As of August 12, 2026, Alain de Botton's 'Anxiety (Recover:K)' has secured the top position on the essay bestseller list. This week's ranking features one new entry, and the book showing the most significant rise is Lee Hae-in's 'A Gentle Person Wins (Special Hardcover Recover Edition),' published by Feelm.
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 |
다정한 사람이 이긴다(스페셜 양장 리커버판)
이해인 · Kyobo
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4 |
구원에게
정영욱 · Kyobo
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5 |
사춘기 엄마의 오장육부
나민애 · Kyobo
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6 |
너를 아끼며 살아라
나태주 · Kyobo
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7 |
날마다 이기는 게임
요시타케 신스케 · Kyobo
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8 |
안녕, 피터팬
전경철 · Kyobo
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9 |
어른의 행복은 조용하다
태수 · Kyobo
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10 |
결혼ᆞ여름
알베르 카뮈 · Kyobo
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Ranking Summary for August 12, 2026
The top positions are dominated by 'Anxiety (Recover:K)' by Alain de Botton (Eunhaengnamu Publishing), 'I'll Be Happy to an Unbelievable Extent (Kyobo Book Centre Exclusive 100,000-Copy Commemorative Recover)' by Ilhong (Bookrum), and 'A Gentle Person Wins (Special Hardcover Recover Edition)' by Lee Hae-in (Feelm).
Insights into Korean Reading Trends
For KStories' international readers, this Kyobo Essay Weekly ranking serves as a valuable reference, offering insights into current reading trends in South Korea.
Beyond a simple list of sales rankings, it is important to observe which books, authors, and publishers stand out.
Notably, Bookrum appeared multiple times, publishing two titles on the list.
Key Ranking Changes
Largest Ascent: 'A Gentle Person Wins (Special Hardcover Recover Edition)' by Lee Hae-in (Feelm) rose two spots to #3 from #5 last week.
Largest Decline: 'Goodbye, Peter Pan' by Jeon Gyeong-cheol (Storyteller) fell five spots to #8 from #3 last week.
Books that dropped off the chart include Viktor Frankl's 'Man's Search for Meaning (20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition)' (Kyobo).
Kyobo Essay Bestsellers Top 10 (As of August 12, 2026)
1. 'Anxiety (Recover:K)' by Alain de Botton (Eunhaengnamu Publishing) – Retained its #1 position from last week.
2. 'I'll Be Happy to an Unbelievable Extent (Kyobo Book Centre Exclusive 100,000-Copy Commemorative Recover)' by Ilhong (Bookrum) – Held steady at #2.
3. 'A Gentle Person Wins (Special Hardcover Recover Edition)' by Lee Hae-in (Feelm) – Rose two places from #5.
4. 'To Salvation' by Jeong Yeong-uk (Bookrum) – Maintained its #4 spot.
5. 'A Teenage Mother's Five Viscera and Six Bowels' by Na Min-ae (Seogyo Books) – Climbed one spot from #6.
6. 'Live Cherishing Yourself' by Na Tae-ju (Double Book) – Advanced one position from #7.
7. 'The Game You Win Every Day' by Shinsuke Yoshitake (Gimmyoung Publishers) – A new entry to the list.
8. 'Goodbye, Peter Pan' by Jeon Gyeong-cheol (Storyteller) – Dropped five places from #3.
9. 'The Happiness of Adults is Quiet' by Taesu (Page2Books) – Remained at #9.
10. 'Marriage and Summer' by Albert Camus (Noksaekwangseon) – Fell two places from #8.
