a fantastic film called The Crown to get a quick overview of his tragic life. To put it simply, Sado was described as something of a masochist who brutually assaulted and abused members of the court and those closest to him. His life ended by the choice of his father, who locked him in a rice chest until his eventual death from starvation three days later. One of the most fascinating figures in Korean history is viewed at here from the viewpoint of his wife via her diaries. This review puts it simply: “ A fascinating insight into the intrigues and constraints of eighteenth century Korean court life. The Crown Princess has a strong voice, but has to tread carefully when she discusses the problems of the Korean royal family which she married into at the age of nine. She wrote 4 memoirs and only in the last one of 1805, written for her grandson when she was 70, does she feel able to discuss fully her husband’s mental illness and subsequent death at the hand of his father, the King. The elegant prose of the Crown Princess is very powerful, and I found it unexpectedly gripping and haunting. “ – L A (review)

8. Korean Stories for Language Learners

A great way to learn about a different culture is through its folk tales, stories and songs. Additionally, if you’re reading this list, it’s very likely that you are also interested in learning the Korean language. Why not tackle two birds with one stone? Korean Stories for Language Learners is compiled of 42 traditional Korean folktales with detailed notes and exercises aimed at beginners. While you admire the book’s beautiful illustrations, you can meanwhile study vocabulary and familiarize yourself with celebrated aspects of Korean culture. Don’t worry if you level is slightly higher – the stories increase in difficulty as the book goes on.

9. Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea

“Excellent new book is one of only a few that have made full use of the testimony of North Korean refugees and defectors. A delightful, easy-to-read work of literary nonfiction, it humanizes a downtrodden, long-suffering people whose individual lives, hopes and dreams are so little known abroad that North Koreans are often compared to robots. . . . The tale of the star-crossed lovers, Jun-sang and Mi-ran, is so charming as to have inspired reports that Hollywood might be interested.” – San Francisco Chronicle (review)

10. Human Acts

Although this is a work of fiction, Human Acts is centered around the Gwangju Uprising of 1980. A devastating loss for Korean freedom and democracy, this event is a terrible reminder of how we must be better as human beings. With her striking and slightly disturbing writing style, Han Kang is able to capture the horror of these events through the eyes of various people trapped in the city at the time. While it can be disturbing at points, the elegance of her prose is able to capture all of the heavy and gut-wrenching emotions surrounding this event.

Have you added any of these books to your Amazon basket already? I hope you found this list useful; stay tuned to our blog for many more historical articles, travel destinations and itineraries.

Richard Purves

Hard to believe Sarah Nelson’s “The Archaeology of Korea” doesn’t make the list…. dated these days, but still pretty much the only general overview of Korean archaeology available in English.

whatshanyourmind

Great suggestion! This list is just a place to get started. Nelson’s book is a wonderful addition.

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9 Popular Korean Books You Need to Read

By: Author Laura

Posted on Published: 5th December 2020  - Last updated: 8th January 2024

Categories Book Lists , Books , South Korea

In today’s post, Abbie Walker shares her top recommendations for the best books about Korea. Prepare to be transported to South Korea through literature with these 9 amazing Korean novels!

When people reach for translated literature from Asia, I think Japan can often overshadow South Korea when it comes to fiction.

And while Japanese literature is fantastic (you can read some of Laura’s and my favourite Japanese novels here), South Korea has produced so many incredible authors, writing both in translation and in English. 

I’m by no means an authority on Korean literature, but I’ve read a few Korean novels over the last few years and they’ve all left their mark on me.

Whether you’re into surreal and slightly twisted novels, books covering important periods of history, or plucky farmyard animals chasing their dreams, this list of some of the best books about Korea should have something for everyone!

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Translated Korean Novels

Untold Night and Day by Bae Suah

Translated by Deborah Smith

This short and surreal book will give you the impression of emerging from a particularly trippy fever dream when you turn the last page. The plot itself is simple. A young woman is made redundant from her job at a theatre for the blind.

Facing the uncertainty of her future, she spends the night with her former boss, searching for a mutual friend who has disappeared in Seoul.

But the oppressive heat of the evening brings reality into question, blurring the edges between real and imagined, past and present. 

Bae Suah is actually often dismissed by Koreans for her ‘un-Koreanness’, as Deborah Smith tells us in the translator’s note. But this shouldn’t put you off. If anything, it should make you want to read it more.

No one book can represent a culture or country and expecting a book from a certain country to be filled with cultural markers for a Western reader’s benefit is dangerous territory. 

You should read this book not because it’s one of the best books about Korea per se, but because it’s a brilliantly creative novel which will challenge you as a reader.

It’s best read in one sitting to catch all the nuances!

Buy Untold Night and Day: Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells

The Disaster Tourist by Yun Ko-eun

Translated by Lizzie Buehler

Off-beat and dripping with irony, The Disaster Tourist is a disaster novel with a difference. Our protagonist Yona works for Jungle, a travel agency dedicated to disaster tourism – which is a real thing by the way.

The agency specialises in trips to tsunami sites, towns devastated by hurricanes, and islands built on burning rubbish. The aim of the game is to make the visitors feel better about their own survival.

RELATED: The Disaster Tourist Review

Yun Ko-eun brings a lot of themes to the table with this succinct Korean novel. She addresses climate change, environmentalism, the #MeToo movement, and questions of collective responsibility and morality.

There’s a lot to ponder in this book, and one of the questions that stuck with me the most was what makes one natural disaster more ‘appealing’ than another?

Why does one event garner international outpourings of support and disaster relief, while another is relegated to a three-line summary in a newspaper?

We don’t get any answers, but we are certainly made to think. 

Lizzie Buehler does an excellent job with the translation too. The style is sparse and stark, perfectly suited to the subject matter. 

Buy The Disaster Tourist: Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells

The Vegetarian by Han Kang

Han Kang is one of the most famous Korean authors writing today, so I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you to pick up The Vegetarian .

But on the off chance you haven’t got yourself a copy of this unsettling little novel yet, allow me to give you another nudge. 

This is one of the best books about Korea since it deals with the aftermath of a woman who goes against societal conventions in a drastic way.

Yeong-hye starts dreaming of horrific, blood-soaked images and, in an effort to escape them, decides to stop eating meat. It sounds simple, but Yeong-hye’s subversive act begins to reach new heights.

I think it’s best to go into The Vegetarian knowing little more than that to immerse yourself fully in the experience.

However, if you’re sensitive to things like eating disorders, rape and self-harm, then tread carefully because this book does carry a lot of heavy content. 

READ MORE: The Vegetarian Book Review

Buy The Vegetarian: Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells

Diary of a Murderer by Kim Young-ha

Translated by Krys Lee

This book is made up of one novella and three short stories, and I recommend picking it up for the titular novella alone.

It’s 97 pages, so well worth it, especially since the other stories are by no means bad. They just pale a touch in comparison to the brilliant Diary of a Murderer .

If you love an antihero, then you will definitely love Byeongsu, an ex-murderer afflicted with Alzheimer’s.

When his adopted daughter introduces Byeongsu to her new boyfriend, he worries that she has become involved with a fellow killer.

The author does an incredible job of humanising Byeongsu. It might feel weird to empathise with a man with such a despicable past, but the portrayal of Alzheimer’s and Byeongsu’s protectiveness over his daughter is hard to resist!

The story blurs the lines between reality and fabricated memory, heightened by the main character’s deteriorating condition. It’s a heart-breaking musing on memory and murder.

Buy Diary of a Murderer: Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells

Kim JiYoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo

Translated by Jamie Chang

Kim JiYoung is truly one of the best books about South Korea I’ve ever read. It’s straight-talking and unapologetic in its depiction of life for women in Korea.

Kim JiYoung was one of the most popular Korean names for girls born in the 1980s, and as such it’s the story of the ‘Korean every-woman’.

Our Kim JiYoung is a disappointment in her family the second she’s born a girl and not a boy. The sexism begins in her own home and as she reaches school and then career age, it only gets worse.

Torment from boys at school, harassment at work, being forced to choose between a family and furthering her career, Kim JiYoung faces it all.

Although it’s a Korean book, women everywhere will, unfortunately, relate to some part of Kim JiYoung’s experiences. 

READ MORE: Best Books for Women in their 30s

Interestingly, the author substantiates her words with footnotes and references. This might seem off-putting at first, but for me it ended up adding to the story.

It reminded me that this isn’t just fiction, but the reality faced every day by women in South Korea.

I also thought the translation was flawless. The tone is cold and clinical (which will make sense in the end). Nothing gets sugar-coated and the straightforward style keeps you flipping the pages as fast as you can. 

Buy Kim JiYoung, Born 1982: Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells

The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly by Sun-mi Hwang

Translated by Chi-Young Kim

I didn’t realise until writing this that a lot of the popular Korean books are rather dark! If you want something a bit more light-hearted, then allow me to introduce you to Sprout the hen. 

Sprout is an egg-laying hen who has reached the end of her prime. All her life she’s laid eggs for her farmers, but she’s harboured a secret dream all that time. Sprout dreams of hatching her own egg.

Thwarting discriminatory barn animals and murderous weasels, Sprout comes up with a plan to flee to the wild and hatch an egg.

She’s plucky and brave, refusing to take no for an answer even when the odds are stacked against her. 

This Korean novel reads like a sweet and sad fable for adults. It reminds us to have courage in the face of adversity, to push back against other people’s misconceptions of us, and to accept and celebrate our differences. 

Buy The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly: Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells

Non-Translated Korean Novels

Some of the best books about Korea and Korean people have been written in English, so I didn’t want to leave those out! These titles are all must-reads if you’re interested in the history of Korea or the experience of Korean-Americans. 

Your House Will Pay by Steph Cha

Before this book, I knew woefully little about the LA Riots of 1992. I imagine a lot of UK readers will be in the same boat, and this book provides a solid introduction to the events despite being a work of fiction. 

Your House Will Pay is based on the real murder of Latasha Harlins , who was shot in the back of the head by a Korean woman in her liquor store.

The Korean store owner was convicted of voluntary manslaughter but received no prison time.

This, along with the beating of Rodney King, sparked tensions between the Black and Korean communities of LA that had been simmering for a while, resulting in the riot. 

Cha’s book is a sensitive and thoughtful fictionalised account of the killing and its subsequent impact on both families involved.

We hear from both families in alternating perspectives and Cha flips back and forth between the 1990s and 2019. She explores how the families might have coped in the aftermath.

Topics including responsibility, family dynamics, racism, social media, justice and forgiveness are all tackled here.

It honestly could have been 200 pages longer, but Cha does well to address everything in 300 pages in an impactful way. 

Buy Your House Will Pay: Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

Pachinko is another book which needs no introduction, but a list of the best books about Korea would not be complete without it!

Pachinko is a family saga beginning in the early 1900s in Korea. We start with Sunja, who is actually my favourite character in the whole book.

Pregnant with an unplanned and illegitimate child and shunned by her lover, she is saved from total shame by a minister who marries her and takes her off to Japan.

The story then follows the family through the decades.

I hadn’t read anything before about living as a Korean in Japan during the Occupation and it was an eye-opening and heart-wrenching experience.

Koreans living in Japan at this time were treated worse than animals, the conditions they were forced to endure were sickening.

There’s a line in this book: ‘A woman’s lot is to suffer.’ And that about sums it up! But the women in this book, despite their circumstances, are incredibly resilient.

When I read this book, I thought I didn’t click fully with the slightly cold style. Usually the historical fiction I read is a lot more emotive.

However, the more I think about it, the more I think the style is fitting. Lee has no need to overcomplicate things or resort to flowery language to get you to feel for these characters. What they go through is enough. 

Buy Pachinko: Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells

Native Speaker by Chang-rae Lee

This is the latest Korean novel I’ve read and I’m surprised that I don’t see more people talking about it! Although it was published in 1995, it reads like a modern-day novel and its themes remain pertinent to today’s society.

In Native Speaker, we’re introduced to Henry Park, a Korean-American man who just wants to assimilate. But the more he tries to become a true ‘native speaker’ in America, the more the country seems to reject him. Meanwhile, his Korean heritage feels further away than ever.

