The success of the film 'Odyssey' has sparked a surge in interest for classic literature this summer. Homer's Odyssey has jumped to the top of bestseller lists, with related books also seeing a significant increase in sales.
According to Kyobo Bookstore and Yes24, in the second week of August, Seneca, For Those Who Are Losing Today topped the charts at both bookstores. At Kyobo, it rose four spots to claim the number one position, while Yes24 maintained its number one ranking for the second consecutive week. The book is a simplified version of writings by the ancient Roman philosopher Seneca, adapted by the self-improvement YouTube channel 'Hawaii Mansion.'
One of the most notable trends in bookstores is the popularity of Homer's Odyssey. The film's success has led to an increase in readers seeking the original work and related literature. At Kyobo, it surged 30 spots in just one week to reach eighth place, while Yes24 also recorded it at eighth.
Books that simplify the classics, such as Odyssey in One Night and Odyssey in One Volume, have also gained attention. Yes24 reported that five books related to the film, including Odyssey, Odysseus, and Illiad, simultaneously entered the top 20.
In fiction, titles favored by readers in their 20s are performing well. At Kyobo, Yoo Rae-hyuk's Aquarium secured second place, while Yang Gwi-ja's Contradiction climbed five spots to sixth. Interest in world literature collections, including Siddhartha and Demian, remains steady. Carl Sagan's scientific classic Cosmos is also popular during the vacation season.
Yes24 showed a similar trend, with Siddhartha at sixth, Nietzsche's Transcendentalist at seventh, and Yang Gwi-ja's Contradiction at ninth. Keigo Higashino's Transparent Spiral has maintained its position in the top five for three consecutive weeks.
A representative from Kyobo Bookstore stated, "As interest in the film 'Odyssey' grows, Odyssey is gaining popularity among female readers in their 40s, as well as among those in their 50s and 30s. We expect the film's continued success to lead to a broader interest in novels and world literature, sparking a classic literature trend."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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