Newly Translated Korean Novels You Need To Check Out If You Liked BTS' "Beyond The Story"

Recently, BTS' outstanding biographical book "Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS" by Kang MyeongSeok, translated wonderfully into English by Anton Hur, Clare Richards, and Slin Jung, became the first Korean book to top The New York Times Best Seller list. If you're one of the millions of people who thoroughly enjoyed "Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS" and are now motivated to dive into the world of Korean translated literature, you've come to the right place! Alternatively, if you've always enjoyed Korean translated fiction and are looking for recommendations, we've got you covered too! For this month's "Booked & Busy" article, we're sharing six newly released translated Korean novels that can be your next read. Let's get into it! 1. "Another Person" by Kang HwaGil, translated by Clare Richards Pushkin Press Genre/Type: Thriller Keywords: Feminism, Dark Academia, Social Commentary T/W: Sexual Assault About: "Another Person" is an award-winning novel by Kang HwaGil, impeccably translated by Clare Richards, that presents a scathing social critique of systemic abuse and violence. It starts with JiNa, our protagonist, who is reeling from a virulent online hate campaign after having exposed her male colleague for workplace harassment. In the deluge of anonymous comments, she finds the words "Vacuum cleaner bitch", evoking a repressed memory that takes her back to her university days. Only someone who knew her then could have made that comment, bitterly reminding her of the mysterious and untimely passing of a fellow student YuRi - one whom JiNa failed to save. To untie the knot she has held on to all this while and find out the truth behind YuRi's death, JiNa returns to Anjin University and its destructively toxic culture. Get this book here! 2. "Counterweight" by Djuna, translated by Anton Hur Pantheon Genre/Type: Science Fiction Keywords: AI, Evil corporation, Cyberpunk About: Described by critics as a "cyberpunk noir", "Counterweight" tells the story of a Korean chaebol's fixation with building the world's first space elevator suspended from a mass of space junk - the eponymous "Counterweight" that holds the key to damning information. Djuna is one of the most revered South Korean science-fiction authors, and Anton Hur's translation is marvelous, as always, which makes this book a must-read in and of itself. Additionally, if you're a fan of conspiracy theories, the future of AI, human augmentation, and such, "Counterweight" will be the perfect book for you. Get this book here! 3. "Greek Lessons" by Han Kang, translated by Deborah Smith, Emily YaeWon Hamish Hamilton Ltd Genre/Type: Literary Fiction Keywords: Loss, Language, Love About: An incredibly poignant novel about language, expression and the human condition by beloved South Korean author Han Kang, brought to you through a crisp translation by Deborah Smith (who also translated the 2016 Man Booker International Prize winner "The Vegetarian" by Han Kang) and Emily YaeWon. It tells the story of a promising young woman who is facing a recurrence of her childhood mutism after going through severe trauma over the course of a short period of time. To regain her connection with language and her own self, she takes up Greek lessons, where she finds herself drawn to her lecturer, who is himself struggling with the impending loss of a sense - his vision. At the same time, he is also contemplating issues of belonging, having grown up between Korea and Germany. The extraordinary intimacy between these two ordinary humans and the profound connection that unfolds form the core of this book. Get this book here! 4. "The Specters of Algeria" by Hwang YeoJung, translated by Jung YeWon Honford Star Genre/Type: Literary fiction Keywords: Truth, Youth, Art About: An intriguing work of literary fiction that delves into themes of memory, its unreliability, truth and its myriad forms, intergenerational trauma, identity and the subversive power of art (theatre in particular). It is Hwang YeoJung's debut novel, translated brilliantly by Jung YeWon, drawing you into its curious world and leaving you wanting more. "The Specters of Algeria" revolves around two friends, Yul and Jing, who grew up during the tumultuous time of the South Korean military dictatorship. Years later, they have drifted apart, and Yul is running a bar in Jeju with Osu, a legendary director credited for the revolutionary play "The Specters of Algeria". When CheolSu, an aspiring playwright, sets out to find Osu, the truth behind this mysterious play, said to be the only surviving play by Karl Marx, is revealed. Get this book here! 5. "Painter of the Wind" by Lee JungMyung, translated by Hannah Pang, Stella Kim Harriet Press Genre/Type: Historical Fiction Keywords: Political Intrigue, Romance, Mystery About: The perfect gateway book for historical romance K-Drama enthusiasts, "Painter of the Wind" has finally received an English translation, thanks to the incredible Hannah Pang and Stella Kim. The book is the story of Shin YunBok, a renowned court painter in the late eighteenth century, told by Kim HongDo, his mentor and confidant. After being expelled from the Royal Academy of Painting, the duo was appointed by King JeongJo to investigate the deaths of senior court painter Kang SuHang and Seo Jing, who was looking into the former's passing. In the process, the two grow closer than ever, nurturing a precious relationship they did not see coming. Filled with political intrigue and conspiracy, "Painter of the Wind" is a gripping and heart-wrenching read that will turn you into a K-Lit stan. To add to its appeal, the book also features 34 color paintings, such as Shin YunBok’s "Portrait of a Beauty" and Kim HongDo’s "Wrestling". The book was even adapted into a K-Drama back in 2008! It starred Moon GeunYoung, Park ShinYang, Ryu SeungRyong, and Moon ChaeWon in the leading roles. Moon GeunYoung and Moon ChaeWon were highly beloved by viewers and even took home the "Best Couple" Award! Get this book here! 6. "Walking Practice" by Dolki Min, translated by Victoria Caudle HarperVia Genre/Type: Science Fiction Fantasy, Psychological Thriller, Horror Keywords: Alien, Gender & Sexuality, Gore T/W: Body horror About: Just like the title suggests, "Walking Practice" is about a shapeshifting alien who crash lands on Earth and is unable to get used to gravity. So, to survive, it must practice walking, and what better way to do that than downloading a dating app to hunt for food? Hint: Humans are on the menu. "Walking Practice" by Dolki Min is an experimental, existential, thrilling, and witty meditation on what it means to be a human, especially when you don't fit in. Naturally, this relates to themes of gender nonconformity, queerness, alienation, and so on, and the book's treatment of such themes is masterful, to say the least. The prose is thoroughly enjoyable, thanks to the remarkable translation by Victoria Caudle, which reminds us once again of why we should be more grateful for translators. Get this book here! Kpopmap Have you read any of these translated Korean novels yet? If not, which one are you most likely to pick up next? Tell us in the comments section down below!