Lee explores a lot within this novel and in a way it feels longer than its 370 pages. Like Your House Will Pay, this book examines interracial tensions between different groups in New York.

I found the storyline with John Kwang, a rising politician, utterly fascinating and I’m not usually one for politics, fictional or otherwise. But there are also themes of family, interracial relationships and identity.

There’s a part where Kwang is talking to Henry about the way the media presents discord between racial groups, using the strife as a way to convince people that difference hinders a country rather than enriching and strengthening it.

He talks about how ‘the public may begin viewing anything outside mainstream experience and culture to be threatening or dangerous’.

If that doesn’t mirror rhetoric from today then I don’t know what does, making this novel more relevant than ever. 

Buy Native Speaker: Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells

5 Translated Korean Novels Still on My TBR

With such a wealth of Korean literature out there, my reading is never done! Here are five of my most anticipated Korean books I’ve still to read:

• I’ll Go On by Hwang Jungeun , translated by Emily Yae Won
• Flowers of Mold by Ha Seong-nan , translated by Janet Hong
• The Hole by Hye-Young Pyun , translated by Sora Kim-Russell
• Blood Sisters by Kim Yideum , translated by Ji Yoon Lee
• Mina by Kim Sagwa , translated by Bruce Fulton & Ju-Chan Fulton

Thanks so much to Abbie for sharing her recommendations for novels about Korea!

Abbie Walker

Abbie is a freelance writer, translator and content creator from the North East of England. She reads a lot of books and posts about them under the handle  @ab_reads  on Instagram, winning Bookstagrammer of the Year Award from the London Book Fair 2019. 

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16 Books Set in the Korean Peninsula

Kate is a 2011 Drake University grad, where she received her BA in magazine journalism. A hopeless romantic with a cynical heart, Kate will read anything that comes with a content warning, a love triangle, and a major plot twist. Twitter: @katekrug Blog:  http://snarky-yet-satisfying.com

View All posts by Kate Krug

The Hallyu Wave (or Korean Wave) has been a part of western culture for at least a decade now, but I think we can all agree that recently it has become even bigger. With BTS dominating the charts and award shows, to K-dramas becoming the It Shows of the moment, there’s been more eyes than ever on Korea. That includes books set in Korea.

I’ve written a few times about my experience learning to love and accept my Korean roots, but I think it definitely dawned on me while researching and writing this list of recommendations that a younger version of me would not have felt comfortable writing a piece like this. And it makes me so happy that I can love and appreciate all aspects of Korean culture now.

Now, I could give you Pachinko , Please Look After Mom , Wicked Fox , or Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 , but I dug a little deeper for this list of books set in Korea to bring some titles that may be lesser known and need more love. This list is primarily adult fiction titles, but I’ve also thrown in some horror, sci-fi, nonfiction, and YA books in here as well. And because Korea is more than just South Korea, I’ve also got some books on here that take place in North Korea and/or are North Korean authors, specifically.

Sound good? Daebak! Let’s dive into this book list.

Love in the Big City by Sang Young Park

Young is a student living in Seoul who is taking full advantage of the freedom of living on his own and being able to live his life. He and his best friend, Jaehee, bond over their love for excitement and pushing away their worries about the future. But it’s when Jaehee leaves him to settle down that Young is forced to look at his life and the relationships he’s managed to create with a series of random men from Tinder dates. I’m so excited to see more LGBTQIA+ representation in Korean novels.

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The Plotters by Kim Un-su

In this suspenseful crime novel, we are introduced to a professional underground assassin who works for a group of notoriously anonymous kingpins aka Plotters. Reseng has never questioned his work as an assassin…until now. When Reseng goes outside of his jurisdiction during a job, he sets off a series of events that will force him to take control of his decisions or continue to obey the Plotters.

Untold Night and Day by Bae Suah

Told over the course of a single day, this book chronicles Ayami’s last day at her box office job. She spends her night wandering around Seoul with her former boss and a culmination of events leads them to picking up a German writer from the airport. Ayami then spends the day conversing with the poet. Now I know this premise might not seem the most interesting — but trust me here. Things get trippy. You’re not going to know what’s real and what’s not. Buckle up for a nonlinear and bumpy ride.

The Mermaid from Jeju by Sumi Han

This book takes place in the immediate aftermath of World War II with Japan’s withdrawal and the U.S. occupation. When Junja makes a trip to the mountains for the first time, she meets and fall in love with Suwol. Not wanting to leave him, she stays an extra day and that decision changes her life forever. Her mother is killed performing a job that belonged to Junja and this event tears her family apart. Now without her family and without Suwol, Junja must learn how to survive in her new reality.

Tongue by Jo Kyung-ran

After a long-term relationship ends, Jung Ji-won tumbles into a deep depression. She shuts down her cooking school and loses complete interest in food — for eating, for cooking — and even loses her sense of taste. Looking to rebuild her life, Ji-won returns to the restaurant where she got her start and slowly rediscovers her appreciation for the culinary arts…and for revenge.

The Hole by Pyun Hye-young

Packing a serious punch in under 200 pages, this book walks the line of literary horror and psychological thriller. When Ogi wakes unable to speak or move, he’s told that he has survived a horrific car accident that has killed his wife and left him paralyzed and mute. Upon release from the hospital, he finds himself in the care of his mother-in-law who fires his home nurse and moves in herself, often neglecting his needs and leaving him bedridden. When he’s able to get around the house, it’s then he notices the large holes that the MIL has been digging in his front yard in the garden that his wife had loved.

The Good Son by You-Jeong Jeong

When Yu-jin wakes one morning to a missed call from his mother, he doesn’t think twice. That is until he discovers her murdered body at the bottom of the stairs. What makes it even worse, Yu-jin has zero memories of the night before — which isn’t a rare occurrence — Yu-jin has suffered from seizures for most of his life and is used to having gaps in his memory. This leads Yu-jin on a journey to figure out exactly what happened that night and if he has anything to do with his mother’s untimely demise.

At Least We Can Apologize by Lee Ki-ho

Starting in a place only known as the Institution, we meet Jin-man and Si-bong. Together they soon realize that constant apologizing for their actions is met with praise, so much so that they when they leave the Institution, they make it into a business. Jin-man and Si-bong build their careers on apologizing for other people’s wrong doings, where they are hired by others to apologize to others. As time progresses, the two begin to realize that an apology means nothing without behavior change and that they may be doing more harm than good.

If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha

Cha’s debut is all about South Korean culture and the relentless journey many women embark on to achieve the impossibly high beauty standards, focusing on how they relate and fit within South Korea’s social hierarchy. All of the women have unique and incredible stories, including Kyuri, whose numerous surgeries have granted her a cushy job at a room salon, and Sujin, who finally gets the surgeries she desperately wanted only to face a long and painful recovery.

I Have the Right to Destroy Myself by Kim Young-ha

Our narrator is a man who works with clients who are suicidal. But instead of convincing them not to, he’s there to help them find the best way to do it. In the side plot, we meet brothers, C and K, both of whom are in love with the same woman. These two stories converge when the narrator takes a trip to Prague and begins an affair with a woman he meets at a museum. As you can expect, obvious trigger warning here for suicide and suicide ideation.

My Brilliant Life by Ae-Ran Kim

Areum is born with a rare condition known as progeria, which causes rapid aging. His parents are both teenagers who were unprepared for children, let alone for one with special needs. As Areum continues to age, he is the one who teaches his parents and everyone around him about the importance of living life to its fullest and having regrets.

Friend: A Novel From North Korea by Paek Nam-Nyong

This book is set in North Korea by a writer who grew up and has continued to live in North Korea. In fact, it’s the first state-sanctioned novel to be translated into English. Paek makes no mention or illusion to the government or their leader, instead choosing to focus on the lives of the North Korean citizens, going through the same things as the rest of the world. Our main character is going through the process of divorce, chronicling how the couple met, fell in love, and how their relationships deteriorated.

Without You, There Is No Us: My Time with the Sons of North Korea’s Elite by Suki Kim

In Suki Kim’s memoir, she recalls her experience of teaching English in North Korea during the last six months of Kim Jong-il’s reign. Her class is full of the sons of the ruling class and Suki watches as they excel due to their societal privilege, and also their undying support and nationalism for their country. Just as Suki begins to give them glimpses of life outside of North Korea’s territory, Kim Jong-il dies and her students are devastated.

Rebel Seoul by Axie Oh

The first in a duology, this book takes place in the Neo State of Korea in the aftermath of a great war. Jaewon is an ex-gang member turned schoolboy who has been swiftly climbing the ranks in his academy. The son of a rebel father raised on the streets of Old Seoul, Jaewon is determined to make a name for himself. When Jaewon is recruited by the Director of the Neo State into a lucrative weapons development division, he becomes of the partner of Tera, a robot test subject and his loyalty begins to shift.

b, Book, and Me by Kim Sagwa

In this coming-of-age novel, best friends b and Rang stand out from their classmates and even their town. In a town that wishes it was Seoul full with people who want to live in Seoul, b and Rang couldn’t be bothered. It seems like it’s the two of them against the world. But then Rang writes a poem in dedication to b, her best friend. And b doesn’t like it. The two go their separate ways, and eventually meet again through a new friend named Book, who helps them find each other and rekindle their friendship.

K-Pop Confidential by Stephan Lee

Candace Park is a quiet Korean girl living in America, who dreams of becoming a K-pop idol. She secretly enters a global audition and is shocked when she is accepted into their prestigious trainee program. But convincing her parents to let her move to Korea is only the beginning of Candace’s problems. The trainee program is even more grueling than she imagined and the dating ban becomes even harder to abide when she meets one of the boy trainees.

Interested in more books set in the Land of Morning Calm and/or by Korean authors? We’ve got you:

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• Korean YA Romance Novels
• 12 Korean Children’s Books
• Korean Books in Translation

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20 best books on south korean culture – 2023 reading list & recommendations

Are you fascinated by the rich and vibrant culture of South Korea? Do you want to delve deeper into the traditions, history, and contemporary life of this fascinating country? Look no further! We have curated a list of the 20 best books about South Korean culture that will take you on an immersive journey. From insightful memoirs to gripping novels and comprehensive guides, these books offer an unparalleled glimpse into the heart and soul of South Korea. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler, a history buff, or simply curious, these books on South Korean culture are a must-read for everyone!

• 2 The Vegetarian
• 3 Please Look After Mom
• 4 The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly
• 5 The White Book
• 6 The Calligrapher’s Daughter
• 7 The Interpreter
• 8 The Island of Sea Women
• 9 The Birth of Korean Cool
• 10 The Guest
• 11 The Accusation
• 12 The Hen Who Dreamed She Had Hands
• 13 The Court Dancer
• 14 The Good Son
• 15 The Impossible Fairy Tale
• 16 The Hole
• 17 The Investigation
• 18 The Plotters
• 19 The Human Jungle
• 20 The Disaster Tourist
• 21 Conclusion

Buy the book

by Min Jin Lee

Pachinko, a captivating novel by Min Jin Lee, immerses readers in a rich and vibrant world of South Korean culture. Set against the backdrop of tumultuous historical events, this remarkable book delves deep into the lives of a diverse cast of characters, exploring themes of identity, family, and the pursuit of dreams.

The Vegetarian

By han kang.

“The Vegetarian” is a captivating novel that delves deep into the intricate layers of South Korean culture. This thought-provoking book takes readers on an emotional journey, exploring the complexities of societal expectations, personal identity, and the power of choice.

Please Look After Mom

By kyung-sook shin.

Please Look After Mom is a captivating and heart-wrenching book about the intricacies of South Korean culture. This poignant novel by Kyung-Sook Shin delves into the deep-rooted traditions, familial bonds, and societal expectations that shape the lives of individuals in South Korea. Through the story of a mother who goes missing in Seoul’s bustling subway system, the author explores the themes of sacrifice, guilt, and the unspoken sacrifices that mothers make for their families.

The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly

By sun-mi hwang.

The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly is a captivating book on South Korean culture that takes readers on a heartwarming journey through the life of a determined hen named Sprout.

