Korean ‘healing fiction’ captures hearts of young British readers
Korean literature is experiencing a surge in popularity across the United Kingdom, driven by a shift in literary preferences among a young and diverse readership.
According to the 2023 International Booker Prize, sales of translated fiction increased 22 percent in 2022, compared to the previous year. This uptick is particularly notable among young readers under the age of 35, indicating a generational shift in literary preferences.
In response to this growing interest, Penguin Random House UK is expanding its selection of translated literature, with plans to release six titles from Korea this year.
The lineup of Korean translated works set for release by Penguin Random House UK in 2024 features several exciting titles. Fictional offerings include “The Rainfall Market” by You Yeong-gwang, which has achieved cult status in Korea, “The Healing Season of Pottery” by Yeon So-min, “Snowglobe” by Park So-young and “Marigold Mind Laundry” by Yun Jung-eun. The publishing company will also feature two essays — “I Decided to Live as Me” by Kim Soo-hyun, a million-copy bestseller in Korea and a favorite of BTS’s Jungkook, and “If You Live to 100, You Might As Well Be Happy” by Rhee Kun-hoo.
“The most popular area of translated fiction from Korea has come to be labelled ‘healing fiction’ which is designed to soothe the reader, as it explores contemporary issues around mental health and the pressures of daily life, which are relatable across all cultures,” Penguin Random House said in a statement.
In an interview, Yun, the author of “Marigold Mind Laundry,” noted that she hopes the experience of reading her books will bring comfort and happiness, underscoring the therapeutic quality of her work.
Rosa Schierenberg, editorial director at Penguin General, who will be publishing “The Healing Season of Pottery” this autumn, said, “We know that readers across genres are looking for an escape, whether into a different world or simply a different culture. These healing novels are the perfect tonic for busy lives, inviting readers to pause and immerse themselves in a culture that feels exciting and aspirational, especially for the younger generation.”
Jane Lawson, deputy publisher at Doubleday Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House known for translating Asian literature such as Hiro Arikawa’s “The Travelling Cat Chronicles” and Michiko Aoyama’s “What You Are Looking for Is in the Library,” credited the surge in popularity of Korean fiction to the curiosity of younger readers.
“Younger generations who read in this area are curious to read outside their own cultural familiarity and love to connect with other readers from around the world on social media to share their discoveries, which also include K-drama, K-pop and manhwa,” Lawson said.
Doubleday will also release the English edition of prize-winning bestseller, “One Thousand Blues” by Cheon Seon-ran, in the spring of 2025.
“I’m thrilled to be publishing such a rising star whose prize-winning novel blends imagination, message and exquisite characterization, all rooted in a sensibility that understands the value of our natural world,” Lawson said.
Korean Literature Night
Parallel to these publishing efforts, the Korean Cultural Center U.K. (KCCUK) has been fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Korean literature through cultural programs and activities.
Recently, the KCCUK celebrated the paperback release of “The Penguin Book of Korean Short Stories” with a special Korean Literature Night on May 3.
This anthology, a part of the Penguin Classics series and first published in April 2023, was curated by Bruce Fulton, a renowned translator of Korean literature and professor at the University of British Columbia in Canada. It encompasses a collection of Korean short stories that span a century, tracing the nation’s history from the early 20th century Japanese colonization and the Korean War of 1950-53 through to the rapid urbanization of later decades.
The event included discussions led by Fulton and Grace Koh from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, offering insights into over a century of Korea’s literary heritage, exploring the social changes and the growing global recognition of Korean literature.
Fulton highlighted the significance of the inclusion of Korean short stories in the Penguin Classics for the first time and sought opinions on additional Korean literary works that could be included in the series.
Building on this momentum, the KCCUK, in collaboration with Penguin Random House, will host a virtual event with June Hur, the Edgar Award-winning Canadian Korean author behind “The Silence of Bones,” “The Forest of Stolen Girls” and “The Red Palace,” to discuss her latest work “A Crane among Wolves” on May 15.
This series of events is part of KCCUK’s ongoing efforts to introduce and integrate Korean literary works into the broader cultural dialogue in the U.K.
“The short stories from the 20th-century Korea represent the pinnacle of Korea’s cultural identity, capturing the intense challenges of rapid development and the pursuit of a better future,” KCCUK Director Sun Seung-hye said.
“It’s a great honor to see Korean short stories translated into English and featured in Penguin Classics, a testament to the U.K.’s rich literary tradition. Our discussions on Korean literature with aficionados of English literature are crucial stepping stones in introducing Korean aesthetics to the world.”