10 Incredible Books by Korean Authors to Read Before Visiting South Korea!
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In my quest for deeper understanding of the various places I visit, I take it upon myself to digest its culture in different forms. Whether it be from the food, learning the history, or watching movies and documentaries, culture can be communicated to the masses in tons of different ways! One of my favorite methods – reading literature from local authors. After my obsession with kpop and kdramas, I had my heart set on studying abroad in South Korea. It….didn’t work out, but I DID finally get the opportunity to visit a few years later. Since then, I have been reading books by Korean authors, specifically fiction, to get an inside peak of the culture.
And – dun da da dahhhh – I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorites!
So YES, I HAVE read all of these books! I’ve enjoyed them, and I hope you enjoy them as well! But uhhhh…fair warning, grab a box of tissues. There are some real tear-jerkers on this list.
WHY DO ALL BOOKS FROM KOREAN AUTHORS MAKE MY CRY?!?!?
I read maybe….close to twenty-five or so books by Korean authors so this post has been a labor of love FOR SURE. But even discounting the books I didn’t like or couldn’t even finish, the list was STILL long. So, I decided to dedicate this list to Korean authors who were born and/or raised in Korea and their novels are based in their home country. Not that I don’t love all of my Korean authors everywhere else in the world, but I want to show books by Korean authors from Korea about Korea some extra love since books that take place in other parts of the world usually get more spotlight (at least in America).
In general, I noticed a lot of the books by Korean authors from Korea were contemporary fiction on the darker side. Not a lot of romance or comedy or fantasy – at least not what has been translated into English. So, this list reflects that. Though, if you have any suggestions, especially for romance, please let me know in the comments below!
Okay, now let’s get this reading rainbow on the road!
Table of Contents
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
I mean, might as well start off this list of books by Korean authors with one of the most popular and highly raved about, right? I actually read Pachinko years ago when it first came out in 2017, and it blew my mind. In fact, I would put it up there with Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. IT’S THAT GOOD. It’s one of those books that you’ll be talking about for the rest of the year. I literally could nottt shut up about it.
Similar to the Homegoing, Pachinko is a contemporary lineage novel, that follows generations following the initial “main” character through Japanese occupation of Korea. It’s a book that will pull on your heartstrings, while also giving you an intimate window into Korean culture, generational trauma, and Korea’s strained relationship with Japan.
The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly by Hwang Sun-mi
This is one of my favorite books of all time. OF ALL TIME. Even my partner, who is not a fan of reading, loved it. Gobbled it up in one sitting, no animal pun intended. It’s a very short book, a novella if you will, and the writing is straight-forward as well, so it’s a quick read. Which just made every single chapter, page, and sentence that much more powerful.
If you couldn’t guess, the story is about a hen. Yes, a literal hen. And this hen has a dream that goes beyond laying lifeless eggs for her farmers. It’s a very powerful story that touches on determination, maternal instincts, and living life to the fullest – even if you are but a hen on a farm. I can’t wait to read more books by this author!
Drifting House by Krys Lee
Personally, I’m not the biggest fan of short story collections, but this one should definitely be included as one of the best books by Korean authors. Especially for foreigners to read before visiting South Korea. The reason I usually don’t pick up short stories is because I gravitate towards works that have fully fleshed characters and an intricate plot and reoccurring themes weaved throughout; by the nature of short stories, one or more of those is missing. Not here though.
As a little bit of a heads up, these stories are hard. Potentially triggering. But they are so beautifully and thoughtfully written at the same time. Plus, I like dark stories. I mean, idk if you’ve read my novel “TW:Flatline,” (ps you should!), but uh…it’s not very happy. It doesn’t have trigger warning in the title for nothing. While I didn’t love all of the stories in this collection, admittedly, the really strange ones like “The Believer” and “A Temporary Marriage” stole my heart.
Please Look After Mom by Kyung-Sook Shin
Yooo…this one HIT HOME. There were so many parts of this book that made me bawl. Ugh, beautiful.
