We’re going to South Korea soon! And if you’d like to learn more about the country before you arrive, books are a great way to explore its history, culture, politics, and the experiences of the people who have lived through them. And since we as co-founders are big readers, we always like to compile a list of books you can read (all optional, of course!) if you’d like to learn more about the country before arriving or afterwards.
We’ve put together a selection of historical works, novels, and personal accounts that offer different perspectives on the Korean peninsula, from Japanese colonial rule and the division of the peninsula to contemporary South Korea and North Korea.
Since all of our guests come from different countries, we only link the search options for each book. As usual, we encourage you to buy from independent bookstores whenever possible or even while visiting the country. Happy reading! And don’t forget to check out our South Korea packing list!
Historical and Political Context
Korea: A New History of South and North by Victor Cha and Ramon Pacheco Pardo.
A concise history of the Korean Peninsula from the late nineteenth century to the present, exploring the very different paths taken by North and South Korea. A useful starting point for understanding the history behind the divided peninsula.
A Fractured Liberation: Korea under U.S. Occupation by Kornel Chang.
Examining the years following the end of Japanese colonial rule, this book explores the U.S. occupation of southern Korea and the political forces that shaped the country’s subsequent division.
The Koreas: The Birth of Two Nations Divided by Theodore Jun Yoo.
A history of the creation of North and South Korea and the forces that produced their radically different political and social systems. Particularly useful for understanding the origins of the division that continues to shape the peninsula.
Literature and Society
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee.
A multigenerational novel following a Korean family in Japan across much of the 20th century. It explores colonialism, migration, discrimination, identity, family and belonging. The story has also been adapted into a TV show available online.
Human Acts by Han Kang.
A novel centred on the 1980 Gwangju Uprising and its aftermath. Through several perspectives, Han Kang explores political violence, memory, grief and the lasting effects of state repression.
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-joo.
A short novel about the everyday sexism experienced by an ordinary South Korean woman. It offers an accessible introduction to changing gender roles, work, family and the social pressures faced by women in contemporary South Korea.
Literature and Society
Flowers of Fire by Hawon Jung.
A history of the South Korean feminist movement, told through the experiences of women who challenged attitudes towards gender, work, sexuality and violence.
When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park.
A novel about a Korean brother and sister living under Japanese colonial rule. Written for younger readers, it is an easier read and introduction to the experience of colonialism and the suppression of Korean language and identity.
North Korea
For North Korea, it’s important to keep in mind that literature from and about the country is obviously limited. The last book written by a non-Korean author who had access to the country was published more than 10 years ago. While there are books written by North Korean defectors, the one we recommend down below is the main one we feel gives an accurate portrayal of what life as a refugee is like, even coming from North Korea.
North of the DMZ: Essays on Daily Life in North Korea by Andrei Lankov.
For all foreign guides training to work in North Korea, this is the main book recommended by NK scholars. Lankov provides an introduction to everyday life, society and politics in North Korea, offering useful context for understanding what you will learn about life in NK during your SK visit.
Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick
Through the stories of several North Koreans, Demick offers an intimate portrait of everyday life, exploring family, work, education, the famine of the 1990s and the emergence of informal markets.
The Girl with Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee.
A memoir of growing up in North Korea, escaping across the border into China and eventually reaching South Korea. Lee’s personal story provides a valuable North Korean perspective on life, escape, displacement and resettlement.
Explore More
And if you’re already thinking about where to go next, take a look at our other tours and see where your curiosity takes you next.
You can also have a look at our other reading lists, which we always compile with our local partners:
