‘Text Hip’ Mecca ‘Seoul International Book Fair 2026’ Opens... Millie’s Library Invites Visitors to a ‘Housewarming Party’

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The Korea Book Festival, the largest book festival in South Korea and one of Asia’s leading book fairs, the ‘Seoul International Book Fair 2026 (SIBF),’ finally opened on June 24. We take a look at the long history of the Korea Publishers Association, the event’s organizer, its evolution over the years, and the must-know tips for visitors. We also cover kt Millie’s Library’s participation as it unveils a very special concept booth to mark its 10th anniversary.

Q1. What kind of event is the Seoul International Book Fair, South Korea’s largest book festival?

The Seoul International Book Fair (SIBF) is the country’s largest book festival, organized by the Korea Publishers Association, the biggest and oldest organization representing South Korea’s publishing industry. It is a lively cultural venue where publishers, editors, authors, and readers come together to share knowledge and inspiration. It is also a hub for diplomacy and trade, where global copyright deals are actively made. This year, under the intriguing theme of ‘Declaration of Humanity, Homo Duduri,’ 415 diverse programs will run through June 28, exploring the role of humans in the age of AI and the power of questions.

Q2. What is the history of the Seoul International Book Fair and its organizer, the Korea Publishers Association?

Since its launch in 1947, the Korea Publishers Association has served as a strong pillar supporting access to books for everyone, everywhere, based on the publishing values it has long upheld: “Publishing and freedom of publication are vessels that hold democracy.” The history of the book fair has also steadily evolved alongside the association’s own journey.

1947 [Educational Exhibition Book Exhibition]: The humble first root of the book fair, held at Incheon Sinhung Elementary School.

1954 [Book Exhibition]: The first official standalone event, held at the National Library of Korea after the pain of war.

1959 [National Book Exhibition]: The event changed its name and grew into a nationwide, state-level fair.

1980s [National Book Festival, National Book Market, United Book Festival]: It moved beyond a simple exhibition and became a festival and market where readers could enjoy and connect.

1990 [Seoul Book Fair]: It became one of Seoul’s signature cultural festivals during the publishing boom of the 1990s.

1995 to present [Seoul International Book Fair]: It was finally elevated to an international event and became Asia’s leading book fair, connecting with the world. Today, it also promotes Korean books abroad by operating a Korean pavilion at overseas book fairs, serving as a messenger of K-culture.

Q3. The book fair has become hugely popular among younger people lately. When did it become so cool?

The book fair’s turning point came in 2017. That year, it declared a transformation and boldly abandoned the old model of simply discounting books. Instead, it put independent publishers and neighborhood bookstores in the spotlight and introduced limited-edition goods with strong collectible appeal. Collaborations with popular cultural icons helped it reemerge as an attractive festival. The change aligned perfectly with the recent Text Hip trend among younger generations, a culture that sees reading as cool, and it has since won overwhelming support from readers, with advance tickets selling out at lightning speed every year.

Q4. What are the basic details for the Seoul International Book Fair 2026, such as the schedule and venue?

This year’s fair will be held for five days, from Wednesday, June 24 to Sunday, June 28, at COEX Hall A and B1 in Samseong-dong, Seoul. It is the largest edition ever, with more than 530 publishers and companies from 18 countries taking part. Please check the table below for the detailed schedule.

Q5. Can I still attend if I did not reserve a ticket in advance? Do you have any visiting tips?

For readers who missed advance reservations, same-day tickets will be sold on-site and online during the fair. However, entry may be restricted depending on the venue’s capacity, and tickets may sell out early, so visiting as early as possible is recommended. Talks and lectures by well-known authors are usually operated on a reservation basis, but standing-room viewing may be available on a first-come, first-served basis depending on conditions. It is best to arrive at the hall 20 to 30 minutes before the session begins.

Q6. What concept was used for the kt Millie’s Library booth, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year?

kt Millie’s Library, South Korea’s largest reading platform, is inviting visitors into a stylish Millihouse to celebrate its 10th anniversary. The booth was designed to look like a real home, with the message that reading is not a heavy assignment that must be finished to the end, but a relaxing part of everyday life. In the kitchen, visitors can try Millie Pairing, which lets them scan a paper book’s barcode and continue reading it as an e-book. In the bathroom, they can enjoy audio web novels and original webtoons through both listening and viewing. The booth also offers plenty of fun through collaborations with trendy lifestyle brands such as Lumir, Aromatica, and Ringti, whose stylish interiors are on display.

Q7. What benefits and attractions are available at the Millie’s Library booth?

It is packed with treasure-like limited-edition goods and events. In the garden area, mini-book key rings for Jo Ye-eun’s upcoming second-half release Believers of the Green Cliff and Chunge’s Between Women are being unveiled for the first time. Visitors can also buy a special re-cover edition of Lee Hee-young’s new novel Fall, which has been loved by 400,000 readers, and attend on-site autograph sessions with Chunge, Jo Ye-eun, and Jjme (Shin Si-yeon). In addition, anyone who verifies a subscription at the booth will receive the anthology Bookkeeper, featuring Kim Cho-yeop, Shin Hyung-chul, and other authors, along with an eco bag. There is also a fun event where visitors can collect beads from each space they experience and make a personalized bookmark that reflects their reading taste.

In one sentence: Seoul International Book Fair 2026, which has evolved over more than 70 years since its first roots in 1947, is being held at COEX through June 28. This year, it is showcasing hip and diverse reading content, including a theme highlighting the AI era and kt Millie’s Library’s 10th-anniversary Millihouse.

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This content was prepared by MaeKyung Biz Content Planning Team based on official announcements and press releases.