The White Book

The White Book by Han Kang is a mesmerizing exploration of the Korean Peninsula’s rich cultural tapestry. This literary gem delves deep into the heart and soul of South Korean culture, offering readers a poignant and vivid portrait of a nation steeped in history and tradition. Through a series of lyrical vignettes, Han Kang takes us on a journey that encompasses the nation’s landscapes, customs, and collective memories. This exquisitely crafted book about South Korean culture is a testament to Han Kang’s mastery as a storyteller, as she weaves together personal anecdotes, historical events, and cultural nuances to paint a vivid and immersive picture of this fascinating corner of the world. The White Book is a captivating and evocative ode to the South Korean culture, a literary gem that celebrates the resilience, beauty, and complexities of a nation that leaves an indelible mark on its readers.

The Calligrapher’s Daughter

By eugenia kim.

The Calligrapher’s Daughter by Eugenia Kim is a captivating book on the rich and vibrant tapestry of South Korean culture. Set in early 20th century Korea, this novel takes readers on a mesmerizing journey through the life of Najin Han, a young girl whose talent for calligraphy sets her apart in a society defined by strict gender roles and societal expectations. Through Najin’s eyes, we witness the beauty of hanbok-clad women, the harmony of traditional music, and the intricate art of Korean calligraphy. This book about South Korean culture immerses readers in a world of family traditions, political turmoil, and the resilience of the human spirit. As Najin navigates the complexities of love, loss, and the struggle for independence, readers are offered a poignant insight into the traditions, customs, and values that shape South Korean culture. The Calligrapher’s Daughter is a captivating tale that will transport you to a different time and place, leaving you with a deep appreciation for the rich heritage and timeless beauty of South Korea.

The Interpreter

By suki kim.

The Interpreter is a captivating exploration of South Korean culture, written by the talented author Suki Kim. This enthralling book delves deep into the rich tapestry of South Korean society, offering readers a unique and insightful glimpse into the heart and soul of this fascinating country.

The Island of Sea Women

By lisa see.

The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See is a captivating exploration of South Korean culture through the lives of female divers. Set on the picturesque Jeju Island, this powerful novel delves into the rich traditions and unique way of life of the haenyeo, a community of female divers who have been diving for centuries. Through the eyes of two best friends, Mi-ja and Young-sook, we witness the hardships, joys, and deep bonds that are forged in this close-knit society. Seamlessly blending history, friendship, love, and tragedy, See takes us on a remarkable journey that will leave readers with a profound understanding of the resilience and indomitable spirit of the haenyeo and the fascinating world of South Korean culture.

The Birth of Korean Cool

By euny hong.

Euny Hong’s The Birth of Korean Cool is a captivating exploration of the fascinating world of Hallyu, the phenomenon that has made South Korean culture a global sensation. This mesmerizing book delves into the rise of K-pop, K-dramas, and other aspects of Korean popular culture that have taken the world by storm.

by Hwang Sok-yong

The Guest, written by Hwang Sok-yong, is an extraordinary literary journey that immerses readers in the rich tapestry of South Korean culture. This captivating novel delves deep into the complexities and nuances of a society shaped by tradition, history, and the ever-evolving dynamics of modernity. With vivid storytelling and masterful prose, Hwang Sok-yong paints a vivid portrait of a nation undergoing profound transformation, while exploring timeless themes of identity, belonging, and the power of human connection. A true gem for those seeking a profound understanding of South Korean culture, this book offers an immersive and enlightening experience that will leave readers yearning for more.

The Accusation

The Accusation is a captivating book on South Korean culture that offers a rare glimpse into the realities of life under North Korea’s oppressive regime. Written by the pseudonymous author Bandi, this poignant collection of short stories brings to light the struggles, hopes, and fears of ordinary people living in the tightly controlled society of North Korea.

The Hen Who Dreamed She Had Hands

The Hen Who Dreamed She Had Hands is a captivating tale that offers a unique glimpse into the rich tapestry of South Korean culture. This heartwarming novel, written by Sun-mi Hwang, takes readers on a remarkable journey through the eyes of a determined hen named Sprout.

The Court Dancer

The Court Dancer by Kyung-Sook Shin is a mesmerizing tale that immerses readers in the vibrant world of the Joseon Dynasty, offering a captivating glimpse into the rich tapestry of South Korean culture. This exquisite novel weaves together history, romance, and tradition, transporting readers to a bygone era where court intrigue and forbidden love abound.

The Good Son

By you-jeong jeong.

The Good Son, written by You-Jeong Jeong, is a captivating and enthralling book that delves into the intricate layers of South Korean culture. This mesmerizing novel takes readers on a suspenseful journey, unraveling the secrets and dark underbelly of a society deeply rooted in tradition and societal expectations.

The Impossible Fairy Tale

By han yujoo.

The Impossible Fairy Tale is a mesmerizing and thought-provoking novel that delves into the depths of South Korean culture. This enchanting book explores the intricacies and complexities of Korean society, offering a unique and profound perspective on the country’s rich cultural heritage.

by Hye-Young Pyun

The Hole by Hye-Young Pyun takes readers on a chilling and thought-provoking journey into the depths of the human psyche, against the backdrop of South Korean society. This gripping novel provides a fascinating glimpse into the intricacies of South Korean culture, delving into themes of isolation, identity, and the fragile nature of the human mind.

The Investigation

By jung-myung lee.

The Investigation by Jung-Myung Lee is a captivating book on South Korean culture that takes readers on a thrilling journey through the dark underbelly of 1940s Seoul. This intricately crafted novel delves into the heart of a nation grappling with its identity and the harsh realities of war.

The Plotters

By un-su kim.

Embark on a thrilling journey through the hidden realms of South Korean culture with Un-su Kim’s masterful novel, The Plotters. This literary gem offers a unique and mesmerizing perspective on the intricate layers of society, politics, and tradition that define the enigmatic world of modern South Korea.

Set in the buzzing metropolis of Seoul, The Plotters unveils a clandestine network of assassins known as “plotters” who operate behind the scenes, orchestrating political killings on behalf of anonymous clients. Kim’s expert storytelling weaves together a tapestry of suspense, dark humor, and thought-provoking insights into the underbelly of South Korean society.

As you immerse yourself in the gripping narrative, you’ll encounter a rich tapestry of characters, each reflecting a facet of South Korean culture. From the stoic and meticulous assassin Reseng, who grapples with his own existential crisis, to the enigmatic and alluring Madame K, who rules over the plotters with an iron fist, every character embodies the complexities and contradictions of contemporary South Korea.

Through its exploration of the shadowy world of assassination, The Plotters offers a unique lens into the cultural nuances that shape the lives of its characters. Kim’s vivid descriptions and intimate knowledge of South Korean society allow readers to experience the rich tapestry of traditions, customs, and values that define this fascinating culture.

Beyond its gripping plot and intricate character development, The Plotters serves as a doorway into the heart and soul of South Korea. Kim’s masterful storytelling delves into the country’s history, politics, and social dynamics, shedding light on the tensions and transformations that have shaped contemporary South Korean culture.

Prepare to be captivated by The Plotters as it immerses you in a world where assassins and secrets collide, and where the intricate tapestry of South Korean culture unfolds before your eyes. This spellbinding novel is a must-read for anyone seeking a thrilling and enlightening exploration of this vibrant society.

The Human Jungle

By cho chongnae.

The Human Jungle by Cho Chongnae is an enthralling exploration of the intricate tapestry that is the South Korean culture. Dive into the pages of this captivating book on the vibrant and multifaceted world of South Korea, as Chongnae masterfully unveils the hidden layers and complexities of this fascinating society. Join him on a journey through the bustling streets of Seoul, where tradition seamlessly intertwines with modernity, and where the human spirit thrives amidst the chaos of everyday life. This remarkable book about South Korean culture will transport you into a realm where tradition, history, and contemporary dynamics collide, shedding light on the unique beauty and challenges of this fascinating nation. South Korean culture book aficionados, prepare to be captivated!

The Disaster Tourist

By yun ko-eun.

The Disaster Tourist is a captivating novel that takes readers on a thrilling journey through the depths of South Korean culture. This gripping tale, written by Yun Ko-eun, immerses us in a world where tourism and catastrophe intertwine, exploring the darker side of the country’s cultural landscape.

In conclusion, these 20 best books about South Korean culture offer a fascinating and immersive journey into the rich and diverse heritage of this vibrant nation. Whether you are interested in history, art, cuisine, or simply want to gain a deeper understanding of South Korean society, these books provide a valuable resource. From memoirs and novels to travelogues and cookbooks, there is something for every reader. So, grab a cup of traditional Korean tea, settle into your favorite reading spot, and embark on a literary exploration of South Korean culture.

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13 Best Korean Textbooks for Self-Study

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By OptiLingo • 9 minute read

Textbooks are a great language-learning resource. But they’re often boring and repetitive. And when you’re learning Korean, it’s important to keep your lessons fun and engaging. What’s is the best Korean textbook for self-study? Here are 13 of the most effective and engaging books that can give you a good foundation for the language . 

Learn Korean with These 13 Awesome Textbooks

If you’re learning Korean to pass a language exam, this is the perfect textbook for you. TOPIK is short for Test of Proficiency in Korean . This textbook is designed to be the best preparation material you need if you want to test at a proficient level in Korean.

The vocabulary lists in this book also include model sentences, helping you understand how the words are used in context. Perhaps the most important feature of this book is the sample test questions. And you can practice with previous exams, so you’re well prepared when your Korean language exam comes.

2. Learning Korean Through Traditional Fairy Tales

This textbook was designed for children of Korean ex-pats. Even so, it’s still a great resource for foreign language learners. This collection of Korean folk tales gives you a great insight into Korean culture. Featuring pictures and audio recordings along with the text, you can enhance your Korean knowledge rapidly using a variety of methods for study and review. 

The folktales are divided into three sections : interesting and instructive stories that have moral lessons, mysterious stories with elements of fantasy, and classic stories from Korea. With additional vocabulary, the textbook has a variety of content that makes learning easy and interesting.

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3. Seoul National University’s Korean

Seoul National University is a top-ranking higher education institution in South Korea . And this book reflects that quality. You’ll learn Korean using this book through its comprehensive overview of vocabulary and grammar.

The book balances fun interactions, challenges, structure, and rich content excellently. All lessons have their own recordings available on CD that can also be downloaded. And this book lets you adjust the difficulty of your lessons based on your own fluency. That means Seoul National University’s Korean Textbook is one of the best books for Korean self-study.

4. Once Upon a Time in Korea

This is the perfect book for you if you want to have a fun learning experience. Using colors and visuals, the storytelling aspect of this book makes it very appealing.  The entire book has twenty-three chapters. And each chapter contains a unique Korean folktale. It’s also written in Hangul, providing great reading practice.

These folktales are usually funny. They also have a moral, making the learning experience instructive while providing access to the values and the social etiquettes of Korea. The individual stories also have illustrations that are beautiful, notes about the culture, and they include vocabulary extensively. Once Upon a Time in Korea is a perfect Korean textbook for any self-studying beginner.

5. Integrated Korean

This Korean textbook series is very popular. Catering to all levels of fluency, Integrated Korean offers reliable lessons to learners. You can use all ten volumes of the series to get from beginner to proficient. 

It uses authentic materials, contextualization, effective skill acquisition. The textbook uses a four-skill approach together with a step-by-step method to help learners learn the Korean language. The textbook also incorporates situational-based lessons with support from ample examples that’ll help you understand the context better. And the bilingual nature of this textbook puts it on our list of best Korean textbooks for self-study.

6. My Korean 1 and My Korean 2

These textbooks, written in Monash University , are perfect for an introduction to modern Korean. The textbook focuses specifically on words that are spoken in everyday situations. And these books are not only available in hard copies, but you can also find them online in PDF formats. 

The structure of My Korean textbooks adopts the four skill approach. Reading, writing, listening, and speaking are combined in practical dialogue situations. Plus, the books also use comics and simple explanations of grammar to help drive the material home. This textbook is the best for a well-rounded Korean self-study.

7. Ewha Korean

Some consider the Ewha Korean series as the bible of the Korean leaning textbooks. The book has step-by-step guides that make learning Korean approachable and fun. Through the use of colorful images and straightforward explanations, it quickly became a student-favorite.

