A 2014 article written by scholar An Sonjae claims “The greatest challenge facing anyone trying to introduce Korean writing to the outside world is the world’s general lack of knowledge regarding Korea’s recent history, which has had such a deep influence on its literature.”
This was certainly true for me. While I’ve long been fascinated by accounts of North Korean defectors, enjoyed historical fiction works set several generations ago, and lately begun to dip my toes into K-Dramas on Netflix, my knowledge of recent Korean history and how it’s shaped the culture was lacking. So, it was with great delight that I recently spent a month in South Korea, exploring museums, historical sites, and of course, the reading landscape!
You may be familiar (as I was) with well-known Korean and Korean-American authors like Min Jin Lee, author of Pachinko; Cho Nam Joo, who wrote feminist-novel Kim Ji-Young, Born 1982; or Han Kang, the first Korean winner of the Man Booker International Prize for Fiction for her novel The Vegetarian. Literature coming out of South Korea has found a quickly growing audience, as more and more works are translated into other languages, and as general interest in Korean culture (especially via K-Pop, K-Drama, and Korean beauty products) grows overseas.
Starfield Library in Seoul
I was also fascinated to learn that in 2007, Korea officially designed September as Reading Month as part of the Reading Culture Promotion Act. September would be designated Reading Month “so as to inspire citizens with enthusiasm for reading, have them make reading a part of their daily routines, and induce them to participate actively in the promotion of reading culture.” This devotion to reading was visible in the number of bookstores I encountered. While I had the best success finding titles in English translation at larger chain bookstores like Kyobo—the largest chain of bookstores in Korea—and Youngpoong—Korea’s answer to Barnes & Noble—the best brick & mortar experience I had by far was a magical visit to the Starfield Library. You’ve likely seen photos of this light-filled atrium (which is actually situated underground!), and I can confirm that it’s just as inspiring in real life.
During our month in South Korea, I learned so much about this country and the struggles and triumphs of its people that I had never known. Attending the annual Fishing Village Festival in Busan brought to life the opening chapters of Pachinko. And I gained more understanding of the country’s history of invasion, occupation, division, and tragedy—artfully captured at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul—which gave me a unique lens through which to understand the growing body of Korean works featuring speculative fiction, dystopian themes, and alternate histories, which are some of my favorite genres.
Youngpoong Bookstore in Seoul
Today I’m excited to share fourteen titles that I discovered (or re-discovered) during my time in Seoul and Busan: many of them I’ve already enjoyed, while a few are still on my to-be-read list or preordered for the future. I hope one of these may capture your imagination, too, and I’m sure there are so many others I missed. Please tell me about your favorite South Korean reads in the comments!
Literary Tourism: South Korea
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The blurb for this book begins: "Jungle is a cutting-edge travel agency specializing in tourism to destinations devastated by disaster and climate change," and that was enough to catch my attention. This story follows Yona, a top representative at Jungle who finds herself in a tricky predicament and has to decide whether to protect her job and employer, or make a more difficult decision. Described by reviewers as a "dystopian feminist eco-thriller" and a "timely capitalist satire," I expect I’ll shelve this next to Camp Zero and Birnam Wood. Translated by Lizzie Buehler. More info →
Any time a thriller or spy novel features a mysterious space called "The Library", it’s a must-read. This story follows assassin Reseng in an alternate version of Seoul, Raised in The Library, Reseng never questioned his criminal lifestyle until something unexpected goes wrong and he’s forced to make some hard decisions about his future path. Un-Su Kim is a beloved author (he also wrote my above pick, The Cabinet,) and this title is acclaimed as an action-packed and wildly entertaining thriller. While this is on my TBR, I haven’t read it yet, and online summaries suggest that sensitive readers may want to avoid it due to some violent content on the page. Translated by Sora Kim-Russell. More info →
I first heard of this novel on What Should I Read Next (before I joined the team), and loved this family drama that follows four generations of a Korean family from the early 20th century to the present. I learned so much about Korean history and culture from this story. Even though I listened to this years before our visit to South Korea, I found myself recalling scenes from the book this summer while exploring the country for the first time. I’m tempted to read it again with a fresh perspective. More info →
It’s impossible to ignore the impact of beauty culture in Korea, from the ubiquitous sheet-mask shops to the women riding the subway with their bangs pulled back on soft rollers. This new book from Elise Hu, which I first heard of in an interview between the author and WSIRN alum Anne Helen Petersen, considers historical context and includes hours of interviews with South Korean women. Hu paints a picture of the complex intersection of capitalism, beauty, success, and culture, while inviting us to imagine what could be different. I found it fascinating. More info →
