In September, Korea welcomed the Month of Reading with cool autumn breezes. As various cultural events take place across the country during the season perfect for reading, an active platform for cultural exchange centered on Korean literature had already opened on the other side of the world in Argentina. It was the Buenos Aires International Book Fair, held amid the autumn atmosphere of April.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Buenos Aires International Book Fair is the largest event of its kind in Latin America. With a stellar program featuring invitations to internationally renowned bestselling authors and a special spotlight on Nobel Prize-winning literature, the fair drew considerable attention. The booth run by the Korean Cultural Center in Argentina, in particular, welcomed a steady stream of visitors throughout the event.

The Cultural Center presented a focused and in-depth program centered on “Korean literature.” Among the highlights was the appearance of author Kim Ho-yeon, whose novel “The Second Chance Convenience Store” sparked a wave of Korean-style healing fiction. Kim met with local readers through a book talk moderated by a local cultural journalist, followed by an author signing session.

Close-up encounters with students from the King Sejong Institute also took place. Participants listened attentively to Kim’s journey from screenwriter to novelist and his experiences as a writer, while engaging in in-depth conversations about his subsequent works and the messages conveyed through his books. A conversation and reading session held at the main venue of the book fair under the theme “Comfort and Empathy” also received an enthusiastic response.

A special conversation paired Han Kang—who has drawn tremendous attention in Argentina since receiving the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature—with Argentina's literary giant Jorge Luis Borges. Claudia Piñeiro, author of “Elena Knows,” a 2022 Booker Prize finalist, and literary critic Silvia Hopenhayn took part as speakers in the session, titled “Han Kang and Borges: Memory, the Body and the Literary Labyrinth.” Recalling the impact they felt when first encountering Han Kang’s work, the two panelists explored the histories of Korea and Argentina through the themes of “memory and trauma.” By examining the writing style, narratives and historical contexts of the works from an expert perspective, the discussion encouraged audiences to broaden their own reflections.

The Cultural Center’s booth also served as an important hub for expanding the reach of Korean literature. More than 40 Spanish-language editions by leading contemporary Korean authors, including Bora Chung, Kim Hye-jin and Kim Ae-ran, were put on display. In addition, a separate catalog featuring 30 “Books of the Year” selected by major Korean novelists over the most recent three years (2023–2025) was compiled and introduced to publishing professionals. By showcasing promising works that have yet to be translated locally, the Cultural Center established a practical bridge toward expanding Korean literature into the Latin American market.

Beyond literature, the Cultural Center introduced the diverse world of K-storytelling through a digital zone where visitors could experience globally popular webtoons such as “Solo Leveling” and “Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint.” Participatory events, including a Korean name-writing program, added further energy to the booth. On the final weekend of the book fair, a special performance brought together the sentiments of Korea and Argentina through music, featuring “The Last Waltz,” the OST of the film “Oldboy,” Dino Saluzzi’s “1950s Buenos Aires” and other selections.

This year’s book fair served as an opportunity to showcase the depth and diversity of Korean literature to local audiences. Going beyond simple book introductions, the program encompassed lectures, conversations, translation and publishing-rights connections and digital content, engaging both readers and industry professionals. The Korean Cultural Center in Argentina will continue this momentum with vibrant cultural programs designed to connect and engage with local audiences.

Q — What was newly added or changed compared to last year’s event?
While previous events introduced Korean culture broadly, this year we focused specifically on “Korean literature.” We compiled a catalog of Korean books not yet translated into Spanish for publishing and translation professionals, while also providing general visitors with reading tags featuring Korean-language excerpts and explanations.

The program further reflected local interest in “healing fiction” through a book talk and reading with author Kim Ho-yeon, alongside hands-on activities such as Korean-name bookmarks, book keyrings and a K-webtoon experience zone.

Q — Are there any new keywords or themes you would like to incorporate into next year’s book fair?
We plan to expand our focus beyond Korean literature to Korean books and reading culture more broadly. In fact, there were many inquiries at this year’s book fair about essays, picture books and books for children and young adults.

We’d also like to introduce a broader book trend in Korea. Rather than simply saying, “These are the books Korea has,” we want to convey the lifestyle: “This is how people in Korea enjoy books.”

As part of this, we’d like to introduce “text-hip,” a Korean trend that embraces reading and books as a fashionable part of everyday life. We hope to showcase book-related merchandise, and to introduce the culture of “book swapping,” in which people exchange books and read one another’s selections.

Q — What was the most rewarding moment for you at the event?
It was the moment I personally witnessed two countries with different languages and cultures become emotionally connected through literature. I had conversations with readers who actively shared their thoughts on books displayed at the booth, and I was able to recommend other Korean works to them. I was also deeply moved by the sight of a reader holding Kim Ho-yeon’s hand and shedding tears during his signing session. Seeing people living in two countries far apart share the same emotions made me truly feel the power of literature.

Q — I hope it will be remembered as an open space where people in Argentina can encounter and experience Korea in the most vivid and engaging way. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Cultural Center. Building on the foundation of cultural exchange established over the past 20 years, we will continue working to ensure that Korean culture naturally becomes part of the everyday lives of Argentinian readers and citizens.