Renowned Korean authors and their works will be highlighted at the London Book Fair from March 10 to 12, 2026, as part of efforts to promote Korean literature globally. The event features books by writers such as Gu Byeong-mo and Choi Yeon-ju, organized by the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea (KPIPA). This marks the first stop in a series of international book fairs aimed at boosting exports of Korean titles.
The London Book Fair, held at Olympia London, will spotlight Korean literature through a dedicated booth operated by KPIPA. Ten Korean publishers will promote their titles, while the agency showcases 101 additional books for overseas rights. The fair runs from Tuesday, March 10, through Thursday, March 12, 2026.
Featured works include Gu Byeong-mo's novel "Cut Wound," published last year and a current bestseller in Korea. The book, which won the Kim You Jeong Newcomer Literary Award and the Hahn Moo-sook Literary Prize, follows a woman who can read people's memories and emotions by touching their wounds, leading to an encounter with a businessman seeking to exploit her ability. Munhakdongne Publishing Group will seek international deals for the title.
Choi Yeon-ju's children's book "Mo Story" (2023) depicts a kitten's journey through a forest, building courage. It has gained readers in the French-speaking world and won Le Prix Sorcières in France last year.
Neo Books will promote Kang Ji-young's new mystery thriller "Yawning is Delicious," about a crime scene cleaner who discovers a deceased would-be celebrity's diary. Kang's prior novel "The Murderer's Shopping Mall" was adapted into the Disney+ series "A Shop for Killers" in 2024.
The booth also highlights Lee Geum-yi's "Chasm of Sorrow," shortlisted for the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Literature Award. This final installment in her diaspora trilogy explores Koreans who migrated to Russia's Sakhalin island during the late Japanese colonial period.
Han Dam-hee's 2024 children's book "Star Papa" won the CrossMedia Award at the BolognaRagazzi Awards in Italy in 2025.
KPIPA plans further participation in the Bologna Children's Book Fair in April, the Frankfurt Book Fair in October, and the China Shanghai International Children's Book Fair in November, all in 2026. "We will provide tailored support and promote authors to boost exports of Korean literature," KPIPA stated. The promotion reflects growing global interest in Korean literature amid the Hallyu cultural wave.
