As of July 18, 2026, Jeon Kyung-chul's 'Hello, Peter Pan' (published by Iyagijangsu) claims the top spot on Korea's essay bestseller list. This week's ranking features three new entries, with Na Tae-joo's 'Live Cherishing Yourself' (Doublebook) showing the most significant rise.
TOP 10
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1 |
안녕, 피터팬
전경철 · Kyobo
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2 |
불안(리커버:K)
알랭 드 보통 · Kyobo
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3 |
행복할 거야 이래도 되나 싶을 정도로(10만 부 기념 교보문고 단독 리커버)
일홍 · Kyobo
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4 |
다정한 사람이 이긴다(스페셜 양장 리커버판)
이해인 · Kyobo
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5 |
사춘기 엄마의 오장육부
나민애 · Kyobo
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6 |
구원에게
정영욱 · Kyobo
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7 |
어른의 행복은 조용하다
태수 · Kyobo
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8 |
결혼ᆞ여름
알베르 카뮈 · Kyobo
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9 |
너를 아끼며 살아라
나태주 · Kyobo
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10 |
일상주의자의 감각
김이나 · Kyobo
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Ranking Summary (As of July 18, 2026)
The top positions are dominated by Jeon Kyung-chul's 'Hello, Peter Pan' (Iyagijangsu), Alain de Botton's 'Status Anxiety (Recover: K)' (Eunhaengnamu), and Ilhong's 'I'll Be Happy, I Wonder If It's Okay (Kyobo Bookstore's exclusive 100,000-copy commemorative cover)' (Bookrum).
Insights into Korean Reading Trends
For KStories' international readers, the Kyobo Essay Weekly ranking serves as a valuable reference, offering insights into current reading trends in Korea.
Beyond just a list of sales figures, it's important to observe which books, authors, and publishers are gaining prominence.
Notably, publishers Bookrum and Iyagijangsu each have two titles appearing on the list multiple times.
Key Ranking Changes
The most significant upward movement is seen with Na Tae-joo's 'Live Cherishing Yourself' (Doublebook), climbing one spot from last week's 10th place to reach 9th.
Conversely, Na Min-ae's 'Adolescent Mother's Five Viscera and Six Bowels' (Seogyo Books) experienced the largest drop, falling three places from 2nd to 5th.
Books that dropped off the chart include Choi Eun-young's 'Before a Blank Page' (Kyobo), Fernando Pessoa's 'The Book of Disquiet' (Kyobo), and Chung Se-rang's 'I'll Be Your Reader' (Kyobo).
Top 10 Essay Bestsellers (As of July 18, 2026)
1. 'Hello, Peter Pan' by Jeon Kyung-chul (Iyagijangsu) – New Entry
2. 'Status Anxiety (Recover: K)' by Alain de Botton (Eunhaengnamu) – Down one spot from last week's No. 1
3. 'I'll Be Happy, I Wonder If It's Okay (Kyobo Bookstore's exclusive 100,000-copy commemorative cover)' by Ilhong (Bookrum) – Maintains last week's No. 3
4. 'Kind People Win (Special Hardcover Edition)' by Lee Hae-in (Feelm) – Maintains last week's No. 4
5. 'Adolescent Mother's Five Viscera and Six Bowels' by Na Min-ae (Seogyo Books) – Down three spots from last week's No. 2
6. 'To Salvation' by Jung Young-wook (Bookrum) – New Entry
7. 'The Happiness of Adults is Quiet' by Taesoo (Page2Books) – Down two spots from last week's No. 5
8. 'Marriage and Summer' by Albert Camus (Noksaekgwangseon) – New Entry
9. 'Live Cherishing Yourself' by Na Tae-joo (Doublebook) – Up one spot from last week's No. 10
10. 'The Sensibilities of an Everyday Person' by Kim Eana (Iyagijangsu) – Down two spots from last week's No. 8
