2023 has arrived, and the Year of the Rabbit is bringing along the energy of self-care, passion, new hobbies, and new dreams. Millions of people, every year, make a new year's resolution to start reading books, or if they're already readers, they vow to read more. Needless to say, reading is one of the most wholesome, enriching, and stimulating habits you can pick up, and in case you're a fan of K-Dramas, we're certain that you will enjoy the escapism that comes with books.
If you're looking to dip your toes into the wondrous world of reading but don't know where to start, you've come to the right place! Allow your love for K-Pop to join hands with your desire to read and discover recommendations by your favorite idols, all in one place. Welcome to Kpopmap's Idol Book Club!
This week's star is none other than ONEWE's KangHyun! While there are many idols who are known to be avid readers, there are a select few you can call certified bookworms. Among them, our resident rockstar KangHyun is definitely the leader. The man lives and breathes literature and is one of the most well-read idols in the industry. His love for books is almost always the first thing a new fan discovers about him after he becomes their bias with his extraordinary musical skills. So, it is not surprising that one of his ideal date scenarios is a visit to the bookstore.
For those who might not know, KangHyun is the guitarist of the alt-rock Korean band ONEWE. He is highly respected for his unique sense of musicality and degree of perfection, besides his endearing personality. He draws inspiration from books and implements the knowledge he gains from them in both his career and his own life. As a matter of fact, he even co-wrote and co-composed the song 'Regulus' after reading the 4th book on this list!
KangHyun has often shared his joy of reading with fans on platforms like V-Live. He had a concept in his head to make a long-running series of V-Lives where fans could join him for a silent reading session. Slowly, he brought that idea to life, and thus, "Shall We Read A Book?" was born, where WEVE and KangHyun would sometimes be joined by other members and would read together in their own little shared bubble with ambient BGM that KangHyun made himself. If that's not peak quality time with your bias, we don't know what is!
Elsewhere, he continued to share his excitement about books with fans through book mail unboxing and book hauls, or writing honest reviews about books he had read. Even on fan-signs and video calls, KangHyun often ended up having conversations with WEVE about his favorite book genres or his dream of writing a book one day. As such, owing to his sincere intellectual influence, many fans could get back to reading or find genuine enjoyment in the same. Now, that's what we call an idol, in the truest sense of the word. In fact, we wouldn't be taken aback in the slightest if we suddenly found out one day that KangHyun walked right out of a book himself because he cannot possibly get any more perfect!
Now that we've explored a little bit about how significant books are to KangHyun, let's dive into some of his recommendations, shall we?
1. "The Lord Of The Rings" - J.R.R. Tolkien
William Morrow
Genre/Type: Fantasy
Keywords: Power, Fate, Friendship.
About: "The Lord Of The Rings" is arguably one of the greatest modern fiction books ever. The epic revolves around Dark Lord Sauron, who, in an attempt to rule over Middle Earth, creates the One Ring to rule them all. However, it is taken from him and falls into the hands of Bilbo Baggins. He bequeaths it to his cousin Frodo and thus begins his perilous yet glorious quest to destroy the One Ring, joined by Gandalf the Wizard, the hobbits Merry, Pippin, and Sam, Gimli the Dwarf, Legolas the Elf, Boromir of Gondor, and Strider.
Read Because: KangHyun's face lights up at the mere mention of "The Lord Of The Rings". He started reading it because he was craving some fantasy and instantly thought that the book was "crazy" (in the best way, of course). This is the fantasy phenomenon that changed the course of literature and film! Not only is it commercially record-breaking, being one of the best-selling books of all time, but it is also highly lauded critically for its unparalleled world-building.
This is one of those books that you should read simply to be in the know. However, if you need a reason or two, consider the chance to meet iconic characters who you will inevitably get attached to, one of the strongest cases of good vs. evil ever made in the history of literature, and layers of meaning ranging from death and immortality to suffering, redemption, hope and more. In addition, if you're a linguaphile, you will thoroughly enjoy "The Lord Of The Rings" because of how wonderfully language is woven across the narrative.
Get this book here!
2. "The Plague" - Albert Camus
Vintage
Genre/Type: Philosophy
Keywords: Suffering, Freedom, Alienation.
