As of August 9, 2026, 'A Minimal World History' by Lee Da-ji (Frontpage) holds the top spot on the History & Culture bestseller list. This week's ranking features four new entries, with the most significant jump made by 'Guns, Germs, and Steel' by Jared Diamond (Kimyoungsa).
TOP 10
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1 |
최소한의 세계사
이다지 · Kyobo
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2 |
총 균 쇠
재레드 다이아몬드 · Kyobo
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3 |
최소한의 한국사
최태성 · Kyobo
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4 |
기후로 보는 한국사
박정재 · Kyobo
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5 |
500명의 인물로 읽는 세계사
찰스 필립스 · Kyobo
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6 |
조선범죄실록
정명섭 · Kyobo
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7 |
눈에 보이지 않는 국경의 지도책
델핀 파팽 외 · Kyobo
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8 |
하룻밤에 읽는 오디세이아
호메로스 · Kyobo
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9 |
도올이 본 부마 시민혁명
김용옥 · Kyobo
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10 |
500가지 건축으로 읽는 세계사
소피 콜린스 · Kyobo
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Ranking Summary: August 9, 2026
The top positions are dominated by 'A Minimal World History' (Lee Da-ji, Frontpage), 'Guns, Germs, and Steel' (Jared Diamond, Kimyoungsa), and 'A Minimal Korean History' (Choi Tae-seong, Frontpage).
Insights into Korean Reading Trends
For international readers of KStories, this Kyobo History/Culture Weekly ranking offers valuable insights into current reading trends in Korea.
Beyond simply listing sales ranks, it's important to observe which books, authors, and publishers are making a notable impact.
Notably, publishers Frontpage and Hyeondaeseong each have two books featured in the list.
Key Rank Changes
Biggest jump: 'Guns, Germs, and Steel' (Jared Diamond, Kimyoungsa) rose one spot from last week's 3rd to 2nd place.
Biggest drop: 'World History Through 500 Buildings' (Sophie Collins, Hyeondaeseong) fell two spots from last week's 8th to 10th place.
Books that dropped off the chart include 'Lee Byung-han's Exploration of Korea' (Lee Byung-han, Kyobo), 'The Story of Paper in the World' (Lee Jae-tae, Kyobo), 'A Minimal World History Made Easy with Math' (Fukusuke, Kyobo), and 'Lee Byung-han's Exploration of America' (Lee Byung-han, Kyobo).
Kyobo History & Culture Bestsellers: Top 10 for August 9, 2026
1st: 'A Minimal World History' (Lee Da-ji, Frontpage) – Maintains its No. 1 position from last week.
2nd: 'Guns, Germs, and Steel' (Jared Diamond, Kimyoungsa) – Rose one spot from last week's 3rd place.
3rd: 'A Minimal Korean History' (Choi Tae-seong, Frontpage) – Dropped one spot from last week's 2nd place.
4th: 'Korean History Through Climate' (Park Jeong-jae, Badabooks) – New entry.
5th: 'World History Through 500 Figures' (Charles Phillips, Hyeondaeseong) – Dropped one spot from last week's 4th place.
6th: 'Annals of Joseon Crimes' (Jeong Myeong-seop, Kyobo Book Centre) – New entry.
7th: 'Atlas of Invisible Borders' (Delphine Papin et al., Willbook) – Maintains its 7th position from last week.
8th: 'The Odyssey Read in One Night' (Homer, Item House) – New entry.
9th: 'Doeol's View of the Buma Democratic Uprising' (Kim Yong-ok, Tongnamu) – New entry.
10th: 'World History Through 500 Buildings' (Sophie Collins, Hyeondaeseong) – Dropped two spots from last week's 8th place.