K-Book Review_vol.31(2016.06)

June 2016
Korean Books on the World Stage
South Korea’s Book Exports Introduced by
Joseph Lee
Picture Book
A Very Special, Touching Picture Book
Kim Yun-jeong’s Message of Hands
Contribution
K-Books Reaching out to the World!
A Small Book Fair in China
Book Review
What the Man Booker Prize Has Done
For Korean Bestsellers
Vol. 31
COPYRIGHT© 2016 <K-Book Review> e-magazine
Publisher Lee, Ki-sung
Editor Nam, Myeong-im
Managing Editor Lee, Dong-ik
Associate Editor Jeon, Mi-jeong
Design Nam, Ji-hyun
Address Publication lndustry Promotion Agency of Korea(KPIPA)
63, Jongdong-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, 54866,
Republic of Korea
e-Mail [email protected]
Homepage www.kpipa.or.kr
03
Cover Story
South Korea’s Used-Book Market
A Look into South Korea’s UsedBook Rage Through the ‘Big 4’
09
Korean Books on World
Stage
South Korea’s Book Exports
Introduced by Joseph Lee
13
Contribution
K-Books Reaching out to the
World!
A Small Book Fair in China
18
Picture Book
A Very Special,
Touching Picture Book
Kim Yun-jeong’s Message of
Hands
31
OSMU & Book
South Korea’s Literature Comes
to Life in an Animation
Musical Animation
<The Shaman Sorceress>
23
Book Review
What the Man Booker
Prize Has Done
For Korean Bestsellers
35
Introduction of New Books
27
Korea Wave Books
Media / Food / Tourism /
Traditional Culture
39
KPIPA News
41
<K-Book Review> is…
Cover Story
South Korea’s Used-Book Market
A Look into South Korea’s
Used-Book Rage Through the ‘Big 4’
June 2016 Vol.31
03
Cover Story
On South Korea’s busiest streets, it’s just as easy now to find used-book stores
as regular bookstores. Selling and buying used books in Korea has become so
easy thanks to the ‘Big 4’ online vendors – Aladin, YES24, Kyobo Bookstore and
Interpark Books. It would be a mistake to picture old, musty bookstores when
thinking of the modern-day used-book trade. Today’s used-book stores tout
comfortable and easy-to-use systems that are on par with major bookstores.
In the case of Aladin, considered the pioneer of the used-book boom in South
Korea, it is an internet vendor representative of the industry and it also has the
most offline stores nationwide. As of April this year, Aladin had 24 offline stores
where books can be found online and bought and sold with ease. Books in offline
stores are organized by category for customers to browse with ease and all the used
books go through a screening process for wears and tears. Customers can be seen
lounging in their stores thanks to their neat and modern interior design, a young
and active atmosphere and large desks and plush sofas where visitors can read.
June 2016 Vol.31
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Cover Story
The biggest reason why used books are so popular is their lower price. The used
books are usually half the price of new books and many customers think highly
of them as they are in good condition. In the case of sellers, it is good that they
can sell books after reading it once instead of keeping them on bookshelves.
Those seeking used books are satisfied in turn when they find a book they
wanted at a lower price.
Due to the rising supply and demand, the offline Aladin stores are bustling with
people buying or selling books every day. Even those who aren’t looking to buy
sometimes drop in and read books in the stores, as if they are in a book café.
Some offline bookstores are transforming into places where young people can
meet or go on dates, and where even families can go and spend time. Aladin has
opened some offline locations with cafes that sell refreshments.
June 2016 Vol.31
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Cover Story
Attempts by companies to join forces in the used-book game have also been
interesting. YES24 has been known for its know-how in buying used books while
Youngpoong Bookstore has the most offline bookstores in South Korea. The two
companies recently decided to collaborate to expand their used-book business by
letting customers of YES24 sell their books at the nearest Youngpoong Bookstore
location. As of now, Youngpoong branches at the Yeouido IFC Mall, COEX and
Jongno are taking part in this book buyback program. Sellers are given money in
cash once they bring their used books in while prices are determined on the books’
condition. Some of the sellers have been spotted using the sales proceeds to buy
new books, creating a positive cycle in the book market.
