The latest weekly ranking of Korean fiction, released on May 22, 2026, reveals a dynamic market featuring both enduring bestsellers and notable shifts. Andy Weir's 'Project Hail Mary' consistently holds the top spot, while Hermann Hesse's classic 'Siddhartha' shows a remarkable climb, proving its sustained appeal to readers. This week also sees a new entry into the top 10 with Jung Dae-gun's 'The Torrent,' injecting fresh energy into the list.
TOP 10
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1 |
프로젝트 헤일메리
앤디 위어 · Kyobo
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2 |
안녕이라 그랬어
김애란 · Kyobo
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3 |
자몽살구클럽
한로로 · Kyobo
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4 |
싯다르타
헤르만 헤세 · Kyobo
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5 |
모순
양귀자 · Kyobo
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6 |
괴테는 모든 것을 말했다
스즈키 유이 · Kyobo
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7 |
제17회 젊은작가상 수상작품집(2026)
김채원 외 · Kyobo
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8 |
바다에서 온 소년
개럿 카 · Kyobo
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9 |
체호프 단편선
안톤 체호프 · Kyobo
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10 |
급류
정대건 · Kyobo
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Current Trends in the Korean Fiction Market and Insights for Global Readers
For international readers of KStories, this weekly fiction ranking provides valuable insight into current reading trends in Korea. As of May 22, 2026, Andy Weir's 'Project Hail Mary' remains firmly at number one. Works by both Korean and international authors, such as Kim Ae-ran's 'I Said Goodbye' and Hanroro's 'Grapefruit Apricot Club,' consistently occupy the upper ranks, reflecting diverse reader preferences.
This indicates that Korean readers are drawn not only to contemporary narratives but also to works with literary depth. The strong presence of Korean authors on the list also highlights the current standing of Korean literature and the domestic writers who are capturing readers' attention.
Notable Ranking Changes: The Power of Classics and the Emergence of New Works
One of the most significant shifts in this week's ranking is Hermann Hesse's 'Siddhartha,' which climbed three spots from seventh place last week to secure fourth. Anton Chekhov's 'Chekhov's Short Stories' also rose one position from tenth to ninth, demonstrating the ongoing strong interest in classic literature. These movements underscore the timeless value of classics for modern readers.
Conversely, Jung Dae-gun's 'The Torrent' makes a fresh entry at tenth place, bringing new momentum to the chart. Meanwhile, Suzuki Yui's 'Goethe Said It All,' which was fourth last week, dropped two places to sixth. 'The 17th Young Writers' Award Anthology (2026)' fell one spot to seventh, and 'My Satan,' which was ninth last week, has exited the chart.
Publisher Strength and Diversification of Literary Genres
While works from various publishers are well-distributed in this week's ranking, certain publishing houses have shown particular strength. Minumsa notably dominates with three titles in the top ranks: 'Siddhartha,' 'Chekhov's Short Stories,' and 'The Torrent.' Munhakdongne also performs strongly with two entries: 'I Said Goodbye' and 'The 17th Young Writers' Award Anthology (2026).' This indicates these publishers' success in presenting a broad spectrum of works, from classics to contemporary and new literature.
The fiction genre also maintains its diversity. From Andy Weir's sci-fi novel to contemporary Korean fiction by Kim Ae-ran and Yang Gwi-ja, and classic novels by Hermann Hesse and Anton Chekhov, the ranking includes works that appeal to a wide range of reader tastes, showcasing the broad interests of the Korean book market.