This cover caught my eye at a bookstore in Seoul, and I recognized Hwang’s name: he is an accomplished South Korean novelist, the second Korean author to be nominated for a Booker prize (for his 2015 novel At Dusk). Hwang’s history is uniquely compelling: he was sentenced to seven years in prison in 1993 for an unauthorized trip to North Korea to promote artistic exchange, although he was later pardoned. This multi-generational epic follows the struggles of ordinary Koreans from the Japanese colonial era into the present day, and while I haven’t finished it yet, I’m savoring this story, translated by Sora Kim-Russell and Youngjae Josephine Bae. More info →
One of the best culinary discoveries of our travels so far is Tteokbokki: a tasty and comforting spicy rice-cake dish that I’d describe as Korea’s answer to really good Mac & Cheese. So, the title of this memoir alone made it a must-read. This blend of memoir and self-help is a comforting read for anyone encountering hard times. Baek invites us into dialogues with her therapist, and her subsequent effort to disentangle and break free from the patterns that led her to a breaking point. Translated by Anton Hur. More info →
This feel-good novel caught my eye with a blurb that described it as “A slice-of-life novel about finding acceptance and comfort in your life—with a good dose of the healing power of books.” Yes, please! A Korean bestseller, this is the first novel from Hwang, and has been called a readalike to Gabrielle Zevin's The Storied Life of AJ Fikry. I couldn’t pre-order this title quickly enough. The English language edition translated by Shanna Tan comes out in the U.S. in February 2024. More info →
I will admit to being a total K-pop novice, but the cultural impact of BTS and similar music groups is undeniable even to the uninitiated like me. When I heard of its summer 2023 release, I put this title on my library holds list and can’t wait to read the full account of how this boy-band grew to be the best-selling artist in Korean history. This authorized history co-written with well-known K-pop critic and author Myeongseok Kang compiles behind-the-scenes stories, interviews, and insights from BTS members, from before they debuted through the present day. More info →
While I knew the broad strokes of Korean history, upon visiting the country I realized how little I truly knew about how generations of colonial control, invasion, and ethnic conflict have shaped Korean culture today. This short YA novel, told in vignettes and letters, tells one young girl’s story of confronting prejudice, nationality, and grappling with what it means to belong. It gives voice to the Zainichi Korean (ethnic Korean born in Japan) experience. Translated by Takami Nieda. More info →
This rich historical novel follows a Joseon Dynasty court dancer who travels to France and finds herself in a world of intrigue, betrayal, and the struggles of a country and culture at a crossroads. Shin is a beloved South Korean novelist and this story is full of characters that will stay with the reader and bring a magnificent chapter of Korean history to life. Translated by Anton Hur. More info →
One could argue this title falls into the sub-genre of “weird fiction”, which readers may associate with China Miéville and Jeff VanderMeer. In this fantastical, strange, and sometimes whimsical novel, Mr. Kong, a harried office worker, is in charge of Cabinet 13. While it looks normal, this cabinet is full of files on humans with strange abilities and unusual experiences. Funny, ironic, and strange, I found it hard to put down. Kim won the Munhakdongne Novel Award, South Korea's most prestigious literary prize, for this novel, translated by Sean Lin Halbert. More info →
In another case of a beautiful cover catching my eye, once I realized this was a feminist retelling of a classic Korean folktale, I was even more excited to read this story from Oh, a first-generation Korean American. Mina, a young girl in a community wracked by deadly storms and floods, sacrifices herself to the Sea God to save her brother. When Mina finds the Sea God in an enchanted sleep, she’s aided by demons, gods, spirits, and a mysterious young man in her quest to awaken the Sea God. The publisher recommends it as “perfect for fans of Wintersong, Uprooted, and Miyazaki's Spirited Away.” More info →
Speculative fiction is one of my favorite genres, and I especially love discovering international perspectives in this section of the bookstore. Kim is a beloved South Korean writer (who also worked as a script advisor on the popular film Snowpiercer.) In this collection, she explores what it means to be human in two pairs of thematically interconnected stories. I have this one high on my TBR. Translated by Sophie Bowman and Sung Ryu. More info →
I’ve just this year started to dip my toes back into reading dystopian fiction, which was one of my favorite genres pre-2020. So, the timing was right when I discovered this queer love story featuring a band of Koreans in post-apocalyptic Russia. This gripping novel asks us to believe in love even when the odds are stacked against it, and explores how humanity reacts to catastrophe. Translated by Soje. More info →
Which books set in South Korea have you read and loved? Please tell us all about them in the comments section!
