Domestic "healing" novels are considered to be following in the footsteps of globally popular content like K-pop and K-dramas. Shown are the covers by country edition of the novel "Marigold Mind Laundry." (Book Romance's official Instagram page)

By Kim Seon Ah

Domestic "healing" novels are the latest trend in globally popular Korean content like pop music and dramas.

The British weekly The Economist on Oct. 3 in its article "Turn down the K-pop and pay attention to K-healing" said, "Korean books about burnout has taken the world by storm."

"Like many pastimes, healing fiction thrived online, attracting young female readers seeking recommendations from social media. Enthusiastic reviews from K-pop stars helped fuel the craze," it added.

"Marigold Mind Laundry," a domestic bestseller, has been published in the U.S. and U.K.

Foreign publishing giants such as Bloomsbury have put out or acquired the rights to such hit literature.

"Penguin Random House will bring out three titles in the next four months," the magazine quoted the publisher's editor Jane Lawson as saying. "Korean fiction was suddenly in fashion and completely exploded."

The Economist also quoted foreign publishing rights agent Joy Lee as saying, "We've always had very diverse genres in Korea, but now it feels like healing fiction equals Korean fiction."

Such novels feature characters who set aside stress from work or no luck in job hunting to seek something more meaningful.

"The genre's success also indicates the appeal of escapism. Sometimes the novels' locations are marvelous as well as mindful: a laundry that washes away trauma; a shop where you can buy dreams," the article said. "It is literary therapy -- by the book."

sofiakim218@korea.kr