As summer vacation begins, more readers are turning to novels, with consistent choices among those in their 20s driving a resurgence in bestsellers.
According to the Kyobo Bookstore's comprehensive bestseller list for the first week of August, Yoo Rae-hyuk's novel Aquarium has claimed the top spot for two consecutive weeks.
The increase in readers looking to enjoy novels during summer vacation, combined with word-of-mouth spreading primarily through social media, has led to a surge in popularity among younger readers. On the online bookstore Yes24, Aquarium also ranked eighth overall. Sales have risen for three consecutive months from May to July, with a staggering 131.6% increase compared to the previous month.
There is also a continued interest in the works of the late Keigo Higashino. His novel Transparent Spiral climbed two spots to second place at Kyobo Bookstore and also secured the second position on Yes24. Other notable works such as The Devotion of Suspect X, Evil, and The Miracles of the Namiya General Store are also receiving renewed attention, appearing prominently in the foreign novel rankings.
Yes24's top seller is Seneca: To You Who Are Losing Today, translated by a Hawaiian mansion. Since its release at the end of June, sales have steadily increased, surging by 186.3% this week to reach the top.
The phenomenon of 'media sellers,' where movies and dramas boost book sales, has become increasingly evident. Following the release of the film Odyssey on August 5, sales of Homer's Odyssey on Yes24 soared by 365.5%, placing it third overall. Related titles such as The Iliad & Odyssey Set and How to Read the Odyssey have also entered the top 50 in the fiction, poetry, and drama categories.
The popularity of dramas is translating into book sales as well. The recently concluded script collection Everyone is Fighting Their Own Worthlessness has entered the bestseller list at Kyobo Bookstore, ranking seventh overall.
A representative from Kyobo Bookstore noted, "The success of popular dramas and films has led to an increase in the publication of script and screenplay collections, reflecting the demand from fans wanting to own these works."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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