The story follows a family after their elderly mother goes missing, and the aftermath of their emotions in the wake of the tragedy. The book shifts perspectives a few times, but not often, so it’s fairly easy to follow. The main themes of this book are a child’s relationship (or lack thereof) with their mother, family love, grief, and understanding sacrifice. It’s beautifully written, and though there aren’t many plot twists or surprises popping out at you in every chapter, the prose is moving in a way that makes it hard to put down.
In fact, I don’t often re-read novels, but I would really love to listen to this one as an audiobook. For anyone who may have…a strained relationship with their parent(s), you’ll want to pick this one up IMMEDIATELY.
The Vegetarian by Han Kang
So I am actually foolishly writing this summary almost a YEAR after reading it, which is a grave mistake and injustice, but The Vegetarian was one of my favoriteee books by Korean authors. Ever. It was absolutely beautiful.
Yanno. In a haunting Kafka-esque kind of way.
The story follows a woman who, after having a violently disturbing dream, decides to become a vegetarian cold turkey. Much to the displeasure of her husband and family. If you look up reviews, you might see some conflicting thoughts on it because – yes, the book is weird. And not only weird, but dark AND weird. I personally love that, others may not, so keep that in mind. But at the same time, there are so many themes and open-ended moral questions (or maybe dilemmas?) in this novel that it would make for a great book club read!
Rice from Heaven by Tina Cho
Okay, so I was expecting this one to be a children’s book, cuz you know I love to give some books by Korean authors for the little ones as well but….it was not hahah. It is a picture book, yes, but as the full title suggests – Rice from Heaven, the Secret Mission to Feed North Koreans – the themes in this book hold a bit of a heavier weight.
A young girl and her Appa (father) begin a mission to send food over the border into North Korea, against the judgement of their neighbors and peers. Since it is a picture book, it isn’t long, but it’s definitely a great discussion starter. Who are the enemies in a war? Where does (or should) compassion for the “other side” end? What even are borders if not lines of war?
In any case, the pictures are gorgeous, so even if your kids (or even you haha), don’t dive deep into the meaning of the book, you’ll still enjoy it. Plus, Tina Cho has a ton of other great books specifically FOR children about Korea, such as The Ocean Calls and Korean Celebrations.
When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park
If you loved Panchiko, then this one is right up your alley. This book is also centered around Korea during the time of Japanese occupation, though the story is told through the eyes of two young siblings. There is something I find so endearing about unreliable narrators, and watching the events of history unfold from their point of view is such a breath of fresh air. The main characters navigate their lives with their newly minted Japanese names, and you follow along as the government takes their national trees, their language, and their hairstyles. But never their identity.
While the story matter is hard, I think it is told with a lightness that makes the novel itself easy to read. So if you want to know more about Korea during Japanese occupation, but…maybe don’t want a sharp or triggering read, I’d highly recommend this one.
The Mermaid from Jeju by Sumi Hahn
Woowowow. The Mermaid of Jeju is my most recently read of these books by Korean authors, and literally from the FIRST page, I knew it would be one of my favorites. Easily. It was also a book I came across completely organically, browsing the aisles of my local Barnes and Noble. It’s not often that I stumble upon a book, with no prior knowledge or suggestion, and end up loving it. Especially when it comes to books by Korean authors (written or translated into English anyway). ESPECIALLY that book being put in the forefront on the store.
It’s winning awards for REASONS though. The story follows a young girl from a family of haenyeo divers after Japan’s withdrawal from occupation (and American troops taking their place). It’s historical fiction with the softest softest touch of magical realism. While the novel touches on death and grief, the storytelling and writing is so freaking beautifully woven that you will want to finish the entire novel in one sitting.
I haven’t read the -objectively- more popular book about haenyeo ” The Island of Sea Women” by Lisa See, but it’s definitely in my wishlist now after reading this one!
If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha
I absolutely loveee contemporary fiction, and not because I hate history or anything. I just love novels that address current pressing sometimes-political-but-more-often societal issues. So while reading these books by Korean authors, I was so excited to come across one that tackled modern societal nuances head on. Especially when it comes to Korean beauty standards.