June 2016 Vol.31
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Cover Story
Meanwhile, Kyobo Bookstore runs an online open market for used books on its
webpage. Although it does not have offline stores for used books, vendors and
customers can use the market and shipping service Kyobo provides. The company
also provides a “smart comparison” service to help potential customers compare
and contrast book prices, vendors and shipping costs all at once.
Interpark Books is a bit late to the game, but it is making its presence known in
the used-book market through its ‘Book Bus’ which goes around to collect old and
used books. Also, the company will send a shipping car for free to pick up used
books for those who wish to sell their books as long as they don’t exceed the limit
of 20 books per car.
June 2016 Vol.31
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Cover Story
There are likely many social reasons behind why used books are being sought after
by so many Koreans. One of those reasons is probably the fact that used books
have a special charm. At used book stores, visitors have the opportunity to find
books that are no longer being newly printed or are sold out at other bookstores.
As ‘slow consumption culture’ is steadily spreading by those who wish to take a
step back from their fast-moving life in the current digital age, used books will
continue to be popular. Some industry officials have said this is not a passing
trend, but rather an everyday landscape.
>> Images Provided by Aladin, YES24, YP Books, Kyobo Books, INTERPARK Books
June 2016 Vol.31
08
Korean Books on the World Stage
South Korea’s Book
Exports Introduced by
Joseph Lee
June, 2016
Written by Joseph Lee,
President of KL Management, Publication Critic
June 2016 Vol.31
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Korean Books on the World Stage
An author with an arsenal of literature awards, the publication rights
for two of Pyun Hye-young’s full-length novels were recently sold to the
United States. The novels that will be released there are Pyun’s ‘Ashes and
Red’ and ‘The Hole.’ The publisher that purchased the rights was Arcade
Publishing.
The novel’s translation will be done by Sora Kim Russel, who has translated
other Korean works such as Shin Kyung-sook’s ‘I’ll Be Right There’ and
Gong Ji-young’s ‘Our Happy Time.’ Arcade Publishing has said ‘The Hole’
will be released next year, while ‘Ashes and Red’ will be published in 2018.
After deciding to purchase the publishing rights of the two novels, Arcade
Publishing said the company’s editing and public relations teams had
a unanimous decision to buy the rights as Pyun’s works strike
resounding note and have great potential. The publisher added
Pyun’s narrative has great charisma and expressed their
excitement in being able to bring that closer to U.S.
readers.
June 2016 Vol.31
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Korean Books on the World Stage
Arcade Publishing is Skyhorse Publishing’s literary imprint. Skyhorse Publishing has 13
imprints under its helm and has published books by more than 300 renowned authors
from 34 countries at a steady pace. The works it has published so far include roughly 40
New York Times bestseller authors and Nobel literature award winners. It has released
more than 6,000 books so far and plans to release 900 more books next year. So far,
Arcade Publishing has released books by Mo Yen, Ismail Kadare and Samuel Beckett as
well as other distinguished authors from different countries.
Publication rights for ‘Ashes and Red’ have already been sold to France, Poland and
Vietnam, while the novel has already been translated and published in France. The rights
for ‘The Hole’ have been purchased in just the U.S. Pyun’s work can be recognized from a
million miles away and for her novels to have the chance to be shared by readers around
the world is being recognized as a positive opportunity for the author and readers alike.
Meanwhile, the French publication rights to Kong’s ‘My Sister, Bongsooni’ were also
recently sold to French publisher, Editions Phillippe Picquier. ‘My Sister, Bongsooni’ is
a full-length novel that was first released in South Korea in 1998. It portrays the life of a
girl, Bongsooni, who used to live with the narrator telling the story now in her 40s. The
narrator returns to her days when she was a five-year-old called Jjanga.
June 2016 Vol.31
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Korean Books on the World Stage
Bongsooni lives at Jjanga’s house with her family, but in a subtle way,
is unable to meld into the family she is living with. The main character,
Bongsooni, runs into many turns and twists and later falls into despair.
She, however, does not lose hope and lives firmly until the end. After
reminiscing the past, the narrator returns to the present and hears from
her mother that Bongsooni is still living a difficult life. Over the course
of roughly 30 years, the novel portrays what life was like in Korea in the
1960s through the eyes of Jjanga, her family and Bongsooni.
