“My happy place is anywhere with bibimbap and kimchi.”
Officially named the ‘Republic of Korea’, South Korea is a country in East Asia. Making up the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula and bordered by the Yellow Sea and Sea of Japan to the west and east respectively, it is a country home to over 50 million people and some of the most vibrant historical, geographical and cultural attractions on the planet. From the highest point at Hallasan to the global phenomenon that is K-Pop, the lure of South Korea entices over 3.2 million tourists each year. Join us at What We Reading as we present the best South Korea books to inspire and guide you through your next trip through the land of morning calm!
Lonely Planet Korea – Lonely Planet
From Changdeokgung Palace to trekking across the volcanic terrains of Jeju Island, Lonely Planet offer a complete Korean travel resource. The world’s leading travel experts, Lonely Planet Korea is the ultimate travel planning guidebook designed to help tailor readers’ trips based on their interests and preferences.
High-quality photographs capture the beauty of South Korea, and the book comes with a wealth of practical tips from the team’s array of experts living in the country. From hours of operation, useful contact details, budgeting planners and a whole host of cultural tips, Lonely Planet Korea is the essential reading material for navigating the country and curating an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.
Fodor’s Seoul – Fodor’s Travel
Fodor’s Travel brings readers the most complete travel resource on South Korea’s capital Fodor’s Seoul. From hiking in Bukhansan National Park, exploring new delicacies in Gwangjang Market or blasting out some K-Pop in a karaoke room, this is one of the best South Korean books for anyone looking to capture the spirit of Seoul during their trip.
Featuring updated information, a fresh layout and beautiful colour photographs, this Seoul guidebook comes packed with maps, curated recommendations on where to visit, and everything else travellers need to simplify their experiences in the capital. With the book also including information and recommendations on excursions to Busan, Jeju and other surrounding areas, it is one of the most invaluable travel companions for tackling Seoul.
The New Koreans: The Story Of A Nation – Michael Breen
For getting a sense of the remarkable transformation of South Korea and its people over the past few decades, Michael Breen’s The New Koreans is a captivating read.
Examining how the country has grown from impoverished to one of the world’s leading cultural and economic behemoths, Breen explores how Koreans have been perceived by outsiders, and what determines their ‘national character’ today. One of the most compelling South Korean books for capturing the history and character of this remarkable nation, Breen also casts an eye towards potential developments in the future, across the DMZ and into North Korea.
Shrimp To Whale: South Korea From The Forgotten War To K-Pop – Ramon Pacheco Pardo
Another one of the most insightful books for understanding the transformation of South Korea in recent times is Ramon Pacheco Pardo’s 2022 book, Shrimp to Whale. The title is an analogy Pacheco Pardo chronicles to readers, documenting the seventy years of history that saw the country emerge from the embers of colonialism and devastating war to develop into one of the thriving powerhouses and cultural hubs on the planet.
Shrimp to Whale captures the big visions that continue to drive the country to this day. Along the way readers gain an insight into the resilience of the South Korean people, helping to put context behind the identities and landmarks readers will find on a trip to their country. Through his other works on the country, South Korea’s Grand Strategy and Korea: A New History of South & North Pacheco Pardo has established himself as one of the expert voices on the Far East state, with Shrimp to Whale standing as one of his best.
Check Out The Best Travel Books About China
Hello, South Korea: Meet The Country Behind Hallyu – DK Eyewitness Travel
Whilst there is an abundance of South Korean books designed to inform and educate readers on the culture of the Far East country, few are as colourful and captivating as Hello, South Korea. From its remarkable history to its vibrant pop culture and viral exports, DK Eyewitness Travel capture it all here.
But as well as taking reads through the usual array of K-Pop superstars, DK also introduce a more hidden side to South Korea. Mapping the rise of the Hermit Kingdom to its modern superpower status, readers will learn about everything from the incredible haenyeo divers of Jeju Island to the diverse varieties of kimchi as they are whisked to the heart of the country’s culture.
South Korea: The Solo Girl’s Travel Guide: Travel Alone. Not Lonely. – Alexa West
Renowned as the #1 Travel Guidebook Series for Women, Alexa West returns to guide solo female travellers across South Korea in her guidebook on the country. South Korea: The Solo Girl’s Travel Guide is the ultimate tour guide for helping readers plan the trip of their dreams, avoiding all the scams, creeps and tourist traps along the way.
With insights into Korean culture, food and traditions, the book comes complete with the best-curated recommendations on all the must-see destinations from Seoul, Incheon, Daegu, Busan, Gangneung and so much more. It’s also a practical handbook, detailing everything from budgeting to wardrobe tips that every female needs to know. With safety and security factored into every recommendation, West’s resource is one of the best South Korean books for empowering readers to dive into the trip of a lifetime!
Korean Culture Dictionary: From Kimchi To K-Pop And K-Drama Clichés. Everything About Korea Explained! – Woosung Kang
Before jetting off on your trip to South Korea, it’s a good idea to know about the culture you’re going to be immersing yourself in. That’s where Woosung Kang’s Korean Culture Dictionary comes in.
From why the South Korean flag looks the way it is to what ‘Gangnam Style’ actually means, Kang attempts to answer all of the burning questions travellers may have about the country. Featuring 350 topics, the Korean Culture Dictionary is the best resource for understanding the ‘Whats’, ‘Hows’ and ‘Whys’ behind the country’s quirks and curiosities. The result is an illuminating and fascinating cultural deep-dive that will enrich any experiences you have with Korean culture, be it inside or outside of the nation’s borders.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
