Further blurring the lines between artistic forms, the fair will also feature actor-publisher Park Jeong-min and celebrity chef Choi Kang-rok, underscoring SIBF’s commitment to showcasing creativity across media — from prose to plates and film to philosophy.
Literary Inspiration in Cinematic Form
The acclaimed South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook, known globally for his visually arresting and psychologically layered films, will be among the key figures at the 2025 Seoul International Book Fair (SIBF). Organised by the Korean Publishers Association, the fair takes place from 18–22 June at Coex in Seoul, and will host over 530 exhibitors, including 100 international publishers from 16 countries.
Park’s appearance, scheduled for 20 June, centres on a talk titled Park Chan-wook’s Literary Anchors. In it, the director will explore the role of literature in his creative process, from the novels that shaped his imagination to the challenges and opportunities involved in adapting fiction for the screen. Park has previously brought books to life in major productions including The Little Drummer Girl (BBC, 2019) and The Sympathizer (HBO, 2024), reflecting a deep and sustained engagement with the written word.
Books as Refuge in Uncertain Times
The 2025 fair adopts the theme “The Last Resort”, inviting readers and industry professionals alike to reflect on literature as a personal and societal refuge. The tone echoes contemporary global anxieties, positioning the book fair not just as a trade event but as a cultural intervention.
A broad cross-section of Korean literary voices will be in attendance. Notable names include Kim Ae-ran, Sohn Won-pyung, and Cheon Seon-ran, while International Booker Prize finalist Bora Chung will present her new novel The Children’s House. Korean-American author Ju-hye Kim returns with City of Night Birds, following her critically acclaimed Beasts of a Little Land.
Spotlight on Taiwan
This year’s Guest of Honour is Taiwan, with special programming including a conversation between Rex How, founder of Locus Publishing, and picture book artist Lee Suzy. Illustrator Bei Lynn and acclaimed graphic novelist Keum Suk Gendry-Kim will also lead sessions.
Cross-Genre Creativity
Further blurring the lines between artistic forms, the fair will also feature actor-publisher Park Jeong-min and celebrity chef Choi Kang-rok, underscoring SIBF’s commitment to showcasing creativity across media — from prose to plates and film to philosophy.
This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.
