[2026 K-Publishing] Structural Shift Over Growth... Focus on E-Books, Audiobooks, and AI

Digital Transformation, AI Adoption, and Reader Experience Reshaping as Key Variables
Reconstructing Production and Distribution Strategies Amid the Expansion of E-books and Audiobooks

This year, the domestic publishing industry is expected to enter a phase where structural transformation and strategic response become more critical than outward growth. While the traditional market centered on print books will be maintained to some extent, the expansion of digital content consumption, changes in production and distribution methods, and diversification of reader experiences are reshaping the overall direction of the industry.

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According to an analysis presented at the recent "2025 Digital Publishing Market Review and 2026 Outlook" seminar hosted by the Korea Publication Industry Promotion Agency, consumption of digital format publications such as e-books and audiobooks has continued to rise since the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the proliferation of mobile environments and subscription-based services is driving digital content consumption, and with low production costs and high accessibility, this trend is expected to supplement the consumption structure centered on print books.

The global market is moving in a similar direction. Overseas publishing market reports predict that the global e-book market will expand to around 14 billion dollars by 2026, and the audiobook market will reach approximately 11.1 billion dollars by 2025. Especially for audiobooks, an average annual growth rate of over 26% is expected, and digital content is becoming a core pillar alongside the traditional print book market.

With the proliferation of smart devices and the increased use of audio content, domestic reading habits are also likely to change. As content consumption without restrictions of time and place becomes common, it is becoming increasingly urgent for publishers to establish digital strategies.

Changes in the technological environment are also cited as a major variable that will define the publishing industry in 2026. International content and technology analysis agencies believe that artificial intelligence (AI) will be applied across various practical areas such as editing, translation, proofreading, reader analysis, and personalized recommendations, improving production efficiency and spurring new business models. In the process of digital transformation, AI is emerging as a key strategy, as it enables both cost reduction and enhanced competitiveness.

The introduction of AI is also expected to change the direction of content planning. Publishing culture critic Jang Eunsu stated, "As the barriers to information access are lowered, readers' consumption patterns are also changing," adding, "There will be a growing preference for content that combines context, information, and solutions." He explained that forms capable of situational analysis and presenting options, rather than simply delivering information, could attract more attention.

The production environment is also changing rapidly. Rising production and logistics costs are burdening small and medium-sized publishers, leading to an increase in flexible production strategies such as print-on-demand (POD), early release of e-books, and producing only the necessary number of copies. The industry expects that these risk-dispersing production methods will continue into 2026.

Consumption trends by genre are also distinct. Purpose-driven content, such as practical books and self-help books, is expected to see stable demand in line with economic uncertainties. Steady interest is anticipated in certification, economics, and personal finance fields due to their practical information offerings, while the education sector is also expected to maintain demand centered on specific reader groups. In the literary market, while consumption remains focused on bestsellers, reader preferences are becoming more segmented, and there is a noticeable increase in long-term sales of mid- and small-scale works.

In distribution, large bookstores and online platforms still hold a high market share, while local and independent bookstores are transforming into reader experience-focused spaces through cultural programs, author meet-and-greets, and curation. Publishers are also diversifying their strategies by strengthening direct communication marketing with readers to supplement the wholesale-centered structure.

The policy environment is another important variable. The year 2026 marks the conclusion of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's "Basic Plan for the Promotion of the Publishing Industry (2022-2026)." As this policy, which has focused on digital transformation, overseas expansion, and ecosystem strengthening, comes to an end, the direction of subsequent policies and follow-up strategies will be directly linked to the industry's sustainability.

The publishing industry continues to face challenges such as cost structure pressures, declining reading time, and competition from mass content. Accordingly, there are growing calls within the industry to establish a sustainable growth foundation by balancing traditional and digital distribution, adopting AI-based strategies, and fostering cross-industry collaboration.

In summary, the domestic publishing industry in 2026 is expected to enter a phase of full-scale digital transformation and structural reorganization. Strategies that maintain the stability of the existing market while securing new growth engines are cited as key factors that will determine the sustainability and competitiveness of publishers.

Critic Jang stated, "Books that embody the slow contemplation at the heart of publishing-insight and wisdom-will continue to hold their place," adding, "The craze for merchandise, membership models, and the monetization of lectures and book concerts will also intensify." He further noted, "As the importance of intellectual property grows, it will be necessary to actively pursue overseas expansion of subscription-based platforms."

Publishing critic Kim Sungsin commented, "In an environment of information overload, it is difficult for readers to decide what to trust," adding, "Now, trust in the messenger delivering the message is becoming a more important standard than the content itself." He further predicted, "Publishing, as a source industry that plans and produces trustworthy messengers, will evolve by expanding this trust and appeal beyond books as mere products."