At the end of each unit, there is a “Try It” section that’ll help you focus on speaking Korean without using a lot of memorization. These textbooks from the Ewha Woman’s University are used globally since they cater to all levels of fluency.

8. Korean Language for Academics in Business Administration

Business language is always more complicated. With this book, you can learn business terms and vocabulary in Korean easily. Made specifically for international students studying business at a Korean University, it’s incredibly useful.

9. Korean Grammar in Use: Beginner to Early Intermediate

As the title suggests, this textbook is suitable for learners who are completely new to Korean. However, intermediate level students can also find it useful. If you need a reference or a review of a particular part of Korean grammar, this book is an excellent resource. There are also two more books in the series for higher-level learners.

Although grammar lessons can be very dry, this book does its best to make it fun and easy to understand. Using pictures and graphics can definitely help with that. If you want a book where the explanations are straightforward and provide useful examples, Korean Grammar in Use is an excellent option.

10. Korean Made Simple

You may have heard of the popular YouTube vlogger called Billy Go. He launched a textbook series to complement his video channel. Besides the linguistic aspect, this book also focuses on Korean culture. This makes it ideal for those who want to learn more about the country.

11. My First 500 Korean Words

If you’re looking to enhance your vocabulary with common Korean words, this book is for you. Along with 500 basic Korean words, as the title suggests, this book also offers verb conjugations. Since grammar is a crucial part of language learning, we don’t recommend this book as a standalone resource. However, it’s an excellent resource to complement your studies. Foreign language fluency depends on good vocabulary . And with this book, you will surely learn key words in Korean.

12. Korean Slang: As Much As a Rat’s Tail

As Much As a Rat’s Tail offers a laid back approach to language learning. There is much more to Korean than formal speech and polite expressions. If you want to know how young people speak every day, this book is for you.

Its short lessons make sure you never lose interest, and you don’t cram too much into one session. There are fun characters throughout the book to help you learn the words and terms. Plus, the book breaks up into small sections. Learn how to swear, cheer with drinks, and greet your friends in Korean with this down-to-earth, self-study Korean textbook.

13. Korean for Beginners: Mastering Conversational Korean

Foreign language fluency is the ability to speak effortlessly . And this textbook teaches you how to do that. Every Korean beginner should add this to their collection. This book sets a clear path that you can follow. The humor, entertainment, and culture in this textbook make it the best Korean self-study material for bored students.

Why Use the Best Korean Textbook for Self-study?

There are a lot of effective ways to learn a language. And with today’s technology, using a textbook may seem like an out-of-date method. But the truth is, for successful language learning, you need a combination of different materials. Using a language learning app on your phone is convenient . Watching Korean dramas in your free time is entertaining. And using a Korean textbook is useful for building a solid linguistic foundation.

Advantages of Korean Textbooks:

• Grammar : Grammar rules are easier to understand in textbooks if they are properly explained. While immersion can give you a great sense of the language, knowing why the verb tenses and sentence structures work the way they do can give you an advantage. 
• Dialogues : Many textbooks give examples of dialogues you can use in everyday conversations.
• Vocabulary : The vocabulary lists featured in Korean textbooks are very helpful. They’re a convenient way to review a large collection of words without going through the trouble of making flashcards.
• Practice : The best Korean textbooks come with exercise books. By giving you tasks, these books can guide your foreign language practice sessions , helping you better engage with the language and remember your lessons.
• Cultural context : A language is more than just a collection of words. It reflects a culture. Always look for Korean textbooks that provide examples of Korean culture . These insights are peer-reviewed and reliable. By better understanding the culture, the people who speak the language, you’ll have an easier time using the language.
• Exam preparation : If your language learning goal for Korean is to pass a language exam, you need a reliable book to guide you through the test. Exams often pull a lot of material (or similar kinds of material) from textbooks. Reviewing the style and structure of the textbook can help you better prepare for your next Korean exam. 

Pair Korean Textbooks with the Best Language Learning Method

Having a reliable Korean textbook is very important. But in order to have a well-rounded language education, you need more than one approach to get you to your goal. The truth is, you need a method that gets you speaking , not just reading and writing in Korean. If you want a reliable language learning app to complement your Korean textbooks, choose OptiLingo.

OptiLingo’s language learning is based on research-based teaching methods . The lesson plans are proven to be effective. OptiLingo gives you the most common words and phrases, so you learn exactly how the locals speak. This approach has lead thousands of language learners to fluency. Reach Korean fluency with us faster than you ever thought possible.

Discover how effective OptiLingo is. Try FREE today !

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The Best Way to Learn Korean: Your Ultimate Guide

Many people believe they aren’t capable of learning a language. we believe that if you already know one language, there’s no reason you can’t learn another..

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The 9 Best Books to Learn Korean Quickly

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Korean is a fascinating language, but finding the right tool to learn it can be overwhelming. Books are always a good choice for learning a language if you want access to detailed explanations and clear examples. This article compiles some of the best books to learn Korean for all levels of learners. Whatever your reason for learning Korean, you’re sure to find a book on this list that can help you learn quickly and effectively.

Korean is one of the most spoken languages in the world, with over 81 million people who speak it. It’s the official language of North and South Korea, but there are large communities of Korean speakers in other countries like China, the United States, and Japan. There are many reasons to learn Korean, especially if you are interested in technology or want to and a job at a number of large international companies. A Bloomberg Report named South Korea the most innovative country in the world, and some of the biggest technology brands, such as Samsung, Hyundai, and LG come from this country. In this article, you’ll find some of the best Korean books that will help you learn the language no matter what level you have.

How We Picked the Best Books to Learn Korean

For any language learning products we’ve tested or researched, we follow a strict testing methodology to make sure the products we recommend are top-notch. Here are the specific factors we looked at when testing Korean textbooks:

• Structure and Topics : We looked for textbooks with content organized in a way that made it easy to navigate. Additional features like glossaries, vocabulary lists, answer keys, English-Korean translations, phonetic guides, and related language tools were also taken into consideration.
• Quality of Content: To pick the best high-quality books, we checked each to ensure they had content that was accurate and helpful for all levels of Korean learners. We looked for books with clear explanations, an engaging approach, and realistic goals. 
• Features Available: We looked for books with additional materials, such as audio tracks, mobile apps, flashcards, and other helpful tools that made studying Korean a more comprehensive experience.
• Value for Money: We took the three previous factors and compared them to the price of each book to determine if they offered good value and convenience to Korean language students.

Our Top Picks for the Best Korean Books

Below is a table with the best books to learn the Korean language. Scroll down to learn more about each one.

Korean Made Simple

Best overall korean book.

Korean Made Simple is the best overall book because it breaks down the basics of the language into understandable chunks to teach you vocabulary, grammar, and the Korean writing system. There are 20 chapters with detailed explanations that you can complete in a logical order. The book starts by showing you how to draw different Hangul characters and quickly explains how to form syllables, words, and sentences. There are also notes that teach you about Korean history and culture to help you understand their influence on the language. Each chapter includes practice exercises, and you can also find audio files available on their website to develop your listening comprehension skills.

I think this book is a perfect option for complete beginners who want to follow a step-by-step guide that allows you to constantly build upon what they previously learned. The lessons begin with the most basic aspects of Korean, and teach you what you need to know to understand the following chapters effectively. The book ensures there are no gaps in your study that could cause confusion or frustration as you advance. The lessons provide detailed explanations that teach Korean learners the basics, but you can also find notes for advanced students that explain the nuances and exceptions that you may come across. Find out if this is the right book for you here .

Key Benefits

• The book guides you through Korean step-by-step to teach you all you need to know before moving to the next level
• It teaches you how to write Hangul characters, as well as how to form syllables and words to ensure you can read and communicate in Korean from the start
• Gives you access to audio files so you can practice listening to native speakers and develop your conversational skills at the same time

Read and Speak Korean for Beginners

Best for beginners.

Read and Speak Korean for Beginners is the best book for beginners because it teaches you the words and phrases you need to navigate daily scenarios like introductions, talking about your family, and asking for directions. This book is part of McGraw Hill’s Read & Speak series, so you know you can expect high-quality content and accurate language. The book is divided into eight units with clear explanations for important grammar and vocabulary topics, such as expressing negatives, using adjectives, or describing characteristics. There’s a practice section in the last chapters of the book, and an answer key to measure your progress. The book also gives you access to additional audio tracks available through the McGraw-Hill Language App to help you practice listening and pronunciation while you study.

In my opinion, this is a perfect book for complete beginners who want to begin learning Korean in an uncomplicated way. Each lesson has a set of keywords you’ll use and clear explanations and examples that show you how to apply them in sentences. The book follows a set lesson plan, so it’s constantly expanding and using the vocabulary you used before. The audio tracks are included in every chapter, and you’re encouraged to listen to them to complete the exercises and hear the pronunciation of the different Korean vocabulary words. To me, this book can be a great way to explore the language and learn some essential phrases to converse with other Korean speakers. You can read more about the book here .

• Teaches you common words and phrases to help you interact with Korean speakers and navigate daily scenarios with ease
• Each chapter has clear explanations and examples that expand on what you previously learned to ensure you make constant progress
• The book comes with an app with audio tracks that help you listen to the correct pronunciation of Korean and complete speaking exercises

Talk To Me In Korean Level 1

Best for self-study.

Talk To Me In Korean Level 1 is the best book for self-study because it focuses on teaching you the vocabulary and grammar you need for conversation, and not the written or formal style of Korean. The book is based on the Talk To Me podcast, so you can use it as an additional resource to tackle the basics of Korean conversation. Its lessons include the romanization spelling of the Hangul characters and the explanations show you how to structure sentences to communicate with ease. Keep in mind that this book doesn’t teach how to read Hangul, and it’s recommended you learn the Korean writing system beforehand. There are practice activities included throughout the book, but you can also purchase an additional workbook to practice the most important topics. Plus, there are MP3 audio tracks available on the Talk To Me in Korean website to accompany your lessons and allow you to hear how Korean is spoken by native speakers.

Korean is a language where formality plays an important role, so you must be careful about the way you address others. With this book, you can learn the basics of Korean communication through its dialogues and exercises. Each chapter introduces you to dialogues that helps you understand the role that language plays in communication and the audio component makes it a comprehensive tool to develop your language skills. All the lessons have brief explanations that teach you how to interact with Koreans in formal and informal scenarios, which I found very helpful. If you want to study how to use Korean to communicate effectively, this book can be a valuable addition to your study routine. You can see if this is the right book for you here .

• Learn the basic vocabulary and grammar you need for conversation and focus on developing your conversational skills to sound like a native Korean speaker
• Includes dialogues that show you how to use the language to express your ideas and build bonds with other Korean speakers
• There are audio tracks available on the website to help you work on your listening comprehension and ensure you understand all sorts of Korean conversations

Let’s Speak Korean

Best for travel.

Let’s Speak Korean is the best book for travelers because it has everything you need to prepare for speaking with people around Korea. Because it focuses on the 1,400 most common expressions in Korean, it doesn’t get bogged down in the nitty-gritty of grammar. This book includes English translations, romanized pronunciation, and online audio so you can listen and practice the pronunciation of each word presented in the text and familiarize yourself with the sounds of the language. It has a Traveling to Korea section that teaches you different facts about the country, its etiquette, cultural norms, and tourist sites, as well as a basic guide for understanding Hangul.

Whether you’re planning a trip to Korea or just learning the language for fun, I think this book can teach you all you need to know to communicate on a basic level in a short period of time. Keep in mind that the goal of this book is to get you to speak Korean quickly, so its explanations are very concise and simple. While this book won’t help you gain a deep understanding of the language, it could be perfect if you need to learn essential Korean words and phrases for travel. You can find out if Let’s Speak Korean is right for you here .

• Learn more than 1,400 common expressions and communicate on a basic level quickly
• Includes a guide for Hangul so you can understand essential written texts
• Additional online audio helps you practice your pronunciation and become familiar with spoken Korean

Korean Alphabet with Writing Workbook

Best for learning hangul.

