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| The novel "Pachinko" topped the best-selling list of Kyobo Book Center. Korea Times file |
By Lee Gyu-lee
The novel "Pachinko" has become the best-selling book in Korea about four years after its release in the country, as its live-action adaptation on Apple TV+ has been gaining popularity.
The book, written by Korean American novelist Min Jin Lee, has topped the weekly bestsellers list for its second week in April. It soared to the top from the fifth spot on the list last week.
The Korean-translated version of the book, which came out in March 2018, regained attention following the release of Apple TV+'s original series of the same name.
Sales for the two-part book surged drastically by about 15 times last month compared to the same period last year, according to the local online bookstore Aladdin.
Despite its growing sale, the book's publisher, Munhak Sasangsa, halted the sales of both volumes of the books Tuesday, saying it may not keep up with the demand for the book in time for publishing contract renewal with the author.
It said that the current publishing contract will expire on April 21 so the company is in talks about renewing the rights for the Korean version of the book.
The novel, following a multi-generation story about ethnic Koreans living in Japan, was listed as one of the 10 best books by The New York Times and became a finalist for National Book Awards in 2017.
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