📚 A Glimpse into “K-Culture” at Gwanghwamun Kyobo Bookstore

 

I recently visited the Kyobo Bookstore in Gwanghwamun for the first time in a while. Located in the heart of Seoul, this iconic bookstore is more than just a place to buy books—it’s a cultural compass that reflects the changing interests of Korean society.

As I wandered through the store, I found myself drawn to the “Books on Korea” section, which features foreign-language books introducing Korea to international readers. That’s when I noticed something strikingly different.

 

📈 How English-Language Books on Korea Are Changing

In the past, this section mainly featured academic books—heavy reads on Korean history, society, politics, and especially North Korea’s political and economic systems. These were often written by or for scholars and foreign policy experts.

But this time, the shelves looked completely different.
Books about K-pop, Korean dramas, Korean food, fashion, and lifestyle were everywhere. Titles on BTS and BLACKPINK, recipe books for kimchi and bulgogi, and lifestyle guides on Korean skincare and traditional markets filled the display.

 

🤖 AI Translation Is Reshaping the Publishing Landscape

One key reason behind this shift is the advancement of AI translation technology.
In the past, publishing a book in English required the work of skilled translators, which meant high costs and long timelines. Today, thanks to AI tools, it's much easier and faster to produce English-language content, especially in areas like food and pop culture, where the language is simpler and visual content plays a big role.

This means that anyone with a passion for Korean culture can now more easily create books and share them globally—without being limited by language.

 

🌍 Why the World Is Obsessed with Korean Food and Culture

For many foreigners, their first encounter with Korea is through its food and popular culture.
They start watching Korean dramas and get curious about tteokbokki or samgyeopsal. They listen to K-pop and soon find themselves singing along to Korean lyrics.

That’s why many publishers are focusing on these genres when planning English-language books about Korea. They're easy to access, fun to read, and provide a friendly entry point into Korean life and values. Whether you're a curious beginner or a hardcore fan, there's something for everyone in this new wave of Korean content.

 

📘 The Subtle Irony of ‘Japan Inside Out’ Beside K-Culture Books

Amid all the colorful K-culture and K-food titles, I noticed something surprising—and honestly, a little poetic.
Right there on the same display shelf was Japan Inside Out by Syngman Rhee, Korea’s first president.

Written in 1941, just before World War II, this English-language book was Rhee’s warning to the world about the dangers of rising Japanese imperialism. It’s a political, historical, and deeply serious work.

And yet, here it was—sitting beside glossy coffee-table books on BTS and step-by-step kimchi guides.
The contrast was striking. On one hand, a fierce political message from a century ago. On the other, a celebration of modern Korea’s cultural soft power. History and pop culture, resistance and joy, national trauma and global fandom—all coexisting on one shelf.

It was a moment that reminded me just how complex and layered Korea’s identity is in the eyes of the world.

 

✨ A New Era of Sharing Korea with the World

With the help of AI and the power of Hallyu, Korea is now telling its story to the world in new ways.
The “Books on Korea” section at Kyobo is no longer just a place for scholarly analysis. It’s now a gateway for global fans to dive deeper into the culture they love, and a platform for Koreans to share their way of life with the world.

We’re witnessing a new kind of publishing era—one where technology, tradition, and fandom meet.
And maybe, just maybe, we're writing a whole new chapter of “K-Korea” in the process.