As İntrotema, we took part in the Seoul International Book Fair 2025, one of Asia’s most established and prestigious book fairs. Organized by the Korean Publishers Association (KPA) and held since 1954, the fair continues to be an important cultural meeting point that brings together publishers, authors, academics, and readers.
At this major event, we introduced selected works from our catalog and held meetings with publishers from different countries to explore new collaborations. We were delighted to represent Turkish publishing on an international level and to contribute to intercultural exchange.
Pre-Fair Meetings in Seoul
Before the fair officially began, on June 9–10, our co-agent Eya Agency hosted a series of publishing meetings at their office. Thanks to the wonderful team at Eya, we had the opportunity to meet many Korean publishers and strengthen our professional network even before the doors of the fair opened.
Shortly before the fair, we also took part in the K-Book Market, where our team met not only traditional print publishers but also producers of audiobooks, e-books, webtoons, and web novels, exploring collaborations across different publishing formats.
Highlights From the Fair
One of the most striking aspects of the Seoul International Book Fair was its vibrant and interactive atmosphere. Very few stands were limited to selling books; most offered raffles, mini-events, and creative giveaways to engage visitors.
We also noticed a strong presence of webtoon and light novel publishers, whose booths were constantly bustling with visitors. People of all ages lined up to take photos with cardboard cutouts of their favorite webtoon characters, showing how influential these digital storytelling formats have become in Korean culture.
Another memorable moment was encountering K-drama actors who had published books and were hosting book signing events. These sessions attracted some of the largest crowds during the fair, creating an impressive blend of pop culture and publishing.
Throughout the fairground, there were specially designed reading zones for young people and university students. Large areas filled with colorful beanbags invited visitors to sit down and read in comfort. Seeing such dedicated reading spaces integrated into the fair was both inspiring and heartwarming.
We also met an independent publisher who creates books entirely dedicated to pets, especially lost cats, dogs, and other animals. Talking with them was one of the most delightful and memorable moments of the event.
On our way out of the fair, we stumbled upon a children’s theater performance, and right beside it, we discovered what we can confidently call the most delicious churros we’ve ever had, a sweet and unexpected end to an inspiring fair experience.