100,000 Copies in Korea! Akutagawa Prize Winner 'Goethe Said It All' Becomes a Smash Hit with 32nd Printing, Surpassing Japan Success

The Korean edition of Yuui Suzuki's 'Goethe Said It All' (published by Contents Group Forest Corp.), released by Asahi Shimbun Publications, has surpassed a cumulative total of 100,000 copies in just three months since its launch in November 2025. It achieved the number one overall ranking on all three major Korean online bookstores—Kyobo Book Centre, Aladin, and YES24—drawing significant attention as the most-read Japanese literary work in Korea today.

Dominating Overall Rankings The 172nd Akutagawa Prize-winning work, translated by Lee Ji-su, has become an extraordinary hit for a Japanese literary piece. Its performance includes: - Kyobo Book Centre: #1 Overall (4 weeks) - Aladin: #1 Overall (5 weeks) - YES24: #1 Overall (1 week)

In the early stages of release, recommendations from critic Shin Hyeong-cheol and author Un-yu, who hold great influence among Korean readers, drove sales via social media and reading communities. Furthermore, shortly after publication, Lee Dong-jin, one of Korea's most influential critics, selected the book as his 'Book of the Month for November.' His introductory video on his YouTube channel sparked massive interest, leading to an explosion in sales.

'A Master of the Next Generation has Arrived!' – Enthusiastic Reader Reviews Korean readers have shared passionate feedback: - 'A master of the next generation has arrived!' - 'Modest yet delightful.' - 'Intriguing even as a mystery.' - 'A work that greatly stimulates intellectual curiosity.' - 'It made me look at my life once more.'

To commemorate the combined total of 170,000 copies sold in Japan and Korea, the book will be displayed in Japanese bookstores with a new promotional band. We hope you take this opportunity to enjoy it!

Author's Comment 'Whether Goethe actually said, "If a novel is read abroad, it is thanks to the translator, not the author," I do not know. However, both Borges and Yasunari Kawabata said something similar, and I find myself feeling the same way now. I never imagined that this work would be so widely accepted by Korean readers.'

'Finally, a real quote from Goethe: "What kind of reader do I desire? One who forgets me, themselves, and the world, living selflessly and open-mindedly only within the book."' (© Asahi Shimbun Publications Photo/Video Dept., Tetsuya Higashikawa)

Synopsis Renowned Goethe scholar, Hiroba Toitsu, encounters a Goethe quote he doesn't know during a family dinner. Seeking the source of the words written on a tea bag tag, he scours vast original texts and traces back through his long years of research. Toitsu's journey around a single phrase raises profound questions about the nature of creation and scholarship, leading readers toward an unexpected clarity. An academic adventure story depicted by a young talent. The 172nd Akutagawa Prize-winning work.

Author Profile Yuui Suzuki Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 2001. Moved to Fukushima Prefecture at age one and lived there until age eleven. In 2024, received an honorable mention for the 10th Hayashi Fumiko Literary Award for 'How Many Books Does a Person Need?'. Won the 172nd Akutagawa Prize for 'Goethe Said It All.' Other works include 'Mobile Heritage' (Keitai Isan).

Bibliographic Information Title: Goethe Said It All Author: Yuui Suzuki Publisher: Asahi Shimbun Publications Release Date: January 15, 2025 Price: 1,760 yen (1,600 yen + 10% tax) Format: 46-size, Hardcover Pages: 192 ISBN: 9784022520395 URL: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4022520396