Holly Wielkoszewski is our What Should I Read Next Media Production Specialist. Her go-to genres are Fantasy and Sci-Fi. You can find Holly on Instagram @hollyfromthebigsky.
I’d also add Crying in H Mart by Korean-American author Michelle Zauner. Although set primarily in the U.S., the book does step foot in South Korea a few times when Zauner recalls visits with her Korean family. The novel leans heavily into Korean food and culture as she embarks on an emotional journey to explore her heritage.
Thank you Natalie! I have had this on my Libby holds and look forward to reading it once it becomes available 🙂 My mother-in-law also raved about it, and while I didn’t get to Jeju, I’d love to go back and visit in the future.
Yes…I agree! The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See is phenomenal and provides a much overlooked historical context for the Korean War. I learned so much.
Shoko’s Smile by Choi Eun-young, translated by Sung Ryu. A fiction book of short stories of young women in South Korea and their lives. The author captures the pain and loneliness in everyday life, but also the joy and courage in just living.
Another vote for The Island of Sea Women (check CWs through), If I had Your Face by Frances Cha (a look at modern Korea), When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park (about Japanese occupation), and Star of the North by Linda Park for some revisionist history/thriller!
I agree with Natalie. Linda See’s novel The Island of the Sea Women was chosen by our book club. We had so many questions and delved into the very dangerous occupation these women chose.
I saw the other comments about Crying in H Mart, and I would have to agree that it should be added. What a great idea for a reading list! I’m going to add some of these others to my TBR. Thank you!
One of my favorite ways to travel is by reading fairy tales from around the world. I’d love to see your recommendations for those types of books!
Brittany, I absolutely adore fairy tale retellings and now I’m going to scour my Storygraph to see how many I can gather so far from various global destinations. What a great idea for a book list!
I just finished 3 tigers one mountain all about the intersecting histories of China, Japan and Korea. I’m going there in 11 days for an 8 day tour and am excited to be able to look for some of these books at the Starfield library! I have the BTS book which I could not put down, I didn’t know much about them but my respect for them has skyrocketed after reading this! This post could not have been more perfectly timed for those long flights to and from Seoul!!
It is by the same author who wrote The almost nearly perfect people, about Scandinavia. Michael Booth. Very readable. Being married to a Scandinavian I had read this one already and 3 tigers one mountain did not disappoint.
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea was one of my favorite audiobooks last year! Also adored Pachinko; I read that over a few weeks during a really hard time in my life (also last year) and it will stick with me forever.
Seconding The Island of Sea Women as many have mentioned. I am also a sucker for cute YA Korean-American romances. I adored XOXO (also by Axie Oh) and am currently listening to Seoulmates by Susan Lee.
I’ve got my eye on the English translation of Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop for sure. That looks amazing.
I so appreciate this list! We just visited Korea in July (to bring our daughter back to her homeland for the first time since we adopted her 18 years ago), and I read Island of the Sea Women while there. I was thrilled when Korean friends told me that a structure on the sea in Busan was the changing house for the haenyeo sea divers, my heroines of the sea. I also loved Pachinko and avidly follow Min Jin Lee on Instagram. Oh, and I liked The Last Days of Mina Lee, a book about a mother and daughter with a suspense twist. From your list, I like the looks of the bookstore book and The Court Dancer. Thank you! We cherish Korea in our family.
What a great opportunity for your family, Lorilee! I loved Busan—I would return there in a heartbeat. I’ll check out The Last Days of Mina Lee, sounds intriguing! So glad you found a few possible new reads from this list.
Yes, Mina Lee was a great one! And yes, Island of Sea Women. We are headed back to South Korea in November with our two boys (also adopted). Those who’ve traveled in the fall, should we go to Busan in November or will it be miserable because cold?
I lived in Korea for a year in my 20s and love to revisit it in my reading life! I’ll definitely check out a few of your recommendations! I read “Beasts of a Little Land” by Juhea Kim last year and enjoyed the characters and insights into a time decades before the civil war.
I just got back from South Korea. A beautiful and modern Country. Pachinko is wonderful book. I haven’t read the rest of them but will add them to my tbr. I happened yo be in Seoul for their book festival which was fun and very inter generational. I also liked the book vending machines in the subway.
Re Jane by Patricia Park. It’s a modern take on Jane Eyre; the main character is of South Korean descent and a big chunk of the story takes place in South Korea. Pro tip: don’t loan your copy; you’ll never get it back!
