The latest rankings for the fourth week of May 2026 offer a glimpse into the reading trends within Korea's essay genre. This week, Lee Hae-in's 'A Gentle Person Wins (Special Hardcover Recover Edition)' climbed to the top spot, drawing significant attention. The entry of two new titles further energized the market. This list provides an intriguing window for international readers to understand the themes and authors currently captivating Korean audiences.
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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Latest Essay Trends and Key Ranking Shifts
As of May 27, 2026, the essay rankings show Lee Hae-in's 'A Gentle Person Wins (Special Hardcover Recover Edition)' rising one spot from last week's second place to claim the top position. This work, consistently beloved for its warm message, continues the popularity of its hardcover special edition released on April 15, reaffirming strong reader support.
Meanwhile, Choi Eun-young's 'Before a Blank Page,' which held the top spot last week, dropped to second place. The strong performance of new releases is also notable: Lee Ok-to's 'Loving the Outer Shells' debuted at fifth, and Na Min-ae's 'Adolescent Mother's Five Viscera and Six Bowels' entered the list at sixth, bringing fresh energy to the reading market.
The Enduring Power of Bestsellers and Long-Standing Popular Works
This week's rankings also highlight the unwavering popularity of long-loved bestsellers. Ilhong's 'I'll Be Happy, I Wonder if It's Okay to Be This Happy (Kyobo Book Centre Exclusive Recover Edition for 100,000 Copies)' firmly maintained its third-place position, proving its consistent readership. Despite being released in July 2024, the book continues to rank high, demonstrating its lasting influence.
Notably, Alain de Botton's 'Anxiety (Recover:K),' a classic originally published in 2012, impressively held its fourth-place spot. This work, which addresses the universal human emotion of 'anxiety,' resonates deeply with readers across generations, underscoring the significance of classic literature in the Korean reading market.
New Voices and Notable Authors
This week's new entries have captivated readers with their distinct charms. Lee Ok-to's 'Loving the Outer Shells,' which debuted at fifth, is a recent release from May 11, 2026, quickly gaining traction and signaling a new trend. Similarly, Na Min-ae's 'Adolescent Mother's Five Viscera and Six Bowels,' published on April 20, 2026, made a significant entry at sixth place just over a month after its release.
Beyond these newcomers, essays offering comfort and introspection, such as Na Tae-joo's 'Live Cherishing Yourself,' Choi Seo-young's 'Adult's Dignity,' and Taesu's 'Adult Happiness is Quiet,' continue to hold strong positions in the top ranks. Notably, Bookrum Publishing reinforced its dominance in the essay genre with two titles in the top 10: 'I'll Be Happy, I Wonder if It's Okay to Be This Happy' and 'To Salvation.'