In France, Kong’s other novels like ‘Our Happy Time’ and ‘The High and
Blue Ladder’ have found popularity after being released locally. French
readers are expected to enjoy Kong’s unique style through ‘My Sister,
Bongsooni’.
June 2016 Vol.31
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Contribution
A Small Book Fair
in China
K-Books Reaching out to the World!
June 2016 Vol.31
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Contribution
K-Books Reaching out to the World!
K-Books are gearing up to expand exports to Asian countries. As part of this goal,
South Korea’s culture ministry and the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of
Korea recently hosted a moving book fair in China.
The moving book fair aims to create export opportunities for books after selecting
a promising region that appears to have demand for Korean books. It also helps to
bolster the competitiveness of Korean publishers. In contrast to large, international
book fairs, the moving book fair focuses on business-to-business interaction and
has helped to spur new deals for Korean books and yielding fast results.
June 2016 Vol.31
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Contribution
K-Books Reaching out to the World!
The catchphrase, ‘K-Books Reaching Out to the World” was selected to show
the quality of Korean publications and the willingness to reach out directly to
potential markets. It was thought of as an alternative to international book fairs
like the Beijing International Book Fair or Seoul International Book Fair which are
only held once a year in order to create more interaction and communicate more
actively.
The first moving book fair of this year was held on May 25 and 26 in Nanchang, the
capital of Jiangxi Province in southeastern China. Last year’s book fairs in China
saw 1,000 cases of possible book exports discussed and $540,000 worth of export
contracts signed. This year’s first book fair in China received much attention after
last year’s book fairs in Xian, Shaanxi Province; Jinan of Shandong Province and
Changchun, Jilin Province.
June 2016 Vol.31
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Contribution
K-Books Reaching out to the World!
Eighteen paper book publishers and five electronic book companies participated
from South Korea while 12 publishers from China’s Jiangxi Publishing Group were
seen at the event. A total of 40 publishers also including those from seven Chinese
provinces were participants of the book fair. In addition to roughly 50 booths from
Korea and China, there were also two booths for Korean publishers who were not
at the fair along with two other special booths.
At this year’s book fair, participants honed in on China’s Jiangxi Publishing Group.
The company has been listed in Fortune China’s top 500 Chinese companies four
years in a row and boasts total sales profits worth 3 trillion won. There were hopes
ahead of the fair that it would be a good opportunity for Korean publishers to
expand their presence in China. During the fair, there were many conversations
had regarding copyright for exporting Korean and Chinese books and contracts
were signed for Korean books to be released in China.
June 2016 Vol.31
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Contribution
K-Books Reaching out to the World!
Aside from the book fair, on May 25 there was a
roundtable for picture book authors titled, “The
Present and Future of Children’s Literature in Korea
and China.” The next day two seminars were held to
promote exchanges in publication with the themes,
“Digital Publishing in Korea, China and its Future,”
and “Receptiveness to Korea-China Publications.”
There are two more moving book fairs planned for
China this year in July and September in Chongqing
and Nanjing of Jiangsu Province. Industry officials
have said it is important to note the book fair is not
piggybacking on the Hallyu Wave but rather the
competitiveness of Korean books themselves. Officials
are planning on taking the moving book fair to
countries in Southeast Asia like Thailand and Taiwan.
From there, the book fair may also reach out to Latin
American countries and even those in the Middle East.
So far, the response from China regarding the moving
book fair has been positive and some have even said
the fair may act as the center for publishing exchanges
between South Korea and China. Others state it will
be good to keep an eye out for where the book fair will
open next, taking Korean books with it.
June 2016 Vol.31
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Picture Book
A Very Special, Touching Picture Book
Kim Yun-jeong’s
Message of Hands
June 2016 Vol.31
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Picture Book
A South Korean picture book was a source of major interest at the 2015 Bologna children’s book
fair even before its official domestic release. That book is <Message of Hands>.
Titled <Mom’s Present> in Korea, this book stands out with its storyline that conveys a mother’s
warm heart that can be understood worldwide and because of its unique book form. In its own
unique way, a mother’s message of love to her child like, “If you point your finger at someone,
that will one day come back to you,” “Don’t stop for fear of getting wet in the rain, you have a
large umbrella with you,” and “Don’t give up on your dreams because they are pulling away from
you as you have big wings” can be read in the book.