Also a big second to those who have mentioned Crying in H Mart.
This list is very apropos. I get on a plane to move to South Korea next week. It’s an unexpected move with only 2 months notice. We’ve been so focused on the logistics of making the move happen, getting the kids enrolled in international school etc. that I haven’t fully processed that next week I’ll find myself living in Korea. I’m excited, but in an abstract non specific way because I haven’t had any time to do the research I normally do before traveling somewhere. I’ve already read a few of these previously and I’m going to download a few for the 15.5 hour flight.
Although this does not fit exactly, I do think it is worth a read. It is Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee. It is more about the experience of being Korean in the US. It is Lee’s debut novel. I was fortunate to see Min Jin Lee on her Pachinko tour. This was early days. It had not blown up into the huge book it became yet. She stopped at Book Bar in Denver, CO. There were only a handful of us there so it really became a conversation. She told us that Free Food and Pachinko were going to be part of a trilogy. I have never seen that anywhere then or since. Is that something that others have heard?
I was so excited to see this post as I spent the last two years living in South Korea. It really is such an incredible country and I miss it dearly. You went to some of the best sites, by the way 😊
I just finished The Apology which was a great novel in the family saga category. I’ve also read Please Look After Mom which I believe is translated from Korean and is a little bit family story and a little bit mystery but is very sad. I also recently read Your Republic Is Calling You which is definitely translated from Korean and is a thriller that takes place over one day. It really wasn’t what I was hoping it would be but was fascinating and like the others, gave some cultural insight I couldn’t have seen any other way.
Please Look After Mom by Shin Kyung-sook is one of my favorite books that I stumbled upon. It made me really think about how well I knew my mother and maybe some things I need to share with my adult children about my own life.
Non-fiction books that may interest those wanting to explore further into Korea’s two millenia-long history:
EVERLASTING FLOWER by Keith Pratt includes short essays “featuring artwork and artifacts from Korea’s past”. Title refers a type of hibiscus that became symbol of Korean spirit; plant can be cut down drastically, but will grow and flourish again.
English translation of SAMGUK YUSA: “Legends and History of the Three Kingdoms of Ancient Korea”, dating from the late 1200s. To quote from paperback cover, this book “is not just a story but a collection of histories, anecdotes and memorabilia, covering the origins of Korea’s three monarchies–Silla, Packche and Koguryo, offering an account of the latter nation that differs quite a bit from what you’ll read in Chinese history books.”
It may be hard to find copy of 1953 memoir I MARRIED A KOREAN by Agnes Davis Kim, an American woman who met her future husband when they both attended same college where he studied to become a Christian minister. Although interracial marriage was rare at the time, they returned to Korea to work together as missionaries.
Speaking of Korean historical drama, Dae Jo-Yeong was based on an actual king, tho this version may have added touches of King Arthur legend. Another series was inspired by life of King Sejong, reputed to have invented Korean syllabic alphabet Hangul based “on shape of speech organs used to pronounce them”, a writing system intentionally designed to more easily increase literacy, contrasting with Chinese characters where hundreds or thousands of different symbols need to be memorized.
I recently discovered June Hur. She writes YA historical fiction set in Korea and her books are like watching a K-Drama. I’ve read (and liked) The Red Palace, and The Silence of the Bones. Her book The Forest of Stolen Girls looks too intense for me (I think it’s a thriller). And she has a book coming out that I’m very excited to read; A Crane Among Wolves.
Off topic: But can we get one of these lists for Australia? I don’t know why, but I am always drawn into Aussie books. Liane Moriarty, Jane Harper, and I just started a Benjamin Stevenson. I need more books set in Oz!
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45 comments
I just finished “The Island of Sea Women” and would highly recommend. It’s set on the island of Jeju, just off of South Korea’s coast.
Just coming here to say this!
I’d also add Crying in H Mart by Korean-American author Michelle Zauner. Although set primarily in the U.S., the book does step foot in South Korea a few times when Zauner recalls visits with her Korean family. The novel leans heavily into Korean food and culture as she embarks on an emotional journey to explore her heritage.
Kim, I cannot actually believe I haven’t read Crying in H Mart yet, and I’m so glad you reminded me to add it to my priority TBR!
I loved that book!
Thank you Natalie! I have had this on my Libby holds and look forward to reading it once it becomes available 🙂 My mother-in-law also raved about it, and while I didn’t get to Jeju, I’d love to go back and visit in the future.
