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Cheon Seon-ran’s vampire novel ‘The Midnight Shift’ set for UK release by Bloomsbury
South Korean novelist Cheon Seon-ran’s dark fantasy "The Midnight Shift" is set to be released in the UK next month in a translation by Gene Png, the Korean publisher Safehouse said Tuesday. The English edition is being published by Bloomsbury, the British house best known for the Harry Potter series. Originally published in Korea in 2021 under the title "The Savior Who Comes at Night," the novel follows Su-yeon, a detective numbed by loneliness, as she investigates a string of mysterious deaths
July 30, 2025 -
From translator to novelist, Anton Hur is now the one translated — by one of his authors
After years of introducing Korean literature to English readers, from Bora Chung’s “Cursed Bunny” to Park Sang-young’s “Love in the Big City,” Anton Hur has crossed the literary bridge in the opposite direction, debuting as a novelist with “Toward Eternity,” translated into Korean. Written in English and first published in the US last year, the book now arrives in Korea in translation by none other than Chung -- whose books Hur translated into English, including the International Booker-shortlis
July 29, 2025 -
Poet Kim Hye-soon wins Germany’s International Literature Prize, first Asian honoree
Acclaimed South Korean poet Kim Hye-soon has been named the winner of the 2025 International Prize for Literature for her poetry collection "Autobiography of Death," becoming the first Asian recipient of the German literary award presented by the House of World Cultures (HKW) in Berlin. The announcement was made on Thursday during a ceremony hosted by HKW, where Kim was selected from among six finalists. Other shortlisted authors included Turkish German writer Dogan Akhanli, Canadian writer Sara
July 18, 2025 -
Can Korea's 'text-hip' reading craze outlive the hashtag?
When Gim Ji-min arrived at the Seoul International Book Fair 2025 in June, she thought the buzz on social media was exaggerated. “I honestly assumed people were just hyping it up on Instagram,” said the 26-year-old sociology Ph.D. student. “But the moment I stepped inside, I knew this was different. Every trendy book-themed tote bag, keychain, and bookmark had already sold out.” She wasn’t alone in her surprise. Over five days, more than 150,000 people packed Seoul’s Coex convention center. Tick
July 17, 2025 -
Seoul Intl. Book Fair claims end in no charges
An investigation into the Korean Publishers Association over the Seoul International Book Fair and alleged misuse of government subsidies has been closed with no charges, the KPA said Tuesday. According to the KPA, the Seoul Jongno Police Station issued a “no charges filed” decision on July 7 in a case that accused the organization of violating the Subsidy Management Act and criminal statutes, including document forgery and obstruction of business. The case stems from a 2023 complaint filed by t
July 16, 2025 -
Read books, earn money to buy more books
If you read a book, you can now earn money to buy more books. In a move to encourage reading and boost the publishing sector, Gyeonggi Province has rolled out a first-of-its-kind initiative that rewards residents for their reading activities. Launched July 1, the “Book Points for a Thousand Books” program has already attracted more than 40,000 participants within the first week. Gyeonggi residents aged 14 and older can earn up to 60,000 won ($43) in book points annually, with a cap of 30,000 won
July 15, 2025 -
Hwang Sok-yong to speak at Edinburgh Book Festival
International Booker Prize-nominated author Hwang Sok-yong will attend the Edinburgh International Book Festival on Aug. 19, in a session titled “Hwang Sok-yong: The Voice of a Divided Nation.” A towering figure in the Korean literary world, Hwang is renowned for chronicling the country’s turbulent modern history. His latest translated novel in English, "Mater 2-10" — shortlisted for the 2024 International Booker Prize and co-translated by Sora Kim-Russell and Youngjae Josephine Bae — is a sweep
July 13, 2025 -
Actor Ryu Soo-young shares home-cooked comfort in his debut cookbook