June 2016 Vol.31
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Picture Book
Flipping through the pages, readers will find pages made of both paper and transparent film.
Hands showing different motions are printed on the pages made of film, sometimes one and
sometimes two. The monochromatic hands on the film are made to be laid on the children’s
hands printed on paper, like a mother’s hands over her child’s. A mother’s hands become wings
for a child flying through the sky, and on another page, a mother’s hands become an umbrella for
a child’s drawing getting wet from the rain. The author wanted to use how the hands would look
like from both sides of the page on film, like a mirror.
This unique idea came from the author, who thought of the concept one day while looking at
sunlight coming through the window. The author said she thought, “Mothers protect their
children like a window from the wind and rain of the world” and the idea of using film to portray
that thought came into her head.
June 2016 Vol.31
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Picture Book
The process in making her idea a reality was
harder than Kim thought. In an attempt
to create her book, she visited numerous
publishers in Korea and even travelled to
Italy but this was in vain. Eventually, after
more than ten attempts Kim was able to
find her current publisher to release the
book in its current form. She has found
success not only in Korea but abroad as well
as her thoughts on her mother that led to a
picture book that managed to capture the
hearts of readers.
The love and gratefulness a mother feels
for her child and vice versa are likely to be
understood by anyone around the world.
The colorful illustrations of children and
black-and-white hands of mothers in the
book create a harmony that conveys the
unrefined and warm hearts of mothers
around the world. The pictures the drawings
on the paper and film create together have
been found to catch some by surprise.
<Message of Hands> is in talks to be
released in eight countries like China,
France, the UK, Argentina, Switzerland, the
U.S., Turkey and Australia along with books
<The Red> and <Friend>. Kim’s book is
bound to be a good present for mothers and
children alike as the story is abound with
emotion and fun.
June 2016 Vol.31
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Picture Book
>> Images Provided by Sangsuri
Kim Yun-jeong
From a young age, the author enjoyed drawing, writing stories
and creating things with her hands. Originally a comic artist, the
author found herself reading more children’s books after she had
her own child and began a new career as a children’s book author
after she felt she wanted to make books children would really like.
Kim is currently flourishing in her career with books <The Sack of
Poop is Rolling Down> and <Ice Cream Poop>, and is currently
leading a group of other young picture book authors.
June 2016 Vol.31
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Book Review
What the Man Booker
Prize Has Done
For Korean Bestsellers
June 2016 Vol.31
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Book Review
In mid-may, author Han Kang became the first South Korean to win the Man Booker
International Prize with her novel, ‘The Vegetarian’. Roughly a month has passed since
she received the award, but the influence it has had on South Korean bookstores is
clearly visible.
Just a glance at South Korean bestseller lists online and offline shows the prize has had
an obvious effect. ‘The Vegetarian’ has topped lists and kept its spot there ever since
winning the Man Booker prize. The book was first published in 2007 but is just now
seeing the light after a decade, snapped up by readers online and offline after news of the
award.
South Korean mega-bookstore Kyobo Bookstore has said roughly 14,500 copies of ‘The
Vegetarian’ were sold in the course of a day after the book was awarded the Man Booker
International Prize. This was more than 22 times the amount the book was sold before
winning the award. In fact, the book was sold out completely for a short period after
which online sales of the book
soared until new copies were
printed and made available in
stores.
June 2016 Vol.31
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Book Review
Seeing the sales numbers soar makes one ponder the reason behind the novel’s
popularity. Industry experts say news of the Man Booker International Prize spurred
purchases by many nationwide including those aged 50 and above when usually the
main customer base is in their 30s to 40s.
Aside from The Vegetarian, Han Kang’s other key novels like ‘Human Acts’ and ‘Hellenic
Time’ have also received much attention and climbed bestseller lists. The author’s latest
novel, ‘The Elegy of Whiteness’, has also seen much popularity after it was released in
late May, just after Han Kang received her award. The novel had originally been planned
in 2013 and the first draft was completed in 2014. It deals with ‘white’ objects that
cannot be marred or become dirty.
