The weekly essay rankings, released on May 22, 2026, offer a glimpse into South Korea's evolving reading trends. This week, Lee Hae-in's 'A Kind Person Wins (Special Hardcover Remake)' claimed the top spot, while two new essays entered the chart, injecting fresh energy. This blend of enduring bestsellers and new releases reveals the literary currents captivating Korean readers.
TOP 10
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1 |
다정한 사람이 이긴다(스페셜 양장 리커버판)
이해인 · Kyobo
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2 |
백지 앞에서
최은영 · 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 |
불안(리커버:K)
알랭 드 보통 · Kyobo
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5 |
사랑하는 겉들
이옥토 · 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 |
어른의 품위(10만 부 기념 교보문고 단독 스페셜 리커버)
최서영 · Kyobo
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9 |
어른의 행복은 조용하다(40만 부 기념 스페셜 리커버)
태수 · Kyobo
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10 |
구원에게
정영욱 · Kyobo
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Key Trends in the Weekly Essay Chart
Lee Hae-in's 'A Kind Person Wins (Special Hardcover Remake)' rose one spot from last week to secure the number one position this week. Last week's top-seller, Choi Eun-young's 'Before a Blank Page,' dropped to second place but maintained a strong presence in the upper ranks, demonstrating its consistent popularity. While there were shifts among the top titles, Il Hong's 'I'll Be Happy, So Much So I Wonder If It's Okay (Kyobo Bookstore Exclusive 100,000-Copy Commemorative Edition)' and Alain de Botton's 'Status Anxiety (Cover: K)' held steady at third and fourth place, respectively, continuing to receive unwavering affection from readers.
This week's chart also saw the notable entry of two new essays, capturing significant reader interest. Lee Ok-to's 'Loving the Superficial' debuted at fifth place, and Na Min-ae's 'Adolescent Mom's Five Viscera and Six Bowels' entered at sixth, both immediately making a strong impression post-publication. Their rapid ascent into the top rankings reflects high reader anticipation for the latest trends and fresh authorial voices in South Korea.
New Releases Surge, Bestsellers Endure
The new additions to the Top 10, 'Loving the Superficial' and 'Adolescent Mom's Five Viscera and Six Bowels,' are recent releases, published on May 11 and April 20, 2026, respectively. 'Loving the Superficial' in particular, entered the top ranks shortly after its release, indicating an enthusiastic reception for Lee Ok-to's work. The swift success of these new titles demonstrates the ongoing high demand for fresh content in the essay market and offers insight into the messages currently resonating with South Korean readers.
Meanwhile, the enduring presence of Alain de Botton's 'Status Anxiety (Cover: K),' originally published in 2012, at fourth place is noteworthy. This work, beloved for its timeless message, clearly illustrates the power of a steady seller in the Korean essay market. Similarly, Il Hong's 'I'll Be Happy, So Much So I Wonder If It's Okay,' released on July 29, 2024, firmly held its third position, maintaining a consistent readership.
Ranking Shifts and Publisher Trends
The biggest climber this week was Lee Hae-in's 'A Kind Person Wins (Special Hardcover Remake),' which ascended one spot to claim number one. Conversely, Tae Su's 'The Happiness of Adults is Quiet (400,000-Copy Commemorative Special Cover)' saw the steepest decline, dropping three places from sixth last week. Other popular titles, including 'Cherish Yourself,' 'Adult Dignity,' and 'To Salvation,' experienced slight drops, indicating fierce competition within the rankings.
By publisher, Bookrum demonstrated strength by placing two titles, 'I'll Be Happy, So Much So I Wonder If It's Okay' and 'To Salvation,' in the Top 10. This suggests that the publisher effectively understands reader preferences and consistently delivers popular essay works. This week, 'Because There Is Love, I Can Live' and 'I Hope All My Days Are Happy' fell out of the chart, making way for newer works. These ranking shifts and publisher representation highlight the dynamic nature of South Korea's essay reading market.