Korean Alphabet with Writing Workbook is the best book for learning Hangul because it shows you how to write each character with the correct stroke order. The book contains detailed examples of how to write the 10 vowels and 14 consonants of the Hangul writing system, and has explanations that show you how to form words and sentences. The book includes practice pages for each individual character, and the examples are clear so it’s easy to see the details. There are also vocabulary activities to help you learn new words and practice using Hangul one step at a time.

I think this book can be ideal for beginners who want to learn how to write in the Korean writing system. Getting the right stroke order is important when you’re writing in Korean because adding or changing one little detail can alter the meaning of your word and cause embarrassment or funny situations. With this book, you can start developing your muscle memory and become familiar with the Korean alphabet. Knowing Hangul is also a vital skill that can save you a lot of time in your Korean studies, so I highly recommend you pick up this book. You can get your own copy here .

• Learn the correct Hangul stroke order to ensure you can write clear messages that truly express your ideas
• There are clear examples for each character and many pages to allow you to practice writing
• It includes a guide that shows you how to form syllables, words, and sentences to begin using essential Korean vocabulary

Korean Stories for Language Learners

Best for learning about culture.

Korean Stories for Language Learners is the best book for learning about Korean culture because it allows you to explore the traditions and beliefs through engaging, short stories. This book has 42 folktales written in Korean with English translations so you can review the content even if you don’t understand all the words. It’s meant for beginner to low-intermediate learners, but since it has English translations, it can be used by anyone interested in learning about Korean culture. The stories become more complex as you progress through the book to help you gradually develop your reading skills and expand your vocabulary. There are also practice exercises, cultural notes, and discussion questions to further your understanding of the stories.

The author of this book, Julie Damron, is an experienced college professor with a Ph.D. in Linguistics who believes that the best way to practice a language while you learn about its culture is through short passages. The tales in this book explain where many Korean traditions and beliefs originated, like praying for 100 days in a row or where rain comes from. The pre and post-reading discussion questions in this book engage you with the stories and open up your mind to ensure you understand their context and purpose. The cultural notes tell you more about how these beliefs affect life in present-day Korea, which, in my opinion, is one of the most useful aspects of this book. Find out more about the book here .

• Includes 42 stories written in Korean with English translations that teach you about Korean culture so you can understand where and how many beliefs, traditions, and values originated
• The stories gradually become more complex to ensure you continue to improve your reading skills and expand your vocabulary
• There are pre and post-reading questions that help you test your reading comprehension and develop your understanding of the Korean folktale structure

How to Speak KPOP

Best for korean slang.

How to Speak KPOP is your best option if you want to learn Korean slang. This is a straightforward guide that uses real-life examples to teach you how slang words are used in popular Korean culture. It includes detailed explanations that break down grammar, current language trends, acronyms, and pronunciation to help you communicate like people do in Korea. The book is aimed at Korean media fans, and the vocabulary and phrases you can learn in this book have been chosen to allow you to communicate with Korean native speakers with similar interests. 

With the rise in popularity of K-pop, Korean series, and movies there has been an ever-growing interest in learning the language to bring fan communities together. If you want to be able to understand your favorite idol in his or her native language, or just interact with other fellow fans, I think this book is just what you’re looking for. There aren’t many books dedicated specifically to slang words and How To Speak KPOP does a great job of balancing context, culture, and language aspects like sentence structure and conjugation. Overall, I think this book is totally worth it if your goal is to understand your favorite dramas or Korean media with ease. Find out more about the book here .

• Learn popular Korean slang words to understand popular Korean media or communicate with fan communities
• Real-life examples show you how to apply slang words in context so you can sound like a native speaker
• Includes a pronunciation guide to help you use the slang words in your conversations

2000 Most Common Korean Words in Context

Best for korean vocabulary.

The 2000 Most Common Korean Words in Context book is the best for Korean vocabulary because it teaches you the vocabulary you need to start communicating. With this book, you learn the 2000 most frequently used Korean words in speech and writing instead of random vocabulary. Each word comes with a romanization of its pronunciation, an English translation, and an example sentence to help you understand how to apply it in the right context. At the beginning of the book, you can find a detailed introduction that explains how to build sentences, use honorifics, and some of the differences you might notice between English and Korean grammar. 

This book is part of the Lingo Mastery series that has published similar books in other languages and can be a great tool if your goal is to increase your Korean vocabulary quickly. All the words and phrases used in this book are natural-sounding and have been compiled from different sources like books, movies, news articles, and more. Unlike books that group words and phrases by topic, here you can study the Korean vocabulary you’re most likely to hear and need regardless of the scenario or form. To me, this makes 2000 Most Common Korean Words in Context a powerful addition to your study routine. However, because this book doesn’t have extensive grammatical explanations, it might work better as a part of a study routine than as a stand-alone resource. Find out if you like the book here .

• Learn the most frequently used Korean words in media so you can understand the language quickly, even if you’re at the beginner level
• Each word includes example sentences, pronunciation, Hangul spelling, and an English translation to make sure you understand its meaning and how to apply it in context
• The book includes tips that explain how to use basic Korean grammar to ensure you can use the words you learn to form correct sentences

Tigers, Fairies, and Gods: Enchanting Folktales from Korea

Best for reading practice.

Tigers, Fairies, and Gods: Enchanting Folktales from Korea is the best book for reading practice because it has 21 traditional stories from Korea for all levels of language learners. The book is divided into 3 proficiency levels so you can easily find content that fits your level or challenge your skills. Each story is written entirely in Hangul, which means that you need to have previous knowledge of the language and the Korean writing system to get the most out of this book. However, this edition contains English translations of the stories, so you’ll be able to understand no matter what level you have. There are interactive activities, vocabulary lists, and online audio and visual elements to aid you in your studies.

Finding engaging texts to practice reading can be hard when you’re at the beginner level of Korean, but this book is written in a simple style that’s easy to follow. All the stories teach you about Korean beliefs and traditions and can be a valuable tool if you want to immerse yourself in Korean culture. Many of these tales have been passed through generations and showcase popular characters from mythology, like the sun, the moon, and the river. If you’re a fan of Korean folktales and want to learn more about the culture while you develop your reading skills, this book might be just what you’re looking for. Learn more about the book here .

• There are 21 engaging stories written in Korean with English translations to make sure you understand what you read
• The book is divided into 3 proficiency levels so you can find something for your level or challenge your reading skills
• Read Korean folktales to learn more about the Korean culture, beliefs, and traditions to immerse yourself in the language while you develop your language abilities

Other Korean Books We Researched

To make this list of the best books to learn Korean, we reviewed many books that weren’t included in this guide. These are some books that didn’t quite make the cut:

• Learn Korean : With this book, you can begin studying Korean from the basics including the alphabet, pronunciation, and essential vocabulary words. While this book might be a good resource for a more extensive study routine, its explanations are too simple to help Korean beginner learners develop an in-depth understanding of the language. 
• Learn Korean for Adult Beginners : This book promises that you’ll be able to speak in Korean in 30 days if you complete its lessons and exercises. Even when the book focuses on pronunciation and has additional materials to improve your speaking skills, I think that 30 days might not be a realistic goal for complete beginners looking to communicate in an accurate way. 
• Korean for Beginners: Mastering Conversational Korean: This book has 27 chapters that cover basic formal and informal Korean to help you communicate with native speakers in the real world. Its fundamental lessons and cultural insights can be valuable for intermediate Korean learners, but some of the content is too complex for beginners to understand.

Why You Should Use Books To Learn Korean

Books can be an excellent way to learn Korean. They are detailed and provide in-depth explanations and examples. Since Korean uses a writing system that’s different than English, a book is useful to see how Korean is written and familiarize yourself with hangul. Books are also a great option because they are inexpensive when compared to other learning methods and are portable so you can learn almost anywhere.

How To Use Books To Learn Korean

The best way to use books to learn Korean is to create and stick to, a language learning routine. This will help you see continuous improvement. It’s best to study every day or dedicate time a few days a week if you want to learn and retain information.

Books are used most effectively in combination with another language learning resource, such as a Korean language app or a Korean online course. Books are useful for learning vocabulary and grammar, but an app or course can be better for improving speaking and listening.

Best Books To Learn Korean: Final Thoughts

I hope this article has helped you find a book that can help you on your Korean language learning journey. Learning any language is a rewarding and fun experience. Finding a book, or other resource, that fits your learning style and budget can make studying a breeze. Before buying a book, be sure to read user reviews to see if it’s a good fit for you. Whichever book you choose from this list, you’re sure to start understanding Korean quickly!

Best Books To Learn Korean: FAQ

Korean Made Simple is the best overall book for learning Korean. It has 20 chapters that break down the basics of the Korean language into understandable chunks. In addition to learning grammar, vocabulary, and the Korean writing system, there are also notes to learn about Korean history and culture. There are also practice exercises to check your understanding.

Yes, you can learn Korean from a book. Books are useful because they have in-depth explanations and examples that many language apps and other resources don’t have. Most books include practice exercises so you can test yourself to make sure you understand what you learn.

Yes, with dedication you can study Korean by yourself. There are many language learning resources designed for self-study, such as books and language apps. It’s possible to reach an intermediate level of Korean by learning on your own.

According to the US Department of State , Korean is considered an exceptionally difficult language for English speakers to learn because of the differences between the two languages. The average learning time is 2200 class hours (or 88 weeks) to reach a proficient level of Korean. To see how long it will take you to learn Korean, check out this fluency calculator .

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The Top 10 Best Online Korean Bookstores

Despite the growing availability of Korean books on global online bookstores, there is still a noticeable gap when compared to dedicated Korean bookstores. While Korean books can be found on platforms like Kindle, it's undeniable that platforms like Millie’s Library offer a superior experience for Korean ebook enthusiasts.

To help you discover the best places to find Korean books, we have compiled a list of the top 10 best Korean bookstores. Whether you're a fan of Korean literature, looking to learn the language, or simply interested in exploring a new literary culture, these bookstores cater to all preferences.

1. KYOBO BOOKS

Kyobo Books, founded in 1980, proudly holds the title of the largest bookstore in Korea. Guided by the belief that "people make books, books make people," Kyobo Books has played a pivotal role in shaping the Korean book industry, setting a precedent as the first to offer online book sales. With an extensive collection spanning literature to music, Kyobo Books caters to the diverse interests of both book enthusiasts and fans of Korean culture.

During your trip to Korea, make sure to visit Kyobo Books Gwanghwamun branch — one of the country's top destinations. Spanning an impressive 8,900 square meters, this flagship store is the largest bookstore in Korea. Since its establishment in 1981, it has held significant symbolic meaning for many and has become a vital cultural space in the country. In fact, it is one of the few bookstores registered under the Future Heritage of Seoul program.

Their website is currently only available in Korean, which may pose a navigation challenge for non-Korean speakers, despite its user-friendly interface. To overcome this, you can utilize Google Translate or refer to our beginner's shopping guide for the best Korean-English translation tool .

For international customers, Kyobo Books offers shipping via FedEx. You can make purchases on their website using foreign Mastercard, Visa card, or JCB card. However, please note that Kyobo Books does not ship to the following countries: Iran, Sudan, Myanmar, Somalia, Cuba, India, and Russia. Shipping rates are determined based on the quantity of products ordered, and any additional charges must be paid promptly.

When using their international shipping service, there are a few important details to consider. It is essential to familiarize yourself with your country's customs regulations regarding books. Additionally, please be aware that you will not get freebies as an international customer as they are non-taxable, and you will only have one item shipped for 1+1 products.

Yes24 is renowned as Korea's best internet bookstore, boasting a remarkable website interface and for delivering a superior customer experience. Since its establishment in 1999, this bookstore has garnered a staggering user base of over 20 million, transcending its original purpose to become more than just a mere bookshop. Yes24 offers an extensive range of products, spanning from best-selling books to CDs and even LPs, catering to a diverse array of interests. In addition, their secondhand store empowers users to shop for out-of-print books. Similar to Amazon's Kindle, Yes24 also presents its very own ebook reader, known as "Crema."

The Yes24 F1963 branch is not only their first flagship store, but also the largest used bookstore in Korea, spanning approximately 1,900 square meters and offering a selection of around 200,000 secondhand books. When in Busan, the F1963 complex is a must-visit destination, offering a unique experience shaped by its intriguing history and picturesque surroundings. Originally a wire manufacturing factory until 2008, the building has since been transformed into a vibrant cultural space, hosting various arts and cultural activities for visitors to enjoy. Moreover, the urban complex boasts a stunning bamboo forest, adding to the charm of the overall experience.