Yes…I agree! The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See is phenomenal and provides a much overlooked historical context for the Korean War. I learned so much.
Shoko’s Smile by Choi Eun-young, translated by Sung Ryu. A fiction book of short stories of young women in South Korea and their lives. The author captures the pain and loneliness in everyday life, but also the joy and courage in just living.
Ooh, I haven’t heard of this one. Thank you Kristi!
Another vote for The Island of Sea Women (check CWs through), If I had Your Face by Frances Cha (a look at modern Korea), When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park (about Japanese occupation), and Star of the North by Linda Park for some revisionist history/thriller!
Thank you Ciara, so many great ideas here!
I was very surprised that “The Island of the Sea Women” did not make this list. It’s a wonderful story that I knew nothing about.
I agree with Natalie. Linda See’s novel The Island of the Sea Women was chosen by our book club. We had so many questions and delved into the very dangerous occupation these women chose.
I saw the other comments about Crying in H Mart, and I would have to agree that it should be added. What a great idea for a reading list! I’m going to add some of these others to my TBR. Thank you!
One of my favorite ways to travel is by reading fairy tales from around the world. I’d love to see your recommendations for those types of books!
Brittany, I absolutely adore fairy tale retellings and now I’m going to scour my Storygraph to see how many I can gather so far from various global destinations. What a great idea for a book list!
Another vote for The Island of Sea Women – I loved it and learned so much!
I’m a huge fan of Crystal Hana Kim’s writing. Her book, IF YOU LEAVE ME about star crossed lovers during the Korean Civil War is really good!
That sounds like a great read, Afoma!
I just finished 3 tigers one mountain all about the intersecting histories of China, Japan and Korea. I’m going there in 11 days for an 8 day tour and am excited to be able to look for some of these books at the Starfield library! I have the BTS book which I could not put down, I didn’t know much about them but my respect for them has skyrocketed after reading this! This post could not have been more perfectly timed for those long flights to and from Seoul!!
Fantastic, Victoria! I hope you have a great trip, and I’m definitely adding 3 Tigers One Mountain to my library holds list, it sounds fascinating.
It is by the same author who wrote The almost nearly perfect people, about Scandinavia. Michael Booth. Very readable. Being married to a Scandinavian I had read this one already and 3 tigers one mountain did not disappoint.
3 tigers one mountain is on my hold list I can’t wait to read it. Did you like it?
I just added a few of these to my TBR! They all sound fabulous but I’m going to start with The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea.
Yay, I hope you love it, Liz!
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea was one of my favorite audiobooks last year! Also adored Pachinko; I read that over a few weeks during a really hard time in my life (also last year) and it will stick with me forever.
Seconding The Island of Sea Women as many have mentioned. I am also a sucker for cute YA Korean-American romances. I adored XOXO (also by Axie Oh) and am currently listening to Seoulmates by Susan Lee.
I’ve got my eye on the English translation of Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop for sure. That looks amazing.
Elisabeth, I’ve been seeing XOXO pop up in a lot of places lately, so I think that’s my sign to read that one soon! Thanks for the extra suggestions 🙂
I so appreciate this list! We just visited Korea in July (to bring our daughter back to her homeland for the first time since we adopted her 18 years ago), and I read Island of the Sea Women while there. I was thrilled when Korean friends told me that a structure on the sea in Busan was the changing house for the haenyeo sea divers, my heroines of the sea. I also loved Pachinko and avidly follow Min Jin Lee on Instagram. Oh, and I liked The Last Days of Mina Lee, a book about a mother and daughter with a suspense twist. From your list, I like the looks of the bookstore book and The Court Dancer. Thank you! We cherish Korea in our family.
What a great opportunity for your family, Lorilee! I loved Busan—I would return there in a heartbeat. I’ll check out The Last Days of Mina Lee, sounds intriguing! So glad you found a few possible new reads from this list.
Yes, Mina Lee was a great one! And yes, Island of Sea Women. We are headed back to South Korea in November with our two boys (also adopted). Those who’ve traveled in the fall, should we go to Busan in November or will it be miserable because cold?
I lived in Korea for a year in my 20s and love to revisit it in my reading life! I’ll definitely check out a few of your recommendations! I read “Beasts of a Little Land” by Juhea Kim last year and enjoyed the characters and insights into a time decades before the civil war.
I’ve heard good things about Beasts of a Little Land, thanks for reminding me about that title, Amanda! I hope you find a new read here you love, too.
