No discussion of book club culture would be complete without the book clubs organized by Korea¡¯s publishers. These clubs are more than just gatherings where readers share their impressions about a book. They also enable publishers to learn more about their customers and satisfy their needs.

How do these book club programs help publishers meet their customers¡¯ needs? Famous book clubs provide subscription services for members who pay an annual fee, starting with a welcome kit containing a range of reading-related items, books of various genres that match a certain theme and new releases.

That¡¯s not all. The book clubs also organize private lectures with some of Korea¡¯s best-known authors—such as Han Kang and Kim Young-ha—and collaborate with museums on events. Some publishers donate a book to welfare foundations whenever members join their clubs, giving members the satisfaction of knowing they are making a difference with their purchase.

None of these publisher-sponsored programs are available at ordinary reading clubs. Through their clubs, publishers can not only learn more about their customer base but also (in the case of larger publishers) promote books published by their affiliates. Korean publishers have each been striving to organize book clubs with unique programs of their own.

With top-tier publishers enthusiastically launching services to enhance the enjoyment of books, readers everywhere have become increasingly interested in book clubs. Influenced by this trend, other private industry sectors introduced unique programs unavailable on other platforms. That was how Korea¡¯s book club culture began to blossom.

To be sure, Korean publishers are not the only place where special book clubs can be found. Offline book clubs are no longer just meetings about reading and have gradually been becoming more sophisticated forums. There are now book clubs for anyone to join, from beginners who are just dipping their toes into the hobby to experienced readers ready to dive into more challenging texts, such as the classics.

For example, one book club provider offers a club for studying books in depth and putting their lessons into practice and a club for people who want to develop the habit of reading. In the latter club, members share books on their regular reading list and ask each other questions based on keywords from the books. In addition to getting into the habit of reading, members also get exposed to books on unfamiliar topics that they would not otherwise have read.

There are also book clubs that examine texts in detail, such as a book club for people with the goal of writing fiction. Club members read and analyze short stories by up-and-coming writers and then study writing tips that they can apply to their own writing. Members use those tips to write stories and apply their knowledge to give each other feedback. The club even encourages members to act like the characters in these stories and pose questions to the other members. That gives writers an invaluable opportunity to explore their stories in greater depth and detail.

In this way, offline book clubs provide a chance to share thoughts with kindred spirits and a precious opportunity to aid in one¡¯s personal development. Those who would like a greater variety of reading experiences are encouraged to check out Korea¡¯s offline book clubs. They are sure to give you a new appreciation for reading.

Agreable offers offline book clubs with various levels and themes.

The Internet is overflowing with media. There are videos, music and comics—plenty of non-textual forms of entertainment to lure your eye and grab your attention. Nevertheless, there are people online who want to talk about books. Such people are the target audience of online book clubs that offer something quite different from offline book clubs.

The appeal of online book clubs is illustrated by the advantages cited by one online reading platform. Since the clubs are not held in person, membership is not limited by location. Members can participate without feeling self-conscious about their appearance, occupation, gender or age. People who think they need more confidence in their speaking ability can still participate since the text-based medium gives them time to edit their messages. As the platform said, online book clubs allow people to meet strangers while maintaining their anonymity, serving as a forum for anyone who loves to read. At the same time, members can get many of the same benefits they would receive from offline book clubs.

Another advantage of online book clubs is their archiving functionality. With offline book clubs, activities are typically only shared and saved within the group. That means the group¡¯s utility does not extend beyond its immediate members. However, with online book clubs, even non-members are free to browse through conversations archived online, which brings the club¡¯s benefits to a broader range of people.

If you do not have time to join an offline book club or can speak Korean but live far away, an online book club may be worth looking into. It is the easiest and most convenient way to broaden your book-reading horizons.

Gmeum is currently the most active online book club community in Korea. Diverse individuals engage in book-related projects and freely converse.