About: An absurdist narration of a plague ravaging the city of Oran, pushing its people to the limits of inhumane suffering. From fanaticism to the separation of loved ones, grief, and unfathomable loss to the immense resilience and courage of human beings, "The Plague" is a multidimensional study of guilt, courage, and overcoming meaninglessness.
Read Because: "The Plague" is timeless in its relevance to society and is a particularly significant read in today's day and age. It shines the spotlight on the cornerstones of absurdist philosophy, with emphasis on concepts like powerlessness and the human condition. His portrayal of despair is just as potent as his belief in the inherent goodness of people, and the novel leaves you with food for thought that will haunt you unrelentingly.
Get this book (in English) here!
3. "The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat and Other Clinical Tales" - Oliver Sacks
Picador
Genre/Type: Non-fiction, Psychology, Essay
Keywords: Case Study, Neuroscience, Reality.
About: Written by British neurologist Oliver Sacks, "The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat and Other Clinical Tales" is a collection of case histories based on his real patients. The title story describes the case of a patient with visual agnosia who quite literally mistook his wife for a hat because he had trouble recognizing faces and/or objects.
Read Because: Despite being non-fiction, "The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat and Other Clinical Tales" is a highly engaging read that dives deep into intellectual disabilities with thorough and careful exposition without ever being boring. Despite the "clinical" in the title, the book is rather approachable, especially since it is reader-friendly rather than academic. Seeing how KangHyun enjoyed this book, it is evident that he enjoys insights into the human brain.
Get this book here!
4. "The Little Prince" - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Genre/Type: Fantasy, Young Adult, Children's Literature
Keywords: Adventure, Friendship, Transformation
About: A young boy living on a house-sized asteroid travels across space and visits different planets, where he meets and is baffled by the world of adults but seeks wisdom and enlightenment in the process nonetheless, reminding us that we were all children once.
Read Because: Everyone needs a moment to address their inner child in life. As we grow older, we often forget to tap into our imagination and innocent wonder for the world and, as such, miss out on capturing what's truly important. This book reminds us that it is alright to stop and smell the roses because that is precisely what life is all about. Despite being a children's book, it is a profound discussion of adulthood, which is why it is so beloved.
For those who might not know, ONEWE's famous song 'Regulus' was co-written and composed by KangHyun after reading "The Little Prince". "Regulus" is what "The Little Prince" is called in Latin, but that is not the only reference in the song. You can clearly see the influence of the book on the lyrics as well as the musical structure, which evokes dreamy nostalgia.
Fun fact: KangHyun loves this book so much that he even has an illustration of "The Little Prince" on his guitar strap. Also, the reason why the term "flower" comes up often in the lyrics of 'Regulus' is because his "Rose" is WEVE!
Get this book (in English) here!
5. "The Metamorphosis" - Franz Kafka
W. W. Norton & Company
Genre/Type: Philosophy
Keywords: Duty, Isolation, Identity
About: An ordinary salesman and the sole breadwinner of his family, Gregor Samsa wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into a huge insect. Suddenly cut off from the world and unable to communicate, Gregor struggles to come to terms with his absurd fate and his family's indignation.
Read Because: "The Metamorphosis" is so bizarre yet so mundane that it will transport you to a strange alternate reality where circumstances overwhelm the perception of reality. It is sheer horror yet contains substantial humor that you cannot help but appreciate despite the ghastly situation and that is exactly what keeps the momentum of the narrative going. In addition, it is a must-read if you want to dip your toes into existentialist philosophy.
KangHyun mentioned that he enjoyed "The Metamorphosis" because he found it fun. It is also his favorite classic book, according to a WEVE who asked him about it. KangHyun highly recommends the book and asked WEVE to read it when they have the time.
Get this book (in English) here!
6. "My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry" - Fredrik Backman
Washington Square Press
Genre/Type: Fantasy, Slice of Life
Keywords: Growing up, Fairytale, Being different.
About: A young girl, Elsa, who is seen as "different" in society, finds a friend in her crazy grandmother and her fantastical stories. After she passes away, she leaves behind a bunch of letters apologizing to people she has wronged in her lifetime, leading Elsa to a coming-of-age journey full of adventure, allowing her to realize the importance of being herself - being unique.