Once preordering became available,
the novel gained in popularity and is
enjoying positive sales at bookstores
since.
June 2016 Vol.31
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Book Review
Until the Man Booker Prize announcements, the Korean publication market was rather
subdued. The award sparked the rise of a giant bestseller in Korean literature and lent
a boost to the entire publication market. At the same time, author Jeong Yu-jeong’s
‘The Origin of Species’ was also released, adding to sales at bookstores. Jeong is already
a renowned author inside and outside Korea and after the release of ‘The Origin of
Species’, the novel has also cemented itself on bestseller lists.
Before Han Kang nabbed the Man Booker prize, Korea’s bestseller lists were dominated
by foreign books like Keigo Higashino’s ‘The Miracles of the Namiya General Store’, Jojo
Moyes’s ‘Me Before You’ and ‘A Man Called Ove’ by Fredrik Backman. Industry analysts
say the recent popularity of Korean books is a meaningful trend.
The publication rights for ‘The Vegetarian’ has already been sold to 27 countries and
talks are currently ongoing in other locations as well. In a nutshell, a Korean novel
sparked a Korean bestseller trend after a decade since its publication and has gone onto
receive the spotlight from the entire global publication market. It would be good for
readers to keep an eye on whether this change will be sustainable and act as a signal for
the continued popularity for K-books going forward.
June 2016 Vol.31
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Korea Wave Books
Korea Wave Books
The ‘Korea Wave Books’ section seeks to highlight books related to the ongoing Hallyu
popularity. It aims to introduce new book releases based on four themes: Korea’s
media, food, tourism and traditional culture. We hope the books featured in this section
will help readers better understand Korean culture and history.
Media
Phantom Detective
Kim Mi-ri | Esoope | 224 pages | 13,000 won
This novel spells out the back story of <Phantom Detective>, a Korean movie
that was released in theaters in May this year. Based on the screenplay
written by Director Jo Sung-hee, stories that did not make the cut in the
film were knitted together in a novel format. Although its motif is based on
“Hong Gil-dong,” a character of South Korean classic literature, the movie
has gained success in reinterpreting the character in a modern fashion. The
novel will be more than enough for fans of the film who wish to seek out the
stories of film’s characters and its deeper workings.
June 2016 Vol.31
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Korea Wave Books
Food
Joseon Chef Seo Yu-gu
Kwak Mi-kyung | Siat Books | 335 pages | 15,000 won
During the late Joseon Dynasty, there lived a person who systematically
sorted and organized the recipes of Korea’s traditional foods. This person
was Seo Yu-gu, a high-ranking official during the period. This book tells his
story in the form of a novel along with recipes Seo had documented. The
book provides pictures of food made based on some of the recipes from
Seo’s time, enabling readers to experience Korean history and ancient food
culture.
June 2016 Vol.31
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Korea Wave Books
Tourism
Again, Jeju
Choi Sang-hee | Lalala Beach | 328 pages | 13,800 won
The author of this travel book sought out to discover the true beauty of Jeju
Island, considered by many as South Korea’s most beautiful location and key
tourism spot. The book introduces enjoyable paths on the island that are not
the usual tourist spots. Recently, so many shops on Jeju have been popping
up and disappearing quickly as they fight to keep up with trends that keep
changing with the ebb and flow of many tourists, local and foreign. This book
introduces accommodations, shops and cafes that will help visitors feel like
they are on a real, proper vacation.
June 2016 Vol.31
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Korea Wave Books
Traditional Culture
Korea's Bridge Landscapes
Lee-jong-geun | Chaeryunbook | 260 pages | 14,800 won
Korea’s history, culture, folk culture, art and literature have all been
brought together in this book with one theme, bridges. In writing this
book, the author personally visited or indirectly observed numerous
bridges in South Korea. The publication not only introduces famous
bridges to readers but also provides entertaining tidbits on palaces,
the Korean War, festivals and beautiful paths in South Korea through
different themes and pictures. By following the path the book leads,
readers will be able to observe what sort of hopes went into building the
individual bridges.
