Kim Ho-yeon’s ‘Bulpyunhan Pyeonuijeom’ Tops Public Library Loans

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo Mideum] Kim Ho-yeon's "Uncomfortable Convenience Store" ranked first in public library loans in 2022.

According to the 2022 public library loan data (January 1, 2022 ? December 15, 2022) released by the National Library of Korea under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Kim Ho-yeon's "Uncomfortable Convenience Store" was selected as the "Book of the Year." This is based on an analysis of 121,846,452 loans from 1,490 public libraries nationwide.

Kim Ho-yeon's "Uncomfortable Convenience Store" rose to the top of the public library loan rankings in April 2022, just one year after its publication, and maintained the number one spot monthly thereafter, ultimately being chosen as the "Book of the Year" for 2022. It ranked first in loan rankings not only among readers in their 30s to 50s but also across 13 metropolitan cities including Seoul, Busan, and Jeju. "Uncomfortable Convenience Store 2" reached second place in loan rankings in November, just three months after its release.

In the nonfiction category, Song Hee-gu's "Manager Kim's Story 1," which candidly depicts the realities of working life and real estate in South Korea, ranked first in loan rankings. It was especially popular among female readers in their 30s to 50s.

Public library loan volume increased by 26.2% compared to the previous year. Monthly data shows that August had the highest number of loans (11,995,865), while June had the lowest (9,673,168). By gender, women (56.6%) borrowed more than men (35.9%), and by age group, readers in their 40s (33.0%), 30s (17.0%), and elementary school children aged 8?13 (16.3%) borrowed the most.