If you want to read a mindboggling thriller, suspense, or a howdunit – it’s time to explore Korean literature. While it’s hard to surpass legends like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle or Agatha Christie when it comes to mastering the genre, the recent rise in the Hallyu wave has helped us unravel some amazing Korean crime fiction, including edge-of-the-seat murder mysteries, gripping zombie-apocalyptic gems, gory yet addictive crime tales and more. This subset of Korean literature has become a hot topic in the global publishing market. So why not give it a try, bibliophiles? Let’s take you through the top 10 Korean crime and mystery novels in English that offer adrenaline-boosting twists and thrills.
Let’s face it, many readers have had enough of Scandinavian thrillers. They want respite from the age-old classics, and rightly so. For South Korean authors, this time can easily be dubbed as the ‘Golden Age of crime writing’, especially at a time when Korean entertainment, especially Korean crime fiction and mystery shows/ movies are topping streaming numbers worldwide.
The inventive range of authors from South Korea is truly churning magic. Did you know that The Vegetarian, by Han Kang (and its translator Deborah Smith), received the Man Booker Prize in 2016? Interspersed with dark dreams, simmering tensions as well as chilling violence, this South Korean novel is celebrated by critics and readers around the world.
Celebrated South Korean authors like Kim Un-Su, Kim Young-Ha, Yoon Ko-Eun, as well as Pyun Hye-Young are penning titles catering to the taste of international readers. The inventiveness and styles of Korean crime novels make them a league apart.
Do you love K-dramas? Are you a bibliophile? Do you fancy crime and mystery genres? Or all three? Our reading list will cater to the best of all worlds. So, keep reading to unravel the best Korean crime novels.