>> Images Provided by Esoope, Siat Books, Lalala Beach, Chaeryunbook
June 2016 Vol.31
30
OSMU & BOOK
South Korea’s Literature
Comes to Life in an Animation
Musical animation
<The Shaman Sorceress>
June 2016 Vol.31
31
OSMU & BOOK
A South Korean animation film was selected
for the first time to feature at the 2016 Annecy
International Animation Film Festival, scheduled
to be held from June 13 to 18 in Annecy,
France. The Korean work will be featured at the
festival’s Work In Progress (WIP) section, where
innovative works in development are shared with
industry officials and introduced to audiences.
Films that have been introduced through the
WIP section include <The Peanuts Movie>,
<Wolf Children> as well as Director Mamoru
Hosoda’s <The Boy and the Beast>. This time
around, South Korea’s <The Shaman Sorceress>
created by Studio Meditation with a Pencil will be
featured at the festival.
The film is based on South Korean novelist Kim
Tong-ni’s short novel <Munyeodo> which was
first released in the 1930s. The novel dealt with
the meaning of life and death and has been widely
acclaimed as one of Korea’s representative novels,
so much so that the novel is mentioned in Korean
high school textbooks. It was also a candidate for
the 1982 Nobel award for literature, reflecting its
quality and value as a literary work.
June 2016 Vol.31
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OSMU & BOOK
But even widely acclaimed novels can
prove themselves to be difficult to convert
into feature-length animation films. Studio
Meditation with a Pencil made their first
attempt at transforming short Korean
stories into an animation film in 2014,
called <The Road Called Life>, in South
Korea. <The Shaman Sorceress> will be
their second animation film based on a
novel.
<The Road Called Life> was based on
three Korean short stories: Lee Hyoseok’s <The Buckwheat Season>, Hyun
Jin-geon’s <A Lucky Day> and Kim Youjeong’s <Spring, Spring>. It took a year
and a half for each story to be transformed
into animation and production used
around 70,000 pages of drawings – proof
of the detailed work by the studio. When
the animation was first released, it was invited to film festivals such as the Beijing International
Film Festival and the Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival.
<The Shaman Sorceress> bears greater significant because the film is meant to be the South
Korea’s first classical opera animation, involving an actual shaman, composers from Korean
folk musicals, choreographers and musical actors in the production process. Vivid colors, a
provocative subject of an inter-family conflict over religion, unique characters and a dreamlike
atmosphere make <The Shaman Sorceress> stand out.
June 2016 Vol.31
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OSMU & BOOK
Director Ahn Jae-hoon, who was in charge of the entire project, will take to the stage to speak
about the production process for 75 minutes. Ahn is planning to offer an in-depth explanation
about, on both technical and artistic levels, how elements in the film were developed as well as
the overall production process for the animation, the animation itself and how it was directed
from his standpoint. The director will also answer questions after his presentation.
<The Shaman Sorceress> will open in South Korean theaters in the second half of this year.
Another animation film by Studio Meditation with a Pencil titled <Sonagi>, based on Hwang
Sun-won’s <Rain Shower>, will also open in theaters simultaneously. As they are based on
famous Korean literature, the two films have already been attracting public attention.
>> Images Provided by Studio Meditation with a Pencil
June 2016 Vol.31
34
Introduction of New Books
Novels
《The Origin of Species》
Jeong Yu-jeong | Eunhaengnamu Publishing | 384 pages | 13,000 won
The latest novel from Jeong Yu-jeong, who is loved by the public for her
powerful narrative and explosive stories. This is her first full-length novel in 3
years after her last work, <28>. The novel offers insight on ‘evil’ that lurks in
humankind’s deepest places.
Novels
《From Your Head, Slowly》
Park Sol-moe | Moonji Publishing | 255 pages | 12,000 won
This is the fourth full-length novel by Park Sol-moe, known for her
contemplation over a hopeless, futureless generation. Her latest novel also
features her unique writing style that changes abruptly after flowing for some
time as well as a space that is neither the past, the present nor the future.
Poetry
《The Poem’s Smile》
Heo Yeon | Minumsa | 132 pages | 12,000 won
South Korean poet Heo Yeon has released a collection of poems. Heo, known
for his sharp description of loneliness in cities, has brought together a series
that reflects his mental and literary growth as a person who grew up with the
publisher’s poetry series since 1972.
