Alain de Botton's 'Anxiety (Recover:K)' from Eunhaengnamu claims the top spot on the essay bestseller list as of August 5, 2026. This week's ranking features one new entry. The biggest climber is Ilhong's 'I'll Be Happy to This Extent (Kyobo Book Centre Exclusive 100,000-copy Commemorative Cover)' from Bookrum.
TOP 10
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1 |
불안(리커버:K)
알랭 드 보통 · Kyobo
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2 |
행복할 거야 이래도 되나 싶을 정도로(10만 부 기념 교보문고 단독 리커버)
일홍 · Kyobo
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3 |
안녕, 피터팬
전경철 · Kyobo
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4 |
구원에게
정영욱 · Kyobo
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5 |
다정한 사람이 이긴다(스페셜 양장 리커버판)
이해인 · Kyobo
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6 |
사춘기 엄마의 오장육부
나민애 · Kyobo
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7 |
너를 아끼며 살아라
나태주 · Kyobo
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8 |
결혼ᆞ여름
알베르 카뮈 · Kyobo
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9 |
어른의 행복은 조용하다
태수 · Kyobo
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10 |
빅터 프랭클의 죽음의 수용소에서(20주년 기념보급판)
빅터 프랭클 · Kyobo
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Ranking Summary: August 5, 2026
The top positions are dominated by 'Anxiety (Recover:K)' by Alain de Botton (Eunhaengnamu), 'I'll Be Happy to This Extent (Kyobo Book Centre Exclusive 100,000-copy Commemorative Cover)' by Ilhong (Bookrum), and 'Goodbye, Peter Pan' by Jeon Kyung-cheol (Storyteller).
Insights into Korean Reading Trends
For international readers of KStories, the Kyobo Essay Weekly ranking offers valuable insight into current Korean reading trends.
It's important to look beyond mere sales figures to identify which books, authors, and publishers are making a significant impact.
Notably, Bookrum has two titles appearing repeatedly on the list.
Key Ranking Changes
The biggest gainer this week is 'I'll Be Happy to This Extent (Kyobo Book Centre Exclusive 100,000-copy Commemorative Cover)' by Ilhong (Bookrum), which climbed one spot from No. 3 to No. 2.
Conversely, 'Goodbye, Peter Pan' by Jeon Kyung-cheol (Storyteller) saw the largest drop, moving down one place from No. 2 to No. 3.
Books that fell off the chart include 'I'll Be Your Reader' by Jung Se-rang (Kyobo).
Essay Bestseller Top 10 (August 5, 2026)
1. 'Anxiety (Recover:K)' by Alain de Botton (Eunhaengnamu) – Maintained No. 1
2. 'I'll Be Happy to This Extent (Kyobo Book Centre Exclusive 100,000-copy Commemorative Cover)' by Ilhong (Bookrum) – Rose one spot from No. 3 last week
3. 'Goodbye, Peter Pan' by Jeon Kyung-cheol (Storyteller) – Dropped one spot from No. 2 last week
4. 'To Salvation' by Jung Young-wook (Bookrum) – Rose one spot from No. 5 last week
5. 'The Kind Person Wins (Special Hardcover Edition)' by Lee Hae-in (Feelm) – Dropped one spot from No. 4 last week
6. 'A Teenage Mom's Five Viscera and Six Bowels' by Na Min-ae (Seogyo Books) – Maintained No. 6
7. 'Live Cherishing Yourself' by Na Tae-ju (Double Book) – Rose one spot from No. 8 last week
8. 'Marriage, Summer' by Albert Camus (Green Ray) – Dropped one spot from No. 7 last week
9. 'Adult Happiness is Quiet' by Taesu (Page2Books) – Maintained No. 9
10. 'Man's Search for Meaning (20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition)' by Viktor Frankl (Cheong-a Publishing House) – New Entry
