Homer’s epic finds new readers in Korea as Nolan’s film premieres

Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" has sparked an unexpected literary moment in South Korea. According to Kyobo Book Centre, sales of books with "Odyssey" in their titles jumped 595.5 per cent in July compared with the same month last year—a rise that accelerated sharply as the film's 5 August release drew near.

The surge reflects a broader pattern. Monthly year-on-year growth climbed from 55.3 per cent in January to 87.5 per cent in April, 194 per cent in May, and peaked at 291.7 per cent in June before the July figure. This suggests readers began seeking the source material months before the premiere, with interest intensifying closer to release.

Who is reading Homer

Kyobo's analysis reveals a demographically balanced readership. Readers aged 40 dominated at 25.7 per cent of purchases, followed by those in their 50s (23.6 per cent), 30s (22.1 per cent), 20s (15.4 per cent), and 60 or older (12 per cent). The 30-to-50 age band collectively accounted for 71.4 per cent of all buyers. Gender distribution showed near parity: women made up 50.7 per cent of purchasers and men 49.3 per cent.

Among titles stocked at Kyobo, the best-selling "Odyssey" book this year was a complete Korean translation by Park Mun-jae, published by Hyundae Jisung. The retailer noted that sales remained distributed across both comprehensive translations and introductory guides to Homer's original text, signalling sustained interest in the myth itself rather than reliance on film tie-ins alone.

What's next

Kyobo anticipates further momentum. The official screenplay for Nolan's "The Odyssey" is scheduled for Korean publication on 19 August, potentially drawing additional readers seeking both the ancient source and the contemporary adaptation's literary framework. For now, the film's arrival has done what few recent releases have: placed a 2,700-year-old text among South Korea's current reading trends.