‘Marigold Heart Laundry’ published in the US and UK
Healing bestseller copyright contract
“Reflects the social atmosphere where burnout is prevalent
“Literary healing experience that washes away wounds”
Following the global popularity of K-pop and K-drama, analysis has shown that Korean ‘healing’ novels are emerging as the latest trend overseas. The Economist, a British current affairs weekly, reported on the 3rd (local time) that Korean novels dealing with ‘burnout (extreme fatigue and lethargy)’ are attracting attention overseas.
According to The Economist, ‘healing novels’, which have become a trend in Korea since the COVID-19 pandemic, are gaining popularity online, and global publishers are beginning to pay attention. In particular, Korean healing novels are popular with young female readers looking for recommended books on social media, and interest has increased thanks to K-pop stars’ recommended reviews. In addition, ‘Marigold Mind Laundry’, which was a bestseller in Korea, was translated and published in the US and UK, and famous overseas publishers such as Bloomsbury published or purchased the rights to Korean healing bestsellers.
Penguin Random House, the largest publisher in the English-speaking world, plans to release three works within four months. Editor Jane Lawson said, “Korean novels suddenly caught on and exploded in popularity,” adding, “The healing trend has become completely global, with several works signing copyright contracts in 15 to 20 regions.” Joy Lee, an overseas copyright agent, said that although there are various genres of Korean novels, “healing novels now seem to be recognized (by foreign publishers) as Korean novels.”
Healing novels describe the process in which the main characters leave behind everyday life, such as the stress of work life or failure to find a job, and search for something more meaningful. The Economist analyzed that the popularity of healing novels in Korea reflects the competitive social atmosphere where ‘burnout’ is rampant. He added that 7 out of 10 Koreans complain of mental health problems, including depression, and that ‘nap cafes’ are common in Seoul.
Claire Richards, who translated Yeo Yeon-min’s ‘Season of the Workshop’ into English, which is scheduled to be published overseas this fall, explained that the novel’s content is rich in “cozy healing elements” such as cats, kimchi, and ice cream. The Economist also explained that places that appear in healing novels, such as a laundromat where wounds are washed and a store where one can buy dreams, function as an escape from reality, and evaluated that they provide readers with the experience of “literary therapy.”
Reporter Yunjin Kim [email protected]
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2024-10-07 07:25:30