Stir-fried spicy pork in just 9 minutes and a hearty braised chicken stew for under 10,000 won. Actor Ryu Soo-young has compiled 79 such no-fuss recipes in his debut cookbook, “Ryu Soo-young’s Recipes for Life,” aimed at helping anyone — from newlyweds to retired fathers — master the comforting flavors of Korean home cooking. At a press conference Tuesday, the actor spoke not as a celebrity, but as a passionate home cook and self-taught recipe developer. “This book isn’t for gourmet chefs. It’s
July 11, 2025 -
Korean bestseller on single life lands six-figure English rights deal
Seen Aromi, YouTuber and author of the Korean bestseller "So What If I Love My Single Life?," has a publishing rights deal with Penguin Publishing Group. "We are so proud to announce that Sharika Teelwah, editor at Transworld, part of the Penguin Publishing Group, in UK pre-empted World English rights for six figures to Seen Aromi’s bestselling Korean book," Seen's New York-based literary agent Barbara J. Zitwer said in a statement. Originally published in 2024 by the Korean publisher Bookrum, t
July 10, 2025 -
Summer reads: What we are reading at The Korea Herald
By Culture Desk Here are some summer reading recommendations from The Korea Herald. Kim Hoo-ran Culture desk editor "Tell Me Everything" by Elizabeth Strout Many of the main characters in Elizabeth Strout's previous novels converge in "Tell Me Everything,” the Pulitzer-winning writer’s latest book. While the book starts with a declaration that this is the story of Bob Burgess, a lawyer inhabiting many of Strout’s works, “Tell Me Everything” takes its time, meandering through seemingly disparate
July 5, 2025 -
Summer reads: Books for the hottest days
By Culture Desk Reading is one of the simplest ways to beat the summer heat. From gripping page-turners that whisk us away to reflective essays and self-help titles that gently guide us back into daily life after a break, this season’s recommendations span genres and moods. The Korea Herald asked people from a wide range of fields what books they’ve recently enjoyed and which ones they’d recommend for summer. Their picks might just lead you to a perfect companion for a lazy afternoon or a long-a
July 5, 2025 -
Poet Kim Hye-soon on creative power of translating literature
Translated literature is a gift to the language it arrives in, acclaimed poet Kim Hye-soon said, describing it as the Korean language offering a present — “like tossing a new pebble into the well of another language.” “I think translating Korean literature isn’t about elevating Korea’s literary status. Rather, it’s about expanding the boundaries of the target language. Translation is a reciprocal relationship, not a one-way transaction,” Kim said. “We already know how much the boundaries of Kore
July 4, 2025 -
Why these novels? Park Chan-wook’s literary anchors
Celebrated filmmaker Park Chan-wook is widely known to be an avid reader. Many of his acclaimed films were adapted from novels, making his appearance at last week’s Seoul International Book Fair all the more fitting. Park shared his “literary anchors,” offering personal anecdotes and insights into the books that have inspired him. The following are some of the highlights from his talk. 'Joint Security Area' (2000) In a 2023 reissue of Park Sang-yeon's novel "DMZ," Park Chan-wook wrote, “I don’t
June 28, 2025 -
Think your Korean handwriting is good? Give Kyobo's contest a shot
Kyobo Book Center is inviting Korea’s international community to put their Korean handwriting to the test. The 11th Handwriting Contest for Foreign Nationals is now open, offering participants a chance to showcase their Korean handwriting skills and celebrate the charm of the language — one beautifully written sentence at a time. The contest encourages participants to write out either a favorite line from a Korean book or lyrics from their favorite K-pop song. Submissions must be received by Aug
June 27, 2025 -
Salwa Bakr, Amitav Ghosh, John Banville named finalists for 14th Pak Kyongni Prize
Egyptian writer Salwa Bakr, Indian novelist Amitav Ghosh and Irish author John Banville have been nominated for the 14th Park Kyongni Award, according to the Toji Cultural Foundation on Thursday. The judging committee conducted a review of writers from around the world starting in September last year and narrowed down this year's candidates to three. The winner will be announced in September. Bakr, known for her novels "The Man from Bashmour" and "The Golden Chariot," has consistently highlighte
June 20, 2025