Starting June 2024 and running until October, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, alongside the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea (KPIPA), is hosting a series of events in France focused on the Korean publishing market. These events include book talks, exhibitions, lectures, and a culture fair.
From June to August, an exhibition titled “K-Book: The Origin of K-Culture” is showcasing 110 prominent Korean books at the Korean Culture Center in France. This exhibition features winners of the 2023 Korea Picture Book Award, wordless picture books, Korean literary works published in France, and web novels that have inspired popular webtoons and dramas.
The picture book section highlights eight award-winning titles, including “The Disappeared Dinner” by Kwon Jung-min and “A Round of Tightrope Walking” by Min Ha. The literature section features 38 translated works such as “I Do Not Bid Farewell” by Han Kang, winner of the 2024 Émile Guimet Prize for Asian Literature.
“With growing global interest in Korean books, we aim to showcase their charm to European readers during the Paris Olympics,” said Kim Yong-sup, director-general of the Culture Ministry’s Media Policy Division. “This marks a new chapter for Korean publishing on the world stage.”
From Tuesday to Friday, there are meet-and-greet sessions with four Korean authors at various locations across Paris, including bookstores, libraries, museums, and schools. These sessions offer events for local children and feature discussions with French writers Adrien Parlange and Marie Caudry.
Additional events include author meetings on August 6 and 7 at the Paris Olympics’ Korea House and a “K-Expo” focusing on Korean culture in October.