The Yes24 online bookstore is currently only available in Korean. However, their interface is thoughtfully designed, making navigation easier once you become familiar with the website. It's important to note that the global Yes24 website primarily caters to K-pop and K-drama enthusiasts, offering a selection of products such as CDs, LPs, photo books, and magazines.

When it comes to shipping, rates are calculated based on the weight of the package, with charges applied per 500g. Yes24 utilizes reliable shipping services like EMS and DHL for international deliveries. For customers outside of Korea, payment options include Union Pay, Mastercard, Visa card, and JCB cards.

Aladin, the first large-scale offline used bookstore in Korea, revolutionized the traditional perception of such stores. Gone were the days of dull and unexciting used bookstores, as Aladin injected new life into the industry. Word spread quickly, and soon, their store became a vibrant hub, bustling with people every weekend. The impact of this Korean bookstore was so profound that it influenced other major bookstores to rethink their approach to used books.

There are 55 Aladin stores spread across Korea — although it is yet to have a flagship store, it has a store in Los Angeles. While primarily a secondhand store, Aladin offers both new and used products. In addition to an extensive selection of books, customers can also find new CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays at discounted rates. Moreover, Aladin offers a treasure trove of limited goodies at affordable prices.

Aladin's website is designed to be user-friendly and easy to navigate, making it convenient for users to explore. However, a significant drawback is that the website is not available in English, despite having a website that is specifically catered to those living in the U.S.

For international deliveries, shipping fees are determined based on the weight of the package according to DHL rates. When making a purchase on Aladin US , you have the option to pay with foreign credit cards. Although residents in the U.S. can choose to pick up their packages at the LA store , the delivery process remains the same as if it were to be delivered to your address. Additionally, it's important to mention that customs regulations prohibit the inclusion of freebies in packages, as non-taxable goods are often rejected.

4. YP BOOKS

YP Books is a prominent Korean bookstore that has been in operation since 1992. They boast an extensive collection of both Korean and foreign books, with a special focus on professional literature. With an impressive network of 42 stores throughout Korea, YP Books offers visitors more than just a place to purchase books. Each store serves as a cozy reading space, where you can indulge in the pleasure of reading while enjoying delicious food and drinks. Additionally, you can explore a wide selection of stationery items.

While YP Books does not hold the title for the largest bookstore in Korea, its Jongno branch covers approximately 10,500 square meters and offers a unique ambiance. YP Books offline stores are designed to provide a holistic experience, going beyond the traditional concept of a simple bookshop. They serve as cultural centers, hosting various events and activities. For instance, the Hongdae branch even features a busking booth, adding to the vibrant atmosphere.

YP Books, one of the top 4 online bookstores in Korea, has plenty of room for improvement when it comes to catering to non-domestic customers. Our simulation of the overseas checkout process revealed several issues. Firstly, entering an overseas address proved to be a challenging task. Additionally, the payment options were limited to bank transfers only. Another inconvenience was that the YP Books website is only available in Korean, which added to the overall hassle of the payment process. However, if you are using a Korean shopping service provider, these issues should be less of a concern. It's worth noting that YP Books does offer international shipping through DHL, with shipping rates based on DHL standards.

5. ARC N BOOK

Arc N Book is a Korean bookstore that stands out for its stunning offline stores and carefully curated selections. Not only does it offer a wide array of books, but it also provides a unique cultural experience that seamlessly combines art, literature, and mindfulness. What might come as a pleasant surprise is that Arc N Book has also leveraged its online presence to create a curated bookstore, offering not only books but also a range of lifestyle goods. Whether you're seeking a captivating read or looking to add a touch of artistry to your life, Arc N Book has something wonderful in store for you.

Each branch of Arc N Book is undeniably aesthetically pleasing and definitely worth a visit. However, if we had to choose one, the Arc N Book Jamsil branch stands out for its iconic arch road. This interior design element symbolizes the connection between people and their values. As you walk through this road, take a moment to reflect and immerse yourself in your thoughts and inspirations.

While Arc N Book's offline stores are an absolute delight to visit, their online counterpart might fall short in terms of content. However, for those fluent in Korean, the online bookstore offers an opportunity to expand their reading horizons with a meticulously curated selection of books. It's worth noting that their website is available only in Korean and international shipping is not provided.

6. TONG MUN KWAN

Tong Mun Kwan, the oldest bookstore in Korea , has a rich history dating back to the 1930s. Originally known as Geum Hang Dang (金港當), it was established in 1934 and later renamed Tong Mun Kwan (通文館) after Korea's liberation in 1945. For nearly nine decades, the owner of this cherished bookstore has remained dedicated to books and the valuable lessons passed down by his grandfather. At Tong Mun Kwan, you'll discover a treasure trove of antique books, rare editions, and old humanity books.

This invaluable Korean bookstore, that is a Future Heritage of Seoul, offers a unique and personalized experience that sets it apart from others. If you're searching for specific books, the owner of Tong Mun Kwan is known for his generosity in helping you find what you're looking for. Despite not offering international shipping, the bookstore accommodates special requests and ensures that parcels are sent with care.

7. INTERPARK BOOKS

Interpark is Korea's pioneering e-commerce business, established in 1997. Offering a wide range of services across four categories — tours, tickets (for live events, concerts, and festivals), online shopping, and books. Interpark Books, in particular, has gained significant popularity due to its impressive discounts and exciting giveaways, such as gift cards and freebies. In fact, Interpark Books is a great alternative to the other top 4 bookstores mentioned above. It's important to note that the website is currently available only in Korean, and it is unclear whether they offer international shipping at this time.

8. 11st BOOKS

11Street (aka. 11St) is a leading ecommerce website in Korea, established in 2008 by SK Group, a prominent South Korean conglomerate. With over 47 million members, 11Street has solidified its position as one of the largest platforms in the country. Thanks to their partnership with Amazon, domestic users can enjoy the convenience of same-day delivery options for Amazon Books. However, this particular benefit may not be beneficial to overseas customers.

Nonetheless, 11st Books offers a valuable service for all book lovers. Before making a trip to major Korean bookstores, you can use 11st Books to check if the books you desire are available at discounted prices. This allows you to make informed decisions and potentially save money on your purchases.

Coupang, the renowned global e-commerce giant, has expanded its services to include the book industry, offering a convenient feature called Rocket Delivery for a wide range of books. This unparalleled reputation as the best shop for fast delivery has garnered significant interest from parents and students. In fact, approximately 60% of the books sold on Coupang are children's books and student textbooks. The platform also makes it incredibly easy to purchase books in bundles or alongside other essential items. It's no wonder that Coupang has earned the title of "Korean Amazon," given its exceptional service and extensive products.

10. COMIC PLAZA

Comic Plaza is your ultimate destination for all things comics. As one of the top offline comic stores in Daegu, covering more than 400 square meters of comic bookshelves, they offer a vast selection of comic books, special merchandise, and illustration artworks. Whether you're a fan of Korean comics, webtoon comics, or Korean-translated comics, it has never been easier to explore and purchase your favorite comics from the comfort of your own home.

Korean Buddies provides personal shopping services and strives to provide a seamless online experience when buying products from Korea. All you need to do is list everything you want to buy and our experienced team will do the shopping, inquiring, packing and shipping for you. You can sit back and relax after placing your order (check out our instant quote page — completely free to use and highly accurate).

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The Only Guide You Need to Pass TOPIK Test

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TOPIK Essay Writing Guide (쓰기 가이드)- Beginner Level

And here is how the TOPIK examiners evaluated it:

Second model essay

Third model essay: 

Dr. Satish Satyarthi

Satish is the Founder and CEO of TOPIK GUIDE. He is passionate about languages. He created TOPIK GUIDE website to help Korean language learners learn Korean effectively, succeed in TOPIK test and achieve their goals. He has a PhD in Korean language. His research area has been 'Teaching Korean as a Foreign Language (외국어로서의 한국어교육)'. He is a Seoul National University (GKS) alumni. He has been active in Korean language teaching and research for more than 10 years. We are a team of passionate researchers from Seoul National University specializing in Korean language and linguistics. We are committed to helping international students prepare for the TOPIK test. You can connect with us on Facebook , Twitter , Google+ or YouTube

THANK YOU SO MUCH ı DOWNLOADED THE PAPERS gOOD WORKS

@Serife OK.. so you were finally able to download the papers.. that’s good… All the best..

Thanks for ur great work TOPIK GUIDE.I also request to upload about essay writting guide For Inter-Mediate level too.

It’s very interesting to see examples of how the essays are evaluated, thank you very much for this post. I’d also be glad if you could do something similar for the Intermediate level as well.

Appreciate ur efforts thanks for the papers….

Very useful information….

Hey useful information..

Hey can you plz let us know the eligibility for appearing for TOPIK

Thanks for the details…can you plz tell how much weightage is given for essay writing?

It’s 30% of the writing section…

thanks…

thank you for all the information its helps a lot….GOD bless you and your family!

yes tax alot u,,,these are real instructions

Where did you find the evaluation rubric and sample evaluation scores? I’ve looked for days over much of the Internet to try to find your source, but I can’t find anything. Were these posted to topik.go.kr long ago?

Yes, it was released long ago. I don’t have the exact link but I think it was somewhere in their 공지사항 in Kroean.

Hi are there any downloadable files of these lessons available? thanks

Hello sir I wanna give topik exam this year 2020 i wanna know all details and when to register for topik exam and can i give any level exam

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Love Korean Dramas? These Korean books in translation should be your next stop

By Niyati Bhat

If you have been binge-watching Korean dramas and films since Parasite ’s Oscar win, followed Yoon Se-ri on her journey through Crash Landing on You, or obsessively discussed Ali’s choices in Squid Game with your friends, here’s a definitive list of contemporary Korean books in translation from the land of talented storytellers that should be on your 2022 reading list.

On the Origin of Species and Other Stories by Bo-Young

Longlisted for the 2021 National Book Award , this collection of exceptional science-fiction short stories is a must-read for any speculative fiction reader, especially if you appreciate modern offerings like The Silent Sea and Okja. A beloved science-fiction author, Bo-Young Kim was also a consultant for Parasite director Bong Joon-ho’s Snowpiercer . The collection mixes ancient myths, history, climate change, speculative ideas such as rapid evolution in a single lifetime, or a subverted account of a futuristic earth where robots enrolled in academia debate evolutionary strategies and discover “organic biology”. The collection also contains a refreshing essay by the author on the ‘science’ in science fiction. Unlike Western speculative fiction canon, Kim’s literary world carries a poignant look at the human and post-human themes which she connects to the immediate concerns in both the scientific and speculative fiction communities.

Also, by the author: I’m Waiting for You and Other Stories .

Love in the Big City by Sang Young Park, Tilted Axis Press, 2021

By Hannah Jackson

By Emma Spedding

By Vogue Staff

This confessional-style, queer debut novel has a big heart, big ambition and a spunky candidness to it. Anton Hur, who has translated some of the best South Korean fiction in recent years, has a keen eye for expanding the non-Korean speaking readers’ understanding of Korean literature. Sang’s novel is a breath of fresh air and explores what it means to live and love as a 23-something in present-day Seoul . Hur also captures Sang’s humour brilliantly. From navigating career, family and mommy issues to caring for the elderly while trying to make something of himself in his twenties, the novel laments on several aspects of a young, gay Korean man’s quest for meaning and love. I, for one, can’t wait to see what Sang writes next. The novel has recently been longlisted for the International Booker Prize 2022.

If you loved the K-Dramas Hello Dracula , Something in the Rain, Be Melodramatic or Because This is My First Life, this novel is for you.

Human Acts by Han Kang, Portobello Books, 2016

Human Acts is a personal and political novel by the celebrated and award-winning Korean author Han Kang. Based on the Gwangju Uprising of 1980, during which student uprising turned violent in her hometown, the author takes us through the brutal massacres committed by the state against its own people. But the novel sharply differs from other books and films made on the event, in the sense that it doesn’t take readers through the historical events that precede the massacre. Instead, Kang begins at the aftermath—which, in no way, signals the end of the violence. The bodies lying in morgues and the survivors all bear testimony to this cruelty in individual chapters.

