The Korean Cultural Centre UK (KCCUK), working together with the Korea Publication Industry Promotion Agency (KPIPA), successfully organized the K-Book Festival at Foyles Charing Cross Road, one of London's most historic and beloved bookstores. The festival showcased the incredible range and quality of Korean publishing, spanning literature, cookbooks, essays, science fiction, and webtoons, introducing Korean stories to British readers while strengthening cultural connections within the UK's literary community.
Running for a full month from October to November 2025, the festival transformed Foyles' flagship London location into a comprehensive Korean book showcase. The carefully selected collection included translated literature, original Korean titles, cookbooks, essays, and webtoons displayed throughout the store, drawing nearly 100,000 visitors. This year represented a significant achievement in KCCUK's mission to promote Korean publishing's creative potential, emotional depth, and diverse genres to international audiences.
The festival played a crucial role in building meaningful connections between Korean authors, British readers, and the UK book industry, significantly expanding access to Korean literature and storytelling. By creating these cultural bridges, the event demonstrated the growing global appeal of Korean content and its ability to resonate with diverse audiences.
Three special author events during the festival generated considerable public interest, highlighting the increasing demand for Korean content among British readers. Celebrity chef, broadcaster, and cookbook author Judy Joo kicked off the festival on October 15 with a discussion centered on her latest book, "K-Quick: Korean Food in 30 Minutes or Less." She shared her insights on Korean food's evolution on the global stage, demonstrating how convenience can be combined with authentic flavors. Her presentation gave audiences a deeper understanding of both the culinary traditions and cultural significance of Korean food.
On October 25, popular webtoon creator Min Song-A, known for "Nano List," "The Girl Next Door," and the Netflix-adapted "Doona!," spoke about the rise of Korean digital storytelling and the evolving landscape of webtoon platforms. She discussed her creative process and emphasized the importance of authenticity and artistic focus, noting that while industry trends may change, meaningful storytelling always begins with characters and themes that creators truly believe in. Following her presentation, Foyles completely sold out of "Doona!," clearly demonstrating the growing British interest in Korean webtoons.
Acclaimed science fiction novelist Cheon Seon-Ran, author of "A Thousand Blues," concluded the series on November 1 with thought-provoking reflections on humanity, technology, and empathy. She explored what it means to be human through the perspective of a robot capable of emotion, emphasizing the importance of both ethical and emotional considerations in our rapidly advancing digital age. Her talk deeply resonated with attendees, sparking lively discussions and meaningful audience engagement.
All three speakers participated in question-and-answer sessions and book signings, providing British readers with direct opportunities to interact with Korean authors and demonstrating the relevance and accessibility of Korean storytelling in the UK context. These personal interactions helped bridge cultural gaps and created lasting impressions on attendees.
The K-Book Festival proved to be much more than a series of book presentations—it served as a genuine cultural bridge, showcasing Korea's rich variety of genres, artistic depth, and emotionally powerful storytelling. By combining effective distribution, strategic branding, and direct reader engagement, the event clearly demonstrated the expanding global potential of Korean publishing and its ability to connect with international audiences.
Seunghye Sun, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre UK, reflected on the festival's significance, stating, "Here in London—the hub of the global publishing industry—Korean authors are sharing their stories across genres such as science fiction, webtoons and food, presenting the many facets of K-Culture deeply rooted in Korean aesthetics. Following author Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature, interest in Korean women writers and their emotionally rich, candid storytelling has grown rapidly in the UK. The essence of K-soft power lies in the power of emotion."
KCCUK plans to continue developing programs that strengthen communication with local audiences and build lasting cultural connections, ensuring that Korean literature and content maintain their growing momentum on the international stage. The success of this festival marks an important step forward in establishing Korean publishing as a significant force in the global literary marketplace.
