For the first time in seven years, academic textbooks have fallen out of the top 10 most borrowed books by undergraduate students at Seoul National University (SNU), South Korea’s top university. Literature dominated the top eight spots of the most borrowed books at the SNU library. “The long-standing tradition of academic books dominating the top borrowed books has been broken,” said an SNU official.
This shift reflects the growing popularity of “Text Hip,” a cultural trend among Korean Gen Z and younger Millennials. The term blends “text” and “hip” to suggest that reading is cool. Many young people initially picked up books to appear sophisticated, only to find reading literature enjoyable. Experts predict that Text Hip might evolve into a cultural zeitgeist that defines an entire generation rather than fading away as a fleeting trend.
Nobel Prize-winning Korean author Han Kang’s “I Do Not Bid Farewell” was the most borrowed book at SNU’s library last year, according to the university on Jan. 2. Novels claimed second to fourth place, while essays and prose ranked fifth and sixth, followed by more novels in seventh and eighth. This is the first time since 2017 that academic books have disappeared from SNU’s list of the top 10 most borrowed titles.
Academic textbooks such as Principles of Music, General Statistics, and Linear Algebra dominated top borrowed titles at universities until 2023, as students prioritized academic performance and job searching over reading novels and poetry. During the pandemic, the culture of sharing textbooks among students in common rooms disappeared, and students increasingly turned to the library to borrow textbooks.
However, last year, literary works took over the borrowing list at SNU. Other universities saw similar trends. At Korea University, eight of the top 10 borrowed books were novels, while Ewha Womans University reported nine novels in their top 10. Sogang University saw novels like “Pachinko” and “The Vegetarian” among the most borrowed titles.
Experts suggest that the Text Hip movement might represent a pivotal phase for a generation shaped by ultra-competitive college entrance exams. Text Hip first gained traction on social media, where young readers shared photos of book covers and favorite passages to express their personal tastes. While some dismiss the movement as superficial or performative, many young readers have discovered a deeper passion for reading through this trend.
“Young readers in their 20s have been exposed to digital content since childhood, so they find printed text refreshing and stylish,” said a publishing industry representative. “Many are tired of fleeting social media posts, such as short-form content, and are discovering the appeal of reading books.”
University students shared their experiences with reading. “At first, I picked up books because I liked that people perceived me as a thoughtful and sophisticated person,” said Byun Ji-min, a 24-year-old student. “But over time, reading expanded my perspective and enriched my conversations. Now, reading has become my hobby.”
Kim Min-woo, another 24-year-old undergraduate, shared a similar experience. “I started reading novels to catch my breath during the stressful job search period after seeing friends post reading selfies. But the characters’ stories have helped me reflect on my struggles and organize my thoughts.”