Read Because: "My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry" is the perfect pick-me-up book for when you're down in the dumps. Filled with love and laughter, this touching story will stick with you. From the idiosyncratic yet endearing characters to the insightful take on fairytales, everything about this book will cheer you up and give you a renewed appreciation for the people in your life as well as life itself. KangHyun read this book in one of his V-Lives and needless to say, it is most definitely a must-read.
Get this book (in English) here!
7. "Siddhartha" - Hermann Hesse
Macmillan
Genre/Type: Philosophy
Keywords: Enlightenment, Spirituality, Oneness
About: A young Indian brahmin Siddhartha embarks on an unconventional yet necessary journey to self-discovery by taking on and living as various identities, each of which brings him closer and closer to enlightenment.
Read Because: In the V-Live where KangHyun read this book, he followed it up with a short commentary which showed how much he enjoyed reading it and his takeaways from the same. If you trust KangHyun's elite taste, you need to read "Siddhartha" too. The book is profound in its treatment of themes like truth and illusion, wisdom, satisfaction, and more, all the while being extremely well-written and easy to understand. While books on philosophy tend to be heavy with jargon, "Siddhartha" by Hermann Hesse is a great place to start and familiarize yourself with Eastern philosophy.
Get this book here!
8. "Hamlet" - William Shakespeare
Simon & Schuster
Genre/Type: Play
Keywords: Conspiracy, Madness, Revenge.
About: Hamlet, the King of Denmark, is murdered by his brother Claudius, who takes over the throne and marries Queen Gertrude. Soon after, Prince Hamlet, son of the late King, is haunted by his father's ghost, who demands that his untimely death be avenged.
Read Because: "Hamlet" is the greatest Shakespearean tragedy that everyone should read at least once in their lives. Comprising a range of genres - from thriller to supernatural fantasy, romance, melodrama, and more, "Hamlet" is a supremely entertaining read even if you're not interested in analyzing its deeper, more complex themes. Alternatively, if you are a fan of literary criticism, reading "Hamlet" is going to be an absolute delight because there's certainly a lot to unpack here.
Get this book here!
9. "Animal Farm" - George Orwell
Signet
Genre/Type: Satire
Keywords: Working Class, Revolution, Corruption.
About: The overworked animals of a farm revolt against their human farmer to bring about a just society built on equality and democracy. However, famously, "some animals are more equal than others". Revolution births a totalitarian rule instead of socialism, and violence and torture prevails once more under a dictator.
Read Because: "Animal Farm" is a piercing allegorical critique of the events leading up to the Russian Revolution through the lens of dark fantasy that both amuses and disturbs. With its biting comedy and unabashed clarity, "Animal Farm" is brimming with political significance, which was relevant not only during the time when it was written but even today.
Get this book here!
10. "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" - Leo Tolstoy
Bantam
Genre/Type: Classic
Keywords: Death, Suffering, Regret.
About: A high-court judge who has only ever focused on his career and status with not so much as a passing thought to his inevitable death is suddenly confronted with his mortality when he is diagnosed with a terminal illness and is forced to look back on his life and its meaning, or the lack thereof.
Read Because: "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" is one of the finest meditations on death and suffering in literature. Written by Tolstoy's expert hand, this novella is widely considered one of his best works. Despite its grim and, at times, downright terrifying exposition, the book raises some poignant issues of self-reflection, resentment, careerist greed, the inevitability of death, redemption, and the purpose of life. It is a wonderful read if you want to step out of your comfort zone and contemplate the same subjects that our eponymous protagonist battles with.
Get this book (in English) here!
11. "Pride And Prejudice" - Jane Austen
Penguin
Genre/Type: Romance, Classic
Keywords: Social class, Gender, Marriage
About: The exciting and heart-fluttering romance between the intelligent and independent Elizabeth Bennet and her tall, handsome but proud suitor Mr. Darcy, framed by the social issues of class, reputation, wealth, and more in the Regency era.
Read Because: If you thought K-Dramas were giving you unrealistic standards for romance, wait till you read "Pride And Prejudice". Not only is this book one of the finest novels of manners in all of English literature, but it also provides key insight into society at the turn of the 19th century in rural England and the place of women in the same. It makes some interesting points about the institution of marriage and patriarchy but even if you were disintereted in such sociological observations, the passionate love story alone will keep you hooked.
