At a time when so much K-Culture is finding an audience on the west, this is a great opportunity for western publishers to explore buying as well as selling rights.

The second Busan International Children’s Book Fair (BICBF) convenes at Bexco from 11-14 December 2025, establishing itself as Korea’s dedicated marketplace for children’s literature rights.

Approx. 160 publishers and organisations from 26 countries will participate, with a specialised copyright centre facilitating structured business consultations – a critical feature that signals the fair’s professional orientation beyond consumer events.

Korea’s Export-Driven Children’s Sector

Building on its successful 2024 launch, the 2025 fair spotlights Korea’s rapidly expanding children’s publishing industry under the maritime theme “The Young Ones and the Sea.”

Korean picture books command significant international respect, securing Bologna Ragazzi Awards annually since 2004. In 2025, Jin Joo and Lee Ga-hee’s If You Want to Eat a Red Apple made history as Korea’s inaugural Opera Prima Award winner.

This achievement reflects broader market success: government data confirms children’s books led Korean copyright exports from 2020-22, comprising 1,204 of 4,167 total cases. The Korea Publication Industry Promotion Agency actively supports this momentum, managing national pavilions at international fairs and providing export consultation.

Professional Development and Strategic Networking

The four-day programme offers targeted industry engagement through panel discussions, rights workshops, and curated 1:1 meetings. The Korean Publishers Association – organisers of both BICBF and the established Seoul International Book Fair – have designed the event to maximise commercial outcomes.

Acclaimed authors appearing include Jordan Scott (NYT Best Illustrated Book 2020) and Taiwanese writer Tom Liu, alongside domestic bestseller Baek Eun-byeol. Government sponsorship from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism underlines national policy treating content industries as strategic economic drivers, with dedicated funding for rights export and international market entry.

For rights managers seeking high-quality, globally competitive content, Busan offers concentrated access to Korea’s award-winning children’s literature and the partnerships necessary to acquire it.

At a time when so much K-Culture is finding an audience on the west, this is a great opportunity for western publishers to explore buying as well as selling rights.

This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.