If the South Korean film, A Taxi Driver, or the K-Drama Youth of May made you curious about South Korean history and the Gwangju uprising, this novel is for you. Also by the author: The Vegetarian.

Violets by Kyung-Sook Shin, Feminist Press, 2022

Penned by the critically-acclaimed author of the bestseller Please Look After Mom, Violets is the story of a 22-year-old girl named San who lives a lonely life in Seoul and finds a job in a flower shop. The novel begins with an arresting account of her early life in the countryside with a mother who regrets her life choices, a grandmother who regrets having San’s mother as her daughter-in-law, San’s absentee father who left for greener pastures and her only friend Namae. A single moment of intimacy with Namae that ended in a violent rejection haunts the present-day San in 1990s Seoul as she becomes enamoured with a photographer, obsessively copies passages from her favourite book, and finds her footing in this flower shop. The novel is a formidable text on urban loneliness, suppressed queer desire and a haunting observation of the rapidly-changing country at the turn of the century. Originally written in 2001, this soon-to-be-released translation is a tragic yet moving work of fiction from Korea’s finest writers that should be on your spring-summer reading list.

Also, by the author: Please Look After Mom .

Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung, Honford Star, 2021

A collection of short stories with horror and science-fiction elements, the plot of the International Booker Prize 2022 longlisted- Cursed Bunny brings nightmares alive. This fantastic collection is deeply rooted in the every day, and the trauma that drips through its pages is very much real and terrifying. Chung’s brilliance lies in creating networks of visceral imagination in the simplest of settings, and is not for the faint-hearted. The title story, Cursed Bunny , follows the horrors of structural power abuse and the scars it can leave across generations. And while that remains a favourite, The Embodiment is a story that truly stands out for its depictions of menstruation, reproductive system disorders, accidental pregnancy, the prejudices against having a child out of wedlock, the gynaecologists’ unnerving nonchalance and indifference towards real health issues, and judgement over the choices a woman makes for her body. With diverse, meaty stories that border on creepy alongside tackling real-life societal issues, Bora Chung’s creative landscape and Anton Hur’s translation are truly outstanding. 

If you liked the film Thirst, this collection of short stories is for you.

Grass by Keum Suk Gendry-Kim

This is an anti-war graphic novel about a real-life Korean comfort woman, Lee Ok-sun, who narrates stories of her time during World War II when Korean women were sold into sexual slavery to the Japanese Imperial Army. Many of these women never found justice and this bit of history is mostly left out of discussions on the Asian involvement in World War II. The title Grass, according to the author, refers to the common people in history who keep rising despite the forces that beat them down. The silence, suffering and trauma of the women who died or continued to live under extreme psychological stress find a way to be articulated through the almost-journalistic tone of the novel. An illustrated page heart-rendingly depicts two seemingly endless rows of rooms with one pair of soldiers’ boots outside each room. Gendry-Kim narrates this important part of history with immense responsibility, supplemented by extensive research and in-depth interviews.

Kim Ji-Young, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo, Scribner, 2020

A bestseller in every sense of the word, this popular and divisive novel seems to play out all the anxieties of the current anti-feminist debates in South Korea that mirror many such conflicts around the world. This was also one of the Korean books that Kim Namjoon, aka RM of BTS, discussed during his VLive session in 2017. The book has courted a lot of controversies, with   K-Pop band Red Velvet’s Irene being denounced by her male fans for reading and endorsing the book. So why was this book controversial and why should you read it? Because of its timely descriptions of the sexist and patriarchal society in which women are made to feel small and told to brush issues concerning them under the rug. When Kim Ji-Young, a 30-something mother who had to quit the workforce due to her pregnancy, starts behaving strangely, the narrator takes us back to her childhood and adulthood years in order to unpack the source of her grief. What emerges are accounts of working tirelessly, the sense of insecurity that constantly plagues women, having to endlessly discharge her duties towards her husband and family, and being overlooked for promotions at work—all because of her gender. Kim Ji-Young could be any woman in any part of the world, which is what makes this book and its many truths a hard pill to swallow for those who’d rather look the other way.

You can watch the film adaptation titled Kim Ji-young: Born 1982 and add to the debate on whether having a different, more hopeful ending for the film was the right decision for a book of this calibre.

Also read:  

10 books by debut diaspora authors that tackle important questions about identity

9 eateries across India to check out if bingeing on K-dramas has left you hungry for Korean food

10 things you will always notice in Korean shows and movies

By Prabal Sharma

By Francesca Murdaca

By Snehaa Khanna Sahgal

By Avni Doshi

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Top 10 books about South Korea

A novelist recommends favourite writing about a country that has undergone a giddying transformation in recent decades

H istorically known as the Hermit Kingdom for turning away western envoys, as well as the Land of the Morning Calm for its regal mountain ranges and tranquil valleys, South Korea has become a nation famous for its cutting-edge technology and pop-star mania, and continuously features in news headlines for its tense relations with its neighbour, North Korea. At the end of the Korean war in 1953, South Korea was one of the poorest nations in the world. Its people were starving and its cities were in ruins. Following a succession of civilian governments overtaken by military regimes and autocrats, South Korea’s Sixth Republic has finally established a liberal democracy that has seen its nation flourish. Today, many South Koreans are looking back at their nation’s past to make sense of the world they now find themselves in. The stark differences make the stories we read about this fascinating country all the more appealing.

While researching Korean history for my novel White Chrysanthemum , I was interested in both modern and historical material for the dual timelines. I came across many books that quickly became favourites – fiction and non-fiction. Each of them takes the reader into the South Korean psyche, often exploring the past and the present country. The country has a strong literary tradition, and with increasing interest in the country, translations of Korean works into other languages have given the rest of the world the chance to view it through the eyes and words of its own people.

1. Please Look After Mother by Kyung-Sook Shin (2011), translated by Chi-Young Kim An elderly woman, visiting her family in Seoul, is separated from them on a metro platform. When the train pulls away, her family are mortified to realise she has been left behind. Shin reveals the relationships between the mother, her husband and their life in the countryside, as well as with each of her children as they all search for their missing matriarch. It reveals the lives of young and old, while asking big questions about the bonds of family and the struggles with the passage of time. It was a bestseller in South Korea and won the 2012 Man Asian literary prize.

2. The Guest by Hwang Sok-Yong (2005), translated by Kyung-Ja Chun and Maya West Hwang’s fascinating life reads like a novel. Born in Chinese Manchuria, his family moved to South Korea at the end of the Korean war. He reluctantly fought for the US in Vietnam, and later became a writer and political activist. He was jailed twice for his political beliefs, all the while writing and publishing novels, short stories, and plays. The Guest tells the story of a preacher visiting his childhood village in North Korea, and powerfully reveals that a massacre historically attributed to American soldiers was in fact perpetrated by Korean Christians from his village .

3. The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly by Sun-Mi Hwang (2014), translated by Chi-Young Kim A quirky book that has been compared to Animal Farm and Charlottes’s Web. It follows a hen forced to lay eggs that will never hatch because they are destined to be sold at market, but she dreams of having a chick of her own. She escapes from her pen and sets out in search of her dream. This story explores notions of freedom, motherhood, diversity and sacrifice, and has been adapted into a successful cartoon film, play, musical and comic book.

4. I Have the Right to Destroy Myself by Young-Ha Kim (2007), translated by Chi-Young Kim This is Kim’s first novel and has been translated into 10 languages. The story follows a man who is both a would-be novelist and “suicide assistant” – a serial killer who stalks potential victims who have nothing to look forward to in life, so that he can offer to facilitate their suicide for a fee. He then writes their stories down in a manuscript he plans to submit anonymously to publishers. We meet his victims as well as those whose paths they cross. Kim’s dark yet beautifully written novel reveals a modern Seoul, full of intriguing characters often tied up in failed love affairs.

5. Songs for Tomorrow: A Collection of Poems 1960-2002 by Ko Un (2008), translated by Brother Anthony, Young-moo Kim and Gary Gach Ko is South Korea’s most prominent poet. He once studied to become a Buddhist monk, was imprisoned numerous times for his political stances, and while incarcerated wrote the famous Ten Thousand Lives , about every person he had met in his lifetime. He is a force to be reckoned with, both as a proponent of reunification and democracy and as a poet and novelist. This collection covers four decades, revealing the transformations of his style as the focus of his poems evolved. To read his poems is to read South Korean history.

6. No Flower Blooms Without Wavering by Jong-Hwan Do (2016), translated by Brother Anthony and Jina Park Do is an award-winning poet who is beloved by South Koreans. His poems are noted for their beautiful cadences, enduring images, and encouragement to persevere through difficult times. His most famous poems, many of which are included here, were about his wife, who died soon after their marriage. They evoke feelings of grief, longing, anger and deep sadness, while also describing the beauty found in his natural surroundings.

7. The Great Soul of Siberia: In Search of the Elusive Siberian Tiger by SooYong Park (2015), translated by Jamie Chang The forests of the Korean peninsula were once known for their prowling tigers, until the forests were stripped for timber during the Japanese occupation, forcing the cats to migrate north. Today, there are no tigers in South Korea, and very few left anywhere. As well as a vivid storyteller, Park is a documentary film-maker and the foremost researcher of the critically endangered Siberian tiger. This book tells the true story of the lives of one family of tigers and their battle to survive in a diminishing ecosystem.

8. The Vegetarian by Han Kang (2015), translated by Deborah Smith Originally published in South Korea in 2007, The Vegetarian was translated into English in 2015 and went on to win the Man Booker International prize. The protagonist chooses to stop eating meat, considered highly odd behaviour in a country where vegetarianism is virtually unknown. Her unusual behaviour soon catches the attention of her family, who cannot understand her choice and deem her mentally unstable. The lyricism of the prose makes this unusual book come across as a poetic tale of one woman’s attempt to follow her heart in a society wholly unprepared to comprehend an act of individualism.

9. Lost Names by Richard E Kim (1971) Kim lived through Korea’s colonial period, and this novel is a first-hand account of a boy’s struggle against the ruling Japanese regime. Lost Names refers to the practice of forcing Koreans to adopt Japanese names in an attempt to erase all memory of Korean culture. It is heartbreaking to read about the repression, but the strength of the Korean people is also captured in this captivating story of resilience and ultimate triumph.

10. The Birth of Korean Cool: How One Nation is Conquering the World Through Pop Cultu re by Euny Hong (2014) Born in the US to South Korean parents, Hong moved with her family to their homeland when she was 12. She grew up in Seoul’s Gangnam district and was privy to the rapid cultural and economic changes occurring in the late 80s and early 90s. Hong is a cosmopolitan writer with a sharp wit. Her book is an entertaining look at how the country has wilfully modernised to become the 15th-largest economy in the world. The Hermit Kingdom is no more.

• White Chrysanthemum by Mary Lynn Bracht is published by Chatto & Windus, priced £12.99. It is available from the Guardian Bookshop for £11.04, including free UK p&p .
• Fiction in translation
• South Korea

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If any body is a beach body, any book is a beach read. Try on these books this summer.

Just like any body can be a beach body, any book can be a beach read. 

When you’re packing a travel bag this summer and mulling over the Beach Reads ! display at your local independent bookstore , stop and ask yourself: What do I really want to read? What do I enjoy reading?

The category “beach read,” as best as anyone can tell, came into fashion in the 1990s, according to The Guardian. It’s a marketing trick, not a mandate. 

As a marketing term, it’s successful because it’s aspirational. We see ourselves on a beach, relaxed and lazily reading that fun book with the bright cover, one that looks nothing like spreadsheets or reports, a book that entertains but doesn’t ask too much. 

But not everyone relaxes the same way.

Check out: USA TODAY's weekly Best-selling Booklist

Maybe you really do want to spend time with the light contemporary fiction, steamy romance, or compulsive thriller that generally gets labeled “beach read.” Totally fine. We’ve got some suggestions for you.

