In the last few years, The Hallyu Wave has swept away the entire world in its currents, and it’s for a reason. While most of the countries seem to be losing their touch with their culture, South Korea has managed to preserve it to some point in the form of its music, movies, dramas, and literature.
So today we bring some of the best novels written by Korean authors (most of which have also been adapted into movies) for you to read and decide whether they have earned the hype they get or not (Or they deserve more, which they actually do).
P.S. All books have been arranged in alphabetical order. Because duh, they all are just awesome.
So now, let’s get started!! Best Korean Novels:
#1 Blood Sisters by Kim Yedeum
About the Book
Title: Blood Sisters
Author: Kim Yedeum
Translated by: Ji Yoon Lee
Genre: Historical fiction, LGBT, Contemporary
Publisher: Deep Vellum Publishing
Type: Standalone
Pages: 250
Goodreads rating: 3.7/5
Jeong Yeoul is a college student who experiences political unrest in the 1980s – a period when student demonstration against martial law was violently oppressed by the then-president. She lives alone with her friend, who is an activist. But when her friend’s act leaves her devastated, she decides to figure out the truth behind what happened. Blood Sisters follow its narrator as she and other women around her struggle with their identity and the societal pressure to mold into the norm.
Why do we recommend this book?
A beautiful representation of feminism and all the prejudices, sexism, and pressure that the women of that time had to suffer through. Blood Sisters is a read that makes a person step back and think about all the battles that women had to fight every single day. A must-read!
If you want to buy/gift, Blood Sisters by Kim Yedeum Kimclick on the link below: 👇
#2 Diary of a Murderer by Young-Ha Kim
About the Book
Title: Diary of a Murderer: And other stories
Author: Young-Ha Kim
Translated By: Krys Lee
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Contemporary, Short stories
Publisher: Mariner Books
Type: Anthology
Pages: 208
Goodreads rating: 3.7/5
A collection of 4 short anthologies, the book follows four different stories filled with edgy and dark themes, written in Kim’s signatory emotional and passionate style. The first story of the anthology (arguably the best work) focuses on the diary of a former serial killer who is now suffering from Alzheimer’s and thinks that his daughter’s new boyfriend is a killer as well and wants to save her. It’s a captivating read from start to finish with a satisfying plot twist that most would see coming.
Why do we recommend this book?
The other stories in this book are good enough on their own, but it’s the Diary of a Murderer that leaves them all behind in the dust. A bit predictable at times, it’s filled with dark humor and emotions as it deals with a father’s feelings and his panic as he starts to lose his grip on his own life. It’s pretty fun and the short story is best for relaxed reading.
If you want to buy/gift, Diary of a Murderer by Young-Ha Kimclick on the link below: 👇
#3 Lemon by Kwon Yeo-Sun
About the Book
Title: Lemon
Author: Kwon Yeo-Sun
Translated By: Janet Hong
Genre: Mystery, Contemporary, Thriller
Publisher: Apollo
Type: Standalone
Pages: 176
Goodreads rating: 3.4/5
19-year-old Kim Hae-on was killed in the summer of 2002, an event labeled as the High School Beauty Murder. 17 sears later, Lemon follows three different narrators connected to the death, as they are unable to move on from it. Especially Hae-on’s sister. As her obsession with Hae’s death deepens, she decides to find out what exactly happened on that day, hoping to finally find closure.
Why do we recommend this book?
Oh, where to start with this novel! A very real depiction of grief and trauma, Lemon might have a murder mystery in its center but the story itself is so much more than that. The character of Da-on (the sister) is so amazingly written, and her grief and inability to function normally because of the emotional trauma is one of the most prominent parts of the story.
If you want to buy/gift, Lemon by Kwon Yeo-Sun, click on the link below: 👇
#4 My Brilliant Life by Kim Ae-ran
About the Book
Title: My Brilliant Life
Author: Kim Ae-ran
Translated by: Chi-Young Kim
Genre: Contemporary, Adult
Publisher: Forge Books
Type: Standalone
Pages: 208
Goodreads rating: 4/5
Aerum is diagnosed with an aging disease that alienates him from other people his age, but he still lives his every day to the fullest. My Brilliant Life by Kim Ae-ran follows the optimistic Aerum in his journey as he deals with his condition with the support of his family and friends, meets new people, and struggles with his own loneliness, all the while trying to figure out the secret his parents are hiding from him.
Why do we recommend this book?
It’s a sort of slice-of-life genre, and each page is filled with emotions. It’s pretty clear from the start just what sort of disease our protagonist has and his dynamics with his parents and friend. Although the lot was sad, it didn’t become too depressing. Aerum can honestly teach people a thing or two about living your life every day as if it’s your last, finding happiness in the smallest of things.
