According to a survey conducted across 26 countries in 2023, around 30 percent of respondents stated that South Korean books and comics ("manhwa") were only popular among a small group of enthusiasts. However, a further 28 percent disagreed, saying such publications were very popular in their countries.
Popularity of South Korean books and manhwa worldwide as of November 2023
people who experienced South Korean cultural content
Method of interview
Online panel
Supplementary notes
Original question: "How popular do you think are Korean books in your country at the moment?"
* This survey was conducted in the following 26 countries: China, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Australia, United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Russia, Turkey, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and South Africa.
Respondents count by country was as follows:
China: 1,600
Japan: 1,000
Taiwan: 800
Thailand: 900
Malaysia: 800
Indonesia: 1,200
India: 1,600
Vietnam: 900
Kazakhstan: 700
Australia: 800
U.S.: 1,400
Canada: 800
Mexico: 1,000
Brazil: 1,200
Argentina: 800
UK: 900
France: 900
Italy: 900
Spain: 800
Germany: 900
Russia: 1,000
Turkey: 900
UAE: 700
Saudi Arabia: 800
Egypt: 900
South Africa: 800
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Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. (April 2, 2024). Popularity of South Korean books and manhwa worldwide as of November 2023 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/999270/south-korea-korean-book-popularity-worldwide/
Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. "Popularity of South Korean books and manhwa worldwide as of November 2023." Chart. April 2, 2024. Statista. Accessed November 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/999270/south-korea-korean-book-popularity-worldwide/
Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. (2024). Popularity of South Korean books and manhwa worldwide as of November 2023. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/999270/south-korea-korean-book-popularity-worldwide/
Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. "Popularity of South Korean Books and Manhwa Worldwide as of November 2023." Statista, Statista Inc., 2 Apr 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/999270/south-korea-korean-book-popularity-worldwide/
Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, Popularity of South Korean books and manhwa worldwide as of November 2023 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/999270/south-korea-korean-book-popularity-worldwide/ (last visited November 21, 2024)
Popularity of South Korean books and manhwa worldwide as of November 2023 [Graph], Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, April 2, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/999270/south-korea-korean-book-popularity-worldwide/