On the other hand, lazy days and long flights mean vacation can be a perfect time to tackle the books you’ve always meant to read. Classics, essays, literary fiction — if you’re a reader who considers heavy reading light work, we’ve got some less conventional recommendations, too. 

Is it a body on the beach? Yes: Beach body. Is it a book on a beach? Yes: Beach read. 

Find your next read USA TODAY's Best-selling booklist

Smart romance

"The Other Side of Disappearing," Kate Clayborn (Kensington, pp 432.. Out now)

What does “smart romance” mean? This book gave me a definition: a romance in which a happy-ever-after ending happens but doesn’t feel required because the characters all had emotional growth. Here, Clayborn sends a true crime podcast producer and a tough-as-nails older sister on a road trip that will change their lives. 

More like this: "Summer Romance," Annabel Monaghan; "When I Think of You," Myah Ariel; "Funny Story," Emily Henry

Literary Larks

"Martyr!," Kaveh Akbar (Penguin Random House, pp.352, out now)

Akbar is a poet, and you can see that in the lyrical writing of his debut novel. The story dips in and out of time and memory and points of view, always twisting around the idea of love. Fun and touching and a little weird, this book is made for hot summer nights. 

More like this: "Help Wanted," Adelle Waldman ; "Come and Get It," Kiley Reid; "Family Meal," Bryan Washington

Literary Adventures

"James," Percival Everett (Doubleday, pp 320, out now)

Consider this retelling of "Huck Finn" your summer reading assignment. Told from the perspective of clever and compassionate Jim, the dangerous Mississippi River raft trip includes familiar stops and characters (no need to read the original), but is sharper and comes with higher stakes as our hero tries to reunite his family. 

More like this: "The Vaster Wilds ," Lauren Groff; "Lies & Weddings", Kevin Kwan; "Lone Women," Victor Lavalle

"While We Were Burning," Sara Koffi (Penguin, pp. 304, out now)

Unreliable narrators and blurry relationship boundaries make this story, examining race and class in Memphis, especially twisty. 

More like this : "First Lie Wins," Ashley Elston; "A Line in The Sand," Kevin Powers; "Bright Young Women," Jessica Knoll 

"The Count of Monte Cristo," Alexander Dumas (Penguin, pp. 1,276, out now)

Don’t be intimidated by size. Many classics, including this one, were written in installments, which means short chapters and built-in cliffhangers. And no matter the time period, people are the same, loving and scheming and struggling. Think of this classic revenge story like your latest binge watch. 

More like this : "Their Eyes Were Watching God," Zora Neale Hurston; "Anna Karenina," Leo Tolstoy; "Jane Eyre," Charlotte Bronte 

"Bite by Bite ," Aimee Nezhukumatathil (HarperCollins, pp. 224, out now)

Essay collections are excellent vacation reads, able to be picked up and put down without interrupting a narrative. Each of these short essays is a perfect little bite, exploring the ways food sparks memory and meaning in our lives. 

More like this: "Divine Might," Natalie Haynes; "The Comfort of Crows," Margaret Renkl; "A Praise Song for Kitchen Ghosts," Crystal Wilkinson

"There’s Always This Year," Hanif Abdurraqib (Random House, pp. 352 out now)

If you want nonfiction that requires you to go a little deeper, Abdurraqib delivers. This is a book about basketball. It’s also about belonging and grief, ambition and America. And all of it is delivered in a structure that perfectly, brilliantly mimics a basketball game. Everything comes down to the final two minutes. 

More like this: "A Map of Future Ruins," Lauren Markham; "Grief Is for People," Sloane Crosley; "This Is What It Sounds Like," Susan Rogers & Ogi Ogas

Hillary Copsey is the book advisor at The Mercantile Library in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Table of Content

8 Best Books for the GRE Analytical Writing

The GRE Analytical Writing section is one of the most challenging sections. You need to analyse complex arguments, articulate your ideas clearly, and write persuasively—all under tight time constraints. However, with the right study materials, you can refine your analytical skills and approach test day with confidence.

This blog shares the 8 best books for the GRE Analytical Writing, offering a variety of resources to suit your learning style and budget. Whether you want official practice questions, in-depth analysis strategies, or a comprehensive guide to solving specific issue topics, we’ve got you covered.

Overview of the GRE Analytical Writing Section

The GRE General Test’s Analytical Writing measure assesses your critical thinking and analytical writing abilities. The Analytical Writing measure consists of a single 30-minute task called “Analyse an Issue.” This task provides an opinion on a specific issue along with instructions for your response. Your job is to analyse the issue, consider its various aspects, and develop a reasoned argument with examples and evidence to support your perspective. It focuses on your skills based on the following criteria:

Articulating and supporting complex ideas

Constructing well-reasoned arguments

Maintaining a focused and coherent discussion

This evaluation goes beyond specific content knowledge. Instead, it emphasises your ability to think critically about a presented issue.

Note: You will be using a basic word processor developed by ETS to write your essay. This word processor offers functionalities like inserting, deleting, cutting, pasting, and undoing the previous action. However, features like spellcheck and grammar check are not available.

Why Should You Use GRE Analytical Writing Books?

The GRE Analytical Writing books offer a structured approach to studying for the Analytical Writing section of the GRE. These books can help you develop strong analytical skills. They typically provide a range of practice prompts that cover the different types of essay tasks you might come across on the GRE. Working through these prompts will help you hone your critical thinking abilities as you learn to analyse arguments, identify assumptions, and construct persuasive essays.

The books can also improve your writing mechanics. By exposing you to a variety of well-written essays, these books can help you improve your grammar, GRE vocabulary , and sentence structure. As you read these examples, you’ll begin to absorb the elements of strong writing, which you can then incorporate into your essays.

Additionally, many GRE Analytical Writing books contain test-taking strategies that can give you an edge on the GRE. These strategies can help you manage your time effectively during the exam and approach the essay prompts in a way that will maximise your score. By learning these strategies and practicing them alongside the GRE AWA sample essays , you’ll be well-prepared to write clear, concise, and high-scoring essays on test day.

Also read: Important Topics for the GRE AWA Section

Top 8 Books for the GRE Analytical Writing

1. gre analytical writing supreme: solutions to the real essay topics.

GRE Analytical Writing Supreme: Solutions to the Real Essay Topics by Vibrant Publishers is a comprehensive guide designed to help you ace the Analytical Writing section of the GRE. Divided into three books, it provides an in-depth analysis of over 145 real essay prompts.

By offering expert strategies, sample essays, and categorised topics (Arts, Education, etc.), the book provides you with the tools to not only understand effective essay structure but also develop strong critical thinking and analytical writing skills.

Price: INR 599

Buy it on Amazon .

2. Manhattan Review’s GRE Analytical Writing Guide

Manhattan Review’s GRE Analytical Writing Guide offers a two-pronged approach to mastering the Analytical Writing section of the GRE. It delves into the nitty-gritty of scoring, analysing the format, and how essays are graded. Additionally, it provides a rich practice ground with solutions to 20 real essay prompts, breaking down with a three-tier structure to predict the strongest responses and showing graded essays with critiques to illuminate the path to high scores.

Price: INR 532

Read also:   10 Best GRE Prep Books for 2024

3. Testwise GRE Prep’s GRE Analytical Writing: Answers to the Official Pool of Issue Topics

Testwise GRE Prep’s GRE Analytical Writing: Answers to the Official Pool of Issue Topics provides pre-written essays for all the actual issue prompts you might come across on test day. Designed to address the time constraints of the GRE, the book goes beyond simply giving you answers. It includes explanations of what graders look for in a strong essay. This allows you to analyse the sample responses and improve your analytical writing skills in the process.

Price: INR 1,720

4. McGraw Hill Education’s Conquering GRE Verbal Reasoning and Analytical Writing

McGraw-Hill Education’s Conquering GRE Verbal Reasoning and Analytical Writing targets the GRE’s verbal and writing sections. It offers in-depth explanations of the latest test format, along with drills and GRE practice questions to hone test-taking skills. By providing strategies for various question types and including four full practice verbal sections, the book promises to boost your confidence and prepare you to ace the GRE.

Price: INR 644

5. ETS’s Official GRE Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions

Published by the ETS, the Official GRE Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions offer over 150 real GRE practice questions across various difficulty levels. This allows you to develop your test-taking skills and gain a clear understanding of the question types, content areas, and overall structure of the verbal reasoning portion of the GRE.

Price: INR 899

Suggested: GRE Preparation Books

6. GRE Analytical Writing Solutions for All Real Essay Topics

GRE Analytical Writing Solutions for All Real Essay Topics offers a two-pronged approach: firstly, by providing detailed strategies for writing the Analyse an Issue essay. Secondly, it includes practice with real, past essay topics. This gives you a chance to hone your critical thinking and writing skills in a realistic test environment. The book also includes breakdowns of scoring guides and sample essays to provide a clear understanding of what graders are looking for in a high-scoring response.

Price: INR 449

7. 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary

30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary by Wilfred Funk and Norman Lewis promises to strengthen your vocabulary for the GRE in just 15 minutes a day. The book uses a combination of quizzes and exercises to help you learn new words, understand their pronunciations, and master their roots. The book aims to not only improve your GRE score but also enhance your overall communication skills.

Price: INR 160

8. GRE Words in Context

GRE Words in Context introduces challenging GRE vocabulary words within meaningful contexts. The book goes beyond memorization and fosters a deeper understanding of the nuances of the language. This approach, along with GRE practice tests and activities, provides you with the proficiency to not only decipher complex passages but also express yourself with greater clarity and precision in your GRE writing tasks.

Read also: 10 Best Books for the GRE Quant Preparation

From the Desk of Yocket

For all GRE test-takers, the official guide serves as a foundational resource. It gets into the core principles of essay writing and ensures you have a strong grasp of structure, argumentation, and clarity. More importantly, it familiarises you with the specific format of the GRE essay task, which often deviates from traditional essay writing. The guide offers real-world examples of essays that have received different scores, along with detailed scoring rubrics. This allows you to analyse successful responses and understand the specific qualities graders seek in high-scoring essays.

However, if you’re aiming to maximise your score and land in the top percentiles, exploring beyond the official guide might be beneficial. Established test prep companies offer comprehensive resources specifically tailored for the GRE Analytical Writing section. These resources often dig deeper into specific question types and provide insightful strategies and techniques to write issue exploration prompts effectively. Additionally, they offer a wider pool of practice prompts that closely resemble the actual essay prompts you might come across on test day. For even more rigorous preparation, consider GRE prep premium options that offer advanced tools and personalized feedback. This allows you to practice applying your learned skills and strategies under timed conditions, mimicking the real exam experience.

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Vials of Blood Sent to R.N.C. Headquarters Prompt Lockdown

Hazardous materials teams responded to the Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington after a suspicious package was found.

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By Neil Vigdor

• May 22, 2024

A suspicious package with two vials of blood prompted a lockdown at the Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, the authorities said.

The vials were addressed to former President Donald J. Trump, according to a law enforcement official who insisted on anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.

The package also contained ice packs and a Korean-language Bible, according to Brianna Burch, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Capitol Police, who said that the incident remained under investigation.

The R.N.C. and Mr. Trump’s campaign did not immediately comment on the situation, which drew a heavy law enforcement response and played out just a few blocks away from the U.S. Capitol.

At 7:45 a.m. Eastern time, officers responded to the 300 block of First Street, Southeast, after receiving a report about the suspicious package, the authorities said. Hazardous materials teams removed the contents of the package, and the lockdown order was lifted shortly before 10 a.m.

The authorities did not say how many people were inside the R.N.C.’s headquarters at the time.

Television news broadcasts showed the area blocked off by police vehicles and yellow tape.

It was not the first time that a startling discovery had been made at the R.N.C.’s office.

On Jan. 6, 2021, the day that the U.S. Capitol was attacked by Mr. Trump’s supporters, who were seeking to overturn his election defeat, a pipe bomb was discovered at the R.N.C.’s headquarters. A bomb squad destroyed the device.

That same day, another suspicious package forced the evacuation of the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters in Washington, which is also a few blocks from the Capitol.

Neil Vigdor covers politics for The Times, focusing on voting rights issues and election disinformation. More about Neil Vigdor

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