Essays
《Body Moving》
Kim Jung-hyeok | Munhakdongne Publishing Group | 284 pages | 14,000 won
The human body was placed in focus in this newly released essay collection
by novelist Kim Jung-hyeok. The 32 essays show how many stories the
human body can tell through a number of ways via everyday culture like
movies, sports, dramas and books.
June 2016 Vol.31
35
Introduction of New Books
Economics/Management
《Box Office Economics》
Kim Yoon-ji | Across Book | 312 pages | 15,000 won
We currently live in a world brimming with content. However, to economists,
the culture industry is one where numbers yet cannot cross over. The author
of this book lifts the wool over the public’s eyes to show how the culture
industry works through numbers and data, not by just sense or luck.
Economics/Management
《Domesticating Capitalism》
Chang Moon-seok | Changbi Publishers | 356 pages | 18,000 won
Capital and what isn’t capital are dealt with in this new release. The author
introduces the development of capitalism in Italy where non-capitalistic
factors were used and goes on to trace a bit of history where economics and
things unrelated to the economy have coexisted and grown together in time.
Self-development
《The Power of the Life Where I Lead》
Ha Yu-jin | Tornado | 272 pages | 14,000 won
Readers can seek answers to why people work and what kind of lives can
be wrought through work in this self-help book. Experiences as a coach for
young business workers to higher-up officials and even CEOs by the author
can all be seen in this book.
Liberal Arts
《A Fox in the Age of the Hedgehog》
Cho Kyu-hyung | Sanzini | 224 pages | 13,000 won
“A fox knows many things, but a hedgehog one important thing” is a line by
Greek poet Archilocos. The author of this book advises readers not to give
up on being foxes in an age of hedgehogs where society is becoming more
structuralized.
June 2016 Vol.31
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Introduction of New Books
Liberal Arts
《Practicing Death》
Lee Kyung-shin | Dongnyok Publishing | 460 pages | 16,500 won
This book contemplates how to live well, beyond ageing well and dying well.
The writer began to pry into the subject of death after close acquaintances
started passing away. The semi-autobiographical book offers readers a chance
to think about death.
History
《The Birth of Gangnam》
Han Jong-su, Kye Yong-jun, Kang Hee-yong | Mizibooks | 332 pages | 15,000 won
The area that is Gangnam today was once barren and void of development.
The region’s history up until the present is introduced in this book. Those who
choose to follow down the path of Gangnam’s history will naturally be able to
learn Korea’s modern history.
Culture
《Hobby:Going to Exhibitions》
Han Jung-hee | Joongang Books | 284 pages | 15,000 won
As the head educator of the Daelim Museum, the author has always dreamed
of everyday life becoming art for the past decade. Han advises readers who
usually spend less than two minutes in front of a painting on how to approach
artwork.
Art
《My Drawing of Iceland》
Eom Yoo-jung | Art Books | 336 pages | 18,000 won
This travel log with just words and drawings will dazzle readers. The author,
who is currently working as a drawing artist, headed for Iceland one day,
leaving the busy city in search of wide, open beauty. The landscapes that were
spotted there for 40 days are simply reflected in this book.
June 2016 Vol.31
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Introduction of New Books
Science
《Space Topics to Read on Sleepless Nights》
Lee Gwang-sik | Deulmenamu | 340 pages | 17,000 won
Twenty-seven key topics you need to know about space and the universe have
been crammed into this fun and easy book. According to the author, space is
not something to be learned but to be observed and thought about. Readers
can contemplate the relationship between space, the world and themselves
through this book.
Travel
《The things that become time》
Lee Hwa-jeong | booknomad | 304 pages | 14,800 won
A book that presents a collection of little traces from the world’s flea markets
and vintage shops, the work contains love for the old and worn things that
anybody who loves vintage things can empathize with. The books also tells
various stories about the author’s travels and pictures of film taken and
experienced as a movies reporter.
Children's books
《The Bowl for Your Heart》
Jeong Chan-ju | Eorini jakka jeongsin | 40 pages | 11,000 won
Adults and children alike will be able to enjoy this calm and clear story.