#6 Our Happy Time by Gong Ji-Young
About the Book
Title: Our Happy Time
Author: Gong Ji-Young
Translated by: Pradita Nurmaya
Genre: Contemporary, Adult, Romance
Publisher: Bentanga Pustaka
Type: Standalone
Pages: 376
Goodreads rating: 4.2/5
Yu-Jung and Yun-soo are two broken-hearted individuals who don’t believe in love. Or life. Having given up all hopes, they both find each other’s presence in their lives a gift that couldn’t be explained by anything other than destiny, and they develop a bond with each other as they spend their time together. But Yun-soo is a death row convict. And they both know that their happiness comes with a time limit. Overall, Our Happy Time is a story about love, compassion, and forgiveness, and it is sure to leave the readers with tears.
Why do we recommend this book?
Prepare your tissues because this is one hell of a ride (Anyone who has seen the movie adaptation? Welcome to the crying fest). The story alternates between past and present and is told from the point of view of both of our main protagonists, and the writing is very flowy and poetic, which just makes it even more heartbreaking. The story also contains some dark themes like murder and rape, so look out for those triggers.
If you want to buy/gift, Our Happy Time by Gong Ji-Young click on the link below: 👇
#7 Seven Years of Darkness by You-Jeong Jeong
About the Book
Title: Seven Years of Darkness
Author: You-Jeong Jeong
Translated By: Chi-Young Kim
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Horror, Crime
Publisher: Penguin
BooksType: Standalone
Pages: 352
Goodreads rating: 3.7/5
The murder of a young girl leads her whole village into chaos, and the three people present at the crime scene all have something to hide. Seven years later, Sowon lives a recluse life, having been labeled as a murderer’s son. He has made his peace with the fact (not really), but it breaks into pieces the second he opens the mysterious package delivered at his footstep. What exactly happened that night at Seryong Lake? Who exactly killed the girl? As Sowon begins to uncover the secrets of seven years ago, he starts to realize that the truth might actually be better off hidden.
Why do we recommend this book?
Trigger warning: Animal abuse, among many others. It’s one dark novel, with lots of sensitive themes covered, and as such it might not be for everyone, but Seven Years of Darkness is overall an incredibly well-written book with the mystery and horror elements very nicely converged.
If you want to buy/gift, Seven Years of Darkness by You-Jeong Jeong click on the link below: 👇
#8 Tower by Bae Myung-Hoon
About the Book
Title: Tower
Author: Bae Myung-Hoon
Translated By: Sung Ryu
Genre: Sci-Fi, Humor, Short stories
Publisher: Hanford Star
Type: Standalone
Pages: 253
Goodreads rating: 3.8/5
Set in Beanstalk, a 674-story skyscraper, Tower follows stories of various residents as they deal with their day-to-day lives in their hyper-modernized apartments, all the while fully using the facilities given to them to help others. The Tower is a short-length book following different characters whose stories are interconnected to each other, written in a very creative manner that would make anyone who is aware of the Korean culture immediately fall for it.
Why do we recommend this book?
The translations take away some of the book’s creativity and brilliance, but nonetheless, Tower is amazingly written and filled with sly and witty contexts that make it super enjoyable.
If you want to buy/gift, Tower by Bae Myung-Hoon click on the link below: 👇
#9 The Court Dancer by Shin Kyung-Sook
About the Book
Title: The Court Dancer
Author: Shin Kyung-Sook
Translated By: Anton Hur
Genre: Historical, Culture, Adult, Mystery
Publisher: Pegasus Books
Type: standalone
Pages: 364
Goodreads rating: 3.7/5
Yi Jin is a court dancer, beautiful and graceful enough to make anyone and everyone fall for her. This is what happens when a French Diplomat visits Joseon for an audience with the Emperor. And though he gets the permission to whisk her away to Paris, it’s not long before Yi Jin starts to miss her life back at the court. But her homecoming is filled with surprises (most of it most certainly not welcomed), and Yi Jin finds herself in the middle of a conspiracy that involves the royal family.
Why do we recommend this book?
It’s a beautiful story about love and betrayals and Shin Kyung-Sook (one of the most famous authors of the country) depicts court life in such a beautiful, mysterious manner! The palace is filled with malice and scorns, and everyone is conspiring something. The politics aren’t very heavy, but they still manage to be an integral part of the character growth.
If you want to buy/gift, The Court Dancer by Shin Kyung-Sook click on the link below: 👇
#10 The Vegetarian by Han Kang
About the Book
Title: The Vegetarian
Author: Han Kang
Translated By: Deborah Smith
Genre: Contemporary, Horror, Mental Health, Adult
Publisher: Hogarth Press
Type: Standalone
Pages: 188
Goodreads rating: 3.6/5
When Yeong-Hye starts to have recurring nightmares about animals and blood, she figures it’s trying to tell her something. So when she announces to her family that she wants to turn vegetarian, she thinks she is doing the right thing. She expected disagreements. What she never expected was for her whole life to become unhinged. The Vegetarian by Han Kang is a smartly written book that talks about the correlations between physical and mental health, and questions just when do the nightmares stop being dreams and become a reality.
Why do we recommend this book?
