Han Kang Tops Sales Among Nobel Prize in Literature Authors; Margaret Atwood Leads Readers’ Picks for This Year’s Candidate

[Financial News] Han Kang ranked first in YES24’s sales rankings for books by Nobel Prize in Literature-winning authors over the past decade or so. In a reader poll predicting this year’s winner, Canadian author Margaret Atwood received the most votes.
According to YES24 on the 14th, an analysis of sales of Korean-language books, translated books, and foreign-language books by past winners from January 1, 2016, through August 31 this year placed Hermann Hesse, Ernest Hemingway, Albert Camus, and Bertrand Russell in second through fifth place, respectively, after Han Kang.
By individual title, Han Kang’s Human Acts, The Vegetarian, and We Do Not Part ranked first through third. Six of the top 10 books were by Han Kang, including I Put the Evening in the Drawer, The White Book, and Greek Lessons.
Sales of translated and foreign-language books by Chinese author Can Xue and Atwood increased year-on-year in October 2023, 2024, and 2025 compared with the previous month. Can Xue’s sales rose 690% in October 2024, while Atwood’s increased 84.1% in October last year.
Ahead of the Nobel Prize in Literature announcement on October 8, YES24 is holding a poll to predict the winner through October 7, the day before the announcement. Participants who correctly predict the winner will share a total of 1 million won in e-book gift certificates.
In a poll conducted from the 3rd through the 10th of this month, Atwood ranked first with 22%. British author Salman Rushdie followed with 17%, and Can Xue with 16%.
According to NobelPrize.org, the list of candidates and information related to the judging process remain confidential for 50 years. It is not officially possible to confirm whether the authors discussed by the literary community and media were actually considered. The poll reflects the predictions of participating YES24 readers.
YES24 and Munhakdongne Publishing Group also organized “My Own Nobel Prize in Literature Book Bucket List,” an event in which participants create a reading list from works by past winners. Participants choose one book for each of three themes: books to read this year, books to own, and books to challenge themselves with.
Cho Sun-young, head of YES24’s Book Business Division, said, “As interest among Korean readers in the Nobel Prize in Literature has grown further since Han Kang won the award, we prepared a variety of content that readers can enjoy while waiting for the announcement.”

[email protected] Jang In-seo Reporter