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Korean popular culture is all the fad lately. Take catchy K-pop songs and swoon-worthy Okay-dramas, for instance: the entire world appears captivated by them. In publishing, Korean webtoons are additionally stated to be displacing Japanese manga in recognition. Inevitably, this pattern reached the realms of romance publishing, with the publication of some Korean romance novels.
But, though Korean romance novels, particularly K-pop romance books (and fan fiction), flourished in the previous couple of years, there have solely been far and few between by Korean or Korean American authors. There could also be loads of romance novels printed in South Korea, particularly with the increase of webtoons and K-drama. They aren’t, nonetheless, largely out there in English, making it tough to entry them. In my case, I grew up watching Filipino dubs of Korean TV collection, lengthy earlier than they had been referred to as K-drama. I devoured classics like Temptation of Wife, Coffee Prince, Stairway to Heaven, Endless Love: Autumn in My Heart, and Full House, and I’m stunned that there aren’t full-length novel counterparts of any of those.
Thankfully, I used to be capable of finding a number of ones printed within the United States. In this listing, I included Korean romance novels for each adults and younger adults. And due to an obvious dearth of Korean romance books from Korean authors, I additionally included fiction novels that give off K-drama vibes as a bonus, which could even be of curiosity.
But earlier than that, listed here are eight Korean romance novels with Korean and K-pop themes written by Korean or Korean American authors to make you expertise Korea in all its glory. These numerous Korean romance novel suggestions will get you awash in that Hallyu fever!
Adult Korean Romance Novels
Temporary Wife Temptation by Jayci Lee
Garrett, on the verge of turning into CEO of the household enterprise, faces stress from his grandmother to get married. To drive his hand, his grandma orchestrates a wedding association with a robust Korean household.
Meanwhile, Natalie, an government for the corporate, finds herself in want of a husband because of her plans to undertake her sister’s daughter. This leads Garrett and Natalie to conform to a pretend marriage, establishing clear guidelines and boundaries. However, as they navigate this charade, sudden emotions develop.
Idol Thoughts by Ji Soo Lee
In this steamy reverse harem, Holly, an sudden inheritor to a K-pop manufacturing firm, is entrusted by her half-brother with revitalizing the fading profession of the K-pop band H3R0.
As she takes on the function of their supervisor, Holly finds herself not solely navigating the challenges of managing the profession of the six-member boy band — Tae, Dante, Minhyuk, Nate, Kyun, and Jun — but in addition forming passionate relationships with every of them.
A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee
This romantic comedy follows Aubrey as her bakery enterprise faces a tragic destiny when Landon, a restaurant critic, receives a cake meant for a toddler due to a mix-up by Aubrey’s assistant.
Landon meets Aubrey at a bar, the place afterward, they share a one-night stand however nonetheless unaware of the state of affairs. Then Landon publishes a scathing overview in {a magazine} that damages the bakery’s fame. Later on, he learns of the reality and the results of this error, and although he regrets it, he realizes that he can’t undo the injury induced. To compensate, he presents Aubrey a possibility to be featured in a cooking present he produces, entangling enterprise with romance.
So We Meet Again by Suzanne Park
In this slow-burn romance, Jessica seeks refuge in her hometown of Nashville to ponder her subsequent transfer after being fired from her job as an funding banker. During this era, she units up a enterprise that includes Korean meal preps and creates a YouTube channel. Surprisingly, her childhood rival, Daniel, presents assist alongside the way in which.
As her enterprise thrives, her former firm expresses curiosity in buying it, solely to find that Daniel is the counsel representing the stated firm.
Young Adult Korean Romance Novels
Seoulmates by Susan Lee
Centered on Korean American teen Hannah, this YA novel explores her wrestle to embrace her Korean heritage. Ironically, her buddies and her boyfriend, Nate, are enormous followers of K-pop and K-drama, resulting in the couple’s breakup when Hannah fails to share the identical enthusiasm.
Thankfully, when Jacob, her childhood good friend and a Korean actor, returns to San Diego after three years, it opens up an opportunity for them to reconcile and perhaps even uncover love between them.
Flip the Script by Lyla Lee
In this “meta” romance, Hana and Bryan, the main actors of a K-drama collection, pretend a relationship to create hype for their present, regardless of Hana’s lack of curiosity in Bryan. To add extra intrigue, the showrunners introduce Minjee, Hana’s former audition rival.
Things take an sudden flip, nonetheless, when each Hana and Minjee start to develop emotions for one another.
Shine by Jessica Jung
In this younger grownup romance set in opposition to the backdrop of the K-pop business, Rachel, a Korean American younger girl, joins DB, a outstanding K-pop manufacturing firm. Unfortunately, she faces animosity from everybody in there, notably Mina, who persistently bullies her.
When she meets Jason, a member of a boy band managed by DB, she rapidly falls in love. But this newfound romance sparks a fierce battle between her and Mina as they each attempt for stardom alongside Jason.
Wicked Fox by Kat Cho
In this YA romance set in Seoul, the story follows Gu Miyoung, a teenage gumiho or a legendary nine-tailed fox from Korean folklore. Known for seducing and killing males, Miyoung meets Jihoon, a human, when he’s attacked within the forest. Miyoung saves him, deviating from the standard. But within the course of, she loses her gumiho talents and turns into human.
A deep bond kinds between the 2 as they fall in love. But when a shaman makes an attempt to revive Miyoung’s gumiho nature, she finds herself torn between her previous and her newfound humanity.
Bonus: Romantic Korean Fiction
As a style, romance ought to all the time end with pleased endings, which is called Happily Ever After or HEA, or at the very least with a Happy For Now or HFN. If a e book doesn’t have any of those, then it’s not romance — and romance readers received’t be inclined to learn it.
But since there’s just a few Korean romance novels in English by Korean authors, the next fiction books with K-drama parts is likely to be of curiosity. They don’t all the time finish fortunately, however they do embrace romantic parts that may make you swoon.
The Last Exiles by Ann Shin
Quite much like the favored K-drama Crash Landing on You, the story unfolds in reclusive North Korea, dominated by a dictatorial authorities the place folks endure from hunger and the place anti-Western propaganda prevails. Against this backdrop, Jin and Suja’s love story takes middle stage. Suja hails from a privileged household in Pyongyang, the capital metropolis, whereas Jin comes from a poor background and depends on a scholarship to attend college. However, when Jin returns house sooner or later to search out his household with out something to eat, he turns determined and disappears to discover a method to supply for them. Suja discovers what he’s finished and decides to comply with him.
This dramatic story additionally serves as a social commentary on the state of North Korea.
The Court Dancer by Kyung-Sook Shin
In the historic backdrop of the Joseon Dynasty round late 1800s, Yi Jin, a court docket dancer, catches the attention of Victor, a French diplomat visiting the Korean Emperor. Their sudden romance blossoms, main Victor to whisk Yi Jin away to France for marriage.
While infused with romance and K-drama attract, the e book additionally delves into the intricate historical past and politics of Korea and of the world on the time, exploring themes of colonization and identification.
Love within the Big City by Sang Young Park
Set in South Korea, this one follows Jaehee, a homosexual man, from adolescence to maturity. The novel’s divided into 4 sections, and every characterize a chapter in his life. In all of them, Jaehee discovers varied types of love, together with platonic, familial, and above all, romantic.
Love within the Big City has been longlisted for the International Booker Prize in 2022.
Want Okay-culture galore in your books? Here are extra Korean romance novels and books about Korea, beginning with romantic Korean YA novels, books for K-drama followers, and books for followers of historic Okay-dramas!
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