No, it’s not paranormal. It’s the mind, the society, and the actual reality which is depicted so horrifyingly that the book can’t be classified into anything other than ‘horror’. It’s not a casual read, because the reader is expected to find the numerous symbolisms that have been spread throughout the entire course of the book. A very intellectual book that talks about mental health (especially originating from a country where that is still considered a taboo to talk about), The Vegetarian is one of the most popular works by Han Kang, and it shows why.
If you want to buy/gift, The Vegetarian by Han Kang click on the link below: 👇
#11 The Guest by Hwang Sok-Yong
About the Book
Title: The Guest
Author: Hwang Sok-Yong
Translated By: Kyung-Ja Chun, Maya West
Genre: Historical fiction, War, Cultural
Publisher: Seven Stories Press
Type: Standalone
Pages: 234
Goodreads rating: 3.8/5
It’s been forty years now since the Korean War, and Ryu has finally gathered the courage to come back home. The memories of the past still haunt him, but he must move ahead while dealing with it, for he isn’t the only one with demons to conquer. A story about survivors’ guilt, war shame, and salvation, The Guest follows the lives of the war victims through the lens of its narrator as he moves through his life looking for ways to get over his guilt and make his peace with his brother’s role in the war.
Why do we recommend this book?
This is such an interesting read, and honestly one of the most underrated works by this author. Yes, it gets boring at times, but the overall concept of the story is just so deep and well done, and the translators did such an amazing job. It would honestly be a waste not to give this book a chance at least once.
If you want to buy/gift, The Guest by Hwang Sok-Yong click on the link below: 👇
#12 The Plotters by Un-Su Kim
About the Book
Title: The Plotters
Author: Un-Su Kim
Translated By: Sora Kim Russell
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Suspense, Adult
Publisher: Text Publishing
Type: Standalone
Pages: 310
Goodreads rating: 3.6/5
In an alternate Seoul, where criminal organizations rule the capital even as they compete against each other to death, Reseng is an assassin. But when he stumbles upon a plot being prepared by the most unlikely group of women, he is at a crossroads. He refuses to stay a pawn in the grand schemes of play, but being a key player would require a price he isn’t sure he is willing to pay. The Plotters is a Korean Noir that is full of dark humor, and mysteries that would leave the readers reaching for more.
Why do we recommend this book?
Most of the time, humor is often lost in the translations, especially since the Korean language is filled with proverbs and cultural references that couldn’t be understood as easily by everyone. But that’s not a problem here, because the translation is top-notch. The mystery element is done incredibly well with a crime city as its background, and the characters are all so incredibly grey. A must-read!
If you want to buy/gift, The Plotters by Un-Su Kim click on the link below: 👇
#13 Untold Night and Day by Bae Suah
About the Book
Title: Untold Night and Day
Author: Bae Suah
Translated By: Deborah Smith
Genre: Contemporary, Magic Realism, Adult
Publisher: The Overlook Press
Type: Standalone
Pages: 160
Goodreads rating: 3.6/5
Ayami has just lost her job after her establishment closed down. As a former actress, she isn’t sure what to do next. Her way of spending her night and day differs – she accompanies her boss during the nights, searching for their friend, and her days are spent looking after a mysterious poet. Untold Night and Day is a poetic novel that talks about dreams and realities, especially when they seem to be interweaving into each other.
Why do we recommend this book?
It’s an interesting concept. The writing is so lyrical, and although the magical realism used here is pretty complicated, the plot isn’t that hard to understand. Everything about this book is beautiful, but it might not be for everyone because of the complex writing. Do give it a chance though, it has an amazing philosophical concept.
So that’s all for our recommendations for now. Korean pop culture might be becoming more popular these days in the form of entertainment, but it seems like there’s still some time left before its literary genius comes to the front too. So, maybe start with the reading right away?
P.S: Some books recommended here are available on Kindle Unlimited. If you have subscribed to it, then you can read these books for free. Check out this article: Is Kindle Unlimited Worth It?
SO, to conclude here are the 10 Best Korean Novels to Ride The Hallyu Wave:
| 1. | Blood Sisters by Kim Yedeum | Buy the Book |
| 2. | Diary of a Murderer by Young-Ha Kim | Buy the Book |
| 3. | Lemon by Kwon Yeo-Sun | Buy the Book |
| 4. | My Brilliant Life by Kim Ae-ran | Buy the Book |
| 5. | Our Happy Time by Gong Ji-Young | Buy the Book |
| 6. | Seven Years of Darkness by You-Jeong Jeong | Buy the Book |
| 7. | Tower by Bae Myung-Hoon | Buy the Book |
| 8. | The Court Dancer by Shin Kyung-Sook | Buy the Book |
| 9. | The Vegetarian by Han Kang | Buy the Book |
| 10. | The Guest by Hwang Sok-Yong | Buy the Book |
| 11. | The Plotters by Un-Su Kim | Buy the Book |
| 12. | Untold Night and Day by Bae Suah | Buy the Book |
All the books are awesome. I am sure it won’t disappoint you.
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Happy Reading and Keep Smiling!!
I really enjoy the article.Much thanks again. Awesome.