I just got back from South Korea. A beautiful and modern Country. Pachinko is wonderful book. I haven’t read the rest of them but will add them to my tbr. I happened yo be in Seoul for their book festival which was fun and very inter generational. I also liked the book vending machines in the subway.
Re Jane by Patricia Park. It’s a modern take on Jane Eyre; the main character is of South Korean descent and a big chunk of the story takes place in South Korea. Pro tip: don’t loan your copy; you’ll never get it back!
Also a big second to those who have mentioned Crying in H Mart.
This list is very apropos. I get on a plane to move to South Korea next week. It’s an unexpected move with only 2 months notice. We’ve been so focused on the logistics of making the move happen, getting the kids enrolled in international school etc. that I haven’t fully processed that next week I’ll find myself living in Korea. I’m excited, but in an abstract non specific way because I haven’t had any time to do the research I normally do before traveling somewhere. I’ve already read a few of these previously and I’m going to download a few for the 15.5 hour flight.
That’s exciting but I’m sure a little overwhelming, Meagan! Good luck with your move and I hope you find yourself enjoying Korea once you settle in!
Although this does not fit exactly, I do think it is worth a read. It is Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee. It is more about the experience of being Korean in the US. It is Lee’s debut novel. I was fortunate to see Min Jin Lee on her Pachinko tour. This was early days. It had not blown up into the huge book it became yet. She stopped at Book Bar in Denver, CO. There were only a handful of us there so it really became a conversation. She told us that Free Food and Pachinko were going to be part of a trilogy. I have never seen that anywhere then or since. Is that something that others have heard?
Free Food for Millionaires is a great read! I loved it too.
I was so excited to see this post as I spent the last two years living in South Korea. It really is such an incredible country and I miss it dearly. You went to some of the best sites, by the way 😊
I just finished The Apology which was a great novel in the family saga category. I’ve also read Please Look After Mom which I believe is translated from Korean and is a little bit family story and a little bit mystery but is very sad. I also recently read Your Republic Is Calling You which is definitely translated from Korean and is a thriller that takes place over one day. It really wasn’t what I was hoping it would be but was fascinating and like the others, gave some cultural insight I couldn’t have seen any other way.
Free Food for Millionaires is a great read! I loved it too.
Please Look After Mom by Shin Kyung-sook is one of my favorite books that I stumbled upon. It made me really think about how well I knew my mother and maybe some things I need to share with my adult children about my own life.
Please Look After Mom by Shin Kyung-sook and Chi-Young Kim (Translator)
Read this is 2016 and it’s stil a favorite after all this time!
Non-fiction books that may interest those wanting to explore further into Korea’s two millenia-long history:
EVERLASTING FLOWER by Keith Pratt includes short essays “featuring artwork and artifacts from Korea’s past”. Title refers a type of hibiscus that became symbol of Korean spirit; plant can be cut down drastically, but will grow and flourish again.
English translation of SAMGUK YUSA: “Legends and History of the Three Kingdoms of Ancient Korea”, dating from the late 1200s. To quote from paperback cover, this book “is not just a story but a collection of histories, anecdotes and memorabilia, covering the origins of Korea’s three monarchies–Silla, Packche and Koguryo, offering an account of the latter nation that differs quite a bit from what you’ll read in Chinese history books.”
It may be hard to find copy of 1953 memoir I MARRIED A KOREAN by Agnes Davis Kim, an American woman who met her future husband when they both attended same college where he studied to become a Christian minister. Although interracial marriage was rare at the time, they returned to Korea to work together as missionaries.
Speaking of Korean historical drama, Dae Jo-Yeong was based on an actual king, tho this version may have added touches of King Arthur legend. Another series was inspired by life of King Sejong, reputed to have invented Korean syllabic alphabet Hangul based “on shape of speech organs used to pronounce them”, a writing system intentionally designed to more easily increase literacy, contrasting with Chinese characters where hundreds or thousands of different symbols need to be memorized.
Heading to Korea in a couple of days and looking forward to all the bookish stuff!
I recently discovered June Hur. She writes YA historical fiction set in Korea and her books are like watching a K-Drama. I’ve read (and liked) The Red Palace, and The Silence of the Bones. Her book The Forest of Stolen Girls looks too intense for me (I think it’s a thriller). And she has a book coming out that I’m very excited to read; A Crane Among Wolves.
Off topic: But can we get one of these lists for Australia? I don’t know why, but I am always drawn into Aussie books. Liane Moriarty, Jane Harper, and I just started a Benjamin Stevenson. I need more books set in Oz!
Stay tuned … 🙂