Comfort and leisure in taking a breather are conveyed through the pages as
readers learn the story of a Buddhist monk, who lives making wooden bowls,
and a child.
Children's books
《The Miracle of the Pink Door》
Kang Jeong-yeon | BIR Publishing | 212 pages | 9,500 won
This children’s book tells the tale of a miracle-working pink door that lets
people see their deceased loved ones again for 72 hours. The author stresses
the preciousness of everyday life through characters in the book that have lost
a loved one in a blink of an eye.
June 2016 Vol.31
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KPIPA News
KPIPA Hosts a Book Concert Featuring Poet Shin Dal-ja
On May 25, a book concert featuring
Shin is one of South Korea’s representative
main auditorium at building No. 6 of the
collections like <Things Go Quietly> and
Korean poet Shin Dal-ja was held in the
government complex in Sejong City. Hosted
by the culture ministry and KPIPA, the book
concert was the third book concert held this
year to mark monthly culture days.
Culture days were launched as a means to
get Koreans to enjoy culture – discounts
and other special incentives are available
on the last Wednesday of each month at
places like movie theaters, art galleries
and performance halls. The project was
female poets and is known for her poetry
<A Relationship with Long Conversations>.
She has also released essay collections like
<The Mother and Daughter> and <Shin
Dal-ja’s Photo Essay for the Senses>.
Touching many hearts through her poetry,
Shin had a very special conversation with
the audience in May speaking about the
theme, “Happiness beyond Luck.” Shin also
read poetry for the audience during the book
concert.
launched in 2014, aiming to encourage more
The poet was selected as ‘Author in Focus
blocking them from doing so.
book fair in Seoul this year, which will kick
Koreans to enjoy culture by lowering hurdles
for the year’ for this year’s international
off June 15.
June 2016 Vol.31
39
KPIPA News
Liberal Arts Reading Academy 2016
A project to spur more liberal arts
while promoting regional contents
has been progressing at a rapid pace. Sixty
centers and auditoriums will host this year’s
knowledge and reading launched by KPIPA
locations so far designated for the Liberal
Arts Reading Academy have been hosting
lectures on literature, history, philosophy
as well as liberal arts, social sciences and
natural sciences. They have also been
encouraging reading clubs.
This academy, launched in 2014, saw
more programs selected for this year
simultaneously. Public libraries, cultural
academy programs until November after
receiving financial support for lecturers,
workbooks and promotion.
This year’s academy will seek out business
workers, housewives and young students
to join in the programs and promote the
expansion of cultural welfare nationwide.
June 2016 Vol.31
40
<K-Book Review> is…
Here is an introduction to the best guide for those of you who are absorbed in things like
Korea, or books. <K-Book Review> is a media that introduces Korean culture, publishing
news, authors and books in various fields.
<K-Book Review> has been engaging readers from all over the world since July 2013. In
Korea, there are a tremendous amount of books that are as enjoyable as K-pop and as deep
as the country’s five-thousand-year-old history. <K-Book Review> is working hard to let
the world know more about Korea’s excellent books, publishing news and culture.
The goal of the <K-Book Review> is to introduce Korean culture, especially its literature
and publishing culture to the world.
<K-Book Review> introduces excellent books published in Korea, which are related to the
humanities, economics, management, literature, teens and children.
How to read <K-Book Review>
1. Connect to an android or iOS application market.
2. Search for ‘K-Book Review’.
3. Download monthly provided PDF files from the KPIPA website(www.kpipa.or.kr).
June 2016 Vol.31
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About the Publisher of the Magazine, KPIPA
The Publication Industry Promotion Agency of
Korea(KPIPA) is a public entity under the Ministry of
Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea.
Based on various policies set forth to promote, support
and enhance the publishing industry, KPIPA undertakes
a wide range of projects to foster domestic organizations
and individuals doing business in the publishing market.
On July 27, 2012, KPIPA launched with an aim to
effectively support, promote and develop the publishing
industry. Its goal is to help the publishing industry
flourish by playing the role of a control tower that
comprehensively and systematically executes publishing
policies with the cooperation of the industry.
Websites www.kpipa.or.kr / www.read-kpipa.or.kr / www.ebookbaro.com
June 2016 Vol.31
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