Korea stages World Book readings

A Korean reading platform, Wela, has launched a two-week World Book Day program with the Writers Association of Korea built around reading and listening to curated excerpts. (bookstoreadonline.com) The event began April 20 and runs through May 3, according to Wela’s announcement published April 21. Wela said nine authors’ works will be featured on the platform during the campaign. (bookstoreadonline.com) The lineup includes Cho Jungrae, Kwon Yeo-sun, Choi Jinyoung and Park Sangyoung, along with Choi Eunyoung, Jin Eunyoung, Kim Sunwoo, Bae Jiyoung and Park Yeonjun. Users who finish at least one featured title in text or audio are entered automatically into a drawing for “blind books,” or surprise titles by association writers. (bookstoreadonline.com) The timing ties the campaign to World Book and Copyright Day on April 23, the annual United Nations observance for reading, publishing and copyright. The day is marked each year on the same date. (un.org) South Korea is staging other book-related programs around the same week. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said its own copyright-awareness campaign runs through April 30 and includes bookstore collaborations, talks and online events. (koreatimes.co.kr) Beginning April 23, that ministry campaign is distributing 100,000 bookmarks through 100 bookstores, including 30 Kyobo Book Centre branches and 70 stores tied to the Korea Booksellers Association. Kakao is also running a World Book Day reading club on its Brunch platform from April 23 to April 30. (koreatimes.co.kr) Wela’s program leans on format as much as authors: the company said featured books are available as both e-books and audiobooks. That gives the campaign two entry points for readers browsing the list rather than buying a single print release. (bookstoreadonline.com) Taejin Moon, chief executive of Influential, Wela’s operator, said the partnership with the Writers Association of Korea was meant to mark World Book Day with the country’s leading literary organization. He said the company plans to keep expanding access to e-books and audiobooks. (bookstoreadonline.com) The setup turns a one-day observance into a two-week sampling window: excerpts first, full reads or listens next, and a book giveaway at the end. In a crowded April book calendar, Wela is betting discovery can be the draw. (bookstoreadonline.com)