Quick detour: y’all, when I visited South Korea for the first time (2016…wow it’s been that long!), I was in utter shock of the Korean beauty industry. It’s literally government subsidized. They take it SERIOUSLY. I had a brief glimpse of the stronghold it held, what with an incredibly robust plastic surgery industry as well and the stifling magnifying glass kpop idols are dissected under, but whew. It hits different when you walk into a strong and an auntie immediately comes up to you to inspect your face and then recommends her favorite anti-aging cream for you. *cry emoji
So this book in particular follows four women in different stages of their lives (and bank accounts), and how they navigate Korean society. It talks about gender-roles, pretty privilege (and the constant pursuit of it – at any cost), and even class and wealth expectations in relationships. I loved it.
Ten Thousand Sorrows by Elizabeth Kim
Oh, did you say you want to weep into a pit of despair? I’m going to round off this list of books by Korean authors with hands down the most heartbreaking of the list. It’s like…Jude the Obscure but somehow sadder. Seriously, the book starts off with the main character’s mother being murder. The mother’s crime? Having a child with an American solider.
Yup – the main character is a honhyol, a mixed-race child, which at that time was justification for murder. I related to this story, especially as a racially ambiguous traveler, so it touched home for a lot of my own identity navigating and the feeling of not being enough to fit in anywhere. I have multiple friends who are mixed-Korean, so I also liked seeing books by Korean authors that shared that side of Korean culture. When this books says ten thousand sorrows – it MEANT THAT.
Books by Korean Authors: Shortlist
- Fox Girl by Nora Okjas Keller: In Keller’s defense, she is most widely known for her award-winning novel “Comfort Woman.” I purposely chose not to read that one in this list of books by Korean authors. I can tell Keller is an incredible writer, but personally Fox Girl had too much anti-Blackness for me to enjoy it. I understand the devastating impact and damaged America (as a whole) inflicted on Korea, but whew, I didn’t start reading books by Korean authors to read about Black and darker skinned characters being repeatedly called monkeys.
- Black Flower by Young-Ha Kim: So I actually LOVEDDD this book, but it’s about Korean immigrants in Mexico, rather than about Korea. That said, you should definitely read this one and learn more about Asian-Latino culture. I actually didn’t like their more popular work “I Have the Right to Destroy Myself” though.
- The Interpreter by Suki Kim: Again, the only reason this book is in the shortlist is because it doesn’t take place in Korea. But a great novel, and in the thriller/crime genre!
- I’ll Be Right There by Kyung-Sook Shin: I liikeddd it, but it just didn’t make the top top cut of books by Korean authors for me.
- I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo: She was actually one of the only (YA) romance/rom-com authors I read in my journey though books by Korean authors. I loved them – but they took place in America.
Books by Korean Authors: Conclusion
(lol image of me as just a wee lass in Korea)
Wow. This post has been nearly two years in the making, which was a complete surprise to me because I finished reading my haul of books by Singaporean authors and books to read about Cuba in only a few months each. That said though, I also read like…almost 30 books by Korean authors so…I had a bit more to get through haha.
I hope this list has helped you find at least one or two new books by Korean authors to read the next time you need some brain stimulation. This list is in no way “complete” or absolute, and it completely based on my personal reading preferences. In fact, I’ll probably be adding more as I naturally come across and read more books by Korean authors. Reading is a journey, not a destination haha.
Reading books by Korean authors that focused their lens specifically on Korea and Korean culture has helped me gain more insight on the history and continued generational trauma of Korean people. It has also helped me become a better ally in recognizing my own misunderstandings (or rather under-education) of Korean community issues and how to best amplify those needs. From my own learnings, I wrote a blog post about some of the most common myths and misconceptions about South Korea!
Also special shoutout to my Korean sister Ms Rebecca, and all of my friends who have been there to gab with me about these books by Korean authors. LOVE ALL OF YOU – and your patience for me in our book clubs hahah.
Did I miss any of your favorite books by Korean authors? Share your suggestions for books by Korean authors in the comments below!
Pin These Books by Korean Authors for Later!
I love this list! I’ve read Pachinko and have a few others on my list, but I hadn’t heard of the other – adding to my Goodreads list now! Thanks so much for sharing!
Omg omg!! Thank you so much!! I hope you like the others you found! 🙂