On 25 June 1950, the simmering Cold War suddenly turned hot when North Korea, backed by the Soviet Union, crossed the 38th parallel and invaded the South. The United Nations responded rapidly, urging member states to aid South Korea, and among the nations that committed troops was the United Kingdom. One of the British units … [Read More]
Archives: Books (page 6)
And the River Drags Her Down
And the River Drags Her Down is a haunting, lyrical tale of grief, sisterhood and revenge that blends Gothic horror, mystery and Korean folklore, perfect for fans of She Is a Haunting, House of Hollow and CG Drews. ‘This unsettling, poetic YA horror is full of fury, grief, love and hard-won acceptance.’ Guardian Soojin has … [Read More]
Honey in the Wound
Spanning the 20th century, Honey in the Wound follows a mysteriously gifted lineage of Korean women as they are displaced across Asia by Japanese imperialism. At this novel’s heart is Young-Ja, whose family is killed by Japanese soldiers. Her magical gift – the ability to infuse her cooking with her feelings: love, peace, delight – … [Read More]
A thing of beauty is a joy for ever
One of the most famous poets in Korea, Kim Yeong-nang spent most of his life in Gangjin county, Jeolla province, in the southern part of Korea. He wrote 86 poems and published 2 books in his lifetime. Though he was a noted performer of traditional Korean music he also loved classical Western music and was … [Read More]
I was a North Korean Diplomat: Inside the Secret World of Pyongyang’s Foreign Service
What Does the North Korean System Look Like from the Inside? Han Jin-myung served for years within the North Korean state apparatus before leaving the regime in January 2015. Although more than a decade has passed since his departure, the fundamental structures of power in Pyongyang remain largely unchanged. His testimony therefore offers a rare … [Read More]
American Hagwon [forthcoming]
Min Jin Lee, the acclaimed author of Pachinko, returns with a breathtaking contemporary epic that follows one family as they reckon with personal dreams and familial duty. John and Helen Koh and their three children – Bo, DH and Mido – are building new lives in Korea when they find their worlds upended, first by … [Read More]
Daesoon Jinrihoe in Modern Korea: The Emergence, Transformation and Transmission of a New Religion
East Asian nations shared a similar environment of modernisation in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. None had been colonised under Western imperialism, but all of them commonly became subjected to new authorities, whether directly or indirectly. This change of the political landscape also challenged religious communities, as many new religious movements (NRMs) emerged to … [Read More]
How Korean Corn Dogs Changed My Life
An addictive, tell-all memoir about what happens when you try to make your dreams come true – as well as a love letter to Korea Aged twenty-one, fuelled by a love of K-dramas and a need to find herself, Alice Amelia moves to Seoul. She knows no one in her adopted country, doesn’t speak the … [Read More]
Mothersucker [forthcoming]
A chilling international debut following a grieving mother’s transformation into a vampire who targets men who have harmed women—in the present, past, and future—and the female-led task force entrusted with the murder investigation On top of a mountain in Korea, buried underneath a mound of soil, 51-year-old Geum-hong wakes up transformed. Her senses are vivid, … [Read More]
Employee No. 9 [forthcoming]
With shades of Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice and Choi Jin-young’s Hunger, Employee No. 9 runs a psychological gauntlet of money, power, personal responsibility, and the daily struggle for survival. No. 9 is in trouble. His son’s college tuition is coming due, his wife needs surgery after taking double shifts at a grocery store, the … [Read More]
The 25:00 Magic Lantern Express [forthcoming]
Passengers aboard the Magic Lantern Express between life and death must retrieve their lost memories or risk losing their legacy in this cosy Korean fantasy adventure for fans of The Dallergut Dream Department Store and Marigold Mind Laundry Keep your memories with you at all times! When Suhan Cha wakes dazed and confused in an unfamiliar train carriage … [Read More]
Ramen Makes us Complete [forthcoming]
In this world, there are two types of food: ramen and non-ramen. Yoon Ina takes ramen seriously. She makes sure to try new flavours as soon as they come out, always has enough packets stocked in the pantry, has developed her own principles and theories for making good ramen, and even keeps up to date … [Read More]
Shift
Detective Yi Chang needs another miracle. Ten years ago his sister was healed of her deadly cancer by a mysterious cult leader, but now his young niece has inherited the same disease. The only lead Yi Chang has is the body of a murder victim found in an abandoned building in the Korean seaside. The … [Read More]
Jeong: The Spirit of Korean Craft and Design
The first book to explore the full scope and beauty of Korean design – from traditional craft to celebrated contemporary creations Characterized by a unique blend of tradition and innovation, and by a focus on sustainability and efficiency, Korean design is recognized for its creativity, quality, and beauty. Jeong: The Spirit of Korean Craft and … [Read More]
Critical Approaches to Transmedia Storytelling in K-Pop
In Critical Approaches to Transmedia Storytelling in K-Pop, contributors present a variety of compelling case studies to argue that K-pop has evolved beyond a musical genre into a global cultural phenomenon with a growing influence on contemporary media practices, highlighting its transmedia ecosystem in which complex narratives unfold and engage audiences across formats and platforms. … [Read More]
Seoul Food: From Kimbap to Kimchi, Delicious Recipes from the Heart of Korea
Embark on a culinary adventure through the rich and flavoursome world of Korean cuisine as author Haebin Sudo recreates 60 carefully selected dishes for her first cookery book. Seoul Food is full of delicious dishes that showcase authentic Korean meals, both for everyday and for special dinner parties. From traditional family feasts and special occasion banquets … [Read More]