Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha has reached the top of the Kyobo Bookstore bestseller list. It is unusual for a classic work to claim the number one spot in the comprehensive rankings. In contrast, Yes24 reported that Pokémon Ecology Illustrated Special Edition continued its strong pre-sale performance, securing the top position there.
According to the bestseller rankings released by Kyobo Bookstore on July 5, Siddhartha has climbed to the number one position after a steady rise. This surge in popularity is attributed to the influence of an editor from a publishing house who has gained attention as an influencer, leading to increased interest in the world literature collection he recommended. Notably, female readers have shown significant interest, with those in their 20s driving this resurgence.
The strength of classic literature is also evident in other works. Cosmos, which has been recommended as a 'life book' by various science YouTubers, rose 16 spots to rank 11th overall, boosted by the release of a special edition celebrating its one million copies sold.
Interest in economics and finance remains strong. My First Real Estate Textbook by Song Hee-goo, which held the number one spot for two consecutive weeks, is now ranked second, while The Crossroads of Wealth by Oh Geon-young is in fourth place, reflecting high engagement in the economic sector.
At Yes24, Pokémon Ecology Illustrated Special Edition debuted at number one in daily sales immediately after its pre-sale began on June 25 and has since maintained the top position for the week. Its unique format, presenting Pokémon in an ecological guide, has resonated with both children and adult readers familiar with the Pokémon franchise.
With summer vacation and the Korean History Proficiency Test approaching, 2026 Great Star Teacher Choi Tae-sung's Comprehensive Korean History Proficiency Test Preparation (Levels 1, 2, 3) has secured the second and third spots, highlighting the strength of exam preparation books.
New releases from bestselling authors have also made their way into the rankings. Broadcaster Ko Myung-hwan's The Art of Reading reached sixth place just a week after its pre-sale began, while Yoo Si-min's European City Travels 3 entered the rankings at 23rd place within a day of its pre-sale launch.
In the humanities and culture category, Kim Cheol's edited volume on Nietzsche, The Transcendent Nietzsche, ranks eighth, while Kim Jin's Knowledge Briefing for Elegant Conversations is in 15th place.
In the fiction category, works such as Cheon Myung-kwan's Accordion, Seong Haena's In-Between, Higashino Keigo's Masked Life, Lee Woo-hyeok's New Exorcism: New World Part 1, and Eun Hee-kyung's The Touch of Time have also made it to the top ranks.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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