Year of publishing: 2013

Synopsis: Dive into the world of corporate romance with What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim – a novel which is now a very popular K-drama starring Park Seo-joon and Park Min-young. Revolving around a narcissistic vice chairman, Lee Young-joon, and his highly efficient secretary, Kim Mi-so, who decides to resign. Shook by this decision, Lee decides to do whatever he can to persuade Mi-so to change her mind. Love finds its way in the most unlikely places and this novel chronicles just that.

Fun fact: Apart from being adapted as a K-drama, this novel was serialised by KakaoPage in a webtoon called What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim.

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Year of publishing: 2022

Synopsis: If you watched It’s Okay Not To Be Okay, this book might pique your interest. Book Lovers revolves around Nora and Charlie, who work in the publishing industry. While Nora is a literary agent, Charlie is an editor. Their worlds collide as in the unlikely place of Sunshine Falls, North Carolina, where Nora’s sister forces her to take a vacation. Several coincidences land our duo together, however, it’s always a case of hate-to-love romance and several misunderstandings. But as they finally get to know each other, there’s a plot twist they didn’t see coming. While this isn’t exactly a Korean novel, its premise will take you back to a cult favourite K-drama, It’s Okay Not To Be Okay in many ways. 

Fun fact: A production company recently bought the rights to create a film adaptation of the book.

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Year of publishing: 2021

Synopsis: Okay, so this one is quite similar to the K-drama Crash Landing on You. Inspired by true events, The Last Exiles revolves around a young couple in North Korea as they fight for love and freedom. Jin and Suja meet and fall in love while studying at a university in Pyongyang. However, their lives are plunged into chaos as North Korea falls into a great political upheaval. Will their love survive this ordeal?

Fun fact: The novel is Anne Shin’s first novel and the winner of the Trillium Book Award.

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Year of publishing: 2019

Synopsis: A runaway bestseller penned by one of Korea’s most exciting young writers, Love in the Big City takes readers into the glittering nighttime of Seoul, exploring millennial loneliness as well as the joys of queer life. The coming-of-age novel is centred on Jaehee, a gay man. The book is divided into four sections, each representing a chapter in his life from adolescence to adulthood. It will teach you a great deal about love, relationships and companionship.

Fun fact:  It was longlisted for the International Booker Prize 2022.

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Year of publishing: 2021

Synopsis: The novel revolves around cello prodigy Jenny relocating to South Korea to take care of her grandmother. Only focused on becoming a professional cellist, Jenny never had much time for boys. However, when she finds herself falling for a K-pop idol, she must decide whether their love is worth the risk. Also, this really cute guy is forbidden from dating. A  forbidden romance wrapped in the glamorous world of K-pop, XOXO will have you hooked from the very first chapter.

Fun fact: It’s very similar to the K-drama, Heartstrings, as both the works bring art and music to life in their stories.

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Year of publishing: 2022

Synopsis: This one’s a classic tale of childhood friends turning lovers. Korean-American teen Hannah is struggling to embrace her Korean heritage, while her friends and her boyfriend, Nate, are huge fans of K-pop and K-drama. However, Nate does what everyone else in Hannah’s life seems to do―he leaves her.

Enters Jacob, Hannah’s childhood friend who not only knows K-dramas but is also starring in one. His return after three years opens up a chance for them to reconcile and maybe even discover love between them. And now, guess what? Hannah’s ex-boyfriend also wants her back. It’s a deliciously swoony romance you don’t want to miss.

Fun fact: Author Susan Lee is an avid K-pop and K-drama fan, whose favourite bias is BTS’ V/Taehyung.

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Year of publishing: 2020

Synopsis: A K-pop romance novel written by an actual K-pop legend? We’re already sold. Shine is based on the author’s experiences in the K-pop industry where the rules are simple: Train 24/7. Be perfect. Don’t date. Easy right? Seventeen-year-old Korean American Rachel Kim is thrust into the competitive, technicolour world of K-pop, wondering if she has what it takes to succeed or will easily get crushed.

Fun fact: Author Jessica Jung is a K-pop legend and former lead singer of Girls Generation.

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Year of publishing: 2020

Synopsis: Best-selling author Tessa Hale ventures to the vibrant city of Seoul, South Korea, where she’s meeting the cast and crew of the film adaptation of her book. In an interesting twist, Tessa’s excitement turns into a star-struck panic when she realises that the lead actor is none other than K-pop idol Baek Eun Gi, whom she has been crushing on for years. Will they end up together?

Fun fact: Erin Kinsella is not only a contemporary romance author but also an active YouTuber, who posts videos to educate writers about the publishing industry, world-building, and how to make your readers swoon.

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Year of publishing: 2018

Synopsis: Holly was supposed to manage a failing boy band back to stardom when she finds herself falling in love with all of them. Members of boyband H3RO: Tae, Dante, Minhyuk, Nate, Kyun, and Jun are as talented as they are good-looking. Holly needs to save their careers and dreams, but will her romantic interest come in the way? Find out.

Fun fact: The novel is a ‘K-Pop Reverse Harem’, which consists of one female protagonist and three or more male love interests.

Year of publishing: 2021

Synopsis: Another up-close-and-personal look at the South Korean music industry, Idol Gossip is perfect for all K-pop lovers and those discovering the cultural phenomenon. 17-year-old Alice Choy is suddenly spotted by an entertainment scout and sent to a K-pop training academy. Trying to navigate the culture clashes, egos, and extreme training practices of K-pop, will Choy finally be able to perform before a stadium of 50,000 chanting fans? Grab your pick to find out.

Fun fact: Its premise is very similar to that of K-drama Celebrity, where Seo Ah-ri finds herself embroiled in the glamorous world of social media influencers.

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