Readers Obsessed! This Book Dominated Libraries in 2025 - You Won't Believe Why!

Han Kang's powerful novel, "Human Acts," has topped the charts as the most-borrowed book at public libraries nationwide in 2025, according to recent government data. This is no small feat, considering the sheer volume of books available to borrow. The National Library of Korea compiled the data, revealing that the book was borrowed a staggering 60,504 times across 1,583 public libraries. It seems people are drawn to Kang's intense and thought-provoking narratives.

Readers Obsessed! This Book Dominated Libraries in...

Interestingly, Kang's popularity doesn't stop there. Her other works, "The Vegetarian" and "We Do Not Part," secured the second and third spots respectively, further solidifying her position as a literary force. It's quite remarkable to see a single author dominate the library borrowing charts like this. It speaks volumes about her writing and the impact it has on readers.

"Human Acts," published in 2014, delves into the heart-wrenching story of Dong-ho, a young boy caught in the brutal crackdown during the Gwangju pro-democracy uprising in May 1980. This event, a significant moment in Korean history, is handled with sensitivity and raw emotion in Kang's narrative. The fact that this book resonates so strongly with readers suggests a collective desire to understand and remember this difficult period.

A library official noted that seventeen of Han Kang’s works landed within the top 1,000 most-borrowed books of 2025. This surge in popularity is likely linked to her Nobel literature prize win. It’s often the case that winning such a prestigious award brings increased attention to an author’s entire body of work, and it's certainly proving to be the case here. "The White Book," another notable work by Kang, also ranked high at seventh place, showcasing the breadth of her appeal.

Beyond Han Kang's individual success, the data reveals a broader trend: Korean literature is thriving. It accounted for a significant 25 percent of all borrowed books last year. This indicates a growing interest in local authors and stories, which is a positive sign for the Korean literary scene. Maybe it's a renewed sense of cultural pride, or perhaps readers are simply looking for narratives that reflect their own experiences. Whatever the reason, it's encouraging to see Korean literature gaining such traction.