KangHyun shared that "Pride And Prejudice" was a book that he simply could not put down. He was initially intrigued by the title of the book and ultimately, it was a fun and interesting read for him because it was rife with details about the characters' daily lives so there was a lot to learn about. We stan a man who reads Jane Austen!
Get this book here!
12. "The Midnight Library" - Matt Haig
Viking
Genre/Type: Fantasy
Keywords: Magic realism, Regret, Second chances
About: A magical library on the border between life and death with endless books that give you the chance to live in an infinite number of alternate realities. In the innumerable moments where you had to make a decision, what if you could undo a choice that changed your life? Would you take it?
Read Because: "The Midnight Library" is an insightful and introspective read that allows you to look into yourself, your life, and the choices you've been making every day. With every such choice, you abandon a life and take up another. The titular library allows you to discover these parallel universes and find out what truly fulfills you. This is the book that got KangHyun interested in quantum mechanics. So, if you have ever been intrigued by concepts like alternate reality and multiverses, this book would be the perfect read for you.
Get this book here!
13. "Only Hana On Earth" - Chung SeRang
Yes24
Genre/Type: Science Fiction
Keywords: Alien, Love, Environment
About: An environment-conscious young woman, HaNa, lost touch with her boyfriend, KyeongMin, after he left to travel the world. However, after a meteorite lands on Earth and explodes, KyeongMin appears in front of HaNa having crossed 200 million light years. However, something about him has changed.
Read Because: "Only Hana On Earth" is a novel take on the science fiction genre. It combines the mundane with the extraordinary and shines the light on what makes us human through the premise of an alien that has entered the body of HaNa's boyfriend. It is just as much a love story as it is a fantasy tale and you will enjoy every second of it.
KangHyun received this book as a gift from WEVE, who know his interest in space and space-related works. He also mentioned that he relates to the alien in this story, and WEVE are like HaNa. The alien in this story has the power to turn stones into diamonds and while KangHyun cannot do that, he said that he will continue to make good music that will be like diamonds to WEVE. Can this man get any more adorable?
Get this book here! Unfortunately, an English translation is not available yet.
14. "Taebaek Mountains" - Cho JungRae
Haenaem
Genre/Type: Modern Classic, Historical Fiction
Keywords: History, Politics, Ideology
About: "Taebaek Mountains" is an epic saga that explores in great detail the turbulent history of South Korea in the modern age, spanning the Japanese colonial rule (1945) to the start of Korean War (1950), highlighting the impact of ideological conflicts and class struggle on the same and thus pointing out the ways to overcome the tragedies of national division by addressing socio-political and economic discord.
Read Because: "Taebaek Mountains" is an essential read if you want to learn more about South Korean history. The series is considered the epitome of author Cho JungRae's talent and is extremely popular among South Koreans. KangHyun owns the complete box set of 10 volumes that come in this roman-fleuve and has shared his enthusiasm about reading it with WEVE.
Get this book here! Unfortunately, to our information, an English translation is not available yet, but it is reportedly in the works. A French translation of the book is available.
15. "A Game of Thrones" - George R.R. Martin
Bantam
Genre/Type: High Fantasy
Keywords: Honor, Betrayal, Power
About: The first book in the "A Song of Ice And Fire" series, "A Game Of Thrones" introduces the land of Winterfell and the dark, sinister shadows that lurk both in and out of the same. With the King's powers on a decline and his enemies surrounding him, the Starks must rise to the occasion as Lord Eddard Stark is called upon to be the King's Hand. Winter is coming. Who will win the game of thrones?
Read Because: If fantasy epics are your cup of tea, you are doing yourself a disservice by not reading "A Game Of Thrones". Alternatively, if you have watched the series, reading the books will amplify your experience manifold. For KangHyun, it was his love for the series that urged him to check out the books, and he shared that he was really enjoying it. The twisted tales of vengeance, justice, and politics will leave you spellbound, to say the least.
Get this book here!
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Would you join KangHyun's book club? Tell us in the comments section down below!
