Discover the captivating world of “Under the Oak Tree,” the first Korean web fiction novel to debut in the New York Times Best Seller List.
After the Nobel prize in literature, another Korean publication is making waves on the NYT Best Sellers list. ‘Under the Oak Tree’ is the first Korean web fiction to rank in the list, setting a milestone for the Korean digital literature industry.
Under the Oak Tree is a Korean web fiction in the romance-fantasy genre is penned by author Kim Su-ji. And this romance-fantasy has debuted at No. 7 on the Hardcover Fiction section of the U.S. newspaper’s list released on Nov. 13.
This is the first time a hardcover copy of Korean web fiction is on the NYT Best Sellers list.
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About the Korean Web Fiction “Under the Oak Tree”
The web fiction is published in hardcover by RIDI Books. The story is set in a medieval fantasy world which is beautifully captured in the writing. Complex characters and detailed storytelling keep the readers captivated.
In a magical medieval world, “Under the Oak Tree” follows the story of Maximilian, a duke’s timid and self-conscious daughter with a speech impediment, and Riftan Calypse, a knight from a humble background.
The two characters are forced into an arranged marriage, thanks the her father’s clever schemes. Their clashing personalities—her stumbling communication and his gruff demeanor—create a rocky start to their relationship. But soon the couple is torn apart when Riftan goes off to war after their wedding night. When he returns three years later as a hero, their love story begins anew.
Unlike many romance-fantasy web novels with perfect heroes, “Under the Oak Tree” stands out for its realistic and relatable characters. Readers can easily relate to the vulnerable and growing Maximilian and the persevering and accepting Riftan.
The story has been long time in making, where Kim spent almost six years in refining the plot. The first web novel in the two part series was released in 2017 and since then, she has published two volumes with 450 chapters in total.
What’s the fuss about?
The series was a huge hit on RIDI’s platform and even got turned into a webtoon, or online comic, that’s been translated into many languages. The English e-book version was especially popular, becoming a bestseller on Amazon in the U.S., France, and Mexico. That success led to a publishing deal with Penguin Random House, one of the world’s biggest publishers, in July 2023!
The hardcover English edition of the book, released on November 5th, quickly made its way up the chart in just its first week! Just FYI, NYT Best Sellers list is the most influential ranking of bestselling books in the United States.
Korean web novels (manhwa) have taken the world by storm, going from a hit online series to a global literary sensation. They’ve always been in the shadow of K-dramas, K-pop, and cinema, but now they’re shining bright. “Under the Oak Tree,” a NYT Best Seller, is a prime example of their growing popularity. In the U.S., the webtoon version totally took over Amazon’s Best Sellers in Romance Graphic Novels section and USA Today’s Best-selling Booklist.
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